Sleidan Speed Stow Sozomenus Sabellicus Stapleton Suetonius Spenser Sir Philip Sidney Serres Selden T Theodoritus Tibullus Tacitus Trussel Nicholas Trivet Tertullian V Victor Verstigan Virgil W Will. of Newberry Will. of Malmsbury Walsingham Weever Waller X Xenophon Z Zosimus The Reader is desired to correct these Errata's with his Pen the most material being in Sir Walter Raleigh's Life his Letter to the Duke of Buckingham should have been placed after his Voyage to Guyana PAge 17. line 30. read falne p. 24. l. 25. for Danes read English l. 32. r. depart p. 44 l. 17. r. Denmark p. 80. l. 1. r. his l. 11. r. sky p. 92. l. 6. for himself r. him p. 101. l 6. r. progress p. 129. l. 18. after enterprize r. which they refused p. 186. l. 8. r. the. p. 207. l. 12. r. they p. 228. l 27. r. bait p. 251. in the title r. Sir Walter Raleigh p. 253. l. 17. r. Rams l. 29. r. unfortunately p. 255. l. 16. r. intercessor p. 279. l. 18. r. Pallas p. 329. l. 2. r. Strafford p. 333. l. 19. r. Strafford p. 405. l. 3. r. Louden p. 477. l. 29. r. fit p. 520. l. last r. Ship p. 562. l. 33. r. tail The Names of those whose Lives are written in this Book 1 COnstantine the Great Folio 1 2 King Arthur Folio 8 3 Dunstan Folio 16 4 Edmond Ironside Folio 22 5 Edward the Confessor Folio 29 6 William the Conqueror Folio 38 7 Thomas Becket Folio 49 8 Richard the First Folio 55 9 Edward the Third Folio 66 10 Edw. the Black Prince Folio 79 11 Sir John Hawkwood Folio 88 12 Geoffery Chaucer Folio 91 13 Henry the Fifth Folio 98 14 John D. of Bedford Folio 115 15 Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick Folio 125 16 Richard the Third Folio 140 17 Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey Folio 145 18 Cardinal Wolsey Folio 151 19 Sir Thomas Moor Folio 155 20 Thomas Cromwel Earl of Essex Folio 170 21 Sir Philip Sidney Folio 179 22 Robert E. of Leicester Folio 186 23 The Lord Burleigh Folio 195 24 Sir Francis Drake Folio 205 25 Sir Francis Walsingham Folio 215 26 Sir Nicholas Bacon Folio 219 27 Robert Devereux Earl of Essex Folio 221 28 Sir Robert Cecil Folio 238 29 Sir Tho. Overbury Folio 241 30 Sir Walter Rawleigh Folio 250 31 Mr. Wil. Cambden Folio 261 32 Mr. Tho. Sutton Folio 268 33 Sir Francis Bacon Folio 273 34 Lancelot Andrews Bishop of Winchester Folio 289 35 Doctor Donne Folio 298 36 George Villiers Duke of Buckingham Folio 308 37 Sir Henry Wotton Folio 319 38 Tho. Wentworth Earle of Strafford Folio 329 39 William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury Folio 343 40 Robert Devereux Earl of Essex General of the Parliaments Forces Folio 350 41 Sir Charles Lucas Folio 356 42 King Charles Folio 363 43 The Lord Capel Folio 433 44 James Marquesse of Montross Folio 446 45 Bishop Usher Folio 469 46 John Lilburne Folio 479 47 Oliver Cromwel Folio 525 Englands Worthies Select Lives of the most Eminent PERSONS of the Three Nations from Constantine the Great to the Death of the late Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell COnstantine for his many Victories sirnamed the Great was Son to Constantius Emperour of Rome his Mother was named Hellena being Daughter unto Caelus a Brittish Prince though some Jews and Gentiles out of hatred to her Religion have reported her to be an Inholder or Hoastess he was born in England as all Writers affirm two petty Greek Authors only dissenting who deserve to be arraigned of felony for robbing our Country of its honor Colchester was the place where he first beheld the light as the Ancient Poet Necham sung From Colchester there rose a Star The Rayes whereof gave glorious light Throughout the world in Climates far Great Constantine Romes Emperour bright At such time as he was Caesar under Constantius his Father he was left at Rome as Hostage with Galerius the Emperour but perceiving his death to be by him attempted he posted to Brittain in all haste to his father who was newly returned to the City of York from an expedition he had made against the Picts and Caledonians Constantius at the time of his sons arrival was sick of the Plague whereof he died immediately afterwards the sight of his son at the present so revived his spirits that raising himself upon his bed he set the Crown Imperial upon his head and in the presence of his Privy Councellours spake to this effect Now is my death to me more welcome and my departure hence more pleasant seeing I shall leave my unaccomplished actions to be performed by thee my Son in whose person I question not but that my memorial shall be retained as in a monument of eternal fame What I had intended but by death prevented see thou accomplish let thine Empire be governed uprightly by Justice protecting the innocents from the tyranny of oppressours wiping away all tears from the eyes of Christians for therein above all things have I esteemed my self happy to thee therefore I commend my Diadem and their defence taking my Faults along with me to my grave but leaving my Vertues to revive and live in thee With the conclusion of which words he concluded his life leaving his Subjects sorrowful for his departure but the grief they received by the death of the Father was mittigated in the hopes they conceived of his Son who so resembled his Father in all vertuous conditions that though the Emperour was changed yet his good government remained For as one writes Sol occubuit nox nulla secuta est The sun was gone but night was none Another writes thus of him Great Constantine preserv'd by Heavens decree Of mighty Rome the Emperour to be Constantine thus chosen Emperour in Brittain was confirmed Emperour by the Senate of Rome who like the Persians adored the rising Sun giving approbation to what they could not remedy his first expedition was against the Picts and Caledonians which War his Father had begun but death prevented him to finish it leaving the prosecution thereof to his son Constantine that the Fabrick of so many victories by him atchieved might have the foundation thereof laid in Brittain nor was his success contrary to his expectation subduing the inhabitants that were most remote witnesses saith one of the suns set or going down Whilest Constantine was thus busied in Brittain Maxentius by the tumultuous souldiers was proclaimed Emperour at Rome whose sister Fausta Constantine had married but his tyrannical usurpation grew so odious to the Senate that they sent to Constantine for his aid who willingly hearkening to what they so earnestly desired prepared his forces against the new elected Emperour Maximianus the Father of the Tyrant faining to abhor the outragiousness of his son but seeking indeed to uphold him in his tyranny repaired to his Son in law Constantine with an intent to murther him but revealing his intentions to his Daughter Fausta was by her detected and being taken was
of Manchester and the Lord Fairfax and with joynt Forces besieged York to raise the Siege Prince Rupert came with a great Army out of the South the three Generals left their Siege to fight the Prince under him also New Castle having drawn his Forces out of York served who on a great Plain called Marston Moor gave Battle to the three Generals The Victory at first enclined to the Royalists but by the valour of Cromwel who fought under Manchester their whole Army was utterly defeated Prince Rupert his Ordnance his Carriages and Baggage being all taken This was the greatest Battel of the whole Civil War and might have proved a great Remora to the Kings proceedings had he not soon after worsted Essex in Cornwall who having lost all his Artillery returned to London The Parliament soon after new modelled their Army Sir Thom as Fairfax was chosen General in the room of Essex and now the Idol of a Treaty was set up at Vxbridge in which to shew the clearness of his Majesties intentions I have included some of his most material proceedings conducible to an Agreement betwixt him and the Parliament His Majesties particular Prayer for a Blessing on the Treaty O most merciful Father Lord God of Peace and Truth we a people sorely afflicted by the scourge of an unnatural War do earnestly beseech thee to command a Blessing from Heaven on this Treaty brought about by thy Providence the onely visible remedy left for the establishment of a happy Peace soften the most obdurate hearts with a true Christian desire of saving those mens bloud for whom Christ himself hath shed his O Lord let not the guilt of our sins cause this Treaty to break off but let the truth of thy Spirit so clearly shine in our mindes that all private ends laid aside we may every one of us heartily and sincerely pursue the Publick good and that the people may be no longer so blindely miserable as not see at least in this their day the things that belong to their peace Grant this gracious God for his sake who is our peace it self even Jesus our Lord Amen His Majesties Message to the Houses of Parliament which drew on the following Treaty at Uxbridge December 13. 1644. His Majesty hath seriously considered your Propositions and findes it very dffiicult in respect they import so great an alteration in Government both in Church and State to return a particular and positive Answer before a full debate wherein those Propositions and all the necessary explanations and reasons for assenting dissenting or qualifying and all inconveniences and mischiefs which may ensue and cannot otherwise be so well foreseen may be discussed and weighed his Majesty therefore proposeth and desireth as the best expedient for peace that you will appoint such number of persons as you shall think fit to treat with the like number of persons to be appointed by his Majesty upon the said Propositions and such other things as shall be proposed by his Majesty for the preservation and defence of the Protestant Religion with due regard to the ease of tender Consciences as his Majesty hath often offered the Rights of the Crown the Liberty and Propriety of the Subjects and the Priviledges of Parliament And upon the whole matter to conclude a happy and blessed Peace Sent by the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton December 13. 1644 His Majesties Commission to certain Lords and Gentlemen to treat at Vxbridge with the Commissioners of the Lords and Commons assembled at Westminster c. Charles Rex Whereas after several Messages sent by us to the Lords and Commons of Parliament at Westminster expressing our desires of Peace certain Propositions were sent by them to us at Oxon in November last by the Earl of Denbigh and others and upon our Answers Messages and Propositions to them and their Returns to us it is now agreeed That there shall be a Treaty for a well-grounded Peace to begin at Uxbridge on Thursday the thirtieth day of this instant January as by the said Propositions Answers Messages and Returns in writing may more fully appear We do therefore hereby appoint assign and codnstitute James Duke of Richmond and Lennox William Marquess of Hertford Thomas Earl of Southampton Henry Earl of Kingston Francis Earl of Chichester Francis Lord Seymor Arthur Lord Capel Christopher Lord Hatton John Lord Culpeper Sir Edward Nicholas Knight one of cur principal Secretaries of State Sir Edward Hide Knight Chancellour and Vnder-Treasurer of our Exchequer Sir Richard Lane Chief Baron of our said Exchequer Sir Thomas Gardiner Sir Orlando Bridgeman Master John Asburnham and Master Jeffery Palmer together with Dr. Richard Steward upon the Propositions concerning Religion to be our Commissioners touching the Premises and do hereby give unto them or to any ten or more of them full power and authority to meet and on our part to treat with Algernon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery William Earl of Salisbury Basil Earl of Denbigh Thomas Lord Viscount Wentworth Denzil Hollis William Pierpoint Esquires Sir Henry Vane the younger Knight Oliver St. John Bulstrade Whitlock John Crew and Edmond Prideaux Esquires for the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and John Earl of London Lord Chancellour of Scotland Archibald Marquess of Arguile John Lord Maytland John Lord Balmerino Sir Archibald Johnson Sir Charles Asking George Douglas Sir John Smith Sir Hough Kennedy and Master Robert Carly for the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland together with Master Alexander Henderson upon the Propositions concerning Religion or with any ten or more of them upon and touching the matters contained in the said Propositions Answers and Messages or any other according to the manner and agreement therein specified or otherwise as they or any ten or more of them shall think fit and to take all the Premises into their serious considerations and to compose conclude and end all Differences arising thereupon or otherwise as they or any ten or more of them in their wisdoms shall think fit and upon the whole matter to conclude a safe and well-grounded Peace if they can and whatsoever they or any then or more of them shall do in the Premises we do by these presents ratifie and confirm the same Given at our Court at Oxon the 28. day of January one thousand six hundred forty and four in the 20. year of our Reign His Majesties Instructions to the Commissioners at Uxbridge Concerning the Militia and Ireland First concerning Religion In this the Government of the Church as is set forth Sect. 3. Numb 14. Next concerning the Militia After Conscience this is certainly the fittest Subject for a Kings quarrel for without it the Kingly Power is but a shadow and therefore upon no means to be quitted but maintained according to the known Laws of the Land yet to attain to this so much wished peace of all good men it is in a manner necessary
ENGLANDS WORTHIES The Liues of the Most Eminent Persons from CONSTANTINE the Great to OLIUER CROMWELL Late Protector Printed for N Brooke at the Angel in Cornhill 1660. 1 C 2 K A 3 St D 4 K I 5 E d C 6 W th C 7 T B 8 R t 1 9 E t 3 10 B P 11 Sir J H 12 I C 13 H t 5 14 D B 15 E d W 16 R 3d 17 E d S 18 T W 19 T M 20 T C 21 Sr P S 22 E d L 23 W B 24 Sr F D 25 F W 26 N B 27 R E d E 28 R C 29 Sr T O 30 Sr W R 31 W C 32 T S 33 Sir F B 34 B p A 35 I D 36 D B 37 Sr H W 38 E o S 39 B p L 40 E d E 41 Sir C L 42 K C 43 L d C 44 ma M 45 B p V 46 47 O C England's WORTHIES Select LIVES of the most Eminent Persons from Constantine the Great to the death of Oliver Cromwel late Protector Polib Historici est ne quid falsi audeat dicere ne quid veri non audeat By WILLIAM WINSTANLEY Gent. N B London Printed for Nath. Brooke at the Sign of the Angel in Cornhill 1660. To the Right Honourable Somerset Lord Herbert of Ragland Son and Heir of Edward Marquess of Worcester Earl of Glamorgan c. To the Right Honourable William Seimor Lord Beuchampe Grand-childe and Heir to the Right Honourable the Marquess of Hertford To the Right Honourable Charles Dormer Lord Dormer of Wing Son and Heir to the Right Honourable the Earl of Canarvan My Lords I Have chosen to present you with this Volume not onely as it is worthy of the Ages past but also of your Lordships present view the Affinity of your Blood and Greatness challenging from me no less then these prostrate respects as I could desire no firmer nor safer an Anchorage then in so proper a Dedication no despairing that my Pen hath produc'd something worthy of your entertainments as I have set before your eyes forty seven Select Lives of our English Heroes the greatest Princes the most Reverend Cleargy-men eminent States-men and valiant Souldiers all deceast As to History it self a Modern Writer expresses 't is the study of the Holy Scripture that becomes a Gentleman of the Ecclesiastical History a Christian and of the Brittish History an English man all which Qualifications in some measure meeting in your Honours as well as in this Work it self gives me some assurance that these my weak endeavours would not be unwelcome to you My Lords he that hath the Spirit and Blood of his Ancestours in his veins cannot be so much turned into a Statue as to stand still and admire the different Fortunes this mans greatness and of that mans lowness so as not onely to reflect on the tributary brooks of the former Matches of the Nobility but also to look back to matter of fact what our Predecessours have been as well as what we our selves at the present are least falling short of the imitation of their immortal actions we so strangely degenerate as not to understand what we our selves ought to be The clear Fountain flowing from the true Nobility of late being so disturbed it is the office of an honest and true Historian if not his duty to have so much of the Herald as to Register the Descents Issues worthy Acts Atchievements Mannagements of our of late so little imitated Ancestors of these several alterations in Nobility one observes there are three principle Actors on the Theater of great Families the Beginner Advancer and Ruiner in all these our uncivil troublesome times we have heard more of the latter then of the other two one experiencst though unfortunate good amongst the many mischiefs which a Civil War occasions is that in the ransacking of Studies accidentally though determined otherwise the Togati and the Armati meet several Manuscripts which otherwise would have remained useful only to private persons have been by Divine Providence miraculously preserved contrary to the intentions of the Agents whose Barbarismes had snuft out the candle to the present Age and deprived posterity of those Illustrations from which they might know that truth which otherwise they should never have been acquainted with as they endeavoured that the most remarkable Affairs of these times should have otherwise been hid under a bushel To your Honor my Lord Herbert I make this particular Address though this Dedication is joynt as in respect of your happy Assinities as you are Father-in-law to one of these youthful Branches of Honour in respect of your advantages of some years so your grandeur and experience renders you a History of your self and in respect of their tender ages another to them My Lord I know to your Honour it is no less then a Prodigy that our English Gentlemen should be more exact and refin'd in knowing the Religion Laws Governments Strengths Scites Customs and Fashions of Forreign Countreys then of their own wherein themselves are Natives which caused a deserving Historian as it were to sigh out this expression What pitty is it for a proper Gentleman to have such a crick in his neck that he cannot look so much as over his shoulder to know his own History much less so far behinde him as to reflect on actions long since performed I have presumed to intimate thus much to your Honor as you are another Burleigh or Raleigh to give better advice to your youthful Kinsmen My Lords I have chosen you as out of the Caesars to affix your names to this Epitome of Lives that as Julius was his own History and Commentary so your Honours though yet but in the abstract of time might pass it to posterity to which purpose I have chosen your united protections Since I have been writing this History there hath been no less then three alterations Regal Protectorship and now a Commonwealth I first undertook this enterprize in the time of Monarchy continued it in the short space of Protectorship and finished it in the immediate initiation of the Commonwealth in all which progressions if the Liberty of the Subjects modest prospects are shut up or not allow'd if in these days that Lots little one of truth by these present times posterity must be deprived of wise and honest men will be seriously sensible of such obstructions the maliciousness of such Machiavillians puts me in mind of what elegant Mr. Fuller cites what Naturalists observe of the Toad who before she can be surprized by death sucks up the supposed precious stone in her head which till then was but a jelly thus some men are so cowardly that they had rather have History buried with them then that the least part of civil truth should be writ whilest they live as if they deserved no Chronicle or were only to be suffered in Libellous Pamphlets which wise men scorn to cast their eyes on I confess we live in times of Jealousies nevertheless
Branches of Trees which not onely kept them from being discovered but induced him to think all the Woods thereabout of the like nature so that he willingly consented to what they desired which was the continuance of their former Laws and Pledges being given on both parts for performance Kent yieldeth up her Earldome and Castle of Dover to King William Now what the Kentish-men attained by arms the Citizens of London obtained by art for having to their Bishop one William a Norman they so wrought with him and he with the King that he granted them their first Charter written in the Saxon Tongue and sealed with green wax the coppy whereof followeth William Cyng greit William Biscop Godfreges Portgerefan ealle tha Burhwaren the on Lunden beon c. William King greeteth William Bishop and Godfrey Portreeve and all the Burgesses that in London be French and English friendly And I do you to wit that I will that you enjoy all the Law which you did in the dayes of Edward King And I will that each Childe be his Fathers Inheritour after his Fathers dayes And I will not suffer that any man you any wrong offer God you keep The Lord Major and Aldermen to honour his memory upon the Solemn Dayes of their resort to Pauls do still use to walk to his Grave-stone being in the midst of the great West Isle and on the same have affixed this Epitaph following Gulielmo viro sapientia vita sanctitate claro qui primùm divo Edwardo regi Confessori familiaris ruper in Episcopum Londinensem erectus nec multo post apud invictissimum principem Gulielmum Angliae Regem ejus nominis primum ob prudentiam fidemque singularem in consilium adhibitus amplissima huic urbi celeberrima privilegia ab eodem impetravit Senatus populusque Londinensis bene merenti posuit Sedic Episcopus Annos 20. Decessit anno à Christo nato 1070. Haec tibi clare pater posuêrunt marmora cives Praemia non meritis aequiparanda tuis Namque sibi populus te Londoniensis amicum Sensit huic urbi non bene praesidium Reddita libertas duce te donataque multis Te duce res fuerat publica muneribus Divitias genus formam brevis opprimat hora Haec tua sed pietas benfacta manent Thus turned into English by one of our modern Historians To William a man famous in wisdom and holiness of life who first with St. Edward the King and Confessour being familiar of late preferred to be Bishop of London and not long after for his prudency and sincere fidelity admitted to be of counsel with the most victorious Prince William King of England of that name the first who obtained of the same great and large Priviledges to this famous City The Senate and Citizens of London to him having well deserved have made this He continued Bishop twenty years and died in the year after Christ his Nativity 1070. These Marble Monuments to thee thy Citizens assign Rewards O Father far unfit to those deserts of thine Thee unto them a faithful friend thy London people found And to this Town of no small weight a stay both sure and found Their Liberties restor'd to them by means of thee have been Their Publick Weal by means of thee large gifts have felt and seen Thy riches stock and beauty brave one hour hath them supprest Yet these thy vertues and good deeds with us for ever rest The memories of this man Sir William Walworth Sir Thomas Gresham and such others deserve to be honoured with statues advanced in the most conspicuous places of the City lest otherwise she be reputed ingrateful to them from whom she derives so honourable a splendour But to leave the City and return unto the Court new troubles in Normandy arising in King Williams absence he was forced suddenly to raise an Army to suppress them carrying along with him those whom he most suspected might take the advantage of his troubles abroad so as to raise any new broils at home pretending their aid against his Rebells in Normandy but indeed fearing in his absence they should raise a new rebellion in England dealing therein as the politique Captain Sextorius did with the Spaniards whose children he kept under pretence of learning them the Latine Tongue but indeed as Hostages for their Fathers loyalties And because the common people are to be feared for their number as well as the Nobility for their greatnesse he disarmed them that so being left naked they might be uncapable of Insurrections yet notwithstanding his policy no sooner was he gone but Edrick Sylvaticus a man of great spirit and power aided by the Welsh-men made great spoils in Herefordshire wasting all to the mouth of Wye These troubles made the Englishmen so distasteful to King William that returning out of Normandy he laid such heavy Taxes and Impositions upon them that many of them preferring penurious liberty before fetters of gold left their habitations and lived as Outlaws in the woods and deserts The chiefest of these Male-contents were Edwyn and Morcar the two stout Earls of Yorkshire and Chester Hereward Gospatria and Syward with many other Lords to whom joyned Stigand and Aldred Archbishops with many of the Clergy who having Edgar Atheling amongst them endeavoured to recover that which for want of taking time by the foretop they had improvidently lost But their Forces being dissipated by Williams conquering sword every one sought how to save himself by flight some fled into Denmtrk others into Hungary most into Scotland whilest William with triumph returned to London from whence he sent Ambassadours to Malcolme Canmore then King of Scotland for the delivery of Edgar with the rest of his enemies which if he refused he would denounce open War against Scotland But King Malcolme not onely denied his request but also took to Wife the Lady Margret sister unto Edgar which occasioned bloody Wars on both sides and four several Armies were sent against the Scots The first under the conduct of one Roger a Norman who entering hastily into Northumberland was by the Scots discomfited and himself by his own Souldiers treacherously slain to second whose beginnings another Army was sent under the Command of Richard Earl of Glocester whose fortunes being not answerable to Williams expectations A third Army was sent led by Odo Bishop of Bayeux and Earl of Kent but he being more used to the Church then the Camp and fitter to handle a pen then a sword encountering with the Scots upon the first onset was quite defeated but King William nothing discouraged with these overthrows sent his son Robert with a far greater power then he sent before which notwithstanding did no far greater service then the fortifying of Newcastle at length a Peace was concluded betwixt them which though prejudicial to King Williams side yet as affairs then stood he could not well have acted otherwise which was that King Malcolme should enjoy that part
the rumours of the people concerning his Fathers death a War is proclaimed against Scotland to revenge those overthrows the English had received from their valiant Chieftain King Robert le Bruce but by the treason of the Lord Mortimer who is said to have received bribes from the Scots the journey proved unsuccessful the young King hardly escaping with life for one Sir James Dowglass a valiant Scot with 200 light horses assailed the Kings own Pavilion where the King was so near death that a Chaplain of his who stoutly behaved himself was slain in his masters defence and Sir James retired from thence with safety These treasons of the Lord Mortimer together with his excessive pride and over much familiarity with the Queen-Mother made him so distasteful unto the Lords that notwithstanding his strong guard consisting of no less then ninescore Knights he was by the young King and the confederate Lords surprized on a sudden at Nottingham Castle from thence removed to the City of London condemned of treason and executed at the common Gallows And here may the King be said to begin his Reign living before at the Queen and the Lord Mortimers allowance which was onely the third part of the Revenews of the Crown which now he assumeth all to himself putting the Queen to a pension of a thousand pounds a year and confining her to a Castle all the dayes of her life such was the miserable condition of this wretched Woman the Daughter Sister Wife and Mother of a King as one of our Moderns hath it So true is that the wise man once did say That none are happy till their dying day King Edward having thus raised himself would next out of Charity help his Neighbour Edward Baliol Son to John Baliol sometimes King of Scotland having remained in France two and thirty years comes over into England whom King Edward aids against his Brother in Law King David who at that time was with the King of France at Hallidown-Hill where he utterly defeats the whole power of Scotland slew of them 7. Earls 90. Knights and Banerets 400. Esquires and 32000. common Souldiers causing Baliol to be Crowned King doing homage to King Edward as his superior Lord for which though he had the Knees he had not the Hearts of his people who would be subject to none that were subject to another But these were but petty actions scarce worth the rehearsal considering what he performed afterwards his endeavours for the French Crown which that I may in order describe I will begin with the original cause of this invasion King Phillip of France dying without issue the right of succession unto that Crown belonged to King Edward as nearest in blood being his Sisters Son but Philip of Valois the Heir to Charles a former King usurps the Crown pretending a Law which they call Salique wherein Females are debarred from inheritance or as they term it the distaff from meddling with the Crown according to that in the 6. of Matthew Consider the Lillies the arms of France how they grow they toil not neither do they spin Philip hereupon summons Edward to do homage for the Lands he held in France which though prejudicial to his after claim yet in regard his Kingdome of England was scarce well settled and himself but young he was contented to do but this his Homage was exacted with such pride on the French Kings part that it left a rancour in his heart for ever after so that returning into England he studies revenge nor long wants he an instrument to spur him on for one Robert of Arthois being banished out of France comes over into England and becomes an incendiary betwixt the two Kings this fugitive King Edward entertains makes him Earl of Richmond and one of his Council then passing over into Flanders by perswasion of the Flemings he takes upon him the Stile Title and Arms of the King of France who hereupon establish a League with him accounting themselves disobliged of the Bond of tweny hundred thousand Crowns which they had entred into never to bear Arms against the King of France confederating himself with them and many other Princes with a well selected army he enters France King Philip on the other side was not idle but draws to his part the King of Bohemia the Bishop of Leige Earl of Luxembourge Henry Count Palatine Aubut Bishop of Metz Otho Duke of Austria Ame Earl of Geneva with many other and with a mighty Army confronting King Edward near to Vermandeis who notwithstanding part without doing any thing worth the relating unless we should relate what to some way seem ridiculous A Hare starting out before the head of the French Army caused a great shout to be made whereupon they who saw not the Hare but onely heard the shout supposing it to be the onset to the Battel disposed themselves to fight and fourteen Gentlemen for encouragements sake as the custom is were Knighted called afterward in merriment Knights of the Hare King Edward returning into England left the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk in Flanders to oppose the French who having performed many great exploits in an encounter near Lisle were both taken prisoners King Edward to repair this loss prepares again for France to impeach whose landing King Philip had provided a Navy of 200. sail whereof when Edward was advertised he prepares the like number of ships to encounter with them and sets out to Sea upon Midsummer-eve the next day Sir Robert Morley brings an addition to his Fleet which joyned together set upon the French in the Haven of Sluce defeated their whole Navy took and sunk all their Ships and slew thirty thousand of their men as a Poet versifies on those times Thus Salsburies and Suffolks loss which they Receiv'd on Land at Sea was washt away Many of the French to escape killing drowned themselves trusting to the mercy of the Waves rather then to the pitty of the English which made the French Kings Jeaster set on to give him notice of this overthrow to repeat often in the Kings hearing Cowardly English men Dastardly English men Faint-hearted English men and being by the King asked the reason why Because said he they durst not leap out of their Ships into the Sea as our brave French men did by which speech the King came to have knowledge of their overthrow The French lay the blame of this defeat on one Buchet who having a chief command in the Navy armed his ships with men of base condition content with small pay and refused Gentlemen and sufficient Souldiers in regard they required greater wages according to the old Law When covetous Chiefs are sparing of their Crowns Few Souldiers will be prodigal of wounds Edwards Wings thus plumed with Victory he flies amain to the Siege of Tournay with an Army of five and fifty thousand where he is encountred by the Duke of Burgandy and Earl of Armigniack who slew four thousand of his men upon the place
Edward notwithstanding continues his Siege to the relief whereof King Philip sends all the Forces he could make But by the mediation of the Lady Jane of Valois who was Sister to King Philip and Mother of King Edwards Wife a truce was concluded from Michaelmas till Midsummer and both their Armies again dissolved Edward hereupon puts out of pay his forreign aids and returning into England had notice that the Scots besieged the Castle of Striveling for relief whereof he makes all the haste he can but being disappointed of his provision that was to come by Sea he makes a Truce with the Scots for four moneths and returns home during this truce the Scots send to King David who upon their message leaves France and returns into Scotland and as soon as the truce was ended with a strong Army enters Northumberland besiegeth New Castle upon Tyne but is valiantly resisted by John Nevile the Governour who took the Earl of Murray prisoner and slew divers of his men from thence he passeth into the Bishoprick of Durham where he useth all kinde of cruelty killing men women and children burning and destroying Houses and Churches untill he came to the Castle of Salisbury but hearing of King Edwards approach who certified of these things made all the haste he could he returns homewards King Edward pursues for three dayes together at length a truce was concluded for two years and William Earl of Salisbury prisoner with the King of France was set at liberty in exchange for the Earl of Murray Whilst Edward was thus busied about the Scots a new difference arose in France John Earl of Monfort claims the Dutchy of Brittain and in pursuance of his title is taken prisoner by the French King his Wife solicites King Edward for succour who sends her aid under the conduct of Robert of Arthois and not long after follows himself Philip sends aid to Monforts Competitor and both Armies encamp near to the City of Vannes where was like to have been a cruel Battel had not Pope Clement the sixth interposed two Cardinals from him conclude a peace Vannes is delivered up to the French King and the Earl of Montfort is set at liberty The murmuring Drum now silenced and stern Mars for a while confined to prison least rusty idleness should entomb their worth and want of exercise make them forget their Arms King Edward erects a round Table at Windsor in imitation of the Renowned Arthur and to invite great men from forreign parts rich Salaries are the reward of high designs King Philip fearing this association would be to him of ill consequence writes after Edwards coppy and erects a round Table in his own Countrey to allure the men of War of Germany and Italy and so to keep them from coming into England King Edward thus prevented in his design by the French King institutes the most honourable order of the Garter the Original case whereof is dubious some conjecture that it arose for that in a Battel wherein he was victorious he gave the word Garter for the word or sign Cambden saith King Edward the Third founded this order to adorn Martial vertue with honours rewards and splendour The Original Book of the Institution deduces the invention from King Richard the First and that King Edward adorned it and brought it into splendour but the common received opinion is that a Garter of his own Queen or as some say of Joan Countess of Salisbury slipping off in a Dance King Edward stooped and took it up where at some of the Nobles that were present smiling as an amorous action he seriously said It should not be long ere Sovereign Honour were done to that Garter whereupon he afterwards added the French Motto Honi soit qui maly pense therein checking his Lords sinister suspicion Nor need we with Polydor Virgil trouble our selves to make an Apology for the courseness of this Original since according to the Poet They swell with love that are with valour fill'd And Venus Doves may in a Head-piece build The number of Knights in this order is six and twenty whereof the King is alwayes president so much accounted of in other Countries that there have been nigh twenty and six forreign Emperours and Kings of the same the glory whereof by a learned Poet is celebrated for to be such That now Burgundians scorn their fleece of Gold The French the Escalopt Collar set with grace Their Crossed weeds Rhodes Elba Alcala hold As worthless all matcht with thy George are base King Edward whose Eye was fixt upon France as the mark of his Conquest having notice that King Philip had put many of his friends to death in Normandy namely Clisson and Bacon Knights of the best note glad that the truce was broken on King Philips part prepares again for the invasion of France and taking along with him the young Prince of Wales with an Army of 2500. Horse and 30000. Foot arives in Normandy where he took and and sackd many Towns of Importance Clissons hands being nailed on the Gates of Carenton he turns it into Cinders making a Funeral-pile thereof for his slain friend He takes also the populous and rich City of Caen marching with his Army to the very Walls of Paris Philip awakened with Edwards Victories raises one of the greatest Armies that ever were seen in France Edward laden with spoil is not unwilling to retire which Philip interpreteth a kinde of flight the River of Some he passeth with much danger and defeats Gundentor du Foy who was placed there to hinder his passage King Philip set on fire with his disaster resolveth to give King Edward Battel who was incamped nigh to a Vilage called Crescy his Army consisting of 30000. he divided into three Battalions the first whereof was led by Edward the Black Prince of Wales having in his company Beuchamp Earl of Warwick Godfrey of Harecourt the Lords Stafford Laware Bourchier Clifford Cobham Holland c. together with the number of 800. men at Arms 2000. Archers and 1000. Welch In the second Battel were the Earls of Northampton and Arundel the Lords Ross Willoughby Basset Saint Albane Malton c. with 800. men at Arms and 1200. Archers The third and last Battel was commanded by the King himself having in it 700. men at Arms and 3000. Archers The French Army was far greater consisting of sixscore thousand men having in it the two Kings of Bohemia and Majorica and of Princes Dukes Earls Barrons and Gentlemen bearing Arms about 3000. The vantguard was led by the King of Bohemia and the Earl of Allanson The main Battel King Philip commanded himself and the Earl of Savoy the Reer But since in this Battel the Prince of Wales was the chief General I shall refer the further prosecution thereof to the description of his following life and proceed in our History of King Edward who after the good success of this Battel marched directly to Calice resolving not to stir untill he
Brother Earl of Longuevile Charles Earl of Vendosme the Earls of Tankervile Salbruch Nassaw Dampmarlin La Roch with many other Lords besides two thousand Knights and Gentlemen nor did the slain come far short of the prisoners the Chiefest whereof were Peter of Burbon Duke of Athens high Constable of France John Clermont Marshall George of Charney Lord great Chamberlain the Bishop of Chalons the Lords of Landas Pons and Chambly with others to the number of 1700. Knights and Gentlemen The Prince having commended his Souldiers needed not at that time reward them giving them the rich plunder of the Field which did sufficiently recompence them for their victory This indeed whetteth a Souldiers valour when desert is recompensed with reward The English whose valour was most conspicious were the Earls of Warwick Suffolk Salisbury Oxford and Stafford the Lords Cobham Spenser Berkley Basset and Audley which last named Lord for his valour was rewarded by the Prince with the gift of five hundred marks Fee simple in England which he presently gave to four of his Esquires whereupon the Prince demanding whether he accepted not his gift he answered that these men had deserved the same as well as himself and had more need of it with which reply the Prince was so well pleased that he gave him five hundred marks more in the same kinde an example worthy of immortal memory where desert in the Subject and reward in the Prince strive which should be greatest Nor did the Prince use less humanity towards his prisoners whom he entertained in most honourable manner so that King Johns Captivity was onely restraint of his liberty being attended on like a King in the hands of his enemy for noble spirits scorn to insult over misery 't is Plebean rage that is merciless Having refreshed his Army he marcheth with his prisoners to Burdeaux where he tarried a while longer to rest his Souldiers from thence he sets sail for England ariving at Plymouth King Edward as soon as he had knowledge of the Victory caused a general Thanksgiving all over England eight dayes together giving God the thanks and glory knowing him the Author and his Son but the instrument of this unparallel'd victory By reason of these his wonderful Atchievements his name grew famous all the Christian world over to whom for succour comes Peter King of Castile driven out of his kingdom by the French with the assistance of the King of Arragon and his Bastard Brother Henry placed in his room Prince Edward considering what a dangerous president this might be against all lawful Kings that any one should be thus dis-throned having obtained leave of his Father resolveth to aid him and taking along with him an Army of thirty thousand men makes his way through the streights of Rouncevallux in Navarr accompanied with the Kings of Castile and Majorca John Duke of Lancaster his Brother with many other Knights and Gentlemen On the other side King Henry for defence of his Diadem had assembled an Army of an hundred thousand consisting of French under Glequin their famous Captain as also of Castilians both Christians and Saracens On the borders of Castile at a place called Nazers it came to a Battel where the Prince obtained a glorious Victory slew many thousands of his enemies and took above two thousand prisoners nor left he off here but proceeded so far untill he had set him in Burgus upon his Throne again The greater the benefit is of him that receives it the more monstruous is his ingratitude that doth not acknowledge it this ungrateful King notwithstanding the benefits he had received of the Prince dismissed his without money to pay his Army which constrained him in his return to Burdeaux to coin his Plate but that not supplying his present necessities he layes upon his Dominions in Gascoigne a new taxation which was the cause of a most dangerous revolt But this was not all the mischief that he accrewed by this journey for the Prince brought back with him such an indisposition of body that he was never throughly well after Some report him to have been poysoned by King Peter and probable enough he might be guilty of such wickedness whose whole course of life was so full of vice Duke John of Lancester was not freed from the suspition of hastening his death though the heat of the Countrey and the unfitness of the Season might be the principal cause How ever it was certain it is he survived not long after dying at Canterbury upon Trinity Sunday Anno 1376. aged about six and forty years a Prince excelling all the princes which went before him and surpassing in Martial deeds all the Heroes that have lived after him His body was buried at Christ-Church in Canterbury where his monument standeth leaving behinde him onely one Son who was afterwards King of England by the name of Richard the Second unless we should reckon his natural issue Sir John Sounder and Sir Roger Clarendon Knights which latter is thought to be Ancestour to the house of the Smiths in Essex The Life of Sir JOHN HAWKWOOD AMongst those many Worthies which this Martial age produced that valiant Knight Sir John Hawkwood deserveth remembrance who though of low birth by his Martial prowess purchased his own renown over the Christian world He was born at Sible Heningham in the County of Essex and was in his youth bound apprentice at London with a Taylor from whence he was prest in the musters for service of King Edward the Third and sent into France as a common Souldier where contrary to the Proverb which saith Taylors are no men he behaved himself so valiantly that he was made a Captain over a Company of Foot Souldiers and not long after upon some further good service by him performed advanced unto the order of Knighthood but a peace being concluded between the French and English and his estate not able to maintain his Title he was loath to return home again to follow his old occupation it being something preposterous from a Knight to turn Taylor again wherefore he joyned himself with the Companies called the Late-comers who being about five or six thousand made great spoil upon the East parts of France passing through Champain Burgondy and Damphin even to the very Gates of Avignion in Province From thence he departed into Lumbardy having the leading of that part of the Companies which was called the White Band with whom he served valiantly in the Wars of John Marquess of Montferrat but Lionel Duke of Clarence Son to Edward the Third King of England coming over into Italy to marry with the Lady Violanta Daughter of Galeacio Duke of Millain he forsook that service and attended the Duke to the marriage To omit their sumptuous entertainment which by Paulus Jovius upon the life of Galeacio is written at large Barnaby the Brother of Galeacio having at that time great Wars with the State of Mantua obtained of the Duke of Clarence that Sir John Hawkwood
ibidem patria jura interpretantur frequentavit c. About the Latter end of King Richard the Seconds dayes he flourished in France and got himself into high esteem there by his diligent exercise in learning After his return home he frequented the Court at London and the Colledges of the Lawyers which there interpretted the Laws of the Land and among them he had a familiar Friend called John Gower a Yorkshire man born a Knight as Bale writeth of him This Gower in a Book of his entituled Confessio Amantis tearmeth Chaucer a worthy Poet and maketh him as it were the judge of his works He married a Knights Daughter of Henault called Paon de Ruel King of Arms by whom he had issue his Son Thomas to whom King Edward the Third in recompense of his Fathers services in France gave him in marriage the Daughter and Heire of Sir John Burgershe Knight This Thomas Chaucer had onely one Daughter named Alice married thrice first to Sir John Philip Knight then to Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury and the third time to William de la Pole Earl and after Duke of Suffolk who for love of his Wife and the convenient seat of her estate he removed into Oxfordshire and Barkshire where his Wives Lands lay This Alice had a Daughter by her second Husband Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury named after her Mother Alice married to Richard Nevill Son to Ralph Earl of Westmerland by whom she had Richard John and George Richard espoused Anne sister and sole heir to the Lord Beauchamp and after Duke of Warwick in whose right he was created Earl of Warwick But to return to our ancient Poet Geffery Chaucer he had alwayes an earnest desire to inrich and beautifie our English Tongue which in those dayes was very rude and barren and this he did following the example of Dante 's and Petrarch who had done the same for the Italian Tongue Alanus for the French and Johannes Mena for the Spanish neither was Chaucer inferiour to any of them in the performance hereof and England in this respect is much beholding to him as Leland well noteth Anglia Chaucerum veneratur nostra Poetam Cui veneres debet patria lingua suos Our England honoureth Chaucer Poet as principal To whom her Countrey tongue doth owe her beauties all He departed out of this world the 25. day of October 1400. after he had lived about 72. years Thus writeth Bale out of Leland Chaucerus ad canos devenit sensitque senectutem morbum esse dum causas suas Londini curaret c. Chaucer lived till he was an old man and found old age to be grievous and whilest he followed his causes at London he died and was buried at Westminster The old Verses which were written on his Grave at the first were these Galfridus Chaucer vates famae poesis Maternae haec sacra sum tumulatus humo But since Mr. Nicholas Brigham did at his own cost and charges erect a Monument for him with these Verses Qui fuit Anglorum vates ter maximus olim Gaufredus Chaucer conditur hoc tumulo Annum si quaeras Domini si tempora vitae Ecce notae subsunt quae tibi cuncta notant Anno Domini 1400. die mensis Octob. 25. It will not be amiss to these Epitaphs to adde the judgements and reports of some learned men of this worthy and famous Poet. And first of all Thomas Occleve who lived in his dayes writeth thus of him in his Book De regimine Principis But welaway is mine hart woe That the honour of English Tongue is dead Of which I wont was confaile have and réed O maister dere and fadre reverent My maister Chaucer floure of Eloquence Mirror of fructuous entendement O universal fadre of science Alas that thou thine excellent prudence In thy bed mortal mightest not bequeath What eyld death alas why would she thée fie O death thou didst not harm tingler in slaughter of him But all the Land it smerteth But natheless yet hast thou no power his name sle Hâ—â— hie vertue asterteth Vnslain fro thee which ay us lifely herteth With Books of his ornat enditing That is to all this land enlumining John Lidgaete likewise in his Prologue of Bocchas of the fall of Princes by him translated saith thus in his commendation My Master Chaucer with his fresh comedies Is dead alas chief Poet of Brittain That Whilom made full pitteous Tragedies The faule also of Princes he did complain As he that was of making sovereign Whom all this Land should of right prefer Sith of our language he was the Loadsterr Also in his Book which he writeth of the Birth of the Virgin Mary he hath these verses And eke my Maister Chaucer now is in Grave The noble Rethore Poet of Britaine That worthy was the laurel to have Of Poetry and the Palm attaine That made first to distill and raine The Gold dew drops of speech and eloquence Into our Tongue through his eloquence And as for men of latter time Mr. Ascham and Mr. Spenser have delivered most worthy testimonies of their approving of him Mr. Ascham in one place calleth him English Homer and makes no doubt to say that he valueth his Authority of as high estimation as ever he did either Sophocles or Euripides in Greek And in another place where he declareth his opinion of English versifying he useth these words Chaucer and Petrark those two worthy wits deserve just praise And last of all in his discourse of Germany he putteth him nothing behinde either Thucidides or Homer for his lively descriptions of site of places and nature of persons both in outward shape of body and inward disposition of minde adding this withall that not the proudest that hath written in any Tongue whatsoever for his time have outstript him Mr. Spenser in his first Eglogue of his Shepards Kallender calleth him Tityrus the god of Shepards comparing him to the worthiness of the Roman Tityrus Virgil in his Faerie Queene in his Discourse of Friendship as thinking himself most worthy to be Chaucers friend for his like natural disposition that Chaucer had he writes that none that lived with him nor none that came after him durst presume to revive Chaucers lost Labours in that unperfect tale of the Squire but onely himself which he had not done had he not felt as he saith the infusion of Chaucers own sweet spirit surviving within him And a little before he calls him the most renowned and Heroicall Poet and his writings the works of heavenly wit concluding his commendation in this manner Dan Chaucer well of English undefiled On fames eternal Bead-roll worthy to be filed I follow here the footing of thy feet That with thy meaning so I may the rather meet Mr. Cambden reaching one hand to Mr. Ascham and the other to Mr. Spenser and so drawing them together uttereth of him these words De Homero nostro Anglico illud verè asseram quod de
Homero eruditus ille Italus dixit Hic ille est cujus de gurgite facro Combibit arcanos vatum omnis turba furores The deservingly honoured Sir Philip Sidney in his defence of Poesy thus writeth of him Chaucer undoubtedly did excellently in his Troylus and Crescid of whom truly I know not whether to marvail more either that he in that misty time could see so clearly or that we in this clear age walk so stumblingly after him And Doctor Heylin in his elabourate Description of the World ranketh him in the first place of our chiefest Poets Seeing therefore that both old and new Writers have carried this reverend conceit of him and openly declared the same by writing let us conclude with Horace in the eighth Ode of his fourth Book Dignum Laude causa vet at mori Gower and Chaucer were both of the Inner Temple Mr. Buckley a learned Gentlemen of those times gives an account of a Record he read in the same Inner Temple wherein Geofery Chaucer no friend to the covetous and leacherous Cleargy-men of those times was fined two shillings for beating of a Franciscan Frier in Fleet-street a considerable sum money was so scarce in those dayes I intended to have presented the world with the lives of three more of the most eminent of our modern Poets viz. Mr. Edmond Spenser Michael Drayton Esquire and Mr. Benjamin Johnson not that I could thereby imagine to add unto their fames they having built themselves everlasting Monuments in their never dying Works but out of a desire to imitate forreign writers who have ever done their Worthies that right I have not been wanting of a most diligent inquiry but as yet I cannot meet with any of their friends and honorers that are able to render me so full and happy an account of them as that I might have registred them in this volumne to Posterity The Life of HENRY the Fifth HEnry the fifth was born at Monmouth in Wales 1388. Of whom several Authors write that he was the most dissolute Prince but all agree that he was afterwards the most Martial King that England ever bred For during his Father Henry the Fourths Reign his chief associates were men of evil fame wicked life dissolute carriage Robbers and Thieves by whose instigation he struck the Lord Chief Justice of England for which offence he was imprisoned and dismissed of the Presidentship of the Kings Council With these Fratres in malo he committed many insolent pranks but having attained unto the Crown he summoned these his companions before him and instead of preferring them as they expected he banisht them for ever from his presence yet least they should pretend want of maintenance to be a cause of their taking ill courses he gave to every one of them competent means whereby to subsist Having thus reformed himself his next care was to reform his Kingdom and to this end he assembleth a Parliament as best able to informe him for his more discreet grievances of his Subjects and best able to counsel him for their redress In this Parliament was a Bill preferred by the Commons against the Cleargy whose Temporalities they affirmed would maintain fifteen Earls fifteen hundred Knights six thousand two hundred Esquires an hundred Alms-Houses more then before and unto the Kings Coffers twenty thousand pounds by year The Cleargy nettled with the Commons Bill being loath to have their Estates looked into as men who were fuller of goods then of goodness exceeding in riches more then in righteousness and preaching for Gold more then for God to divert the Kings minde another way by the mouth of Chicholy Archbishop of Canterbury propound the recovering of his Rights in France Henry as he affected nothing more then true glory so in nothing more then in Warlike action condescends to the motion sends Ambassadours to the French King to surrender him his Land threatning Fire and Sword upon his refusal but a Crown though accompanied with a great many troubles is not so easily parted withall yet the French King propounds him fair if he would desist from his intended War though the Dolphin in derision sent him a tun of Paris Balls as fitter for him to exercise then to attempt the recovery of the French Crown which King Henry took in such scorn that he swore it should not be long ere he would send such London Balls amongst them that should beat down their houses upon their heads And to make good his promise he raises an Army of 6000. Spears and 24000. Foot besides Engineers and Labourers but being about to put forth to Sea a treason was discovered against his person plotted by Richard Earl of Cambriage Henry Scroop Lord Treasurer and Thomas Gray Earl of Northamberland These men for a million of Gold were procured by the French Agents to kill the King but were discovered by Edmond Earl of March whom they would have drawn into the same Conspiracy Upon their examination they confessed the Treason as likewise the receipt of the money and were for the same immediately put to death For as Mr. Charles Allen writes Man and Money a mutual falshood show Man makes false money Money makes man so This execution done and the winde blowing fair he puts forth to Sea accompanied with his two Brothers the Dukes of Clarence and Glocester his Uncles the Duke of York and Earl of Dorset the Earls of Kent Cornwall and Huntington with many other Lords Barons and men at Arms and on our Lady-Eve landeth at Caen in Normandy where falling devoutly upon his knees desired Gods assistance to recover his right making Proclamation That no man upon pain of death should rob any Church or offer violence to any that were found unarmed From thence with his Army he marcheth to Harflew which after a few dayes was surrendred unto him where he leaveth Sir John Falstaffe with fifteen hundred men and takes his way towards Callis through the Counties of Caux and Eu. Charles the sixth was then King of France a weak brain-sick King his Nobles divided and the whole Court swarming with Factions yet the common enemy endangering all they unite in Counsell and agree the English should be fought with ere they got to Callis wherefore to impede his process they brake down the Bridges plashed the Woods intrenched the wayes struck stakes in Fords and conveyed all victual out of the Countreys thorow which he should go Then having raised a mighty Army they sent Montjoy the French King at Arms to defie him and to let him know he should be fougt with King Henry notwithstanding his Souldiers were faint and weary having spent their provisions some twelve dayes before being forced in the mean time to feed upon nuts roots and berries and drink onely water yet accepted the Challenge and rewarded the Herald for his message then passing the River of Soam he came to a Village called Agen-Court encamping from the French Hoast not above two hundred and fifty paces Their power saith Paradin
consisted of an hundred and fifty thousand Horse besides them for carriages which were innumerable the Vantguard was led by the Constable of France the Dukes of Orleance and Bourbon the Earls of Ewe Richmond and Vandosme the Lord Dempier the Lord Admiral of France the Marshal Bouciquale and others The main Battle by the Dukes of Barre and Alanson the Earls of Vawinont Salings Blamont Grantpee and Russy And the Reer-guard by the Earls of Marle Dampmarlin Fauconbridge and Monsieur de Lorney Captain of Ardy King Henry desirous to know the numbers of the French sent forth one Captain Gam for discovery who brought word that there were of them enow to kill and enow to take and enow to runaway The French were so confident of victory that they sent to King Henry to know what Ransome he would give but they who reckon without their Hoast we say must reckon twice they might better have sent to know what Ransome he would rake who as full of courage though not so full of bravery was busied in the mean time about marshalling his Army The Vantguard he committed to the conduct of the Duke of York the main Battle he commanded himself and the Reer-guard was led by the Duke of Exeter Then to prevent the fury of the French Horse he commanded two hundred Bowmen to lodge in a low Meddow being provided with sharp stakes studded with Iron at both ends to guard them from danger and to endamage the French Horse The Battels thus ranged the most valiant King gallantly mounted with a chearful countenance and words full of courage thus animated his followers somewhat as I have it from other Historians to this purpose My most faithful Companions and worthy Souldiers we now are marching into the Field of Honour which your great valours so long have expected and prayed for loe the day is now come your enterprise is the noblest in the world pour now therefore forth your undaunted valours that ages to come may know what the Lance the Axe the Sword and the Bow can do in the hands of Englishmen Whosoever therefore desires riches honour and rewards here he shall finde them Nimirum haec medio posuit Deus omnia campo Having this said his Army fell prostrate on the ground and committing themselves to God their devotions ended the Drums and Trumpets summoned them to action the French Vant-guard being exquisitely appointed intended with their Horse to have burst thorow the Archers with a violent course who counterfeiting flight brought the over-hasty French into the jaws of destruction for having left their sharp pointed stakes sticking in the ground they miserably goared the foremost of their Enemies Horses being pressed on forward by the following Troops and then turning head sent such tempests of Arrows on the French that many thousands their knells were rung out that dreadful day The main Battles joyn together the Dukes of Glocester and Alanzon like enraged Lions encounter each other but Glocester is wounded and overthrown whose body his Brother Henry bestriding delivered from further danger and with redoubled stroaks brought the French Gallant himself to the ground with whose fall fell the courages of the French who for all their former bravadoes they turned their backs shamefully and fled with whom the Reer-guard ran for company not having struck one stroak all this while In all this fight which continued three hours were none taken Prisoners but the Sword now made weary and drunk with blood all danger past and humanity retired Prisoners were taken and lives spared which hitherto was neglected lest mercy to others might have proved destruction to themselves Whilest these things were thus acting certain of the French Troops led on by Robert Bondile and the Captain of Agencourt fell to rifeling the Kings carriages being guarded onely by Lackies and Laundresses whose terrible shreeks made King Henry to think some fresh Forces were come certain Troops also of the King of Sicills appearing in the Field made him give present order that every man should kill his Prisoner certain principal men onely excepted then setting his men in order he sends to the assembled Troops either to come to Battle or depart the Field but they fearing to drink of the same cup their fellows had done with shame and dishonor depart away The field thus cleared and the King by his Scouts satisfied that no more enemy was to be seen be caused the whole Army in their array as they were to give thanks unto God the Clergy then present singing the Psalm of David In exitu Israel de Egypto the Footmen kneeling down and the Horse men bowing their bodies at this verse Non nobis Domine non nobis sed nomini tuo da gloriam Then singing Te Deum with other Hymnes and Anthems he divideth the rich spoil of the enemies Camp among his Souldiers There were slain of the French in this Battel above ten thousand whereof a hundred twenty and six were of the Nobility bearing Banners of Knights and Gentlemen of Coat Armour seven thousand eight hundred and seventy four and of common Souldiers about sixteen hundred On the English side the account falls far short some reckon but sixteen slain in all other six and twenty the most not six hundred whereof the Duke of York and the Earl of Suffolk were chief whose slain bodies King Henry brought over with him into England The Duke was buried at Fodringhey in Northamptonshire and the Earl at New-elme in Oxfordshire Great was the joy of the English for the Kings return the City of London receiving him with Triumph as at a Coronation whilst France lamenteth the loss of her Nobles To unite the differences betwixt these two Kingdoms Sigismond the Emperour having been with the French King cometh over into England and with him the Archbishop of Rheimes as Ambassadour from France to treat of peace Henry willingly hearkeneth unto them and sends the Bishop of Norwich and Sir Thomas Erpingham with Commission to Beauvois to treat further of the matter but hearing the French in the mean time had besieged Harflew he recalleth his Amabssadours and would hear no further of peace but sendeth his Brother the Duke of Bedford with the Earls of March Oxford Warwick Huntington Salisbury Arundel Devonshire and divers others with two hundred sail of Ships to the rescue of Harflew who entring the mouth of the River of Seyne encountred with the French Fleet commanded by Viscount Narbon where after a sharp fight the Victory fell to the English who took and sunk most of their Navy chasing the residue into Brittain and relieved Harflew with men and victuals The Emperour hereupon leaves mediating any further for peace with France and concludeth a League offensive and defensive with King Henry the pope onely excepted who was the master Bee that then lead the swarm His affairs finished he returneth homeward whom King Henry accompanieth as far as Callis whither upon hostages given for his safe return repaireth the Duke of
Burgundy who doth homage to the Emperour and taketh a truce with King Henry for his Counties of Flanders and Arthois These business ended Burgundy returneth to Graveling Henry into England and the Emperour to Germany But long did not Henry remain in England for having raised a puissant Army he makes his second expedition into France accompanied with many Earls and Lords and an Army of 25527. Souldiers constituting his Brother John Duke of Bedford Protector of England in his absence and on the first of August arives in Normandy near to the Castle of Tonque which he presently besieged and after eight dayes had it yielded unto him at which time the Earl of Salisbury took the Castle of Albervilliers which the King gave to him and his Heirs being the first Land given by the King in France He afterwards marcht with his Army to Caen who trusting unto the strength of the place refuse to render upon the Kings summons whereupon having taken it by assault he adjudgeth some of the most stubborn refusers to death and distributeth the spoil of the Town amongst his Souâ—diers according to the old Law Those who when that they may refuse to have it Shall afterwards have nay although they crave it He next takes in the Castle of Corfye the Town and Castle of Argenton Allenson Fallais with many other Towns and places of importance his uncle the Duke of Exeter bringing him a supply of fifteen thousand men out England he takes the City of Eureux and then encampeth with his Army before the great City of Roan Within the City were a thousand selected Souldiers sent by the Duke of Burgogne besides fifteen thousand Citizens well trained and furnished and stored with provision for a ten moneths siege the City of Lovies being an impediment to his passage he assaults and takes as also a stone bridge strongly guarded the City is summoned by Windsor the Herald who scorning to yield make a sally forth but are beaten in with loss The King the Dukes of Clarence and Exeter with many other Lords encompass it on the East West and North on the South were encamped the Earls of Warren and Huntington the River of Seine running betwixt them over which was built a bridge for enter course the one unto the other The Kings Cousin-Germane the King of Portingale sent likewise a Navy of Ships to the mouth of the River Seine which stopped all passage of succour up the River The siege thus continuing from June unto December the Citizens were brought unto that extremity that they eat Cats and Dogs Rats and Mice and had nothing to drink but Vinegar and Water so that fifty thousand being miserably famished they desired a parley yet notwithstanding their wants stand upon such high terms that nothing was concluded but a truce for eight dayes which being ended and nothing agreed upon they crave one day longer and that being ended four dayes more at the end of which time by the importunity of the common people the City was surrendred upon these Articles following 1. That the Burgesses should give unto Henry towards his expence in the siege three hundred fifty six thousand Crowns of Gold 2. That Robert Liner Vicar-General to the Archbishop of Roan Jehan Jourdan who commanded the Canoniers and Alen Blanchart Captain of the common people should be left to his mercy without condition 3. That all the people should swear faith and loyalty to Henry and his successours 4. That Henry should protect and defend them against all men and confirme unto them their priviledges franchises and liberties which they had enjoyed ever since the time of St. Lewis King of France 5. That all such as had desire to leave the Town might freely depart with his garments onely upon his back and his goods to be confiscated unto King Henry 6. That the Souldiers should bring all their Arms to a place assigned and should depart out of the Town unarmed with a Cudgel in their hands first taking their Oath not to bear Arms against Henry for a twelve moneth next ensuing Roan the chief City of Normandy thus rendred sundry other places of note yielded themselves as Caudebec Monstraillier Diepe Fesohamp Arques Neufchastel Deincourt Moncheaux Eu Vernon Mante Gorney Harflewr Ponteur-de-mer Mollineaux le Treict Tancarvile Abrechier Mauleurier Valemont Neufuille Bellaucombre Fontaines Le boure Logempree Preaux Nougonder-ville Saint German Sur Cuylly Baudemont Bray Villiterre Charles Maisniel Les boules Guillon-court Fanifontaines Le Becy Crepin Backeville and divers other places wherein King Henry placed Garrisons Those great successes of King Henry caused the Duke of Burgundy who bare all the sway with the French King to mediate a peace for which end he sent his Ambassadours to Henry desiring a personall conference to which he assented and assigned the place which was at Melun whither at the time appointed he goes accompanied with the Dukes of Clarence Glocester and Exeter his uncle Beaufort the Bishop of Winchester with the Earls of March and Salisbury and a thousand men at Arms where he found the French King Queen Isabel the Lady Katherine their Daughter the Duke of Burgundy the Count St. Paul with a great train attending his coming many things were propounded but nothing concluded whereupon King Henry not well pleased said to Burgogne Cousin I cannot well digest this refusal but be you assured that either I will have your Kings daughter and all my demands or I will banish both you and them out of France You speak your pleasure said the Duke but before you shall thrust the King them and me out of the Kingdom you will be weary of the enterprise The treaty thus broken up in discontent King Charles repaired unto Paris whilest King Henry quickneth his thoughts for revenge his first enterprise was on the Town of Ponthois a place of great riches which was surprised by the Earl of Longuevyle and the Duke of Clarence and from thence marching on took in the Castles of Vangon Villeirs Gysors Galyard and Dumal so that now all Normandy except Mount St. Michael was reduced to the possession of the King of England Charles the Dolphin in the mean time being bare of money and by that means having no great store of Souldiers seizeth upon his Mothers money Plate and Jewels she in a womanish spleen studies revenge but he to make good what he had done inveagles the Kings head that her designs were dangerous and bent altogether for the alienation of the Crown Whereupon she is sent prisoner to Eours but soliciting Burgogne for her deliverance she is by an ambush taken from her keepers and by his means made regent of France and her Picture stamped upon the Seal of that State These doings of Burgogne displeased the Daulphin yet still he carried fair weather in his countenance notwithstanding he had stormes of revenge in his heart so warily not to say wickedly could he cover his passions untill he had performed what he did intend The Duke doubting no
with Souldiers to the number saith Engnerrant of thirty thousand with whom he returneth again into France No sooner was he arrived but he sends the Earl of Dorset and the Lord Clifford with twelve hundred Horse and Foot unto Paris to relieve the Duke of Excester who was straightned of Victualls by the Dolphinois whilest he with the rest of the Army hasteth to relieve Chartiers besieged by the Dolphin with seven thousand Souldiers but hearing of King Henry's coming he packed up his pipes and retired to Tours though before he had given out that he would meet him in the Field Chartiers relieved Henry marcheth to Dreux which agreed to surrender if not relieved by a certain day the time expir'd and no relief come the Town was delivered the Souldiers permitted to depart upon their Oaths not to bear Arms against Henry for one whole year after then takes he in the Towns of Baugency and Rougemont where all that craved he took to mercy and supplying his Army with fresh Forces he layes siege to the Town of Meanx in Brie During the time of this Siege news was brought him that his Wife Queen Katherine was delivered of a Son named Henry at the Castle of Windsor whereat he rejoyced though he liked nor the place of her delivery having before commanded the contrary prophecying That what Henry of Monmouth should get Henry of Windsor would lose Queen Katherine for her disobedience to her Husband herein commanded at her death that her Coffin should be left open to be seen and handled of any that would Should the Coffins of all the women that have disobeyed their Husbands in our dayes be left open I fear we should have but few closed so much is the Apostle Pauls Precept forgotten Ephes 5.24 The Town of Nans holding out long without relief made their conditions the harder upon the surrender the Captain Vaurus having hanged many English and Burgundians upon a tree which he named Vaurus was now on the same hanged himself and his head fixed upon a pole on the top of the same tree Meaux being taken Crespi the Castle of Pierrepont Offemont Merlau and sundry other places submitted themselves so that now Henry had in possession all the Fortresses in the Isle of France Champagne Piccardy Brie and Normandy Yet though Henries part in France was great all was not reduced unto his obedience many places holding out for the Dolphin who with an Army of twenty thousand besieged Cosney a Town of the Duke of Burgundies upon the River Loir Henry hasting to raise the Siege at Senlis fell sick of a burning Feaver and Flux whereupon the command of the Army was committed to the Duke of Bedford who with Queen Katherine was lately come out of England whereof he was Regent to visit King Henry Upon the Dukes approach the Dolphin retired into Berry whereof in mockage he was after called King of Berry King Henries sickness encreasing more and more he was removed to Boys de Vencennois and finding himself not able long to continue he appointed his Brother John Duke of Bedford Regent of France and his Brother Humprey Duke of Glocester Protectour of England till his son came of age Then exhorting them to unity amongst themselves to be true and faithful to the Duke of Burgoigne loyal to their young Prince and serviceable to his Queen in a right mind hope and found memory he rendted his soul to his Creator after he had reigned nine years five moneths and fourteen dayes His Body with Pomp and Solemnity conveyed into England it was interred in the Abbey of Saint Peter at Westminster upon whose Tomb Queen Katherine caused a royal Picture to be laid covered all over with silver Plate gilt the head thereof altogether of massy silver all which at that Abbeys suppression in the time of King Henry the Eighth were sacrilegiously broken off and by purloyning transferred to far prophaner uses where at this day the headless Monument is to be seen with these Verses inscribed upon his Tomb. Dux Normanorum verus Conquestor eorum Haeres Francorum decessit Hector eorum Here Normans Duke so stil'd by Conquest just True Heir of France great Hector lies in dust We will end our Discourse of this renowned King with the commendations given him by Walsingham a learned Historian He was godly in heart sober in speech sparing of words resolute in deeds provident in counsel prudent in judgement modest in countenance magnanimous in action constant in undertaking a great Alms-giver devout to God-ward a renowned Souldier fortunate in Field from whence he never returned without victory Martin writes of this Prince that his Father King Henry the Fourth being seized on by a deadly Appolexy being near his last end he caused his Crown to be placed by him on his Pillow least peradventure in the extremity of his sickness it might be delivered to some other who had better right to it then he had but when his attendants verily supposed that he was dead this Martial Prince seized on the Crown whereat the King started up raised himself upon his armes and demanded who it was that had taken away his Crown the Prince answered that it was he Henry the Fourth fetching a deep sigh said My Son my Son what right I had unto this Crown and how I have enjoyed it God knows and the World hath seen Comfort your self in God sayes the Prince my good Father the Crown you have and if you dye I will have it and keep it with the Sword as you have done which his successfull Reign and hath been declared to his greatest honours afterwards made good The Life of JOHN Duke of Bedford JOhn Duke of Bedford was third Son to King Henry the Fourth a valiant Captain and a great help to his Son Henry in the Conquest of France I shall not therefore like the idle Levites of our times rehearse any of the former Transactions but begin with the pursuit of his life where we ended having chose the rather to write the History of this honourable person as with the exit of his life our English Affairs ceased to have any further footing in France He being Regent there to proceed his care was to preserve the same for his Nephew and knowing that what was won by the Sword must be kept by the Sword he strengthens the confines of his government with Garrisons assembleth his powers and labours to retain the hearts of his own party his chief assistants were the two French Dukes of Burgoignt and Brittain and those two terrours of France Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury and John Lord Talbot to whom after the Death of King Henry the Fifth he being then Regent made averation exhorting them to be true and faithfull to their young King Henry friend to his friends and enemy to his enemies that seeing the hatreds and enmities began now to dye between the French and English names it was too late for the French to be again renowned by their fraudulent
practices With many other words to the like effect which wrought so in the auditors that Henry is proclaimed King of England and France such French Lords as were present taking their oaths to be true unto him And great need had the Regent to bestir himself for Charles the French King surviving King Henry but 53. dayes died at St. Denis whose imbecillities were a great help to the English as the Infancy of King Henry was now an advantage to the Dolphin who upon his Fathers Death proclaims himself King by the name of Charles the Seventh and making all the force he could marcheth to relieve Crepan besieged by the English but his enterprise proved very unfortunate being routed with the loss of two thousand men yet nothing daunted at this disaster he resolveth to encounter adverse fortune with encrease of courage and hearing that many of the English had pillaged the Countries of Nugion and Main upon their return into Normandy he sets upon them recovers their booty and slayes fifteen hundred of them then speedily takes he Meulan upon the River of Sein putting all the English therein to the Sword but the possession was short and the revenge speedy being recovered by Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury who to quit scores with the Dolphin killed all the French were found there About this time the three great pillars of the English Monarchy in France the Dukes of Bedford Burgundy and Brittain met at the City of Amiens in Picardy to consult of the whole course and sum of Affairs adding to the old league this addition that it should be offensive and defensive respectively and to make the friendship the more firme the Duke of Bedford married Anne Sister to Philip Duke of Burgundy a Lady whose beauty surpassed the blush that glorified Luna when she kissed the Shepherd on the Hills of Latmos But whilst the Regent was thus busied in promoting the English cause the Parisians had a design to destroy it which was by delivering their City up to the French King but treason being seldome true to its self it came to the Regents ear which cost the chief conspirators their lives and now fresh forces coming out of England his Army augmented be takes from Charles the Towns and Fortresses of Crotoy Baside Riol Rula Gyrond Basile Mermound Milbam Femil Seintace and many other The French finding themselves too weak to deal with the English by force work by policy and allure from their sides the Duke of Richmond and his Brother Arthur who deliver up to the Dolphin the Castles of Crotoye and Yerney the Duke of Bedford hating their perfidiousness assaults and takes Crotoye and besieges Yerney who agree to surrender if not relieved by a certain time the Duke of Allanson with sixteen thousand French undertakes the rescue but finding the English numbers to surmount his Arithmetick he wheeleth about to Vernoyle in Perch whom the Regent overtaking a cruel Battel ensued which for two hours together was maintained with equall courage on both sides the Regent himself with a Battel-ax fought most fiercely winning immortal honour in that bloody journey At length the Victory fell to the English though with the loss of above two thousand of their men on the French side were slain 5. Earls 2. Viscounts 20. Barrons and above 7000. common Souldiers besides 2700. Scots lately arrived there were taken prisoners the Duke of Allanson himself the Lord of Herneys Sir John Towrnebull 200. Gentlemen and many common Souldiers This Battel was fought the 7. of August 1425. That which followeth till the siege of Orleance I have set down out of Paulus Aemytius as Speed hath done before me The fierce Conquerour besiegeth Mantz in Main and with Ordnance beats down part of the Walls it yields an English Garrison is left there after the taking which not being sufficient to keep the Town in due subjection is compelled to fly to a Tower for their safety the enemies which were admitted into it by the Burgers enjoying the rest The Lord Talbot that most noble Captain of the English with whose name Talbot is coming the French used to fright their children presently arrives to the rescue and puts the Malefactors to death The English Empire then extented it self at which time as bath been observed to the River of Loire Charles was called King of Berry Hitherto the English fortunes in France received no check their serene Sky was without Clouds so long as a good correspondence was held betwixt the Burgundian and the English but this knot of friendship was like to have been broken by occasion of the Duke of Glocester who married Jaqueline Countess of Haynoult Holland and Zealand notwithstanding John Duke of Brabant her husband were yet living The Duke of Burgundy his Cousin was greatly offended hereat insomuch that the controversie grew to be so great that the Duke of Glocester sent him a challenge but the Regent well knowing that the discord of the English might prove the union of the French so wrought betwixt them that the sore seemed indifferently well healed Much about that time likewise be compounded a difference between the Protector and Cardinal Beaufort Bishop of Winchester though to effect the same he was fain to come over into England substituting the Earl of Warwick Lieutenant General in his absence But France wanting his company he quickly returned carrying a great number of fresh men over with him During his abode in England Arthur Earl of Richmond made Constable of France by King Charles raiseth an Army of twenty thousand men and with them suddainly besiegeth St. Jean a Town in Normandy the Garrison were at first dismayed with their sudden arrivall but upon better advice they valliantly sallied out crying aloud a Salisbury a Suffolk whose names struck such a terrour into the besiegers that with loss of their Artillery and 800. of their Company they betook themselves to flight To rehearse each particular would make our discourse prove too prolix to come to the siege of Orleance Undertaken by these matchless Worthies the Earl of Salisbury and the Lord Talbot with a puissant Army the Citizens hearing of their intentions prepared to withstand them their Suburbs equall in bigness to a good City they level with the ground chusing rather to destroy a part then hazard the whole the English encompass it on every side and the Citizens begin to feel the misery of want God when mans help fails interposeth his hand the Earl of Salisbury looking out at a Window to take a view for a general assault is unfortunately slain a sad loss for the English for upon the death of this man saith Polydor Virgil the fortune of the War changed The Regent to repair this loss sendeth Sir John Falstaff with fresh supplies who arrived there safe in despite of the Lord De la Brets who with nine thousand men endeavoured to intercept him hereupon the City would yield but to the Burgundian not to the English a cunning plot to divide
their affections the Regent and his Council being sent unto thought it not reasonable that the English having been at all the cost should not reap the profit the Burgundian on the other side resented this repulse ill as thinking the English too nice in resentments of Honour Whilst matters stood thus betwixt the French and English there was presented unto King Charles at Chinon a young Maid about eighten years of age named Joan of Arc who pretended she was sent from God to deliver France from the English yoak whereupon she was called La pucelle de Dieu or the Maiden of God though many judged her but a meer imposter however credit is given to her words and she being armed like a man she rides to Bloyes where Forces and Victuals lay for the relief of Orleance her first attempt was successfull she with the Admirall and Marshall of France enters safe bringing fresh courage to the dying hopes of the Townsmen who upon her encouragements sally forth slew 600. of the English and adventured upon the Bastile where the Lord Talbot commanded who repelled them with great slaughter of their men but yet the next day the Earl of Suffolk gave over his Siege and dispersed his Army into their Garrisons In memory of this admirable deliverance they of that City erected a Monument where Charles the Seventh King of France and Joan the Martiall Maid were represented kneeling in Armour elevating their eyes and hands to heaven in sign of thanks and acknowledgement At this time the success of War began to be various on both sides the Lord Talbot took the Town of Laval with the Castle but this gains was small in respect of the loss they received at that time the Duke of Allanson with Joan and other great Captains take by assault the Town of Jargeux and in it the Earl of Suffolk with one of his Brothers slew another of his Brothers and 200. Souldiers and having his numbers augmented encounters the Lord Talbot at a village called Patay whom he discomfits and slew of the English above a thousand The Lords Talbot the glory of the English Scales Hungerford and Sir Thomas Rampestone were taken prisoners these losses shook the whole fabrick of the English greatness in France and caused the revolt of many Towns to King Charles who encouraged by these successes marcheth into Champaigne where by composition he taketh the Cities of Troys and Auxerre Chalous and Rheimes yield themselves in which last according to the Maids direction he was solemnly Crowned King The Duke of Bedford upon the upleasant tydings of Orleance rescued and Talbot taken opposeth himself and having an Army of ten thousand English besides Normans marcheth out of Paris sending letter of defiance to the French King affirming that deceitfully and by unjust means he had stollen many Cities and places of importance belonging to the Crown of England which he was come to justifie by Battel if he would appoint a time and place who returned answer by the Herald that he would sooner seek the Duke then the Duke should need to pursue him yet notwithstanding his brags upon the Dukes approach he marcheth away the Regent follows and overtakes him at Senlys there both the Armies encamped and embattelled yet onely some light Skirmishes passed between them for the French King either thorow sear or policy or both in the night time fled to Bray the English Souldiers deeming it fear would have pursued him but the Regent judging it to be his policy to draw him further from the City of Paris of whose fidelity he had no great assurance refused to follow him any further The Bishop of Winchester Cardinal Beaufort having at that present raised four thousand men in aid of the Pope to suppress the Bohemians who began to slight his Pontifical pomp at the request of the Duke of Glocester went over with them to the Regent for a present expedition against King Charles who by the subtil working of the Pucelle was received into Campaigne and had many Towns of importance rendred unto him Yet notwithstanding his numbers exceeded twice the Regents yet by no provocations could he be drawn to Battel but secretly fled to Crispis whereupon the Regent also returned to Paris where he staid but a while but passeth into Normandy to provide for a safe retreat there if the English by the inevitable will of God should be driven out of their other Dominions exhorting them as their ancestours had alwayes been to be true and faithful to the Crown of England In the mean while the French King was not idle but gets by practice the Town of St. Denis from whence he sends the Duke of Allanson and Joan the Martial Maid to try their Friends and Fortunes at Paris but Joans good Fortune having ascended the Meridian began now to decline for the English gave them so rough an encounter that Joan her self was wounded and the rest with much slaughter forced to fly the Regent hearing of these attempts returneth to Paris commending the Souldiers for their vigilancy and valour in resisting the French and having fresh supplies out of England marcheth to reduce Champaign to his obedience The French under the conduct of their Martial Virago attempt to raise the siege and enter in despight of the English and Burgundians that besieged it but afterwards sallying forth their troops were beaten and Joan her self taken prisoner by John of Luxemburgh a Burgundian Knight who for the value of ten thousand pounds Turnoyes and three hundred crowns yearly rent delivered her to the Regent and he to the Bishop of Beauvois in whose Diocess she was taken who judicially proceeding against her as a Sorceress and deceiver of the King and his Subjects she was condemned and afterwards burnt to death at Roan Many sundry opinions were conceived of this Woman some judging her miraculously raised up by God for the good of France others that she was but a meer Imposter we will suspend our judgement herein and refer you to the Epitaph which we finde thus written on her Here lies Joan of Arc the which Some count Saint and some count Witch Some count Man and something more Some count Maid and some a Whore Her life 's in question wrong or right Her death 's in doubt by laws or might Oh innocence take heed of it How thou too near to guilt doest sit Mean time France a wonder saw A woman rule ' gainst Salique Law But Reader be content to stay Thy censure till the judgement day Then shalt thou know and not before Whether Saint Witch Man Maid or Whore And now the Regent seeing the great success that had attended King Charles ever since his Coronation would needs have King Henry Crowned in France to see if the like effects would follow the English whereupon he is sent for over and by the Bishop of Winchester solemnly Crowned in the City of Paris such of the French Nobility as were present doing their Homage and now was France a
Monster with two heads the misery of which Nation by occasion of these Wars is thus described by Polydor Virgil. While the English and French quoth he contend for Dominion Sovereignty and life if self mens goods in France were violently taken by the Licence of War Churches spoiled men every where murthered put to death or tortured Matrons ravished Maids forcibly drawn from out their Parents arms to be deflowred Towns daily taken defaced spoiled the riches of the Inhabitants carried whither the Conquerours thought good Houses and Villages round about set on fire no kinde of cruelty left unpractised upon the miserable French omitting many other kindes of other calamities which all at once oppressed them I shall onely adde that the Commonwealth being destitute of the help of Laws which for the most part are mute in times of War and Tumults floated up and down without any anchorage of right or justice Neither was England her self void of these mischiefs who by reason of her Civil Wars every day heard the news of her valiant Childrens Funerals slain in perpetual Skirmishes and Bickerings her general wealth continually decreasing so that their evils seemed almost equall and the whole Western World ecchoed the groans and sighs of either Nations quarrels being the common argument of the discourse and compassion of all Christendom The Regent having lately buried his Wife Sister to the Duke of Burgandy did now without his privity marry the Earl of St. Pauls Daughter no friend to the Burgundian which drave him into a discontentent and that discontent did King Charles so work upon that at length he seduced him from the English side though to effect the same he was fain to stoop so low as to send him a blank and bid him set down his own conditions which were both many and unreasonable saith Serres yet worth his cost For as Aemylius saith The end of that War did redeem the French from a Forreign Government as the first assuming thereof had made the English Lords over France The Regent out-lived this revolt not long but died at Paris with whom died all the English mens good fortune in France his body was with all Funeral Solemnities buried in the Cathedral Church of our Lady at Roan on the North side of the high Altar under a sumptuous and costly Monument which Tomb certain Courtiers would have perswaded King Lewis the Eleventh to have demolisht to whom he answered God forbid I should disturb him dead who living would have disturbed us all no let his bones rest in peace well worthy to have a more stately Monument How mighty a Prince he was this his stile sheweth Regent of France Duke of Bedford Alanzon and Anjon Earl of Main Richmond and Kendale and Constable of England But which excelleth his greatness as my Authour writes was that he was one of the best Patriots and Generals that ever blossomed out of the Royal Rosiar of England He died the 14. of September 1435. The Life of RICHARD NEVIL Earl of VVARWICK THis undaunted Heroe whose Life we now relate was he who in those times made and marr'd Kings and handled their Fortunes at his pleasure and was himself a great part of those famous Civil Wars between the Houses of York and Lancaster he was the eldest Son of Richard Nevill Earl of Salisbury and by Marriage with Anne the Sister and Heir of Henry Beauchampe Earl and after Duke of Warwick was in her right created Earl of Warwick His Grandfather was Ralph Nevill Earl of Westmerland whose Daughter the Duke of York had married which might be one cause of his adhering so much to that side and the effusion of so much bloud as ensued thereon For the Wars being now ended in France which we have declared unto you in the Lives of Edward the Third Edward the Black Prince Henry the Fifth and John Duke of Bedford those uncivil Civil Wars soon after brake forth betwixt the two Houses of York and Lancaster For though during our Forreign Wars these dissentions appeared not so much as in the Embrio both sides spending their stock of valour against the common enemy these Wars being ended these Martial mindes difused to peace would still be acting though against themselves The two chief Heads of these Factions was Richard Duke of York and Henry the Sixth King of England if we may call him a head who had so faint an heart and not rather the Queen who acted all though under his name The Duke of York claiming the Crown as Heir to the third Son of Edward the Third the Line of whose eldest Son Edward the Black Prince extinguisht in the deposition and paracide of Richard the second procured by Henry of Bullingbrooke the first King of the house of Lancaster Edward the Thirds second Son dying without issue Henry pleaded the advantage of a long Reign an interrupted descent in Majesty for threescore years a Sovereignty acknowledged abroad by by all Christian Princes and obeyed at home by all Englishmen without dispute a title according to the Law Salique undubitable and which had been confirmed at the first entry of his Grandfather Henry the Fourth into the Kingdom not onely by resignation of Richard the Second but even by approbation nay particular negotiation of Edmond Duke of York Edward Duke of Aumerle and Richard Earl of Cambridge Father Uncle and Grandfather to the said Duke of York This weighty business being not the work of one day the Duke of York draws to his side the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick and the better to prepare his way he practises all means to draw the King into the hatred of the people as one insufficient to supply the room which he held but Henry's piety having placed him so high in the affections of the people he seeks to undermine him in the downfall of his friends pretending not against the King but his evill Counsellours a pretence that hath been made use of in latter times The King at that present lying very sick he neglects no advantage but by the help of his friends wrought so effectually that the Duke of Somerset was sent to the Tower this man was exceedingly hated of the Commons conceiving him the chief cause that all Normandy was surrendered into the hands of the French of which their malice the Duke of York made good use though his intentions for the removing him out of the way was the hinderance he knew he would prove to his after claim of the Crown but when the King had recovered his strength again and resumed to him his Princely Government he caused the Duke of Somerset to be set at liberty and preferred him to be Captain of Calice wherewith not onely the Commons but many of the Nobility which favoured the Duke of York were greatly offended saying that he had lost Normandy already and would also lose Calice Hereupon the Duke of York with his adherents the Earls of Warwick Norfolk and Salisbury the Lords Cobham and Fawconbridge with many
other Knights and Esquires raised an Army about the edge of Wales and marched with the same towards London King Henry being informed thereof assembled likewise an host to resist them and being accompanied with the Dukes of Buckingham and Somerset the Earls of Northumberland Stafford Wiltshire Dorset Pembroke and Devonshire the Lords Clifford Sudley Barnes Rose and many others marched against him at Saint Albons both Armies met where betwixt them was fought a sore Battel which continuing doubtfull for a time the Earl of Warwick with great courage breaking in upon them and crying a Warwick a Warwick discomfitted the Kings side with a great slaughter no less then five thousand losing their lives among whom the chiefest was the Duke of Somerset the Earls of Northumberland and Stafford the old Lord Clifford with many other Knights and Gentlemen the King himself being wounded was taken prisoner and the next day carried to London Soon after began a Parliament at Westminster wherein the Duke of York was made Protector of the Realm the Earl of Salisbury Lord Chancellour and the Earl of Warwick Captain of Calice and the Territories of the same and thus the rule of the Realm rested in the Duke and Chancellour and all the Warlike Affairs in the Earl of Warwick the Kings authority consisting onely in name which they made use of for their own ends upon every occasion But the Queen stomacking these high indignities done to the King studies revenge and making sure to her side many of the Lords under a pretence of hunting conveyes the King to Coventry whither in a friendly way she sends for the Duke of York and the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury to which place the said Lords resort but having secret intelligence that mischief was intended against them they privately departed from the Court with mindes inrag'd against the Queen and her party but thorow the mediation of some Lords together with the Archbishop of Canterbury all parties meeting together at London a reconciliation was concluded on with many outward ceremonious shews of friendship But this calm lasted not long the Earl of Warwick upon some debate betwixt him and the Kings servants was by them assaulted and for safety of his life forced to fly unto Calice in a Barge this affront done unto him was seconded by another a Privy Seal being directed to him for the discharging of him of the Captainship of Calice the young Duke of Buckingham his enemy being constituted Captain in his room But for as much as he had his Commission from Parliament he would not obey the Privy Seal and to show his abilities fit for the mannagement of any design he with fourteen sail of Ships sets forth to scowre the Seas bringing home in little space prizes to the value of ten thousand pound a considerable sum in that age before the Indies wealth overflowed Europe In the mean time the Duke of York and Earl of Salisbury assemble an Army to revenge the injuries done to the Earl of Warwick to oppose whom the Queen sent James Twichet Lord Audley at Blore-heath near Mucklestone both Armies met where the Lord Audley was overthrown himself and 2400. of his men slain And now the Conquerours resolve to unvizard themselves and to raise what forces they could for the obtaining of their purposes The Earl of Warwick bringing to them a very great power from Calice the King on the other side raises a mighty great Army and having marched as far as Worcester to fave the effusion of blood sent unto them Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury with a general Pardon if they would give over their enterprise yet upon further advice having sent an excusatory Letter to the King they withdrew themselves into divers parts beyond the Seas Soon after was a Parliament holden at Coventry wherein the Duke of York Edward Earl of March his Son and Heire the Earls of Warwick Rutland and Salisbury with many other Lord and Gentlemen were attainted of Treason One Sir Baldwine Fulford undertook on pain of losing his head that he would destroy the Earl of Warwick but having spent the King a thousand marks returned without effecting his purpose On the other side the Earl of VVarwick sent some of his men who by night coming to Sandwich carried away the Lord Rivers and Sir Anthony VVoodvile his Son with many great Ships And now the Earls of March VVarwick and Salisbury being invited by the Kentishmen crossed the Sea and landed at Sandwich where they were met by Thomas Bourchier Archbiship of Canterbury and many others who conducted them to London in most solemn manner where having convocated the Cleargy in Saint Pauls Church the Earl of VVarwick in name of the rest took his oath upon the Cross of Canterbury that they had ever borne true faith and allegiance to King Henry Having by this oath gained credence of the Citizens they leave the Earl of Salisbury Governour thereof and with their Forces march down to Northampton where the King then lay with a strong power and first they affay to get him into their hands by fair means but that not prevailing they resolve force whereupon both Hosts encountred each other but the Lord Edmond Grey of Ruthen who commanded the Kings Voward forsaking his side and joyning with the Earl by that means set a palm of Victory upon his head and a Character of Treachery upon his own for betraying the trust reposed in him There were slain on the Kings part th Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Shrewsbury the Lords Beaumont and Egremont with many Knights and Esquires the King himself was taken prisoner and with seeming liberty conveyed to London And now to authorise their actions the better a Parliament is call'd wherein it was agreed that King Henry in relation to a long succession should enjoy the Crown during his natrual life which afterwards should devolve to Richard and his Heires in whom it was then apparently proved that the Title to the Kingdom did remain in which agreement was likewise manifested that Henry should make immediate forfeiture whensoever either he or any of his Party should attempt to disanul this act But the Queen with many of the Lords not being at the bargain making thought themselves not tied to the Conditions whereupon she having in her company the Prince her Son the Dukes of Exeter and Somerset the Earl of Devonshire the Lord Clifford and in effect all the Lords of the North with an Army of 18000. men marched from York to Wakefield with whom joyned the Lord Nevill Brother to the Earl of Westmorland who having gotten a Commission from the Duke of York under his name raised 8000. men but brought them all to the adverse party But the Duke of York whom fortune had hitherto waited on as his hand-maid nothing daunted at their number leaving the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of VVarwick to attend the King he with the Earl of Salisbury and his Son the Earl of Rutland with about some
five thousand men marched against them and although his numbers was nothing competent to his enemies yet would he not be advised but gave them Battel so that being encompassed on all sides thorow his own rashness was himself slain and his whole Army discomfitted his Son the Earl of Rutland being but twelve years old stabbed by the Lord Clifford his trusty friend the Earl of Salisbury beheaded by the common people and his own head fixt on a pole with a paper Crown was set on the Walls of York for the barbarous mirth of the uncivil multitude The unwelcome news of the Dukes overthrow coming to the Ears of VVarwick to stop the torrent of the Queens proceedings he musters all the men he could and taking King Henry along with him marches from London to oppose the Queen at St. Albans both Armies met where VVarwick lost the day with the slaughter of two thousand of his men King Henry also whom fortune neither favoured amongst friends nor foe was again taken This Victory of the Queens had it been discreetly mannaged might have turned the scales on the Lancastarian side but she wanton with success vainly imagined a security from future competition and either wanted power to restrain her Souldiers or licensed them to a free spoil by which unruly violence she untied the affections of the Commons who by their quiet and profit measure the vertues of their Princes So that the Citizens of London fearing to be plundered hearing of their approach shut up their Gates and arm'd for resistance The Queen hereupon with her plundering Army retires Northwards where we will leave her for a time and look back upon the Earl of March Who being at Glocester at such time as he heard news of his Fathers death spent not his time in womanish lamentation but considering how dangerous leasure in to increase the apprehension of misfortune having encreased his Army with some additional forces he marches against the Earls of Pembroke and Ormand who had raised a great power with purpose to surprise him Near Mortimers Cross on Candlemass-day they encountred each other where the two Earls and their whole Army were put to flight with the slaughter of there thousand eight hundred on the place Edward having obtained this Victory with his Triumphant forces directeth his march towards London in the way at Chipping-Norton he met the Earl of Warwick nothing daunted at his late misfortune and coveting nothing more then by the tryal of a new day to perswade or else to force back victory to his side then enter they London in a triumphant manner the Citizens receiving them with great acclamations of joy the Earl of March wich a joynt consent of them all is chosen King and accordingly proclaimed throughout the City by the name of Edward the Fourth This was done at London in the mean time the Queen and the Lords of her side were daring and vigilant in the North and having raised threescore thousand fighting men they resolved with expence of their blood to buy back that Majesty which the House of Lancaster by evill fate had lost Edward choosing rather to provoke then expect an enemy having mustered what Forces he could with his trusty friend the Earl of VVarwick marches against them and notwithstanding his Army came far short of the others in number yet by his Captains good conduct and his Souldiers valour joyning battel between Caxton and Towton he gave his enemies a mighty great overthrow In no one battel was ever poured froth so much English blood six and thirty thousand seven hundred seventy six persons all of one Nation many near in alliance some in blood fatally divided by faction were now united in death On the Lancastrian side were slain the Earls of Northumberland and VVestmorland the Lords Clifford Beaumont D'acres Gray and VVells John Lord Nevill Son to the Earl of VVestmorland with divers others On King Edwards side the Lord Fitz-VValter and the Bastard of Salisbury with many others of great reputation and courage King Henry with the poor remains of his party fleeth into Scotland whilest Edward in triumph returneth to London But notwithstanding this great overthrow yet did not the indefatigable Queen lose any thing from her spirit or endeavours but makes addresses to all Princes abroad whom alliance reason of state or compassion of so great a disaster might move to her assistance and notwithstanding all her endeavours she gathered together but five hundred French yet adding hope to her small number she crosses the Sea with them into Scotland Here some thin Regiments of Scots resorted to her in whose company taking her Husband King Henry along with her she enters England but this small number scarcely deserving the name of an Army were soon overthrown by the Lord Mountague most of the Lords of her side taken and beheaded King Henry escaped from the Battel but was soon after apprehended as he sat at dinner at VVaddington-Hall in Lancashire and by the Earl of VVarwick brought prisoner to London and committed to the Tower These great services done by VVarwick and his Brother Mountague for King Edward made them set so high a price upon their merits that the greatest benefits he could bestow upon them were received in the degree of a debt not a gift and thereupon their expectations being not answered according to their imaginations they begin to look upon Edward with a rancorous eye and certainly this was the main cause of their falling off from Edwards side though for a while they dissembled the same untill they should meet with a more plausible occasion which soon after was offered unto them for the Earl of Warwick being sent over into France to negotiate a marriage betwixt King Edward and the Lady Bona Sister to the French Queen whilest he was busie in courting this Lady Edward following more his fancy then reasons of State falls in love and marries the Lady Elizabeth daughter to the Dutches of Bedford and widdow of Sir John Gray slain on King Henries part at the Battel of St. Albans But when the Earl of Warwick understood how mighty an affront by this was given to his employment he entertained none but disdainfull thoughts against his Prince And exprest so bold a discontent that Lewis of France who was quick to perceive and carefull to foment any displeasure which might tend to the disturbance of another Kingdom began to enter into private communication with him for ever after this common injury so they called the errour of love in the King the Earl held a dangerous intelligence in France which after occasioned so many confusions to our Kingdom Nevertheless upon his return he dissembled all discontent and in every circumstance of respect applyed himself to applaud the Marriage and in particular the excellent personage of the Queen But long did not the fire of his revenge lie hid under the ashes of dissimulation for King Edward grown secure by an over-bold presumption the daughter of a long prosperity
gave himself over to all licentiousness whilst Warwick had made his faction not onely mighty but monstrous being compacted of several natures for into conspiracy of this great enterprize he had drawn off the Cleargy and the Laity and most of them of affections most opposite The Archbishop of York was the principal mover because he mov'd upon the soul and made treason an act of Religion the easie multitude who build their faith upon the man not the Doctrine thinking it meritorious to rebell in regard his function seem'd to give authority to the action With him a greed the Marquess Mountague and many eminent persons of King Edwards Court whom either desire of War having never lived but in the troubled Sea of discord or want of expected recompence rendered discontented All the partakers in the calamity of the house of Lancaster most passionately at first overture embraced this motion amongst whom was Henry Holland Duke of Exeter who after his ruine with the fall of Henry the Sixth was reduced to such extremity that ragged and bare-footed he begg'd for his meat in the Low-Countries But the wonder of the world then was at the powerful sorcery of those perswasions which bewitcht the Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother to this conspiracy to whom the Earl of Warwick to tye him the faster to his side gave him in marriage the Lady Isabel his daughter and coheire to the rich Earldom of Warwick for consummation whereof they sailed over to Calice of which Town the Earl of Warwick was Captain and in which the young Lady then remained with her Mother Soon was the Ceremony past and soon did the Earl invite his Son-in-law from the softness of the Nuptial Dalliance as who had contrived this marriage for business not for pleasure and design'd the first issue of their embraces to be a monster and the most unnatural one War between Brothers Warwick having thus politickly order'd things that he left little or nothing to fortune with his Son-in-law returns to England where against his return the Archbishop of York with some other of his friends had raised a potent Army to oppose whom on Edwards side assembles a mighty power under the conduct of the Earls of Pembroke and Devonshire but they falling out at Banbury upon a trivial occasion made way for the enemy to conquer them both This overthrow was seconded with a great loss at Grafton in Northamptonshire wherein the Earl Rivers and the Lord Widdevil Father and Brother to the Queen were taken and barbarously beheaded Edward nettled with these losses raises what power he could and marches against Warwick whose pretence being that of all Rebells The good of the Kingdom yet to avoid effusion of blood seemingly is very desirous of peace but when with several overtures he had lulled the King in security in the dead of the night he sets upon his Army kills the watch and surpriseth his person buried in a careless sleep Warwick having thus gotten the prey into his hand he so long desired sends him prisoner to Middleham Castle in Yorkshire there to be kept by his Brother the Archbishop of that Sea but King Edward being of another temper then his predecessour Henry not enduring Captivity soon found a way for his own liberty for having gotten licence to hunt in the adjoyning Park he so contrived with Sir William Stanley and Sir Thomas Burgh that with a selected number they came to his rescue and took him away from his weak guard the Lord Hastings joyning to them with some forces he had raised about Lancaster they march directly to London where they were entertained with great expressions of joy The Earl of Warwick who upon the taking of the King had disbanded his Army hearing of his escape was almost distracted with a thousand several imaginations but soon by letters to the Lords of his faction he reassembles his forces and marches against the King but thorow the solicitation of some persons inclinable to peace an enterveiw was agreed on in Westminster Hall and oaths for safety being past on both sides accordingly they met but such intemperance of Language past at their meeting as rather aggravated then allayed their anger so that now they resolved the Sword alone should decide the controversie The Earl of Warwick leaving his Army under the command of Sir Robert Wells whilst he himself went to raise more men King Edward neglecting not the opportunity whilest they were thus disjoyned gives them battel and overthrows them with the loss of ten thousand of their men Sir Robert Wells was taken prisoner and soon after beheaded This overthrow struck Warwick to the heart so that having not sufficient force to withstand the King he with the Duke of Clarence sail over into France with which King as also with Queen Margret who then remained in the French Court they entred into a combination for the deposing of King Edward and setting up again King Henry And that there might not be left any tract of former discontent or path to future jealousie a marriage was concluded and celebrated between Prince Edward the Queens Son and the Lady Anne younger daughter to the Earl and for want of issue of these two the Crown to come to Clarence and his posterity Matters thus concluded and the French King supplying them with money they return into England to whom flocked almost all the Lords the Commonalty also desirous of innovation adhered unto them so that King Edward seeing himself in a manner wholly abandoned was forced to quit the Land and sail into Holland And now notwithstanding his former hostility with him Warwick restores King Henry to all his former dignity and honour a Parliament is called wherein nothing is denyed which the prevailing party thought fit to be authorized King Edward condemned for a Tyranous Usurper and all his adherents attainted of high treason the Crown is entailed upon King Henry and his Heires Males for default of which to George Duke of Clarence and his Heires for ever The Earls of Oxford and Pembroke and many others restored to their estates and titles the Duke of Clarence put in possession of the Dutchy of York and lastly the Government of the King and Kingdom committed to the Duke of Clarence and Earl of Warwick so that King Henry possest no more then the name of King and seem'd not to be set at liberty but to have changed his keeper King Edward in the mean time having hired four great Holland Ships and fourteen Easterling men of War transports his Army over into England which consisted of two thousand Dutch men and such English as accompanied him in his flight or had escaped over after him at Ravenspur in Yorkshire he landed from thence he marched to York but finding in every place where he came the people generally devoted to the House of Lancaster he fashioned his behaviour to a new art and solemnly took his oath that his intentions was not for the recovering of the Crown but
regaining the Dutchy of York wrongfully conferred on his Brother Clarence by the last Parliament Hereupon many of note joyned themselves with him so that whom they refused to serve as King which had been an act of loyalty they condescend to aid as Duke of York which was absolute rebellion it being high treason in a Subject though never so apparently injured to seek his remedy by Arms. Having thus increast his Army he marches towards London and although the Marquess Mountague Warwicks Brother with a far superiour power lay then at Pomfret to impeach his journey yet let he him quietly pass not permitting any act of hostillity to be shewed or advantage taken by which gross oversight he ruined himself and Warwick too for no sooner was Edward past this danger but many of the Nobility with mighty Forces repaired to him Whereupon forgetting his oath he takes upon him the title of King and marcht directly to Coventry fierce in his desire to give Warwick battel who lay there encampt and now his Brother Clarence with all his Forces forsakes his Father-in-law the Earl of Warwick and joynes with his Brother Hereupon uniting their Forces they march up to London which after some show of resistance submitted its self Warwick having now joyned with his Brother Mountague follows after him whom to oppose King Edward having settled the Town to his obedience led forth his Army at St. Albans they both met where betwixt them was fought a most bloody battel in which the Earl of Warwick and his Brother Mountague valiantly fighting were both slain and their whole Army totally routed To this violent end came the Earl of Warwick and indeed how was it possible such a stormy life could expect a calmer death he was questionless valiant for a Coward durst not have thought those dangers into which he entred upon the slightest quarrels His soul was never quiet distasted still with the present and his pride like a foolish builder so delighted to pull down and set up that at length part of the frame that himself had raised fell upon him and crusht him to death His varying so in approving contrary Titles shewed either a strange levity in judgement or else that ambition not conscience ruled his actions In sum that greatness he so violently laboured to confirme in his posterity came all to nothing Almighty God ruining their designs who think by pollicy though contrary to Religion to perpetuate their posterity The Life of King RICHARD the Third FRom the pen of so credible an Author as Sir Tho. Moor was to other Historians chiefly derived the History of this King they so admiring and trusting to what he delivered that without any alteration of his words an unusual respect we have hitherto except two or three other Modern differing Writers received all from the Knights Tradition He was a person indeed of unquestioned integrity but how carefully and honestly his Works by others might be publisht after his death is not yet well determined Sir Simon D'ewes Mr. Selden and other eminent Antiquaries of our times being in their learned discourses often too sensible of some abuses offered to the Chronicle of this Richard The truth is if as in respect of our own times we have known the best of men so traduce certainly where there hath been some more then ordinary failings envious persons will think they cannot render him odious or ugly enough Richard the Third vulgarly known by the name of Crook-Backt and so delivered by some Historians and Poets with what truth I know not since his Picture drawn in his life and as it is said to be to the life still preserved and suffered by his great enemy Henry the Seventh in the Long Gallery in White-Hall denotes the contrary and shews him him to be of a sweet and gracious aspect And John Stow who alwayes took great pains in his inquiry of the relations of the persons of Princes sayes That he had spoken with some ancient men who from their own sight and knowledge affirm that he was of body and shape comely Neither did John Rouce who knew him and wrote much in his description observes any otherwise But whether crooked or no if his actions were straight posterity hath the less to censure him He was the youngest Son of Richard Plantagenet the fourth Duke of York of that Royal Family born at the Castle of Fotheringham or as some write the Castle of Berkhamsteed about the year of our Lord 1450. a dutiful Son to his Father and a Loyal Subject to his Brother who stood alwayes firm to his side in that great defection of the Duke of Clarence and Earl of VVarwick as we have declared in the preceding life At the death of his Brother King Edward he was chosen Lord Protector and afterwards by the importunity of the people knowing his Abilities forced to take upon him the Regal Power and confirmed by Act of Parliament Therefore their cavils are vain and discover an extream malice and envy unto him that report him to have obtained the Sovereignty by indirect means As for his abillities for government hear Reverend Cambden an Author without exception Fuit dignissimus regno c non inter malos sed bonos Principes commemorandus That he was most worthy to Reign and to be numbered amongst the good not bad Princes And indeed those many and good Laws enacted in his time demonstrate him a good King though some have reported him to be a bad Man He was Crowned at Westminster with great solemnity most of the Peers of the Land being present soon after his Coronation he sent to the French King for his Tribute formerly paid to his Brother Edward in leiu of the Dutchy and Countries of Aquitain Normandy Poictou and Maine c. and now detained by the French King and doubtless King Richard had still compelled him to continue it had not eruptions of State and tumultary practices fatally diverted his Sword Soon after was a Parliament called wherein was attainted of High Treason Henry Earl of Richmond John Earl of Oxford Thomas Marques of Dorset Jasper Earl of Pembroke Lionel Bishop of Salisbury Pierce Bishop of Exeter the Lady Margaret Countess of Richmond Thomas Morton Bishop of Ely with many others King Edwards Children for whom the world so much censures him were adjudged uncapable of Government and the Crown by a Parliament in those dayes confirmed to King Richard in these words It is declared pronounced decreed confirmed and established by the authority of this present assembly of Parliament that King Richard the Third is the true and undoubted King of this Realm as well by right of Consanguinity and Heritage as by lawful Election and Coronation c. So that here to tax so general an assent were to say there were not one honest nor just man in that High Court and what greater scandall to the whole Kingdom and to those that have since succeeded them But as Honour is alwayes attended on by Envy so
sollicitations he had from Henry Earl of Richmond and the Lords of his faction who to draw them off from Richards side that morning in which Bosworth Field was fought was found a world of papers strowed before Norfolks door Yet notwithstanding all this he regarding more his oath his honour and promise made to King Richard like a faithful Subject absented not himself from his Master but as he faithfully lived under him so he manfully died with him But to return to his Son the Earl of Surrey in this Battle he had the leading of the Archers which King Richard had placed in the fore-front as a Bulwark to defend the rest the undaunted courage of this Earl and his resolute brave carriage being taken prisoner are delineated to the life by the renowned Sir John Beaumont in his ever-living Poem of Bosworth Field which if to some it may seem a long Quotation the goodness of the lines will recompense the tediousness of reading them Courageous Talbot had with Surrey met And after many blows begins to fret That one so young in Arms should thus unmov'd Resist his strength so oft in war approv'd And now the Earl beholds his Fathers fall VVhose death like horrid darkness frighted all Some give themselves as Captives others fly But this young Lion casts his generous eye On Mowbray's Lion painted in his shield And with that King of Beasts repines to yield The Field saith he in which the Lion stands Is blood and blood I offer to the hands Of daring foes but never shall my flight Die black my Lion which as yet is white His Enemies like cunning Huntsmen strive In binding snares to take their prey alive While he desires t' expose his naked breast And thinks the sword that deepest strikes is best Young Howard single with an Army fights When mov'd with pitty two renowned Knights Strong Clarindon and valiant Coniers try To rescue him in which attempt they die Now Surrey fainting scarce his Sword can hold Which made a common Souldier grow so bold To lay rude hands upon that noble Flower Which he disdaining anger gives him power Erects his weapon with a nimble round And sends the Peasants Arm to kiss the ground This done to Talbot he presents his Blade And saith It is not hope of life hath made This my submission but my strength is spent And some perhaps of villain blood will vent My weary soul this favour I demand That I may die by your victorious hand Nay God forbid that any of my name Quoth Talbot should put out so bright a flame As burns in thee brave Youth where thou hast err'd It was thy Fathers fault since he prefer'd A Tyrants Crown before the juster side The Earl still mindeful of his birth reply'd I wonder Talbot that thy noble heart Insults on ruines of the vanquisht part We had the right if now to you it flow The fortune of your Swords hath made it so I never will my luckless choice repent Nor can it stain mine honour or descent Set Englands Royal Wreath upon a stake There will I fight and not the place forsake And if the will of God hath so dispos'd That Richmonds Brow be with the Crown inclos'd I shall to him or his give doubtless signs That duty in my thoughts not faction shines Which he proved to be most true in the whole course of his life for having continued prisoner in the Tower three years and a half the Earl of Lincoln confederating with one Lambert Simnel raised an Army against the King the Lieutenant of the Tower favouring their enterprise freely offered the Earl licence to depart out at his pleasure which he refused saying That he that commanded him thither should command him out again The King understanding of his fidelity not onely released him of his imprisonment but took him into a more specal regard and soon had he an occasion to make tryall of him a great insurrection happening in the North wherein the Rebells were grown so potent that they slew the Earl of Northumberland in the field and took the City of York by assault against these King Henry assembles a great power making the Earl of Surrey Chief Captain of his Voward who so behaved himself that the Rebells forces were dissipated their chief Leaders taken and soon after executed The King noting his great prudence and magnanimity made him Lieutenant Generall from Trent Northward had Warden of the East and middle Marches and Justice of the Forrests from Trent Northwards in which offices he continued the space of ten years during which time the Scots having committed some outrages upon the Borders he made a road into Tivydale where he burnt and destroyed all before him returning with great spoils and honour Not long after he made another road into Scotland returning with like success James the fifth then King of Scotland raised a great power to withstand him and sent to the Earl a challenge to fight with him hand to hand which he accepted but the King into his demands would have the Countrey or Lands then in Controversie to be made Brabium Victoris which was without the Earls power to engage being the inheritance of the King his Master but he proffers better Lands of his own upon the Combat which was not accepted and so nothing was concluded A peace being concluded with the Scots he was called home and made Lord Treasurer of England of the Privy Council living in great Honor and reputation all the dayes of King Henry who dying his Son Henry that succeded him added to his other dignities the high Marshallship of England and going in person with an Army into France left him Lieutenant Generall from Trent Northward to defend the Realm against the Scots for James the Fifth King of Scotland notwithstanding he were King Henries Brother-in-law yet did so firmly adhere to the French that to divert King Henries proceedings in his own person with a mighty Army he invades England The Earl of Surrey to oppose him raises what Forces he could and at a place called Flodden it came to a pitcht field which was fought with great courage and valour but God who owned the just cause of the English crowned them with success and set the Palm of Victory on the Earl of Surrey's head The Scottish King being slain and with him two Bishops eleven Earls seventeen Barrons four hundred Knights besides other Gentlemen and seventeen thousand common Souldiers The Earl for these services was by the King at his return home highly rewarded and restored to the Dukedom of Norfolk his Fathers Dignity Soon after was he sent chief Commissioner with the Lady Mary the Kings sister to be married unto Lewis the French King and after his return home the King and Queen going to Guines to visit the French King he was made Protectour of the Realm in his absence Old age seizing on him he obtained leave of the King to spend the remainder of his dayes at Framlingham
Castle an honourable Mansion of his own where he continued and kept a bounteful house to the time of his death which happened in the fourscore and sixth year of his age He was buried at Thetford Abbey in Norfolk dying after a most generous life worth a large estate so clear from debt that at his death he owed not one groat to any person whatsoever an unusual happiness to attend so great a Souldier and Courtier as he was From this famous Duke is descended the Right Honorable James Earl of Suffolk whose great Grandfather Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk married Margret sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour of England by whom he had issue Thomas Lord Howard of Walden and Earl of Suffolk who built that magnificent Structure at Audley-end who left the same to his Son and Heir Theophilus a worthy Gentleman the Father of James Earl of Suffolk now living Anno 1659. To whom with his most vertuous Lady I wish all encrease of true honour and felicity To the greater honour of these Progenies this Heroick Earl died so much a Laureat that his Songs and Sonnets by all those that rightly understand Poetry are looked upon as in those dayes to have been the Muses Parnassus so that for his Epitaph there needed no more to be writ but that here lies interred The greatest Courtier the most valiant Souldier and the most accomplisht Poet of those times The Life of CARDINAL VVOLSEY Fortunae variantis opus Wolsaeus ad alta Scandit iter dubium certa minitante ruina CArdinal VVolsey the Tennis-ball of Fortune was born at Ipswich in Suffolk of so poor and despicable Parents that were his story of an ancient date and not delivered by Authentique Historians it might pass for a fiction his Father being no more but a poor Butcher from so low a beginning did he rise to the highest pitch of honour His Education in youth was at Oxford in Maudlin Colledge from thence he was preferred to be School-master to the Marquess of Dorsets Children where he first learned to be imperious over noble blood the Marquess dying Wolsey went into France to seek his Fortune and coming to Callis became servant to Sir John Naphant then Treasurer of the Town where he behaved himself with so great discretion that his Master shortly preferred him to King Henry the Seventh Having thus cast Anchor at Court the Haven of hope and Port of Promotion he was more then double diligent in the Kings eye and very serviceable to Doctour Fox Bishop of Wincheter Secretary and Lord Privy Seal as also to Sir Thomas Lovel Master of the Wards and Constable of the Tower who perswaded King Henry having urgent business with Maximilian the Emperour to send Wolsey in Embassage unto him being at that present in the Countrey of Flanders who returned again before he was thought to be gone and withal concluded some Points forgot in his directions to the hight contentment of King Henry for the which he bestowed upon him the Deanry of Lincolne and not long after made him his Almoner But King Henries day now drawing towards night he adores the rising Sun Prince Henry and having found the length of his foot fitteth him with an easie shoe well knowing there could be no loss to humour him who was so able to give nor was he deceived in his expectation for Henry afterwards coming to be King and having conquered the City of Tourney in France bestowed the Bishoprick of the same upon VVolsey and not long after made him Bishop of Lincolne and Archbishop of York And now being Primas Anglia carried himself accordingly by erecting his Cross in the Kings Court although within the Jurisdiction of Canterbury which high presumption VVilliam Archbishop of Canterbury greatly checked But VVolsey not abiding any Superious obtained to be made Priest Cardinal and Legatus de Latere unto whom the Pope sent a Cardinals Hat with certain Bulls for his Authority in that behalf And now remembring the taunts he had received from Canterbury found means with the King that he was made Lord Chancellour of England and Canterbury which was Chancellour dismissed who had continued in that place long since before the death of King Henry the Seventh VVolsey now sitting at the Helm of Church and State had two Crosses and two Pillars born ever before him the one of his Archbishoprick the other of his Legacy by two of the tallest Priests that were to be found in the Realm To the better maintenance of which chargeable estate the King bestowed on him the Bishoprick of VVinchester and in Commendam the Abbey of St. Albans and with them he held in Farm the Bishopricks of Bathe VVorcester and Hereford enjoyed by strangers incumbents not residing in the Realm so that now being Bishop of Tourney Lincolne York VVinchester Bathe VVorcester and Hereford he seemed a Monster with seven heads and each of them crowned with the Mitre of a Bishop far different from the state of his Lord and Master Christ who had not a hole wherein to hide his head Yet his ambition resteth not here next he aspires to the Triple Crown he onely wants Holiness and must be Pope to the attaining of which Dignity he makes means to the Romish Cardinals as also to the Emperour Charles the Fifth Gold he gave to the Cardinals and they gave him golden promises although they proved but empty performances nor did the Emperour serve him any better promising much but performing nothing VVolsey hereat enraged studies revenge and by his instruments seeks to make a divorce betwixt Queen Katherine Dowager the Emperours Aunt and King Henry the Eighth his Master thereby to advance a Marriage betwixt him and the King of France's sister But though he effected the one he failed in the other for contrary to his expectation King Henry fell in love with Anna Bullen a Gentlewoman nothing favourable to his Pontificial Pomp nor no great follower of the Rites of those times which moved the Cardinal the Pope having assumed the sentence of Queen Katherines cause unto himself to write unto his Holiness to defer the judgement of Divorce till he had wrought the Kings minde in another mould But though this was done secretly it came to the Kings ear and wrought his minde quite off from the Cardinal which finally was the cause of his confusion for upon the Kings dislike the Counsel articled against him and the Law found him in a Premunire for procuring to be Legatus de latere and advancing the Popes Power against the Laws of the Realm for which resentment the Kings displeasure was so incenst that the Broad Seal was taken from him and most of his other Spiritual Preferments his house and furniture seized on to the Kings use and himself removed to Cawood Castle in Yorkshire Yet was he still left Bishop of Winchester and Archbishop of York to which last providing for his installing state equivalent to a Kings Coronation he was arrested of
proquaestor primum post Cancellarius Lancastriae tandem Angliae miro principis favore factus est Sed interim in publico regni senatulectus est orator populi praeterea legatus regis nonnunquam fuit alias alibi postremo vero Cameraci Comes collega junctus Principi Legationis Cuthberto Tonstallo tum Londinensi mox Dunelmensi Episcopo quo viro vix habet orbis hodie quicquam eruditius prudentius melius Ibiinter summos Christiani orbis Monarchas rursus refecta faedera redditamque mundo diu desideratam pacem laetisimus videt Legatus interfuit Quam superi pacem firment faxintque perennem In hoc officiorum vel honorum cursu quum ita versaretur ut neque Princeps optimus operam ejus improbaret neque nobilibus esset invisus neque injucundus populo furibus autem homicidis haereticisque molestus Pater ejus tandem Joannes Morus Eques in eum Judicum ordinem à Principe cooptatus qui regius consessus vocatur homo civilis innocens mitis misericors equus integer annis quidem gravis sed corpore plus quam pro aetate vivido postquam eo productam sibi vidit vitam ut filium videret Angliae Cancellarium satis in terra jam se moratum ratus lubens migravit in coelum At filius defancto patre cui quamdiu supererat comparatus juvenis vocari consueverat ipse quoque sibi videbatur amissum jam patrem requirens editos ex se libros IV. at Nepotes XI respiciens caepit apud animum persenescere Auxit hunc affectum animi subsequuta statim velut ad petentis senii signum pectoris valetudo deterior Itaque mortalium harum rerum satur quam rem à puero semper optaverat ut ultimos aliquot vitae suae annos obtineret liberos quibus hujus vitae negotiis paulatim se subducens futuram posset immortalitatem meditari eam rem tandem si coeptis annuat Deus indulgentissimi principis incomparà bili beneficio resignatis honoribus impetravit atque hoc sepulchrum sibi quod mortis eum nunquam cessantis adrepere quotidiè commonefaceret translatis huc prioris uxoris ossibus extruendum curavit Quod ne superstes frustra sibi fecerit neve ingruentem trepidus horreat sed desiderio Christi lubens oppetat mortemque ut sibi non omnino mortem sed januam vitae felicioris inveniat precibus eum Lector optimè spirantem precor defunctumque prosequere Pro Vxoribus suis Chara Thomae jacet c. Sub quo haec quoque subjuncta Carmina occurrunt Chara Thomae jacet hic JoannaVxorcula mori Qui tumulum Aliciae hunc destino quique mihi Vna mihi dedit hoc conjuncta virentibus annis Me vocet ut puer trina puella patrem Altera privignis quae gloria rara novercae est Tam pia quam gnatis vix fuit ulla suis Altera si mecum vixit sic altera vivit Charior incertum est haec sit an haec fuerit O simul ô juncti poteramus vivere nos tres Quam bene si factum religioque sinant Et societ tumulus societ nos obsecro Coelum Sic mors non potuit quod dare vita dabit The Life of THOMAS CROMWELL Earl of Essex Fortunae speculum Cromwellus scandit ad alta Vt casu graviore ruat Regisque favore Tollitur hincque cadit livore oppressus inique THomas Cromwell from so low a beginning as from the Forge attained to so high a pitch of honour as to be raised to a Pillar of State His Father as our Chronicles report was a Blacksmith to whom may be applied what Juvenal said of Demosthenes Whom his poor Father blear-eye'd with the soot Of sparks which from the burning Iron did shoot From Coals Tongs Anvil and such Black-smiths tools And dirty Forge sent to the Rhetrick Schools He was born at Putney in Surrey four miles from London being endued with a singular excellency of Wit His first advancement was under Cardinal Wolsey who made him his Solliciter employing him for the suppression of forty Monasteries to the erection of his Colledges at Oxford and Ipswich At the fall of the Cardinal he got him to Court where he was by King Henry first advanced to be Master of his Jewel-house then Barron of Oakham in Rutlandshire then Knight of the Garter ere long he was created Earl of Essex then made Lord great Chamberlain and lastly ordained the Kings Vicar General over the Spirituality by vertue of which Office he sat in the Convocation-house as Head over the Bishops an Honour so great that never any subject enjoyed the like in England Drayton thus epitomizes his Honours First by my Knighthood rising by degree The Office of a Jewel-house my lot After the Robes he frankly gave to me From whence to Privy Councellour I got Then of the Garter and then Earl to be Of Essex yet sufficient these were not But to the great Vicegerency I drew Being a Title as supream as new And now finding by Wolsey's predicting fall that the foundations of Monasteries were not unmoveable he puts it into the King head to have them all suppressed who being not long before declared supream Head of the Church thought his state in danger so long as the Pope had such Pillars to uphold his Power Another main thing was their excessive Riches which was valued at the yearly sum of 1865 12. pounds 8. shillings 1. d. o. q. besides the two Universities and divers Monasteries which were unvalued And no wonder that Bell sounded so sweetly in the Kings ear when so much profit pull'd the rope what ever was the true cause the pretended cause was the gain that was got by ignorant devotion and gadding on Pilgrimage as likewise that they were the receptacles of all traiterous attempts against the peace of the Land and Supremacy of the Crown Besides the Whoredoms Adulteries Incests and filthy Sodomies of the Monks Friers and Priests which put together weighed so heavy that by Act of Parliament they were granted all to the Kings use and Injunctions sent forth for the Bible in English to be read in all Churches and Register-books of Weddings Christenings and Burials in every of them to be kept These Actions of the King exasperated many especially the Pope who feared his Dagon would down if the King should be acknowledged supream Head of the Church whereupon he pronounceth him an Heretick and seduceth amongst others James the Fifth King of Scotland against him Cromwel that his Master might be able to bandy with the Pope counselleth him to allie himself with some Protestant Princess the King then a widdower entertained the motion and a marriage is concluded betwixt him and the Lady Anne Sister to William Duke of Cleve whose other Sister Fredrick Duke of Saxony had espoused a great favourer of the Gospel and maintainer of Martin Luther the promulgator and professour thereof But the Lady
what he would have been had the Fates allowed him a longer life Witness such time when the French Ambassadours came over into Englad to negotiate a Marriage between the Duke of Anjou and Queen Elizabeth when for their entertainment a solemn Justs was proclaimed where the Earl of Arundel Frederick Lord Windsor Sir Foulk Grivel and he were chief Challengers against all commers in which challenge he behaved himself so gallantly that he wan the reputation of a most valiant Knight Not long after the Netherlanders oppressed with the tyanny of the Duke D' Alva under the King of Spain implored the assistance of Queen Elizabeth which matter being debated in Councel she condescended to become their Defendress and thereupon Articles being drawn five thousand Foot and a thousand Horse-men were sent under the command of Sir John Norris a renowned Souldier all retained at her Majesties pay which monethly amounted to twelve thousand five hundred twenty six pound Sterling accounting fifty six dayes to the moneth For which Moneys so disbursed the Towns of Flushing and Brill with two Sconces and the Castle of Ramekins in Holland were delivered as Pledges till the Money was repaid Over Flushing and the Castle of Ramekins was Sir Philip Sidney appointed Governour His Motto was Vix ea nostra voco who during those Wars behaved himself being entred into the Cock-pit of War most gallantly At the taking of a certain great Town named Axell where within an English mile of the Town calling so many of his Souldiers together as could conveniently hear him he expressed himself to this effect That all such of his Countreymen that exposed their lives to the hazard of Battle ought to be advised of three things First the justness of the cause Secondly for whom they fight Thirdly against whom they fight For the first the justness of the cause were it onely for the defence of the Gospel it were sufficient but the malice of the Spaniards did most evidently appear in their late attempts for Ireland and should they seat themselves in these Nertherland Provinces they might expect the same tyranny for England Then next the people for whom they drew their Swords were their Neighbours alwayes Friends and Well-willâ—â—â— to the English as contrarily those against whom they were to fight men of another Religion enemies to God and his Church a people whose unkindeness both in nature and life doth so excell that God would not leave them unpunished Furthermore he perswaded them that they were Englishmen whose valour the world both feared and admired and therefore now they should acquit themselves like English-men for their own credit and honour of their Countrey Which oration wrought in them such resolutions that they all vowed to live and die in that Service How the Dutch have since deserved their then assistance of the Queen or the blood of a Sidney as they have since demeaned themselves the world may judge Amongst other of his successes he also took in the strong Town of Dorpe But in the full career of his Victories encountering with the Spaniards near to a place called Zutphen when the triumphant Laurells were ready to crown his Brows he was unfortunately shot in the thigh which is the rendezvouz of nerves and sinnews which caused a Feaver that proved so mortal that twenty five dayes after he died of the same the night of whose death was the noon of his age and the loss of Christendom His Body was conveyed into England and most honourably interred in the Church of St. Paul in London over which was fixed this Epitaph England Netherland the Heavens and the Arts All Souldiers and the world have made six Parts Of the noble Sidney for none will suppose That a small heap of stones can Sidney inclose England hath his body for she defence shed The Heavens his Soul the Arts his Fame All Souldiers his grief the World his good name Certain it is saith one that he was a noble and matchless Gentleman of whom may be justly written without Hyperbole or fiction as it was of Cato Vticensis that he seemed to be born to do that onely which he went about To speak more of him were to speak less The Life of ROBERT EARL of LEICESTER Ingenio gravis arte potens magnusque favore Principis incertam liquit post funera famam THe Earl of Leicester the Grand Politician and Proteus of those times was one of Queen Elizabeths early favourites the first whom she made Master of the Horse he was the youngest Son then living of the Duke of Northumberland beheaded primo Mariae and his Father was that Dudley which our Histories couple with Empson and so much infamed for the Catterpillers of the Common-wealth during the Reign of Henry the Seventh who being a noble extract was executed the first year of Henry the Eighth but not thereby so extinct but that he left a plentifull estate and such a Son who as the Vulgar speaks it could live without the teat for out of the ashes of his Fathers infamy he rose to be a Duke and as high as subjection could permit or Sovereignty endure and though he could not finde out any appellation to assure the Crown in his own person yet he projected and very nearly affected it for his Son Gilbert by intermarriage with the Lady Jane Grey and so by that way to bring it about into his Loins Observations which though they lie behinde us and seem impertinent to the Text yet are they not extravigant for they must lead and shew us how the after passages were brought about with the dependances and on the hinges of a collatterall workmanship and truly it may amaze a well settled Judgement to look into those times and to consider how this Duke could attain to such a pitch of greatness His Father dying in ignomy and at the Gallows his estate confiscate and that for pilling and polling by the clamour and crusifige of the people but when we better think upon it we finde that he was given up but as a Sacrifice to please the people not for any offence committed against the person of the King so that upon the matter he was a Martyr of the Prerogative and the King in Honour could do do less then give back to his Son the priviledges of his blood with the acquirings of his Fathers Profession for he was a Lawyer and of the Kings Council at Law before he came to be ex interioribus consiliis where besides the licking of his own fingers he got the King a mass of Riches and that not with the hazard but the loss of his fame and life for the Kings fathers sake Certain it is that his son was left rich in purse brain which are good foundations and fall to ambition and it may be supposed he was on all occasions well heard of the King as a person of mark and compassion in his eye but I find not that he did put up for advancement during Henry the Eights
time although a yast aspirer and provident storer It seems he thought the Kings Reign was given to the falling sicknesas but espying his time fitting and his Sovereignty in the hands of a Pupill Prince he thought he might as well then put up for it as the best for having then possession of blood and a purse with a head piece of a vast extent he soon got honour and no sooner there but he began to side it with the best even with the Protector and in conclusion got his and his Brothers heads still aspiring till he expired in the loss of his own so that Posterity may by reading the Father and Grandfather make Judgement of the Son for we shall finde that this Robert whose original we have now traced the better to present him was inheritour of the genius and craft of his Father and Ambrose of the estate of whom hereafter we shall make some short mention We take him now as he was admitted into the Court and Queen Elizabeths favour where he was not to seek to play his part well and dexterously but his play was chiefly at the fore-game not that he was a learner at the latter but he loved not the after wit for they report and not untruly that he was seldome behinde hand with his gamesters and that they alwayes went away with the loss To accomplish his direfull designs it is reported that Doctor Dee and Allen were his magical instruments his Physicians that waited upon him were admirable poisoners that could dispatch at the time appointed and not before At Cumner four or five miles from Oxford his first Wife fell down a pair of stairs and brake her neck he was also suspected for the death of Cardinal Castillian his great enemy after him he sent the Lord Sheffield as it was thought by an artificial Catarrhe Mounsieur Simers Ambassador to the French King he forced to fly this Kingdom for his too early prattling to the Queen of this his Marriage with the Lady Lettice He poysoned Sir Nicholas Throgmorton with a Saller The Earl of Sussex that called him the Son of a Traytor he sent out of the world with an Italian trick He employed his servant Killegray to slay the Earl of Ormond but he fell short of that design as the Poet hath it When Hanniball did not prevail by blows He used stratagems to kill his soes His servant Doughty that knew too much of his secrets he shipt away so as never to hear of him again Mr. Gates the Pandor of his leachery for contrived gilt of fellony was hanged whom he pretended to reprieve on the Gallows but never sent any to cut the rope for he knew he was then past telling of tales Thus he served one Salvatore an Italian who being more conversant of his privacies then he thought fit caused him to watch with him till midnight but the next morning he was found dead in his bed in his house He was otherwise for his out-side of a very goodly person and singular well featured and all his youth well favoured and of a sweet aspect but high foreheaded which as I should take it was of no discommendation but towards his latter end which with old men was but a middle-age he grew high colloured and red faced so that the Queen in this had much of her Father for excepting some of her kindred and some few that had handsome wits in crooked bodies she alwayes took personage in the way of her election for the people hath it this day in Proverb King Henry loved a man He had all advantages of the Queens grace she called to minde the sufferings of his Ancestours both in her Fathers and Sisters Reigns and restored his and his Brothers blood creating Ambrose the elder Earl of Warwick and himself Earl of Leicester c and he was ex prioribus or of her first choice for he rested not there but long enjoyed her favour and there with much what he listed till time and emulation the companions of great ones had resolved on his period And to cover him at his setting in a cloud at Cornbury not by so violent a death as that of his Fathers and Grandfathers was but as it is suggested by that poyson which he had prepared for others I am not bound to give credit to all vulgar relations or to the libels of the times which are commonly forced and falsified suitable to the moods and humors of men in passion and discontent His actions were so foul that I cannot think him to be an honest man as amongst others of known truth some already mentioned that of the Earl of Essex death in Ireland and the marriage of his Lady doth strongly asperse him questionless his deeds were good and bad as the times required He being such a Statesman as knew how to temporize He was wonderful popular To gain himself a good opinion of Religion he was free of his promises to the Cleargy Being Chancellour to the University of Oxford to raise himself a reputation of the Learned he was the more liberall And when he had a purpose to do a courtefie he had such power with the Queen as to do what he pleased either to bestow his favours or injuries as he could do good or wrong to others but not be wronged himself Those he placed about the Queen he had the wisdom to keep firme to himself The best of the Nobility being either linkt to him by alliance of else his friends In Wales he had the Earl of Pembroke Sir Henry Sidney a potent person was his friend in Ireland In Barwick the Lord Archbishop Hunsden He had a princely train another Mortimer for gallantry insomuch that he was called the heart of the Court He was a not able dissembler without which as Machiavel will have it he could not be rendred so grand a Politician Lascivious he was at any rate rather then fail he would Jupiter-like descend in a golden showre to which purpose he had as gracefull a carriage as if he meant civilly and onely carried the Reigns of honour in his hand There is a Book written of him called his Commonwealth in which there is more said of him then is true One of our modern Poets in two lines more truly determines of him Of him it may be said and censured well His Vertues and his Vices did excell To take him in the observations of his Letters and Writings which should best set him off for such as fell into my hands I never yet saw a stile or phrase more seeming religious and fuller of the streams of Devotion then some that I have seen are and he was too well seen in the Aphorismes and Principles of Nicholas the Florentine and in the reaches of Caesar Borgia I shall onely discover his Pen to two of the greatest Head-pieces of his time To my very Loving Friend Sir Francis Walsingham Ambassadour Resident for the Queens Majesty in France My Lord since my last Letter unto you I
is reported of him that like certain Vegetables he did bud and open slowly Nature sometime delighting to play an after-game as well as Fortune which had both their tides and turns in his course His first advancement to Court was by means of the Earl of Leicester yet not so much out of love to him as it was thought as out of envy to Sir Walter Raleigh whose splendour at Court he meant to allay with this young Earl His first appearance in the Fields of Mars was at Tilbury Camp Anno 1588. where he was by the Queen made in the Field Commander of the Cavalry as he was before in Court being much graced by her openly in the view of the Souldiery and people even above my Lord of Leicester himself But scarcely was he thus warmed in the Queens favour when without her consent or knowledge he thrust himself into the Portugal Voyage hazarding thereby his future fortunes besides the danger of incurring the Queens displeasure and laying himself open to the practice of the Court notwithstanding a noble report coming home before him as indeed his actions deserved no less at his return all those clouds were dispersed and this his excursion afterwards accounted but a sally of Youth Nay he grew every day taller in her Majesties grace and favour insomuch that the King of France imploring her assistance against the Prince of Parma who in hostile manner had invaded his Dominions the charge of that enterprize was committed unto him who full of valour though young in years being furnished with four thousand Foot and two hundred Horse besides many Pyoners and other Volanteers whose Heroick Aspects determined the courage of their hearts landed in Normandy and laid siege to the strong City of Roan in assaulting whereof his Brother Walter Devereux a Diamond of the time both of an hardy and delicate mixture was slain with a small shot to the excessive grief of the Earl who after a tedious Winters Siege challenged Mounsieur Villerse the Governour to a single combate who not desirous to purchase his honour with the effusion of his blood refufed it with contempt of his refusal the Earl returned into England The Queen having now experience of his valour soon found an occasion for him to show it the King of Spain threatning to invade her borders she thought it the best policy to invade his first to perfect so great a design a mighty Navy is made ready consisting of an hundred and fifty ships wherein were above 14000. souldiers and sailers Our intended brevity will not permit us to recount the several Officers in this expedition The Earl of Essex and Charles Howard Lord Admiral of England were commanders in chief The first of June they set forth from Plimouth and on the 18. of the same moneth came to Cabo St. Vincent where they lighted upon an Irish Bark who certified them that at Cales from whence they came were store of Gallies Ships of War and Merchant Ships laden with Munition Coyn Oyl Wine Wax Silk Cloth of Gold and Quicksilver news most acceeptable unto the Generalls The twentieth of June they cast Anchor on the West side of the Island where a fair Dove a fortunate presager of their success lighted upon the main yard of the Lord Admiralls ship and sat there quietly the space of three hours every man gazing but no man suffered to remove her The next day a Council being called it was determined the fight should be begun with the lesser ships because the road was too shallow for the greater the Lord Thomas Howard Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir Francis Vere Sir George Carew and Sir Robert Southwell with some Londoners and a squadron of Low Countrey ships undertook the same which they valiantly attempted manfully maintained and bravely continued nor were the Spaniards backward in performance of their duties but resolutely fought in defence of their lives each side striving to acquit themselves bravely which made the fight continue fierce and doubtful The valiant Essex though by a Council of War appointed to keep the main Battel upon the sudden from Port Saint Maries side thrust himself foremost in this Sea fight which the other General perceiving desirous to participate of the danger as well as of the honour of victory forsook his great ship too unweldy for those narrow waters took into his Pinnace that he might not be over-acted in point of Honour The scales of War which before were even now turned to the English side the Spanish Admiral a ship of fifteen hundred tun was by their own souldiers set on fire whose ruine was accompanied with two other ships that lay next her the rest of their fleet ran themselves on ground in the Bay of Port Real The Earl of Essex in pursuit of his design landed his men at Puntal a League from Cales to oppose his Forces half a mile from the Town appeared many horse and foot but they finding the English numbers exceed their expectation they presently gave back the English perceiving their stratagem to out-wit them counterfeiting a fear made a retreat by which means having enticed forth their enemies they returned with such violence that they forced them back into the Town but there they having an advantage from the higher ascent played so fore upon the English that their foremost ranks began to give back which valiant Essex perceiving to engage his souldiers resolutions caught his own Colours and cast them over the Wall into the Town the undaunted English ashamed to lose their Ensign forgot all danger ascending the wall with shot and sword make way through the thickest press of the enemy in the interim Sir Francis Vere broak the the Gate and rushed in and the rest with him divers were wounded with stones from the tops of houses and Sir John Wingfield slain in the Market-place with a shot from the Castle The Town thus surprized the Castle was summoned which the next day yielded the Citizens compounding with the Lords Generalls to pay an hundred and twenty thousand Duccats for their ransom were suffered to depart for the assurance of which payment forty of the chiefest Citizens were brought pledges into England Far worse sped the ships that had run themselves on ground who being assaulted by Sir Walter Rawleigh profferred two millions and a half of Duccats for their redemption but he telling them he was sent to destroy ships not to dismiss them upon composition they were by the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonian Admirall of Spain set altogether on fire it was judged by the wiser sort of people that the Spaniard was damnified by this expedition no less then twenty millions of Duccats The fortunacy of this enterprize gave occasion to one of the Wits then living to frame this excellent Annagram on the Earl of Essex name Deureux Vere Dux Which he afterwards englisht in this Distich Vere Dux Deureux verior hercule Gades Nam semel hic vidit vicit at ille simul Alcides yields
to Deureux he did see Thy beauties Cales but Deureux conquer'd thee The whole Navy returning home safe crowned with victory and laden with spoils yet seemed the revenge far less then the injury offered by the Spaniard wherefore the next year a third voyage was undertaken whereof the Earl of Essex was made commander in chief Their design was to intercept the Indian Fleet in their return into Spain many of the Nobility and principal Gentlemen accompanied the Earl in this expedition The ninth of July 1597. they set sail from Plimouth directing their course to Feral and the Groyne but God as a worthy Author interprets was so displeased at these nations enmities that they had not sailed forty leagues but they were encountred with such a terrible tempest that the Marriners themselves were at their wits end and the Fleet had much adoe to recover Plimouth And attempting to set out the second time the winde fell so cross that for a whole moneths time they could not get out of the Haven The 17 of August they again hoise sail but before they came in view of Spain they were disperst by another horrible tempest in which they lost two of their ships The 15 of September they fell into the Isles of Flores Evernes Fyal and Pike all which submitted themselves to the Earls devotion afterwards they sailed to Gratiosa whose inhabitants submit and finde mercy here would the Earl have tarried in expectation of the Indian Fleet had he not been most unluckily disswaded by Graves his Pilot for no sooner was he gone but the American Fleet came by wherein were forty ships and seven of them laden with Treasure these fearful sheep hearing the English wolves were abroad loath to lose their golden fleece sailed with all speed they could to Tezcera where they gained the Haven all but three ships which the English took the rest securing themselves in the Port which being impregnable The English sail from thence to Sain Michaels where they took Villa Franca a fair Town well stored with Merchandize wine wood and corn here they tarried six dayes during which space a Caraque coming out of the East-Indies and perceiving the English were there ran her self ashore unloaded her Merchandize and then fired her self October the ninth they hoist sail for England but in their passage were assailed by such a tempest that quite lost them the sight of the Spanish Fleet who likewise suffered much by the same tempest for one of their ships was cast upon Dartmouth the Souldiers and Marriners half starved in her who upon examination confessed that the Spanish Fleets intention was to seize upon some Haven in Cornwall which being nigh the mouth of the Chancel might be convenient to receive Forces from Spain but man proposeth and God disposeth for the divine providence frustrated the designs both of the Spaniard and the English The Earl of Essex upon his return was created Earl Marshal of England Hitherto have we beheld our Earl ascending the zenith of Honour but favourites of great Princes are seldom without parasites who wanting true worth in themselves make a ladder of mischief to climbe up to promotion these buz into the Earls head strange fancies and chymaera's that his deserts were far greater then his rewards that during his absence Sir Robert Cicill was made Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster and Charles Lord Howard created Earl of Nottingham with relation in his pattent to the Victory in eighty eight and his good service at Cales that he was descended of the blood royal of Scotland and England and had better right to the Crown then any other of the compettitors This puts the Earl upon indirect courses and though he cannot attain to be King of England he seeks to be made a petty King of Ireland the state of which Countrey ordained to be the Sepulchre of his Father and the gulf of his own fortunes was at that present in a dangerous condition by reason Tir Oen a notorious rebell had lately atchieved such a victory with so great loss to the English as they had never felt the like since they first set footing in Ireland Whereupon a serious consultation was held on whom to send to quell the rebels Essex though he seemed not to desire the employment yet still was ready with his exceptions if any other were nominated at length it was concluded that he should be the man and an Army of twenty thousand foot and thirteen hundred horse alotted unto him with these and a great retinue besides of the Nobility he passeth into Ireland His first action after his arrival was against the Petty Rebels in the Province of Mounster contrary to his Commission which was to go immediately against Tir Oen himself but men who prefer their private fancies before publique Instructions seldom attain to their wished desires For notwithstanding he took the Castle of Cahir and drove the Rebels into the Woods and Groves adjoyning his Forces by this means were so impaired that the gain did not countervail the loss wherefore sending for fresh supplies out of England in the mean time he sendeth directions to Sir Coniers Clifford President of Connaught to set upon the Rebels in one place thereby to sever their Forces while he assaulted them in another This counsel though good yet found ill success Clifford with fifteen hundred Souldiers marching towards Belike set upon the Rebels but the Fight continuing long and the English wanting Powder were put to flight Clifford himself and many of the old Soldiers being slain In the mean time Essex receiveth fresh Forces out of England and withall a check for neglecting the Queens Command wherefore at length he setteth forth towards the borders of Vlster with thirteen hundred Foot and five hundred Horse Tir Oen not able to match him in power yet seeketh to over-match him in policy and by his Messenger desireth a parley Essex mistrusting not the poyson in the bate condescended appointing the shallow of Balla Clinch for their meeting place thither came Essex alone with whom Tir Oen had private conference a full hour and not long after by their Delegates concluded a Truce from six weeks to six weeks till May Day This Transaction more incensed the Queen who dispatcheth very sharp Letters unto him blaming his delay and letting slip every fair opportunity with which Letters he likewise receiveth advertisement that Sir Robert Cecil was made Master of the Wards a place which he expected himself This Sir Robert Cecil was a man of lame feet but of a sound head one who bare great sway in the Court and a special stickler against the Earl which exasperated him the more not that he lost the place himself but that his Adversary had attained unto it This State proceeding entred so deep into his thoughts that he studies revenge and held private consultations of returning into England with part of his Forces to surprize his Adversaries But from this dangerous course the Earl of Southamptom
and Sir Christopher Blunt diswaded him yet within a moneth over he went and came with speed to the Court at None-such where falling upon his knees before the Queen after a little talk she bid him retire to his Chamber and soon after committed him to custody in the Lord Privy Seals house where having remained the space of six moneths he began to repent him of his former courses and shewed so great patience and so much submission that the Queen gave him leave to return to his own House again Neverthelesse the popular voice the croud of common people so extolled his innocency that she could not for the removal of suspicion of Injustice free her self and her Councellours but was forced to bring him to a trial which accordingly she did in the house of the Lord Privy Seal The chief Articles objected against him were That contrary to his Commission he had made the Earl of South-hampton General of the Horse had drawn his Forces into Munster neglecting the Arch Rebel Tir Oen entertained a parly with him against the Dignity of the Queens Majesty and the person of a Vice-Roy which he represented and that the Parley was suspicious in regard it was private The Earl remembring the words of Solomon Proverbs 16.14 The wrath of a Prince is as messengers of death but a wise man will pacifie it fell down upon his knees at the end of the board professing he would not contest with the Queen nor excuse the faults of his yong years either in whole or in part protesting that he alwayes meant well howsoever it fell out otherwise and that now he would bid his rash enterprizes adieu with many other words to the like purpose which made the Assembly there present to weep For indeed he was a man dearly beloved both of the Queen Peers and People nor do we read of any English Subject whose fall was more lamented then his At length this sentence was pronounced against him That he should be deposed from the office of a Privy Councellour suspended from the functions of Earl Marshall and Master of the Ordnance and be imprisoned during the Queens pleasure And indeed her pleasure was he should not endure Imprisonment long for upon his shew of humiliation and mortification she removed Berkley his Keeper and gave him leave to go at large onely admonishing him to make his own discretion his Keeper and not to come at the Court or in her presence Now the Earl thinking all danger was past and that a serene sky would succeed this storm in a presumptuous confidence of the Queens wonted favour he became an earnest suiter to her for the Farm of sweet Wines she to try the truth of his temper made him this answer That she must first know what it was worth and not give away things hand over head His high spirit not brooking a deniall falls into discontented expressions which came to the Queens ear That it was now plain the Queen intended to make him as poor as Job that he should live of the basket and gather crums under the table that the Queen was now old and decreped and withered as well in minde as in body And now again he runneth upon desperate counsels for the removeal of his Adversaries from the Court The Earl of Southampton is sent for out of the Low-Countreys his doors set open for all Commers decayed Souldiers and discontented persons admitted by Merrick his Steward to his own table Citizens flock thither each day in great numbers and all signs popularity appeared The chief of his Councel were the Earl of Southampton Sir Charles Danvers Sir Ferdinando Gorge Captain of the Garrison of Plimouth Sir Christopher Blunt his two servants Merrick and Cuffe with some others These meeting in consultation at Drury House resolve the Queens Palace shall be seized upon and his Adversaries secured who were nominated to be Raleigh Cobham Carew Cecill And the Admiral But before they could effect their designs the Queen by severall circumstances having suspicion of their actions sent Secretary Herbert to call him before the Councel the Earl doubting the matter excuseth himself that he was not very well But this slight excuse encreasing the suspicion four of the Lords were by the Queen sent unto him namely the Lord Keeper the Earl of Worcester Sir William Knolles and the Lord Chief Justice of England these comming to Essex House found there a confused number of people and the Earls of Essex Rutland and Southampton in the middest of them after some little talk the four Lords were secured Essex with a Troop of two hundred men at his heels making haste into City being falsely informed that the Citizens would take his part The Earl of Bedford the Lord Cromwell and other Lords meeting him by the way joyn themselves Essex crying out as he went For the Queen for the Queen they lay wait for my life Whilest thus he seeketh in vain for help of the Citizens certain of the Nobility entred the City with a Herald declaring him and all his adherents Traytours this so abated the edge of their courages that some of his followers began to shift for themselves amongst which was Sir Ferdinando Gorge who the better to obtain the Queens mercy freeth the four Lords that were kept prisoners in Essex House going along with them to the Court by water The Earl himself thinking to return was opposed by men in Arms at the West end of Pauls where after a short bickering he retired to Queen-hive and went to Essex-House by water By and by the Admiral besiegeth the House commanding them to yield which at first they refuse but afterwards finding their cause to be desperate they fall upon their knees and deliver up their weapons to the Admiral The chief of them as Essex Southampton Rutland Sands Cromwell Mounteagle Danvers and Bromley were committed to the Tower the rest were put in common Prisons The Earl being thus immured sent this Letter to Sir Thomas Egerton Lord Chancellour The Copy hereof the better to express the temper of his spirit I have word for word inserted The Earl of Essex Letter to the Sir Thomas Egerton Lord Chancellour My very good Lord though there is not a man this day living that I should sooner make judge of any question that might concern me then your self yet you must give me leave to tell you that in some cases I must appeal from all earthly Judges and if in any then surely in this when the highest Judge on earth hath interposed upon me the heaviest punishment without tryal or hearing since then I must either answer your Lordships arguments or else forsake mine own just defence I will force mine aking head to do me service for an hour I must first deny my discontentment which was forced to be an humerous discontent and so that it was unseasonable or is so long continuing your Lordship should rather condole with me then expostulate natural seasons are expected here below but violent
shun the danger paid him eleven hundred and seventy pounds at the very instant yet did he deliver her the counterfeit coppy onely meaning to make use of the true one to get another some of the Earls adversaries This imposter being found out he was censured to perpetual imprisonment condemned in three thousand pounds two of which were to go to the Countess and his ears nailed to the pillory with this writing over his head A notorious Cheater I shall conclude all with some few observations on this unfortunate Earl as to his first rise my Lord of Leicester introduced him who had married his mother a tye of affinity Sure it is that he no sooner appeared in the Court but he took with the Queen and Courtiers and I believe they all could not choose through the sacrifice of the Father but look on the living Son whose image by the remembrance of former passages was afresh like the bleeding of men murthered represented to the Court The Cicero of our modern times parallels him and Buckingham where the difference was is too transparent certain it is to use Sir Robert Nauntons own words that there was in this young Lord together with a most goodly person a kinde of urbanity or innate courtesie which both won the Queen and took too much on the people which amongst other disparities Buckingham never did attain to the latter What hath been imputed to his fall is that he drew too fast from the Queens indulgence like a childe sucking of an over uberous Nurse which caused him to express himself in such peremptory language when he heard that my Lord Mountjoy received a favour from the Queen for his running so well a tilt when as though he would have limited her respects he said Now I believe every fool must have a favour which made the Queen swear by Gods death it was fit that one or other should take him down and teach him better maners All Authours agree that he was a man of a rash spirit thirsty after the uncertain fame of popularity which helpt him on to his Catastrophe One writeth this Latine Epitaph on him Epitaphium de eodem Comite Ecce sub hoc tumulo situs est celeberrimus Heros Qui cecidit patrii spesque decusque soli Fama ingens annis juvenis fortissimus armis Nobilitate potens religione pius Terra Britannia parens testis Hibernia lethi Tristia fata gemunt fortia facta canunt Facta togae bellive magis praestantia mirer Optima pace domi Maxima marte foris Mors fera corpus habet Coelo Comes inclyte vivis Vita dicata Deo mors nonna vita data est The Life of Sir ROBERT CECILL Tu pater patriae Princeps Prudentia cujus Extulit immensum roges populosque Britannos THis Earwig of the Court Sir Robert Cecil afterwards Earl of Salisbury was the Son of the Lord Burleigh and the Inheritour of his Wisdom and by degrees Successour of his places and favours though not of his Lands for he had Sir Thomas Cecil his elder Brother afterwards created Earl of Exeter He was first Secretary of State then Master of the Wards and in the last of Queen Elizabeths Reign came to be Lord Treasurer all which were the steps of his Fathers greatnesse and of the Honour he left to his House For his Person he was not much beholding to Nature though somewhat for his Face which was the best part of his outside but for his inside it may be said and without Solecisme that he was his Fathers own Son and a pregnant Proficent in all Discipline of State He was a Courtier from his Cradle which might have made him betimes yet at the age of twenty and upwards he was much short of his after-proof but exposed and by change of climate he soon made shew what he was and would be He lived in those times wherein the Queen had most need and use of men of weight and among able ones this was a chief as having his sufficiency from his instructions that begat him the Tutourship of the times and Court which were then the Accademies of Art and Cunning. This great Master of State and the staff of the Queens declining age who though his little crooked person could not promise any great supportation yet it carried thereon a head and a head-piece of a vaste content and therein it seems Nature was so diligent to compleat one and the best part about him as that to the perfection of his memory and intellectuals she took care also of his senses and to put him in Linceos oculos or to pleasure him the more borrowed of Argus so to give unto him a prospective sight and for the rest of his sensitive Vertues his predecessour Walsingham had left him a receipt to smell out what was done in the Conclave and his good old father was so well seen in the Mathematicks as that he could tell you thorow all Spain every part every ship with the burthens whither bound with preparation what impediments for diversion of enterprizes counsels and resolutions And that we may see as in a little Map how docible this little man was I will present a taste of his abilities The Earl of Devonshire upon the certainty the Spaniard would invade Ireland with a strong Army had written very earnestly to the Queen and the Councel for such supplies to be sent over that might enable him to march up to the Spaniard if he did land and follow on his prosecution against the Rebels Sir Robert Cecill besides the general dispatch of the Councell as he often did wrote this in private for these two began then to love dearly My Lord Out of the abundance of my affection and the care I have of your well doing I must in private put you out of doubt for of fear I know you cannot be otherwise sensible then in the way of honour that the Spaniard will not come unto you this year for I have it from my own what preparations are in all his Parts and what he can do For be confident he beareth up a reputation by seeming to embrace more then he can gripe But the next year be assured he will cast over unto you some Forelorn-hopes which how they may be reinforced beyond his present ability and his first intention I cannot as yet make any certain judgement but I believe out of my intelligence that you may expect there landing in Munster and the more to distract you in several places as at Kinsale Bur-haven Baltimore where you may be sure coming from Sea they will first fortifie and learn the strength of the Rebells before they dare take the field howsoever as I know you will not lesson not your care neither your defences and whatsoever lies within my power to do you and the publick service rest thereof assured And to this I would adde much more but it may as it is suffice to present much as to his abilities in the pen
of speaking were a thing planted in him by nature not unlike what Ovid in the business of composing Verse sung of himself What ere I try'd to write became a Verse As aften as he was constrain'd by his Office to condemn any guilty person which duty was incumbent upon him as being learned Councel to the Kings majesty whether in criminal matters of a lesser nature or in capital offences he never carried himself proud or lofty towards the delinquent but always milde and of a moderate temper and though he knew that it was his duty in behalf of the King to urge and aggravate the crime as much as in him lay against the guilty person yet he so carried himself that at the same time he lookt upon the fact with an eye of severity upon the person with an eye of mercy In matters of State when he was called into the Kings Privy Council he ever observ'd the best manner of counselling not ingaging his master in any rash counsels or such as were grievous to the people but rather temporate and equal insomuch as King James honoured him with this testimony That he knew the method of handling matters after a milde and gentle manner and particularly exprest himself that it was a thing highly pleasing to his Majesty Nor was he when occasion serv'd less gracious with the Subjects of the Kingdom then with the King himself he was ever very acceptable to the Parliamentary Committees while he sate there of the Lower House in which he often made Speeches with great applause After he was advanc't to the office of Atturney General and elected to sit in Parliament liberty was granted to him by common suffrage of sitting in consultation among them a thing not known to have been granted to any other Atturney General And as he had the praise of a good Servant towards his Master for as much as in nineteen years administration as he himself affirm'd he never incurr'd the Kings displeasure for any offence immediately committed against the Kings Majesty so he obtained the name of a good Master towards his own Servants and freely rewarded their diligent services with eminent Offices as often as they came into his power to bestow which was a main cause why he was almost wearied with prayers to receive into the number of his Pages so many young men of the better sort and sprung from noble families and if any of them abus'd his grace and favour that was onely to be attributed to the errour of his native goodness though it redounds to their perpetual infamy and intemperance This our worthy was a strict worshiper of the Divine Majesty for although it hath been a custom among the vulgar to brand political persons and men of eminent wits with the note of Atheism yet that he both acknowledg'd and worshipt God appears most evidently by various testimonies dispersed through the whole course of his Works for otherwise he had destroyed and overthrown his own principles which were That Philosphy onely sipt and slightly tasted of draws us from God as that which magnifies second causes beyond their due but that Philosophy taken in a full draught brings us at length back unto God Now that he himself was a very profound Philosopher there is no man I suppose that can deny nor is this all but he was likewise both able and ready to render an account of that hope which was in him to any one that desired it and of this that Confession of Faith set forth at the end of his Volumne hath left a sufficient proof He very frequently us'd when he was in perfect health to be present at Divine service whether privately or publickly celebrated at the hearing of Sermons at the Participation of the holy Eucharist and at length he quietly slept in the true Faith establisht in the Church of England This is to be affirm'd for a certain that he was utterly void of all malice which as he said himself he never brought forth nor nourisht of the revenging of injuries he never so much as thought since to the performance thereof had he been so disposed he was sufficiently armed both with opportunity and power A remover of Officers from their places he was not in the least manner although he might have inricht himself by the destruction and ruine of others nor did he ever bear the name of a calumniator of any man to his Prince On a certain day when one of the chief Ministers of State who had borne him no good will being lately dead the King askt him what he thought of that Lord who was dead he answered That he was such a one as never had promoted his Majesties Affairs or made them better but that doubtless he had done his best to keep them from sinking or declining This was the hardest Sentence he would utter concerning him which indeed I reckon not among his Morall but his Christian vertues His name was more celebrated shin'd brighter abroad amongst forreigners then at home among his own Countreymen as it is mentioned in holy Writ A Prophet is not without honour except in his own Country and in his own House To make this good I shall produce a little passage out of an Epistle sent from Italy the shop of polite Wits to the late Earl of Devonshire at that time Baron Candish which was thus The new Essays of the Lord Chancellor Bacon as also his History and whatsoever besides he is now about I shall expect with infinite thirst of mind but especially in his History I promise to my self a perfect and well polisht work and chiefly in the Affairs of Henry the Seventh in the relating of which he will have liberty to exercise the gift of his accute wit That Lord daily increaseth in fame and his Works are more and more in chocie request among us and those who in humane Affairs are wise above the vulgar repute him among the greatest and most sublime wits of the age and so in truth he is Many of his Books were taught other languages as well the ancient and modern both heretofore and of late by those of forreign Nations Divers eminent men while he was living came over into England for no other cause but onely to see him and to have an opportunity of discoursing with him upon one of whom he bestowed his Picture drawn whole at length from head to foot to carry back with him into France which he thankfully receiv'd as a thing that would be very grateful and acceptable to his Countreymen that so they might enjoy the Image of his Person as well as the Images of his Brain viz. his Book Among others the Marquess of Fiat a Nobleman in France who came Ambassadour into England in the first year of Queen Mary's comming over the Wife of King Charles was affected with a very earnest desire of seeing him whereunto having gain'd an opportunity and coming into his Bed-chamber where he lay sick of of the Gout he addrest
by him for a constant Memorial The Life of GEORGE VILLERS Duke of Buckingham TAll Cedars are shaken with the wind when the humble shrub rests secure Envy strikes not at the lowly person her aim is evermore at the tallest How vain then is that man who enjoying the quiet of a retired life ambitiously hunts after honour How few Favorites go to the grave in peace Histories make mention and this Age can testify this truth will be too sadly instanced in the late Lord Duke of Buckingham who from the mean estate of a private Gentleman being raised to the highest pitch of honour a subject could be capable of came at last to an untimely end His first rise began at the Earl of Somersets fall one upon whom King James had heaped many great favours for from the degree of a Knight he was first made Viscount Rochester next sworn a Privy Councellour then created Earl of Somerset and last of all made Lord Chamberlane But this serene Sky of favour was soon over-shadowed with Clouds by the Earls undeserving for having married the Lady Frances Howard Daughter to Thomas Earl of Suffolk and not long before divorced from the Earl of Essex the unfortunate Knight Sir Thomas Overbury for speaking against the match was by their procurement committed to the Tower and not long after poysoned as I have more at large treated of in his Life for which fact both the Lady and Earl were arraigned and condemned yet through the Kings great clemency had their lives spared but were for ever banisht his presence This great Favorite being thus disgusted King James who would not long be without an alter idem or Bosom-friend took into special regard as I have intimated Master George Villers a Gentleman of a good extraction but a younger Brother and finding him susceptible and of good form moulded him Platonically to his own Idea And that he might be a fit companion for a King raised him in honour next to himself yet not all at once but by degrees making him first a Knight and Gentleman of his Bed-chamber soon after a Viscount and Master of the Horse a while after erected Earl of Buckingham then Marquess of Buckingham and made Lord Admiral King James having thus hardened and pollished him about ten years in the School of observance for so a Court is and in the furnace of tryal about himself for he was a King that could peruse men as well as books he made him the Associate of his Heir Apparent together with the Lord Cottington an adjunct of singular experience and trust in forreign travel and in a business of love and of no equal hazard enough to kindle affection even between the distantest conditions so as by various and inward conversation abroad besides that before and after at home with the most constant and best natured Prince bana si sua nocint that ever any Nation enjoyed this Duke which last title was conferred on him in Spain now becomes seized of reiterated favour as it were by descent though the condition of that state commonly be no more then a tenancy at will or at most for the life of the first Lord and rarely transmitted it being a kinde of wonder to see favour hereditary yet in him it proved far otherwise as one writes The King loves you you him both love the same You love the King he you both Buck-in-game Of sport the King loves game of game the Buck Of all men you why you why see your luck And although it be ever the perpetual lot of those who are of choicest admission into Princes favours to feel as strong stroaks of envy and ill will from beneath as they do beams of grace and favour from above the Princes love procuring the peoples hate this Duke contrarily found their affection so great towards him that in open Parliament the generality honoured him with no lesser acclamation then the preserver of his Countrey But what odde turns are in the passions of men and how little time continue their affections may appear in this those very men in a Parliament holden the first year of King Charles accusing him as the onely cause of all bad events which happened in the Common-Wealth drew up a charge of thirteen Articles against him the Prologue whereof expressing the prodigious greatness of this Duke the influence of whose power this ensuing Letter of Sir Henry Wottons doth sufficiently express My most noble Lord When like that impotent man in the Gospel I had lain long by the Pools side while many were healed and none would throw me in it pleased your Lordship first of all to pitty my infirmities and to put me into some hope of subsisting hereafter therefore I most justly and humbly acknowledge all my ability and reputation from your favour you have given me incouragement you have valued my poor indeavours with the King you have redeemed me from ridiculousness who have served so long without any mark of favour by which arguments being already and ever bound to be yours till either life or honesty shall leave me I am the bolder to beseech your Lordship to perfect your own work and to draw his Majesty to the settling of some things that depend betwixt Sir Julius Caesar and me in that reasonable form which I humbly present to your Lordship by my Nephew likewise your obliged servant being my self by a late indisposition confined to my Chamber but in all estates such as I am Your Lordships Henry Wootton But to return where I left to the preface of his Titles as I finde them copied in the Parliaments Declaration against him For the speedy redress of the great evils and mischiefs and of the chief causes of those great evils and mischiefs which this Kingdom of England now grievously suffereth and of late years hath suffered and to the honour and fafety of our Sovereign Lord the King and of his Crown and Dignities and to the good and welfare of his People the Commons in this present Parliament by the authority of our said Sovereign Lord the King assembled do by this their Bill shew and declare against George Duke Marquess and Earl of Buckingham Earl of Coventry Viscount Villers Barron of Whaddon Great Admiral of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and of the Principality of Wales and of the Dominions and Islands of the same of the Town of Calais and of the Marches of the same and of Normandy Gascoigne and Guyen General Governour of the Seas and ships of the said Kingdoms Lieutenant General Admiral Captain General and Governour of his Majesties Royal Fleet and Army lately set forth Master of the Horses of our Sovereign Lord the King Lord Warden Chancellour and Admiral of the Cinque-Ports and of the members thereof Constable of Dover Castle Justice in Eyre of all Forrests and Chases on this side Trent Constable of the Castle of Windsor Lieutenant of Middlesex and Buckinghamshire Steward and Bayliff of Westminster Gentleman of his Majesties
provided in kinde where he was freed from corroding cares and seated on such a rock as the waves of want could not probably shake where he might sit in a calm and looking down behold the busie multitude turmoiled and tossed in a tempestuous sea of dangers And as Sir William Davenant has happily exprest the like in another person Laugh at the graver business of the State Which speaks men rather wise then fortunate He died in Decemb. 1639 having compleated seventy three years His will was made by himself above two years before his death wherein he appointed that his Executours should lay over his Grave a plain stone of Marble with this Epitaph enscribed thereon Hic jacet hujus sententiae primus Author Disputandi pruritus Ecclesiarum scabies Nomen alias quaere Which may be englished thus Here 's lies the first Authour of this Sentence The Itch of Disputation will prove the Scab of the Church Enquire his name elsewhere To acquaint the world with two or three other Instances of the readiness of his Wit he having in Rome retained an acquaintance with a pleasant Priest who invited him one evening to hear their Vesper-Musick at Church the Priest seeing Sir Henry stand obscurely in a corner sends to him by a Boy of the Quire this question written in a small piece of paper Where was your Religion to be sound before Luther To which question Sir Henry Wotton presently under-writ My Religion was to be found then where yours is not to be found in the written word of God To another that asked him Whether a Papist may be saved He replyed You may be saved without knowing that Look to your self To another whose earnest zeal exceeded his knowledge and was still railing against the Papists he gave this advice Pray Sir forbear till you have studied the Points better for the wise Italian hath this Proverb He that understands amiss concludes worse And take heed of entertaining this opinion That the further you go from the Church of Rome the nearer you are to God He left behinde him many Monuments of his Learning whose worth are such that they speak themselves more incomparably to posterity then any Eulogies I can bestow upon them Give me leave to conclude with the words of one of the learnedst Modern Criticks That for the generality of the stile throughout his Works 't is most queintly delightful gentle soft and full of all manner of blandishments onely his pen flowed a little too much with the oyly adulation of Court-flattery Questionless if Sir Henry Wotton was reduced to any of these subserviences they were occasioned from his generous expences in the time of his Embassies for his Masters honour who used him as Queen Elizabeth did Sir Francis Walsingham who had but from hand to mouth The Life of THOMAS VVENTWORTH Earl of Stafford and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland TO particularize all the actions of the Earl of Strafford would of its self require an intire Volume it being a Garden of choice Varieties wherein points of Law are interwoven with Acts of State and the Affairs of Ireland as in the same Escutcheon quartered with those of England I shall onely take a superficial view of his life and not strain my self ambitiously to shew forth the utmost reach of his perfections he being a rare conjunction of Courage attended with loyalty to danger Wisdom accompanied with Eloquence to admiration who could both think and speak speak and do whose answers and replyes to the Articles exhibited against him by the House of Commons show his abilities to be such that whatsoever is spoken of him is infinitely below what was spoken by himself He was born in Yorkshire well descended and as well educated which fitted him to sustain the weighty Affairs he afterwards underwent A great stickler at the first against the Prerogative until allured by Court-preferment he turned Royalist for the King finding his worth and ability never left till he had gained him to himself obliging him to his side by many titles of honour and places of trust whose services he found equivalent to his favours continuing to his death a trusty servant a faithful friend a prudent Counsellour and a constant adherer to his side in all his exigencies The greatest services he did to the King were during the time he was Lieutenant of Ireland by his augmenting and advancing the Kings Revenues there restoring the Churches maintenance suppressing the Out-laws establishing obedience to Royal Authority impediting the Tyranny and usurpation of the great ones over the Commons causing the Irish to leave off many of their barbarous customs and conform themselves to the more civil manners of the English which drew much hatred upon himself for changes though for the better are most times ill resented by the vulgar witness those troubles in England in the time of King Edward the Sixth Nor could these innovations have found more dislike in any Nation under the Heavens then Ireland so wedded are those people to their ancient vain ridiculous customs But since I have inserted his most remarkable actions in the Life of King Charles I shall omit those passages and come to his solemn Trial so paramount in the Equipage of all Cirumstances that as former ages have been unable so future are unlikely to produce a parallell of them This great Minister of State was by the Parliament well known for the length of it accused with twenty eight Articles of High Treason February 16. 1640. The particulars are too long for me here to recite the substance of them being that he endeavoured to subvert the Fundamental Laws and Governments of the Realms of England and Ireland and enriching himself by indirect wayes in his office for incensing the King against the Scots for endeavouring to set things amisse betwixt his Majesty and the people and to have given counsel tending to the disquiet of the three Kingdoms The 13. of April following began his Trial in Westminster-Hall where there was a Throne erected for the King on each side whereof a Cabinet inclosed about with boards and before with a Tarras before that were the Seats for the Lords of the upper House and sacks of wool for the Judges before them ten stages of seats extending further then the midst of the Hall for the Gentlemen of the House of Commons at the end of all was a desk closed about and set apart for the Lord Lieutenant and his Councel The Earl of Arundel was Lord High Steward his Accusers were Pym Glin Mainard Whitlock St. Johns Palmers Sir Walter Earls Stroud Selden Hampden and others Many dayes were spent and much Rhetorick used on both sides for the Lieutenant was no childe but as cunning in the art of defence as any man in England equal if not surpassing his Predecessour the Earl of Kildare in the time of King Henry the Eighth But the House of Commons were implacable in their hatred towards him nothing being satisfactory to them but his downfal So
curious Map to build upon whose foundations he held it too injurious so I must with all submission acknowledge that a Gentleman of most accomplisht parts hath made a progress at large in this reverend Prelates History for me to have went about to build when he alone had laid such a firme foundation as shall out-live all other Historians I could not but count it too ambitious and am so far from thinking my self worthy to attend his noble purposes that if I had not thought it a crime of necessity though in the Epitome to place him amongst these eternized Heroes with Mr. Speed I should rather have left out a whole Countrey then in these few pages have committed the sin of presumption against his admirable endeavours The Life of ROBERT DEVEREUX Earl of Essex General of the Parliaments Forces THis Earl was borne in London Anno Dom. 1592. beginning his morning in the evening of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth His Father was that Robert Devereux Earl of Essex whose unfortunate life we have already discoursed of his Mother was the widdow of Sir Philip Sidney one whose Pen and Sword have rendered him famous to all posterity His education in his youth was at the University of Cambridge afterwards committed to the tuition of Bishop Whitgift a reverend Divine King James restoring him to his Fathers Titles and Estate forfeited by his fathers treasons to Queen Elizabeth That a perfect reconcilement might be made in all things a Marriage was contracted betwixt him and the Lady Frances Howard Daughter to the Earl of Suffolk a Lady of a transcendent beauty but she full of fire and the Earl of ice upon complaint made they were separated by a most just sentence of nullity executed by Commission under the great Seal of England after they had enjoyed the Society of one bed for three years together Some report that indirect and unjustifiable practices were used in the scrutiny of her Virginity but I averre according to the truth of allegations and proofs as the Jury of Midwives declared she was an untouched Virgin so did the Earl himself confess that though he had often attempted it he never could and believed never should unty her Virgin zone whereupon the Commissioners pronounced a divorce betwixt them Some Authors write that she did not much affect the Earl being of a lustful appetite Some on the other side imputed it to his travels others to her looseness in the time of his absence suffering her body to be abused Others bring Viscount Car on the stage that she placed her affections on him Others write that Mrs. Turner and Doctor Forman were employed to bewitch the Earl and to procure frigidity quo ad hanc so much do our Historians differ in their relations of this unfortunate marriage The Earl perceiving how little he was beholding to Venus is now resolved to address himself to the Court of Mars and to this purpose he bestows himself in the Netherlands which at that time was the School of Honour for the Nobility of England in their exercise of Arms where having continued for certain years and gained renown by his experience and perfection in the feates of Arms he advanced from thence into the Palatinate to which place went also the Earl of Southampton the Lord Willoughby the Earl of Oxford and Sir John Borlans with their Regiments but these not seconded as they expected and being invaded by so potent an Enemy as was then the Emperour and seconded by so puissant a Potentate as the King of Spain having in vain endeavoured with such weak forces to resist so great power they returned into England King James dying in the beginning of his Sons Reign a design went on for a sudden expedition into Cadiz in Spain which was committed to the mangement of Viscount Wimbleton and the Earl of Essex who putting forth to Sea were much dammaged with a furious storm but meeting together in the height of the Southern Cape they sailed to Cadiz where having taken Puntal Castle and in likelihood to fire the Ships in the Harbour the field men in the interim being directed to Land for their recreation and to take in fresh water having discovered the Cellers plentifully stockt with wine they carrowsed thereof so liberally in despite of more sober commands to the contrary as put them to the hazard of a dismal reckoning Whereupon the Admiral finding the Souldiers thus insufferably disordered fearing the Spaniard upon this advantage might make a lamentable butchery amongst them was forced to put to Sea again and having staid some time in expectation of setting upon the Plate Fleet in their returning home the Pestilence so reigned in their Navy that they had scarce men enow to handle their Sails which enforced them to ply home with all the speed they could The Earl of Essex soon after his return made a voyage into Holland not loving to lie idle when any action of Honour was on foot where he behaved himself with such gallant resolution as got him high repute in the mouthes of all men Having given these undeniable testimonies of his valour he was ambitious to give some further proofs of his virility and having been a while in England he solicites the affection of Mrs. Elizabeth Paulet daughter of Sir William Paulet of Wiltshire extracted from the noble line of the Marquess of Winchester with whom he consumated his Nuptials at Netley the Earl of Hartfords house by her he had a Son who was Christned Robert after his Fathers name he dyed in the year 1636. and lies buried at Drayton in the County of Warwick With this Lady he did agree and cohabit but it was but a short time becoming soon unhappy in his second as he was in his first choice for he could as little digest her overmuch familiarity with Mr. Vdal as his former Ladies with the Earl of Somerset upon which distaste this Earl did ever after abandon all uxorious thoughts and for a while lived a retired life Soon after began the long Parliament in which such Differences arose betwixt them and the King that for the deciding thereof each part had their recourse to Arms. The Parliament very wisely chose Essex for their General there being no person in the Kingdom so fit to take the people and credit their designs who having an Army raised marches with them against the King The King on the other side proclaims Essex and his adherents Traytors and confident in the justness of his cause gives him Battel on a place called Edge-hill which was fought with much eagerness and in a manner with equality for though the King kept the field and therein had the honour of the day yet lost he many brave Commanders who there dyed in the bed of Honour Amongst others the Lord Aubigney Sir Edward Vaerney who carried the Kings Standard Collonel Monroe and others Soon after was an overture for Peace but whilest it was in agitation a second Battel was fought at Brainford Essex
at that time was sitting in the Parliament House but alarum'd with the noise of the great guns he speedeth down his coming putting a stand to the Kings Forces who then were upon point of Victory There were slain on the Parliaments side Serjeant Major Quarles a man of eminent parts who left behinde him one onely Daughter named Esther since married to Master William Holgate of Saffron Walden a deserving Gentleman whose love to learning and learned men hath made his name famous to all posterity Captain Lilburne with some others were taken prisoners the winter then drawing on apace both Armies retired to their Winer quarters The next Spring Essex sets forth with his Army layes Siege to Reading to relieve which the King Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice advanced with a great Army but being worsted at Causham-Bridge the Town was surrendered to the Earl of Essex Presently after the taking of Reading the Parliament side began to decline on a sudden a contageous sickness seized on the Earl of Essex Souldiers the Marquess of New Castle was grown very powerful in the North and Sir William Waller defeated in the West Bristol being delivered up to the King so that had he with his Army come up the next way to London it was thought he would have found but little opposition Glocester onely held out against him The King unwilling to leave any Town behinde him layes Siege thereunto to the raising whereof the Army being not in a capacity of themselves the Train Bands of London assented to this expedition who raised the Siege and not long after gave the Kings Forces Battel at Newbery this was a long and bloody fight nor had either of the parties much cause to boast On the Kings side were slain the Earl of Carnarvan the Earl of Sunderland the Lord Faulkland Collonel Morgan Lieutenant Colonel Fielding Mr. Strode and other eminent persons On the Parliament side was slain Colonel Tucker Captain George Massey Captain Hunt and others The Earl of Essex with the Trained Bands returned to London where he had solemn thanks given him by the Parliament And now the Winter coming on he had the leisure for a while to refresh himself and to make new provisions for War against the ensuing Spring which being come he marches with his Army from London Sir William Waller at some distance marching with him after a while he sits down before Oxford where the King then was who fearing a Siege about midnight did take Horse attended with certain Troops who carried some Foot mounted behinde them and came to Witney five miles from Burford whither also Essex followed him Prince Maurice who had long laid Siege to Lyme upon his approach towards those parts he raises it The strong Town of Weymouth it surrendered unto him yea all the Countries round about came in unto him and the Garrisons opened their Gates at the first sound of his Trumpet At Chard within the compass of twelve miles came four thousand men unto him protesting to live and to dye in the cause of the Parliament as their friends at Dorchester did before them Barnstable revolteth to him Sir Richard Grenvile is beaten and Taunton Castle taken by his forces soon after he possesses himself of Mount Stanford Plimpton Salt-Ash and divers other small Garrisons from thence he advanceth towards Tavestock where he took Sir Richard Grenviles house and in it two pieces of Canon eight hundred Arms a great quantity of rich Furniture and three thousand pound in Money and Plate He marches into Cornwal forcing his passage over at Newbridge with the loss of a hundred and fifty of his enemies about Listethel he encountred Sir Richard Grenvile whom he overthrew immediately upon this Bodmin Tadcaster and Foy stoop unto him But the King who all this while was not idle understanding of his advance into Cornwal resolved to march after him for he found that his Army did daily encrease The presence of a Prince by a secret attraction for the most part prevailing upon the affections of the people Essex hereupon sends to the Parliament for Recruits but before he could receive any supply the King had so cooped up his Army that his Horse had no room for forrage in this strait he calleth a Councel of War wherein it was concluded that three thousand Horse under the command of Sir William Belfore should attempt to break through the main body of the Kings forces which accordingly was put in execution necessity whetting their valours so that with some loss they got through and came safely to Plymouth But the Foot having not that swift means of escape were forced to yield themselves The Earl made his escape by Sea attended with the Lord Roberts and taking shipping at Foy landed at Plymouth sick both in body and minde Thus on a sudden was all undone which he with much pains and hazard had been long a doing so uncertain is the chance of War that he who now rideth triumphantly in the Chariot of Victory may ere long become the Object of his enemies mercy Soon after followed the new moddeling of the Army wherein all those Commanders who were Members of either House of Parliament were called home Essex hereupon surrendered up his Commission Sir Thomas Fairfax being made General in his stead after which time he continually sate in the House of Peers until the time of his death which was on the 14. of September 1646. and 56. year of his age His Funeral was solemnized with great state a Monument being erected for him in Westminster Abbey which a mad villain most uncivilly defaced The Life of Sir CHARLES LUCAS SO much pitty is owing from posterity to the unfortunate Loyalist Sir Charles Lucas that should I omit to render him his due honours I might be taxed of partiality at least to have fallen short of what the Title of this Volume promises he being one whose Learning and Valour hath made him amongst others eminent of the English Nation I shall not need to spend much time in setting forth the stem from whence this illustrious Ciens sprung he who hath not heard of the Family of the Lucas's knows nothing of Gentility yet had no honour accrew'd to him from his famous Progenitors it were honour enough to him to be Brother to that nobly accomplished and deservingly honoured the Plato of this age the Lord Lucas a Gentleman singularly gifted in all suitable elements of worth as also to Sir Gervas Lucas a valiant Commander sometimes Governour of Belvoir Castle For his Education it was generous having his youth sufficiently seasoned in principles of knowledge both Humane and Divine to which joyning his Manhood and Discipline in the Field he had scarce his equal He was a person accompanied with a resolute spirit of an active disposition and a suitable discretion to mannage it strict in his commands without a supercillious severity free in his rewards to persons of desert and quality in his society he was affable and pleasant in
his charge serious and vigilant remiss in nothing that might any way improve or expedite his dispatch in Martiall Affairs But to take a brief survey of his Military Exploits I shall in the first place omitting engagements of less consequence as not so pertinent mount up the Hill near Newbury and Enborn Chase the two places where that memorable Battle was fought where Sir Charles Lucas with sundry other worthy Commanders behaved themselves as bravely as any of the most eminent Heroes from the beginning of this unhappy War in which Fight Sir Charles was grievously wounded Here were his characters of Honour deeply stamped in a Crimson die For the more brevity I shall pass by his valiant courage upon the Parliaments Forces at the assault of Cawood Castle where with skill and valour he forc'd his way thorow their Quarters to such places as he thought convenient and that with such confidence and magnanimity as his very name became a terrour to his enemies His Gallantry at Marston Moor will be had in remembrance so long as that Fight shall be recorded in our English Annals His valiant mannagement of Affairs at Newark where he exprest himself an absolute Souldier both in his Discipline and personal action His brave and successful attempt in his march from Berkley Castle with part of his Regiment betwixt Slymbridge and Beverston Castle upon Colonel Masseys Garrisons His incomparable Gallantry in the pursuit of his design at Tidbury But to descend from these particulars to the main thing we intend namely his Magnanimity in defending Colchester besieged by a powerful and successful Enemy We will in the first place give you a brief account of the occasion thereof and then as briefly relate the most memorable concernments during the Siege When the Parliaments Army had so subdued the Kings Forces that not one Garrison stood our for him openly and the King himself sold unto them by the Scots it was expected by the people a composure of differences would have ensued and the King reestablished on his Throne again according as they had promised in many Declarations But contrary thereunto they enacted to settle the Kingdom without him this much discontented the generality of the people and first they shewed their dislike thereof by way of Petition but that not prevailing they resolve force Langhorn Powel and Poyer strengthen themselves in Wales the Scots notwithstanding they had sold the King not long before yet now exclaim against the English for breach of Covenant and resolve to have the other march for England Against the Welchmen was Lieutenant General Cromwel sent and Sir Thomas Fairfax designed to go against the Scots but called back to march against the Kentish-men who in a Body of six thousand had possessed themselves of Maidstone with a resolution to stand it out against all opposers But Sir Thomas Fairfax falling upon them after a short but smart fight the Kentish-men were routed and their Army dispersed onely the Earl of Norwich with about three thousand men crossed the Thames and passed into Essex Where he found Sir Charles Lucas with some other persons of eminent honour and quality as the Lord Capel Loughborough c. with a compleat body of resolute men who after they had secured the Committee at Chelmsford struck into Colchester a Town inconsiderable as was generally conceived both by the Enemy and adjacent parts of the Countrey either to receive by a provisional way of relief any great force into it or by reason of the indefensive and intenible condition of the Town to stand out any time upon their settling or planting in it Yet so constantly courageous vigilant and incredibly industrious were these loyally disposed Gentlemen as this Town which in opinion by reason of her disprovision could not probably hold out against so powerful and formidable an Enemy the space of one week continued three moneths in a most resolute defiance and resistance of a victorious Army sated with such fulness of Conquests and supplied with such fresh and constant Recruits to bring their successive Atchievements to a more absolute period At length after many stout endeavours Sallies and Assayes gallantly performed having eaten all the Horses Dogs Cats and whatsoever though most reluctant to Nature could afford them nourishment this unfortunate Town of Colchester was surrendered after the continuance of three moneths Siege compleatly ended with these strict conditions the superior officers to mercy and the Souldiery upon quarter for life To those that shall demand what should be the reason for the besieged to hold out so long by their continued resistance to bring both themselves and the rest of the inhabitants into such misery and fearful distress especially seeing there appeared no hope at all of raising that lasting Siege nor of the Generals remove till he had finished his design besides their pertinacy and aversion from such reasonable conditions as in the beginning were proposed to them could not but highly incense the General and bring them as afterwards it did to extreamer terms upon intelligence of their necessitous condition that they might either be enforc'd to perish through Famine or necessarily surrender the Town To this sad inquiry I answer that besides others there were three main reasons which induced them to hold out so long as they did The first was that not onely the County wherein they were beleagured but other Counties too had ingaged themselves upon their fidelity a strong gage of assurance to valiant men that they would really joyn in assistance with them but this strong engagement procured an easie dispensation none appearing visibly save onely a small party about Saffron Walden who as they were soon up were as soon down being routed at Linton by a party of Horse under Major Sparrow But far greater hopes had they from London many of of the Royalists having engaged their persons under the Earl of Holland Duke of Buckingham c. to succour them But this expected aid proved fruitless for having lost that active spark of Honor. the Lord Francis Villers the rest of their flying Army were surprized at Saint Needs few escaping to carry tidings of their disastrous success But the main reason which induced them on to the continuance of this Siege was their daily expectance of relief from the North for the Scots having now ended their debate with their Presbyterian Cleargy concerning the conveniency and inconveniency of this War with 30000. men under the leading of Duke Hamilton entered England This numerous Army of Covenanters appearing so invincible made the Presbyterians in England to rest confident and to cry out Hosanna to the Mother Kirk of Scotland But as an Army of Sheep having a Lion to their leader is better then an Army of Lions with a Sheepish Commander even so this Canopy-General whose port and magnificence in his march promised wonders though it proved but Majesty in an imbroidered habit with a feaverish heart At Preston in Lancashire he was encountred by Cromwel with
molested or disquieted concerning the same or for refusal thereof 2. And that no free-man be taken and imprisoned or be disseised of his free-hold or liberty or his free customs or be out-lawed or exiled but by the lawful judgement of his Peers or by the Law of the Land 3. And that your Majesty would be pleased to remove the Souldiers and Marriners now billetted in divers Counties and that your people may not be so burthened in time to come 4. That the late Commissions for proceeding by Marshal Law may be revoked and annulled and that hereafter no Commission of like nature may issue forth to any person or persons whatsoever to be executed lest by colour of them any of your Majesties Subjects be destroyed and put to death contrary to Law and the Franchises of the Land All which they most humbly pray of your most excellent Majesty as their Rights and Liberties according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm and that your Majesty would also vouchsafe to declare that all awards doings or proceedings to the prejudice of your People shall not be drawn hereafter into consequence and example Never writes a late Author of the History of the Reign of King Charles did arbritary power since Monarcy first founded so submittere faces so vail its Scepter never did the Prerogative descend so much from perch to popular lure as by this concession a concession able to give satisfaction ever so supererogation for what was amiss in all the Kings by-past government Much hoped it was that this Parliament would have had a happy conclusion but what Gregory Nazienzen complained of Councels That he never saw any one end well King Charles might with as much verity have pronounced as to his content of Parliaments not any one he summoned having had any termination other then disgustful to him for no sooner was the Petition of Right granted but the Parliament resolved upon a large Remonstrance to the King wherein they ripped up many grievances of the Kingdom accusing the Duke of Buckingham his excessive power and abuse of that power the principal cause of all those evils and dangers to which the King returned a smart answer wherewith the Commons being displeased fell down right upon another Remonstrance against Tonnage and Poundage Whereupon the King unwilling to hear of any more Remonstrances of that nature prorogued the Parliament unto October 20. During this Session the Earl of Denbigh with fifty Sail of Ships attempted the relief of Rochel but prevailing nothing a third Fleet was prepared ready whereof the Duke of Buckingham was to have the Command but being ready to embarque he was stabbed with a knife by Felton a discontented person of which as also of his unfortunate proceedings at the Isle of Rhe I refer my Reader to his foregoing Life The Duke being dead the charge of the Fleet was committed to the Earl of Lindsey a Gentleman of a gallant resolution but before his coming the Town was so blocked up by Land and barred up by Sea that it was almost unapproachable yet many gallant attempts were made by the Earl bringing up his Ships to the very mouth of the Bar but being ready to enter the pass the winde whisked about into an opposite Point which drove them dangerously foul one upon another whereupon the Rochellers hopeless of relief opened their Gates submitting themselves to the Kings mercy which was granted them The Famine and War having made such havock amongst them that of twenty two thousand souls but four thousand were left October the 20. being come the Parliament was prorogued to January the 20. following at which time they met who begun where they last left with Tonnage and Poundage for complaints came in thick and three-fold against the Customers for taking and distraining Merchants goods Great stickling was betwixt the King and Parliament concerning this business the King claiming it as a Prerogative belonging to the Crown they denying it as an infringement of the Petition of Right After much debating and high words on both sides the dissolution of the Parliament put a period to the contest Not long after by mediation of the Seignory of Venice a Peace was concluded between France and England Spain also hampred with wars and want of money made overtures of a Peace which at last was concluded and published with more then ordinary Solemnity These Wars with France and Spain had so emptied the Exchequer that the King was forced to make use of his Prerogative for a supply which was by summoning all persons who had Estates of forty pounds per annum to receive the Order of Knighthood formerly practised by several Kings though now a long disuse had made it a novelty Many of the Countrey Hobs who had gotten an estate liable to a Fine took it first as a jeast and thereupon made no appearance but their purses afterwards paid for it in good earnest This project alone bringing in to the Exchequer no less then a hundred thousand pound May the 29. 1630. the Queen was delivered of a Son who was baptized by the name of Charles having two years before miscarried of a son of the same name who lived not above an hour which occasioned Randolphs Muse thus to express her self Thy first birth Mary was unto a Tomb And sad Lucina did not aid thy womb To Heaven thou then wert fruitful now to earth Thou canst give Saints as well as Kings a birth It was now seven years and better since Charles was crowned King of England Scotland his Native Countrey had a Crown also to bestow upon him and the King adjudged it worth the going for for though saith one it conferreth no one dram of solid and real grandure to the Throne yet ceremoniated as it is with such formalities it representeth it self a serious vanity There attended him this journey the Earls of Northumberland Arundel Pembroke Southampton Salisbury Carlile Holland Monmouth and New Castle the Bishop of London Lord Treasurer Secretary Cook Vice Chamberlain with many other Gentlemen of quality June 18. 1633. he was crowned with great Solemnity at Edinburgh and having visited Ealkland Sterling and some other eminent places he returned back again into England Thus he was crowned by a Nation that afterwards snatcht it from his Royal Temples The King at his return found his Exchequer near empty whereupon he consults with his Attorney Noy for a way how to supply it he searching old Records being a man very studious that way findes an ancient precedent of raising a Tax for setting forth a Navy in case of danger to which purpose a Writ was issued out to the seveaal Counties in England for the raising of money sufficient for the setting forth of forty seven ships at which the Commons grumbled as an illegal Tax contrary unto the Petition of Right The King for his better satisfaction demands the opinion of the Judges who all of them under their hands confirmed the Legality thereof yet were not the
Religion then the Ceremonies of it did publickly refuse it From hence proceeded Tragedies Tumults War and Invasion for upon the first reading thereof the people were so violent against it that the Dean and Bishop of Edenburgh hardly escaped with life nor were they onely the rascal multitude that thus opposed it but many of the Noblemen Barons and Gentlemen amongst whom the chief were the Earl of Hume and the Lord Lindsey To appease these disorders the King sent down the Marquess Hamilton in the quality of an high Commissioner impowring him with a Commission to use the utmost of his interest and power for the settling of peace but whether as some write he dealt deceitfully in aspiring to the Crown himself or no I judge uncertain but most certain it is that after his coming the differences encreased far greater then before and no question but it had become far better for the King had this Marquess been either a more close friend or an opener enemy The King being at home in no good condition used all means he could to pacifie his enemies abroad not onely winking at many of the foul disorders of the Scots but also yielded unto them in their desires for many things which nevertheless allayed not their spirits but rather encouraged them to proceed as they had begun For as Cleaveland hath it Nor Gold nor Acts of Grace 't is steel must tame The stubborn Scot a Prince that would reclaim Rebels by yielding doth like him or worse Who saddled his own back to save his horse Hamilton being returned into England the Scots began might and main to levy Souldiers to impose Taxes to raise Fortifications to block up some and seize others of the Kings Castles and to prepare for War The King not to be behinde hand with the Scots it being no good policy in War to strain courtesie who should begin first raised a considerable power to the maintenance whereof many of the Nobility contributed largely especially the Bishops it being for the preservation of their own Hierarchy March 27. the Army began to march the Earl of Arundel commanding in Chief but all the preparation both of one side and the other proved onely an interview of two Armies nothing being acted considerable in the way of engagement for after a few dayes attendance upon each other a Pacification was concluded upon distributed into these Articles On the Kings Part. 1. His Majesty to confirme what his Commissioner promised in his name 2. That a general Assembly be indicted to be kept at Edenburgh August 6. 3. That command be given for a Parliament to be holden at Edenburgh August the 20. 4. That he recal all his Forces by Land or Sea and restore all Ships and Goods arrested and detained since the pretended Assembly at Glasgow upon the Covenanters disarming and disbanding of their Forces dissolving their Tables and restoring to the King all his Castles Forts and Ammunition and releasing all the Persons Lands and Goods then under restraint or detained since the pretended Assembly of Glasgow This his Majesty to do by Declaration On the Scots Part. 1. The Forces of Scotland to be disbanded within eight and forty hours after publication of the Kings Declaration 2. They to render up after the said publication all Castles Forts Ammunition of all sorts so soon as the King shall send to receive them 3. They to hold no meetings treatings nor consultations but such as are warranted by act of Parliament 4. They to desist from all fortifications and those to be remitted to the Kings pleasure 5. They to restore to all the Kings Subjects their Liberties Lands Houses Goods and Means taken or detained from them since the first of February last This Pacification being solemnly ratified on both sides the King well hoped a general peace would ensue but what ever the Scots pretended the sequel shewed they intended nothing less for they still kept their Officers in constant Pay they did not slight their fortification at Leith they still continued their Meetings and Consultations they still disquieted molested and frighted all of different inclinations and which was worst of all they dispersed a scandalous Libel entituled Some conditions of his Majesties Treaty with his Subjects of Scotland before the English Nobility are set down here for remembrance Which Book tending to the defamation of his Majesty and disavowed by the Commissioners then present at the Treaty was by the command of the Council burnt by the common Hangman The King who intended to stay till the General Assembly was met seeing matters remain in this doubtful posture returned into England leaving the Earl of Traquair his Commissioner August the 6 the Assembly met at Edenburgh wherein Episcopacy the five Articles of Perth the High Commission the Liturgy and Book of Canons were abolished the Earl of Traquiar assenting thereunto The Assembly being ended the Parliament began who instead of reforming Abuses fell upon new moddelling the Government forming an Act Recissory whereby former Acts concerning the Judicatory of the Exchequer concerning Proxies and concerning confirmation of Ward Lands should be nulled Which being signified to the King he by his Commissioner the Earl of Traquair prorogued the Parliament until the 2. of June next These actings of the Scots warping altogether towards War were much forwarded by an accident November 19. it happened a great part of the walls of the Castle of Edenburgh with the Cannons mounted fell to the ground this being the Anniversary night of the Kings Birth-day was construed in the Grammar of Superstition an ominous presage of the ruine of the Kings design The King appointed the Lord Estrich Colonel Ruthen and the Governour of the Castle to take order for the re-edification of what was lapsed but the Scots would not suffer any materials to be carried in for reparation This Indignity the King concludeth intollerable and thereupon resolveth to relieve himself by force to this end a private Juncto is selected for the close carrying on of the design wherein it was agreed his Majesty should call a Parliament to assemble April the 13. next The King approved well of their Councel but withal said My Lords the Parliament cannot suddenly convene and the subsidies they grant will be so long in levying as in the interim I may be ruin'd therefore some speedy course must be thought upon for supplies The Lords willing to forward the business told him they would engage their own credits and the Lord Deputy of Ireland giving the onset subscribed for twenty thousand pound the other Lords writing after his Copy subscribed conformable to their Estates the Judges also contributed largely as also the Recusants who are ever sure to undergo the lash yielded according to their abilities From which Loyalty of theirs to his Majesty the more envious and schismatical sort of people gave out that the King was in his heart a Papist I have thought it my duty to insert in Latin and in English his Majesties Declaration
Princes This most holy Religion with the Hierarchy and Liturgy thereof we solemnly protest that by the help of Almighty God we will endeavour to our utmost power and last period of our life to keep entire and inviolable and will be careful according to our duty to Heaven and the tenour of the aforesaid most Sacred Oath at our Coronation that all our Ecclesiasticks in their several degrees and incumbencies shall preach and practise the same Wherefore we enjoyn and command all our Ministers of State beyond the Seas as well Ambassadours as Residents Agents and Messengers and we desire all the rest of our loving Subjects that sojourn either for curiosity or commerce in any Forreign parts to communicate uphold and assert this our solemn and sincere Protestation when opportunity of time and place shall be offered For the for ever silencing of such black-mouthed people I have here set down his Majesties Speech and Protestation before his receiving the Holy Eucharist at Christ Church in Oxon 1643. His Majesty being to receive the Sacrament from the hands of the Lord Archbishop of Armagh used these publique expressions immediately before his receiving the blessed Elements he rose up from his knees and beckning to the Archbishop for a short forbearance made this Protestation My Lord I espy here are many resolved Protestants who may declare to the world the Resolution I now do make I have to the utmost of my power prepared my soul to become a worthy receiver and may I so receive comfort by the Blessed Sacrament as I do intend the establishment of the true Reformed Protestant Religion as it stood in its beauty in the happy dayes of Queen Elizabeth without any connivance at Popery I bless God that in the midst of these publick distractions I have still liberty to communicate and may this Sacrament be my damnation if my Heart do not joyn with my Lips in this Protestation But to proceed in our History the King was not so busie in preparing against the Scots but they were as forward in providing for his resistance those of the Nobility and Gentry who stood firm for the King they imprisoned they invited and procured to their service many Commanders from Holland and reared works of Fortification in all places agreeable to their designs In this state stood the Affairs of both Kingdoms when April 13. according to pre-appointment the Parliament assembled the Earl of Strafford being led into the upper House by two Noble men to give them account of his proceedings in Ireland having there obtained the grant of four Subsidies for the maintenance of ten thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse implicitely hinting agreeable to what Scheme England should proportion their supplies The King also to forward the business sent a message to the Lower House representing to them the intollerable Indignities and Injuries wherewith the Scots had treated him and withal declared to them that if they would assist him with supplies suitable to the exigency of his sad occasion he would for ever quit his claim of Ship-money and into the bargain give them full content in all their just demands This Message delivered by Secretary Vane he whether wilfully or casually mistaking I leave undetermined required twelve Subsidies whereas it was said his express order was onely for six This Proposition raised the House of Commons to such animosity as the King advising with his Juncto their Compliance was represented to him so desperate as May the fifth he ordered the Dissolution of the Parliament But though the Parliament were sullen and would not give down their milk the Gentry and others contributed largely especially the Cleargy who in their Convocation granted a Benevolence of four shillings in the pound to be assest upon all the Cleargy for six years together towards this Expedition With these and other forementioned aids a Royal Army was raised whereof the Earl of Northumberland was appointed Generalissimo and the Earl of Strafford Lieutenant General but both Generalls falling sick the charge of the Army was committed to the Lord Conway who marching with the Army as far as Newburn upon Tine was encountred by the Scots and worsted three hundred of the English being slain and taken Sir Jacob Astley then Governour of New Castle hearing of this Defeat deserted the same as not tenable against so potent an Army which Town was taken into the Scots possession The King who had stayed behinde during the time the Queen was brought to bed of her third Son Henry advances after his Army when at Northalerton he was certified of the Lord Conway's discomfiture and Sir Jacob Astley quitting New Castle this being accounted an unlucky omen some of the Lords desirous of Peace working upon the occasion presented to the King at York this following Petition To the Kings most excellent Majesty The humble Petition of your Majesties most loyal and most obedient Subjects whose Names are under-written in behalf of themselves and divers others Most Gracious Sovereign The zeal of that duty and service which we owe to your Sacred Majesty and our earnest affection to the good and welfare of this your Realm of England have moved us in all humility to beseech your Royal Majesty to give us leave to offer to your Princely Wisdom the apprehension which we and others your faithful Subjects have conceived of the great distempers and dangers now threatning the Church and State and your Royal Person and of the fittest means by which they may be removed and prevented The evils and dangers whereof your Majesty may be pleased to take notice are these 1. That your Majesties sacred Person is exposed to hazard and danger in the present Expedition against the Scottish Army and by occasion of this War your Majesties Revenue is much wasted your Subjects burthened with coat and conduct of money billiting of Souldiers and other Military Charges and divers Rapines and Disorders committed in several parts of this your Realm by the Souldiers raised for that service and your whole Kingdom become full of fears and discontents 2. The sundry Innovations in matters of Religion the Oath and Cannons lately imposed upon the Cleargy and other your Majesties Subjects 3. The great encrease of Popery and the employing of Popish Recusants and others ill-affected to the Religion by Laws established in places of power and trust especially in commanding of Men and Arms both in the Field and sundry Counties of this your Realm whereas by Law they are not permitted to have any Arms in their own houses 4. The great mischiefs which may fall upon this Kingdom if the intentions which have been credibly reported of bringing in Irish and Forreign Forces should take effect 5. The urging of Ship-money and prosecution of some Sheriffs in the Star-Chamber for not levying it 6. The heavy charge upon Merchandize to the discouragement of Trade the multitude of Monopolies and other Patents whereby the Commodities and Manifactures of the Kingdom are much burthened to the great and
universal grievance of your people 7. The great grief of your Subjects by long intermission of Parliaments and the late and former dissolution of such as have been called without the happy effects which otherwise they might have produced For remedy whereof and prevention of the dangers that may arise to your Royal Person and to the whole State they do in all humility and faithfulness beseech your most excellent Majesty that you would be pleased to summon a Parliament within some convenient time whereby the causes of these and other great Grievances which your people lye under may be taken away and the Authours and Councellors of them may be brought to such legal trial and condign punishment as the nature of their several offences shall require And that the present War may be composed by your Majesties wisdom without blood in such manner as may conduce to the honour and safety of your Majesties person the comfort of your people and the uniting of both your Realms against the common enemy of the reformed Religion And your Majesties Petitioners shall ever pray c. Concluded the 28. of August 1640. Francis Bedford Robert Essex Mulgrave Say Seal Edward Howard William Hartford Warwick Bullingbrooke Mandevile Brooke Pagett This Petition being seconded by another from the Scots to the same effect the King the twenty fourth day of the same moneth assembled the Lords together at York where it was concluded that a Parliament should be summoned to convene November the third next ensuing in the mean time a cessation of Arms was concluded between both Nations whereupon the King and Lords posted to London Tuesday November the third according to pre-appointment the Parliament assembled no sooner were they set but Petitions came thronging in from all Counties of the Kingdom craving redress of the late general exorbitancies both in Church and State many who were in prison were ordered to be set at liberty as Pryn Bastwick and Burton and the Bishop of Lincolne and many who were at liberty were ordered to be sent to prison as Sir William Beecher the Earl of Strafford and the Archbishop of Canterbury Secretary Windebank and the Lord Keeper Finch who was forced to flye the Land Ship-money was voted down the late Cannons damn'd Peace is concluded with Scotland and three hundred thousand pound allowed them for reparations This was summarily the first actings of the Parliament which gave much content to many people especially the Londoners who to the number of 15000. Petition for the abolishing of Episcopacy it self Indeed some few of the Cleargy at this time as at all others were corrupt in their lives many of them being vicious even to scandal yea many of those who pretended much purity in their conversations were most covetous and deceitful in their dealings besides their pride was intollerable insomuch that a great one amongst them was heard to say He hoped to live to see the day when a Minister should be as good a man as any upstart Jack Gentleman in England Well therefore might it it be said of the Priests of our times what Gildas sirnamed the wise wrote of the Priests of his time Sacerdotes habet Britannia sed insipientes quam plurimos Ministros sed impudentes clericos sed raptores subdeles c. Great Brittain hath Priests indeed but silly ones Ministers of Gods word very many but impudent a Cleargy but given up to greedy rapine c. Yet let none mistake me I write not thus to perswade any to an ill opinion of the Ministry for though our Church had cause to grieve for the blemishes of many yet might she glory in the ornaments of more so that Episcopacy received not at this time the fatal blow but was onely mutilated in her former glory the House of Commons voting that no Bishop shall have any vote in Parliament nor any Judicial power in the Star Chamber nor bear any sway in Temporal Affairs and that no Cleargy-man shall be in Commission of the Peace The Parliament having thus set bounds to the exorbitant power of the Cleargy they next fell upon the Tryal of the Deputy of Ireland who as you heard not long before was committed prisoner to the Tower this man at first was a great stickler against the Prerogative until allured by Court preferment he turned Royalist Westminster Hall was the place assigned for his Tryal the Earl of Arundel being Lord High Steward and the Earl of Lindsey Lord High Constable the Articles charged against him being very many are too long to recite I having more at large in their place inserted them in his Life The sum of them were for ruling Ireland and the North of England in an arbitrary way against the Laws for retaining the Kings revenue without account for encreasing and encouraging Popery for maliciously striving to stir up and continue enmity betwixt England and Scotland and for labouring to subvert Parliaments and incense the King against them yet notwithstanding this high charge the Earl by his answers so cleared himself that the King told the Lords he was not satisfied in Conscience to Condemn him of high Treason but acknowledged his misdemeanours to be very great at last wearied with the clamours of the people the Earl also by a letter desiring the same he granted a Commission to four Lords to Sign the Bill for his Execution which Execution was accordingly performed on Tower-hill May 10. 1641. Thus dyed this unhappy Earl a sacrifice to the Scots revenge cut off as it was thought not so much for what he had done as for fear of what he afterwards might do a man of the rarest parts and deepest judgement of any English man of our late times The same day fatal to the King he Signed the Bill for the Deputy of Irelands death he also Signed the Bill for a trienial or perpetual Parliament which should not be dissolved without consent of both Houses some say Duke Hamilton counselled him to it others say it was the Queen whoever it was it was his ruine for the Parliament now fearless of a dissolution began to act in an higher way then before being fortified with a strong guard of Souldiers whereof the Earl of Essex was Captain they without the Kings leave or knowledge appoint an extraordinary Assembly in the City that should mannage all weighty and great occurrences and to weaken his Majesty the more or rather to satisfie the insolence of the people they cast twelve Bishops into Prison because they went about to maintain their priviledge by the publick Charter The King moved with this accused five of the lower House and one of the upper House of high Treason their names were the Lord Viscount Mandevil Mr. Pym Mr. Hampden Sir Arthur Haslerig Mr. Hollis and Mr. Strowd This action of the Kings was by the Parliament adjudged a great breach of their Priviledges certainly it much encreased the differences between them and left scarce any possibility of reconcilement This small river of
Discord being now grown a Sea of Dissention the King and Queen poste to Hampton Court yet before he went that he might clearly demonstrate his real intentions to compose all differences he consented to the Petition of the Parliament to exclude the Bishops out of the House an act very prejudicial to himself for by this means the scale of Votes in the upper House which oft had turned to his advantage did by this diminution encline most commonly the other way Having staid about a moneth at Hampton Court the Queen went into Holland to accompany her Daughter Mary who was lately married to the young Prince of Orange The King the Prince the Palsgrave the Duke of Richmond and some other of the Nobility went down into the North intending to seize on the Magazine at Hull but the Parliament had before sent down one of their own Members Sir John Hotham who from the Walls denyed his Majesty entrance the King complaineth hereof to the Parliament but they justifie his Act yet what grains of affection towards his Majesty were wanting in Hull were found superabundant in the City of York who with the Counties adjacent declare unanimously for his Majesty Encouraged here with August 22. 1642. he sets up his Standard at Nottingham The Parliament in the mean time raised a considerable Army whereof the Earl of Essex commanded in chief And now were the gates of Janus unlocked and stern Mars released out of prison the seldom heard Drum rattled in every corner and the scarce known Trumpet sounded in every street now Factions banded Nick-names were invented Oaths framed and amongst the rest the Covenant obtruded against which his Majesty publisht this following Proclamation His Majesties Proclamation forbidding the tendring or taking of the late Covenant called A Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation c. Whereas there is a printed Paper entituled A Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honour and happiness of the King and the peace and safety of the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland pretended to be ordered by the Commons in Parliament on the one and twentieth day of September last to be printed and published which Covenant though it seems to make specious expressions of Piety and Religion is in truth nothing else but a trayterous and seditious Combination against us and against the established Religion and Laws of this Kingdom in pursuance of a trayterous design and endeavour to bring in Forreign Forces to invade this Kingdom We do therefore straitly charge and command all our loving Subjects of what degree or quality soever upon their Allegiance that they presume not to take the said seditious and trayterous Covenant And we do likewise hereby forbid and inhibit all our Subjects to impose administer or tender the said Covenant as they and every of them will answer the contrary at their utmost and extreamest perils Given at our Court at Oxon the 9. day of October in the nineteenth year of our Reign Hitherto have we beheld England like a curious Garden flourishing with all the choicest flowers both for scent and colour that ever Flora watred with pearly drops or Titans radiant beams gave birth unto whose flourishing branches adorn'd with Turtles twinn'd in chaste embraces as if they simpathized of each others peaceful and fruitful vertues that Nature her self was enamour'd to walk into the twined Meanders of her curious Mazes here might you see the Princely Rose the King of Flowers so full of fragrancy that for its smell and colour it was the envy of all the world there might you see the Lilly Queen of Flowers there might you see the Olive Plants the Royal Progeny placed round about a table where Kings and Queens had used to feast the Nobility and Gentry emulating each other to excell in sweetness But now alas with our late discords the Scene is so altered that this curious Garden hath been over-run with Weeds I mean the miseries which followed upon these dissentions For as one writes the War went on with horrid rage in many places at one time and the fire once kindled cast forth through every corner of the Land not onely sparks but devouring flames insomuch as the Kindom of England was divided into more Battles then Counties nor had she more Fields then Skirmishes nor Cities then Sieges almost all her Palaces of Lords and great Houses being turned every where into Garrisons they fought at once by Sea and Land and through all England who could but lament the miseries of his Countrey sad spectacles were of plundering and firing Villages and the Fields otherwise waste and desolate rich onely and terribly glorious in Camps and Armies The Kings side at first prospered exceedingly the Earl of New Castle his General in the North overthrowing the Lord Fairfax and driving him into Hull in the West Sir William Waller a Parliament Chieftain was utterly defeated by the Lord Wilmot who came from Oxford with an Army of the Kings and having lost all his Army made haste to London and such as the fortune of the Field was was the condition of Towns and Garrisons for immediately after Wallers defeat the two greatest Cities of all the West were yielded up Bristol to Prince Rupert and Excester to Prince Maurice So that now the King was master of all the West save onely Glocester which he besieged with a Royal Army Essex himself the great General at the same time his Army decreasing suddenly some dying of sickness others for want forsaking their Colours was constrained to leave the Field and return to London quartering the sick and weak remnant of his Army at Kingston and other adjacent places until a recruit could be made for him so that it was judged by wise men if the King leaving Glocester had marched directly with his victorious Army to London which was then not at all fortified and miserably distracted with Factions within it or besides if the Earl of New Castle letting alone the besieging of Hull which likewise proved fruitless had poured out his numerous Forces upon the Eastern associated Counties he had been more successful then he was But Fata viam invenient Destiny will finde wayes that never were thought of makes way where it findes none and that which is decreed in Heaven shall be effected by means of which earth can take no notice of The King to no purpose thus spending his time at Glocester Essex the whiles recruiteth his Army with which marching from London eighty miles he raiseth the Siege and having relieved the Town in his retreat from thence encountered and vanquished the Kings Army near to the Town of Newbery Both sides excepting onely the inexhaustible riches and strength of the City of London by this overthrow seemed of equal strength yet each of them endeavours to make themselves stronger the Parliament calling in to their assistance the Scots the King the Irish The Earl of Leven was General of the Scots to whom joyned the Earl
Isle of Wight for a certain Letter was left on the Table whereby the King was advertised the there were some that laid wait for his life whereupon being frighted he privily fled from Hampton Court leaving a Letter behinde him written with his own hand to the Commissioners to be by them communicated to both Houses of Parliament in which Letter after he had discoursed somewhat about Captivity and the sweetness of Liberty he ended in these following words Now as I cannot deny but that my personal security is the urgent cause of this my retirement so I take God to witness that the publick Peace is no less before mine eyes And I can sinde no better way to express this my profession I know not what a wiser man may do then by desiring and urging that all chief interests may be heard to the end each may have just satisfaction as for example the Army for the rest though necessary yet I suppose are not difficult to consent ought in my judgement to enjoy the liberty of their consciences and have an act of Oblivion or Indempnity which should extend to the rest of all my Subjects and that all their Arrears should be speedily and duly paid which I will undertake to do so I may be heard and that I be not hindered from using such lawful and honest means as I shall chuse To conclude let me be heard with freedom honour and safety and I shall instantly break through this cloud of retirement and shew my self ready to be Pater Patriae Charles Rex The King had not been long in the Isle of Wight but he sends a Letter of great length to the Parliament in which he delivered his sense and opinion concerning the abolition of Episcopacy he disputed out of the dictates of his conscience much and gave touches also of other matters of all which he hoped that he should satisfie the Parliament with his reasons if he might personally treat with them therefore he earnestly desired to be admitted with honour freedom and safety to treat personally at London the Commissioners of Scotland with great vehemence also pressed that this desire of the King might be granted But the Parliament pretending tumults and innovations that might arise by the Kings coming to London which as they said was then full of Malignants sent down four Propositions to him to Sign which being done he should be admitted to a personal Treaty The four were these 1. That a Bill be passed into an act by his Majesty for settling of the Militia of the Kingdom 2. That a Bil be passed for his Majesties calling in of all Declarations Oaths and Proclamations against the Parliament and those who have adhered to them 3. For passing an Act that those Lords who were made after the great Seal was carried to Oxford may be made uncapable of sitting in the House of Peers ever after 4. That power may be given to the two Houses of Parliament to adjorn as the two Houses of Parliament should think fit The Commissioners of Scotland would seem in no wise to give their consent that these four Bills should be sent to the King before he treated at London therefore in a very long Declaration they protested against it the King likewise denyed to Sign them when they were sent unto him Upon which denyal a Declaration and Votes passed both Houses of Parliament in this manner The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament after many addresses to his Majesty for the preventing and ending this unnatural War raised by him against the Parliament and Kingdom having lately sent four Bills to his Majesty which did contain onely matter of safety and security to the Parliament and Kingdom referring the composure of other differences to a personal Treaty with his Majesty and having received an absolute negative do hold themselves obliged to use their utmost endeavours speedily to settle the present Government in such a way as may bring the greatest security to this Kingdom in the enjoyment of the Laws and Liberties thereof and in order thereunto and that the Houses may receive no delay nor interruptions in so great and necessary a work they have taken their resolutions and passed these Votes following viz. Resolved c. by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that no application or address to be made to the King by any person whatsoever without leave of both Houses Resolved c. by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that the person or persons that shall make breach of this order shall incur the penalty of High Treason Resolved c. That the Lords and Commons do declare that they will receive no more any message from the King and do enjoyn that no person whatsoever do presume to receive or bring any message from the King to both or either of the Houses of Parliament or any other person To these Votes of Parliament the Army declared their consent and approbation and that they would live and dye in defence of the House of Commons but the people though before they were enraged against the King now seeing their errours resolved to plead his Cause Petitions upon Petitions are presented for a personal Treaty with the King for the disbanding of the Army and for the removal of all other grievances Langhorn Powel and Poyer three eminent Commanders who had done many and great services for the Parliament now declare themselves for the King and with an Army of 8000. men fortifie Pembroke and Chepstow Castles Sir Thomas Glemham in the North seizes upon Carlisle and Sir Marmaduke Langdale upon Barwick and fortified it the strong Castle also of Pomfret was then taken by the Royalists and the Governour stain Against these Sir Thomas Fairfax was marching Northwards but far greater dangers detained him in the South for the Kentish men not far from Gravesend were gotten together into an Army with whom were above twenty Knights Esquires and Gentlemen of the Countrey and amongst them divers Commanders formerly of the Kings Armies upon the approach of the Parliaments Army some two thousand of them march to Maidstone which they resolved to make good against the Army Fairfax after the dispute of some passages breaks up to them and assaults the Town with a great deal of boldness they on the other side defend themselves with unspeakable courage at last the Kentish men are overcome 200. being slain and about 1400. taken prisoners But the Earl of Norwich with about 3500. with much ado kept together and got over the River Thames into Essex whereupon Sir Charles Lucas raises what strength he could possible in that County to whom joyned the Lord Capel the Lord Loughborough Sir George Lisle Sir Bernard Gascoigne Sir William Compton with many more Gentlemen and Souldiers and having first taken the Committee-men at Chelmesford they marched to Colchester a Town of great Antiquity but the people heretofore accounted no great friends to Monarchy nor the Town of that strength to withstand so enraged
and successful an enemy as followed them at the heels June 12 1648. they settled themselves a Garrison the Parliament Horse coming up and quartering within Canon shot of the Town Touching these proceedings I have further inlarged my self in the Life of Sir Charles Lucas But the greatest of all dangers which threatned the Parliament was from the North from the Kingdom of Scotland Duke Hamilton with an Army of five and twenty thousand entered England for the King with whom joyned Sir Marmaduke Langdale divers of the chief Ships of the Royal Fleet likewise much about the same time revolted from the Parliament and set their Vice-Admiral Rainsborow ashore affirming they were for the King and would serve Prince Charles sailing towards Holland where the Prince the was and with him his Brother the Duke of York who not long before fled privately out of London The Earl of Holland also with they young Duke of Buckingham having five hundred Horse appeared in Arms for the King by Kingston so that all things considered we may conclude that the Kings party since the beginning of the Wars was not in a likelier condition at least more formidible then at this present but God had otherwise decreed and all these fair hopes in a few dayes vanished into nothing as the following ill successes will declare The Earl of Holland soon after his rising was put to flight by Sir Michael Levesey and others The Lord Francis Villers Brother to the Duke of Bucking ham was slain and Sir Kenelm Digby's eldest Son who as he was fighting with four at once was cowardly thrust through his Back Holland flying with the remainder of his Horse was within few dayes after at the Town of Saint Needs by Collonel Scroop whom the General Fairfax had sent from Colchester for that purpose altogether subdued Holland himself taken and by the Parliament committed prisoner to Warwick Castle Langhorn and Powel were totally routed between the two Towns of Fagans and Peterstone and having lost all their Army escaped by flight to Colonel Poyer into Pembroke Castle which after a strait Siege was surrendred to Cromwell the three Collonels rendring themselves Prisoners at mercy Poyer onely suffered death who in hopes of a Reprieve dissembled a reluctancy when he was ready to dye Cromwel from thence marched against the Scots who were now come as far as Preston in Lancashire and with the addition of Lamberts strength gave Battel to Hamilton pursuing them as far as Warington about twenty miles and killing many in the Chase took Lieutenant General Bailey Prisoner with a great part of the Scottish Army granting them onely quarter for their lives In this Battle were slain three thousand Scots and taken Prisoners about nine thousand Duke Hamilton himself within few dayes after having fled with a good party of Horse to Vttoxeter was there taken prisoner by the Lord Gray and Collonel Wait. With Hamilton were taken about three thousand Horse Langdale also not long after was taken prisoner in a little Village by Widmerpole a Parliament Captain this was the success of Hamiltons invading England The Trophies of this Victory were placed in Westminster Hall Soon after was the strong Town of Colchester surrendred to General Fairfax which for three moneths together with much Resolution and Gallantry was defended by Sir Charles Lucas Norwich Capel c. until all hopes they had of relief were utterly blasted and all their provisions quite spent not so much as a Dog or a Cat left them to satisfie the necessity of Nature Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisel were shot to death the same day the Town was surrendred the Earl of Norwich Lord Capel and Master Hasting Brother to the Earl of Huntington were sent Prisoners to London The Lord Capel some few weeks after together with Duke Hamilton and the Earl of Holland were all three beheaded The Parliament during these Broils to give some seeming satisfaction to the Kingdom annulled their former votes of making no further addresses to the King and restored again to their seats eleven of their Members who had formerly been impeached by the Army a Treaty was voted to be with the King in the Isle of Wight the Earl of Middlesex with two of the House of Commons were sent to the King who made answer that he was very ready to treat of peace and named Newport in that Island to be the place Five of the House of Peers and ten of the House of Commons were appointed Commissioners and the Treaty went on with a great deal of seeming satisfaction on both sides But whiles they were intent upon the business a Petition was exhibited to the Parliament wherein they desired that the King might be tried by the Laws and brought to justice and all further Treaties with him to be laid aside which when the Parliament denied the Army not being satisfied they march some of them towards Newport others to the King who was now a Prisoner as large In the mean time the General sends his Letters to Collonel Hammond to render up his Command to Collonel Ewers who is to take the charge of the King but the Parliament vote him hereupon to stay there of which the General having notice 27. November The Army fast and pray and receive according to the still continued fashion Petitions from several Counties in order to what they intend to resolve and therefore Hammond submits and delivers up the King to Ewers and comes towards the Army The Parliament are angry and vote a Letter to the General that his orders and instructions for securing of the Kings person are contrary to their resolutions and instructions to Collonel Hammond and that it is the pleasure of the House that his Excellency recal his orders and that Colonel Hammond be free to take his charge to the Isle of Wight the Treaty being ended but instead of obedience hereto he salutes them with a sharp Letter for money to pay Arrears for the Army hereupon the Army marches to London and the King had his removes by Ewers till he came to the Block After that the House had past their Vote for no address to the King he being in a sad condition by his stricter condition in Hurst Castle hearing of these Votes prepares his soliloquies for his assured comfort in death as we finde his meditations in those golden Leaves of his Book As I have leasure sayes he so I have cause more then enough to meditate on and prepare for my death for I know that there are but a few steps betwixt the Prisons and the Graves of Princes Now the Ax was laid to the root of the Tree the House of Commons vote that by the Fundamental Laws of the Realm it is Treason for the time to come to Levy War against the Parliament and Kingdom the Ordinance for the Kings Trial was refused by the Lords January 2. After this a Proclamation was from the House of Commons for any one to accuse the King the Ordinance of
undertake his cause and use his best endeavours The King applauding his magnanimous resolution giving him thanks encouraged him to fit himself chearfully for so great a work and the better to carry on the design the King sent the Earl of Antrim into Ireland who engaged himself to be with Montross in Argile a part of Scotland bordering upon Ireland with ten thousand men by the first of April 1644. this promise being past to him in December 1643. for a sTock of men to set up withal the King wrote to the Marquess of New Castle to furnish him with aid and sent Sir John Cockeram his Ambassadour with a Commission and Instruction for forreign Aids and Arms. This being done he sets forward in his journey from Oxford towards Scotland having in his company about two hundred Horse most of them Noblemen and Gentlemen who had formerly been Commanders in Forreign Countreys Being come to Durham he sends the Kings Instructions to the Marquess of Newcastle and the next day they met and conferred but Newcastles wants were so great that he could spare him at present onely an hundred Horse and two Brasse Field Peeces but sent his Orders to his Officers and Commanders in Cumberland and Westmerland to afford him all the assistance they could who accordingly met him near to Carlile with eight hundred Foot and three Troops of Horse With these small Forces he enters Scotland but having come to the River Anan upon occasion of a Mutiny among the English most of them fly their Colours and run back to England Notwithstanding he with his own men came to Dumfrise and took the Town into protection upon surrender where he stayed a while that he might be ready to entertain Antrim and his Irish but the time appointed being past and no news stirring of them the Covenanters gathering themselves together on every side to secure himself from being surprized he returns to Carlile And not loving to lie idle joyns with the Kings Forces in Northumberland takes the Town and Castle of Morpet as also an hundred Foot at the mouth of the River of Tine and afterwards victuals New Castle then intending to joyn his Forces with Prince Rupert who was coming to raise the Siege at York he made all the haste he could but met him not till he was upon his retreat the day after that unfortunate Battle All things thus failing him he returns to Carlile and sends the Lord Ogleby and Sir William Rolluck disguised into Scotland to discover the state of the Countrey who returning back brought him word that all things were in a desperate condition and therefore counselled him to bend his course some other way But Montross thinking it unworthiness in him to despair of so good a cause resolves upon a strange adventure for delivering those few Gentlemen that had been constant unto him to the Lord Ogleby to be conducted to the King he with Sir William Rolluck and one Sibbald being disguized entred Scotland Montross passing as Sibbalds man Thus making all the haste they could they came at last to the house of his Couzen Patrick Graham of Innisbrake not far from the River of Tay in the Sherifdom of Perth not long had he been there but he receives news of eleven hundred of Irish sent over by Antrim who were then upon the Mountains who being made to understand of his being there they came marching unto him and submitted to his command The next day the men of Athol to the number of eight hundred put themselves in Arms and joyned with Montross so that now having gotten this handful of men he desires to be in action impatient therefore of further delay he marches from thence with a resolution to set upon his enemies and having marched as far as Bucknith five hundred more under the command of the Lord Kilpont Son to the Earl of Taith joyned with him by whom he understood that the Covenanters were thick in Arms at a Rendezvouz at Perth whereupon with all the haste he could he speedeth thither these were commanded by the Lord Elcho who upon Montrosses approach provided to fight they were in number six thousand Foot and seven hundred Horse so that contemning the paucity of their enemies they grew to a foolish confidence of Victory but Montross so well ordered his Army that their confidence failed them for joyning Battel they were overthrown two thousand being slain and more taken prisoners The City of Perth upon this overthrow submitted her self to the Conquerour to whom he did not the least harm where having staid three dayes many of his Athol men returning home he marches with the rest of his Forces to Aberdeen but the Town having a strong Garrison therein refused to submit and he thinking it no wisdom to hazard the honour he had gotten by his late Victory upon the doubtful success of a Siege turns away towards Esk whither came to him the Lord Ogleby with his two Sons Sir Thomas and Sir David who with admirable constancy continued with him to the very end of the War And now receiving intelligence that an Army of the Covenanters under the command of the Lord Burleigh lay at Aberdeen with long marches he hies thither sets upon them and after a long fight puts them to the rout with the loss of almost all their Foot who flying for refuge unto the City Montrosses men came in thronging amongst them through the Gates and Posterns and laid them on heaps all over the Streets This Battel was fought September the 12. 1644. After this defeat Montross calling his Souldiers back to their Colours entred the City and allowed them two dayes rest In the mean time news was brought that Argile was hard by with far greater Forces then those they had dealt with last whereupon he removes to Kintor a Village ten miles off from Aberdeen expecting some of the Gordons would have joyned with him but none appearing he resolved to withdraw his Forces into the Mountains and Fastnesses for though he had fought twice indeed very prosperously it could not be expected that seeing he was so beset on all sides with great and numerous Armies he should be able to hold out alwayes without relief whereupon hiding his Ordnance in a Bog he marches to an old Castle called Rothmurk intending to pass over the River of Spey but on the other side were the number of five thousand up in Arms to hinder his passage wherefore to save his Army from being oppressed with the enemies Horse he turned into Badenoth a Rocky and Mountainous Countrey here he fell very dangerously sick but recovering again he sends Mac-donel who commanded the Irish with a Party into the Highlands to invite them to take up Arms with him and if they would not be invited to force them he himself passes into the North of Scotland and having staid a while for recruit at Strathbogy he removed to Faivy Castle and possest it Secure now as he thought from Argile his confidence had well near
set Battle but Baily answers he would not receive order to fight from an Enemy Yet at last through the rashness of the Lord Balcarise a Collonel of Horse who precipitated himself and the Horse under his command into danger he was forced thereunto whereupon a bloody Fight ensued wherein Baily was overthrown with the loss of the greatest part of his Army This Battel was fought at Alford on the 2. of July 1645. Montross having obtained this Victory marches into Angus where he met his Couzen Patrick Graham with his Athol men ready to live and dye under his command and Mac-donel with a great power of Highlanders so that being reinforced with such an Army he resolves to make his way into the very heart of the Kingdom and passing over the Tay at Dunkeldon encamped in Methfyn Forrest the Covenanters at that time held a Parliament at Saint Johns Town but hearing of Montrosses approach they secured themselves by flight he to encrease their terrour drew nearer to the Town but finding it not safe for him to descend into the Champion Countrey having such want of Horse he retreated to little Dunkeldon But that want was soon supplied by a Party from the North under the Earl of Aboine and Collonel Nathaniel Gordon the Earl of Airley and Sir David his son so that being now thus recruited he thought it not good to lose any time but marched straight towards the Enemy And having in vain several times proffered them Battle at last it came to a pitcht Field in a place called Kilsythe where the Covenanters though they overmatcht him in number yet came so far behinde him in valour that he obtained over them an absolute Victory having the killing of them for fourteen miles so that of all their Foot it is thought there did not an hundred come off nor did their horse escape very well of whom some were killed some taken the rest disperst Their Ordnance their Arms their Spoils came clearly to the Conquerours who lost onely six of their men on the other side were slain six thousand a great disproportion in number and did not the effects which followed this Victory make it the more credible it might seem to some a falshood if not an impossibility For presently afterwards was a great alteration all the Kingdom over the chief of the Nobility who sided with the Covenanters some fled to Barwick some to Carlile some to New Castle others into Ireland the Marquess of Douglass the Earls of Limmuck Annandale and Hertfield the Lord Barrons of Seton Drummond Fleming Maderly Carnegy and Jonston with many others of great quality submitted themselves such as before onely privately wisht well unto the King now expressed it openly The Cities and Countreys that were furthest off began to dispatch their Commissioners to profess in their names their Allegiance to their King their duty and service to his Vicegerent and freely to offer him Men Arms Provision and other necessaries of War The City of Edenburgh to ingratiate themselves with the Conquerours they released their Prisoners of whom the chiefest were the Earl of Crawford and James Lord Ogleby son to the Earl of Airly whom with their Delegates they sent to Montross to entreat for peace proffering submission and promising obedience for the time to come yea the whole Kingdom every where sounded nothing but Montrosses praise But what thing on earth is permanent many of his Souldiers being loaden with spoil ran privily away from their Colours and returned home Presently after their very Commanders desired Furloghs for a little while pretending that the Enemy had no Army within the borders of the Kingdom and therefore their service for the present might very well be spared the Earl of Aboine whether the Lord Governour would or no carried away with him not onely his own men but all the rest of the Northern Forces yea Alexander Macdonel who had hitherto continued so faithful departed into the Highlanders with more then three thousand stout men and sixscore of the best Irish promising with a solemn oath their sudden return yet he never saw Montross after Montross seeing it would be no better with his small Army passing by Edenburgh into which he would not enter by reason the plague then raged in the City led them through Lothainshire and in Strathgale joyned with some Forces raised by the Marquess of Douglass afterwards he marches to Niddisdale and Annandale and the Countrey of Ayre that he might there raise what Horse he could and coming to Selkirk he quartered his Horse in a Village and his Foot in a Wood close by His Army consisting of onely five hundred Foot and those Irish and a very weak party of new rais'd Horse Lesley understanding of his weak condition having been newly sent for out of England to help the Covenanters in their exigency with six thousand Horse made such speed that before he was discryed by Montrosses Scouts he was not above half a mile off Montross at that present was very busie in dispatching Letters to the King but upon news of Lesley's coming he mounts the first horse he could light on and gallops into the Field appointed for the Rendezvouz where he findes a great deal of noise but no order The Cavalry being little acquainted with duty and lying already dispersed in their quarters where they dreamt more of baiting their horses then maintaining their lives and honours yet there were a few and those were for the most part Noblemen and Knights who made all speed thither and gallantly undertook to make good the right Wing but they being not above sixscore in all and being assailed by so potent an Enemy multitude overcoming valour having twice repulsed their Enemy with loss at last they betook themselves to flight the Foot fighting a good while stoutly and resolutely were forced to yield but found little mercy from the Conquerour putting them all to the Sword Montross seeing his men routed which he never saw before rallying about thirty Horse whom he had gathered up in that confusion he desperately chargeth thorow the Enemy who hotly pursuing him to make his flight the more honourable he chargeth his pursuers routs them and carries away one Bruce a Captain of Horse and two Cornets with their Standards Prisoners And now being safe from danger he makes what haste he could into Athole to recruit his Army Aboine bringing him fifteen hundred Foot and three hundred Horse with some addition of the Athol men he crosseth the Forth and came into Leven which he destroyed without any resistance but his Forces too weak to resist so powerful an Army as the Enemy had then in the Field he returneth back into the Countrey of Athole and goeth himself in person to Bogie Castle upon the mouth of Spey to speak with Huntley having by messengers often fruitlesly sollicited him to joyn with him as soon as they met Montross invited him in smooth and gentle language to associate with him him in the War for the
command to desist from his purpose because the Treaty betwixt the Prince and the Scottish Commissioners was now very near a conclusion made him precipitate himself and those that were with him into most inevitable ruine for considering his small preparation it was a desperate action to attempt so mighty a business but the matter being fatal he must needs contribute his own endeavours towards that destruction which his cruel fortune had provided for him Nor could the loss of two Ships with all the men and arms therein whom he had sent before to prepare his way alter his resolution but with the rest of his company passes over to Orkney and having raised what force he could there embarcks himself and in a short space lands upon the point of Cathnes which is the farthest land to the Northwest of Scotland as knowing the world was much astonisht at this invasion now whilest the King was upon a Treaty he published a Declaration wherein he laboured to clear himself of any aspersion of sinister ends that his intention was onely against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the Kingdom raised and maintained a War against the Kings Father and did now by their subtil practices endeavour to destroy the Son also but the Countrey for several causes did not come to second him as he expected so that being encountred by the Earl of Sunderland and Collonel Staughorn his Army was overthrown two hundred killed and twelve hundred taken In this skirmish was taken the Standard which he had caused to be made of purpose to move the affections of the people with this Motto Judge and revenge my cause O Lord and the Portraict of the late King beheaded exactly well done The Standard-bearer a very gallant young Gentleman was killed after he had several times refused quarter there was Collonel Hurry taken the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgety Collonel Hay of Naughton Colonel Grya and most of the Officers and two Ministers Montross himself after he saw the day was absolutely lost having with his Sword hewn out his way through the midst of his enemies hoping fortune might afterward be more favourable to him he endeavours by policy to save his life and forsaking his Horse throws away his Cloak and Sword then exchanging apparrel with a Highlander in that habit keeps himself undiscovered in the Fields for three or four dayes together but such narrow search being made for him that he could not long escape he freely discovers himself to the Lord of Astron who had been one of his followers before thinking to finde friendship at his hands but he greedy of the reward which was promised to his apprehender by the Council of State money having a deeper impression in his heart then amity seized on him and with a strong guard conveyed him to David Lesley He being now in the custody of his mortal enemies from whom he could not expect the least favour he yet exprest a singular constancy and in a manner a carelesness of his own condition And now joyful of their prey they conduct him to Edenburgh where by the way lodging one night at the Town of Dundee notwithstanding they had suffered more by his Army then any Town else within that Kingdom yet were they so far from insulting over him that they testified a great deal of sorrow for his woful condition and furnished him with cloathes suitable to his birth and person The Parliament of Scotland being otherwise affected who was then informed of his taking thought fit to give out this Sentence against him before he came to Edenburgh That so soon as he should come to Town he should be met at the Gate by the Magistrates and Hangman that he should be tyed with cords upon a Cart bare-headed and the Hangman to ride upon the Horse that drew the Cart covered before him amd so to be brought though the Town that he should be hanged on a Gibbet at the Cross of Edenburgh until he dyed his History and Declaration hanging about his neck and so hang three hours in publick view of all the people after wich he should be beheaded and quartered His head to be fixt upon the prison-house of Edenburgh and his Legs and Arms over the Gates of the Cities of Sterling Glascow St. Johns Town and Aberdeen All which was executed upon him with a great deal of insultation especially of the Ministery who having him now at their mercy could never be satisfied with his calamities they reviled him with all possible spite objected frequently to him his former condition and his present misery and pronounced heavy judgements against him and being asked why they could not otherwise be satisfied but by so ignominious handling of him they replyed They knew no other way to humble him and bring him home to God The fatal day being come design'd to put a period to all his troubles there was erected in the middle of the market-place a large Scaffold brest high in the midst of which was planted a Gibbet of extraordinary height to this place was he conducted by the Baliffs he was cloathed in a Scarlet Cloak richly laced with Gold lace as he came along the Streets in great State there appeared in his countenance so much Beauty Majesty and Gravity as amazed the beholders John Taylors honest Verses will serve for this dishonourable Scotch expedtion In a good cause to dye it is no shame Although a Halter do procure the same Being come thither he was much detained with a great many frivolous questions of which partly the Ministers partly those whom the States suffered to be about him desired to be satisfied He made a short Speech in which he was often interrupted the tenour of which was That be was satisfied in his conscience for what he had done for his Royal Master the King as in relation to War That for his own particular sins which were infinite he bad beg'd pardon earnestly of God and had an inward hope to obtain it he freely forgave all those who had sought his overthrow and intreated the charity of all the people to pray both for him and themselves The Ministers because he was under the Sentence of excommunication refused to pray for him and even on the very Scaffold were very bitter against him After he had about a quarter of an hour prayed with his Hat before his eyes he was ready to go to his suffering when his Book and Declaration and all other printed Papers which he had published in his life being tyed in a string together were hanged a bout his neck he was very earnest that he might have the liberty to keep on his hat it was denyed he requested he might have the priviledge to keep his Cloak about him neither would that be granted in despite of all their affronts uncivil and barbarous usage with a most undaunted courage he went up to the top of that prodigious Gibbet where having freely pardoned the Execuoner he gave him three
or four pieces of gold when this was done and his arms tied he asked the Officers If they had any more dishonour as they conceived it to put upon him he was ready to accept it Then commanding the Hangman at the uplifting of his hands to tumble him over he was accordingly thrust off by the weeping Executioner who with his more honest tears seemed to revile the cruelty of his Countrey men I shall conclude with the Poet. Nescia mens hominum fati sortisque futurae Et servere modum rebus sublata secundi Some write that though he had not the courteous invention of an Epitaph by any of his Friends to memorize him that he was so zealous of the Fame of his great Master Charles the first the with the point of his Sword he wrote these following Lines Great Good and Just could I but rate My griefs and thy so rigid fate I 'de weep the world to such a strain As it should deluge once again But since thy loud tongu'd Blood demands supplies More from Briareus hands then Argus eyes I le sing thy obsequies with Trumpets sounds And write thy Epitaph with Blood and Wounds Montross One that detested the harsh dealings of the Scots to this Martial Earl writ these two Latine Verses A Dolor Inferni fraudes Capitis que Rotundi Et Judae suavium det Deus ut Caveam The Life of JAMES USHER Archbishop of Armagh The Countrey of Ireland hath from old brought forth so many pious and learned men that several Writers have termed it The Land of Sains Amongst the rest this worthy Prelate is not the least Ornament unto that Nation one who was a person of great Piety of singular Judgement learned to a miracle so excelling in knowledge both Humane and Divine that I cannot write so high of his worth as his merits raised themselves above all expression He was born at Dublyn in the Year of our Redemption 1580. extracted from honest and able Parents his Father was one of the Clerks of the Chancery a man of excellent parts and endowments His Mother of the Family of the Stanihursts sufficiently famous in Richard Stanihurst Irelands Cambden the most eminent Philosopher of his time This his good though seduced Mother through the subtilty of the Popish Priests was drawn into the Romish Perswasion and notwithstanding great means was used for the reclaiming her yet continued she therein to the day of her death His Grandfather by his Mothers side was chosen three times Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament in Ireland His Uncle by his Fathers side was one of his Predecessors Archbishop of Armagh And as he was thus nobly descended so was he as well educated being at eight years old sent to the Grammar School Sir James Fullerton being his School-master and Sir James Hamilton afterwards Lord Viscount Clandeboise Usher to the School who were by King James sent out of Scotland upon another design but disguized themselves under that employment Under these two he so profited that in four years time he excelled in Grammar Rhetorick and Poesie and was so affected with Chronology and Antiquity that in his early years he drew out an exact Series of Times when each eminent person lived The next year being the thirteenth of his age he was admitted into the Colledge of Dublyn being the first Schollar that was entered into it and truly it is a question whether the Colledge received more Honour thereby in having so learned a man recorded in the Frontispiece of their Admission Book or the from the Colledge in honouring him to be their first Graduate Fellow Procter c. At the same time also Sir James Hamilton hitherto Usher of the School was chosen Fellow of the Colledge and so became his Tutour under whom he attained to a perfection in the Greek and Hebrew Languages which he wanted when he came to the Colledge He thus increasing in knowledge as in years looked still further as he did account all knowledge vain which tended not to the establishment of his minde and to the good of his future estate For the furtherance of this Atchievement he read many Books amongst other that of Stapletons Fortress of the Faith wherein he blotteth our Church with Novelty in dissenting from them who from all Antiquity had maintained the same Faith this plunged our great Schollar into several doubts that the ancientest must needs be the best as the nearer the Fountain the purer the streams and that Errors were received in succeeding Ages according to that known speech of Tertullian Verum quodcunque primum adulterum quodcunque posterius For the rectifying of his judgement herein with indefatigable pains and industry he read over most of the Ancient Fathers and most Authors writing of the Body of Divinity whereby he not onely settled his Opinion but also became able to dispute with the prime of the adverse party Having taken the Formality of Batchelour of Arts Anno 1598. The Earl of Essex being sent over Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Chancellour of the University of Dublin there was a solemn Act for his entertainment wherein Mr. Vsher answered the Philosophy Act with great applause And now his Father intended to send him over into England to the Inns of Court for the study of the Common Law but God who intended him for a Labourer in his own Vineyard prevented his intentions by death leaving his son a good Estate in Land but he fearing it might be an hinderance to his studies gave a great part of the Estate to his Brothers and Sisters and devoting himself wholly to the study of Divinity was chosen Fellow of the Colledge soon after he commenced Master of Arts about which time he disputed with Henry Fitz-Symonds the Jesuit who gave him great commendations for his abilities and said That of those which were not Catholiques he was one of the most learned Soon after was he chosen Catechist of the Colledge and immediately after notwithstanding he was not-twenty one years of age he was ordained Minister and afterwards proved mighty powerful in his preaching converting many Papists to the Protestant Religion who came so constantly to hear him and so admired his Doctrine that it was well hoped the Nation would be of one heart and one minde but through the connivance of some in Authority the Statutes made against Papists were suspended and they obtained little less then a tolleraton in their Religion which caused many of them to withdraw themselves again This pious Bishop entertaining an holy Indignation thereat preached a Sermon to the State at Christ Church in Dublyn taking for his Text this passage in Ezekiel Chap. 4.6 where the Prophet by lying on his side was to bear the iniquity of Judah forty dayes I have appointed thee day for a year even a day for a year as the Old Translation of that Bible he then used reads it making this application thereof From this year will I reckon the sin of Ireland that those
whom you now embrace shall be your ruine and you shall bear this iniquity Now this passage of the Prophet doth by consent of Interpreters signifie the time of forty years to the destruction of Jerusalem and that Nation for their Idolatry and this Sermon being Preached in Anno 1601. just forty years before that horrid Rebellion brake forth in Ireland Anno 1641. made it appear that it had something in it of a prophetick spirit His first Church preferment was to the Chancellourship of St. Patrick in Dublin in which Mr. Cambden found him An. 1607. at what time he was composing his most excellent Brittania of whom he gives this Character in his observations concerning Dublin Most of which I acknowledge to owe to the diligence and labour of James Usher Chancellour of the Church of Saint Patrick who in various learning and judgement far exceeds his years Soon after Mr. Cambdens departure be commenc'd Batchellor of Divinity and immediately upon it was chosen Professor of Divinity in that University of Dublin which he held about thirteen or fourteen years during which time the Provostship of the Colledge falling void he was unanimously elected by the Fellows but by reason of some trouble belonging to it notwithstanding it it had a large annual allowance he refused it a thing to be taken notice of because rare amongst the Cleargy men of this latter age Soon after he proceeded Doctor of Divinity and now his eminency gained him enemies who scandalized him to King James under the notion of a Puritan but what was intended for his downfal proved for his preferment for the King entring into a free discourse with him received from him such abundant satisfaction of the soundness of his Judgement and Piety that notwithstanding the opposition of great ones without his seeking made him Bishop of Meath in Ireland just then falling void whilest he was in England upon his entering into his dignity a Wit of those times made this excellent Annagram upon him James Meath Anagrama I am the same Which he made good ever after in the whole course of his life neither being puffed up with the the windy titles of ambition nor slacking his former constancy of preaching engraving this Motto on his Episcopal Seal Vae mihi si non Evangeliza vero which he continued in the Seal of his Primacy also It is credibly reported of him that he was person of so excellent a memory that when he hath bin distant from his Library many miles without the aid of any Catalogue he hath directed his man by the figures of them imprinted in his minde to go directly to the several places where they stood to bring him such Books as he wanted During the time he was Bishop of Meath he answered that Challenge of the Jesuite Malone and coming over into England to have it Printed during his abode here Primate Hampton dying he was made Primate of Ireland An. 1624. And now though he was promoted to the highest step his profession was capable of in his native Countrey yet having some occasion of stay still in England he continued his laborious preaching in a little Village called Wicken in Essex where upon the request of some Ministers of that County to preach on the Week dayes because they could not come to hear him on the Sundayes preaching too often beyond his strength he fell into a Quartane Ague which held him three quarters of a year Scarcely had he recovered his sickness when it pleased God to make him the instrument of the conversion of an honourable person to the Protestant Religion the occasion thus the Lord Mordant afterwards Earl of Peterborough being a Papist and his Lady a Protestant both of them being desirous to draw each other to their own Religion agreed that there should be a meeting of two prime men of each to dispute what might be in controversie between them hereupon the Lord chose for his Champion one Rookwood a Jesuite Brother to Ambross Rookwood one of the conspirators in the Gunpowder Treason who went disguised under the name of Beaumont the Lady made choice of this Archbishop Drayton in Northamptonshire was appointed for their meeting place the Points proposed were concerning Transubstantiation Invocation of Saints Images visibility of the Church Three dayes were spent in disputations wherein the Archbishop was opponent and the Jesuite respondent The fourth day according to agreement the Jesuite was to have been opponent but that morning he excused himself to the Lord Mordant saying That all the Arguments he used he had framed within his own head and thought he had them as perfect as his Pater Noster but he had strangely forgotten and could not recover them again which caused him to say That he believed it was the just judgement of God upon him thus to desert him in the defence of his cause for the undertaking of himself to dispute with a man of that eminency and learning without the licence of his Superiour This excuse gave so little satisfaction to the Lord Mordant that upon some further conference with the Archbishop he became a Protestant and so continued to his dying day After this Victory over the Jesuit with the Canon bullets of his controversial Pen he disperst whole Armie of the Irish Catholicks so that they were never able to rally their Forces again After some time of tarrying in England he returned into Ireland where he was received with great acclamations of joy where he continued faithfully discharging his Office until the year before the Rebellion brake forth there in which he returned into England not long after was the great business of the Earl of Strafford in agitation I have heard it reported by men not over credulous to believe flying news that the day before the King signed the Bill for that Earls death that when the King for the satisfying of his conscience desired the opinion of him as also of the Bishops of London Durham Lincoln and Carlisle that those other four for the satisfying of the people who were then grown extraordinary insolent wished him to sign the Bill But that this Bishop advised the King not to wound his Conscience in seeking to heal State sores the truth of this I will not assert for it is confidently believed by many that Doctor Juxon Bishop of London was not assenting thereto but this is certain that when a person of honour had in the Kings presence spoken words in effect that this Bishop should advise him to the signing of that Bill that he in very great passion laying his hand upon his breast protested his innocency therein It is generally reported how true I know not that when the King heard that an honourable Lady had extended her nobleness to the Bishop that he should say That that charity of hers would cover a multitude of her sins Many endeavours not like the fire-drakes of our late Pulpits did this reverend Bishop use to draw the King and Parliament to a Reconciliation and
of Lauderdale Duke Hamilton General of the Scotch Army who afterwards dyed of his wounds the Earl of Rothe the Earl of Cornwarth the Earl of Shrewsbury Packington Cunningham and Clare Knights The Lord Spine and Sinclear the Earl of Cleaveland of Kelley and Collonel Greaves six Collonels of Horse thirteen of Foot nine Lieutenant Collonels of Horse eight of Foot six Majors of Horse thirteen of Foot seven and thirty Captains of Horse seventy and three of Foot fifty five Quartermasters eighty nine Lieutenants of Foot Major General Biscotty Major General Montgomery the Lieutenant General of the Ordnance the Adjutant General of the Foot the Marshal General the Quartermaster General the Conductor General of the Baggage seventy six Standards ninety nine Ensigns all which were hung up in Westminster Hall for successive Parliaments to understand what vigour of spirits they by their influence can infuse into those they please to authorize onely the want of the allay of their ambitions often works them high where it is impossible to set limits to generous mindes To continue the other Appendixes to this victory there were also taken nine Ministers nine Chyrurgions one hundred fifty and eight Colours and all the Cannon and Baggage generally the Royal Standard the Kings Coach and Horses the Royal Robe the Coller of the Order of the Garter thirty of his domestique Servants and that admirable Poet his Secretary Fanshaw Several other persons were also afterwards taken in the remotest Countries as Major General Massey who being committed to the Tower afterwards made an escape Major General Middleton Lieutenant General David Lesley and several others insomuch as that it may be said the gleanings of this victory were as considerable as the whole harvest it self Many of the common Souldiers were transported into the Barbadoes and other Plantations this mercy extended to them in saving their lives causing much gain to accrew thereby unto the Common-wealth in selling the poor heathenish Highlanders to the Plantations I shall onely end these sad transactions with what Mr. Wharton chronologized in these words since English Hoggs eat our dear Brethren up He onely reflects on the half graves were made for them in Tuttle Fields Of all this long list two onely suffered death viz. Sir Timothy Featherstone Knight and the Earl of Darby who on the 15. of October following was beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire being conducted thither by sixty Foot and eighty Horse about two of the Clock he was brought forth to the Scaffold which was built at the Cross part of it with the Timber of his own house at Latham there was not above an hundred lookers on besides Souldiers presently after his coming upon the Scaffold there happened a great tumult the occasion thereof not being certainly known in appeasing of which there were some cut many hurt and one childe killed The Earl was no eloquent orator and the tumult put him out of his speaking what he intended at last after some silence made he began as followeth Since it hath pleased God by this untimely death to shorten my dayes I am glad it is in this Town where some have been made believe I was a cruel person that I might vindicate my self from this aspersion it was my desire the last time I came into this Countrey to come hither as to a people that ought to serve the King as I conceive upon good grounds it was said that I was accustomed to be a man of blood but it doth not lie upon my conscience I was wrongfully bely'd I thank God I desired peace I was born in honour and I shall dye honourably as I suffer for my Sovereign I had a fair estate good friends and was respected and did respect those that were ready to do for me I was ready to do for them I have done nothing but as my generous predecessors acted to do you good It was the King that called me in and I thought it my duty to wait upon his Highness to do him service Here he was disturbed by the noise of the people after some pause he said I intended to have exprest my self further but I have said I have not much more to say to you but as to my good will to this Town of Bolton I can say no more but the Lord bless you I forgive you all and desire to be forgiven of you all for I put my trust in Christ Jesus Looking about him he said I did never deserve this hard measure Honest friends you that are Souldiers my life is taken away after quarter given by a Councel of War which was never done before Walking up and down the Scaffold he said The Lord bless you all the Son of God bless you all of this Town of Bolton Manchester Lancashire and the rest of the kingdom and God send that you may have a King again and Laws I dye like a Christian and a Souldier Gods and my Sovereigns Souldier Causing his Coffin to be opened he said I hope when I am imprisoned here armed men shall not need to watch me Looking upon them that were upon the Scaffold he said What do you stay for it is hard that I cannot get a Block to have my head cut off Speaking to the Executioner he said Thy coat is so troublesome and cumbersome that I believe that thou canst not hit right the Lord help thee and forgive thee Other words he used which to avoid prolixity I willingly omit At last submitting his neck to the Block he had his head severed from his body with one blow his sorrowful Son who was a sad spectator of this woful tragedy out of a pious care and filial duty conveyed his Corps back with him that night to Wiggan and afterwards gave them honourable burial Not long before at London was Collonel Eusebius Andrews apprehended who having formerly practiced the Law changed his Gown into a Coat of Armour and ventured his life in the Kings service having received a Commission from the King of Scots for the raising men in England he was tryed in Westminster Hall at the High Court of Justice then again newly erected being the first unfortunate Gentleman that hanselled the Court. To pass over the large particulars of tryal he was acknowledged by all that were understanding Auditours of his Plea that he behaved himself like to a right English man spoke as good sound and as honest sense as any person before him upon such limitations as he was confined too he shewed himself an excellent Oratour an expert Lawyer and a person of strong and clear reason he acknowledged himself guilty as to the power of that present Government that his life was at their disposal He was condemned and the 22. of August 1650. brought to the Scaffold on Tower-hill where he expressed himself to the people in these his last words Christian Gentlemen and People your business hither to day is to see a sad spectacle a man to be in a moment unman'd and cut off in the prime
place in less then four hours time he destroyed them all to their inestimable detriment not sixty of his own men being lost But to return into England June the 20. 1657. the Protector with great pomp and magnificence was installed at Westminster the Parliament then sitting to which purpose at the upper end of Westminster Hall a rich Cloath of State was set up and under it a Chair of State placed upon an ascent of two degrees covered with Carpets and before it a Table with a Chair appointed for the Speaker of the Parliament and on each side of the Hall upon the said structure were Seats raised one above another and decently covered for the Members of Parliament and below them Seats on one side for the Judges of the Land and on the other side for the Aldermen of the City of London About two of the Clock in the afternoon the Protector met the Parliament in the Painted Chamber and passed such Bills as were presented to him after which they went in order to the place appointed in Westminster Hall the Protector standing under the Cloath of Estate the Lord Widdrington Speaker of the Parliament addrest himself to him in this Speech May it please your Highness You are now upon a great Theatre in a large Chore of people you have the Parliament of England Scotland and Ireland before you on your right hand my Lords the Judges and on your left hand the Lord Major Aldermen and Sheriffs of London the most noble and populous City of England The Parliament with the interposition of your sufferage makes Laws and the Judges and Governours of London are the great dispensers of those Laws to the people The occasion of this great convention and intercourse is to give an investiture to your Highness in that eminent place of Lord Protector a name you had before but it is now settled by the full and unanimous consent of the people of these three Nations assembled in Parliament you have no new name but a new date added to the old name the 16. of December is now changed to the 26. of June I am commanded by the Parliament to make oblation to your Highness of four things in order to this Inauguration The first is a Robe of Purple an Embleme of Magistracy and imports righteousness and justice when you have put on the vestment I may say and I hope without offence that you are a Gown man This Robe is of a mixt colour to shew the mixture of justice and mercy which are then most excellent when they are well tempered together Justice without Mercy is wormwood and bitterness and Mercy without Justice is of a too soft a temper for government for a Magistrate must have two hands Plectentem Amplectentem The next thing is a Bible a Book that contains the holy Scripture in which you have the honor and happiness to be well versed This is the Book of life consisting of two Testaments the old and new In the first we have Christum velatum Christ in Types Shadows and Figers in the latter we have Christum revelatum Christ revealed This Book carries in it the grounds of the true Christian Protestant Religion it s a Book of Books it contains in it both precepts and examples for good government Alexander so highly valued the Books of his Master Aristotle and other great Princes other books that they have laid them every night under their Pillows These are all but Legends and Romances to this one Book a Book to be had alwayes in remembrance I finde it said in a part of this Book which I shall desire to read and it is this Deut. 17. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the Throne of his Kingdom that he shall write a copy of this Law in a Book out of that wich is before the Priests and the Levites And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the dayes of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord God and to keep all the words of his Law and those Statutes to do them That his heart be not lifted up above his Brethren and that he turn not aside from the Commandment to the right hand or to the left to the end he may prolong his dayes in his Kingdom he and his Children in the midst of Israel The next thing that I am to offer to your Higness is a Scepter not unlike a staff for you are to be a staff to the weak and poor it 's of ancient use in this kinde it 's said in Scripture in reference to Judah the Royal Tribe That the Scepter shall not depart from Judah It was of like use in other kingdoms and governments Homer the Prince of the Greek Poets calls Kings and Princes Scepter-bearers The last thing is a Sword not a Military but a Civil Sword a Sword rather for defence then offence not to defend your self onely but others also the Sword is an Embleme of Justice The noble Lord Talbot in Henry the Sixths time wrote upon his Sword Ego sum Talboti propter occidendum inimicos meos This Gallant Lord was a better Souldier then a Critick If I might presume to fix a Motto upon this Sword it should be this Ego sum Domini Protectoris ad protegendum populum meum I say this Sword is an Embleme of Justice and is to be used as King Solomon used his for the discovery of truth in the points of Justice I may say of this Sword as King David said of Goliah's Sword There is none like this Justice is the proper vertue of the Imperial Throne and by Justice the Thrones of Kings and Princes are established Justice is a Royal vertue which as one saith of it doth employ the other three Cardinal Vertues in her service 1. Wisdom to discern the nocent from the innocent 2. Fortitude to prosecute and execute 3. Temperance so to carry Justice that passion be no ingredient and that it be without confusion or precipitation You have given ample testimony in all these particulars so that this Sword in your hand will be a right Sword of Justice attended with Wisdom Fortitude and Temperance When you have all these together what a comely and glorious sight is it to behold A Lord Protector in a purple Robe with a Scepter in his hand a Sword of Justice girt about him and his eyes fixt upon the Bible Long may you prosperously enjoy them all to your own comfort and the comfort of the people of these three Nations The Speech being ended Master Speaker came from his Chair took the Robe and therewith vested the Protector being assisted therein by the Earl of Warwick the Lord Whitlock and others Which done the Bible was delivered him after that the Sword girt about him and last of all he had the Scepter delivered him These things being performed Master Speaker returned unto his Chair and admimistred him his Oath in haec verba I do in the presence and by the
of the holy Catholique Church that I abhor all Sects Schisms Sedition and Tyranny in Religion Affirmatively so that as I hold communion with so I love and honour all Christians in the world that love the same Lord Jesus in sincerity and call on his name agreeing with those truths that are absolutely necessary and clearly demonstrated in the Word of God both in the Old and New Testaments though in Charity dissenting from some others that are not necessary And I as I am thus a Christian I hope for salvation through the merits of Christ Jesus his blood I rely on his merits I trust to for the salvation of my own soul Though to this Faith good works are necessary not meritorious in us but onely made meritorious by Christ his death by his all sufficiency by his satisfaction and his righteouss they become meritorious but in us they are no other then as defiled rags And truly as I am a Member of the Church so I told you I was a Member of this Community and so pleaded for the Liberties and Priviledges thereof I must now answer something I am aspersed withal in the world They talk of something of a Plot and a Treasonable design and that I had a great interest in the knowledge and practice thereof and that for the saving my life I would have discovered and betrayed I cannot tell what I hope my conversation hath not been such here in this City where I have been a long time very well known as to make one imagine I should intermeddle in such an action and go so contrary to the practice of my profession and I hope there are none so uncharitable towards me as to believe I had a knowledge of that design Here I must come to particulars for a Plot of having a design upon the City of London for the firing of it I so much tremble at the thought of the thing that should have been done as they say for the carrying on of such a design if my heart deceive me not had I known it I so much abhor the thing I should have been the first discoverer of it nor ever had I correspondency or meetings with such persons as would have carried on such a design It is said likewise I entertained the Earl the Marquess of Ormond to my remembrance I never saw the face of that honourable person in my life It is said One Lords day I did preach at Saint Gregory's and the next Lords day I was at Brussels or Bruges and kist the Kings hand and brought I cannot tell what orders and instructions from him this I shall say For these three years last past together I have not been sixty miles from this City of London and I think it is somewhat further to either of those places then threescore miles It is said that I kept correspondence with one Barrow and Bishop they are persons I have heard of their names but never saw their faces and to my knowledge I do not know they know me nor do I know them at all but onely as I have heard of their names And whosoever else hath suggested such things against me I know not His Highness was pleased to tell me I was like a flaming Torch in the midst of a sheaf of Corn he meaning I being a publick Preacher was able to set the City on fire by sedition and combustions and promoting designs Here truly I do say and have it from many of those that are Judges of the High Court that upon examination of the business they have not found me a meddler at all in these Affairs And truly I must needs say therefore that it was a very uncharitable act in them who ever they were that brought such accusations against me and irritated his Highness against me I will not say it was malice it might be zeal but it was rash zeal which caused me to be sentenced to this place the God of mercy pardon and forgive them all and truly as I am a Member of the Church and as a Member of the Community whereon behalf I have been speaking I cannot but do as our Saviour himself did for his Disciples when he was to be taken from them he blessed them and ascended up to heaven My trust is in the mercy of the most High I shall not miscarry and however my dayes are shortned by this unexpected doom and shall be brought untimely to the grave I cannot go without my prayers for a blessing upon all the people of this Land and cannot but bless them all in the Name of God and beseech God to bless them in all their wayes and his blessing be upon them Let us pray O most glorious Lord God thou whose dwelling is so far above the highest Heavens that thou humblest thy self but to look upon the things that are in heaven and that are in earth and thou doest whatsoever thou wilt both in heaven in earth in the sea and in all deep places in thy hands are the hearts of all men and thou turnest them which way soever thou wilt O Lord look in mercy and compassion we beseech thee on this great and innumerous people of this Land look upon them O Lord with an eye of pitty not with an eye of fury and indignation O look not upon all those great and grievous sins that have provoked thee most justly to wrath and displeasure against us Gracious God who can stand in thy sight when thou art angry when thou with rebuke doest correct man for sin thou makest his beauty to consume away like as it were a Moth fretting a Garment O Lord thy indignation and wrath lyes heavy upon us and thou hast vexed us with thy scourges thou hast made us a reproach and a by-word amongst our Neighbours and the very heathen laugh us to scorn O that thou wouldest turn us again O Lord God of Hosts that thou wouldest shew us the light of thy countenance that we may behold it that thou wouldest humble us for all those sins and grievous transgressions that are amongst us for those Atheisms for those infidelities horrid blasphemies and prophaneness for those sacriledges for those Heresies for those Schisms Errors and all those blindnesses of heart pride vain glory and hypocrisie for that envy hatred and malice and all uncharitableness that hath set us one against another that we are so dashed one against another even to destroy each other Ephraim against Manasseh and Manasseh against Ephraim and both against Judah O Lord we are like those Moabites and Ammonies c. This thou hast done to us O Lord because we have rebelled against thee O how greatly and grievously have we sinned against thee yet for all this thou hast not requited us according to our ill deservings for thou mightest have brought us to desolation and destruction fire might have come down from heaven and destroyed us our forreign enemies and the enemies of thee and thy Christ our Saviour might have swallowed us up
son is alive but let him either vanquish or bravely dye because the honour of this brave day shall be his if God suffer him to survive This answer would have wrought despair in cowards but to these valiant Heroes brought increase of courage who now bestir themselves more then before sending such numbers to grisly Charon that his leaking boat was ready to sink under the pressure of their numerous weight Twice was King Philip beat off his horse and twice by the Lord Beaumont mounted again but being wounded in the Neck and Thigh was forced to retire himself out of the fight upon whose departure the French gave way and staid not long but betook them to flight The French King with a small company flies to Bray and being questioned by the guard who he was answered The Fortune of France whereupon being known he was received into the Town with the tears and lamentations of the people The number of the slain are reported to be 30000. the same number which King Edward brought to the Battel the chief whereof were the two Kings of Bohemia and Majorca Charles Earl of Alanson John Duke of Bourbon Ralph Earl of Lorrain Lewis Earl of Flanders the Dolphin of Viennois the Earls of Sancerr Harecourt Aumarl Nevers c. Thus under the conduct of this valiant Prince the English obtained a glorious victory whom King Edward the Father thus congratulates Son God send you good perseverance to so prosperous beginnings you have nobly acquit your self and are well worthy to have the governance of a Kingdom entrusted unto you for your valour Wars greatest tempest now blown over some little mists remained behinde like to the gleanings after harvest certain troops of French under the command of the Archbishop of Roan and the Prior of France ignorant of what had happened were coming from Abbevile Roan and some other Towns thereabouts to the aid of King Philip and to enrich themselves by the spoil of the English but that they might be sensible of the ill fortune of a bad market they found King Philip discomfitted before they came and they themselves must become the English spoil From his victory at Crescy I shall proceed to his conquest at Poytiers as I have already intimated in the Life of Edward the Third Philip King of France dying his son John succeeds him who invests his Son Charles with the Dutchy of Aquitain King Edward bestows the same on the Prince of Wales commanding him to defend that right with his Sword hence grows the quarrel and a small matter will cause a great difference where both parties wait for an occasion The Prince with an Army lands is Aquitain conquering all where ever he comes unto whom Pope Clement the sixth sends a messenger with an overture to intercede for a Peace the Prince returns answer that the message must be sent to the King his Father for he could not meddle without command from him Mean while he takes Cities and Towns at his pleasure and without impeachment returneth to Burdeaux where for that year he takes leave of Martial Atchievements The prince could not continue long without action for no sooner had the Son rid through his Winters stage but with an uncontrouled march he advances through Bruges Perigort and Limosin intending to return to Burdeaux through the Countries of Turain Paictou and Saintcin But John King of France hasting to go beyond his Father in misfortunes seeks to intercept his passage and with a mighty Army follows after whom he overtakes about the City of Poytiers Both Armies preparing themselves for fight two Cardinals from Pope Clement labour to take up the quarrel but King John whom the Destinies drave headlong to destruction would accept of no conditions but that the Prince should deliver him four Hostages and as vanquished render himself and his Army to his discretion but this being with just indignation rejected it came to a most bloody and fearful tryal The French Army exceeded the English six to one by reason the Prince had not long before sent a great part thereof to defend Aquitain wherefore that he might be able to deal with the French numbers he takes all the advantage he could of the ground and providently got the benefit of Vines Shrubs and Bushes with iron Spikes with other incumbrances on that part he was like to be assailed to impester and intangle the French horse which he saw were to come furiously upon him then dividing his Army into three Battalions he committeth the vaward to the Earls of Warwick and Oxford the middle-ward was guided by himself and the Reer-ward led by the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk The Army thus marshalled the noble Prince standing conveniently to be heard encouraged his Souldiers with this following speech as I received it from an ancient Manuscript Your manhood most noble companions in Arms hath been so often experimented under my Father and me that it proves you are not degenerate from true Sons of English men but to be descended from those whose lively couragiousness hath heretofore tamed the French the Cyprians the Siracusians the Calabrians and the Palastines brought under the stiff-necked Scots unruly Irish and stubborn Welch unto whom no labour was painfull no place invincible no ground unpassable no Hill were it never so high inaccessable no Tower unscaleable no Army impenetrable no armed Souldier or whole Hoasts formidable At this time gallant Countreymen the honour love of our Countrey and the rich spoil of the French call upon us to be valiant let not their numerous Army affright you since they are the same men who not long ago were vanquisht by a handfull of us at the Battel of Crescy Remember withall that I am Edward your Leader who will participate with you either in weale or in woe either sharing with you in the honor of their overthrow or dying with you if overthrown Scarcely could the Prince make an end of his Speech when the French like an impetuous torrent slighting the petty numbers of the English came furiously on as to an assured victory but upon their first assault were so wrapt in molested and encombred amongst the Vines that the Archers galled and anoyed them at their pleasure for the French King to give the honour of the day to his Cavallery imployed them onely without his Infantry so as they being disordered and put to rout his whole Army was soon utterly defeated as Drayton describes this Victory Here a hand sever'd there an ear was cropt Here a chap falne and there an eye put out Here was an arm lopt off there a nose dropt Here half a man and there a less piece fought Like to dismembred statues they did stand Which had been mangled by times iron hand Few such lists of prisoners do we meet withall in any story as here were taken at this Battel viz. John King of France Philip his Son the Archbishop of Sens James of Burbon Earl of Ponthieu John of Artoyer Earl of Eu Charles his
that any one alive could suspect it of which himself at all times throughont the whole space of his life had given manifest testimonies Whereupon sayes the King that he deposited the testimony of his faith which this holy man meaning the Bishop or else expected defence in this behalf of all men who well knew his life and profession namely that I dye said he in the Christion Faith according to the profession of the Church of England as the same was left me by my Father of blessed memory Then looking about upon the Officers having sayes he a most gracious God and a most just cause that I shall by and by change this corruptible Crown for an immortal one I both trust and rejoyce that I shall depart hence into another Kingdom altogether exempt from all manner of disturbance Then preparing towards the Circumstances the Bishop putting on his Night cap and uncloathed him to his Sky-colour Sattin Wastecoat he said I have a good cause and a gracious God and gave his George Order to the Bishop bidding him to give it to the Prince There is but one stage more sayes the Bishop this is turbulent and troublesome and but a short one but it will soon dismiss into a way further even from Earth to Heaven there you are assured of joy and comfort I go sayes the King from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be but peace and joy for evermore Then lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven mildly praying to himself he stoopt down to the Block as to a prayer-desk and most humbly bowed down his generous Neck to God to be cut off by the vizarded Executioner which was suddenly done at one blow Thus fell Charles and thus all Regal Power with him His Body was buried at Windsor for to render him the more odious in the Vault with Henry the Eighth His Effigies at the Old Exchange being pulled down with this Inscription placed there Sic exit ultimus Tyrannus His own and his Fathers Statue being not long before thrown down from the West end of Pauls A late worthy Historian writes that though there were many excellent ones written on him yet the King himself was his own best Epitaph as his Reign and death makes as full and as perfect a story of goodness and glory as earth could suffer so his Christian vertues deserve as faithful a Register as earth can keep I shall conclude with one of our Modern Poets Crowns have their compass length of dayes their dates But time puts periods both to Crowns and States This Epitaph came to my hands which I have here inserted Within this sacred Vault doth lie The Quintessence of Majesty Which being set more glorious shines The best of Kings best of Divines Britains shame and Britains Glory Mirrour of Princes compleat Story Of Royalty one so exact That th' Elixirs of praise detract These are fair shadows but t' endure He 's drawn to th' life in 's Portraiture If such another Piece you 'ld see Angels must limn it out or he Master Lilly in his Monarchy or no Monarchy sayes that some affirm that severall Prodigies appeared before his death all he observed for a long time before was that there appeared almost every year several Mock-suns sometimes two sometimes three so also Mock-moons or Paracelenes which were the greatest he ever observed or feared The Life of the Lord CAPEL THis honourable Person though he was not like some of our other Worthies crowned with the Successes and Laurels of War yet is he no less to be eternized for his endeavours his animosity constancy and perseverance to the parting first with his vaste Estate sequestred for his Loyalty and aterwards with his Life so that he might rightly be termed The Flower of English Fidelity his name ever to be honourably mentioned according to that of the Psalmist Psal 112.6 The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance He was Son and Heir to Sir Arthur Capel of Hadham-hall in Hertfordshire a Gentleman of a great estate one who followed the old Mode of our Nation kept a bountiful house and shewed forth his faith by his works extending his Charity in such abundant manner to the poor that he was bread to the hungry drink to the thirsty eyes to the blinde and legs to the lame and might justly be stiled Great Almoner to the King of Kings Concerning the Humility of this worthy Knight though it be too sudden a diversion I shall presume to insert a story which I have heard delivered by some well acquainted with his worship That be being set at his gate all alone in a plain but decent habit a Serving-man who had plumed himself with his Masters cast feathers came riding to him and asked him if Sir Arthur Capel were within Sir replied the Knight he was there not long ago and if you please to walk in you may hear further of his servants Old Father said the Serving-man here take my Horse and first money he ever received in that kinde Sir Arthur agreed to the motion and with a smile received from him a single penny took his Horse and walkt him whilest the finical spruce Serving-man strutted with convenient boldness into the house but being informed by the Servants that their Master was at the Gate he replying to the contrary one of them to justifie their words went with him to the Gate to see where they found Sir Arthur very industrious in his employment the Serving-man very much ashamed of his mistake craved pardon and with humble obeisance with his Hat in his hand with many cringes would have received the Horse from the Knight Nay stay sayes Sir Arthur you paid me my hire get up as soon as you will I am resolved to see you on Horseback The old Knight putting his hand into his purse gave him half a peece which he said was for his taking so much care of his Masters Horse being purposely thus liberal to encourage his own Servants to imitate his careful example But to return to his Son he was very well educated attained to some perfection in learning he had a good expression and elegant stile as his own Letters hest delineate His Father dying as he inherited his Estate so did he his vertues his pious bounty appearing so conspicuous that some envious persons who hate good works in others because they will do none themselves have maliciously aspersed him for an inclination to Popery But as such aspersions amongst persons of understanding speak nothing but the speakers malice so wrought it in others a deserved commendation of this of our late Noble inimitable Lord more especially that in these last times when Charity lies bed-rid and faith onely so much talkt on whereas he made his Faith publickly known by his Works From the degree of Knight he was by King Charls advanced to be Baron of Hadham As it may be computed about that time the Earl of Strafford received his Tryal this unfortunate
Lord amongst others being one that gave his fatal Vote for the passing that Bill In those great differences betwixt the King and Parliament he constantly and faithfully adhered to his Majesty contributing very much to his aid both in purse and person and at such time as the King was secured in the Isle of Wight some hopes being given of his restauration to his former dignity by the coming in of Duke Hamilton with a potent Army as also of Langhorns Powels and Poyers declaring themselves for his Majesty together with the rising of the Countries in several places to the same unhappy purpose he with a selected number of his friends associates and servants joyned himself with the Lord Goring Sir Charles Lucas and others who with a great Party were up in Arms in Essex and having valiantly defended Colchester for the space of three moneths against a potent enemy sated with success were at length as I have already discoursed in the Life of Sir Charles Lucas for want of provision forced to yield both it and themselves the superior Officers to mercy the common Souldiers with the loss of their flying Garments the Townsmen to pay the mulct of fourteen thousand pounds which was above a thousand pounds a moneth for the time that they held out the Siege And for the Articles of agreement which the Cavaliers had made with General Fairfax they could not but imagine that they had ascertained their lives yet notwithstanding upon their surrender as hath been mentioned Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle were shot to death which to all discerning men must needs seem strange and unusual though the General in his Letter to the Parliament calls it Military Execution upon which the House debated and sent to the General to explain his Letter of the 29. of September His head Quarters were then at Saint Albanes from whence they had this answer That the General doth not take upon him to conclude but waving the business leaves them to the Civil Power and so in effect to Tryal for life The Lord Capel and divers others were committed to the Tower where whilest he remained he endeavoured an escape and had effected it had he not been betrayed by a second Banister a Water-man whom the Noble Lord intrusted himself with who ignominiously for the lucre of a little money discovered him not long after this his misfortune this honourable Lord together with the Earl of Holland Duke Hamilton the Earl of Norwich and Sir John Owen was brought to a Tryal before a High Court of Justice in Westminster Hall where for the brevity to omit the particulars after a formal Tryal they were all condemned the Earl of Norwich and the undaunted Welchman Sir John Owen whom they made march on Foot to his Tryal were reprieved It hath been reported that the Earl of Norwich who was ever pleasantly conceited was sent to by a dear friend of his the day after his Reprieve to know what he conceived as concerning the danger of his condition who returned this answer That he thought in all haste to have put off his Doublet but now he had leisure to unhook his Breeches But to return to our enterprise to furnish this Landskip rather then History of this honourable person concerning his deportment before and after the time of his condemnation when he was to encounter and look grim death in the face by way of introduction to a larger discovery of his Christian fortitude I shall set down the Copy of a Letter written by a reverend Doctor who knew the passages thereof as may be clearly perceived by the tenour of it SIR I hope this paper will finde you upon recovery you have my daily and hearty prayers for it not so much for your own sake for I doubt not but it would be much better for you in regard of your self to be dissolved and to be with Christ but in the behalf of the Church your Friends and poor Family to which notwithstanding be assured God will be merciful howsoever he disposeth of you either for this life or for a better But if you live as I pray and hope you will you shall do very well to write the Life and Death of that noble Lord and blessed Martyr who professed at his death That he dyed for the fifth Commandment and to dye in the defence and for the Testimony of any Divine truth is truly and properly to be a Martyr That which I can contribute towards this work is to communicate some few observations I made of him and from him before and after his condemnation I was several times with him and alwayes found him in a very chearful and well composed temper of minde proceeding from true Christiun grounds and not from a Roman resolution onely as his enemies are pleased to speak of him he told me often it was the good God he served and the good Cause he had served for that made him not to fear heath adding he had never had the temptation of so much as a thought to check him for his engagement in this quarrel for he took it for his Crown and Glory and wished he had a greater ability and better fortune to engage in it After his condemnation and the afternoon before his suffering we were a great while in private together when bewailing with that sense which became a true and not despairing penitent the sins of his life past the greatest he could remember was his voting my Lord of Straffords death which though as he said he did without any malice at all yet he confessed it to be a very great sin and that he had done it out of a base fear they were his own words of a prevailing party adding that he had very often and very heartily repented of it and was confident of Gods pardon for it Then he told me he had a great desire to receive the Blessed Sacrament so he called it before he dyed the next morning asking what Divine of the Kings party I would recommend to him I replyed that though many were more worthy yet none would be more willing to do that service then my self which he accepting very kindly told me he durst not desire it for fear it might be some danger to me After this and some conference in order to his preparation both for his viaticum and his voyage the Sacrament and his death he desired me to pray with him which after I had performed and promised to be with him by seven the next morning I left him for that time to his own devotions The next day I was there at the time assigned and after some short conference in order to the present occasion he desired me to hear him pray which he did for half an hour in an excellent method very apt expressions and most strong hearty and passionate affections First confessing and bewailing his sins with strong cries and tears then humbly and most earnestly desiring Gods mercy through the merits of Christ onely
Parliament by a solemn Vote and Ordinance changed the Monarchical Government into a Commonwealth The Kingdom of Ireland discontented at this change uniting themselves wned the late Kings eldest Son and solemnly proclaimed him King no place considerable standing out for the Parliament saving onely Dublyn and London Derry the first whereof was immediately besieged by an Army of two and twenty thousand men commanded by the Marquess of Ormond and the other by a considerable party of the Natives of the Countrey To the reducing of this Kingdom was Oliver Cromwel nominated Governour of Ireland by the Commonwealth who with a well appointed Army set sail for Dublyn where although he found things in an indifferent good posture the Marquesse of Ormond having been beaten off by the valour of Michael Jones the Governour yet he met with work enough for his Army for Droghedah one of the best and considerablest places in all Ireland held out stiffly against them and having a strong party bid defiance to his Army yet notwithstanding after many assaults and much valour shown on both sides he at last took it putting therein to death three thousand Irish who though enemies yet for their valour and undaunted resolution might have been lookt on with a more merciful eye as they were men and more especially Christians Soon after followed the surrender of Trim Dundalke Nury Wexford Rove Bandonbridge and Kingsale yet notwithstanding the reducing of these Towns many of the Irish retreating to their Bogs and inaccessible places held out for a long time in despite of the English To proceed not onely the Irish shewed their dislike of this change of Government but also the Collonies in Virginia and the Carybde Islands to the reducing of whom the Parliament sent Sir George Askue with a Fleet of ships who brought them again into obedience In the mean time the Scots were very busie they had commenced a Treaty with Prince Charles at Breda which at last was concluded on he assenting to their Presbyterian Government and they to install and reestablish him in that Kingdom and in the other accordingly as they questioned not but Fortune would answer their blinde zealous Covenant expectations The Prince puts forth to sea and in despite of foul weather and the English King fishers that lay there to intercept him he landed safely at the Spey in the North of Scotland now though the Scots had a King yet as if they had none every one did that which was right in his own eyes and as if they intended him onely the Title being now in their power they forced him to follow the dictates of their haughty Cleargy in all their fanatick humours and imperious decrees First then they bereaved him of all his old Friends Councellours and Confederates whether of the Cleargy or Layety as those who adhered to Episcopal Government and so not pure enough for so reformed a people Thus they hamstringed him not as what was formerly in the sign-post onely of printed papers Next they make him take the Solemn League and Covenant that strange fire which the Scotch believe descended from Heaven and by which they at their pleasures kindle those Wars wherewith they infest England then these Horse Farriers of the Conscience gave him another drench he is taught to renounce the sins of his Fathers house and of his own the Idolatry of his Mother by a constant adhering to the cause of God according to the Covenant in the firm establishment of Church Government as it is laid down in the Directory for publick Worship Confession of Faith and Catechisme These with divers others of the like nature they wrought so on his necessity they obtruded or rather rammed into his conscience although with much reluctancy he signed to making many strange faces at these bitter pills he swallowed yet it bettered not his condition which was like that of a childe under Tutours and Governours for there was not an Officer in that Kirk or Commonwealth how vile and abject soever in place or person but enjoyed more freedom both in body and minde then he Guarded indeed he was but no otherwise then he was surrounded with the ignis fatuus of their zealous suspitions of him so that move he must not but in the Sphere of the Kirk their primum mobile whereby its apparent that the Government of that Nation might be almost questioned whether it ever were truly Monarchicall though they had Kings To proceeed the Parliament having notice of all their proceedings recalled General Cromwell out of Ireland making him Generalissimo of the Commonwealths Armies in the Lord Fairfax his stead who at the same time laid down his Commission he with a choice Army marches into Scotland and after many petty defeats gives them a great overthrow at Dunbar September 3. 1650. and prosecuting his victory takes Leith a very considerable and advantageous place as also Edenburgh the Metropolitan City of all Scotland Thus he set firm there his sword hewing his way for him to conquer that Countrey which the King lost by his pen. Now were the Scots truly miserable for besides a raging enemy in the very heart of their Kingdom they were miserably divided amongst themselves even to the killing and slaying of one another one party in the North was for the King without the Kirk another party in the West was for the Kirk without the King a third party was for King and Kirk yet notwithstanding these losses and divisions they assumed new courage levyed more men and Crowned their King with the greatest magnificence as the indigency and necessity of their Affairs would permit The English on the other side being resolved to terminate this War with Scotland passed over into Fife and having defeated four thousand Scots they soon became Masters of Inchigravy Brunt-Island and St. Johns Town mean while the Scots Army consisting of 16000. abandoned their own Territories and by the way of Carlisle entred England General Cromwel advertised hereof leaves Collonel Monk with 7000. men in Scotland to perfect the conquest of that kingdom and with the rest of the Army pursues the Scots who wheresoever they came proclaimed their King to be King of Great Brittain France and Ireland c. But few stirred unto their aid amongst others the unfortunate Earl of Darby who having assembled 1200 men in Lancashire was defeated by Collonel Lilburne and to save himself was constrained to flee to Worcester where the Scots after a long and tedious march had pitched their Camp whither General Cromwel soon pursued them and having the aid of the Train Bands of several Counties gave them Battel which proved fatal unto the Scots their whole Army being overthrown The King in a disguise escaped into France not without much difficulty and danger the Parliament having promised five hundred pounds to any one that could discover his person Such a list of prisoners as were then taken we shall seldome meet with in any Battle but Cromwels The Earl of Darby the Earl