their late rebellious carriage had so farre provoked his Majesties patience that he would not so much as admit of their Petition or hearken to any that endeavoured to mediate for them Hereupon they were advised to draw up an Instrument or writing whereby they should yeeld themselves wholy both bodies and goods to the Kings mercie which was done accordingly and sealed with the Common Seale of the Citie His Majestie upon earnest suit unto him accepted hereof giving present expresse command that all the Chaines and Posts which they had placed at every street and lanes end should be forthwith carried to the Tower and that the Mayor and fourty of the chiefe Citizens should repaire unto him the next day and confirme their said writing this was done and they all came accordingly but contrary to their expectation though not deserts were all delivered into the custody of the Constable of Windesore Castle and shut up there in a large Tower where they had small cheere and worse lodging The next day toward night all but five whereof the Mayor was one had their enlargement Those five their bodies and goods were as a boone bestowed on the Prince the rest were commanded to attend at Windesore for a long time after Sixty or seventy wealthy Citizens with all their Lands goods and Chattels did the King dispose to his household servants For the Government of this unruly City the King appointed one Othon a forreiner or stranger first Constable of the Tower and then Custos or Warden of the Citie to pull downe their haughty rebellious spirits and that his Peace for the future might be surely kept he required the best mens sonnes in the City for Hostages These he clapt up in the Tower and caused them to be there kept at the cost and charges of their Parents Daily suit was made unto his Majestie for his Pardon and favour but in vaine then they petition the King to know his gracious pleasure what Fine he would demand of the whole City for their offences against him The King at length signified unto them that the summe of fifty thousand Marks should be their Fine Whereto the Londoners returne this humble answer They had been of late by this unhappie War so exceedingly impoverished that a summe so great as it was in those times could not possibly be raised amongst them wherefore they humbly beseeched his Princely compassion might be so farre extended towards them as to require and accept according to their abilities At length after much suit and submission and a fine of twenty thousand Marks the King received them to mercy and sent them under his great Seale a generall Pardon those onely excepted whose estates were already bestowed granting and allowing that their former Charter and ancient Priviledges should be restored unto them notwithstanding all the transgressions they are the words of the Pardon and trespasses done to Vs to our Queene to our noble brother Richard King of Almaine and the Prince our first begotten sonne And here was the first pacification betwixt the King and the Londoners for whom wee may say thus much That their foule Rebellion against their Soveraigne was not more detestable then their humble submission to their Soveraigne was commendable And therefore in the Ordinance called Dictum de Kenelworth made for the setling of the Kingdome we find them notwithstanding all their disloyalty commended as shall be seen in the ensuing Story After the proud stomach of this City was brought down and all tumultuous spirits quelled the King calls his Parliament in festo Sancti Edvardi Regis to Westminster wherein those that aided and assisted the Earle were all excepting the Londoners attainted and that all their Lands and goods were forfeited But this Sentence though it was lesse then they deserved yet was more then they would endure and therefore the fire that was not yet quencht but smothered breakes forth againe Some flie into the Isle of Ely and fortifie that Some into the Isle of Axholme in Lincolnshire Another party possesse themselves of Killingworth Castle Another under the command of the Lord Ferrers in the Northerne parts And amongst others one Adam Gurdon lived as an Outlaw in Hampshire * tum rarus aut nullus locus in Anglia fuit tutus eò quod terra erat vespilionibus plena Now scarce any place in England was free from plunderers To reduce these to obedience the King undertakes Killingworth Castle The Prince was sent against Adam Gurdon Lord Edmond the Prince's brother against those in Axholme And Lord Henry the King of Almaines son against the Lord * Ferrers To the Rebels in Killingworth Castle the King sent first a gracious message willing them to desist and to returne to their obedience But they contrary to all Law of Armes contrary to natural civilitie cut off the Messengers hand and sent him back with an uncivil answer Then the King marcht to Killingworth and sate downe before it upon Midsummer Eve During the siege which lasted six Months Clerus populus convocantur duodâ—â—im eliguntur de potentioribus Procerum prudentioribus Pralatorum quibus datur potestas ordinandi super Statutum exharedatorum c. The Clergie and Laitie are assembled and out of the chiefest of the Peerage and wisest of the Prelates were chosen twelve to whom power was given to pronounce sentence against the Rebels and to settle the peace of the Kingdome they first taking an oath de utilibus ordinandis to decree nothing but what should be for the good of the Common-weale Then the people take a solemne oath Quod dictum ipsorum inviolabiliter observarent that they would stand to their Decree which to this day by our Lawyers is called Dictum de Kenelworth a severe yet a good and wholesome course without effusion of blood to punish Rebellious Subjects The Decree was as followeth In nomine sanctae individuae Trinitatis Amen Ad honorem gloriam Omnipotentis Dei Patris Filij Spiritus Sancti c. Et ad honorem bonum prosperum pacificum statum Christianissimi Principis Domini Henrici Regis Angliae illustris totius Angliae Ecclesiae Nos Willihelmus c. In English thus In the name of the holy and individuall Trinitie Amen For the honour and glory of Almighty God the Father Son and holy Ghost c. And for the honour prosperitie and peace of the most Christian Prince our Soveraigne Lord Henry the most renowned King of England and of the whole Church of England We William Exon William Bath and Wells Henry Worcester and T. St. Davids Bishops Gilbert de Clare E. of Glocester Humphrey Earle of Hereford Philip Basset John Bailof Robert Wallop Alan de la Souch Roger de Somerie and Warren de Basingborn providing for the welfare of the Land c. have thought fit to order as followeth 1. That the Rebels be not wholly deprived of their estates but shall have
was agreed upon by the King and his adherents and the five Members and their adherents that the difference should be referred to the French Kings arbitrement * The King of France upon the day of hearing gave sentence that the said Ordinance whereby the King was deprived of his regall power should be made null The five Members and their complices seeing this notwithstanding they had bound themselves by oath to stand to his award flew off and resolving to have their owne wills drew into arms made choice of the Earl of Leicester for their Generall and for their own private interest pretending the publick good drew the greatest part of the Kingdome after them * so easie it is to draw the fickle multitude to the wrong side crying every where at first Liberty and Religion though towards the end of the war not a word of either By their faire pretences they gained so far upon the Londoners that they generally enter into a Covenant to assist the Earle For which purpose besides a new Major or Bailiffe they chose two Commanders Thomas Pywelsden and Stephen Buckerell at whose command by the tolling of St. Pauls great bell they were to be in Armes upon any occasion Their first exploit was a march to Isleworth in a tumultuous manner where they plundered and fired the Kings brothers Mannour-house The Earls Army by this time on their march plundered all that were dis-affected to their cause and proceedings and imprisoned them * Especially those that stood any way affected to the Queen for they all but most of all the Londoners were most maliciously bent against her insomuch that as she was passing the Thames neer the Bridge a rude rabble of the City got together on the Bridge and with confused yellings cryed Drown the witch c. and by throwing dirt and stones at her drave her back which impious affront was punctually remembred in the first fight as you shall hear anon * Besides this main army under the Earle of Leicester they had another army under the command of the Lord Ferrers of whom descended the late Lord of Essex who behaved himselfe insolently towards the King in destroying his Parks as he marcht c. which in the conclusion cost him dear yet to delude the people the main Army bore before them the Kings Arms And to shew they were for the King when they had displaced the old Governours of the Kings Castles and Forts and placed in such as they could confide in they gave them an Oath to be true to the King and to keep those holds to the use and benefit of the King and State yet when the King demanded entrance at one of his Forts wherein they had placed a Governour he was kept out At Sea the Barons of the Cinque-ports seized the Kings Ships took great Prizes but they that sate at Stern upon Land shared in those Prizes as the fame then went By this time the King began to rouze himself and finding nothing now left him but a good Cause and the hearts of his wiser Subjects yet by that and these and the assistance of his Brother Richard King of the Romans in a short space he had raised a considerable Army A King can never be so down but he will rise againe with these he march't and like a snow-ball encreased by motion plundering the Rebels lands as he went to Northampton which was fortified against him by some of the cheifest of the Rebels yet by a furious assault he soon gained it Thence continuing his march into Sussex neer Lewes he received a Message from the Earle the tenour whereof was That as for his Majesty they intended no harm against him but only desired that he would remove his evill Counsellors that did advise his Majesty against them against the honour of the King and welfare of the Kingdom The King in his Answer charges them with Rebellion and disloyalty and commands them to lay down their armes and to return to their obedience that they might be received to mercie but the Earle rejecting the offer when Subjects have once broken their fealty and trust to their Soveraign they never dare trust their Soveraign againe resolves to give the King battell Neer Lewes both armies meet One wing of the Earls Army was made up of London Troops which the Prince being then Generall of the Kings horse observing and remembring not without indignation the abuse offered by the Londoners to the Queen his Mother he clapt spurs to his horse and all his Cavalrie after him crying Here here my brave Cavaliers are the main contrivers of all rebellions and mischief Now now if ever charge home and so fell on with that fury that they presently flie the Prince in an eager and hot pursuit does great execution upon them for four miles But this prosperous beginning of the fight on the Kings side was the utter overthrow of the Kings forces for when the Earle perceived that the Prince a young fiery spirit with all the Kings horse was gone so far in pursuit of the Londoners he fell violently on the Kings foot and soon routed them took the King his horse being slain under him prisoner The Prince at length retreating when he saw all lost surrendered himselfe There were taken in this fight besides those royall prisoners the King the Prince the Kings brother and his eldest Sonne above twenty Noblemen that were for the King and slaine about * 3400. The Earle having thus gotten a compleat victory forthwith endeavours to seize all the Militia and power of the Kingdom for which end he carries the King about with him to countenance his actions but the rest of the royall Prisoners he disposes in severall garrisons And now the Earle beleeves all his own and the people dream of nothing but Peace but alas the warre was not begun till now For when the torne remainder of the Loyal army that escaped at Lâ—wes now keeping garrison in Bristow and other noble spirits saw how insolently the Earle dealt with his and their Soveraign in barring him of his liberty c. They soon raised a considerable power under the command of Roger Mortimer Earle of March unto whom many flockt out of Shropshire Cheshire Herefordshire and Worcester that were well affected to the King Moreover the Queen who was a French woman got over beyond sea to trie her friends for their assistance to restore her Husband to his former libertie and authoritie Quod ad laudem magnificentiam Aelionora Anglorum Reginae libet intexere saith one of that Age quod Domino suo Edvardo filio tam strenuè tam virilitèr tanquam virago potentissima succurrendis fortitèr insudaverit But before these forces were well united the Rebels forces were as well divided for debate arising as is usuall in all confederations where all parties must be pleased or else the knot will dissolve between his Excellency the
Earle of Leicester and the Earle of Glocester because his Excellency minding his own private more then the publique good of his fellow Rebels without any respect had to his adjutants ingrosses all to himself disposes of the Royall prisoners at his own pleasure seized on the revenues of the Crown and composition of Delinquents for his own use whereas they had privately agreed before Ea omnia aquâ sorte inter eos dividenda fore In briefe he shared all places of power and profit betweene himselfe his sonnes and his allies Whereat Glocester as good a man as he stomackt and fell off with his followers to the Prince who by this time disponente domino clavigero carcerum every thing working for the King had made his escape out of prison at Hereford for being allowed by his keepers to aire himself sometimes on horse back in the town meadow after he had tyred two or three at length he mounts a speciall fleet Nag and putting spurs custodibus valedixit and came safe to Wigmore Castle where the Lord Mortimer lay with his forces raised for the King so marcht on with a great power taking in as they went some strong garrisons of the rebels plunder'd their houses drave their cattel c. Here the warre grew hot each side fortifying towns and houses plundering and driving all round about to store the garrisons Mens houses which were wont to be their own castles were now made castles but the owners were least Masters all left to the mercy of the rude souldier the poor Countrymans dwelling house pillaged every where and searcht * usque ad lectorum stramentum to the very bedstraw nor onely mens houses but even Gods houses the very Churches were not free from the prophane hands of plunderers the high wayes lay unoccupied no passing from town to town without danger of robbing When the Prince the Earle of Glocester the Earle of March with the reliques of the royal army were united and well ordered they resolved to give his Excellency the Earle of Leicester batâ—ell At Evesham in Worcestershire by a speedy and unexpected march they came upon him The Earle seeing himselfe engaged to fight gave order that his own coat-armour should be put upon the King who was then a prisoner in the Army and that the King for the safety of his person forsooth should be placed in the front of the battell that so if the battell went against him the King might be aimed at as Generall and his Excellency thereby make his escape But the King at first charge called out to the loyall army that he was their King and so was preserved yet not without the losse of some of his own being wounded by a javelin as well as his subjects blood the battell was very violent and went sore against the Rebels at length the Earle himselfe the head of this Rebellion was cut off at the instant of whose death there happened such extraordinary lightening thunder and thicke darkenesse that it struck a generall horrour and amazement into the hearts of the Rebels as if the King of Kings would now at last visibly revenge the Kings quarrell or as if they had seen Gods immediate hand against them as once against Corah and the 250. Assembly men Numb. 16. v. 35. for the like rebellious practises In this signall Battell were slaine besides the Earle and his sonne sixteen Lords and Knights and about ten thousand more of the Rebells part The Earles Corps was strangely though not undeservedly handled by the people who were so inraged against him the chief actour and authour of their so much mischiefe and misery that in despight of him they lopt off his head hands feet and privie members and sent them in scorn for tokens to severall places his body was buried in Evesham Church Notwithstanding this there were many ignorant people who had been by specious pretences abused and seduced to that side that were of opinion for a long time after that he died a Martyr because it was in defence of their holy as they thought but indeed impious Covenant and Oath Two of the Earles sonnes were at the same fight taken Prisoners not long after they made an escape out of Prison but could not escape Gods vengeance on Rebells for in France In miseriis dies suos finiverunt The Countesse being banished died a Nunne in France All the Earls Honours and Possessions were conferred upon Edmond Earle of Lancaster the Kings second son And thus ended this great fiery Meteor in a stench Thus fell ouâ— English Catalinâ— as M. Cambden stiles him a man in show faire and honest but indeed Vir pravo ingenio profundâ perfidiâ of a perverse disposition and treacherous beyond any mans suspition after his Soveraigne had heaped upon him many high favours as the Earledom of Leicester and that high and honourable office of Lord high Steward and to endear him the more had given him his own Sister in marriage In token of thankfulness he doth his utmost endeavour to diminish the Kings known authority to subject him to the wills of his Subjects to pull down Monarchicall government and set up a factious Oligarchy and all under that faire common pretence of restoring Religion to its purity and the People to their Liberty The King thus happily preserved and almost miraculously all things considered set at liberty about a Month after calls a Parliament at Winchester no more at London untill it was more loyall and lesse tumultuous where by a full Convention it was enacted That all Statutes and Ordinances made by the former Parliament called the wood or mad Parliament should be repealed and all writings and bonds then sealed by the King for observing the samâ— should be cancelled and made void That the City of London ob suam Rebellionem for this her Rebellion should be deprived of all her ancient Priviledges and Liberties and the Ring-leaders of them juxta voluntatem ipsius Regis plecti to suffer such punishment as his Majesty was pleased to inflict Et ditiores Civitatis in carcerem truderentur saith Matth. Westm. Pro eo quod Simoni in Regis contemptum etiam damnum Regni fortiter adhaeserint that the wealthier Citizens should be cast in prison because they had in contempt of his Majesty and great dammage and mischief of the Realm assisted the Earle Furthermore it was there enacted that all such as had favoured the Rebels were they now in prison or at large should forfeit all their estates Afterward the King marcht with a great power to Windesore resolving as the fame then went to destroy the whole City of London Many of the Rabble and wild Commoners saith Fabian were as resolved to defend the City against him but the wiser sort thought better to become humble petitioners for their pardon of what was past then to incense his Majestie any farther and to that end drew up an humble Petition and presented it to the King but
goe themselves yet by force or feare were compelled to contribute towards the Armies against the King or the Prince also that those that were enforced to be plunderers or to aide and assist any plunder-masters and yet did returne to their habitations as soon as conveniently they could be all left In misericordiâ Domini Regis 13. That all those that wittingly bought any plundred goods restore the value of the goods and be In misericordiâ Domini Regis because they thereby have offended against the Law and done contrary to the Kings expresse command set for half a year before 14. That all those that at the Earles command went into Northampton yet never gave the Rebels their assistance or made any resistance but as soone as they perceived the King comming took Sanctuary provided that this be attested by the oathes of good and lawfull men likewise that those that owed no suite or service to the Earle and yet came upon his command be all fined halfe a years revenue of every one respectively but those that held of the Earle in Fee let them be onely In Misericordiâ Domini Regis 15 That impotent silly people and all such as did no mischiefe may enjoy their Estates as formerly and recover dammages at the Kings Bench against those that shall wrong them 16. That those that accuse any of their fellow subjects out of malice be punished at the Kings pleasure and that his Majestie thence forward do not easily give credit unto them And we judge that they deserve the same punishment as the accused if the accusation were true provided that they loose not life limbe or estate 17. That all such as are accused upon meere malice may still enjoy their estates and recover dammage against their accusers in the Kings Bench as above said 18 That all women injoy their owne inheritances and dowries But those lands that came by their husbands who have been against the King shall be redeemed by a fine according as his Majestie shall impose upon them c. 19 That all such as are acquitted so it be by those that have authority to acquit them remaine and stand in such a condition as they are put into and that all that have paid their fines shall not be responsable for dammages and trespasses committed by them upon those against whom they fought in the time of the late troubles but that all dammages and trespasses be forgiven on both sides provided that the Church may have her dues 20. That because it may be of dangerous consequence that any Castles should remaine in the power of those who were in actuall Rebellion against the King we therefore decree and ordaine that for the Castles of Hardley Bytham and Chertley there be given a reasonable exchange 21 As for the Earle Simon Monfort his Countesse and his sons we decree nothing because our Soveraigne Lord the King hath referred them and their offences to the King of France 22 As for the City of London taking notice it seems of their humble submission we commend it and doe make this motion to our Soveraigne Lord the King that by the advise of his Privie Councel he take order for reforming the state of the Citie and settle their Lands Revenues Buildings and Liberties and that this Order be presently debated 23 For the Lord Ferrers we decree that he be fined seven yeares revenues of all his estate 24 That all that now keepe Killingworth Castle be pardoned except Henry Hastings and those that had any hand in cutting off the Kings Messengers hand all which shall be fined seven yeares revenues of all their estates or else submit themselves to the Kings mercy 25 That all men whatsoever endeavour to keep the peace of the Kingdom that none presume to commit any outrages firings murders robberies or by any other meanes breake the Peace Which if any shal be so hardy as not to observe be thereof lawfully convicted let him have sentence according to the Lawes of the Land 26 Item that all whom it may concerne take their oathes upon the holy Gospel of God that they will never take any revenge be accessory or consenting to take any revenge nor will suffer as much as in them lyes that any revenge should be taken against any one for any injury suffered in the late times of trouble and if any one shall presume to revenge himselfe we decree that punishment be inflicted upon him in the Kings Bench Court 27 That the Holy Church receive full satisfaction from those that have injured her 28 But if there be any that will not submit to this Ordinance or refuse to be tried by their Peers before our Soveraigne Lord the King let them forfeit their estates for ever And if there be any that have gotten possession of the Rebels Lands and were himself a Rebel he is thereby uncapable of challenging any right to the Land or to have any title to the fine by the Kings Majesties gift 29 Whosoever will not submit to this Ordinance let him be accounted a profest enemy to our Soveraign Lord the King and to his Sons and to the whole Realme and let all the Laity and Clergie as far as the Canon Lawes and Common Lawes will reach prosecute such an one as an enemy to the peace of Church and State 30 Lastly that all those that are imprisoned or any way debarred of their Liberty upon reasonable and competent security shall haue their inlargement by putting in Sureties or such other way as the King hath allowed Dated and set forth from the Campe before Kenelworth the last day of September in the yeere of our Lord God 1266. and of the Reigne of the most renowned King HENRY Third 51. Thus endeth that Famous Ordinance called to this day Dictum de Kenelworth wherein are comprised the wisest rules that the wisest men of those times could possibly devise to uphold compose and recover a tottering distracted dying Kingdome About two Months after the publication of this Ordinance viz. upon Saint Thomas Eve the Castle was delivered up upon conditions too good for those that had so barbarously used the Kings Messenger contemned the King and impoverished the countrey to march away with their goods and to undergoe no fine for taking up Armes This Castle had the King bestowed upon the Earle of Leicester in franke marriage with his sister Elionor but when the Earle by his Rebellon had forfeited and the King had now won it he gave it to his own Sonne Edmund Earle of Lancaster who by this time had reduced the Isle of Axholme and all those rude ignorant people that flockt thither pillaging and plundering the Kings friends round about The Prince also met with Adam Gurdon a famous sturdy Rebell that lay lurking in Aulton Wood in Hampshire robbing and spoyling the adjacent parts Pracipuè terras corum qui parti Regiae adhaerebant the Prince upon his approach hearing of his valour sent him a Challenge for
counsell in Parliament where he may then be sure he must be Subject to his Subjects and they will be kings over their King where Hee must be content to be lesse then he should be and the Subject will be more where he may be sure they will make advantage of his necessity and Hee must undergoe many hard censures and be vexed with undutifull demands before they will relieve him But whether they part with their money or not let the King take heed of ever parting with his Power Then after the heat and heart of a Rebellion be broken not to be severe against any lest the rest grow desperate Severity may blow up never blow out the flames of Rebellion Yet to shew some acts of Justice and power as well as grace and mercy not to use the extremity of Justice least he thereby renew the present rebellion yet to shew some Justice to prevent a future By a sweet mixture of mercy and justice the King shall at once both humble and oblige his delinquent Subjects By mercy in not taking the rigour of the Law by Justice in taking a part of the Law by this he shall humble them in taking so much by that he shall oblige them in taking no more Next to take speciall care in rewarding and cherishing and countenancing and remembring before others all those that stuck close unto him that by their persons or their purses shewed themselves really for him and without all fallacie loyall After this to prepare speedily for some Forraigne Expedition wherein to imploy all the late Active Spirits and working heads who will quickly make worke againe at home if they have not worke abroad Lastly to place some one as a Scavenger in every County to carry away the dreggs that are left behinde Such as will not beyond Sea cannot work and are ashamed to begg For the People this First that they suffer not themselves to be abused and mis-led into disloyalty by any ambitious unquiet cunning Spirits upon what pretences soever when Liberty Religion or any publique good is pretended then most of all to suspect their private ends Next that the people never get by this course but often loose their former ancient Liberties and Priviledges according to that observable though not observed Maxime EVERY REBELLION SUPPREST MAKES THE KING MORE KING AND THE SUBJECT MORE SUBJECT Lastly that taking Armes without Soveraigne Authority upon what pretences soever be they never so faire as for Religion or Libertie never so foolish as that it is not against the King but for the King is most abominable in the eyes of God and though it seem to prosper for a time yet most surely and severely is it punished in the end ending commonly in a generall impoverishment if not in the end of the people and some dreadfull Judgment upon the Contrivers My Sonne feare thou the LORD and the King and meddle not with them that are given to change For their Calamity shall rise suddenly and who knoweth the ruine of them both FINIS * Anciently called the wood oâ—mad Parliament or 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 styled 〈◊〉 Parliâ—mentum Fabian * Chron. Norwic * Like the Remonst of Decemb 15. 1641. Matth. Westm. Math. Paris Matth. Westm. Chron. orig. sub sigillo Nil nisi pro umbra nominis habebatur Matth. Westm. Matth. Westm. Regist. Rossen Matth. Westm. Preaching that Religion could never bee throughly reformed or the differeâ—es fully compeled sine gladio 〈…〉 and that all that 〈…〉 lose their lives in this cause were Martyrs 〈…〉 Chron. Dunst * Rishanger * Cotton Hollinsh * Rishanger For disswading the King to stand to the foresaid Ordinance of Parliament * Rishanger Dover Chron. Dunstan Cambdens observation in the case of Robert Earle of Essex Equites haec haec seditionum seclerumque omnium capita sunt nunc nunc fortiter adjicite tela * Southwell Rishanger * Rishanger Fabian Rishanger * Rishanger * This Lord Henry the Kings Nephew was a valiant Souldier and having found out the Lord Ferrers at Chesterfield gave him battel and overthrew him and because he had been pardoned once before it was decreed that he should be degraded and deprived of his Earledome for ever and fined fifty thousand pounds Dictum de Kenelworth About the end of October the King assembled all the Lords Spirituall Temporall and Knights of Shires to Northampton where this decree was confirmed by Act of Parliament The Barons of Cinque Ports seeing the King prosper made their peace with the King Rishanger Fabian * Then did the King command that Peace should be proclaimed all the Kingdome over which was received with joyfull acclamations So at a late Dyet or Parliament in Germany after they had undutifully strived with the Emperour and wasted the Empire it was concluded That all should be reduced to the same state as it was in the yeer 1618. Prov. 24. vers. 21.22
THE PRESENT VVARRE PARALLEL'D OR A briefe Relation of the five yeares Civil Warres of HENRY the Third King of England with the Event and Issue of that unnaturall Warre and by what course the Kingdome was then setled againe Extracted out of the most Authenticke Historians and Records Vt prospicias futura respicias praeterita The most probable way to know what will be is to observe what hath beene Qui respicit quae fuerunt inspicit quae sunt prospicit etiam quae futura sunt The Historian by running backe to Ages past and then forward to present Affaires comparing one with the other can give a verdict of the State well neere Prophetick Printed in the yeare 1647. THE PRESENT WARRE PARALLEL'D OR A briefe Relation of the 5. yeares Civil Warres of HENRY the third King of England with the event and issue of that unnaturall Warre and by what course the Kingdome was then setled againe HENRY the Third of that Name a man more pious then prudent a better man then King swayed the Scepter of this Kingdome 56. yeares The former part of his Reigne was very calme the latter as tempestuous The main tempest was thus raised The King for many years during that high calme had sequestred himselfe wholly to his harmlesse sports and recreations and intrusted the whole managery of the State to his officers and ministers These taking advantage of his Majesties carelessenesse the maine fault of this King insensibly suck't and drayned the revenues of Crowne and Kingdome till the King awakened by extreame necessitie began to enquire not how he came in for his necessities would not permit that but how he might get out The best way that his evill Counsellors could find to releeve their Master and save themselves was the ordinary way of supply in Parliament declined to have recourse to Monopolies Patents and other extraordinary and illegall Taxations But praeter-naturall courses are never long-lived the free-borne English would not long endure such slavery When the King saw there was no other remedy hee throwes himselfe into the bosome of his people for reliefe and advise in * Parliament * where they undutifully taking advantage of his Majesties extremities instead of reliefe outbrave him publiquely with a * Catalogue of all the mistakes and all the mis-fortunes of his former government which comming to the peoples eares soon stole away their hearts and alienated their affections from their Soveraigne and left him wholly to the mercy and will of his Parliament They sensible hereof and that the reines of Government were now cast upon their necks like Apollo's Horses when Phaeton had the driving of them ran violent by-courses till they set the whole kingdome on fire So far they went as to make an Ordinance That whereas there was present want of a through-reformation in the State the government thereof should be put into the hands of foure and twenty Qui Regiâ potestate suffulti who being armed with Soveraigne power should take upon them the whole care and government of the Kingdome should nominate and appoint the Chancellor Treasurer Chiefe Justices Governours of Forts Castles and Navie and all other great Officers and Ministers of State for all times to come To this traiterous Ordinance the King Metu incarcerationis perpetuae compulsus est consentire for feare of perpetuall imprisonment was inforced to give his Royall assent And for further security to be content to give it under the great Seale and upon Oath that whensoever he attempted to assume unto him his Regal power Lice at omnibus de Regno nostro contra nos insurgere ad gravamen nostrum opem operam dare ac si nobis in nullo tenerentur It should be lawfull for all his Subjects to rise against him and oppose him as if they owed no alleigeance to him Strange it is that he should be content to be a meere Cipher that so latâ—ly was the onely Figure of the whole Kingdome that hee should be content to part at once with every tittle of Soveraignty but the bare title But prodigious that so many choise Senators so many Fathers and Judges of Law and Conscience should so forget God and themselves as to give their assent for the totall subverting of the Regall authority when as they had all taken their corporall Oathes De terreno honore dicto Regi haeredibus ejus servando Which Oath was well kept saith mine Author Ordinando ne unquam regerent sed semper ab aliis regerentur by making an Ordinance that they should never rule againe but alwaies bee ruled by others These foure and twentie thus setled continue the Parliament during their pleasure put the Kingdome in a posture of defense place governors of their own choosing such as they could confide in in the cheife Forts nominate and appoint Judges of Assise Sheriffes of Counties Coroners Bailifes discharging those that were made by the King took an oath of them all respectively And here they would make the people believe they should never be troubled with licencious Soveraignty againe but never more as it proved for now every one of them began to value his owne worth and to hammer his head on every designe that might enlarge his owne power and command In briefe of so many subjects they became totidem Tyranni as the book of St. Albanes speakes so many Tyrants and for one bad King before they have foure and twenty worse But England like old Rome cannot long endure more Kings then one great faction and deadly feud arose between the chiefest of them which the rest taking into consideration and perceiving that by so many heads not onely Monarchy was dissolved but faction and debate every day increased upon them so wrought that all but five agreed that the foresaid Ordinance should be repealed and the King restored to his pristine power But those five Members stifly oppose this agreement and for the maintenance of their cause trahunt multos pseudoprophetas lupos in ovium vestimentis qui contra Christi Vicarios Christum Domini Regem ipsum murmurant non ut Spiritus Sanctus eloqui sed ut superioris potestatis contemptores obloqui dabant they drew to their side many lying Ministers Wolves in sheeps cloathing who murmure and speake evill against the Lords Anointed not as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance buâ— as the despisers of dignities gave them their lessons These Incendiaries by their sheeps clothing a faire conversation drew the people every where to side with them against the King and those that wishe the King his former power Which the King perceiving and how the multitude grew every day more and more tumultuous for all things were now caâ—â—â—ed by tumults was advised by his Privie Councell to withdraw himselfe least His person might be endangered from the Parliament then held at Westminster to His Castle at Windesor After some contestation at this distance it
liberty to redeeme their lands by fines in manner following 1. That those that were in the fight at Chesterfield against our Soveraigne Lord the King Item All those that by force of Armes impiously kept Northampton against the King Item Those that gave the King battell at Lewes Item Those that were taken prisoners at Kenelworth Item Those that came to pillage Winchester or were elsewhere against the King whom the King hath not pardoned Item Those that gave the King battell at Evesham Item All those that freely and voluntarily and without any compulsion have contributed to the Warre against the King or Prince Item The Officers and servants of the Earle of Leicester that pillaged their neighbours or were the cause of any murders firings or other enormities that all these be fined five yeares revenues of all their Estates respectively and that if they pay downe their Fines presently they may enjoy their Lands presently but if the Land must be sold for the payment of the Fine he on whom the King bestowed it shall have the refusall if he will give as much as any other And if the originall owner will pay down the whole Fine he shall have the whole Land and likewise if he will pay the moity or third part he shall have the moity or thirds of the Land And if at the end and terme appointed the owner doth not pay for the other moity it shall be clearely theirs on whom the King was pleased to bestow it And assoone as any one hath paid down his whole Fine such shal have liberty to let or set or sell his land within the prefixed time Those that have woods and would willingly make sale of them for the payment of their Fines He on whom the King bestowed and the originall owner shall have each one his Bailiffe to see it sold and those two Bailiffes shall as fast as the money is made pay it to whom the Fine was given by our Soveraigne Lord the King this payment must be made within three yeares at the farthest All Officers and Reformadoes that were knowne to be common plunderers and made it their businesse to plunder if such have no lands but onely goods they shall be fined one moity of all their goods and shall find sufficient sureties that they shall keep the peace of our Soveraigne Lord the King for the time to come They that have nothing shall be sworne upon the holy Gospel and finde sufficient sureties that they will keep the Kings peace for the time forward and shall make such satisfaction and doe such penance as the holy Church shall censure excepting only banished persons who are wholly left to the will and pleasure of the King 2. Moreover as for Wards or young Heires that were in actuall Rebellion against the King during their minoritie their Guardians shall pay their Fines and the said Wards when they come to age shall pay back the same to their Guardians within two or three yeeres so that the Guardians shall have the Wardship and their marriages without disparagement even till they be come to full age and all Wards shall pay their fines after the same manner as those of full age Onely the Kings owne Wards shall be in the hands of those to whom the King shall give them untill they come to yeares and then they shall pay downe their Fines according to the same manner as those of full yeares Provided alwaies that there be no waste made by the Guardians upon their estates If their be then the Guardians to be punished according to Law 3 If any that were for the King before and since the battell at Lewes be now fined for not assisting the Prince when he was raysing forces to rescue his Father we leave him to the King to be censured or pardoned as he shall thinke fit 4. That there be no sale or waste made of any woods by those on whom they were bestowed unlesse the Fine be not pay'd within the time limited Onely it is allowed that they shall cut so much wood as is necessary to keep the houses in reparations and if they shall exceed this allowance to be severely punished 5. If any be thought to be dangerous persons and that they are like to move sedition and to revive the wars let the King secure their persons as he shall thinke fit either by sending them into forreine parts for a time or what other way shall be thought expedient provided alwaies that if they be thereby hindred from paying their Fines they shall not forfet their estates 6. That if any will not submit to this Ordinance he be left to be censured at the Kings-bench-bar before the feast of St. Hillary next comming All those that live in forreine parts shall find sureties according to the Lawes and customes of those States to live peaceably otherwise that they shall not be received in a peaceable manner 7. Whereas the Kings Majestie is ingaged to many that served him in his wars and faithfully stuck to him whom he hath not yet sufficiently rewarded and some have been rewarded above their deserts we desire that the King take speciall care that out of Delinquents estates they may be all rewarded to the full lest otherwise a new warre should be occasioned 8. That the Kings Majestie be graciously pleased to make choise of twelve able men that may be authorized to see this punctually and faithfully performed and that the Kings Majestie his Heires or Successors take care that it be all firmly observed and maintained and to enquire into and regulate and see duely executed what shall be by the said twelve men ordered according to reason and equity 9. That all Farmers and Renters of Lands that were against the King shall lose their Farmes for all the terme or time of their leases that are to come provided that the Landlords be no way endamaged and when the terme of their Leases are out then to returne to the Landlords againe 10. As for Castles and Forts built by the Kings grant and allowance upon any Delinquents ground contrary to the will of the said delinquent We decree that after the owner of that land hath paid his fine which must bee within three yeares for six yeares more the owner of that Land shall pay such custome as was imposed by the King or else accept of a reasonable exchange for the said Land 11. All Lay-men who notoriously advanced the Earles designes and assisted him or his adherents Attrahendo homines per mendacia falsitates parti Comitis suorum detrahendo parti Regis filii sui by drawing people through lies and falsities either to the Earle and his partie or from the King and his partie it is ordained that they be fined as much as two yeares revenewes of all their estates 12. That all such as were pressed or out of feare went to the Wars but never fought against the King or did any mischiefe also those that being not able to