Kings Answer The Barons appear with a strong Guard The King's Speech to the Parliament The Commons Charge against Spencer The Spencers banished The Son turns Pirate The Merchants petition the King against him The Kings Answer The King writes to the Lords The Barons Answer The Londoners Petition for Spencers return The Spencers return Sir Barthol Baldsmere's Castle seised The King takes Arms. Seizes the two Mortimers The Barons rise The Barons beaten fly to Pontfrect Valens ' Speech in favour of the Lords The Kings Reply Lancaster beheaded and 22 more Good Policy to maintain a divided Faction in Court and Councel Spencer's Policy A Parliament called They give the King the sixth Peny Prodigious Sights The Scotch invade the English Borders and Ireland Are repulst Their General slain The King invades Scotland The Scotch seize the K. Treasure Earl of Carlile Executed The French King breaks his Peace with England The King adviseth with Spencer Spencer's Answer He adviseth the Queen be sent to France She offers to go She casts a wandering eye on Mortimer Mortimer in the Tower The King will not consent to her going Pretending a Journey of Devotion She embarques for France with Mortimer The King sad at the News Spencer encourageth him The Queen is tainted The Ports are stopt the Navie sent out and Watch and Ward every where The Queen entertain'd in France with seeming gladness The Queens Address The King and his Peers moved at her discourse Spencer eyes the French but fears them not He bribes them King Edward complains to the Pope The Pope admonishes the French King to quit the Queen She is enticed to return into England She tells the French King He shews her the Popes Sentence Perswades her to Peace She relates it to the Bishop Cane and Mortimer Who advise her not to return Mortimer storms The Queen moderates Robert of Artois His Speech Which infinitely joys the Queen Her Farewel to France The Bishop of Exeter forsakes the Queen Is bravely welcomed by the Earl His Brother pities the Queen and promises his Service He makes preparation The Earl condemns his haste His Answer The Queen jealous of Treachery Spencer's Agents frustrated The Queens doubts increasing she importunes the hastning her journey But without need The Queen embarques at Dort She is frighted at Sea She lands at Harwich Marching forward She is refresh'd at St. Hamonds Abbey Lancaster first joyns her The King is despairingly sorrowful his Council startled The King suspects the City of London Betakes himself to Bristow The Queen sends a mandatory Letter to the Mayor of London to keep the City for her and the Prince Bishop Stapleton beheaded by the Multitude The Queen sets out for Bristol Whence a hot Salley upon her A Treaty desired by that City Which being rejected the Queen gives them a peremptory Summons It is yielded Old Spencer Executed The King and young Spencer amaz'd The Queen batters the Castle The King and Spencer betake to a Bark but are beaten back by Weather The Bark seized The King sent to Berkly Castle Spencer insulted over The Queens Cruelty Spencer hanged Arundel the like The Queen comes to London She calls a Parliament They conclude to depose the King The Speaker makes a resignation of Homage reads the Sentence The King answers not a word The young King crowned The Queen and Mortimer bear sway They commit Baldock to Newgate Tresilian Lord Chief-Justice hanged The black Monks impatient of the King's restraint They not only incite the people but make Donhead their Captain Who is clapt by the heels and dies Sir John of Heynault and the rest rewarded They depart the Kingdom The King taken from the Earl of Lancaster delivered to Sir Morrice Berkley and Sir John Matravas They remove him in disguise The King grieved with Indignities His Complaint The King is uncivilly upbraided His Answer The Queen and Mortimer unquiet still Mortimer's ears tingle He tells the Queen the King must die She seems discontented She returns her Answer Mortimer nettled His Reply Mortimer flings away The Queens expostulation She unwillingly consents to the Kings Death The Kings Keepers changed He is removed to Corf Castle He is murdered
The Portraiture of Edward the Second KING of ENGLAND Lord of Ireland Having Raig 19. Yeares and 7. Months was Murdered at BARKLEY-CASTLE at 43. Yeares of Age. THE HISTORY OF The LIFE REIGN and DEATH OF EDWARD II. King of England AND LORD of IRELAND WITH The Rise and Fall of 〈◊〉 great Favourites GAVESTON and the SPENCERS Written by E. F. in the year 1627. And Printed verbatim from the Original Qui nescit Dissimulare nequit vivere perire melius LONDON Printed by J. C. for Charles Harper at the Flower-de-luce in Fleet-street Samuel Crouch at the Princes Arms in Popes-head-Alley in Cornhil and Thomas Fox at the Angel in Westminster-hall 1680. THE PUBLISHER To the READER READER THou hast here presented to thy View the Life and Death of Edward the Second one of the most Unfortunate Princes that ever swayed the English Scepter What it was that made him so is left to thee to judge when thou hast read his Story But certainly the Falsness of his Queen and the Flattery of those Court-Parasites Gaveston and the Spencers did contribute not a little thereto As for the Gentleman that wrote this History his own following Preface to the Reader will give some short Account as also of the Work it self together with the Designe and Time of its writing which was above Fifty years since And this we think we may say and perswade our selves that upon the perusal thou wilt be of the same opinion that he was every every way qualified for an Historian And ' bating a few obsolete words which shew the Antiquity of the Work we are apt to believe those days produced very few who were able to express their Conceptions in so Masculine a Stile We might easily enlarge in our Commendations of this Excellent History but it needs not and therefore we leave it to thee to read and judge The AUTHOR's PREFACE To the READER TO out-run those weary hours of a deep and sad Passion my melancholy Pen fell accidentally on this Historical Relation which speaks a King our own though one of the most Vnfortunate and shews the Pride and Fall of his Inglorious Minions I have not herein followed the dull Character of our Historians nor amplified more than they infer by Circumstance I strive to please the Truth not Time nor fear I Censure since at the worst 't was but one Month mis-spended which cannot promise ought in right Perfection If so you hap to view it tax not my Errours I my self confess them 20. Feb. 1627. E. F. THE RAIGN and DEATH OF Edward the Second EDWARD the Second eldest Son of Edward the First and Elenor the vertuous Sister of the Castilian King was born at Carnarvan and in the most resplendant pride of his age immediately after the decease of his noble Father crowned King of England The principal Leaders of the Rebellious Welshmen Fluellen and Meredith being taken and executed the Combustions of the Cambro-Britains were quieted and settled in an uniform Obedience The Scots by the resignation of Baliol the execution of Wallis and the expulsion of Bruce their pretended King were reduced to their first Monarchy and brought to an absolute subjection at such time as he took upon him the Regiment of this then glorious Kingdom If we may credit the most antient Historians that speak of the Princes and Passages of those times this Royal Branch was of an Aspect fair and lovely carrying in his outward appearance many promising Predictions of a singular expectation But the judgment not the eye must have the preheminence in point of Calculation and Censure The smoothest waters are for the most part most deep and dangerous and the goodliest Blossoms nipt by an unkindly Frost wither or produce their fruit sowre or unwholsome which may properly imply That the visible Calendar is not the true Character of inward Perfection evidently proved in the Life Raign and Death of this unfortunate Monarch His Story speaks the Morning fair the Noon-tide eclipsed and the sad Evening of his Life more memorable by his untimely Death and Ruine He could not have been so unworthy a Son of so noble a Father nor so inglorious a Father of so excellent a Son if either Vertue or Vice had been hereditary Our Chronicles as they parallel not him in his licentious Errours so do they rarely equal the Wisdom and Valour of the one that went before and the other that immediately succeeded him Neither was this degenerate Corruption in him transcendent from the womb that bare him since all Writers agree his Mother to be one of the most pious and illustrious pieces of Female-goodness that is registred in those memorable Stories of all our Royal Wedlocks But the divine Ordinances are inscrutable and not to be questioned it may else seem justly worthy admiration how so crooked a Plant should spring from a Tree so great and glorious His younger years discovered a softly sweet and milde temper pliable enough to the impressions of Vertue when he came to write Man he was believ'd over-liberally wanton but not extreamly vicious The Royal honour of his Birth-right was scarcely invested in his person when Time the Touchstone of Truth shews him to the world a meer Imposture in Conversation light in Condition wayward in Will violent and in Passion furious and irreconciliable Edward his valiant and prudent Father had by the glory of his victorious Arms and the excellency of his Wisdom and Providence laid him the sure foundation of a happy Monarchy making it his last and greatest care to continue it so in his succession This caus'd him to employ his best understanding and labour for the enabling of his Son that he might be powerful fit and worthy to perfect this great Work and preserve it And from this Consideration he leads him to the Scotch Wars to teach him the right use of Arms which are to be managed as well by discretion as valour and the advantage of time and opportunity which lead humane Actions by the hand to their perfection Here he likewise instructs him with those more excellent Rules of Knowledge and Discipline that he might exactly know what it was and how to obey before he came to command Lastly he unlocks the Closet of his heart and lays before him those same Arcana Imperii and secret mysteries of State which are onely proper to the Royal Operations and lie not in the road of Vulgar knowledge yet letting him withal know that all these were too weak to support the burthen of a Crown if there be not a correspondent worth in him that wears it With these grave Principles the prudent Father opening the way soon perceives he had a remaining task of a much harder temper with an unwilling eye he beholds in his Son many sad remonstrances which intimate rather a natural vicious inclination than the corruption of time or want of ability to command it Unless these might be taken off and cleansed he imagines all his other
a higher Inflammation The intervacuum of their absence hath many reciprocal passages which interchangeably flie betwixt them The King receives not a Syllable but straight returns with golden interest Infinitely are they both troubled with their division but far more with the affront of the presuming Barons that had extorted it by force yet with intreaty The King esteem'd this kinde of proceeding too great an indignity to be pocketted yet since it had the pretence of his Safety and the general Good there was not apparent Justice enough to call it to an after-reckoning But alas that needed not for his effeminate weakness had left him naked of that Royal resolution that dares question the least disorderly moving of the greatest Subject He was constant in nothing but his Passions which led him to study more the return of his left-handed Servant than how to make it good effected He lays aside the Majesty of a King and thinks his Power too slender his Sword sleeps like a quiet harmless Beast while his Tongue proves his better Champion He sends for those that had been the principal Agents in the last Sentence and treats with them severally knowing that Hairs are pluckt up one by one that are not mov'd by handfuls encountring them thus single hand to hand what with his hypocritical Entreaties and mildew'd Promises he soon gets from their relenting hearts a several Consent answerable to his desires When by untying the Bundle he had disunited the strength of their Confederacy he then with confidence makes it a general Proposition which takes so that the repeal of Gaveston's banishment pass'd currant without exception The Kings intent and the approbation of the Lords is scarcely known before like an Irish Hubbub that needs nothing but noise to carry it it arriv'd in Ireland Upon the wings of Passion made proud by the hope of Revenge and a second Greatness he flies swiftly back to the Fountain of his first Preferment Once more the breach is foder'd and this True-loves Knot enjoys his first Possession But there wanted yet that deep reach and provident foresight that should have given it assurance The King had neither enabled himself to carry things in their former height by main strength neither had he wrought his disorder'd Affections to a conformity or a more stayed temper His female Mercury lessens not his former Ambition but returns the self-same man onely improved with the desire of revenge which was naked of the means to act it so that it was quickly perceiv'd that the Kingdom must feel another fit of her Convulsion The mutual Corruptions of these two went with an equal improvidence which gave the Lords their advantage and them too late a cause of repentance Immediately on his reception the King falls into a more dangerous Relapse of his former Dotage which so fully ingross'd him that all Discourse and Company seem'd harsh and unpleasant but such as came from the mellow tongue of his Minion who invents many new Enchantments to feed and more engage his frenzie All the dissolute Actions of licentious Youth are acted Cum Privilegio This bred such a Grief and Distemper in the sorrowing heart of the Subject that a general Cloud of Sadness seem'd to shadow the whole Kingdom Those former strict Admonitions were not powerful enough to bridle this Distemper not so much as for a fair in-come the one becomes at the first dash more fond the other more insolent those whom before he onely scorn'd he now affronts with publick hatred letting them know his spleen waits but advantage He fills his Soveraigns ears with new suspition and whets him on to act in bloud and mischief It is a Dispute variously believ'd what Climate hatch'd this Vulture I cannot credit him to be an Italian when I observe the map of his Actions so far different from the disposition and practice of that politick Nation They use not to vent publickly their spleens till they do act them He that will work in State and thrive must be reserved a downright way that hath not strength to warrant it is crusht and breaks with his own weight without discretion Those that are in this trade held their Crafts-masters do speak those fairest whom they mean to ruine and rather trust close work than publick practice Wise men made great disguise their aims with Vizards which see and are not seen while they are plotting Judge not by their smooth looks or words which hath no kindred with the hearts of Machiavilian States-men Who trusts more to his will than wit may act his Passion but this mans malice is within protection Where mischief harbours close and undiscovered it ruines all her Rubs without suspition a Pill or Potion makes him sure that by plain force might have out-liv'd an Army such ends thus wrought if once suspected a neat State-lye can parget o'r with Justice But those antient times were more innocent or this great Favorite more ignorant He went on the plain way of corrupted flesh and bloud seeking to enchant his Master in which he was a perfect Work-man and the contempt of his Competitors in which he was as wilful as fearless but in the managing of his proper greatness there he appears like himself a meer Imposture going on with a full carreer not so much as viewing the ground he went on The Royal Treasure he exhausts in Pride and Riot the Jewels of the Crown are in the Lumbard that same goodly Golden Table and Tressles of so great and rich a value he surreptitiously embezzles and nothing almost left that might either make Money or improve his Glory No man may now have the Kings ear hand or Purse but he 's the Mediator his Creatures are advanc'd his Agents flourish and poorest Grooms become great Men of Worship The King hath nothing but the name while his Vicegerent hath the benefit and execution All that appertains unto the Crown and Royal Dignity are wholly in his Power so that he might justly be thought the Lessee if not the Inheritor of the Prerogative and Revenue The sense of Grief and Duty that had long contested in the Lion-hearts of the Nobility are now reconciled These strange presumptions had banish'd all possibility of a longer sufferance They vow to make this Monster shrink and let his Master know it On this well and strongly attended they wait upon the King and not with mild or fair Intreaties they boldly now make known their Wrongs and call for present Justice Edward with a steady eye beholds their looks where he sees registred the Characters of a just Indignation and the threatning furrows of ensuing danger He stands not to dispute the quarrel lest they should tear the object of their anger from his elbow without all shew of inward motion he tells themselves had power to act what was most fitting to whom he had assign'd the care should keep his Person and assure the Kingdom They beyond their expectation finding the wind in that
door give not his inconstant thoughts time to vary but command their Antagonist off to a third Banishment He deprived of heart and strength is enforced to obey having not so much liberty as to take a solemn Farewel Now is he sent for Flanders the Jurisdiction of the Kings Dominions are esteem'd no fit Sanctuary to protect so loose a Liver They leave him to prey and practice on the Dutch whose Caps steel'd with Liquour had reeling Craft enough to make him quiet This passage bred a supposition that he was now for ever lost the King made shew as he were well contented and men were glad to see this storm appeased that seem'd to threaten an intestine ruine This Happiness was but imaginary but it is made perfect by one more real Windsor presents the King an Heir apparent which happy News flies swiftly through the Kingdom which gives it welcome with a brave expression The Royal Father did not taste this Blessing with such a sense of Joy as it deserved Whether 't was his misgiving Spirit or the absence of his lost Jewel he sadly silent sighs out the relation such a deserving Joy could not win so much as a smile from his melancholy Brow grown old with trouble The appearance of his inward agitation was such that the greatest enemies of his Dotage were the most compassionate of his Sufferings Such a masculine Affection and rapture was in those times without president where Love went in the natural strain fully as firm yet far less violent If the circumstances of this passionate Humour so predominant in this unfortunate King be maturely considered we shall finde them as far short of possibility as reason which have made many believe that they had a supernatural operation and working enforc'd by Art or Witchcraft But let their beginning be what it will never was man more immoderately transported which took from him in this little time of his third absence the benefit of his Understanding and Spirits so fully that he seems rather distracted than inamour'd more properly without Reason than ability to command it In the circumference of his Brain he cannot finde a way to lead him out of this Labyrinth but that which depended more of Power than Wisdome Bridle his Affections he could not which were but bare embryons without possession alter them he cannot where his eye meets not with a subject powerful enough to engage him what then rests to settle this civil discord but restitution which he attempts in spight of opposition Gaveston comes back the King avows and bids them stir that durst He would protect him Princes that falsifie their Faiths more by proper inclination than a necessary impulsion grow not more hateful to forreign Nations than fearful and suspected to their own Subjects If they be tainted with a known Guilt and justifie it 't is a shrewd presumption of a sick State where the Head is so diseased A habit of doing ill and a daring Impudence to maintain it makes all things in a Politique Wisdome lawful This Position in the end cosens the professor and leaves him in the field open to shame and infamy And it stands with reason for if Vertue be the Road-way to Perfection the corruption of a false Heart must certainly be the path to an unpitied ruine The enraged Barons seeing great Cornwal return are sensible of their dishonour and think it too great a wrong to be dispens'd with yet they will have the fruit of their revenge through-ripe before they taste it He appears no Changeling but still pursues the strains of his presumption The actions of Injustice seldom lessen Progression is believ'd a moral Vertue He that hath a Will to do ill and doth it cannot look back but on the Crown of mischief This makes him not disguise his conceptions but shew them fully having withal this excellent Vertue that would be never reconciled where he once hated The Lords observing his behaviour think time ill lost in so weighty a business they draw their forces together before the King could have a time to prevent or his abuser to shun it The gathering together of so many threatning Clouds presag'd the Storm was a coming Gaveston labours to provide a shelter but 't was too late the time was lost that should assure the danger All that he could effect by his own strength or the Royal Authority he calls to his assistance but such was the general distaste of the Kingdom he could not gain a strength might seem a party The Court he knew would be a weak Protection against their Arms whose Tongues had twice expell'd him This made him leave it and with such Provision as so short a time could tender commit himself to Scarborough-Castle This Piece was strong and pretty well provided but prov'd too weak against so just a Quarrel His noble Enemies being inform'd where they should finde him follow the track and soon begirt this Fortress He seeks a Treaty they despise Conditions knowing he none would keep that all had broken All hope thus lost he falls into their power from whom he had no cause could hope for mercy The Butterflies companions of his Sun-shine that were his fortunes friends not his forsake his Winter and basely leave him in his greatest troubles The tide of Greatness gain'd him many Servants they were but hangers on and meer Retainers like Rats that left the house when it was falling The Spring adorn'd him with a world of Blossoms which dropt away when first they felt this Tempest Forsaken thus this Cedar is surpriz'd and brought to know the end of such ambition The Prey thus tane short work concludes his story left that a Countermand might come to stop their Verdict Gaverseed is made the fatal place that sacrific'd his life to quench their fury Thus fell the first glorious Minion of Edward the Second which appearing for a time like a Blazing-star fill'd the world with admiration and gave the English cause to blame his fortune that liv'd and died nor lov'd excus'd or pitied In the wanton Smiles of his lovely Mistriss he remembers not that she was blinde a â—iglet and a Changeling nor did he make himself in time a Refuge might be his Safeguard If she had prov'd unconstant constant such a Providence had made the End as fair as the Beginning But these same towering Summer-birds fear not the Winter till they feel it and then benumb'd they do confess their Errour Height of Promotion breeds Self-love Self-love Opinion which undervalues all that are beneath it Hence it proceeds that few men truely honest can hold firm Correspondence with so great a Minion his ends go not their ways but with Cross-capers which cares not how so these attain perfection Servants that are confin'd to truth and goodness may be in shew but not in trust their Agents He that will act what Pride and Lust imposeth is a fit Page to serve so loose a Master Hence it proceeds that still
for private Passion He is your Sovereign you must so obey him unless the Cause be just enforc'd your moving If he himself do swerve or raise combustion the Kingdoms good must give your Arms their warrant short time will let you know your own condition however do not trust the sleepy Lion I knew his ways and could as well forestal them but now I must resigne it to your wisdom Of this be sure remember my Prediction if he relapse and make a new Vice-gerent which shall leap o're your heads and you endure it The King You or the Kingdom must perish My wearied Soul would fain embrace his freedom and now my Spirits yield to Death and Nature Commend me to my noble Friends and Fellows and say Old Lincoln liv'd and died their Servant Lancaster whose noble heart was before-hand season'd receives willingly these grave Instructions and like a good Steward locks them up in the closet of his heart till time call'd upon him to give them life and action and yet he suffers not this goodly Tree to fall before assured He vows observance and as truely keeps it but erring in the time it wrought his Downfal Beginning Evils are easily supprest which grown to strength if cleans'd are cur'd with danger Twigs may be broken younger Plants removed but if once they grow Trees their Fall is fatal Things standing thus and all mens minds in suspence what would be the issue between the enraged King and jealous Lords the indifferent friends of either Party that fear'd this unkinde Division would shake the Peace and Tranquillity of the Kingdom propounded divers Overtures of reconcilement which are neither readily accepted nor absolutely refused The Kings Meditations were more fixed on Revenge than Conference yet seeing into the Quality of the time and into the suspected Affections of the Kingdom is won at length to admit of a Treaty The Barons truely rellishing the Tickle-terms they stood on which were pinn'd to the mutability of popular Faction were not estranged from the thoughts of Peace though they would not seek it Intercession and importunacy of the Mediators brings it at length to the upshot where there was such an inveterate spleen and so great an antipathy in Wills it is not thought fit to hazard this great Work on a private discussion where Recapitulations of old Wrongs or the apprehension of new Indignities might shake the Foundation The High Court of Parliament the gravest Senate of the Kingdom that had an over-ruling Power to limit the King and command the Subject is deemed the most Honourable place of this Enterview where a business of so great weight would be gravely discours'd which might assure the end and make it more authentical Whereupon it is immediately call'd and in short space assembled at London where after many interchangeable Expostulations diversly handled by the pregnant Wits and nimble Tongues of either Party a settled Agreement is concluded and many excellent Laws are enacted which both the King and Peers are sworn to maintain and keep inviolate By these discreet means the violence of this great Fire is rak'd up in the Embers which in after-times breaks out with greater rage and fury whatsoever the hidden Resolutions were the Kingdom now seem'd in a fair way to settle Peace and Quiet But a new and unexpected Accident varies this Conceit before it was cold and calls them from private Actions to maintain the Honour and Revenue of the Kingdom Edward the First that brave and valiant Monarch had thrice with his victorious Arms run through the Bowels of Scotland and brought that stubborn Nation that deny'd him Fealty and Homage into an absolute Subjection Their last precedent King Robert le Bruce had tryed the height of his fortune and with a fruitless opposition won no more than the loss of his Kingdom and his own Expulsion The Conqueror finding himself quitted of this Obstacle takes upon him the Regiment of this Kingdom with a double string to his Bow the one of antient Title the other of Conquest The Nobility of Scotland and all the inferiour Ministers of State seeing the great Effusion of Bloud spent in this Quarrel which continued seemed to threaten a general devastation of their Country submit themselves to the English Government and are all solemnly sworn to obey it Edward thus in possession confirms it by seizing the property of all the Royal Jurisdiction into his own hand removing such Officers as were not agreeable to his will and liking and giving many goodly Estates and Dignities to divers of his faithful Servants that had valiantly behaved themselves in this Service The Form of Government by him established was peaceably obey'd and continued during his Life neither was it questioned in the beginning Government of his unhappy Successor But the wary Scots more naturally addicted to a Phoenix of their own Nation seeing into the present dissentions and disorders of the Kingdom thought it now a fit time to revolt to their old Master who like a crafty Fox harbours himself under the French Kings protection the antient receptacle and Patron for that Nation No sooner is he advertised that the gate was open and unguarded and that his well-affected Subjects wished his return but back he comes and is received with a full applause and welcome All Oaths Obligements and Courtesies of the English are quite cancell'd and forgotten and this long-lost Lion is again re-invested in the Royal Dignity As-soon as he had moor'd himself in a domestique assurance he then like a provident Watchman begins to raise a strength that might oppose all forreign Invasion which he foresaw would thunder from the Borders This Martial Preparation flyes swiftly to the King and Council of England where it appears like a great Body upon a pair of Stilts more in bulk than the proportion of the strength that bare it The Pillars of the State which wisely foresaw how great an inconvenience it would be to suffer such a Member to be dissever'd that in the contestation with France would make the War a Mattachine or Song of three parts perswade their Sovereign it was not proper for his Greatness to suffer such an unworthy subversion of his Fathers Constitutions and to loose the advantage of so fair a part of his Revenue Edward that had outslept his native glory had yet a just compunction of this dishonour which seem'd to rob him of a portion of his Inheritance purchased at too dear a value He lays by his private rancour and settles himself to suppress this sudden and unlookt-for Commotion waking from that sensual Dream which had given him so large a cause of Sorrow Scarcely would he give his intentions such an intermission as might attend the levy of his Army which he had summoned to be ready with all speed and expedition The jealous Lords startled with this Alarum conceiting it but some trick of State to catch them napping they suspect these Forces under pretence of publick action might be prepared to
plot a private mischief The King they knew was crafty close and cunning and thought not fit to trust too far to Rumour This makes them stand upon their guard and keep Assemblies pleading for warrant the self-same ground of rising But when their Spies in Court had given them knowledge that all was sure they need not fear their danger and that they dayly heard the Northern clamour that ecchoed loudly with the Scotish motions they draw their Forces to the King 's who thus united in person leads them to this hopeful Conquest But forehand-reckonings ever most miscarry he had those hands but not those hearts which fought his Fathers fortune Scarce had he past and left the English Borders but he beholds an Army ready to affront him not of dejected Souls or Bodies fainting but Men resolv'd to win or dye with Honour Their valiant Leader heartens on their Courage and bids them fight for Life Estate and Freedome all which were here at stake which this day gains or makes hereafter hopeless Edward that expected rather submission or some honest Terms of agreement finding a Check given by a Pawn unlook'd for plays the best of his game and hopes to win it He contemns their condition and number slighting their Power and in the memory of his Father's Conquests thinks his own certain But the success of Battles runs not in a Bloud neither is gained by Confidence but Discretion and Valour No one thing hurts more in a matter of Arms than Presumption a Coward that expects no mercy is desperate by compulsion and the most contemptible Enemy proves most dangerous when he is too much undervalu'd You may see it here instanc'd where a rabble multitude of despised Blue-caps encounter rout and break the Flower of England Eastriveline doth yet witness the fatal memory of this so great Disaster There fell brave Clare the Earl of Gloucester the valiant Clifford and stout Mawle with above Fifty Knights and Barons This bloudy day which had spilt so great a shower of Noble bloud and cropt the bravest Blossoms of the Kingdom sends the King back to Barwick with a few straggling Horse whose well-breath'd speed out-run the pursuing danger So near a Neighbourhood to so victorious an Enemy is deemed indiscretion where the Prize was believ'd so richly worth the Venture This sends away the melancholy King jaded in his hopes and dull with his misfortune If we may judge by the Event the Condition of this man was truely miserable all things at home under his Government were out of rule and order and nothing successful that he undertook by forraign Employment but where the Ground is false the Building cannot stand He planted the foundation of his Monarchy on Sycophants and Favorites whose disorderly Proceedings dryed up all that sap that should have fostered up the springing Goodness of the Kingdome and made him a meer stranger to those Abilities that are proper to Rule and Government Kings ought to be their own Surveyors and not to pass over the whole care of their Affairs by Letter of Atturney to another mans Protection such inconsiderate actions beget a world of mischief when there are more Kings than one in one and the self-same Kingdom it eclipseth his Glory and derogates from his Greatness making the Subject groan under the unjust Tyranny of an insolent oppression No man with such propriety can manage the griefs and differences of the Subject as the King who by the Laws of God Men and Nature hath an interest in their Heart and a share in their Affections When they are guided by a second hand or heard by a Relator Money or Favour corrupts the Integrity and over-rules the course of Justice followed at the heels with Complaint and Murmur the Mother of Discontent and Mischief The unexpected return of the General of this ill-succeeding Enterprize filled the Kingdom with a well-deserved Sorrow and is welcom'd with a News as strange though not so full of danger Poydras a famous Impostor a Tanners Son and born at Exeter pretends himself with a new strain of Lip-cousenage to be the Heir of Edward the First by a false Nurse chang'd in his Cradle for the King now reigning All Novelties take in the itching ears of the Vulgar and win either belief or admiration This Tale as weak in truth as probability was fortunate in neither only it exalts this imaginary King to his Instalment on Northampton-Gallows where he ends the hour of his melancholy Government with as strange a Relation which suggests That for two years space a Spirit in the likeness of a Cat had attended him as the chief Groom of his Chamber from whom in many secret Conferences he had received the truth and information of this Mystery with assurance it would bring him to the Crown of England It was as great a fault in the Master to believe as for the Servant to abuse yet the desire of the one to change his Tanfat for a Kingdom was not much out of square nor the Lying of the other since he continued but his trade which he had practis'd from the beginning It is a foul offence and oversight in them that have not Devils of their own to hunt abroad and seek where they may gain them by purchase If it be a mystery of State to know things by Prediction of such vertuous Ministers methinks they were much better kept as this Tanner kept his rather as an houshold-Servant than a Retainer which may in time bring them to a like Preferment Such Agents may seem Lambs but in the end they will be found as savage as Tygers and as false as the Camelions Till now our wanton King had never felt the true touch of a just grief but mens misfortunes alter their impressions he inwardly and heartily laments his own dishonour yet strives to hide and conceal his Sorrow lest those about him might be quite dejected It was a bitter Corrosive to think how oft his Royal Father had displaid his victorious Colours which knew not how to fight unless to conquer How often had he over-run this Neighbour-Nation and made them take such Laws as he imposed How many times had he overthrown their greatest Armies and made them sue they might become his Subjects The memory of this doth vex his Spirits and makes him vow Revenge and utter Ruine He calls to Council all his Lords and Leaders and lays before them antient Glory of the Kingdom the late Misfortune and his proper Errours and lastly his desire to right his Honour They glad to hear the King in the sense of so general a disgrace touch'd with so noble a strain do spur it on before it cool'd or the Scots should grow too proud of their new Glory The former Loss had toucht so near the quick that there is now a more wary Resolution Dispatches are sent out for a more exact and full provision a mature Consideration is thought necessary before it come to action York
Royal actions must make his Subjects his but at a second hand yet he is resolv'd of a new choice of such a Favourite as might supply and make good the room of his lost beloved Gaveston hence sprung that fatal fire which scorcht the Kingdom with intestine Ruine He was put to no great trouble to seek a forreign Climate he had variety of his own that might be easily made capable enough for such a loose employment He had a swarm of Sycophants that gap'd after greatness and cared not to pawn their Souls to gain promotion amongst these his eye fixt on Spencer a man till then believ'd a naked States-man he was young and had a pleasing aspect a personage though not super-excellent yet well enough to make a formal Minion The Ladder by which he made his ascent was principally thus he had been always conformable to the King's Will and never denied to serve his appetite in every his ways and occasions which was vertue enough to give him wealth and title Some others think this feat was wrought by Witchcraft and by the Spells of a grave Matron that was suspected to have a Journey-man Devil to be her Loadstone which is not altogether improbable if we behold the progression for never was Servant more insolently fortunate nor Master unreasonably indulgent Their passages are as much beyond belief as contrary to the Rules of Reason But leaving the discourse of the Cause the King applauds his own Workmanship and doats infinitely on the Non-age of this Imposture which seeing the advantage labours to advance it and though in his own nature he were proud harsh and tyrannous yet he cloaths himself in the habit of Humility as obsequious to his Master as smooth and winning to his Acquaintance knowing that a Rub might make the Bowl fall short while it was running Heat of Blood and height of Spirit consult more with Passion than Judgment where all sides are agreed quick ends the bargain Spencer must rise the King himself avows it and who was there durst cross their Sovereigns pleasure The resolution known like flocks of Wild-geese the spawn of Court-corruption fly to claw him The great ones that till now scarce knew his Off-spring think it an honour to become his Kinsmen The Officers of State to win his favour forget their Oaths and make his Will their Justice Lord how the Vermin creep to this warm Sun-shine and count each Beam of his a special Favour Such a thing is the Prologue of a beginning Greatness that it can Metamorphose all but those that hate it The King though he were pleased with this new structure yet his inward revolutions were not altogether free from agitation He beheld the Lords and Kingdom now quiet and the Scotch Tragedy worn out of memory he was not without cause doubtful whether this new Act might not cause a new Distraction He calls to minde the ground of his first troubles and found it had with this a near resemblance He looks upon the sullied State scarce cleansed and fear'd this leap might cause a new pollution These thoughts like misty vapours soon dissolved and seem'd too dull to feed his Love-sick fancy His hatred to the Barons bids him freely venture that in their moving he might so oppress them which on cool blood might seem too great Injustice Gaveston's Death lay in his heart impostum'd not to be cur'd but by a bloody issue From this false ground he draws his proper ruine making Phantasms seem as deeds were acted Such Castles in the Air are poor Conceptions that sell the Skin before the Beast be killed The Barons were no Children he well knew it the hope was little might be got with striving where all the Kingdom was so much distasted but he priz'd high his own contemning theirs which wrought their Death and after his Misfortune Being resolv'd to countenance his Will with more haste than advisement He honours the subject of his choice with the Lord Chamberlain's place professing freely he thought him worthy and would maintain him in it This foreright jump going so high made all men wonder and soon suspect him guilty of some secret vertue Scarce had this new great Lord possession of the White-staff but he forgets his former being and sings the right Night-crow's tune of upstart Greatness and follows his Predecessors pattern to the life but with a far more strength and cunning He was not born a stranger or an alien but had his Birth and breeding here where he is exalted and though he had not so much depth to know the Secrets yet understands the plain-Song of the State and her progressions which taught him his first Lesson That Infant-greatness falls where none support it From this principle his first work is employ'd to win and to preserve an able party To work this sure he makes a Monopoly of the Kings ear no man may gain it but by his permission establishing a sure intelligence within the Royal Chamber not trusting one but having sundry Agents who must successively attend all motions By this he wedgeth in his Sentinels at such a distance that none can move but he receives the Larum The first request he makes his Sovereign who ne're denied him was that he would not pass a Grant till he survey'd it for this he makes a zealous care the cover left by such Gift the Subject might be grieved the King abused This stratagem unmaskt gave perfect knowledge who ever leapt the Horse he held the Bridle which rein'd his foes up short while friends unhors'd them and raised as he pleased all such as brib'd or sought him To mix these serious strains with lighter objects he feeds the current of his Sovereign's Vices with store of full delights to keep him busied whilst he might act his part with more attention He quarrels those whom he suspects too honest or at the least not his more than their Masters and quickly puts them off that there may be entry for such as he prefers his proper creatures so that a short time makes the Court all of a piece at his Commandment Those whom he fear'd in State would cross his workings he seeks to win by favour or alliance if they both fail he tenders fairly to lift them higher by some new promotion so he may have them sure on all occasions and with these baits he catcht the hungry Planets Such as he findes too faithful for surprisal these he sequesters mounting his Kindred up to fill their places The Queen that had no great cause to like those Syrens that caus'd her grief and did seduce her Husband he yet presumes to court with strong professions vowing to serve her as a faithful Servant She seeing into the quality of the time where he was powerful and she in name a Wife in truth a Hand-maid doth not oppose but more increase his Greatness by letting all men know that she receiv'd him To win a nearer place in her opinion he gains his Kindred places
so strong a Battery Yet the more to justifie their Arms which in the best construction seem'd to smatch of Rebellion they send unto the King a fair and humble Message the Tenor whereof lets him know that Their intentions were fair and honest and that the Arms thus levied were to defend his Honour and not offend his Person The Sufferings of the Kingdom were so deep and weighty that all was like to run to present ruine unless he would be pleas'd to cure this Feaver In all humility they desire he would sequester from his presence and their usurpt authority those Instruments which acted this disorder and that their doings might receive a test by a fair Tryal To this if he give way they would attend him with all the expressions of a Loyal Duty but if his heart were hardned for denial they then intreat his pardon that would not be Spectators of the general mischief which drew too swiftly on by this Distemper The King receiving so peremptory a Message thinks this fair gloss a kind of By-your-leave in spight of your teeth He saw readily how the Game went and was loath to strike the Hive for fear the Swarm should sting him Dearly he doted on his Minion yet conceiv'd it fitter he should a little suffer than they both should ruine which probably might soon ensue if they prevailed He had no power provided to withstand them nor was he sure that time would make it stronger the Lords were well belov'd their quarrel pleasing while he had nothing but the name of King might hope assistance Now he condemns bitterly his improvidence that had not secur'd his work before he acts it Spencer that saw himself thus quite forestalled and his great foresight in a manner useless since those whom he had made were but a handful and those of the poorer sort of weaker spirits that stow themselves in tempests under Hatches knew 't was too late to think of opposition and therefore perswades his irresolute Master to subscribe to the present necessity yet so that these angry Hornets might not be their own Carvers He knew or at least believ'd his faults were not yet Capital yet could not tell what construction might be given if those which were his enemies were admitted to be his sole Judges and therefore made rather choice to be at the mercy of a Parliament than at their disposing He was not without hope to be able to make an able party in this Assembly where at worst he knew he should be sentenc'd rather by spleen than fury This resolution by the King approved an answer is return'd to the Lords That his Majesty having examin'd the contents of their Petition found therein a fair pretext of Justice and reason and that if their allegations were such as were by them pretended himself would with as much willingness as they could desire joyn in the act of Reformation But for as much as private Passion maskt it self sometimes under the vail of publike grievance and particular ends had the pretext of general Reformation he thought it expedient to make this rather a Parliamentary work than the act of his Prerogative or their inforcement which was more for their proper Honours and the good of the whole Kingdom which resolution if they thought fit to entertain he wisht them to lay down their Arms which were the marks rather of an intended violence than a real desire of Justice that done in the knowledg of their approbation he would speedily cause his Summons to be sent out for the calling together of this great Assembly The reception of this answer was not displeasing to the Barons who desir'd those might be the Judges that had equally smarted with the stripes of this affliction yet they conceiv'd it not wisdom to disband their Forces on a bare supposition which could not be yet continued without too much charge and too great jealousie To reconcile this they divide themselves every one retaining to himself a guard sufficient to assure his Person and so dispose the rest that they might be ready on the least Item Things standing thus the Writs and Proclamations for Election are sent out in which there was as much time won as might be taken without suspition Now is there stiff labouring on all sides though not visibly yet with underhand working to cause a major part in this Election which the Lords wisely foreseeing as the main spring that must keep all the wheels in their right motion had beforehand so provided for that the engines of the adverse Party serv'd rather to fright than make a breach in the rule and truth of this Election The subjects sensible of the disorders of the Kingdom and seeing into the advantage which promis'd a liberty of Reformation make choice of such as for their wisdome and integrity deserv'd it rejecting such as fought it by corruption or might be in reason suspected This made the undertakers fall short and wide of the Bow-hand The day of appearance being come the jealous Lords would not rely so much on the King 's good Nature but that they come up like themselves bravely attended with several Crews of lusty Yeomen that knew no other way to win their Landlords favour but with Fidelity and Valour These for distinction and that they might be known all Birds of a feather are suited in Cassocks with a white guard athwart which gave this the name of the Parliament of white Bends Spencer seeing the Retinue of his Adversaries makes himself a Rampire of all his Servants Friends and Kindred The jealous Citizens that sometime look beyond their Shop-board seeing such a confluence from all parts of the Kingdom and so ill-inclin'd had a kinde of shivering phantasie lest while these strong Workmen fell a hammering the Corporation might become the Anvil The Mayor to prevent the worst doubleth the Guards and plants a strong Watch to keep the Gates and Suburbs Now according to the usual Custome the Speaker is presented and the King himself doth thus discourse his pleasure which they attend e're they begun this Session My Lords and you the Commons of the Nether-House I have at this time call'd you hither to crave your aid advice and best assistance I am inform'd my Subjects are abus'd and that the Kingdoms welfare dayly suffers such actions I maintain not nor will suffer Sift out the depth of this and finde the Authors which found I 'll punish as your selves think fitting A Kingdomes weight depresseth so his Owner that many faults may scape his eye unquestion'd your Body is the Perspicil that shews him what errours be and how he may prevent them which leads both King and Subject to a settled quiet Be not too curious in your inquisition which wastes but time and feeds diseased Passion nor may you make those faults that are not which savours more of Envy than of Justice Actions of State you may not touch but nicely they walk not in the Road of vulgar
who were secretly contriving both the ruine of Himself the antient Nobility and the Kingdom their Plot was not yet ripe and he conceiv'd it in the reason of State fit to have the Birds flush before he caught them The Lords that in the first rumour suspected it had some reflection on their particular or a meer noise without ground or substance on the receipt of this Letter alter their opinion and believe there was some real cause of this suspition They knew the King was wretchless dull and sleepy and did not use to wake but when it thunder'd they think him short in depth of so much judgment as with a Jigg of State might catch them naked His Letter seem'd a character of truth but not of cunning this kept them free from boubt but not from danger They send back an answer graciously received themselves their strengths and states should wait his Pleasure These passages thus spent the Citizens that like no laws but those of profit do lay their heads together to finde out a way how to dispose things so that they might trade with safety A cunning Enginier one of the Kings own making avows there was no means but one to make things sure which was to move the King to call the Spencers home and reconcile them The sequel was not fearful since this Tryal would make them know themselves and be more quiet if not they yet might be in distance where they might be surpriz'd if they offended This Proposition findes consent and liking in the grave Brain of the deep Corporation in stead of punishment so well deserved the Thief must be preferred to free the passage yet to excuse their errour they saw the King had an itching inclination that way and were not without a hope that Spencer being by their means recalled would of a profest enemy become a sure friend to the City This gave them heart to draw up their Petition and immediately to present it to the King who having that he lookt for in outward shew seem'd nothing well contented He bids them examine well the nature of their Petition which run in a direct line in opposition against a Parliamental sentence and would incense the reconciled Barons against whose strength he could not well oppose but it must hazard him and all the Kingdom Yet if their wisdomes did think fit in their assur'd assistance he would venture since he prefer'd their good before his private Though Spencer had transgrest his will and pleasure yet their intreaty should dispense his errour in hope he would become a new-made Subject They cry God bless your Grace revoke your Judgment you shall command our lives to back your goodness Edward thus far on his way causeth a Declaration to be made containing the request of his faithful subjects and beloved Royal Chamber of London at whose importunate intreaty he thought fit out of his grace and tenderness of the general good to recal the Spencers who had given sufficient caution for their future good abearing This known soon brings them back to grace and favour their petty thefts at Sea must have a sure way to trade in they must return to shave and rob the Kingdom 't was thought more fit than they should rob the Merchants 'T is strange to see what shift this poor King made to work his own undoing But when Religion 's lost and Virtue banisht and men begin to trade with slights and falshood the end proves fatal and doth lead them blindfold into the ways that work their own destrustion The actions of a Crown are exemplar and must be perfect clean upright and honest their errours die not with them but are register'd in the story of their Lives with Infamy or Honour which consideration may in justice beget a sincerity and cautelous respect from acting under the pretence of policy those stratagems which seem but are not fruit of Royal goodness A like care must be had in the limitation of affections so that they enforce him not to those ways which at one blow take from him his Judgment and his Honour The power Majestick is or should be bounded and there is a reciprocal correspondence which gives the King the obedience the subject equal right and perfect justice by which they claim a property in his actions if either of these fall short or prove defective by wilful errour or by secret practice the State 's in danger of a following mischief The Spencers thus return'd are reinvested into their former high and wonted greatness the burnt Child fears the Fire they know their danger and not attend the Storm until they feel it Their Masters Plot they second and closely gain a strength for present Action That done they appear with confidence and by main strength seek to crush those of the adverse faction Sir Bartholomew Baldsmere is the first that tasts the Prologue they seize upon his Castle of Leedes without or Law or Title he sues to have his own but is rejected Their peremptory return and the abrogation of that Law that sent them packing was provocation enough there needed not a second motive to enflame the angry Barons but when they understood the unjust oppression of their confederate and the daily levies that were underhand made they then conceive it time to look about them They finde the fruit of dalliance and visibly see into the Kings Plot which had abus'd them condemning their credulity and coldness that had not spoil'd the brood while it was hatching The King who had so oft been catcht was now more wary and resolving to be aforehand with his business prepares his Forces He knew his Arms not Tongue must plead his Quarrel another errour in his Guard he suspects would make him liable to a more curst proceeding His Favourite that had his Spies in every corner is soon inform'd the Potion was a brewing would give him Physick if he did not prevent it the gathering Clouds portend a sudden Darkness which threaten showers of Bloud and Civil Mischief He thinks his Guilt above the Rate of Favour and vows to wade in Bloud or die or vanquish To suffer still and not to act he counts it weakness which makes him strive to be the first Invader He wins the King to march with those strong Forces their foresight had prepar'd being soon united The first Exploit seizeth the two Mortimers that with an unadvised security had plaid over their old Game anew on his Possessions Their Strength was great enough for an Incursion but far too weak to cope with such an Army Their Resolution was to give the Larum and then retreat to knit with their Confederates but they were intercepted ere they fear'd it and made the Tower the Prize of their Adventure Thus sometimes it falls out who acts Injustice is catcht in the same Net himself was weaving The Lords with this Report are strangely startl'd they see themselves forestall'd in their own Working Arms now they know
must be their Warrant or else their Lives must pay a bitter Forfeit Their Forces were not yet fully ready yet they march on resolv'd to wait the Kings approach at Burton Time that runs swift to Mischief slow to Goodness at length conjoyns their Strength and several Levies which were not great and yet believ'd sufficient to give a Canvas to the Royal Army which as their Curriers told them was not mighty Soon are they brought to view each others Countenance where Friend against Friend and Son against the Father Brother against the Brother stood embattl'd such mischief follows still a Civil Discord The Kings Force far exceeds in strength and number which made the Terms of hazard far unequal The adverse part perceiving well the danger which they were in if they abide the Tryal condemn their own belief and Servants falshood who had so far fallen short in their discovery But now a second Deliberation is entertain'd which adviseth them to decline the Battle and to make a Retreat till they were re-enforced This Resolution taken from the present suspition was not more dishonourable than dangerous it gave confidence to their Enemies and dejected their own Party willing rather to try their hands than their heels where the peril seem'd indifferent But the Reasons given in excuse were grave and weighty The Earl of Lancaster had sent Sir Thomas Holland to raise his Northern Friends and Tenants who was marching up strongly and well provided so that if they could have adjourned the Battle off to his arrival it would have made the Terms more hopeful if not equal It is in the Rule of War esteem'd a weakness to affront an Enemy for a set Battle with too great disproportion in number but to recoyl without a marvelous discreet and orderly proceeding is no more than laying the disheartned Troops to a present slaughter the Experiment whereof was here apparent The Lords rise but ill and in disorder more like a Flight than a discreet Retiring Valence Earl of Pembrooke that did command in chief under the King sees this Confusion and straight lays hold of such a fair advantage He chargeth hotly on the Reer which straight was routed the Barons make a head but are forsaken which makes them flie to seek their proper safeguard With much ado they get to Pontefret whither the broken Troops at length repair for succour Holland intrusted performs the work he went for and marcht with speed hoping to give a Rescue but when he saw that their Affairs were desperate rate he thinks it his best play to change his Master and leads his Troops to get the Kings Protection As it deserv'd it gains a gracious welcome Thus all things tend to their Confusion one mischief seldom comes but many thunder The despairing Barons finding themselves hotly pursu'd repair to Council where many ways are mov'd and none embraced save that same fatal one which wrought their Ruine They leap like Fishes from the Pan that scorcht them into the raging Flames that soon consum'd them The Castle of Donstanborough was believed a strength tenable until their Friends do raise a second Army or they at worst might treat some fair Conditions they march to gain this hold but are prevented Sir Andrew Harcklaye meets them at Borough-briggs and guards the Passage Hereford and Clifford seek to force it and like inraged Lions here act Wonders twice had their angry Swords made the way open but fresh Supplies opprest them still with number till wearied not o'ercome they yield to Fortune and by a glorious Death preserve their Honour When these brave Arches fell the Building totter'd though Mowbray made a while a brave resistance till his Heroick Bloud not Valour fail'd him The surprizal of Lancaster and many other noble Knights and Barons perfects this Overthrow and ends these Civil Tumults The Prey thus seiz'd the Spencers long to taste it and like to furious Tygers act their Passions They give not their incensed Master time to deliberate on that Work which was so weighty which had the Lives of such great Peers in balance They whet on and exasperate the Kings Revenge that needs no instigation Soon is the Work resolv'd where deep Revenge hath master'd humane Judgment and Reason doth subscribe to private Malice Valence a stout and noble Gentleman hating such a barbarous Cruelty seeks to divert it and mildly thus intreats the Royal favour To win a Battle Sir it is glory to use it well a far more glorious Blessing In heat of Blood to kill may taste of Valour which yet on cooler terms may touch of Murder Laws were not made to catch offences but to judge them which are dispens'd with where the cause is weighty else none may live where many are delinquent Celestial Powers have blest you with a Conquest and do expect to see how you will use it For your own Goodness sake make known your Vertue be like to him that gave you this great Blessing and then your Mercy will exceed your Justice The savage beasts but kill to kill their hunger and will you act in blood to please your fancy The Heavens forbid the Royal Heart should harbour a thought that justly may be deemed cruel Your Sword victorious is imbrew'd with Honour let it not ravage where is no resistance to spill where you may save obscures your Glory to save where you may spill proclaims your Goodness I 'll not excuse their faults or plead their merits which both are lesser far than is your Mercy let not such branches so untimely wither which may in time be your defence and shelter Kings are but men that have their fates attend them which measure out to them what they to others Blood is a crying Sin that cries for vengeance which follows swiftly those that vainly shed it Black Apparitions fearful Dreams affright them whose guilty Souls are stain'd with deeds of darkness Oh let your purer thoughts be unpolluted that they may live to shew your Grace and Vertue and After-ages speak your worth in Glory The King had scarce the patience to hear out the Conclusion of a Theme so contrarious to his resolution and humour yet weighing the Integrity and well-deserving of the man that spake it to justifie himself and to give him satisfaction with an angry brow he makes this sudden Answer Valence but that I know you truely love me your words do touch too near your Soveraigns Honour Shall I seduced by a female pity compassion those that do attempt my ruine such actions may be goodness no discretion how many times have I declin'd my Power to win them home by mercy not by justice what hath my mildness won but flat Rebellion which had it took where then had been their virtue Say I should spare their Lives and give them freedom each slight occasion colours new eruption and I may then too late repent my kindness When my poor Gaveston was tane where was their mercy They made their Arms their
which winning lost his Honour caused his downfal was in the memory of his former unfortunate proceedings sufficiently aw'd and being now given over to the sensuality of his delights entertains quickly the least apprehension of fear if his supervisor did present it so that this part of his work was no great difficulty and the second was not more uneasie The Royal Treasure is profusely spent without Accompt or Honour being but the fountain that served to water the drought of himself his herd of hungry Kindred and the swarm of Flesh-flies that became his creatures The antient Plate is without the art of Arithmetick multiplied into a world of little pieces the Jewels of the Crown do leap beyond the Sea and are ta'n Prisoners till they pay their ransome the Revenue Royal being now grown weary by Proclamation would exchange his Landlord the Prerogative the type of Soveraignty forgets his Patron and cleaves to the fingers of some musty Farmor This want was great in shew but more in substance which made the Surgeon seek to gain a plaister the Poverty of these Institutions answer not the Work-mans expectation for the Remedy began to seem as fearful as the Disease These profuse prodigalities in stead of a counterfeit brought in such a real necessity of such a height that without a speedy supply it must beget a desperate hazard Many several projections are made but they fall wholly short and like Pistols charg'd with Powder make a noise but hit not that they aim at the hope was dead unless the old and right way Parliamental did give it life and spirit Spencer knew well enough that such Assemblies was like a Ringworm on the neck of greatness a Court that in the bulk of high Corruption would breed a Palsie or a Hectick Feaver the subject here he knew would see his inside which single durst not quinch much less encounter He doubts the King would hardly be supply'd unless he were expos'd to try their mercy yet there 's no other means he must adventure This thus resolv'd he leaves it not at random or doth resign his state alone to Fortune but wisely makes the way before he run it With a reserved secrecy he hides the Platform till that his practice might receive perfection He hurries forth strange news of forraign dangers to draw the peoples eyes from private workings he makes a shew as if all things went currant and shadows o're the Royal wants with plenty yet closely wills his friends and those his creatures to get them place betimes in this great Meeting All such as were the Kings entirely these he instructeth with the self-same Counsel and courts all such as he believes are Powerful to advance his ends or else procure him danger and to let all the world know he stood right in his Masters affections he gets his Father himself and Sir Andrew Harclay a Chip of the same Block made Earls of Winchester Bristow and Carlile Baldock a mean man altogether unworthy unless it were for being a disciple of so virtuous a Patron is made Lord Chancellour of England The solemnity of this goodly Creation ended and the Plot now ripe for execution The bruit of a Parliament flies through the Kingdom and is follow'd at the heels with Writs for present Election The time limited for appearance was short which speedily drew this great Body together bleeding with the fresh memory of the loss of so many of his brave and glorious Members All Ceremonies are laid aside or handled briefly so that the time now serves to fall upon the business Their pulses being felt aloof off and their temper tryed there was a full discovery that the major part was sure the rest were heartless Then comes the King's Demand with fair pretences which pleads the greatness of his charge and present uses and shews he had on the strength of his Revenue maintain'd the Scotish Wars without assistance which had exhausted so the Royal Treasure that now He is enforc'd to try his Subjects This motion is soon seconded by such apt Scholars as learnt to get the King's or Spencer's favour others that had a hope to share the booty speak it great reason to assist their Sovereign The Commons justly grieved with their Oppressions would fain have made a head to stop this current but 't was in vain here was too weak a Party and wants a heart to put it to a tryal this swayed the King the sixth peny of the Temporalty and ends this Meeting When the knowledge of this Grant came into the Country it bred a general Murmur and quite estrang'd their loves from their subjection cursing those times that caused so sad a burden Upon the neck of this if we may give credit to those Historians that all agree and publish this relation were many fearful and prodigious Sights which maz'd the people amongst which this one was most remarkable the Sun for six hours space shew'd himself in perfect Blood and sanguin'd over The ensuing times that retain'd it in their Memory and applied it as a Prediction of the sequel believ'd it did foreshew the King's destruction which followed swiftly others conceit it as a Wonder shew'd from Heaven as a sure Token of the just Displeasure for the loss of the Noble Earl of Lancaster and his Adherents whose Blood implored Justice and sharp Vengeance Thus in amazement Man becomes a Prophet The Scots that love not rest delight in prigging and considering the Distractions of the English thought it a fit time to fall to action and with a double blow to vent their malice one strikes upon the Borders which they boldly enter but are repuls'd with little loss or damage the other doth invade their Neighbour Irish where they receive with grief a worser welcome Bruce the Kings Brother General of this Army and all his Troops are killed and broken scarce one was left to carry back the News of this Disaster The King resenting this new provocation and all the former mischiefs they had wrought him resolves once more to tempt his froward Fortune but 't was not his own Valour Spencer mov'd it that had his aim beyond his Master's meaning he knew this was the way to waste that Treasure which else might breed a fearless fulness if it succeeded well the gain and honour would be his share as well as his that won it since his advice had father'd first the action admit it should prove ill he then was guiltless it must be deem'd alone his Soveraign's Fortune whose Destiny was such to be still luckless however yet 't would keep him so in action he might at all times yield the groaning Subjects a short account how he had spent their Money Upon this a Summons is sent out to call together all the Captains and Men of war Provisions are dayly made to wait upon so constantly a resolved Journey The former Misfortune had taught him to undertake this action strong and soundly the black Ox
to suffer the Severity of the Law rather seem defective than an apparent taint in the suffering disposition and goodness The actions of Repentance are registred in the table of our Transgressions where none to the guilty Conscience appears more horrid and fearful than those which by an inconsiderate haste or corruption of the Will have been acted in Blood and Passion So great a height as the Majesty of a King should be cloathed with as sweet a temper neither too precipitate or too slow neither too violent or too remiss but like the beating of a healthy Pulse with a steady and well-advised motion which preserves a just Obedience and Fear in those which are vicious and begets a Love and Admiration in all especially such as so graciously taste his Goodness I have dwelt too long in this digression yet I must though it a little delay the concluding part of this History speak somewhat that is no less proper for him that shall have the happiness to enjoy so fair and large a room in the Royal affections There must be in him a correspondent worth as well of Wisdome and Obedience as of Sincerity and Truth which makes no other use of this so great a blessing but to his Soveraigns Honour and his own credit and not to advantage himself by the oppression of others or improving the particular by the ruine of a Kingdome If the Masters actions be never so pure and innocent yet if out of affection he become the Patron of the Servants misdemeanours and insolencies by protecting or not punishing he makes himself guilty and shares both in the grievance and hatred of the poor distressed Subject The general cry seeing the stream polluted ascribe it to the Fountain-head where is the Spring that may reform and cleanse it By this one particular errour of Protection he that will read the History of our own or those of Forreign Nations shall finde a number of memorable Examples which have produced Deposition of Kings Ruine of Kingdoms the Effusion of Christian Blood and the general Distemper of that part of the world all grounded on this occasion Let him then that out of his Masters Love more than his own Desert hath made himself a fortune be precisely careful that by his disorder he endanger not the stair and prop of his Preferment which he shall make firm and permanent in making Humility and Goodness the Adamant to draw the love both of his equals and inferiours Such a winning Sweetness assures their hearts which in the least contempt or insolence are apt and ready to receive the impressions of Envy and Hatred which if they once take root end not in Speculation but Actions either publickly violent or privately malicious both tending to his ruine and confusion If he stray from this Principle striving to make an imperious height beget fear and the opinion of that fear the rock whereon he builds his Greatness let him then know that the first is the Companion of Trust and Safety the other a Slave that will break loose with opportunity and advantage Neither hath it any touch of Discretion or Society with Wisdome or Moral Policy to glorifie his new-acquired Greatness with unnecessary amplifications either in multiplicity of Attendants vanity of Apparel superfluity of Diet sumptuousness of Structures or any other ridiculous eminency that may demonstrate his Pride or Ambition Wise men deride it Fools applaud it his Equals envy it and his Inferiours hate it All jumping at length in one conclusion that his Fortune is above his Merit and his Pride much greater than his Worth and Judgment But this presuming Impudence ends not here Kings themselves may suffer for a time but in the end they will rather change their Affections than to be dazled and outshin'd in their own Sphere and Element Now is this young King Crowned with a great deal of Triumphant Honour but with a more expectation of what would become of this giddy world which seem'd to run upon wheels by reason of so sudden and so great a revolution The Queen and Mortimer in this his Minority take upon them the whole Sway and Government of the Kingdome The Act wherein they express'd themselves and their new Authority first was the Commitment of Baldock the quondam Lord Chancellor who hath the Great Seal taken from him and was sent to Newgate It may be wonder'd why he was so long spared they had use of his Place though not of his Person and had no Power if they had thrust him out to have brought in another or to have executed it by Commission unless they would admit it as an act of the old King until the new were Crowned This Cage was fit for such a Coysterel but yet his place being so eminent it was believed somewhat unworthy yet succeeding time made it not much out of square when Trisilian Lord Chief Justice was hang'd for interpreting the Law against Law and his own Conscience for the Kings advantage Now the recollected spirits begin to parallel time present with that precedent and to meditate upon that act which had disrobed and put down an anointed King that had so long sway'd the Scepter to whom they had so solemnly sworn Faith and Obedience They finde the State little altered onely things are thought more handsomly carried and the Actors were somewhat more warrantable yet the Multitude according to the vanity of their changeable hearts begin already to be crop-sick wishing for their old Master and ready to attempt any new Innovation such is the mutability of the inconstant Vulgar desirous of new things but never contented despising the time being extolling that of their Forefathers and ready to act any mischief to try by alteration the succedent like Aesops Frogs if they might have their own fancy each Week should give them a new King though it were to their own destruction This occasions many unpleasing Petitions and Suits tender'd to the new King and his Protectors for the releasement of Edward's Imprisonment or at least for more freedom or a more noble usage But these touch too near the quick to beget a sudden answer As things stood they neither grant nor deny either of them carrying with it so dangerous a hazard If he were free they must shake hands with their greatness and a flat denial would have endanger'd a sudden tumult They give good words and promise more than ever they meant to perform yielding many reasons why they could not yet give a definitive resolution this for the present satisfies The black Monks are more importunate and take not this delay for an answer but being still adjourn'd over with protraction they labour to bring that about by Conspiracy which they could not do by Intreaty in their publick Exhortations they inveigh against the severity of the King's usage and invite their Auditory to set to a helping hand to the procurement of his Freedom they extenuate his Faults and transfer them to them
President will shake your Peace and wound your Honour Your wanton Minion I so lately banisht call you not back I charge you on my Blessing for his return will hasten your destruction Such Cankers may not taste your ear or favour but in a modest and chast proportion Let true-born Greatness manage great Employments they are most fit that have a native goodness Mushroms in State that are preferr'd by dotage open the Gap to Hate and Civil Tumult You cannot justly blame the Great ones Murmur if they command that are scarce fit to serve them such sudden leaps must break his neck that ventures and shake that Crown which gives his Wings their motion And you my Lords that witness this last Summons you in whose Loyal hearts your Soveraign flourisht continue still a sweet and vertuous Concord temper the heat of my youthful Successor that he may prove as good as great in Title Maintain the Sentence was by me pronounced keep still that Viper hence that harbours mischief if he return I fear 't will be your Ruine It is my last Request I dying make it which I do firmly hope you will not blemish I would say more but ah my Spirits fail me With this he fainting swoons at length recovers and sadly silent longs to hear their Answer His weeping Son and heavy drooping Barons do mutually protest a strict Observance and vow to keep with truth this grave Injunction His jealous Spirit is not yet contented until they binde it with an Oath and swear performance Scarce was it ended when he mildly leaves the world more confident than he had cause as a short passage of time made plain and evident Dead mens Prescriptions seldom tie the living where Conscience awes not those that are intrusted Mortui non mordent which gives to humane frailty a seeming uncontrouled power of such Injustice To trust to Vows or Oaths is equal hazard he that will wound his Soul with one can wave the other If Vertue Goodness and Religion tye not a Death-bed Charge and solemn Oaths are fruitless Here you may see it instanc'd This great King as wise as fortunate living had the Obedience of a Father and a Soveraign who scarcely cold in his Mother Earth was soon lost in the memory both of Son and Subject His Funeral-tears the fruits of form rather than truth newly dryed up and his Ceremonial Rites ended his Heir assumes the Crown and Scepter while all mens eyes were fixed to behold the first Virgin-works of his Greatness so many glorious and brave victorious Conquests having given this Warlike Nation life and spirit fit for present Action The youthful King being in the bravery of his years won a belief in the active Souldier that so apt a Scholar as he had shew'd himself in the Art Military during the Scotish Wars would handsel the Maiden-head of his Crown with some Out-ringing Larum that might waken the Neighbour-Provinces and make them know his Power But his inglorious Aims were bent another way neither to settle his own or conquer others He had within his breast an unnatural Civil War which gains the first preheminence in his Resolution His care is to quiet these in a Course wholly unjust and most unworthy his proper goodness Seeing himself now free and absolute he thinks it not enough unless his Will as well as his Power were equally obey'd Being a Son and a Subject his Conformity had witness'd his Obedience being now a Soveraign and a King he expects a Correspondence of the self-same nature The sad Restrictions of his dying Father so contrarious to his aims trouble his unquiet thoughts where the Idea of his absent love did hold so firm a footing With ease he can dispence with his own engagement but fears the Lords whom he conceits too firmly fixt to waver He dares not Communicate the depth of his Resolution being a secret of too great weight to be divulged he thinks intreaty an act too much beneath him and to attempt at random full of hazard In these his restless passions he out-runs the Honey-month of his Empire looking asquint upon the necessary Actions of State that requir'd his more vigilant care and foresight This kind of reclus'd behaviour makes him unpleasant to his Lords and nothing plausible to the inferiour sort of Subjects who expect the beginning Acts of a Crown to be affable and gracious which wins ground by degrees on vulgar Affections making the way sure to a willing Obedience But he esteems this as a work of Supererogation believing the bare Tye of Duty was enough without confirmation all his thoughts are entirely fixt upon his Gaveston without him he cannot be yet how to get him handsomly without a Scar is quite without his knowledge He concludes it in his secret Revolutions too great an Injustice that confines the King from the free use and possession of his nearest and dearest Affection and cannot imagine it to be reason that his private Appetite should subscribe to publick necessity In these kind of imaginary Disputations he brings himself to the height of such an inward agitation that he falls into a sad retired Melancholy while all men as they justly might wonder'd but few did know the reason Amongst these a Page of his Chamber one that had an oyly tongue a fit instrument for such a Physician adventures the care of this diseased Passion This green States-man with a fore-right look strives rather to please than to advise caring not what succeeds so he may make it the Stair of his Preferment The Court-corruption ingenders a world of these Caterpillers that to work their own ends value not at one blow to hazard both the King and Kingdom The Errour is not so properly theirs as their Masters who do countenance and advance such Sycophants leaving the integrity of hearts more honest that would sacrifice themselves in his Service in the true way of Honour wholly contemn'd and neglected which hath begotten so many desperate Convulsions that have as we may finde in our own Stories deposed divers glorious Kings from their proper Dignity and lawful Inheritance There are too many frequent Examples what mischief such Parasitical Minions have wrought to those several States they liv'd in and certainly such Revolutions succeed by a necessary and inevitable Justice for where the Royal Ear is so guided there ensues a general Subversion of all Law and Goodness as you may behold here evidently in this unfortunate King who willingly entertains this fawning Orator that thus presents his Counsel Are you a King Great Sir and yet a Subject can you Command and yet must yield Obedience Then leave your Scepter The Law of Nature gives the poorest their Affections are you restrained It is your own Injustice that makes your Will admit this separation if you command who dares controul your Actions which ought to be obeyed and not disputed Say that your wayward Lords do frown or murmur will you for this forbear your
own Contentment One rough Majestick glaunce will charm their anger Admit great Edward did command Obedience he then was King your Sovereign and your Father he now is dead and you enjoy his Power will you yet still obey and serve his shadow His Vigour dull'd with Age could not give Laws to suit your Youth and Spirit nor is it proper that the Regal Power be made a stranger to his own Contentment or be debarr'd from inward Peace and Quiet Did you but truely know what 't is to be a Monarch you 'ld be so to your self as well as others What do you fear or what is it restrains you A seeming Danger more in shew than substance Wise men that finde their aims confin'd to hazard secure the worst before they give them action You have a Kingdoms Power to back a Will to guide it Can private fear suggest to shake it Alas they cannot if your self were constant Who dares oppose if you command Obedience I deny not if you be faint or stagger you may be crost and curb'd by that advantage that gives their moving-heart shew of Justice You understand your self and feel your Passions if they be such as will not brook denial why do you dally or delay to right them The more you paise your doubts the more they double and make things worse than they or are or can be appearing like your self these clouds will vanish and then you 'll see and know your proper errour Will you vouchsafe my trust I 'll fetch him hither whose absence gives you such a sad distraction You may the while secure his entertainment with such a strength may warrant your proceedings 'T were madness to ask leave to act Transgressions where Pardon may be had when they are acted If you do seek consent from your great Barons they 'll dare deny which is nor fault nor Treason and in that act you foil your hopes and action which gives their opposition shew of Justice But 't is in vain to plead the grounds of Reason since 't is your Will must give the resolution If that be fixt there needs no more disputing but such as best may bring it to perfection When this smooth Physician had prescribed so fit a Balsamum for so foul a Wound the King seems infinitely pleased in his relation he had hit his desires in the Master-vein and struck his former Jealousie between wind and water so that it sunk in the instant his love-sick Heart became more free and frolick which sudden mutation begat as great a wonder The Operations of the Fancy transport sometimes our Imagination to believe an actual possession of those things we most desire and hope for which gives such a life to the dejected Spirits of the Body that in the instant they seem cloathed in a new Habit. Such was the condition of this wanton King that in this bare overture conceits the fruition of his beloved Damon and apprehends this Golden Dream to be an essential part of his fantastique Happiness He heaps a world of promises and thanks on the Relator letting him know he waits but a fitting opportunity to give this project life and action It is a politique part of Court-wisdome to insinuate and lay hold of all the befitting opportunities that may claw the Prince's humour that is naturally vain-glorious or vicious there is not a more ready and certain way of advancement if it do shake hands with Modesty and appear with an undaunted impudent boldness He that will be a Courtier and contains himself within the modest temperance of pure Honesty and not intrude himself before he be called may like a Sea-mark serve to teach other men to steer their Course while he himself sticks fast unmoved unpitied All the Abilities of Nature Art Education are useless if they be tyed to the links of Honesty which hath little or no society in the Rules of State or Pleasure which as they are unlimited walk in the by-way from all that is good or vertuous If this Butterfly had truly laid before his unhappy Master what it had been to break the Injunctions of a dying Father to falsifie such Vows and Oaths so solemnly sworn and to irritate the greatest Peers of the Kingdom with so unworthy an action which had been the Duty of a Servant of his Masters Honour truely careful he had felt the Reward of such plain dealing either with Scorn Contempt or Passion whose flattering falsehood wins him special Grace and Favour and gains the title of an able Agent Some few days pass which seem'd o're long before the King exacts a second tryal In the interim to take away all jealousie he enters into the business of the Kingdom and with a seeming serious care surveys each passage and not so much as sighs or names his Gavaston doubting if in his way he were discovered there might be some cross-work might blast his project He knew how easie 't was if once suspected to take away the Cause might breed a difference What could so poor a stranger do that might protect him against or publick Force or private Mischief either of which he knew would be attempted before the Lords would suffer his reprisal When all was whisht and quiet and all mens eyes were fixed upon the present he calls his trusty Roger to his private presence and after some Instructions throws him his Purse and bids him haste he knew his Errand The wily Servant knows his Masters meaning and leaves the Court pretending just occasion proud of imployment posting on his Journey The King having thus far gone must now go onward he knew that long it could not be concealed such actions cannot rest in sleepy silence which made him think it fit to be the first Reporter This makes him send and call his Council who soon are ready and attend his Summons where he makes known the fury of his Passions and tells the way that he had taken to ease them So strange an act begets as great a wonder they unà voce labour to divert him and humbly plead his Fathers last Injunction to which their Faiths were tyed by deep Engagement They urge the Law that could not be dispens'd with without a publick breach of his prescription They speak the Vows and Oaths they all had taken which in consenting would make them false and perjur'd This working nothing they entreat him he would a while adjourn his resolution time might happily finde out a way might give him content and yet might save their Honours His jealous fear suspects this modest answer a temporizing must increase his sorrow while they so warned might work a sure prevention Being thus at plunge he strives to make it sure and win his Will or loose his Jurisdiction Though he were naturally of a suspicious and timerous Nature yet seeing now the interest of his Power at stake on the success of this Overture he lays aside his effeminate disposition and with angry Brow and stern Majesty doth thus discourse