God with us And there was also a new great Seal made And now the Lord Fairfax having laid down his Commission the Parliament made Oliver Cromwell their General who was so Fortunate in all his Enterprizes that in a few years time he brought England Scotland and Ireland into Subjection truth is if his Cause had been Honourable and Just he would have been as much Honoured by Posterity for his Vallour as he is hated by all good Subjects for his Disloyalty and Inhumanity to his Sovereign Lord and Master the King And now his Majesty being in France he hoped to get Aid there but found none yet his Friends here in England Proclaimed him King the Earl of Ormond and Lord Inchequin caused him also to be Proclaimed King in Ireland And now the Parliament proceeded to make Sale of the King and Queen's Lands not sparing their Houses whose Purchasers gained no small Summs by them making Money of the Leads Glass Iron Timber and Stones of the same Houses the Bishops with the Deans and Chapters Lands also received the same Doom and most of the Castles in England were by the Parliament's Order demolished and thrown down and all Persons were expelled from places of Trust either in Church or State which would not Subscribe to the present Government then Established by them And now his Majesty was Proclaimed in Scotland and after great Debate had among them there at length they agree on some Propositions to be sent to the King who was then at the Isle of Jersie and Mr. Windram Laird of Libberton was appointed Messenger The Heads of which Propositions were 1. That his Majesty should sign the Solemn League and Covenant 2. That he should pass divers Acts of Parliament which were concluded on in their two last Sessions of Parliament in Scotland 3. That he should be pleased to recall the late Commissions given to Mounttross 4. That he should put away all Papists from him 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland to Treat with their Comissioners And 6. That he would be graciously pleased to give a speedy Answer to their Desires These Propositions coming to the King they were very stifly debated Pro and Con and after much Consultation at last Sir William Flemming was sent Agent to the Committee of the Estates in Scotland till such as the Laird Libberton could be dispatched who shortly after followed with a Letter and Instructions by word of Mouth to the Committee of Estates and Breda in Holland was appointed for the place of a solemn Treaty and after great debates by the Committee of Estates and Kirk in Scotland at long run it was concluded that the Earl of Castles the Lord Lothian Burly and Libberton Sir John Smith and Mr. Jeoffries should go Commissioners for the Estates and Mr. Broady Lauson and Wood for the Kirk and these having received their Commissions met the King at Breda where after their Speeches made to his Majesty they then delivered their Propositions much to the same effect of those already mentioned Now during this Treaty the Marquess of Montross was seized in Scotland where he was with a most barbarous inhumanity exposed to all the severness imaginable a Gibbet set up for him of a height extraordinary where he was hanged and then quartered with all the circumstances of a solemn and a deliberate cruelty and malice to the eternal infamy of that Faction which would in the very instance of an overture and Treaty of accord proceed to so unheard of an outrage upon the Person of so loyal a Subject to his and their Sovereign This was the fatal and Tragical Event of his Majesties Affairs in Scotland Upon the Report of this News at Breda the King was much Troubled and all the Treaty had like to have broken off upon it but yet the King at length through the necessity of his Affairs concluded the Treaty by condescending to most of the Propositions and this Conclusion being carryed to Edenborough after much Debate it was Resolved another Message should be sent to invite the King over but the Parliament here in England having notice of all those proceedings in Scotland prepared an Army thereupon to Invade Scotland under the Command of their General Oliver Cromwel and they had also about this time put out an Act for the bringing all Proceedings at Law into the English Tongue and Secretary hand which continued so for about some ten years And about this time also their Admiral General Blake took sunck and burnt most of Prince Ruperts Fleet which was a great hurt to the Kings Affairs And now the King being arived at Spey in the North of Scotland some Lords were sent down to accompany him to Edenborough as he came along he was entertained with the general Joy of all the People and at Abberden he was presented with 1500 pounds which thing was ill taken by the Commitee of Estates and Kirk and therefore they sent their Injunction to prohibit other places from doing the like and the King being now come to Edenborough he was again proclaimed King on the 15 of July Anno 1650 but his Coronation was deferred by reason of the then Troubles for the English Army was upon their Borders so the Scots now began to think how they might defend themselves and therefore they marched under the Command of Montgomery and set upon the English at Musclebrough but were worsted and at Dunbarr the English wholly routed them and gained the Pass there this newes was brought to the King at St. Johnstons much about the same time when the death of his Sister the Princess Elizabeth was brought to him so shortly after this he left the States of Scotland and repaired into the North of that Kingdom being no longer able to endure the Affronts put upon him And now besides the danger of the English Army then in the Bowels of Scotland they themselves were yet devided into three Partys so that nothing but ruin could be expected among them but the King returning with Montgomery to St. Johnstons again they were then all reconciled among themselves and the King on the first day of January Anno 1650 was Crowned at Scoon And now the King set up his Standard at Abberdeen and resolved himself to be Generalissimo of the Scoth Army and about this time was Sir Henry Hyde beheaded at London for his Loyalty and not long after Captain Brown Bushel received the like Doom for performing some signal Services for the King And the King now began to Fortifie Sterling to which place he afterwards removed his Court and the English drew nigher and nigher every day and had surprized the Earl of Eglington and one of his Sons but whilest things were thus in Agitation in Scotland a Plot was discovered in England against the Parliament most of which Plotters were Presbyterians and two of them being Ministers viz. Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Love were beheaded for their Treason as the Parliament called it now Cromwell perceiving that he
Earl of Chester and Prince of Wales and caused the Nobles to swear him Fealty about this time the famous Dr. John Wickliff of Oxford maintained sundry learned points against the Church of Rome This Edward the Third was King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain c. he was eldest Son of King Edward the second by Isabel his Queen Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France he began his Reign on Saturday the 25 day of January Anno 1329 and reigned 50 years 4 months and 26 days and was the 31 sole Monarch of England He died on Sunday the 21 day of June Anno 1377 being the 51 year of his Reign and about the 65 of his Age his Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXI Of King Richard the Second commonly called Richard of Bourdeaux IN the beginning of this King's Reign the French invaded England and burnt the Town of Rye the Scots the Town of Rocksbrough And after this the French took the Isle of Wight and forced the Inhabitants to pay them a hundred marks not long after they burnt the Town of Hastings All these Advantages being taken by reason of the King 's tender years upon the Occasion of these daily Rapines one Sir John Philpot of London seeing the remissness of the Lords at his own proper costs and charges manned out a Fleet to scour the Seas which Fleet shortly after took 15 Rich Spanish Ships which well recompenced Sir John for his charges About this time Barwick was surprized by the Scots who killed Sir Robert Boynton the Governour and about nine days after it was regained by the Earl of Northumberland the Scots being all put to the Sword And now a Parliament being called at London for Manning of those Services a Subsidy was granted to the King by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal the Commons at that time being exempted from it Shortly after this Sir John Arundel and several other valiant Knights and Esquires being sent to the Duke of Britain for his aid against the French were all drowned But the King sending more Forces after these as the Duke of Lancaster Buckingham Warwick and Stafford with others of the cheif of the Nobility they landed safely at Callis and went through France to Britain spoiling Countries burning Towns and killing People the French not daring to oppose them About this time Vtred Bolton John Ashwerby Walter Brute John Ashton and Peter Pateshall were persecuted some by perpetual Imprisonment and some by Banishment for Preaching and maintaining Dr. Wickliffs Doctrine After this the King calling another Parliament at Northampton they granted him Poll-money of Twelve pence per head of every one above such an Age. The next year after this the Commons of Kent Essex Surry Suffolk Norfolk and Cambridge rebelled and under the Conduct of Wat Tyler and Jack Straw marched suriously to London burning the Priory of St. John's without East Smithfield and turning also the Savoy and the Bishop of Canterbury's House in Lambeth into Ashes Beheading Simon Tybald the Archbishop Sir John Hales Lord Prior with others And now they sent a malicious arrogant Petition to the King whose Tenor the King durst not deny his Person being then in manifest Danger of them But Wat Tyler cavelled at the conditions of Peace Suggesting strange Hopes of high matters to himself hereupon he was desired to ride to the King which accordingly he did and there behaved himself so insolently that he offered to kill Sir John Newton one of the King 's Attendants for the omission of some Punctilio of respect to him But the insolent Traytor for this affront received his Death's Wound from the hand of Sir William Walworth Lord Mayor of London And the Lord Mayor presently raising a thousand Citizens surprised the headless Monster and caused them to beg their Lives of the King John Lister the Dyar who headed the Rabble in Suffolk was also taken by Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich and there was executed of this rebellious Rabble in London and elsewhere about 1500. Now these Plebean Furies being over the King took to Wife Anne Daughter to the Emperour Charles the IV and shortly after John Duke of Lancaster was accused of Treason touching the King's Person but the Accusers Reward was Death which he hoped and intended for the Duke's Lot After this the Duke sailing into France concluded a Truce for about two years space and then a Parliament being called at London the Laity sought to depose the Clergy of their Estates but the King answered their Request in these words I will saith he maintain the English Church in the quality of the same Estate or better than I found it when I came to the Crown At this Parliament was Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford Created the first Marquess of Dublin This year also the Duke of Lancaster set Sail for Spain to regain the Kingdom of Castile to which by Right of his Wife he laid claim to Within a while after several Lords rebeled against the King and were all pardon'd before they came to their Tryals yet notwithstanding the King's Clemency they still kept together and raising great Forces they did not stick to charge the King with several misdemeanours and now the Duke of Lancaster returning for England again Peace was concluded between him and Spain and the King thereof gave him 200000 Nobles towards the defraying of this charges he had been at at whose return the King made him Duke of Aquitain After this the King desiring of the Londoners the Loan of a thousand pounds it was denied him whereupon he seized on their Liberties and dissolved their proper Magistracy turning out their Mayor John Hind and John Shadworth and Henry Wanner their Sheriffs and appointed Sir Edward Dallingredge Warden of the City And about two years after the King having a desire to go for Ireland had a Subsidy granted him four years Truce being then concluded with France but after this he with the Company of the Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Gloucester sailed into France where he espous'd the Lady Isabel Daughter to Charles King of France this Journey besides Losses at Sea cost him 4000 marks At his return from France certain Peers revolted from him making Forces removing such Officers from the King as they thought fit whereupon the Earl of Arundel one of the Rebells had his Head lopt off and the Earl of Gloucester was smothered with Pillows and Feather Beds at Callis and shortly afterwards the King made himself Earl of Chester and created several Dukes and Earls at that time And not long after this the River between Swelston and Harleswood near Bedford stood still and divided it self so that the Bottom remained dry about three miles space And now the King extorting Money and taking up Carriages and other Necessaries intending for Ireland to suppress the Rebells there who had slain Lord Mortimer Lord Lieutenant there And the Duke of Lancaster dying about this time the King seized his
Goods in the absence of his Banished Son which was but pro tempore intending to banish him in perpetuum which proceedings shortly after proved his Ruin for the King now sailing for Ireland did little good there but himself great harm here For by this means he gave Henry the Banished Son of the Duke of Lancaster opportunity to land in England for the gaining of his Right At whose Arrival several Lords flocked to him Their first attempt was against the Castle of Bristol where they took Bussy the Treasurer and Green who the next day were made shorter by the heads The King hearing of these Stirs returned and thought to have nipt them in the Bud but at his coming he found them fully Blown whereupon he betook himself to Conworth Castle in Wales and afterwards delivered himself into the hands of the Earl of Northumberland conditionally that if he and eight more whom he would name might have honourable Allowance with the assurance of a quiet private Life that then he would resign his Crown from hence he was carried to the Tower of London and a Parliament was called at Westminster in his name who all agreed to the resignation and Messengers were sent to the Tower to him with the said Instrument the manner and form whereof is shewed before in Edward the Seconds time to this Instrument the King set his hand and Seal desiring that his Cosen Henry Duke of Lancaster might succeed him and thereupon put his Signet Ring on the Dukes hand After this the Definitive Sentence being given in open Parliament Duke Henry rising from his Seat made his challenge to the Crown as followeth In the name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster Claim the Realm of England and the Crown withall the Appurtinances as coming by the Blood Royal from King Henry the III and that Justice which God of his Grace hath send to me by the help of my Freinds for the Recovery of the said Realm which was in point of Perdition through default of Government and breach of Laws These words said he was by all the States acknowledged for King and placed in the Royal Throne This Richard the Second was King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain c. he was the Second Son to Edward the Black-Prince by Joan his Wife Daughter to Edmund Earl of Kent his Reign began on Sunday the one and twenty day of June Anno 1377 and he reigned twenty two years three months and eight days and was the the thirty two sole Monarch of England He was assassinated in Pontefrack Castle by Sir Pierce of Exton and other seven Assassinates he having first valiantly defended himself and slain four of the Assassinates Some affirm that he was starved to Death Anno 1400 His body was brought to London and carried through the City to St. Paul's Church and there left bare-faced by the space of three dayes for People to gaze at and was afterwards buried at Westminster some say at Langley CHAP. XXII Of King Henry the Fourth commonly called Henry of Bullingbrook THis King Henry was crowned at Westminster by Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and shortly after his Coronation he created his Eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitain and Cornwall and Earl of Chester and caused the Crown to be entailed upon the Heirs of his Body And then took from the Lords Awmarl Surry and Exeter the late King's Friends the Titles of Dukes And not long after he sent Embassadors to Rome France Spain and Germany to give them the Reasons of his assuming the Crown But the People of Aquitain hearing of those Carriages in England 〈◊〉 favoring King Richard's Cause begâ—◠〈◊〉 Revolt but Henry sending the Earl of Worcâ—â—ter thither with some Forces thâ—y quickly fell to their Obedience again And now the Scots upon some Distates entred the North-parts of England doing much harm And shortly after several Lords as John Holland late Duke of Exceter Thomas Holland late Duke of Surry Edward Plantaginet late Duke of Aumarl John Montacute Earl of Salisbury Lord Spencer Sir Ralf Lumly Sir Thomas Blunt and Sir Benedict Celye with others conspired against Henry either out of Pitty to Richard's cause or Emulation to Henry's greatness but the Plot being discovered before it came to any Perfection by some of their own party The two late Dukes of Exceter and Surry having notice thereof hasted to Cicester pretending as they passed along that King Richard was at liberty and that Henry was fled which was all false for at this time he had got 6000 men in Readiness to oppose them and Exceter seeking to escape by Sea was taken and at the Countess of Hereford's instigation was beheaded by the common People at Pleshie the Lord Spencer receiving the like doom at Bristol and others in other places in all nineteen whereof two had been Dukes in King Richard's time to wit John Holland and Thomas Holland Presently after this the King entered Scotland and spoiled the Country but before his Return Wales was in Rebellion under the Command of Owen Glendour of which the King having Intelligence he turned his March thither and burnt killed and took such Revenge as that time would permit and so returned with such spoil as he had got Glendour being gotten into the inexpugnable Snowden hills But the King's Danger was not less at home than abroad for in his Bed there was hidden a Calthrope or Engine with three very sharp Teeth or Spikes all of them set upward for his Destruction but he discovered it before he lay down but the Traytor was never found out Now Glendour still proceeding in his Outrages Edmund Lord Mortimer went against him but with the loss of about a thousand of his men in the Attempt and his own Liberty to boot being taken Prisoner and afterwards either for love or fear did marry Glendour's Daughter and was privy and consenting to Piercy's Rebellion which followed afterwards About this time were several Libels dispersed up and down in Defamation of the King but the Authors being taken suffer'd death amongst whom were several Grey-Fryers after the Execution of these offenders the King again entered Wales but the cruel Storms there at that time forced his return And the Earl of Northumberland the King's Lieutenant of the North and Piercy Hot-Spur the Earls Son had better success against the Scots who had entered England but returned by weeping Cross being overthrown in two Battels by the Earl and his Son and several taken Prisoners After this the King took to Wife Lady Jane of Navar Widdow of John de Mountforth Duke of Britain and shortly after several Prodigies appeared Prognosticating the Piercys Rebellion which followed not long after the first of them discovering himself in open Arms was Lord Piercy Hot-Spurr who made head about Chester to whom repaired the Earl of Worcester their intentions being to enter the Town of Shrewsbury The King sent for them promising under his hand their safe
to him such persons as he would name to which the King returned Answer that he and his adherents were all Traytors so the Yorkists assailed the Town and flew 48 Nobles Knights and Esquires amongst whom were the Earls of Somerset Northumberland and Stafford and 5000 Common Soldiers and wounded the King in the neck with an Arrow so he was taken Prisoner The next day the Duke of York and Earls of Salisbury and Warwick marched to London with the King and in his name summoned a Parliament by whose Authority the Duke of York was established Protector of England Salisbury Lord Chancelor and Warwick Captain of Callis but it was not long before they were again displaced The French by reason of these intestine Broils took their Advantage making several inroads on the Coasts of England killing the Mayor Bayliffs and several other Officers of Sandwich and burnt Foway and several other Towns in Devonshire Anno 1458 there was a Fray in Fleetstreet between the men of the Court and the inhabitants of the said Street in which Fray the Queens Attorny was slain for which Fact the King committed the Governours of Cliffords Furnivals and Barnards-Inn to Prison and William Taylor Alderman of the Ward and several others were sent to Windsor Castle The year after being 1459 the Science of PRINTING was found out in Germany at Magunce by a Soldier and was brought into England about 12 years after by one William Caxton a Mercer who practized it at St. Peter's Abby in Westminster for a pretty while And now a seeming reconcilement was concluded on between the King with his Lancastrians and the Yorkists but it had not long continuance for the Yorkists under the pretence of some Afronts offered to the Earl of Warwick by some of the King's Servants drew to an head again but their Intentions being discovered by one Andrew Trollop they all thereupon disperced themselves And shortly after a Parliament being called in it were the Duke of York Earl of March Earl of Warwick Earl of Rutland and Earl of Salisbury with certain others all attainted of High-Treason and their whole Estates consiscared but they neither fearing nor regarding their attainder drew out again from the several places whither they were fled and uniting their forces together consisting of about 25000 men they fought the King at Northampton slaying about ten thousand men with several Nobles as Humfry Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Shrewsbury Lord Egremont and others and taking the King himself Prisoner whereupon the Tower was surrendred and the Lord Scales Lieutenant thereof seeking to escape was murthered by Whirry men on the Thames Now a Parliament again being called the Duke of York coming out of Ireland made his Claim to the Crown deriving his pedigree from Lyonell the 3 Son of Edward the III elder Brother of John of Gaunt Father of King Henry the IV and after great debate in the Parliament at length it was concluded that King Henry should possess it during his life and after his Death then the Crown to remain to Richard Duke of York and his Heirs in general tail During these proceedings the Queen with her Son were in the North raising of Forces whither the Duke of York marched to encounter them reposing himself at Sandal Castle expecting more force to come to his aid but the Queen in the mean time coming before the Castle with a small force laying Ambushes on either side of the Hill before the Castle which the Duke not suspecting rushed out upon the Queen's men whom he had no sooner encountred but the Ambushes presently coming out surrounded him by which means the Duke with several of his Complices and Friends as the Earl of Salisbury and the Earl of Rutland a Child of 12 years old who though begging his life on his knees with tears were slain and about 3000 Soldiers Edward Plantaginet Earl of March Son and Heir to the Duke of York hearing of his Father's Death with an Army of 23000 men intended to Fight the Queen's Army but he found imployment by the way for at Mortimer's Cross near Ludlow he was encountred by the Earl of Pembrook and Earl of Ormond to whom he gave a great Overthrow slaying 3800 of them and taking several Prisoners amongst whom was Owen Tuder who had married Catherine Mother to Henry the VI. whose Head was chopped off in the mean time the Queen was gotten as far as St. Albans where the Londoners fearing their Plunder by her Army together with the King and several Nobles gave her Army Battel she giving them the overthrow and slaying two thousand of their men but Edward Earl of March drawing nigh the King and Queen retired into Scotland leaving the Kingdom to Edward whereupon he entered London giving a Period to Henry's Reign which accounted is but till this time although he lived eleven years after This Henry the Sixth was King of England France and Lord of Ireland he was the only Child of King Henry the Fifth by his Queen Catherine Daughter to Charles the VI. King of France His Reign began on Munday the 31 day of August Anno 1422. he reigned 38 years 6 months and 3 days and was the 35 sole Monarch of England he was stabbed to the Heart in the Tower by Crook-back Richard Duke of York afterwards King of England on Monday the twenty day of May Anno Domini 1471 being the 49 of his Age his body was first buried in the Abby of Chartsy in Surry and afterwards removed to Winsor by King Henry the Seventh and after that again removed none knows to what place CHAP. XXV Of King Edward the Fourth KING Edward was Crowned at Westminster but his Carriages towards the Citizens at his first entrance made them repent their forwardness in his behalf against King Henry and hearing of Henry's preparations in the North he marched toward Pontefrack in York-shire giving the Lord Fitzwalter charge of the passage at Ferry Bridg nigh Pontefract where the said Lord and several of his men were slain shortly after the Armies drew into a plain between the Towns of Towton and Saxton the King's Army consisting of 48660 and Henry's of 60000 men the Fight was bloody and continued 10 hours but at last the Lancastrians not able to gain-stand Edward's Forces they betook themselves to their Heels leaving the glory of the day to King Edward there was slain that day being Palm-Sunday the 29 of March several Nobles as Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland John Lord Clifford John Lord Nevil and Leonard Lord Wells and several other persons of Quality to the Number of 357 and in all there was slain about 35091. This doleful News coming to Henry he with his Queen and Son fled into Scotland where they were honourably received by King James to whose Sister not long after the Prince was married and now after these passages in Scotland the Queen sailed into France to seek Aide where she got more men then her Coffers would discharge Edward in the
mean time road Victoriously to London and was again Proclaimed King and a Parliament shortly after being called They disinherited Henry his Queen and Son and about 43 Nobles and others and now the Queen returning into Scotland with her French Fleet and afterwards making for England her Fleet was Scattered by a Tempest so that her Husband and She were left solely to the Aide of the Scots who marching into England as far as the Bishoprick of Durham King Edward prepared to meet them but making an halt at York he sent the Lord Montacute with forces to oppose them who was encountered on Hedgley Moore by the Lords Hungerford Roâ—'s and Sir Ralph Peircy to whom the Lord Montacute gave the foyl taking Sir Ralph Percy and several others being slain and growing proud of this Victory he assail'd King Henry's Camp at Hexham where after great slaughter he took the Duke of Somerset and other three Lords and one Knight which were all beheaded whereupon Henry fled into Scotland and afterwards coming into England in disguise he was taken and having his feet tyed to the stirrups and his guilt spurs taken off his heels he was then committed Prisoner to the Tower of London Shortly after King Edward called a Parliament and Enacted several good Laws especially against pride in Apparrel and now he begins to think of a wife whereupon the Earl of Warwick was sent to sollicite a Marriage between the King and Lady Bona Daughter to Lewes Duke of Savoy and all things being well approved of by the Lady and her Friends the Earl Returned before whose Return the King had set his Affections on the Lady Elizabeth Gray here in England whose Mother was Jaquelline Daughter to Peter Earl of St. Pauls to whom shortly after he was Married The Earl of Warwick took great distast thereat thinking himself hereby abused and endeavoured afterwards to uphold King Henry's Cause drawing to his Assistance some Nobles and Forein Princes and upon these discontents some of the Commons rose under the Command of one Robert Hildern intending to gave seized on York from which place they were beaten back by the Lord Montacute president thereof and their Leader beheaded Yet the Commons not dismai'd hereat chose Henry Lord Fitzhughs Son and Sir Henery Nevil Son to the Lord Latimer but they being but young made choice of Sir John Coniers a valliant Knight and intended their march for London of which the King having notice he made William Lord Herbert Earl of Pembrook General and Sir Richard Herbert his Brother assistant to him And now the Northern forces drawing near Northampton the Lord Stafford and Sir Richard Herbert with 2000 Horse fell in the Rear of them but were repulsed and lost most of their Men afterwards the Armies meeting near Banbury some distast being then taken by the Lord Stafford at the Earl of Pembrook the Kings General he thereupon withdrew his Archers upon which occasion Pembrook lost the field and had 5000 men slain and the Earl with his Brother and other ten Gentlemen were taken and carryed to Banbury and there beheaded After this Victory some Commons under the Leading of Robin of Ridsdale hasten to Grafton the King's Mannour house and there surprized Earl Rivers the Queens Father and his Son John and at Northamton beheaded then and now the King set forth with an Army himself and pitched at Wolny four Miles from Warwick whose Guards were not so vigilant as they should have been the King being at that time animated with some hopes of peace of which the Earl of Warwick taking advantage he entered the King's Camp Treacherously by night and took him prisoner when he never dreamt upon it from whence they conveyd him with easie journys by night to the Castle of Midleham in Yorkshire and there left him to the keeping of George Nevil Arch-Bishop of York Warwicks Brother from whom the King not long after escaped and came to York where the Citizens received him lovingly and so raising an army he past from thence to London not long after this Sir Robert Wells Son to the Lord Wells raised 30000 plebeans in Lincolnshire and pitched near Stanford whereupon the King caused the Lord Wells Sir Roberts Father and Sir Thomas Dimmoâ—k his Kinsman to be beheaded which was against the King's Oath and promise to them and then marched to fight Sir Robert who with Sir Thomas Deland were taken Prisoners and Lincolnshire men cast of their Coats and run away whereupon that Battel was called Loss-Coat field there were slain that day about 10000. this Newes made the Duke of Clarence and Earl of Warwick flye to sea and casting Anchor before the Town of Callis they were there denyed Entrance by the Lord Vanclere who was the Earl of Warwicks Deputy there for which good service he was by King Edward made Captain of Callis and Warwick discharged as a Traytor yet nevertheless he was welcome to the French where the Queen of King Henry at that time was with whom Warwick joyned whose Daughter at that time was betrothed to Prince Edward King Henrys Son and they all sollicited for Forces which was granted and the Earl landing in England with a great Army proclaimed King Henry to whose Aide great store of People flocked the Lord Fawconberge in the West and the Earl of Pembrook in the North doing the like And the Earl of Warwick now taking his March towards London King Edward Commanded his Lords to attend him in the War but several of them disowned his Mandates which he perceiving with some few Nobles in his Company hasted towards Nottingham there to determine what was best to be done but his Foes greatly increasing Bon-fires burning Bells ringing and all the people crying up King Henry for very fear King Edward with his Brother the Duke of Gloucester took shipping at Lyn and sailed into Flanders to Charles Duke of Burgundy and his Queen took Asylum at Westminster where she was delivered of Prince Edward afterwards King of England and at this time several of the Kings Friends took Sanctuary Edward being fled Warwick took King Henry out of the Tower where he was prisoner and Riding in Tryumph through the Streets of London great were the Acclamations of the People crying God save King Henry And now a Parliament being called Edward was declared Traytor and his with all his Adherent's Goods confiscated and the Crown Intayled to the Heirs Males of Henry's body and for default thereof to the Heirs Males of George Duke of Clarence and finally all the Statutes made by King Edward were Abrogated But King Edward having gotten some small Forces of about 12000 men of his Brother in Law the Duke of Burgundy he returned for England as a Subject and proclaimed King Henry deluding the People and so got to York which he making them believe that he came but to look for his own Inheritance surprized and assumed to himself leaving a Garison in it and from hence he marched to Nothingham and so to
and was afterwards interred with great solemnity in the Grey-Fryers in Leicester and at the dissolution thereof the stone-trough wherein his Corps were laid was taken up and is now a drinking trough for Horses at a Common Inn in Leicester After the Fight was over the Lord Stanly found the Crown among the spoiles of the field and set it upon the Earl of Richmond's head in the field at which instant began the Reign of this new King and so an End was put to the bloody Contentions between the Yorkists and Lancastrians there were fought here in England eleven Set-Battels five in Henry the Sixt days as St. Albans Blackheath Northampton Wakefield and Towton and five in Edward the Fourths time as Hexham Banbury Lose-Coat-Field Barnet field and Tewxsbury and lastly Bosworth field which put a period to the to the Reign of the Plantaginets and opened away for the Tewdors to succeed them in these Civil Wars between the Houses of Lancaster and York were slain above one Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Men. This Richard the Third was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was a younger Brother to King Edward the Fourth and Son to Richard Duke of York who was Son to Richard Earl of Cambridge who was Son to Edmund Duke of York who was Fifth Son to King Edward the Third his Reign began on Friday the 22 day of June Anno 1483. He reigned two years and two moneths and was the 38 Sole Monarch of England he was slain in the Battel at Bosworth field as is before shewed on Monday 22 day of August Anno 1885. and his Body was buried in the Grey-Fryers at Leicester CHAP. XXVIII Of King Henry the Seventh AFter the Battel at Bosworth field was over the King hasted to London where with great Joy he was received and shortly after Crowned and Edward Plantaginet Earl of Warwick imprisoned in the Tower And now a Parliament being called King Richard was attainted and the Crown intayled on Henry and his heirs for ever About this time was the Sweating-Sickness of which Disease a world of people dyed a new Disease never known in England before And now the King dissolving the Parliament in January after he married the Lady Elizabeth eldest Daughter to King Edward the Fourth who in September after was brought to Bed of Prince Arthur and not long before the King's Marriage was Wheat sold for three shillings per Bushel and Bay-Salt the same price and the Cross in Cheapside was new builded And now the King taking his Progress to York to gain the Love of his Northern Subjects the Lord Lovel with some others that had taken Sanctuary after Bosworth Field raised forces thinking to surprize the King but he with 3000 men under the Conduct of the Duke of Bedford sent either to pardon or Fight them and the Duke proffering pardon the Lord Lovel fled by night and the multitude yeilded without stroak and shortly after Sir Humphry Stafford another Rebel suffered at Tyburn And not long after a new Tumult began upon the Report of one Richard Symon a Priest who broached abroad that one Lambert Symnell Scholar of his was heir to Edward Duke of Clarence who was cast into Prison a little before by Henry and so sailing with him into Ireland he there prevailed so much among the Peers especialy with Thomas Fitz-Girald Lord Chancelor that at Dublin he was Proclaimed and Crowned King and there obtaining some help he returned for England to whom those Lords that favoured the Cause of the Plant aginets joyned themselves although they knew the Fraud among whom the Earl of Lincoln was chief who with the Lord Lovel Sir Thomas Broughton Collonel Swart and Mawrice Fitz Thomas near a little Village about three Miles for Newark called Stoak were all slain by the Kings Army and 4000 Common Soldiers besides and the Counterfeit Symnel with the lewd Contriver of this wicked Stratagem Simon the Priest were both taken and Symnel confessing the business to be forced on him was made one of the King's Falkoners and the Priest Simon was commited to a dungeon and perpetual shackles And shortly after this Battel the King sent Richard Fox Bishop of Exceter and Sir Richard Edgecomb Embassadors to the King of Scots where they to the King 's great Satisfaction concluded a seven years Truce About this time the Duke of Britain sent to the King for his Assistance against France but he unwilling to disoblige either party having been formerly beholden to both sought a reconciliation making himself Umpire between them to which the French seemed to listen but in the mean time prepared for War and at St. Albans gave the Britains a great Overthrow and slew the Lord Woodvile and all or most of his men who was gone to the Duke's aid without King Henry's knowledge hereupon the King prepared to lend his Assisting hand to the Britains but their Duke in the mean time died which put an end to the business And now began some stirs in York-shire where the Earl of Northumberland was slain by the Commons at a place called Cock-Leg near Thirske at the inticement of one John Chambers for demanding the Subsidy granted by Parliament to the King and the Plebeans afterwards made head under the Command of Sir John Egrimont but the King sending an Army against them under the Command of Thomas Lord Howard Earl of Surry they were quickly dissipated and the Ringleadears shortly after received death the due Reward for such Rebels but Sr. John Egrimont escaped to Margaret Dutchess of Britain the common Encorager and Receiver of all King Henry's Enemies About this time the Scots rose in Rebellion against James the Third their King and fought the Army at Bannocks-Burn where in a Mill in the same field he was murthered After this King Henry began to prepare for War against France at the Request of Maximilian the Emperor whom they had basely abused in not only divorsing his Daughter Margaret from the French King but also in making Ann the Heir of the Dukedom of Britain his Wife who had been betrothed to the said Emperor by his Embassadors and the King taking his Voyage for France landed at Callis and marched on as far as Bulloigne and finding the Emperour unprepared upon whose Accounts he had undertaken that War he thereupon made Peace with France and had the sum of 186250 li. granted yearly which was duly pay d during his time and his Son 's until the debt vvas run out After this Voyage Margaret the Dutchess of Burgumdy the King 's grand Enemy obtruded upon the English one Peterkin or Parkin Walbeck by the name of Richard Plant aginet Second Son of Edward the Fourth and many of the Nobility out of Innovation rather than Love knowing it to be a Deceit of the Dutchess sided with him and the Lord Stanly amongst the rest did supply him with Money for which Cause shortly after he lost his Head although formerly he had been a main Instrument
Henry the Fifth for suppression of the Scriptures in English should be all repealed and Images all thrown out of the Churches throughout the Realm and the Church Service to be read in English and the Sacrament exhibited in both kinds and the other old Ceremonies were abolished and all those that made opposition were either imprisoned or deprived of their places Hereupon Tumults arose in Devonshire and Cornwal doing much harm especially to the City of Exceter which City for its Loyalty had the Mannour of Exilond not after bestowed upon it by the King and Pardon was granted to the Rebells yet notwithstanding they persisted in their Rebellion and 4 times being fought by the Lord Russel and each time worsted yet they still made head again till at length their Ring-Leaders were taken and Executed At this time also the Mayor of Bodmyn was Hanged and a Millers Man who took upon him his Master's name and cause when seeing himself likely to suffer for it thencryedout That he was but the Miller's Man well said Sir Anthony Kingston Thou canst never do thy Master better Service than to hang for him No sooner were these Troubles quelled but one Robert Ket moved about 20000 Commons in Norfolk to a Rebellion taking the City of Norwich in which place the Lord Dudly shortly after caused 60 of them to be executed and afterwards overthrew their Army and took Ket their Leader who was hanged up in Chains upon the Top of the Castle of Norwich and 9 of his Companions hanged in the Oak of Reformation a Tree in which Ket used to sit as Judge to determine of their intended Reformation and Proceedings the great occasion of these Commotions in several Counties in England was against Inclosures and taking up of wast Grounds which was then coming into Fashion for they disparked a great many Parks and other inclosed Grounds whereupon several of them were slain in the Quarrel the Plebeans also at Seymer near Scarborough in York-shire rose also under the Conduct one William Ombler a Yeoman there Thomas Dale a Parish Clerk and one Stephenson the Post but the King sending down his Pardon the Commons left their Leader to be led to York where they were Executed But now began greater Sorrows for the King 's two Uncles the Lord Protector and Lord Admiral falling at Variance about their Wives who should take place it proved unlucky to them both for the Lord Admiral was afterwards attainted of some Treasonable Articles as was supposed by his Brother the Protector 's procurement and was beheaded at Tower-hill and not many years after the Protector himself being fallen into dislike among the Lords at the same place received the same Doom and during these unhappy proceedings the English were quite driven out of Scotland and the French had sought to recover Bulloin but they were so bravely withstood by vallor of one Carter an English Soldier that 15 Waggons went loaded away with their slain and they afterwards attempting the Islands of Gernsie and Jersie they were there also forced to desist with the loss of a thousand men And now the King's Death began to approach he having taken the Death of the Protector his Uncle to Heart and before he died he ordained the Lady Jane Daughter to Henry Duke of Suffolk lately married to Guilford Lord Dudly to succeed him in the Kingdom Notwithstanding the Statute made for the Succession of his Fathers Children Anno 1552 about 7 miles from Oxford at a Town called Middleton a Woman brought forth a Child which had two perfect Bodies from the Navel upwards which were so conjoined together at the Navel that when they were laid out at length one Head and Body was East and the other West and the Leggs of both the Bodies were joined together in the midst they were Female Children and lived 18 days This Edward the Sixth was King of England France and Ireland he was the only Son of King Henry the Eight by Jane his Queen Daughter to John Seimer Knight He began his Reign on Thursday the 28 day of January Anno 1546 he reigned 6 years 5 months and 8 days and was the 41 sole Monarch of England He died of a Consumption of the Lungs on Thursday the 6 day of July Anno 1553 being in the 7 year of his Reign and about the 16 of his Age his Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXXI Of Queen Mary AFter the Death of King Edward the Lords of the Council caused Lady Jane Guilford to be Proclaimed Queen Lady Mary hearing of these proceedings writ to the Lords to acquaint them with her Title to the Crown but they regarded it not alledging the divorce of her Mother hereupon she betook her self to Fremingham Castle to which place the Suffolk men repaired and promised their Aid Provided she would not alter the Religion Established in her Brother's days to which Request she willingly condescended but afterwards upon their Petition to her after she had got the power in her own hands for performance of her Promise she dismissed them with rough Answers And now several men of Account repaired to her and Proclaimed her Queen at Norwich the Lords at London having notice hereof sent the Earl of Northumberland with an Army against her but Queen Maries Forces still encreasing she was Proclaimed Queen in Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Northampton-shire and the Lords now began to grow fearful procured Dr. Ridly Bishop of London to maintain Lady Jane's cause in his Sermon at Paul's Cross but this working no effect they forthwith Proclaimed Queen Mary and so the poor distressed Earl of Northumberland being forsaken by his Soldiers for want of an Harrold at Cambridge proclaimed Queen Mary himself but notwithstanding shortly after lost his head although he had renounced his Religion in hope of Pardon with him suffered Sir John Gates and Sir Thomas Palmer and not long after them the Lord Guilford and Lady Jane his Wife a Princess for her Wisdom and Learning worthy of Immortal Fame It is reported that Morgan who gave Sentence of Death upon her fell afterwards into Madness always crying out Take away the Lady JANE from him Now the Queen released the Duke of Suffolk from his Imprisonment but he afterwards seeking to withstand the Queen's Marriage was betrayed by one Vnderwood his Servant and himself with his Brother Thomas Lord Gray were Beheaded and several worthy Bishops as Cranmer Ridly Story Coverdale Hooper c. and all married Priests were displaced and Romanists such as Bonner Gardiner Day Wesie Heath c. were put in their places Sir Thomas Wyat now with a great Power in Kent sought to withstand the Queen's Marriage and to have placed better Councellors about her and thinking to have enter'd over at London-Bridg was there stopt so spoiling Gardiner's the Bishopof Winchester's House he returned and got over the River of Thames at Kingston and intended to have entered the City of London at Ludgate but being there withstood upon his return at Temple-Bar
England and Wales with the Countys in which each of them are scituated and how many Burgesses they send to the Parliament Burroughs Countys N. B. Abingdon Berks 01 Admonsham Bucks 02 St. Albons Hartford 02 Alborough Suffolk 02 Alborough York 02 Alesbury Bucks 02 Andover Hants 02 Appleby Westmer 02 Arrundel Sussex 02 Ashberton Devon 02 Banbury Oxford 01 Barnestable Devon 02 Barwick Tweed Northum 02 Bathe City Somers 02 Bedford Bedford 02 Berealston Devon 02 Bewdlye Worc. 01 Beverlye Yorksh 02 Bewmoris Anglesey 01 Bishopps Castle Salops 02 Blechinley Surry 02 Bodmin Cornwall 02 Bodwin Wilts 02 Bossiney Cornwall 02 Boston Lincoln 02 Brackley Northamp 02 Branber Sussex 02 Brecknock Brecon 02 Brideport Dorcets 02 Bridgenorth Salops 02 Bridgewater Somers 02 Bristol City Somers 02 Buckingham Bucks 02 Burrough bridg Yorks 02 Calne Wills 02 Cambridge Cambr. 04 Canterbury C. Kent 02 Cardigan Cardig 01 Cardiff Glamor 01 Caermarthen Gaermer 01 Caernervon Caerner 01 Carlisle City Cumbl 02 Castlerising Norfolk 02 Chichester City Sussex 02 Chipenham Wilts 02 Chipenwicomb Bucks 02 Chester City Cheshire 02 Christs Church Hants 02 Cirencester Glouc. 02 Clifton Devon 02 Clitherow Lancast 02 Cockermouth Cumbl 02 Colchester City Essex 02 Comelford Cornwall 02 Corfe Castle Dorcet 02 Coventry City Warwick 02 Cricklade Wilts 02 Denbigh Denbigh 01 Derby Derbysh 02 Devizes Wilts 02 Dorchester Dorcet 02 Dowton Wilts 02 Droitwich Worc. 02 Dunhivid Cornwall 02 Dunwich Suffolk 02 Durham City Durham 02 East Grinstead Sussex 02 East Lowe Cornwall 02 East Retford Nonting 02 St. Edmundsbury Suffolk 02 Evesham Wore 02 Exeter City Devon 02 Flint Flints 01 Fowey Cornwall 02 Gatton Surry 02 Gloucester C. Glouc. 02 Grantham Lincol. 02 Grawpound Cornwall 02 Grimsby Lincoln 02 Guilford Surry 02 Haslemore Surry 02 Harwich Essex 02 Haverford West Pembrooke 01 Heitsbury Wilts 02 Helston Cornwall 02 Hereford City Herefordsh 02 Hertford Hertfordsh 02 Hiddon Yorksh 02 Higham Ferries Northamp 01 Hindon Wilts 02 Honyton Devon 02 Horesham Sussex 02 Hull Yorksh 02 Huntington Hunt 02 St. Jermins Cornwall 02 St. Ives Cornwall 02 Ilchester Somers 02 Ipswich Suffolk 02 Kellington Cornwall 02 Kings Lynn Norfolk 02 Knarseborough Yorksh 02 Lancaster Lanc. 02 Leicester Leic. 02 Lempster Hereford 02 Leskard Cornwall 02 Lewes Sussex 02 Lincoln City Lincoln 02 Litchfield City Stafford 02 Liverpoole Lanc. 02 London City Mids 04 Loswithall Cornwall 02 Ludlowe Sallop 02 Lugarsall Wiltsh 02 Lymington Hants 02 Lym Regis Dorcet 02 Maidston Kent 02 Maldon Essex 02 Malmsbury Wiltsh 02 Malton Yorksh 02 Marborough Wilâ—s 02 Marlow Bucks 02 Mawes Cornwall 02 Melcome Regis Dorcet 02 Midhurst Sussex 02 Michaell Cornwall 02 Milborne Port Somers 02 Minehead Somers 02 Montgomery Montgom 01 Morpeth Northumb. 02 Munmouth Munmouth 01 Newcastle Tine Northumb. 02 Newcast un Lin. Stafford 02 Newport Cornwal 02 Newport Hants 02 New sarum Wilts 02 Newark Nott. 02 New shoreham Sussex 02 Newton Lanc. 02 New Town Hants 02 New Windsor Berks. 02 New Woodstock Oxford 02 North Allerton Yorks 02 Norwich City Norfolk 02 North-hampton Northam 02 Nortingham Nâ—ttingh 02 Okehampton Devon 02 Old Sarum Wilts 02 Oxford Suffolk 02 Oxford C. U. Oxâ—ord 04 Pembroke Pembro 01 Pemyn Cornwall 02 Peterborough Northam 01 Peterfield Hants 02 Plymouth Devon 02 Plympton Devon 02 Pomfreit Yorksh 02 Poole Dorcet 02 Port Pigham Cornwall 02 Portsmouth Hant. 02 Preston Lanc. 02 Queenborough Kent 02 Radnor Radnor 01 Reading Berks. 02 Richmond Yorksh 01 Rippon Yorksh 02 Rochester City Kent 02 Rygate Surry 02 Salop Salopps 02 Saltash Cornwall 02 Scarborough Yorksh 02 Shaston Dorcet 02 Southampton Hants 02 Southwark Surry 02 Stafford Staffordsh 02 Stockbridge Hants 02 Stamford Lincol. 02 Sudbury Suffolk 02 Steyning Sussex 02 Tamworth Stafford 02 Taunton Somers 02 Tarestock Devon 02 Tewkesbury Glouster 02 Thetford Norfolk 02 Thirske Yorksh 02 Tiverton Devon 02 Totnes Devon 02 Tregonye Cornwall 02 Truro Cornwall 02 Wallingford Berks. 02 Wareham Dorcet 02 Warwick Warwicksh 02 Wells City Somers 02 Wendover Bucks 02 Wenlock Salop. 02 Weoblye Hereford 02 Westbury Wilts 02 Westminster C. Midds 02 Weymouth Dorcet 02 Whit-Church Hants 02 Wigam Lanc. 02 Wilton Wilts 02 Whinchester C. Hants 02 Wootonbasset Wilts 02 Yarmouth Hants 02 Yarmouth Norfolk 02 Worcester C. Worc. 02 York City Yorksh 02 These eight Burroughs following are called Cinque ports Dover Kent 02 Hasting Sussex 02 Heythe  02 Rumnye Kent 02 Rye Sussex 02 Sandwich Kent 02 Seaford Sussex 02 Winchelsey Sussex 02 Note that the Citizens and Burgesses for the Citys and Burroughs before mentioned in the whole amount unto 417. over and above which number there are also for the 39 shires in England 78 Knights of the shires and 14 for the 13 shires in Wales which added to the former number do amount unto 509 being the compleate and full Number of the House of Commons in Parliament A Catalogue of the Peers A Catalogue of the Peers of England according to their Precedence Dukes JAmes Duke of York and Albany Earl of Vlster Lord High-Admiral of England the Kings only Brother Rupert Duke of Cumberland and Earl of Holderness The Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Privy-Seal take place before all the other Dukes Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk Francis Seymour Duke of Somerset George Villiers Duke of Buckingham Christopher Monk Duke of Albemarle James Scot Duke of Monmouth William Cavendish Duke of Newcastle Marquesses Charles Pawlet Marquess of Winchester Henry Somerset Marquess of Worcester Henry Pierre-point Marquess of Dorchester Earls These three take place in respect of their Offices The Lord High Chamberlain of England The Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold The Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold Aubry de Vere Earl of Oxford Charles Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Anthony Grey Earl of Kent William Stanly Earl of Derby John Manours Earl of Rutland Theopilus Hastings Earl of Huntingdon William Russel Earl of Bedford Philip Herbert Earl of Pembrook Edward Clinton Earl of Lincoln Charles Howard Earl of Nottingham James Howard Earl of Suffolk Richard Sackville Earl of Dorset James Cecil Earl of Salisbury John Cecil Earl of Exceter John Egerton Earl of Bridgwater Robert Sidney Earl of Leicester James Compton Earl of Northampton Robert Rich Earl of Warwick and Holland William Cavendish Earl of Devonshire Basil Fielding Earl of Denbigh George Digby Earl of Bristol Charles Sackvill Earl of Middlesex Robert Rich Earl of Holland and Warwick Gilbert Holles Earl of Clare Oliver St. John Earl of Bullingbrook Charles Fane Earl of Westmerland Robert Montague Earl of Manchester Charles Howard Earl of Bark-shire John Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave William Ley Earl of Marlborough Thomas Savage Earl of Rivers Robert Berty Earl of Lindsey John Cary Earl of Dover Charles Knollys Earl of Banbury Henry Mordant Earl of Peterborough Henry Grey Earl of Stamford Heneage Finch Earl of Winchelsey Charles Dormer Earl of Carnarven Mountjoy Blount Earl of Newport Philip Stanhop Earl of Chesterfield Nicholas Tufton
Anglorum Gesta Or A Brief HISTORY OF England BEING An Exact Account of the most remarkable Revolutions and most memorable Occurrences and Transactions in PEACE and WAR as Battles Sieges Sea-fights Invasions Leagues Interviews Treaties Solemnities c. that have hapned in the several Kings Reigns since the first Attempt by Julius Caesar upon this Island to the Coronation day of his present Majesty King Charles the Second WITH Several useful Catalogues of the Bishopricks Cities Shires Colledges and Halls in both Universities and Tables of the Kings Reigns and of the Dimensions of England Scotland and Ireland By GEORGE MERITON Gent. LONDON Printed by T. Dawks for Tho Basset at the George near Cliffords Inn in Fleetstreet 1675. CAROL SECVN D â— MAG BRI. FRAET HIB REX PRAESTANTISSIMO ET HONORATISSIMO DOMINO NON SOLUM NOBILITATE GENERIS VERUM ETIAM AMPLITUDINE DIGNITATIS DOMINO CONYERS DARCY BARONI DARCY MEYVILL ET CONYERS HOC COMPENDIUM DE MEMORIALIBUS ANGLIAE EX GRATITUDINE PRAEFATO PRENOBILI DOMINO E SINGULARIBUS CAUSIS HUMILIME DEDICAT GEORGIUS MERITONUS TO THE Reader Courteous Reader I Am not so conceited of my self or my own endeavours as not to think that this Breif History of England will fall under very many hard and sharp censures especially from those who sit in Cathedra Derisionis and lavish so much time away in carping at other Mens Endeavours that they cannot allow themselves so much Liberty as to gratify the World with any thing of their own I am afraid also the Virtuofi of our days will object and say What need was there to obtrude this useless Pamphlet into the World when so many persons such as Beda Giraldus Geoffry of Monmouth Higden Ranulph of Chester Malmsbury Simon Dunelm Caxton Matthew Westminster Gyldas Henry Huntington Hollinshed Matthew Paris Daniel Martin Sir Thomas Moor Pollidore Virgil Speed Hist Brit. Sir Fran. Bacon Sir Richard Baker and several others have so learnedly and volluminously bestowed their pains herein already so that this small Taper among so many bright Torches were as good out as seeming to give no light at all I confess to such as make this Objection this small Treatise at first sight may seem useless yet if they consider that none of the persons before named have begun so high in point of time and continued the some so low as our own time even till the Coronation day of our most Gracious Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second Anno 1661 and Perhaps they may then partly be of another mind However with the generality of People for whom this Collection is principally intended I hope it will receive a more Candid Acceptance considering that several of the Authors before mentioned have written in Latin and so every man not capacitated to read them or understand them being read and besides some of them have only collected the affairs of an hundred or two hundred years and some more and some less oâ—hâ—rs of them have only writ the Lâ—fe perhaps of one particular King c. so that none of them can give the Reader such a general account of Englands Memorable Accidents for such a long continued course of time with so little expence of time to the Reader in the perusal as this small Treatise will and in case any of them could yet as rare and curious stamps upon Coins for their variety and strangeness are daily enquired after and bought though the Silver be all one with ours even so it fares with Books which as Meddals bear the Pictures and Devices of our various Invention though the matter be the same yet for variety sake they are often read and it is often found that the same Dishes of Meat drest after a new fashion do beget a fresh Appetite and gratifie the tasts of many better nay there is no Book so bad even Sir Bevise himself Fryer Bacon or Tom Thumb but some Advantage may be gotten by it for as in the same Field the Ox findeth Fodder the Hound a Hare the Stork a Lizard the Hawk a Partridg the fair maid Flowers so we cannot except we list our selves saith Seneca but depart the better from any Book whatsoever So I hope Reader Thou maist find something here to Content at least nothing to Distaste thee and them I shall think my time well bestowed if neither but out of a Malignant humour thou disdainest what I have done I care not I have pleased my self and learned long since that Envy with her Sister Ignorance do harbour only in the basest and most degenerate Breast Vale George Meriton A Brief HISTORY OF England CHAP. I. Of the Scituation of Britain with its Lymits together with some of the old Customs practised amongst the Britains the several names of the Island and when first Inhabited c. THIS Island of Britain is bounded on the East with Germany and Denmark on the West with Ireland and the Atlantick Occan on the North with the Deucalidon Seas and on the South with Normandy and France It contains in length from the Strathy-head in Scotland to the Lisard-point in Cornwal 624 miles and in breadth from the Lands end in Cornwal to the Island Tennet in the East of Kent 340 miles and is in the eight Clymate for Latitude and for Longitude placed between the paralells 14 and 16. The Limits of it in times past was from the Orcades to the Pyrean Mountains And in former times this noble Island of Britain sustained Eleven Kings all commanding great powers several other Islands belong to it amongst which the Isle of Man is not of the least account for to it belongs a King with a Leaden Crown whose King is now the Noble Earl of Darby whose Ancestors have been Lords of Man about two hundred and seventy years The Division of this Island is into three Kingdomes 1. Scotland whose Partition Southward was from Carlile to Newcastle 2. Cambria or Wales whose Partition was from Basiagwark to Wye and 3. England which was coasted with the French and Germain Seas on the one side and with the other two Kingdoms on the other side It is verily supposed that this Island was Peopled before the Flood Jeffery of Monmouth affirmeth that this Island was Peopled by Brute with his Trojans in the 2887 year of the World's Creation and after the universal Deluge 1231 years And in the year of Elie's Priesthood But several antient Historians writing before his time make no mention of King Brute and some have affirmed that there was never any such Man The Inhabitants were called Britains from the word Brith which signifieth painting or staining of the Skin which they had formerly in use amongst them Some Authors have affirmed that the English did proceed from Cimbria Chersonesus which came from Italy but others assure us that they came from the antient Gauls in France But certain it is that the first Inhabitants of this Island being merely barbarous they never troubled themselves to transmit their Original to Posterity And if
began his Reign Anno 979 and reigned 37 years 15. Edmund He was Sirnamed Ironside He gave the Danes several Battel overthrew them and raised the Siege at London he worsted Canutus 4 times at least in the plain Field and had in all likelihood rid England of him if the Traitor Edrick and others of the Perfidious Clergy and Nobility had not secretly assisted him Edmund fought a single Duel with Canutus the Dane and dangerously wounded him whereupon Canutus desisted and cried out to King Edmund saying What need is there for us thus to indanger our Lives if thou consent to divide the Kingdom between us we shall then be at peace and like two Brothers which thing Edmund consented unto and did accept of Canute for his Co-partner in the Kingdom But not long after Edmund being easing of himself he was by Duke Edrick that Grand Traytor thrust into the Fundament with a sharp Spear and his head cut off and presented to Canute as an acceptable Sacrifice as was hoped but he detesting such Traiterous Villany caused Edricks head to be chopt off and to be advanced upon a Pole above the rest of his Fellows as it was promised him an advancement fit for the betrayers of their King and Country And now the Saxons Monarchy by the Death of Edmund being drawn to a Period and the Standard of their Government overthrown The Danes began to Advance the Banner of their Conquest and after King Edmund's Death displayed it in open Field none being able to withstand them so they made themselves sole Masters of the Island after it had been in Possession of the Saxons about 566 years it was a long time after the Danes first entrance before they became sole Monarchs thereof This Edmund was third Son of Ethelfrid and the fifteenth sole Monarch of England his Reign began Anno 1016 and he reigned about 1 year CHAP. VIII Of the Danes and their Conquest of Britain with the memorable Accidents happening during the time of those three Danish Monarchs who ruled here THE Original of these Danes is thought by some to be from the Scythians but others rather think to come from Scandia an Island scituate Northward not far from the Continent of Denmark As to their Religion it was much alike to that of the Saxons Their first Invasion was about the year 787 and about 230 years after they became sole Masters of England which Sovereignty continued but about twenty four years which they had struggled for above two hundred years Their Succession of Monarchs were these three following 1. Canutus He was Son to Swanus and was Crowned at London by Livingus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury he sent Edward and Edmund the two Sons of Edmund Ironside the last Saxon Monarch to his Brother the King of Sweeden to be made away but he abhorring the Fact transferred them to the King of Hungary And now he marries Emma King Ethelreds Widdow by whose Counsel he wrested 82000 Pounds out of his Subjects to give those lazy Danes that were sent packing to Denmark there being then no more need for them here He called a Parliament at Oxford and enacted several good Lawes which are to be seen in several old Chronicles and too large here to be incerted He is said to be an Enemy to Dissemblers Traytors and Flatterers for on a time he caused himself to be placed in a Chair where the Sea ebbs and flows at Southampton and commanded the Sea that it should not swell so as to wet his Feet but the disobedient Sea the Tide then coming out presently dashed up to his Thighs whereupon he started up and said to the Flatterers who had extoll'd his greatness to be unmatchable You see all the might and power of Kings is but vanity for none is worthy to have the name of King but he that hath allâ— things subject to his Laws And so after that time as some Authors affirm he would never suffer the Crown to come on his head but set it on the Crucifix head at Winchester In the third year of his Reign he went into Denmark and chased from thence the Vandalls who had invaded that Kingdom And at length he went on Pilgrimage to Rome and is Recorded for a very good Man setting aside his intention to have murthered King Edmunds two Sons This Canutus was the 16 sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 1017. and reigned eighteen years he was buried in the old Monastery at Winchester 2. Harrold He was so swift that he was called Harefoot Earl Goodwine was against his coming to the Crown but the Londoners and Lords on the North side of Thames were for him and prevailed he by Treachery of Goodwine afterwards got the two Sons of Emma Edward and Alfride the last of which had his eyes put out and his Belly opened and one end of his Bowels drawn out and fastned to a Stake and then he was pricked with sharp poiniards and forced round about the Stake till all his Intralls were wound out He caused also Queen Emma to be banished and her goods to be confiscate but the Earl of Flandâ—rs received her honourably This Harrold was the Second Son of Canutus and the seventeen sole Monarch of England he began his Reign Anno 1036 he reigned four years and was buried at Westminster as Mr. Stow affirms 3. Hardicanute He was Crowned at London by Elnothus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He caused the body of his half Brother Harrold to be digged out of his Grave and thrown into the Thames after he had first cut off his Head but some Fishers finding the body buried it decently in St. Clements without Temple Bar this Hardicanute was a great Epicure and had his Tables spread four time dayly and furnished with Dainties for the satisfying of his greedy Appetite through the Perswasions of Earl Goodwine he raised the Sum of 32147 pounds in England for the payment of his Fleet which greatly distasted his Subjects the thing desired by Earl Goodwine two of the Collectors of this Money were slain at Worcester for which offence their City was set on Fire The King Drinking freely at a Wedding in Lambeth got a Surfeit and died some say he was choaked at Dinner there but certain it is he died and with him dyed the Danes Monarchy over England and it fell again to the Saxons for Edward the Seventh Son of Ethelred by Emma his Queen was sent for out of Normandy by the English and was made King which thing was brought about by Earl Goodwines means and Leofrick Earl of Chester This Hardicanute was third Son of Canutus and eighteenth sole Monarch of England He began to Reign Anno 1040 And reigned about two years he was buried at Winchester CHAP. IX Of the Saxons Re-entry again to the Monarchy of England after the Danes Conquest THis new Possession of the Saxons was but of short Continuance till William the Norman Duke came and made a Forceable Entry upon them and though his Entry were
Nobles constrained him to swear To ease the People of their Taxes and many other Oppressions which he afterwards performed And he restored to the English the use of Lights again which his Father forbad by ringing of a Bell and had continued about the space of 33 years He also ordained several good Laws and annexed his Great Seal to them and his Name with the subscription of several Lords Spiritual and Temporal and caused Copies of them to be sent into every County to be safely kept the heads of them take as followeth in these Seven Branches I. That the Church should be free from Oppressions and Reservation of their Possessions upon vacancy II. That the Heirs of the Nobilty should possess the Lands of their Fathers without Redemption from the King which Favour also should be granted by the Nobles to their Tenants III. That the Gentry might give in Marriage their Daughters and Kinswomen without the King's Licence so it were not to the King's Enemies IV. That the Widow should have her Jointure and not be compelled to marry against her own Will V. That the Mother or next of kindred should be Guardian of the Lands of their Children VI. That Coiners of False Money should be punished and a Measure to the length of the KING'S Arm to be a Standard for Commerce among the People And VII That all Debts to the Crown before his own Time should be forgiven and all Murthers before the Day of his Coronation to be pardoned With other such like Indulgencies And he also at this time confirmed King Edward's Laws And now he made Suit to Edgar King of Scotland to have Maud his Sister to Wise This Year 1100 his Brother Robert Duke of Normandy was elected King of Jerusalem but he hearing of his Brother Rufus's Death refused it in hopes of getting England's Crown And at his return from Jerusalem invaded England landed at Portsmouth Henry to be quit of him and to keep the Crown granted him 3000 Marks yearly and gave him royal Entertainment for six Moneths at Court After this Belasm Earl of Shrewsbury and Roger Mountgomery rebelled but they were overthrown by the King and forced to abjure the Realm for ever And now the Pope's Imp Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury begins to stir and calling a Council at London Excommunicated all Married Priests and deprived many learned Prelates because they were invested by the King and not by the Pope And now Duke Robert returned for England again to congratulate his Brother's Fortune and was so royally entertained that at the Request of his Sister Queen Maud he remitted the Annual payment of 3000 marks But afterwards Henry picking a Quarrel with him he sailed into Normandy and made himself Master thereof Afterwards Robert seeking to regain his own the King took another Voyage for Normandy where a bloody Battel was fought between them and Duke Robert and William Earl of Mortmain were taken Prisoners and the rest flying Henry return'd Conqueror having made Normandy subject to England just that day 40 years that England became subdued to Normandy And the Duke seeking to escape his Imprisonment had both his Eyes put out by the King's Order And now the King begins to shew himself in his Colors making no Bones of breaking his Oath made to his Peers he banished the Flemmings out of England And about this time to wit Anno 1109. the Emperor Henry the IV. took to Wife Maud King Henry's Daughter And now the Affairs of Normandy being disturbed the King hasted thither and after the Suppression of the Rebells he created his Eldest Son Duke thereof by which a Custom grew that thenceforth the Kings eldest Sons were Dukes of Normandy after this Anselm Bishop of Canterbury died Anno Domini 1114. The High Court of Parliament as some Authors affirm was first ordained in this King's Reign Anno 1116. in which year was exceeding great Lightning in March and Thunder and Hail in December and the Moon at both times seemed to be turned into Blood And in October the same year the River of Thames was so dried up that one might have gone between London-Bridge and the Tower on foot This year also King Lewis of France and the Earls of Flanders and Anjou sought to restore William Duke Robert's eldest Son to the Dukedom of Normandy but were frustrated of their hopes by Henry about this time Maud King Henry's Queen died After this Anno 1119. King Lewis enters Normandy again and between him and the King was a bloody Battel fought and Baldwin Earl of Flanders and many thousands besides were slain and the honour of the day fell to King Henry who returned Victoriously into Roan And shortly after the Earl of Anjou to curry the King's Favour gave his Daughter to William the King 's eldest Son in Marriage of which Marriage the King conceived no little Comfort but the budding Hopes of the conceived future Happiness were quickly cropped by the hand of Fate for at the King 's Return for England this new marri'd couple with Richard and Mary other two of the King's Children and Richard Earl of Chester his Lady and other Lords and Ladies were all cast away at Sea The King after this Anno 1121. took to his Second Wife Adilicia Daughter of Jeffery first Duke of Lovain And now Pope Calixtus the II. met the King in Normandy to see if his Threats would work the King's Submission to him that he might have the Packing and Dealing of the Cards for the Game of Spiritual Promotions in England but neither Flatterings nor Threats would work upon him At this Meeting two Youths Sons to the Earl of Mellent and Servants to the King disputing with two of the Popes Cardinals with Logical Syllogisms put the two Rabbies to the Non-plus In this Pope's time Anno 1122. was the first Lateran Council held being the ninth General Council About 3 years after this Anno 1125. Pope Honorius the second sent Cardinal Cremensis to certifie the Abuses of the Married Clergy and to that purpose he made a Set Oration in Praise of CHA-STITY and Dispraise of VNLAW-FVLL LVST for so he termed the Priests Marriage and yet himself was taken that Night with a WHORE and so he returned to his Master the Pope without Success Anno 1126. The King's Son in Law the Emperor died and his Wife returned into England whereupon the King called a Parliament and caused them to swear Fealty to the Empress his only Heir This same year one Arnold an English Preacher of Oxford was cruelly Butchered for preaching against the Pride of Prelates and Priest's wicked Lives The next year after the King married his Daughter the Empress again to Jeffery Plant aginet Son to Foulk Earl of Anjou And about six years after in the 33 year of this King happened so great an Eclipse of the Sun that at Noon-day one might have seen the Stars in the Firmament and about two dayes after this there was a terrible Earthquake And the same year
to drive him out of his Kingdom and the Welsh being then in Rebellion too the King was necessitated to conclude a dishonourable Peace After this Ambassadors came from Gascoign Poictu and Normandy promising their assistance if the King would go in Person with an Army thither whereupon he prepared and the concourse of Nobles and others for the Voyage was so numerous that there was not Shipping for half the Company whereat the King was so inraged that he called Hubert de Burgo Rank old Traytor because no more Ships were prepared and ran at him with his Sword and being that time prevented of his Voyage he took Shipping the next year but returned without his expectation after he had spent all his Treasure Anno the 15 of the King upon St Pauls day such an horrible Thunder lighted on the Cathedral of St. Pauls Church in London when Roger Niger the Bishop was at Mass there that the Church thereby was so shaken as if it would have fallen and after that came such a flash of Lightning that all the People thought they should have been burnt and so all the People save the Bishop and one Deacon run out of the Church and being astonished fell on the Ground void of understanding The next year after the Monks of Canterbury and the King chose Ralph Nevil for Arch-Bishop there and after him a second third and fourth calling Edmund of Abbington before they could please the Pope all being distastful to him till this Edmund was chosen Vpon the 7 of April Anno 1233. there appeared 4 Suns as it were besides the natural Sun of a red colour and a great Circle of Christal colour and the morrow after St. Martins day began Thunder very horribâ—e which lasted 15 days The King now wanting Mâ—ney caused â—ll Sheriffs Baylifss and other Officers to clear up their Accompts in the Exchecquer he removed also Hubert de Burgo from his place of chief Justice through the Bishop of Winchester's Suggestions and Artâ—â—â—es being preferred against the chief Justice the King's heart was so alienated from him that Hubert fearing the Event fled to Sanctuary in Merton in Surry hereupon Sir Godfrey de Cranchcome with 300 men were sent to seek him where finding him at Merton they took him from the Sanctuary and brought him Prisoner to the Tower at London and at length he was forced to yield up all his Treasure being of an incredible value into the King's hands but all would not do for he was sent to the Castle of Devises there to remain as free Prisoner and 4 Knights appointed for his Keepers there After this the King displacing English Officers from about him put in Poictovines and Brittons in their Rooms and Summoning a Parliament to Oxford the Bairons refused to come because of this distaste of the Strange Officers and being again summoned to London refused to be present and sent the King word If he would not drive the Strangers from Court they would drive both him and them from it and upon this account Earl Marshal and Lord Bassâ—t with other Nobles Rebelled and took Hubert de Burgo out of Prison carrying him along with them into Wales and the Bishops of Canterbury Chister and Râ—chester were sent into Wales to take up the business but before they got thither the Earl Marshal was gone into Ireland and there died and Leoline Prince in Wales would condescend to nothing till the King would grant to him and those Nobles with him their Pardon which accordingly was done and Hubert de Burgo received again into favour Shortly after this Isabel the King's Sister was married to the Emperor there being at the Marriage 3 Kings 11 Dukes and 30 Marquesses and Earls Anno 1235 the Jews of Norwich stole a Boy and Circumcised him and had an Intention to have crucified him at Easter for which Fact they were Convicted And the year after being the 20 of the King the Thames overflowed the Banks so that men did Row in Boats in the great Palace at Westminster in the midst of the Hall there Now the King's Treasures being exhausted with the payment of his Sister's Portion he calls a Parliament at London desiring a new supply of Money but was denied unless he would confirm MAGNA CHARTA again and Rely wholly upon his natural Subjects for Advice and Council all which he granted unto After this the Popes Legate called a National Council but was commanded by the King to act nothing against his Crown or Dignity Shortly after the King and Queen being gone to Woodstock a Traytor was sent thither by William Son to Jeffery de Marisco out of Ireland to murther the King in his Bed but being taken and prevented of his purpose he was pulled in pieces with Wild-Horses Afterwards Anno 1238 the Pope's Legate going to Oxford he was encountred by the Students and his Brother slain himself hardly escaping whereupon he interdicted the University and made all the Bishops who interceeded in the Universities behalf and the Students go un-gowned and bare-footed from St. Pauls Church to his House being about a Mile before he would revoke the Sentence again And now Hubert de Burgo having gained the Honour and Title of Earl of Kent is again accused and 4 of his Chiefest Castles given to the King and he deprived of his Title After this the King Commanded Ottobon the Popes Legate to depart the Kingdom and committing the Government of the Realm to the Bishop of York took Ship for Poâ—ctue carrying with him thirty Barrels of Sterling Money for that Service but the King's Fortune in this Journey proved very averse to him The Nobles at the Kings return all his Mony being gon granted him a Subsidy of 20 shillings upon every Knights Fee held in chief for aid of the Marriage of his Daughter and Anno 26 of the King the Jews were constrained to pay 20000 Marks or else be kept in perpetual Imprisonment about the year 1241. Pope Gregory the 9 writ to the King desiring to see England but was denied And shortly after the King commanded that none of his Subjects should dare to contribute any Money to the Pope Anno 1245 was the first Council held at Lovain being the 13 general Council Innocent the 4 being Pope who was the only Patron of the 3 Orders of Dominicanâ— Carmelites and Augustines About this time the Thames overflowed the Banks about Lambeth and drowned the Houses and Fields the space of 6 Miles and Men rode on Horse-back in the great Hall at Westminster Anno the 32 of the King was a great Plague in England and the Town of New-Castle upon Tyne was burnt Bridge and all and about two years after in October the Sea flowed twice without any Ebb which made such an horrible noise that it was heard into England a great way and in a dark night the Sea seemed to be on a Fire and the Waves to fight one against another which put the Marriners in great Fear and overthrew a
great number of Houses at Winchelsey The King wanting more Money called a Parliament to supply him but was denied whereupon he sold his Jewels Plate and other precious Stuff shortning the allowance also of his House and inviting himself sometimes to one Nobleman's Table and sometimes to another And Alexander King of Scotland coming to York there Married Margaret the Kings Daughter to whose Marriage-Feast the Arch-Bishop of York gave 600 fat Oxen which were all spent at the first Service Not long after this Prince Edward the Kings eldest Son went into Spain and married the Kings Sister whereupon the Spanish King quitted all his claim to Gascoign to King Henry who gave his Son Edward upon his Marriage Gascoin Wales Bristow Stanford and Grantham the year after the Prince with his Wife and Royal Retinue landed at Dover And now also Edmund the King's Son was honoured by the Pope with the empty Title of King of Sicily Anno 1225 Seabald Arch Bishop of York was prosecuted by the Pope for Preaching and writing against his Holiness's Pride And this year 142 Jews were brought to Westminster who were accused and 18 of them hanged for Crucifying a Child at Lincoln and the rest kept Prisoners And now the King again perceiving his Coffers to be empty caused sharp Orders to be made against Sheriffs for the passing their Accompts in the Exchequer And about this time came the Germain Ambassadors with an Embassy to Richard Earl of Cornwall the King's Brother wherein they declared That their Masters the Princes Electors of the Roman Empire had made choice of him for King which he after much Consultation accepted on And now the Barrons fall into Rebellion again and a Parliament being called at Oxford thither they repaired and behaved themselves very Insolently towards their Sovereign hereupon the King sailed into France and there compounded with the French King that he should hold the Dukedom of Normandy and Earldom of Anjou Mayne Touraign and Poictue for 300000 pounds of Touraigne and on promise to receive other Lands of the value of 20000 l. per annum Anno 43 of the King a Jew at Teukesbury fell into a Privy upon Saturday and refused to be helped out because it was their Sabboth whereupon the Earl of Gloucester kept him in all Sunday too and on Monday he was dead About this time Dr. Strenham wrote that Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures were only necessary to Salvation Now the King of France being Umpire between Henry and his Barrons he gave Judgment for the King and the Barrons denying to stand to his Sentence the King gave them Battel near Nottingham where they received a great Overthrow and Simon Mountforth Son to the Earl of Leicester the chief Rebell and many other Barrons Knights and Esquires were taken After this Overthrow the Barrons sent Letters twice to the King desiring to be reconciled but could not be heard which provoked them to fight the King's Army again at which time the Fortune of the day fell to the Barrons for they took the King and his Brother Richard King of the Romans and some other great Peers and the next day their two eldest Sons yielded themselves Prisoners And now Earl Mountforth Joyful of the Victory proceeded to the Imprisonment of the King of the Romans his Son and the Prince in Dover but this budding happiness of the Earl's was quickly cropped for the Earl of Gloucester and he differing about parting of the Prey the Earl of Gloucester thereupon opposed the current of Leicester's Fortune with whom joined the Prince escaped out of Prison and several other Nobles and at Everssham in Worcestershire they overthrew Leicesters Army and he being there slain had his Head cut off and sent to Worcester and his Hands and Feet were chopt off and all those on his party disinherited and London is threatned to be burnt by the King for taking the Barrons part Shortly after this John de Warren Earl of Surrey killed Allan de Zouch in Westminster-Hall upon some distaste taken Anno 1264 there were 700 Jews slain in London because one of them would have forced a Christian Man to have paied more than two pence for the Usury of 20 shillings the week and the year 1269 the Thames was so hard frozen that Men and Cattel passed over from Lambeth to Westminster upon the Ice About this time it was that Prince Edward took his Voyage for the Holy-War and Roger-Bacon a famous Divine of Oxford was Imprisoned by the Pope for Preaching against the Absurdities in the Church of Rome Anno 1271 the Steeple of Bow-Church in Cheap-side fell down and flew many People Men and Women and the year after was a great Riot in Norwich through which the Monastery of the Trinity was burned whereupon the King rode down thither and after enquiry made of the chief Actors caused 50 of them to be Hanged Drawn and Quartered and their Quarters to be burnt And now the King perceiving his Death to approach swore the Earl of Gloucester to keep the Realm for Prince Edward his Son This Henry III. was King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Guyain and Aquitain He was eldest Son to King John by Isabel his Queen Daughter and Heir of Aimery Earl of Angolisme his Reign began on wednesday the 19 of Octob. Anno 1216 and he reigned 56 years and 28 days and was the 28 sole Monarch of England he died at the Abby of St. Edmunds in Suffolk on Wednesday the 16 day of November Anno 1272 being in the 57 year of his Reign and 65 of his Age his body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XVIII Of King Edward the First commonly called Long-Shanks KING Edward was gone for the Holy-Land when the Crown fell to him Elianor his Queen being with him who at Acon in their Voyage was delivered of a Daughter and at that place her Husband was Wounded by a Trayterous Villain in three places of his Arm with a Poysoned knife all which Wounds after the Chyrurgions were wearied the Queen cured by licking out the Venom with her Tongue yet she thereby receiving no prejudice The news of his Father's Death coming to his Ear he forthwith returned and after his Arrival himself and Queen were Crowned by Robert Kilwarby Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and after this the King called a Parliament at Westminster which as some affirm were the first Statutes there made and Luellin Prince of Wales refusing to come to the Parliament King Edward thereupon went into Wales and built the Castle of Flint and Luellin made his Submission and gave the King 50000 pounds for Agreement and 10000 marks per Annum for the Island of Man But afterwards he had several Bickerings with the Welsh but at length reduced them to perfect Subjection and beheaded Luellin their Prince and his Brother David and set up their Heads upon the Tower at London He appointed Sheriffs for Wales and established the English Lawes amongst them Anno 1274 was the Second Council of
Lugdunence Gregory the X being Pope which is accounted the fourteenth general Council In the III of the King's Reign upon St. Nicholas day were very Terrible Thunders Earth-Quakes and Lightning and a great Draggon and blazing Star which put many People in great fear and in the year 1288 the Summer was so hot that many Persons died with the extremity thereof and yet Wheat that year was sold for two shillings eight pence the Quarter and all other Corn at very low-prices but the year following Wheat was raised to Twenty shillings the quarter by reason of the great Rains that fell that year which dearth of Corn continued about 40 years to the end of King Edward the Second's Reign saith my Author so that in process of time a Bushell of Wheat was at Ten shillings The King the 19 of his Reign banished all the Jews out of England making all their Goods Confiscate the number of them that were Banished is reckoned to be 15000 and 9 persons The King also inflicted great Fines upon his Judges and other Officers for their Corruption the sum imposed upon Eleven of them was 236000 Marks About this time Dr. Scotus called Dr. Subtilis by some preached against the abuse of the Keys and that Transubstantiation could neither be proved by Scripture nor sound Reason Not long after this Alexander King of Scotland dying without Issue great Contentions arose between the Lords Bruse and Baliol about the Crown but King Edward being Umpire between them gave Judgment for Lord Balioll who was Crowned King and did Homage to Edward for his whole Kingdom After this the Scotch King seeking to shake off his Homage again he and his Kingdom were all Conquered by King Edward and all the Scotch Nobles swore to be true to Edward ever after acknowledging him for the King Baliol late King was sent Prisoner to London to the Tower and John de Warren Earl of Surry and Sussex was left Vice Roy in Scotland and at this time the King brought the Chair out of Scotland which is now in Westminster Abby in which our Kings are Crowned and with it was also brought the Crown Scepter and Cloth of Estate The Scots not long after falling into a fresh Rebellion were again subdued by the King with the slaughter of 60000 of their men Shortly after this the King took to Wife the King of France his Sister by which means there was a firm Peace concluded between England and France And now Edward the King 's eldest Son was by his Father made Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester and now the Scots desirous still of Liberty revolted again under the Command of the Lord Bruse but they were quickly reduced to their former Obedence after this getting Heart again they stood for the regaining of their Kingdom and King Edward marching to give them Battel died in his march and commanded in his last Will that his Son should carry his Bones with him till he had marched through all Scotland in his life-time he utterly renounced Pope Beniface's Supream Authority and on his Death-bed charged his Son to continue the Banishment of Pearce of Gaveston and to convey his Heart to be buried in the Holy-Land The year 1299 the King's Palace at Westminster with the Buildings of the Monastery adjoining to it were all burnt This Edward the First was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. He was eldest Son to Henry the III by Ellianor his Queen Second Daughter to Raymond Earl of Province He began his Reign on Wednesday the 16 of November Anno 1272 and reigned 34 years 7 moneths and 21 days and was the 29 sole Monarch of England He died of a Dissenterie at Burgh upon Sands in his March to Scotland on a Fryday the 7 of July Anno 1307. in the 35 year of his Reign and 69 of his Age he was buried at Westminster CHAP. XIX Of King Edward the Second commonly called Edward of Carnarvan AT his first entrance he recalled Pearce of Gaveston Earl of Cornwal out of Banishment although he were forbidden it by his Father's last Will. Shortly after he married Isabel Daughter to the King of France after this calling a Parliament they sadly complayned of Gavestons Insolence and so far prevailed with the King that he yielded to his Banishment whereupon they granted to the King a Subsidy of the 20 part of their goods but Gaveston not long after was recalled again by the King and was married to the Earl of Gloucesters Sister and received into greater favour than ever the King not at all regarding his Father's Command nor his own Oath to his Nobles This Gaveston now grew so high and was so lavishing of the Kings Treasure alienating him also from the Queens Bed that she complained hereof to her Father the King of France Hereupon the Nobles again complain of Gaveston to the King and prevailed for his Banishment with a Proviso that if he returned again to suffer Death About this time Anno 1311. the Order of the Templers was expelled Christendom and this year Clement the V. being Pope was the Council at Vienna being the 15 general Council The next year after Gaveston being returned for England he was taken by the Earl of Warwick at the Castle of Scarborough and with the consent of the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford was carried to Warwick Castle and there Beheaded hereupon the King was greatly inraged but upon Condition that all things belonging to Gaveston should be rendred to him He Pardoned the Lords Anno 1314 the King caused his Writs to be published for Victualls That no Ox stalled or corn-fed should be sold for more than 24 shillings no Grass-fed Ox for more than 16 shillings a fat stalled Cow at 12 shillings another Cow at ten shillings a fat Mutton Corn-fed at 20 pence another fat Mutton at 14 pence a Fat Hog of two years old at ten groats a Fat Goose at two pence half-penny and in the City three pence a Fat Capon at two pence in the City two pence half-penny a Fat Hen a penny in the City three half-pence 4 Pigeons for a Penny 24 Eggs a penny in the City twenty Eggs a penny After this a Tanners Son of Exceter called himself the Son of Edward the first and would needs prove the King a Changling but his claim was quickly strangled with a halter at Northampton And now the Queen was delivered of Prince Edward and the Parliament shortly after granted the King a Fifteenth and the King going against Scotland the Earls Lancaster Surry Warwick and Arundel refused to attend him at this time he received a great overthrow from the Scots he and Lord Spencer being both forced to fly and several Lords with seven hundred Knights and Esquires were slain Anno 1318 The Famine in England was so Raging that Horses Dogs and Children were stoln for Food and the Thieves that were in Prison did pluck in pieces those that were newly brought in amongst them and
greedily devoured them half alive by reason of this Famine the Mortality was so great amongst the People that the quick could hardly bury the dead And not long after a great Murrain of kine happened so that the Dogs and Ravens eating thereof were Poysoned and did swell to Death so that no man durst eat any Beef And the next year after this the King calling a Council at Clarendon the Lords refused to appear but they were made Friends again by the Mediation of certain Cardinalls and now the Scots not satisfied with the Honour of their last Victory their King saled into Ireland and there caused himself to be Crowned King but the English there under the Conduct of the Arh-Bishop of Armagh and the Lord Binningham encountr'd the new King who there lost his new Honour with his life to boot and not long after a Truce for two years was concluded between England and Scotland About this time Hugh Spencer upon the Commendation of the Lords was made Lord-Chamberlain and his Father Earl of Winchester and now Dr. Barrenthorp of Oxford taught against the Pope and inveighed against the Deceits and impostures of Anti-Christ after a while the two new Lords Spencers Father and Son grew so insolent that they far exceeded Gaveston alienating the Hearts of the Barrons from the King which caused them to take up Arms against him but not long after the Earl of Lancaster and other 90 Nobles at Borrowbrigs were taken Prisoners and at Pontefract the Earl of Lancaster was Beheaded and other five Barrons hanged and the next day at York the Lords Clifford Mowbray and Deywill were hanged in iron Chains and now the King went against Scotland with an Army but was forced there to escape by night leaving his Treasure and rich Furniture for Pillage and the young Lord Mortimer escaping out of the Tower fled into France and not long after the Queen again sent her complaint to her Father of her ill usage There being now some Troubles in Gascoin the King not going himself sent his Queen into France to Negotiate his Affairs who drew all to agreement upon Condition that her Husband should give Prince Edward his and her Son the Dutchy of Aquitain and Earldom of Pontine for which places the young Prince did Homage to his Uncle the King of France after this the King sending for his Son and Queen home and they refusing to come they were thereupon proclaimed Enemies to the Crown the Queen hereupon without consent either of King or Peers Married the Prince to Philippa the Earl of Hanalt's Daughter and being now fitted for her purpose she raised an Army in Henalt and Germany consisting of 2700 Soldiers and many Forein and English Nobles and sailing for England landed at Orwel in Suffolk the King having notice hereof fled into the West to raise Forces promising a thousand pounds to those who would bring him Lord Mortimers head but the Queen not sleeping in her design pursued her Husband from place to place and at length she got Hugh Spencer the Father whom she caused to be cut-up alive and quartered and the King lying now hid in the Abby of Neath in Wales was there surprized by his Cosen the Earl of Lancaster and Imprisoned in the Castle of Kenelworth young Lord Spencer and the Lords Baldock and Reading being also taken at that time and carried to Hereford where Spencer was hanged 50 foot high and then beheaded and quartered and the Queen gave the bringer of his head to her 1000 pound And now a Parliament being called several Peers to wit 3 Bishops three Earls 2 Barrons 2 Abbots and 2 Justices were sent in the name of the Parliament to the King at Kenelworth to Command his resignation of the Crown to his Son Prince Edward at which message the King fell into a swown amongst the Peers at Kenelworth and afterwards coming to himself seeing no other way resign'd his Diadem Whereupon Sir William Trussel one of the messengers in the name of the whole Realm renounced Homage to the King in these words I William Trussel in the name of all men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator do Ressign to Thee Edward the Homage that was made to Thee sometimes and from this time forward now following I defie Thee and deprive Thee of all Royal Power and I shall never be tendant to Thee as for King after this time Not long after this the King was taken from Kenelworth and delivered by Indenture to the custody of Thomas Gourny and Sir John Mattravers who shortly after Murthered him by thrusting an hot spit up his Fundament into his Bowels at Barclay Castle for which fact they were forced to fly the Country This Edward the Second was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. He was the 4 Son of Edward the I. by Ellianor his Queen Sister to Alfonsus King of Castile His Reign began on Friday the seventh of July Anno Domini 1307 he reigned 19 years 6 Moneths and 18 days and was the 30 sole Monarch of England he was murthered as is before declared Anno 1327 being the 20 year of his Reign and 41 of his Age his body was buried at Gloucester CHAP. XX. Of King Edward the Third commonly called Edward of Windsor ABout the beginning of this King's Reign one Nycholas Lyrian a Divine of Oxford wrote a Book de Visione Dei against the Pope now by Advice of the Lord Mortimer the King acquitted the Scots of all his claim and Superiority to their Kingdom and shortly after this the King of France died without Issue and King Edward laid claim to the Crown and now the Queen-Mother being reported to be with Child by the Lord Mortimer who was too familiar with her he was thereupon taken at Nottingham and sent Prisoner to London where he was hanged at Tyburn remaining on the Gallows the space of two days for an Ignomenious Spectacle and presently after the King abridged his Mother of her too large Dowry bringing her to one thousand pounds per Annum Anno 1339. a Sudden Inundation of Water at New-castle upon Tine did bear down part of the Town-Wall where 120 Men and Women were drowned And the year after near Chippingnorton in Oxford-shire was found a Serpent having two Heads and two Faces like Women one Face attired after the New Fashion of Women's Attire and the other Face like the old Attire and Wings like a Batt And Fiends and Devils and strange Apparitions were seen by Men and spake unto them as they travelled About this time Dr. Ockham of Oxford wrote against the Popes John and Clement affirming them to have no Power over Civil Magistrates And now the King assisted Baliol against David Bruse King of Scotland who was forced to fly into France and Baliol procured the Crown and was made King and did Homage to King Edward as his Father had done to King Edward the First The King went four times into
conduct but they refused to go which caused the King with the Prince and other Nobles to march towards them as soon as Piercy Hot-spur discovered the Royal Standard he drew out his Army consisting of about 14000 to try the Fortune of War which at that time proved very averse to him for he and the Earls of Worcester Douglas Sir Richard Vernon Barron of Kinlaton and several others with 200 Esquires and Gentlemen of Cheshire that day or the next loss their Lives with an Incredible number of common Soldiers and on the King's party were slain the Earl of Stafford and ten new Knights all made that morning and many Esquires and Gentlemen and about 500 common Soldiers the Battel ended the King marched to York whither he commanded the Earl of Northumberland to come who obeyed his Command and had pardon of Life but was abridged in Estate Whiles things were thus setling in the North news came that Wales was still in Rebellion so the Clergy at the motion of their Metropolitan granted the King a Subsidy for Maintenance of his Army and William de Wilford also being in the King's Service on the narrow Seas brought some assistance to his Indigencies by taking 40 Prizes laden with Iron Oyl Sope and Rochel Wines to the number of one thousand Tuns And not long after a Parliament being called another Subsidy was granted and the Earl of Northumberland was again restored to his Possessions presently after this came a Troop of Western men who brought to the King three forein Lords and 20 Knights of note Prisoners from Dartmouth where they also slew the Lord of Castile and several of his men which Lord formerly had burnt Plimouth and thinking to have done so here was by these Plebeans put by his purpose for which good Service the King gave them store of Gold And now the King calling Three Parliaments one after another for Money could get none the chief Opposer was Thomas Mowbray Earl Marshal who drew Richard Scroop Archbishop of York into a Conspiracy against the King and the Earl of Westmerland pretending to side with them ensnared them both in his Gin and presented them to the King who caused both their Heads to be struck off although Westmerland had promised them their Lives And now the King began again to pursue the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardolf who were supposed privy to Earl Marshals Conspiracy with an Army of 37000 Men whereupon they fled into Scotland the King seeing this took Barwick by battering down a Tower in the Wall with a great Gun the first that was used in England and took Alnwick and all other Castles belonging to the Earl of Northumberland And from hence marching to Wales he expected the like good Fortune there but such a sudded Rage of Waters in Wales came so fast down upon his Army that he was forced to return 50 Waynes laden with Treasure and other Carriages being destroyed by the Rage thereof After this another Parliament being called they granted a Subsidy being rather wearied with the King's Importunity than out of any good Will to him Anno 1407. being the next year after there was so great a Plague in England that in short space it destroyed 30000 in London and multitudes elsewhere in the Realm and the year after was a great Frost that held 15 Weeks All this while Glendour continuing his Rebellion in Wales The Earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardolf leaving Wales into which they had escaped and coming to raise Forces in the North were met and encountred by Sir Thomas Rookby the Sheriff of York-shire who flew the Earl and gave the Lord Bardolf a wound of which he died After this the Duke of Burgundy sending to the King for Aid against the Duke of Orleance had his Request answered and presently after Orleance sending for Aid against Burgandy and promising greater matters than the other it was granted to him also to the great wonder of many and now the Lord Hail Marshal of France laying a Siege to a certain strong place in Gascoign with other Lords and about 4000 Men of Arms were driven from thence by Sir John Blunt with 300 Soldiers and 12 of the Principallest and about 120 Gentlemen were then taken Prisoners but the King lived not to see the Fortune and Carriage of these Wars In this King's Reign through Arch-Bishop Arundells Procurement William Sawtree William Swinderby and William Thorp suffered Martyrdom for their Faith being all worthy Divines This Henry the Fourth was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was the eldest Son of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster by Blaunch his Wife Daughter and Heir to Henry Plantaginet Duke of Lancaster Son to Edmund Sir-named Crouch-back he began his Reign on Munday the 29 day of September Anno 1399 and reigned 13 years 5 months and 19 days and was the 33 sole Monarch of England He died at London of an Apoplexy on Sunday the 20 day of March Anno 1412. and was buried at Canterbury CHAP. XXIII Of King Henry the Fifth commonly called Henry of Monmouth HE was Crowned at Westminster by Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and at his first entrance dismissed all his youthful Companions and made choice of grave men for his Councellors He was wont every day after dinner for the space of an hour to receive Petitions of the oppressed who with great equity he relieved he was so zealous towards the Clergy hating Lollards or Wickliffians that he caused Sir John Old-Castle Lord Cobham who was the cheif that held that opinion then to be Imprisoned but he afterwards escaping for Wales 37 of his Faction as it was then thought to be being taken were all condemned and seven of them viz. Lawrence Redman David Sawtree William James Thomas Brightwell William Haulam Ralph Greenburst and John Schut were burnt and strangled in St. Gyles's Fields after this the King restored the Son of Lord Piercy Hot-Spur to his Blood and Grandfather's Honour of Earl of Northumberland and presently after sent Embassadors to France to demand the Dutchies of Normandy Aquitain Guyen and Anjou but in derision to his Demands the Dauphin of France sent him a Tun of Tennice Balls as Bullets most fit for his tender hands The King disgusted hereat preparing for Warrs the French made the Scots their Friends to invade Englands marches which accordingly they did in such a violent manner that the King scarce knew which Kingdom to begin with first but at length it was concluded for France the Clergy giving a Tenth and the Temporal Lords their Aid of 346 Men at arms and 552 Archers and about some 10 Ships and to keep back the Scots Sir RobertVmsreivil was sent against them who in a Skirmish took 360 of them Prisoners and great spoil The news of the proceedings here in England flying into France Charles the French King sent his Embassadours to England with offer of money and some Territories of France but none of the best and the
Princess Catherine in Marriage to King Henry but these proffers found no Acceptance for Antelope the Pursevant at Arms was sent to the French King with Letters of Defiance Hereupon Charles sent a million of Gold out of France to the Lords Scroop Gray and Cambridge all three in especial favour with King Henry to betray or murther him before he arrived in Normandy which they O the prevalency of Gold intended to have put in execution but being discovered the Night before the King intended to have put to Sea they were all three beheaded And so the King embarked for France and landed near Harflew commanding his Army that they should do no violence to Churches Church-men Women or Children and so advanced towards the Town and laid Siege to it which shortly after was yielded to him and he turned out the French and Peopled the Town with English Artizans from hence he marched with 2000 Horse and 13000 Foot through the Countries of Caux and Ewe towards Callis but finding so many Obstacles in his way the French having plased shed Woods pulled down Bridges and carried all Victuals out of the Country where he intended to pass and his Soldiers growing sick and faint for want of Victuals he therefore resolved to march back to Callis The French upon this Advantage thinking to surprize the King near Azin Court pitched their Banner Royal their Host consisting of 150000 Horse and 10000 Men at Arms Princes Noblemen and Knights King Henry considering the faintness of his Soldiers through want of Victuals and that the French were six to one desired a Peace but was denied the French making themselves so sure of the Victory as that they had disposed of Court-places and other preferments in England among themselves each knowing his place but this day proved more fatal to them than they expected for King Henry seeing no way but one encouraged his Men and entered Battel obtaining a most glorious Victory with the loss of Edward Duke of York the Earl of Worcester and some few others but of the French fell that day 4000 Princes Nobles Knights and Esquires besides 10000 Common Soldiers and so many Prisoners taken that they far exceeded the Conquerors wherefore the King Commanded to kill them all least they should rise up against them From thence the King marched to Callis and so took Ship for England landing at Dover where he was received with great Triumph and at his entrance into London was presented with 1000 pounds in Gold and two Gold Basons worth 500 pounds Not long after Sigismond the Emperor arrived in England desiring a Peace between England and France which would not be granted and so concluded a Peace between himself and England and received the honourable Order of Knight-hood of the Garter from King Henry he returned And now the King of France having a Navy wasting on the Seas with many Bravadoes the English Fleet under the Command of John Duke of Bedford battered sunk and took the most of them and sent the three great Carracks of Genoa to England But Burgundy now siding with France against England the King thereupon called a Parliament and a Subsidy and tenth was granted him for the maintenance of the Wars against France but all not being sufficient for defraying so vast a charge he was forced to pawn his Crown and sell his Jewells for raising more moneys And being now well prepared he made his Brother John Duke of Bedford Protector of England and so made his second Expedition for France and arrived in Normandy whose Terrour was such that 25000 Families fled out of the Country upon his Arrival His first Attempt was against Conquest the strongest Castle in Normandy which he presently took and bestowed it on his Brother Thomas Duke of Clarence and the Castle of Aumbelliers on the Earl of Salisbury with that of Lovers on the Earl Marshal and presently after Cane was also taken by him About this time the Scots laying Siege against Barwick and Roâ—ksborough they were all scared away with fear when they heard that the Lord Protector and Arch Bishop of York with other Nobles were drawing near them with an Army Presently after a Parliament was called by the Protector 's Authority for raising Money for the Wars in which Parliament Sir John Old-Castle Lord Cobham who held the opinion of Dr. Wickliff was condemned and hanged in St. Giles's Fields being burnt also whilest he was hanging The King at this time laid against the Town and Castle of Fallais which after a while was surrendred upon certain Conditions and after this he divided his Army into several parts under the Command of Himself and Nobles who wan several Castles here and there he with his party laid Siege to Roan which after six months Siege was forced to Surrender there being famished in the Town during the Siege 50000 and 12000 Starvelings turned out of the Town who died in Ditches He caused the Burgesses there to pay him 356000 Crowns towards his Expences in the Siege and likewise to swear Fealty to him and his Successors This place had been about 215 years in the possession of the French from the time that King John of England lost it Presently after the Surrender of this place about 40 other Towns and places of note did yield themselves to the King and now the Duke of Burgundy sought to make Peace but it was denyed King Henry following on now to make an absolute and entire Conquest which shortly after he effected a Flood-Gate being opened unto him for accomplishing of the same by reason of some affronts offered by the Dauphin to his Mother the Queen who impatient of wrongs raised Forces and with the help of the Duke of Burgundy became Regent of France which civil Broils made well for King Henry for Peace being sought with him it was granted with these Conditions that the Crown of France and all its Rights after the Death of the French King Charles and his Queen should remain to King Henry and his Heirs for ever whereupon he married Lady Catherine Daughter to King Charles and so the Sallique Law of France at this time was made void but the Pope being sollicited to confirm Henry King of France would not condescend to it Upon the Sealing and Swearing the above mentioned Articles Philip Duke of Burgundy did Homage to King Henry who was then Stiled and Proclaimed Regent of France and kept his Court at Paris for a time Parliaments being then called which confirmed all things the Nobles all swearing to be true to King Henry except the Dauphin and his party who were in Rebellion and in the last Parliament had Sentence of Disinheritance pronounced against him and in the Court of Chancery in Paris all things were sealed with the Seal of King Henry And now all things thus confirmed the King with his Queen came for England who was no sooner out of France but the Scots hasted thither to the Aid of the Dauphin and in a Skirmish several of
the English were slain amongst whom the King's Brother the Duke of Clarence was one and the Earls of Somerset and Suffolk with other Lords were taken Prisoners the King having notice hereof embarqued again for France and landed at Callis and chased the Dauphin from place to place he not daring to Fight during these proceedings the Queen was brought to Bed at Windsor of a young Prince Henry which news coming to the King's Ears he in a Prophetical way thus spake Good God saith he I Henry of Monmouth shall have but a short Reign and win much but Henry of Windsor shall Reign long and loose all but the Will of God be done Which words of his afterwards proved true And now the King after several brave exploits by him perform'd in this his last expedition into France died appointing by his last Will his younger Brother Humfry Duke of Gloucester Protector of England his Brother John Duke of Bedford Regent of France and Thomas Beaufort Duke of Exceter Guardian of his Son's Body This Henry the V. was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was the eldest Son of King Henry the Fourth by Mary his Queen Daughter to Humfry de Bohun Earl of Hereford Essex and Northampton He began his Reign on Sunday the 20 day of March Anno Do. 1412 and reigned nine years five moneths and 10 days and was the thirty fourth sole Monarch of England He died of a Burning Feavor and Flux at Boice de Vincennois in France on Monday the the one and thirty day of August Anno Domini 1422 and was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXIV Of King Henry the Sixth commonly called Henry of Windsor THis King was Crowned at Westminster being but about 8 months old and a Parliament being called and a Subsidy granted that the regal Chair in the House might not stand empty thither the Queen did carry the young Prince and sate with him in her Lap he speaking to the House in anothers Tongue And now the affairs in France were various Fortune sometimes smiling on the French and other sometimes on the English whereupon the Duke of Bedford Regent of France desired to enter Battel with the French which accordingly was performed near the Vernoil where the French were beaten and about 5000 of them slain besides many taken Prisoners During these proceedings in France James the young King of Scots who had casually been taken Prisoner at Sea in Henry the Fifths time was set at Liberty in England thereby to draw the Scots off from Aiding the French not long after Duke Humphry the Protector was married to Jaqueline of Bavaria her Husband being then living which caused the Duke of Burgundy to forsake the Regent in France and now Factions breeding in the Court of England the Regent left France to appease the dangers at home which he happily performed and then with the Lord Talbot and fresh Forces returned again to France From the beginning of April 1428 unto All-Hallon-Tide after fell such abundance of Rain that not only Hay but Corn also was distroyed About this time at the Regent's Return into France Siege was laid unto Orleance where the Earl of Salisbury was slain yet notwithstanding the Siege continued And Charles the young French King being very pensive not knowing how to remedy this Mischief likely to ensue At Chinon a young Maid called Joane of Loraine a sheeperdess appeared to him bidding him be of good Courage for God had sent her to deliver the Realm and so going to Blâ—yce with the Marshal of France and there getting Forces by her Valour the Siege was raised at Orleance the English loosing 600 men at that Brunt and for some short space after this the loosing and taking of Towns was interchangeable but Joan and the Duke of Alanzon still proceeding in their good fortunes near Jergeaux they fought the Lord Talbot taking him and several Nobles Prisoners and killing about 1000 of the English they not loosing above 600. Hereupon several Towns Revolted from the English and Charles himself who before had kept in now Issued out in Armes thinking to have recovered Paris but he was disapointed of his hopes by the Regent and now the English lying Siege to Champaign Joan the Martial Maid coming to it's Rescue was taken and sent to Roan and there Burnt for a Witch which did not a little dismay the French but success proving still various it was thought that King Henry's presence in France would be a great discouragement to the Carrolines hereupon the King with the Company of the two English Cardinals York and Winchester and other Nobles sailed into France Anno. 1432 and at Paris by the Cardinal of Winchester he was Crowned King of France yet Charles esteemed himself not the less a King for all this the King having thus taken possession of France not long after took his farewel of it his Return was by Roan and so over Land to Callis and thence to England again and now the Soldiers beginning to be weary of their Imployment and discontented with their Wages fell to Mutiny at Paris for which the Regent cashiered 110 and chopt of the heads of four of the Principallest of them Anno 1435 the Theames was so frozen that the Merchants which came to the Thames Mouth were forced to be carryed to London by Land And now after several Changeable Successes in France at length the Regent dyed the news of whose death coming to England Richard Duke of York was sent Regent but Paris was lost before his Arrival in France and after several Skirmishes with the English the French proceeded to besiege Callis to which place the new Regent drew his Army but King Henry hearing hereof and fearing the worst sent the Protector with a great Fleet against the French at whose approach they all ran away and so the Protector Settling the State of Callis returned with great honour But this new Regent performing little or nothing in France he Returned for England and Richard Earl of Warwick went in his place but he after a short space dying the Duke of York went again and at his Return into France prossered several times to fight the French King who never durst undertake to joyn Battel with him Not long after this the Duke of Orleance was set at Liberty who had been Prisoner ever since the Battel at Azin Court which was above 26 yeares before his Ransom was 300000 Crowns the Protector was much against his Releasment Anno 1438. All the Lions in the Tower of London dyed and this same year was held the Council at Florence being the 16 General Council Eugenius the fourth being Pope Julythe 18. Anno 1440. The Postern of London by East Smith-field against the Tower of London sunk by Night and about 2 years after a Contest fell between the Duke of Gloucester and the Cardinal his Uncle and the Duke's Lady was accus'd by the Cardinal Henry Chicely Arch-Bishop of Canterbury for Witch-craft as if by Art Magick she
Leicester and from thence to Coventry where Warwick lay but durst not Fight him and so to Warwick whither the Duke of Clarence being come he and Edward became Friends and they marching to London where the Geates were set open every one crying King Edward Here Henry was again taken and sent Prisoner to the Tower the Earl of Warwick perceiving how things went found it was no time to be idle and therefore resolved to win or loose all by Battel and so marched towards London as far as Barnet King Edward pitching his Tents at Gladmore near Barnet to oppose him having at this time King Henry with him on Easter day they joyned Battel and Fortune sided with King Edward the Earl of Warwick and Lord Montacute his Brother were slayn and three Lords on King Edward's side and in all on both sides about 10000 besides several Nobles as the Duke of Somerset the Earls of Oxford and Exceter c. fled and took Sanctuary and afterwards proved Broachers of new Plots And now King Edward rid Triumphantly to London having King Henry still with him and about this very time landed Queen Margaret Henry's Wife and her Son Edward in England but hearing of the loss at Barnet field they took Asylum at the Abby of Ceerne to which place the Lords that fled from Barnet repaired who comforted the Queens heart with future hopes here forces repairing to them they flye from place to place and at length fought King Edward at Teuxsbury where three or four of the Chief of them as the Earl of Devonshire and Somersets Brother were slain and 3000 men besides and Prince Edward heir to Henry was taken and several Lords taking Sanctuary at Tewxsbury were nevertheless haled thence and beheaded and it is reported Prince Edward was basely murthered by the Duke of Gloucester and some of King Edwards Servants for speaking somewhat to boldly in the Kings Presence After this Queen Margaret was taken from Sanctuary and carryed Prisoner to Worcester and shortly after from thence to London after this the Lord Fawconberge Son to the Earl of Kent raised a confused Army of 17000 men for the Aide of King Henry but he was quickly curbed and fled to Sea And shortly after King Henry was stabbed to the heart by Crookt-back Richard Duke of Gloucester who as is shewed before was a main Instrument in Prince Edward's Murther it is recorded of King Henry that he had an honest mind a comely personage and was more like a Saint than a King now Queen Margaret being ransomed by her Father went beyond Seas to him and there languished away her dayes And after this all Henrys Friends being either banished or put to Death Edward was then at quiet and calling a Parliament all King Henry's Laws were Abrogated And about this time the Duke of Burgandy sent to desire King Edward's Assistance against King Lewis of France so the King went in Person with as great an Army as ever went out of England but he did Burgundy little good for he concluded a Peace with France on condition that Lewes should pay King Edward 70000 Ducats for his Charges and 50000 to be paid him yearly and that the Dauphin should marry Elizabeth his eldest Daughter and so returned for England About this time one John Huss suffered the flames on Tower hill for the profession of a good Faith and now all things being setled King Edward followed his pleasure and being on his Progress in Warwickshire he chanced to hunt in the Park of one Thomas Burdet Esq and killing store of Deer among the rest a white Buck was killed which Mr. Burdet hearing of he wished the horns in his belly that Councelled the King to kill him for which words he was beheaded at Tiburn And in those catching times a Jest of a Mercer in Cheapside telling his Son if he would ply his Book he should be Heir to the Crown meaning his own house that had that sign cost him his Life After this the Duke of Clarence being falsely Attainted and Condemned by Parliament he was shortly after drowned in a Butt of Malmsy in the Tower And James King of Scots about this time sent into England to dare King Edward to Fight who sent an Army under the Command of his Brother the Duke of Gloucester whereupon the Scots fainted and concluded Peace upon certain conditions and yielded up Barwick into the hands of the English out of whose possession it had been about 21 yeares After this the French breaking the Articles of Peace by the Dauphin's Marriage to Lady Margaret of Austrich Grand Child to the Emperour Frederick the King hereupon intended War against them but was prevented by Death Of those four Concubines King Edward delighted in Jane Shoare was not the least beloved by him This Edward the Fourth was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was Son to Richard Plantaginet Duke of York by his Wife Daughter to Richard Nevil Earl of Salisbury He began his Reign on Monday the fourth day of March Anno 1460. and Reigned 22 years 1 Moneth and 5 dayes and was the 36 Sole Monarch of England He dyed of a Surfeit at Westminster on Friday the 9 day of April Anno 1483 being the 40. year of his Age and 23 of his Reign His body buried at Winsor in the new Chappel whose was foundation himself laid CHAP. XXVI Of King Edward the Fifth THis King was never Crowned for at the very first his Uncle the Duke of Glocester began to think of deposing him drawing to his side the Duke of Buckingham and Lord Hastings they resolve forthwith to remove all the Queen's Friends from the King and to compass their Design they perswade the Queen that her son the King might come to London to his Coronation accompanied only with some few of his friends which she little suspecting what they aimed at easily condiscended unto and now they proceed to the taking of their Prey imprisoning the Lord Rivers the Queens Brother at Northampton they then hasted after the King to Story-Stratford whither he was gone on his way for London and here they made bold in the King's presence to arrest the Lord Richard Woodvile Sir Richard Grey and Sir Thomas Wagham and carried the King and all his company back to Northampton there displacing such of his Servants as they thought fit and putting others whom they pleased in their places Having thus far proceeded in their Design the perfidious Duke of Gloucester took upon himself the Order and Governance of the young King and sent Lord Richard Woodvile and the other two Knights to Pontefract Castle in York-shire where in Conclusion they were beheaded The Queen having notice of these proceedings betook her self with her Children to Sanctuary in Westminster where shortly after the Arch-Bishop of York then Lord Chancelour delivered her the Great Seal but afterwards considering of the Danger he might incur hereby sent for it again And now the Dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham coming to
and 8 moneths He was the 39 Sole Monarch of England he dyed on Sunday the 22 day of April Anno 1508 being in the 24 year of his Reign and about the 52 of his Age and was buried at Weminster in that famous Chappel of his own founding CHAP. XXIX Of King Henry the Eight THis King Henry was Crowned at Westminster by William Warham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and shortly after Empson and Dudly were attainted by Parliament for their Oppressions in Henry the Seventh's time and were beheaded on Tower hill and now the King at the Instigation of Pope Julius the Second sent into France to demand the Dutches Normandy Guyen Anjou and Mayne and being denied them he hereupon joyned Amity with Maximilian the Emperour Ferdinand King of Spain and some other Princes and then sailed for France where he took Terwin ane Tournay by Siege and then Winter approaching he returned for England first making Thomas Wolsey Bishop of Tournay and afterward of Lincoln York Winchester Bath Worcester Hereford Now during the Siege at Terwin the Scots under the Command of their King James the Fourth Henry's Brother in Law entered the Borders of England pretending Truce broken by the killing of Andrew Barton the Scotch Pirate against whom the Lord Howard Earl of Sury Lord Lieutenant of the North went with an Army to whom joyned his Son the Lord Admiral and these at Flodden Field fought the Scots and gave them a great Overthrow killing the King three Bishops two Abbots twelve Earls and seventeen Lords and Knights besides a great number of Gentlemen and about 8000 Soldiers and almost as many taken prisoners About this time a peace was concluded on between the English and French and Lewis the King of France was to marry Lady Mary King Henry's Sister which shortly after he did and within a quarter of a year after dyed and she was married afterwards at Callis to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk upon her return for England her Dowry in France was 30000 Crownes yearly for her Life and 120000 Crowns yearly for five years to the King her Brother About this time Wolsey had a Cardinals Cap sent from Pope Leo and was preferred by the King to the place of Lord Chancelor Anno 1517. The Thames was so hard frozen that Men with Horses and Carts might pass betwixt Lambeth and Westminster and this same year was the fifth Lattern Council held being the seventeenth General Council Julius the second and Leo the ten being Popes And now Strangers growing insolent in London a great Tumult thereupon under the Conduct of one John Lincoln did rise on May Eve for which Uproar he was hanged and 400 Boyes and 11 Women were led through the City to Westminster with halters about their Necks in their Shirts but were pardoned by the King And the new King of France paying to King Henry 600000 Crowns in twelve years and under some other certain Conditions had Tournay redelivered to him and Peace was Concluded although Charles the Emperor came in person into England to diswade the King from it but this peace continued not long for the French breaking Truce as was pretended the King thereupon procured several Princes to take the Emperour's part against France and prepared himself for the War causing a general Muster to be made of all able men from 16 years and upwards in every Hamlet Villiage Burrough City and Shire in England and in the mean time the Emperour coming into England again he then agreed to stay for and to take Lady Mary King Henry's Daughter to Wife and then he returned having for his Conduct the Earl of Surry Lord Admiral who at that time wan Morlois and shortly after Returning to France again won and burnt several Towns and then returned to England with great Booty and during these proceedings the Earl of Shrewsbury went against the Duke of Albany who was then made Governor of Scotland and a Truce was concluded on but the Lord Admiral after his Return from France being made Lord Lieutenant of the North notwithstanding the said Truce entered Scotland doing great harm and returned with great Booty Upon the Account of these Wars a Parliament being called by Wolsey's procurement the half of all Spiritual Livings were granted to the King for five years and the Tenth part of temporal Substance and about this time Christian King of Denmark landed in England with his Queen and after 22 dayes Royal Entertainment he Returned to Flanders where he remained as a banished man And now the King sent an Army under the Command of Charles Brandon Duke Suffolk into France who after severral places won and Winter approaching returned honourably for England but the Duke of Albany and the Lord Lieutenant of the North being still at variance at the Mediation of Margaret Queen of Scotland King Henrys Sister together with Wolseys working with the King at length Peace was concluded for a time both with Scotland and France after this several Commotions rose amongst the Commons about the payment of the Subside which when the King heard he pardoned the Offenders and remitted the payment of the Subsidy and now Wolsey began to alienate the King's heart from the Emperour and caused him to with-hold Pay from the Duke of Burbon which was the cause of the French King's Captivity of Burbon's March to Rome where he entered the City in one day and caused Pope Clement and 23 Cardinalls to take the Castle of Angelo for their Refuge where they were maugre all the pushes of the Pope's Leaden Bulls and Curses with Bell Book and Candle-light besieged six Moneths for which offence the Duke of Burbon in the Parliament of France was condemned of Treason And during these Broyles at Rome there arose great Troubles in Ireland but they were quickly laid again by Thomas Lord Howard Earl of Surry Lord Lieutennant of that Kingdom who being recalled into England upon some other Service the Earl of Ossâ—ry was made Deputy and shortly after being displaced Kilder succeeded him against whom Wolsey was a strong Enemy he thereby gained the King's displeasure for his malepartness therein The year 1527 fell such abundance of Rain in November December and January that the Corn fields Pastures and Cattel were thereby destroyed then was it dry till the 12 of April and then Rain again every day and night till the 3 of June following which caused such a Famine in London and all England over that many dyed for want of Succour And now the King begins to charge the Emperour with a promise of Marriage to Lady Mary afterwards our Queen Mary but her Legitimation was by him much questioned as being begotten on his Brother Arthur's Wife hereupon the King grew into dislike of his Marriage and disclaimed his Contract it being the Opinion of some six Forein Universities to be an unlawful Marriage and for this cause Cardinal Campius came into England with whom was joined Cardinal Wolsey in Commission with power to erect a Court to
hear the King's Cause pleaded which accordingly was done and when Sentence of Divorcement should have been according to the King's expectation pronounced Campius then caused Proclamation to be made and adjourned the Court and referred the Sentence to the Pope The King highly displeased hereat sent Dr. Cranmer and some others to the Pope to dispute the unlawfulness of the Marriage who gave Cornelius Agrippa the grand Rabbi in those days such Satisfaction in this point so that none of the Pope's Disputants durst encounter the Doctor about it whereupon a Parliament being called by the King all persons were forbidden to appeal or make payment to Rome and further the King's Marriage with the Lady Catherine of Spain by the said Parliament was Dissolved Upon these proceedings in England the Pope caused his Curse to be set up at Dunkirk in Flanders against the King and pronounced the Marriage Lawful but the King regarded it not for hereby the Pope lost his Supremancy in England and Bishop Fisher and Sir Thomas Moore their Heads for standing for it And now the King married the Lady Ann Bullin Daughter to Viscount Rochford which Lady was accounted a Lutheran and Cardinal Wolsey for his dislike of this Marriage and Adjourning of the Court as is before shewed fell into the Kings Displeasure and several Articles being exhibited against him in Parliament as that he used to write in his Letters I and my King and had caused the Cardinals Cap to be stamped on the Kings Coyn and several other grand Offences hereupon he lost all his Dignities and his House and Furniture were seized and the Earl of Northumberland was sent to bring him up to answer his Charge who took him at Cawood Castle about seven miles from York and as he was on his Journy to London at Leicester Abby he ended his dayes by taking an over much quantity of an Italian Confection for breaking Wind from his Stomach as Report went He is said to have suppressed 40 Monasterys for the raising his two Colledges in Oxford and Ipswich and to have laid by 12 Barrels full of Gold and Silver to serve the Pope in his Wars About this time Elizabeth Barton called the holy Maid of Kent was reported by those who feared the Downfall of Babel to have Revelations from Heaven among which one was That if the King proceeded in his Second Marriage he should not Reign a Moneth to an end but the Mouth of this Oracle was quickly stopt for herself with seven of her Disciples were all execued at Tyburn for Treason And now the Pope seeing his Revenue here in England likely to go to wrack began to write and stir up James the Fifth King of Scots against King Henry his Uncle promising the Crown of England to those that could win it About this time Queen Ann was deliver'd of the Princess Elizabeth afterwards Queen of England and the next year after of a Dead Child and not long after she was sent to the Tower and falsely accused of Adultery and Incest for which she with her Brother the Lord Rochford and Norris Weston and Brierton gentlemen of the Privy Chamber together with one Marks all lost their Heads and the next day after Queen Ann's Death the King married the Lady Jane Seymer And now began the Lord Cromwells rising who by birth was a Black Smyth's Son and had been Cardinal Wolsey's Soliciter he was first made Master of the King's Jewel-house Baron of Oakham in Rutlandshire then Knight of the Garter after that Earl of Essex and then Lord high Chamberlain and lastly the King's Vicar general he was the Sole cause of the demolishing of Monasteryes and the pulling down of Images Idols and Shrines in the Churches of England but this Pillar of the Church was undermined by Stephen Gardener that Murtherer of Protestants in Queen Mary's dayes and so by his means being brought into Dislike with the King at length he was beheaded Now several Commotions arose in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire occasioned by the demolishing of Abbys the Commons being incited thereto by the Monks who had lost their Roast-meat and took ill with Courser Fair but after several propositions made by the Commons to the King and Answers thereunto having Pardon granted they threw down their Arms but several of the Monks rising again with several persons of Quality as the Lord Darcy Lord Hussye Sir Robert Constable Sir Thomas Percy Sir Francis Biggot Sir Stephen Hambleton Sir John Bulmer the Abbot of Fountains Abbot of Gervaulx Abbot of Rivax and Prior of Burlington were afterwards taken and suffered Death and now the King having been two years a Widower since the death of Queen Jane who dyed in Child-Bed of Edward the Sixt afterwards King he was married to the Lady Ann of Cleve but about half a year after through Gardiner's false Suguestions was by Parliament divorsed from her and not long after he Married Catherine Howard Daughter to Edward Brother to Thomas Duke of Norfolk but about 6 Moneths after her Marriage she was condemned of Adultery and lost her Head at Tower Hill and with her the Lady Jane Rochford and several others that year as Margaret the Countess of Salisbury Lord Grey Lord Dacres Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpeper and now the King married the Lady Katherin Parr Wife to the Lord Lattimer And about this time it was enacted by Parliament to be high Treason either to deny the Oath of the King's Supremacy or to acknowledg the Pope and though by this the Discipline of the Church was altered yet little of Doctrine was changed for it was made heresie and death to deny any of the Six Articles following as 1. That after the speaking of the words of Consecration by the Priest the Real and Natural Body and Blood of Christ as he was Conceived and Crucified was in the Sacrament and no other substance 2. That the Communion in both kinds is not necessary to Salvation 3. That Priests may not marry 4. That Vows of Chastity ought to be observed by the Laws of God 5. That private Masses ought to be continued and 6. That Auricular Confession is necessary and expedient to be retained in the Church of God Upon the denial of these six Articles several People suffered the Flames Anno 1541. The King took upon him the Title of King of Ireland and the same year sent an Army against the Scots under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk who when he came to Fight the Scots they willingly lost the day and suffered themselves to be taken Prisoners out of disdain to their Leader Oliver St. Clere for grief whereof their King James the fifth dyed there was at this time 21 men of Account taken Prisoners and committed to the Tower of London but shortly after these Prisoners were released again and a Peace for 10 years concluded upon the promise of a Marriage with the Lady Mary King James his only Child and Prince Edward Henry's Son and Heir afterwards King by the name
Foot and 1000 Horse under the Command of Sir John Norrice and shortly after went the Earl of Leicester as Deputy but no great matters being performed he was again recalled and Commanded to resign up his Government to the Netherlands again and the King of Spain now under the false proffers of Peace prepared his Invincible Navy as it was called against England of which the Queen had notice by the French King so that she caused the generall Forces of her Realm to be mustred and fifteen hundred horsemen and two and twenty thousand Foot were Commanded to repair to Tilbury in Essex whither She also went attended with her own Guard consisting of two thousand three hundred fifty two horsemen and thirty four thousand and fifty foot her Admiral at Sea was Lord Charles Howard and Vice Admiral Sir Francis Drake This Armado consisted as some of our Chronologers reckon of Seventy two Gallisers and Gallions forty seven Ships and Hulks eleven Pinaces and Carvals two thousand eight hundred forty and three great Ordinance eight thousand ninety and four Saylers eighteen thousand six hundred fifty and eight Soldiers two thousand eighty and eight Gally-Slaves two hundred and twenty thousand great Shot four hundred and seventy thousand and four hundred pounds of Powder one hundred and twelve thousand pounds of Lead for Bullets one hundred thirty four thousand and four hundred pounds of Match seven thousand Muskets and Callivers ten thousand Partizans and Halberts with Biskets Flesh Cheese Rice and other Necessarys for six months but this Terrour of the World was terrified and vanquished by the gallantry of the renouned Lord Howard and Sir Francis Drake who destroyed fourscore and one of the Spaniards Vessels and seventeen thousand of their Men besides many Noble persons taken Prisoners nay there was scarce a worthy Family in all Spain that in this expedition lost not either a Son Brother or Kins-man the Pope's Contribution towards this Expedition was a Million of Gold it was in the year 1588. And now the Queens Enimies being Dissipated She caused publick Thanks to be given to God through the Realm and there were Executed for Treason against her Majesty here in England at several times before and after this Invasion about one hundred Persons whereof threescore and seven were Jesuires And now to requite the Spaniars the Queen the year after assisted Don Antonio King of Portugal with eleven thousand Soldiers and five and twenty hundred Marriners under the Command of Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Drake these English Soldiers won the Groyne and it being intended to be rescued they so valliantly behaved themselves that they took the Spanish King's standard and made great slaughter of their Enemies and burning both the said Town and the Country for three miles round about they then betook themselves to Sea again and shortly after the Earl of Essex joyned with them and then they Sailed for Portugal and took Penish from whence they went to Attempt Lisbone the Metropolis of Portugal but not being able to overcome it they returned and had the Castle of Cassais rendered to them and they took 60 Spanish Hulks Laden with Corn Masts Cables Copper and Wax and so retuned for England with great Honor. After this Supplys were sent by the Queen to Henry King of Navarr a Protestant for the gaining the French Crown but he finding many Rubs in his way changed his Religion and then easily obtained it About this time Anno 1591 one William Harket was executed in Cheapside for Blasphemy and Treason and about three years after Doctor Lopez suffered And now the Spanish Practices still in the Queens thoughts at length she set out a Brave Navy against the Spaniards Anno 1596. their first Assault was on Cadez which Place they won and forced the Cittizens to pay them twenty thousand Duccats for their Ransom and the Ships of the Spaniards which the English ran ashoar there proffered five and twenty hundred thousand Duccats for their ransom which being denyed Acceptance at the Command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia they were all set on fire they being estimated to be worth twelve Millions of Duccats After this another Fleet went again and the Spaniards every where being worsted the Fleet again returned for England with three Prizes worth four hundred thousand Duccats and Sigismond King of Pollonia and the King of Denmark about this time sought to the Queen to conclude a Peace with France but prevailed not And now Tirr Owen in Ireland breaking into Rebellion after some Expeditions thither at length the Earl of Essex was sent Deputy who concluded a Peace with Tirr Owen from six weeks to six weeks for which he was much condemned by the Lords and recalled into England again by the Queen and afterwards lost his head the Queen being neither privy nor consenting to it for whose Death she sore lamented dureing her Life which lasted not long after and bid the Plague of God light upon them for their act which Curse shortly after took effect for in one year there dyed of the Plague in London and the Suburbs thirty thousand five hundred seventy eight besides all those that dyed of other Diseases After Essex the Lord Mountjoy went Deputy for Ireland by whose vigilancy and Courage Tirr Owen at length with all his Adherents from the Pope and the King of Spain were Totally routed and he forced to fly into Spain and now the Spaniards all hopes of prevailing against England being gon began to sue for Peace which upon certain Conditions was granted them and the Queen afterthis perceiving the time of her dissolution to draw nigh named King James of Scotland for her Successor and not long after dyed she was a Queen endowed with all the benefits of Nature a comely person for her Body but more comly in her Soul and an excellent Schollar as may appear by these following Verses made in praise of her None like Elizabeth was found in Learning so divine She had the perfect skilful art of all the Muses nine In Latine Greek and Hebrew She most excellent was known To Foreign Kings Embassadors the same was daily shown The Italian French and Spanish Tongue she well could speak and read The Turkish and Arabian Speech grew perfect at her need This Elizabeth was Queen of England France and Ireland she was the only Daughter of King Henry the Eight by his Second Queen Ann of Bulloin she began her Reign on Thursday the 17 day of November Anno 1558. and reigned 44 years 4 months and 7 days and was the 43 Sole Monarch of England She dyed on Wednesday the 24 day of March Anno 1602 being in the 45 year of her Reign and 69 of her Age. She was buried at Westminster with this Queen expired the Sovereignty of the Tewdors yielding place to the Stuarts to Succeed in which Name it still doth and long and prosperously may it so continue CHAP. XXXIII Of King James HE was Crowned at Westminster by Dr.
whereupon a Fleet was set to Sea who spoiling all the Spanish Vessels they met withal for that time returned and after this the King called a Parliament and desired a Subsidy but was denied notwithstanding his Treasures were Exhausted and the War Just and Honorable But although the Parliament denied the King a Supply he made use of some other means for pocurement of Money and joining Amity and Forces with the Vnited Provinces once again he set a mighty Navy to Sea which did mightily annoy the Spanish Coast and spoiled their Ships and among the rest some of France became Preys to them which caused the Seizure of some English Merchants Goods whereupon several French were comanded to leave England but Monsieur Bassompiere coming Embassador prevailed so far that several French were again recalled but nevertheless all Commerce between the two Kingdoms was prohibited on both sides And the French grievously oppressed the Rochellers to whose Assistance several men were sent out of England but doing little good they returned again for which Cause some were Imprisoned And now several Complaints being exhibited upon this Account by the Parliament the King dissolved them and intended new Supplies under the Duke's Command for Rochell but he being ready to Embarque was Stabbed by one Felton who got the Gallows for his Reward And now the King called another Parliament desiring a Grant of Tunnage but was denied whereupon they were Dissolved upon which Account great Contentions arose the King Commanding the Merchants to pay their Customs and the Parliament forbidding them whereupon several Members were Imprisoned and among the rest Sir John Elliot was one but the Merchants ready enough to Imbrace those Commands were most for their Advantage did thereupon obey the Parliaments Mandates and slighted the King's they remembring that about 100 years before there was a Penalty imposed upon the Merchants for paying their Customs the Parliament being then against it and in Memory thereof there was a Chappel built called Alderman-Bury Anno 1630 May the 29 the Queen was brought to Bed of Prince Charles now King of England and about 6 years after Mr. Hambden refusing to pay Ship-money Sentence passed against him by 12 of the Judges who absolutely declared for the Legality of it only Judg Hutton and Judg Crook dissented and new Stirs now arising about the Book of Common-Prayer in Scotland which occasioned the sad War that afterwards ensued the King marched thitherward with an Army and the Scots meeting him laid down their Arms whereupon Peace was concluded but at the King's return he was again Pricked forward by some who rather sought their own Advantage than his hereupon he went again for Scotland but nothing was done and now they had taken their Covenant as it was called against the King who called a Parliament to relieve his wants but they treading in their Predecessors Steps denied him a Supply And now the Irish being afresh in Rebellion the Long Parliament for so it was called by Reason of its long Continuance for the King had Signed a Bill for them to Sit as long as they pleased sought means to suppress them and all Ceremonies were forbidden in the Church of England but only such as were usen in Queen Elizabeths time the Earl of Strafford Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Bishop Wren were Impeached of High-Treason and sent to the Tower and most of the Judges who had declared for Ship-mony were Voted Delinquents Judg Berkly was Arrested by the Usher of the Black Rod for High-Treason as he sate on the King 's Bench. Seven Romish Preists were also Imprisoned whose Pardon was granted by the Parliament at the Request of the French Embassador and the King to Ingratiate himself released them at which the Parliament took Snuff because they were not first made acquainted before their Releasement and to thwart the King in his Proceedings they changed their former Decree and caused two of the Priests to be put to Death which Act of theirs took mainly with the People but this as good Reason displeased the King who complained of the Insolencies of the Lower house to his Peers and so proceeded to displace some Officers of State putting in another Lieutenant of the Tower whereupon the Lower house did Article against the new Lieutenant to the Peers who refused to meddle in the Business it being the King's Prerogative to put in whom he pleased but not long after a multitude of Apprentices and other People came Thundring to the Hall-Door crying to have the new Lieutenant either remov'd or else they would turn All upside down This giddy headed Rabble of Plebeans demanded also that Bishops should be Excluded the Parliament-house and to satisfy their blind folly they ran into Westminster Abby and spoiled the Vestments Organs and Sepulchers and all else that was comely or decent and from thence they ran confusedly to Whitehall and there Thundered out the same Languages but least they should proceed to some further Insolencies the King the next day fortified himself with a strong Guard And now things beginning to work for the Parliament they thought it good pollicy to make Hay whilest the Sun shone and to strike whilest the Iron was hot and hereupon they under the pretence of some Fear assumed to themselves a Guard also for their Defence and constituted the Earl of Essex Captain thereof and further they without the King's Consent or Knowledge appointed an Extraordinary Assembly in the City of London and further to ingratiate themselves with the Novelty-mongers they cast 12 Bishops into Prison which Business much troubled the King and the year before Anno 1641 the Lord Strafford was Beheaded and about two years after the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who died as Sacrifices for the Popular Fury and Martyrs for the Government Now the King grieved at these Insolencies proceeded to accuse one Member of the House of Peers and five of the House of Commons of High-Treason and demanding the Members they were denied to be delivered to him whereupon he with 500 Armed men went to the Hall he alone entring the Parliament House and not seeing any of the Accused Members there he then declared his Good Intentions to the Parliament and so returned and the next day went again but found them not the Parliament hereupon put the City in Arms and Adjourned their Sitting for five days forbidding the Citizens to help the King to find out any of the said Members whose Commands they so far obeyed as that in Despight of the King they carried the said Members and placed them in the House again in their several places and the Parliament still proceeding to lessen the King's Power sent Letters to the adjacent Counties commanding them to draw up in Arms upon which Account there was ready upon occasion above twenty Thousand men the King seeing these Proceedings hasted to Hampton-Court And now the Parliament daily increased in their Power and went and sate in the City to endear themselves the more to the Citizens and
to the Parliament Januar. Bodmyn Fight and Liscard taken by Sir Ralph Hopton Belvoire Castle surprized by Collonel Lucas Leeds stormed and taken by Sir Thomas Fairfax and afterwards Doncaster and Wakefield were quitted by the Royallists and Garrisoned by the Parliament A party of 700 Horse and Foot under the Command of Collonel Slingsby defeated at Gisborough and Brill assaulted by Collonell Hambden but bravely repulsed by Sir Gilbert Gerrard Febr. The Fight at Hutton Feild better known by the name of Yarm Fight where the Parliaments Forces were routed Cyrencester or Cycester in Gloucester-shire taken by Prince Rupert Shudly Castle stormed by Collonell Massy and yielded to the Parliament and the Queen landed at Bridlington-Key in York-shire March Litchfield won by the Parliament and the Lord Brook killed there by a Shot in the Eye The Fight at Hopton-Heath in Staffordshire Gell and Brereton defeated there by his Majesties forces Earl of Northampton who Commanded them slain Malmsbery surrender to the Parliament Grantham taken by Collonel Charles Cavandish Scarborough delivered up to his Majesty by Brown Bushell and Sir Thomas Fairfax routed at Bramham-Moor 1643. Apr. Burmingham taken by Prince Rupert Young Hotham routed near Ancaster in Lincolnshire by Collonell Cavendish Litchfield after three weeks Siege surrendred to his Highness Prince Rupert And Redding after a Fortnights Siege surrendred to the Earl of Essex May. The Parliament Forces routed near Banbury by the young Earl of Northampton Warder Castle and Monmouth surrendered to the Parliament The Parliament Forces defeated at Stratton in Devonshire by the Lord Hopton And the King's Forces defeated at Wakefield June Taunton and Bridg-water delivered to the Parliament The Parliament Forces routed by Collonell Cavendish at Dunnington in Lincolnshire and by Prince Rupert also at Chalgrove-Field in Oxfordshire Howly house taken by the Earl of Newcastle Thamworth Castle yielded and Fairfax defeated by the Earl of Newcastle on Adderton-Heath July Middletons Horse and Dragoons routed at Padbury near Buckingham by Sir Charles Lucas Bradford taken Hallifax and Denton house quitted by the Parliament Burton upon Trent taken for the King by the Lord Germin Landsdown Fight Lord Dencourt's eldest Son slain Lord Grey of Wark Sir William Armin and Mr. Darly sent by the Parliament to Invite the Scots to their Assistance Runaway-down Fight the Parliament Forces routed there by Prince Mawrice Earl of Carnarvan Lord Wilmot and about a thousand slain and 4000 taken and 28 Colours of Foot Bristow surrendred to Prince Rupert and not long after Gainsborough rendered Aug. Dorchester yielded to the Earl of Carnarvan Portland Reduced Weymouth and Melcombe submitted and Beaverly taken by the Earl of Newcastle Sept. Biddford Appleford and Barnstable surrendred to the King Exceter taken by Prince Mawrice Gloucester besieg'd and relieved by the Earl of Essex Lin yielded to the Earl of Manchester Awborne Fight in Wiltshire Marquess De La Vien Ville slaint here Newbery Fight Earls of Carnarvan and Sunderland with the Lord Viscount Faulkland slain and about six thousand men on both sides Octob. Redding garrisoned by the King and Dartmouth surrendered to Prince Maurice Decemb. Hawarden Castle yielded to the King Arundel Castle taken by the Parliament Forces Beeston Castle and Laply house taken for the King and after that Grafton house in Northamtonshire and Grew house in Cheshire January Scots invaded England March Sir Thomas Fairfax and Mitton beaten from Drayton in Shropshire by Prince Rupert Hopton Castle and Warder Castle taken for the King Newark relieved by his Highness Prince Rupert and Sir John Meldrum and his Forces there defeated their Armes Cannon and Ammunition all taken from them and they permitted to goe away with their Lives after this Gainsborough Lincoln and Sleeford were all quitted by the Parliament and Sturton Castle surrendered to the King 1644. Apr. Longford house in Shropshire surrendred to Prince Rupert Cheriton-down fight about a thousand slain Winchester retaken by Sir William Waller Tong Castle surrendred to Prince Rupert and Studcombe in Dorcetshire taken by him May. Bewdly in Worcestershire taken by Collonel Fox Stopford in Cheshire by Prince Rupert Latham house after 18 weeks Siege relieved by his Highness's Approach and Bolton in Lancashire taken by him and about 800 Men slain June Borstall house taken by Sir Henry Gage Collonell Shuttleworth defeated by Prince Rupert at Blackburn in Lancashire Waller at Crappedy-Bridge loosing about three hundred Men. And the Skirmish at North-Allerton where the Royallists under the Command of Collonel Errington who thought to have blown up the Toll-Bouth there with about 90 Scots in it Commanded by Master Rymer were defeated one Salvine and some three more slain July York relieved by Prince Rupert after which followed that bloody Fight on Marston-Moore about 9000 men slain shortly after which York was yielded up by Sir Thomas Glenham Aug. Lestithiel taken by the King Sept. Bassing relieved by Sir Henry Gage and Sir George Bunckly Octob. Banbury Siege raised by the Earl of Northamton and Collonel Gage and Newbery Second Fight where was slain four or five thousand men Novemb. Dennington Siege raised by the King and the siege at Bassing house against which place Sir William Waller had lost about a thousand Men and Monmouth retaken by the King's party Decemb. Earl of Essex cashiered of his Command and Sir Thomas Fairfax Voted General of the Parliament Forces Jan. Sir John Hothan Father and Son beheaded and the Skirmish at Cutham Bridge Sir Henry Gage slain Feb. Vxbridge Treaty Shrewsbury surprized by the Parliament and Rossiter Defeated near Melton Mowbray March Pomfret relieved and the Parliaments Army deseated by Sir Marmaduke Langdale 1645. Apr. Collonel Massy defeated by Prince Rupert at Ledbury and Blechington-House delivered to the Parliament May. Oxford the first time besieged Godstowe house quitted Eversham taken by the Parliament and Leicester by the King June Leicester regained by the Parliament Carlisle after 41 weeks Siege delivered up by Sir Thomas Glenham to the Scots July The Kings Forces defeated at Langport about 200 slain and 1400 taken Pomfret Castle Bridgwater Scarborough and Bath delivered to the Parliament Aug. The Parliament Quarters beaten up at Tame Sherburn Castle taken by the Parliament And the Scots defeated at Kilsieth in Scotland by Montross Sept. Bristol surrendred to the Parliament Montross defeated at Philliphaugh in Scotland and the Kings Forces were worsted at Routon-heath near Chster Oct. Bassing house taken by Cromwell and in it the Marquess of Winchester and the Lord Digby defeated at Sherborn in York-shire Novemb. The King returned to Oxford Bolton and Beeston Castles yeilded Decemb. Latham house delivered by the Kings order after a second siege of above two years and Hereford surprized by the Parliamentarians before which place the Scots in August before had lost about a thousand men Jan. Wormleighton house burnt and Dartmouth itormed and taken by the Parliament Febr. Belvoire Castle and Westchester delivered to the Parliament Torrington stormed by them and Lanceston Saltash and Lize
could not draw the Scots to a Field Battel presently transported over the Fife 1600 Foot and 4 Troops of Horse who with the help of Lambert and Okey routed Sir John Brown's Forces took him and several other persons of Quality Prisoners and slew two thousand upon the place and took near 120 Prisoners Now the King seeing the English preval so fast thought it best to acquit Scotland and so marched for England beginning his march the last day of July Anno 1651 Cromwell seeing this sent Lambert after them with a select party of Horse to fall upon their Rear and himself with the rest that could be spared followed and the Parliament also hearing of the King's March interdicted all Aid and Assistance either of men or money to be given to his Majesty under the penalty of High-Treason and they also caused numerous Forces to be raised in most Counties in England The King's Army now in England carryed themselves very civilly yet for all that the People were so besorted that they came very slowly into his Assistance for few or none came during this tedious march saving the Lore Howard's Son of Estrich with a Troop of Horse and now Lambert with his Men having been guided over the Dales and Moors in York-shire got the Advantage of the King's Army in their March and instead of following them got before them and thought to have stopt the King's Army at Warrington-Bridg but after an hot Dispute and the loss of some men the King at length gained the passage over the Bridg and coming to Tong Norton he sent a Trumpeter with his Summons to Collonell Humphry Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury to render up the Town but he sent the King a flat denial giving him the Title only of Commander in chief of the Scottish Army in the Superscription of his Letter he sent back from hence the King marched on to Worcester where he entered the Town the Earl of Derby a little before had brought him a supply of 250 Foot and 60 Horse out of the Isle of Man and was gon into Lancashire in hopes to have gotten more Forces there but was routed there by Lilborn and most of his cheif Commanders slain as the Lord Withrington Sir Thomas Tilsly Collonel Trollop and Collonel Bointon and some others taken This misfortune was imputed to the disappointment his Lordship received in Lancashire to which place his Majesty had ordered him to repair with assurance that the Presbyterians would frely join with him in order to his Majesties Restauration but coming thither he found it otherwise and that they did all they could to hinder any Conjunction unless he would take the Covenant which refusing to do he was forced upon that Engagement before mentioned in Wiggon-lane where he behaved himself with all possible bravery and Col. Massy also had his part in the Honor of this occasion His Majesty all this time was busie in fortifying of Worcester in the mean time Major General Lambert gained the Pass at Vpton where the Bridg was cut down by causing the Troopers to swim the River upon their Horse-backs taking their Pistols out of the Holsters and carrying them in their hands to save them from wet and this Attempt was principally undertaken for saving the Lives of 40 or 50 desperate Fellows who had got over the Bridge upon a pole of Wood and were forced into the Church close nigh the Bridg by Major General Massy's men where they had all been cut off if the Troopers had not swum the River who thereby not only saved the said men but also put Major General Massy and his men to the Retreat and so the Royallists were forced to quit the Town and leave the pass to the Parliamentarians who quickly made a Bridg of Boats over the River and now Cromwel joining with the rest of the Forces against the King after some Sallies out of the Town against them at length the King in the Front of his men sallied out of the Town on the third day of September Anno 1651 and so valiantly charged Cromwell's Life Guard that they were forced to retire till seconded by fresh Forces and then they put the Royal party to the Retreat and the King had his Horse twice shot under him and not able to rally again they were forced to fly into the Town where the Cromwellian party entered pell mell with them and then the Cry went Save the King Save the King And now the King seeing all gone with some Nobles and Servants with much difficulty got away and coming to a Farmers House in the Borders of Staffordshire there he disrobed himself and for want of a pair of Scissars had his Hair cut off with a Knife and so he with the Company of one Friend who brought him Provision towards Night betook himself into a Wood about 4 miles from Woolverhampton where he made an Oak his Pallace and the Soldiers all this while were hunting about like Blood-hounds for the King a Thousand pound being the promised Reward of those that could take him But some few dayes after he was conveyed to the House of one Mris Jane Lane who proved a faithful and loyal Subject to him and was a chief Instrument in his conveyance beyond Seas which after many Dangers past he at length attained landing at new-Haven in France In the Battel at Worcester it is supposed there was about 3000 slain and 700 taken Prisoners The Parliament to manifest their joy for this Victory caused dayes of Publick Thanksgiving to be made and hung up all the Scotch Colours in Westminster-Hall and not long after this the Earl of Derby was beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire And now the King being safely gotten to Paris from thence after a while the King removed to St. Germains and did confer with the Duke of Lorrain for the recovery of his Kingdom of Ireland but it came to nothing so the King returning again to Paris during his abode there his Brother the Duke of Gloucester who had a long time been detained by the Parliament of England in the Isle of Wight came to visit him accompanied from the Hague with Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir Richard Greenvile And not long after his Quandam Preserver Mris Jane Lane being escaped out of England arrived in France and sent Letters to his Majesty certifying him of her Arrival who presently sent Coaches to conduct her to Paris where his Majesty gave her a large demonstration of his Princely Favour and Bounty Now whil'st the King was passing away his time thus in France in the mean time Oliver Cromwel the 20 of April 1653 dissolved the long-lived Parliament which had sate twelve years six months and seventeen days and in derision they were cryed about the Streets Parliament men Four a peny And in this year and the year preceeding were five bloody Ingagements at Sea between the English and the Dutch after the long Parliament dissolved Oliver called another Juncto who after they had sate