preserve the English in amitie was to keepe them at home Whereupon he frequently entertaind the King with Embassies full of curtesie such as might appeare rather the arguments of a sincere friendship then the forc'd expressions of ceremonie And ever communicated with him his private counsailes requiring his faithfull advice when indeed hee reserv'd his resolutions of any high nature wholly to himselfe all in the conduction of affaires though hee would listen to the opinion of King Edward he still obeyed his owne But this with his other Arts continued his reputation good with the English and purchast that quiet he suspected might by our armes be interrupted And what renderd his securitie the more troubles began betweene us and Scotland which wee may well beleeve hee underhand increast The occasion of them was the evill inclination and ungovernd spirit of James the third who disdaining to listen to the temperate counsailes of sober men obeyed onely his owne judgement which passion threw headlong into rash attempts The freedome of advice by the Lords of that countrey used toward their Princes renderd the speaker hatefull and frequently was rewarded with imprisonment or exile if not with death Among the multitude of them disfavour'd by him Alexander Duke of Albanie the King of Scotlands brother banisht into France resented the injury and endeavor'd revenge So that as hee past through England towards his exile being admitted to the King by all arguments he incenc'd him to a warre Which could not but prove most successefull the hatred of the Commons consider'd against so violent an oppressor And he protested that he knew the King falne into so low esteeme even with those he cherisht and into such hatred with all mankind that if assaulted by the English he would be constrain'd by submission of his Crowne to intreate for safetie This importunitie of the Duke of Albanie soone prevail'd with the King who by many injuries had beene exasperated and had onely waited opportunitie to warre upon Scotland For the boders on the English side had beene often infested and upon complaint no redresse nor reparation of damage Moreover the King having heretofore condiscended upon a motion from King James that his second daughter the Lady Cicilie should marry James Prince of Scotland and upon the agreement paid in a large part of the portion had receiv'd no satisfaction to his expectation The Articles of marriage neither being performed nor yet the money lent upon the bonds of the Provost and Merchants of Edenborough according to covenants repayd Hee was therefore the sooner wonne to undertake the businesse which he committed to the order of the Duke of Glocester who now had no competitor in greatnesse both of judgement and power No Prince of the house of Yorke remaining but such whom the want of yeares or love of ease indisposed to action For the King willing to decline labour waved the expedition and Glocester ambitious to gaine opinion especially with the Souldier most forwardly undertooke it The King desired to live to the best advantage of his pleasure Glocester of his honour And indeed Glocester began now like a cunning Phisition to examine the state of the Kings body which though he found strong and healthfull and by the ordinary reckoning of men likely to continue many yeares yet withall he observed evill symptomes of death in him being overgrowne with fat and both in his diet and lust subject to disorder Disorder a greater enemie to mankind and which hath destroyd more then age the sword or pestilence This Glocester perceiv'd and hence drew poyson which sweld his ambition higher He therefore with much alacritie prepared for the warre and with the title of Lievetenant Generall soone after set forward toward Scotland The Armie consisted of two and twentie thousand five hundred all commanded by men of great authority or experience Of the nobilitie in his retinue went Henry Earle of Northumberland Thomas Lord Stanley Lord Steward of the Kings house the Lords Levell Graistock Fitzhugh Nevill and Scroope of Bolton Of Knights Sir Edward Woodvile brother to the Queene Sir William Par Sir John Elrington Treasurer of the Kings house Sir James Harrington Sir John Middleton Sir John Dichfield and others The particular names of whom I mention onely to show how great a shadow Glocester began to cast toward the Sunset both of the Kings glory and life The Vantguard was led by the Earle of Northumberland the Rereward by the Lord Stanley the Maine battell by the Duke himselfe In whose company was the Duke of Albany Glocester willing perhaps to have him still in sight least if apart with sale of the Army he might purchase his owne peace Their first attempt was upon Barwicke surrendred heretofore by Queene Margaret to gaine a sanctuary for King Henry when expelled England into which partly by terrour of their Forces partly by the suddennesse of their approach they enterd without opposition The towne was soone at their discretion but the Castle the strongest Fort then in the North by the Earle Bothwell was made good against all battery Glocester foreseeing by the strength both of the place and the Commanders resolution that this siege would spend much time committed the charge to the Lord Stanley Sir John Elrington and Sir William Par with foure thousand Souldiers while he with the body of the Army marcht higher into Scotland perswaded as indeed it happend that they might force the King of Scotland either to an inglorious flight or else for safety to locke himselfe up in some strong hold By which they might so imprison him that his release should not bee without a full discharge for all injuries both against England and the Duke of Albany And according to expectation it happend the King upon the first rumour of an enemy inclosing himselfe in the Castle of Edenborough For in his governement having not studyed the safety of his people which is the supreame Law given to Kings he found himselfe now forsaken by them So farre that in opposition to the English against whom the Scots ever shewed a faire resolution no Army now tooke the field the Countrey lying open to the mercy of the invader Glocester therefore burning many townes by the way to strike a terror in the inhabitants marcht directly to Edenborough into which hee entred receiving such presents as the Citizens offerd to him for at the intreatie of the Duke of Albanie he spared the towne from spoile His entry was onely a spectacle of glory the people applauding the mercy of an enemy who presented them with a triumph not a battaile and welcom'd him as a Prince who tooke armes not for pecy or malice but for the safetie of a neighbouring kingdome disorderd and laid waste more by the licence of a tyrant in peace then it could have beene by the hand of war The Lords of Scotland considering the danger of their state and desirous to prevent ruin sent from Hadington to the Duke of Glocester to intreate
and dying bodies the Northerne men began to hope for safety onely in flight Neither did they â—eeld to the prevailing Fortune of the Enemie untill their courages vvere dismayd vvith sight of so many eminent persons slaine before their eyes For the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland the Lords Beaumont D'acres Gray and Wells with divers others of greatest reputation for Nobility and courage had already falne and in their slaughter taught the survivers what to expect The Dukes of Sommerset and Exeter seeing all things desperate the greater part of the Armie slaine the rest broken and flying poasted to Yorke to carry the fatall newes of this overthrow to the unfortunate King whose vertue yet had a patience greater than his ruine In no battle was ever powred forth so much English Blood for in this and the two precedent dayes were slaine sixe and thirty thousand seven hundred seventy sixe persons all of one nation many neere in alliance some in Blood fatally divided by faction yet all animated with the same zeale to maintaine their Princes right which being so difficult to resolve doubtlesse made the quarrell on either side how ruinous soever to their famelies not unsafe to their Consciences And it is worthy observation that in this so long and cruell conflict betweene the two houses never any stranger of name was present at our battels as if we had disdaind to conquer or perish by other weapons than our owne Kind Henry perceiving how desperate his hopes were in England with the poore remaines of his partie secured himselfe by flight into Scotland And with such hast that before King Edward got to Yorke where he hoped to have surpris'd him dismaid with the late discomsiture nothing was there left but the Citie humbly devoted to the dispose of the Conqueror But on the walls yet remaind the heads of Richard Duke of Yorke and his friends an ignominious spectacle unluckily there standing to inâ—ence him to cruelty For on sight of so barbarous an injurie he gave present command that Thomas Earle of Deâ—â—aâ—â—iâ—â— should be beheaded with three others taken in the former battle that these new heads might râ—leeve them who had stood centinell so long and that his father and friends might not want that busie part of the body to be inclosed with them in the grave An action too much savouring of the ancient Heathen the soules of Christians no way requiring their murders to be revengd or their injuries appear'd with such an offering After this dire oblation he sent part of his Forces to cleere the coast toward Scotland from the dregges of warre where to terrifie that people prone to innovation in King Henries quarrell some examples of severitie were made In the interime he with as glorious triumph and large joy as victory could beget which begot no lesse to him than absolute Soveraignety marcht toward London By the inhabitants whereof who were deepely interessed in his Fortune he was with all the solemnity of a secure gladnesse entertaind To the triumph of his entrance soone succeeded that of his Coronation perform'd with usuall ceremonies but most unusuall congratulations Immediately that no circumstance of Soveraintie might be wanting a Parlament was Summond By which his title might be reconfirm'd his partakers rewarded his enemies punisht And though private respects were his chiefe businesse desiring to disaâ—â—ll all acts made heretofore in prejudice to the house of Yorke and its adherents yet the outward pretention was the safety and quiet of the Realme For he publickly profest his onely care to bee that such wholesome lawes might be enacted as might redresse disorders crept into the state by free licence given to rapin in the former troubles By which apparence of solicitude for quieting the republique he gain'd authority among the wise and created a beleefe in all that his government in peace vvould be as fortunate as his successe in warre Having by his wisedome and providence thus won opinion upon the generality he bestowed his graces on particular persons whom blood in merit rendred deare to him His brothers George and Richard he created Dukes the elder of Clarence the younger of Glocester Iohn Lord Nevill the Earle of Warwickes brother he made Vicount Mountague Henry Bourchier brother to the Archbishop of Canterbury Earle of Essex and William Lord Fauconbrige Earle of Kent He erected divers others to the Title of Barons and honour'd many with Knighthood The conclusion of this great assembly was punishment for John Earle of Oxford Aubery Vere his sonne Sir John Tiddenham Knight William Tirrell and Walter Mountgomery Esquires were without anâ—were convict ofâ— reason and behended A rough proceeding which favord something too much of the Conqueror Bâ—sinesses thus happily setled at home to check the â—udaciousnesse of our transmarin neighbours who had throwrie injuries on our Nation weakned by discord the Earles of Esseâ— and Kent with the Lord Audley were sent with ten thousand souldiers to scowre the narrow Seas who first landing in Britaine tooke the Towne of Conquest and afterward in the Islâ— of Râ—â— pillâ—g'd that little Country and with victory returned By vvhich enâ—erprise though of nâ— signall consequence to his affaires yet King Edward gave the French to understand hoâ—â— unfaâ—â—â— it vvas to â—â—â—â—tate the English govern'd by â—â—â— active Princeâ— vvho might perhaps 〈◊〉 in person appâ—â—â—e abroade for the recovery of â—â—â—ose Provinces nothing but â—â—â—â— dissâ—â—sion â—â—ould have losâ—o As likevvise to tâ—â—rifie all 〈◊〉 states from adhering to King Henry vvho both in câ—â—rage and fortune vvas â—o â—aâ—â—e inferioâ—â— And noâ—â— vvas the prosperitie of Edwardâ—n â—n so full splendor and so darke a cloud hung over the house of Lancaster that Henry Duke of Sommâ—rset and Sir Ralph Percie for â—â—â—â—e the â—â—ineâ— of that family they had â—â— long endeavour'd to support To King Edward the submission of tvvo so eminent persons appear'd vvelcome as a victory and they by his favour were presently restored to full possession both of honour and â—â—tarâ— the same grace promist to any who mighâ—â—â— example should perswade Yet did not the indefatigable Queene loose any thing from her sprit on endeavours Hâ—qlate so sad discomfiture and revolt now of her chiefe adherents able perhaps to 〈◊〉 forâ—â—â—â— not her And having upon full reckoning perceived that she must account of no powre at home she made her addresses to all Princes abroad whom allianee reason of state or compassion of so great a disaster might move to her assistance But as it is in the fate of all women who usurpe on their husbands she had beene â—o happie in mannage of his prosperitie and Towâ— wâ—somuch morâ—â—â—capable to â—â—gole against christ forâ—â—â— and 〈◊〉 in felicityâ— Gâ—â—â— undertakings being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 succesfull in 〈◊〉 whose government 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 selfe in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beene disorderly and 〈◊〉 But certainely how erronious hovvever 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she â—â—â— now defective onely in thâ—◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not ruled by ours but by a high
the third King of England of necessity must have where women are admitted to inherit better claime to the Crowne than Henry the sixt though in the fourth descent from Edward the third by John of Gaunt being but his fourth sonne For however Casuists may dispute or civill Lawyers argue The being removed one degree further can no way prejudice succession Whereby the younger brother may come to bee prefer'd before the elder brothers sonne if by chance the elder dye during his Fathers life An injustice so against reason and custome that whosoever yet attempted it was reputed to violate the lawes of Nature From St. Johns fields the principall of the armie and Common Councell of the Cittie brought newes of this Election to Edward Earle of March remaining at Baynards Castle Who soone as he understood the intention of their addresse with such modestie as some Clergie man may have used at his consecration who by simonaicall practise hath obtaind a Bishoprick refused that a while which most ambitiously he covered But soone the animation of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury the Earle of Warwicke the Bishops of London and Exeter and divers others of eminence prevail'd and he at their request tooke on him the Royaltie That night he rested the next morning with as much ceremonie and state as the shortnesse and unquietnesse of the time could licence in solemne procession he went to Paules whence after Te Deum sung and oblation made hee rod to Westminster there seated in the most perspicuous place of the great Hall with the Scepter of St. Edward the Confessor in his hand himselfe made declaration of his double title to the Crowne First by descent as heire to the third sonne of Edward the third the Line of whose eldest sonne Edward the blacke Prince extinguisht in the deposition and parâ—icide of Richard the second procured by Henry of Bullingbrooke first King of the house of Lancaster Edward the thirds second sonne dying without issue Secondly by authority of Parlament which upon examination of the Duke of Yorkes title confer'd the possession of the Kingdome immediately on him or his heires when Henry the sixth should make forfeiture of it by death resignation or breach of that Accord sworne there so solemnely by them And that this accord was broken the slaughter of the Duke opprest with unequall numbers on King Henries partie at the battell of Wakefield did sadly manifest Neverthelesse he protested himselfe ready to forgoe the justice of his claime ratherthan to enter upon it without their free vote At which unanimously the Assembly cryed King Edward King Edward Ioyfull that their voyces might confirme him King who had daign'd them so humble a complement as to professe that he would not receive the title without their suffrage The formalitie of this second Election thus past he went in Procession to the Abbie whence after much solemnitie and homage of all the Nobility there present he returned by water to the Bishop of Londons Pallace and was immediately proclaimed King throughout the City by the name of Edward the Fourth The first fortnight of his Raigne was died I will not say stain'd with the blood of Walter Walker a Grocer who keeping shop at the signe of the Crowne in Cheapeside sayd he would make his sonne heire to the Crowne a bold jest broke in an evill time yet doe I not side with them in opinion who taxe the King of severity in this execution unlesse I could cleere this man from being particularly factious for the house of Lancaster or know that these words were uttered in innocent mirth without any scorne to King Edwards Title And however perhaps the extraordinary punishment of such saucie language was not then unnecessary to beget authority and make men cautious to dispute the descent of Princes when the question was so nice and arguments not improbable on either side But here in her very first curtesie Fortune raisd King Edward higher than the endeavours of a long ambition had done his Father For now was he consecrated King in the Imperiall City of this Realme adornd with every circumstance of Soveraigntie and all his enterpises hitherto so flattered with successe that he could promise nothing but prosperity to his hopes Yet was the ground whereon he built uncertaine and his state brought into comparison with his Competitor fraile and obnoxious to ruine For Henry had equall dignity with the advantage of a long Raigne an uninterrupted descent in Majestie for threescore yeares a soveraigntie acknowledg'd abroad by all Christian Princes and obeyd at home by all Engilshmen without dispute a title according to the Law Salique indubitable and which had beene confirmed at the first entry of his Grandfather Henry the fourth into the Kingdome not onely by resignation of Richard the second by generall acknowledgement of all the Nobilitie and by authority of Parliament but even by approbation nay particular negotiation of Edmond Duke of Yorke Edward Duke of Aumerle Richard Earle of Cambridge Grandfather Great Vncle and Great Grandfather to the late anointed King Edward the Fourth Onely a feeble judgement and a long evill fortune rendred Henry the sixt inferiour to counterpoise which Queene Margaret and the Lords of her side were daring and vigilant omitting on stratagem or endeavor that might adde to the honour or safety of their designes Whereupon slie continued still in the North and oblieging that people every day more to her devotion labourd to prepare such an armie as might upon the worst of fortune be able enough for defence And soone she found how much her owne and the authoritie of the great Lords of her side prevail'd having rais'd threescore thousand fighting men and they all resolv'd with expence of their blood to buy backe that Majestie which the house of Lancaster by evill fate had lost An armie if arm'd and order'd well able to oppose the mightiest enemie or undertake the boldest enterprise On sight of which the Queene entertain'd a confidence easily to scatter the Forces of the new Mushrome King who in a night seem'd to have sprung up to Majestie Especially when she understood how with unequall power hee marcht Northward A clime not unlikely to prove as distastrous to him as to his Father For King Edward soone as the voyce of the people had saluted him Prince resolv'd with hazard of his new gain'd Soveraigntie to extirpate his great opposer For while the side of Lancaster was supported with the devotion of so large a portion of the Kingdome as yet adhear'd to Henry he could be King but at the curtesie of his Faction and the body of the Land must of necessitie grow monstrous being charg'd with two heads each of which look'd divers wayes He therefore while his men had yet the memorie of their late good fortune fresh in their courage marcht toward the Queene and chose rather as worthier his spirit to provoke than expect an enemie Of his arrivall at Pomfret Castle when it was understood and that
part of his armie led by the Lord Fitzwalter had possest it selfe of Ferribrig a passage over the River Aire of great import All they of Lancaster began carefully to looke to their affaires King Henry the Queene and Prince who were by their severall weakenesses unfit for action retired to Yorke there to attend the event of businesses The Armie being committed to the charge of the Duke of Sommerset the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Clifford Among these it was resolv'd that Ferribrig in regard of the consequence of the place was at any hazard to be recovered and the enterprise left to the undertaking of Clifford who early the next morning least delay might betray his designe to the enemie with a competent number made thither and with such diligence and â—ecrecie hee Marcht that before there was the least suspition of an assault the uncircumspect guard was entred upon and defeated With which tumâ—lt the Lord Fitzwalter and the Bastard of Salisbury suspecting a mutanie among their owne Souldiers role hastily from their beds and comming downe encounterd a remorselesse enemie who denyed all quarter and on the place slew them The losse of this so coÌ„modious passage slaughter of such eminent persons came first to the eare of the Earle of Warwicke who somewhat too much transported with the evill fate of their first attempt posted in all haste to King Edward in whose presence he kil'd his horse and sayd Sir God have mercy on their soules who for love of you in the beginning of your enterprise have lost their lives yet let him flye who will flye by this crosse kissing the hilts of his sword I will stand by him who will stand by me fall backe fall edge Wordt certainely though mingled with a high resolution strangely distemperd and representing so much of danger as might have troubled the courage of the Armie And howsoever partiall history in mentioning the actions of great men will not allow them to participate with the vulgar in the weakenesses incident to humane nature yet every greatest Spirit hath his allay of imbecillitie The most knowing Scholler hath found a period beyond which his curious search could not move the wisest Politician hath discovered where he err'd and blusht at the mistake and the boldest souldier at some time hath soonâ— the Coward tremble in him We may bâ—iâ—ht endâ—vâ—rs raise nature somewhat above her â—râ—iltiâ— but never triumph over her till death And certainely Warwicke was too much â—â—â—â—â— at this accident but soone he setled â—â—â—â—selfe and by his stout compoâ—ment 〈…〉 fied thâ—s â—ainting armie But King Edward whose youth was beauâ—ified with valour and wisdome eveâ— to wonder â—o bâ—â—tly entertaind this sad reportiâ— and to oppose against any feare which might shake the Souldier caus'd immediate Proclamati doâ— to be made That it was lawfull for any man whom the present losse or feare of â—inâ—â—e danger discouragd safely to depart that whosoever should performe the dutie of a Souldier and fight manfully should have a certaine and a most large reward On the contrary to any manâ— who should continue in the Armie and hereafter flye away the severest punishment and liberty for any one to kill such a coward with promise of double pay No man accepted the offer of so contem'd a safety and indeede the body of his Armie consisted of Southerne men whose â—light had perhaps beene as unsafe as the present danger Moreover the example of the valiant perswaded the rest who blushtâ—o appeare single â—â— their feares whereby not being knowne they grew afterward to have equall title with the most daring to a glorious victory The King seeing the Spirit of his Armie so bold and so devoted to his service thought the losse of time might endanger the losse of his designe and thereupon resolv'd with that first convenience to bring his Fortune to the tryall of a battell The Lord Fauconbrige and Sir Walter â—â—â—â—â— in regard the Duke of Norfolke was then disabled by sicknesse had the leading of the vaâ—â—tguard who finding the passage of Forribrigâ—mpossible â—mpossible on the suâ—â—â—n â—o â—â—taine three miles by hand at â—â—stlâ— fâ—â—d paâ—â—â—â—â— Pâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—d sonne afâ—â—â— about â—â—â—dingâ—â—â—â— dâ—â—coveâ—â—â— the Lord Cliffâ—â—d whom they suddenly â—yeâ—â—â—â—â—â— and â—â—compast in vaine â—â—boring to retirâ— to the maine battell But hee perceiving no way to lead from his Enemies but through death â—â— with â—iâ— small Forces even to the envie of them who overcâ—me till shot with an aâ—â—ow through the â—â—â—oâ—te he perisht The Lord John Nâ—â—â—â—â— Soâ—â—â—â— in the Earle of Westâ—â—â—land with alâ—â—â—â— shall thâ—se â—â—â—â— forth hâ—â—â— troopes fell there with theiâ— laâ—â—dâ—â— the Lord Cliffâ—rd Who in too milde â— manner payd theâ— the great debt hee owed the murder â—â—â— the young Earle of Râ—tâ—aâ—d Next day being â—alme Sunday early in the morâ—â—â—â— both Armies came in sight A fatall meeting which like the union of the soule with the body â—â—ver paâ—â—â—â—â—â—â— by death The field was betweene Caxton and Tâ—â—tâ—n from the latter of which thiâ— battell afterward tooke name On full Survey of King Hâ—ncâ—â—s host so dreadfull in advantage of â—â—â—â—beâ— Reclamation was made in King Edwardâ—â—â—pe â—â—â—pe â—â—â—â—â—â— quarter should be given nor prisoner taken A â—â—cessary cruelty not to be avoyâ—â—â— but with danger of his owne ruine In regard otherwise the common Souldier might in hope of â—â—â—yle of the ransome of an enemie bee wanting to his duty It was about the houre of nine when the Armies drew neere threescore thousand for Lancaster for Yorke scarce forty thousand onely the presence and courage of King Edward made an equality The Lord Eauconbrige to whom the Van was committed and who was most able for the place when the fight was ready to begin charg'd his Archers soone as they had shot to fall three strides backe and make a stand whereby they might avoyd the arrowes of the Enemie which stratagem happen'd as was expected for the Northerne men with a sudden fury answered the on set and having emptied their quivers hasted to hand blowes But the Arrowes which they had discharged having never reacht them against whom they were shot turnd novv to their annoiance and trouble so far that the splinters of them sticking in the ground pâ—irst and gauld their feet and forc'd them to a confus'd stop In this trouble the Southerne men shot another flight and the vvind conspiring vvith their cunning blevv a tempest of haile and snovv into their faces by vvhich the Vantguard of King Henry led by the Earle of Northumberland and Andrew Trollop gave backe Yet did not the maine battell tremble vvith this motion but as if the enemie had gain'd no advantage continued vvith the first constancie Ten houres victory hung in suspence equall courage on both sides equall hopes in the good equall despaiâ—es in the bad successe vv ch occasion'd so much cruelty in the fight But at length the field staind vvith blood and the earth groaning vvith the burden of so many heapes of dead
〈◊〉 For wiâ—â— the King of Scotland with 〈◊〉 is in the neerest place of safety she lâ—â—â—â—â—er hâ—â—â—â—â—nd to confirme a secure friendship she contracted a neere alliance by promising the young Prince her sonne in marriage to his lister And that this marriage might not seeme a gift but a bargaine shee â—â—â—ght the Lady by 〈◊〉 of Barwicke into the Scotâ—â—ands â—â—â— strongest Fort 〈◊〉 English 〈◊〉 in the North. But the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ever â—â—â—â—â—â—er son their 〈◊〉 and forâ—â— to â—opâ—â—ghaâ—e what otherwise they would with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perswaded to receive With Lewes the Eleventh the French King she prevail'd little though neere to him 〈◊〉 confanguinity for the discontent of his Nobility held him incontinuall suspition Otherwise she had title to promise her selfe large supplies from so potent and politicke a Prince whose interest it must no reasâ—â— have beene by fomenting discord at home to hinder us from any attempt abroad After â—uch 〈◊〉 she obtain'd that he declared himselfe â—â—â— King Henry By prohibiting all favorers of the house of Yorke accesse into the French dominions and opening them to all those of the party of Lancaster A negative kinde of helpe which rather showed there yet was Sanctuary left for Henries unhappie friends than any considerable ayde to be expected Phillip Duke of Burgundie though a mighty Prince and neere allyed to Lancaster whose wives mother was Philippa daughter to John of Gaunt by age and a passionate love to quiet was become altogether unactive Neither had Charles Earle of Charolois his sonne though of a daring Spirit and an affecter of businesse leisure to looke over into our Island being engaged to domestick troubles and suspitious of the designes of the French King With Charolois the Duke of Britaine held a strong confederacie and both of them intelligence with the discontented Lords of France The warre which was afterward so knowne by the name of the Weale-Publique being at that time among them privately in contrivance so that all these neighboring Princes to whom the affaires of England might seeme considerable were wholly taken up with attention to their owne The Emperor Frederick the third was more remote and so cautious from entring into the quarrels of other men that by any Art even with losse he would decline his owne Moreover he justly stood in continuall feare of the growing Fortune of the Turke who having lately subverted the Easterne threatned now ruine to the Westerne Empire and questionlesse had not the great God of Armies miraculously given a stop to his victories Christendome had now beene onely severall Provinces slaved to his tyrannie For pride and emulation had then turn'd our Armes upon our selves and left our bodies naked to the scourge of the common enemie Spaine was far off divided betweene a Christian and Mahometan government each labouring the extirpation of the other so that they had liberty to be Actors in no Tragoedie but their owne And indeede no conflict is so fierce and irreconciliable as when Religion animates to warre and makes it pietie to be cruell To her Father therefore who enjoyed the specious title of King of Sicily Naples and Hierusalem but possession of none of them the afflicted Queene was forc't to make a sad retreate A poore contemptible Lord living now to see his sonne in Law once the greatest Monarch of the Christian world a Prince as meerely titular as himselfe As if it had beene the Fate of these two that the one could say he might have beene the other that once he was a King Leaving therefore forraigne states intentive to their owne designes with her sonne whom to move compassion she had carried up and downe the Queene return'd to Scotland by her long but unsuccesfull labour having gathered together five hundred French a number so small and so unworthy the name of an Armie that it was but a competent retinue for so great a Princesse With these neverthelesse she sayld to Timmouth whence she was repulst by the inhabitants soone as shee landed and forc't againe to put to Sea But there for where may the unfortunate meete with friendship she found the winds her enemies whose unruly force drave her at length disorderly to Barwicke Heere some thinne regiments of Scots resorted to her in company of whom she entred Northumberland her husband 〈◊〉 in the Froâ—â— that the name and presence of King 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 invite the people to their ancient service and 〈◊〉 Authority to the designeâ— Bâ—â— soone thâ—â—e 〈◊〉 her error for hope not compassion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 danger and the Commonalty fate still 〈◊〉 by rising they understood themselves onely 〈◊〉 to shaâ—â— in the Kings misfortune For having upon a just aâ—câ—ouâ—â— discoverd how warâ—â— iâ— oâ—ely necessary to the most desperate and that in the 〈◊〉 it leaves them to nothing but bâ—ggâ—ry and â—â—â—â—â—shment they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the love of 〈◊〉 and every man betookâ— himselfe to industry And for the Nobility the King had â—â—on theâ—â—â—â—thâ—t by the reputation of his fortune or teâ—râ—â— of his courage so that â—â—mâ—maâ—â—o 〈◊〉 to change subjection Onely Hâ—â—â—â—y Duke of Sommerset and Sir Ralph Percie who â—ot long before had forsooke King Hâ—nâ—y in his tempest noâ—â— upon a false hope of fairer weather stâ—â—◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For it is a ridiculous â—â—â—â—ing in Historians to ascribe the action of great men â—â—râ—etually to pollicie since iâ—resolution prevailes equally â—â—â—â—â— them as with the vulgar And why might â—â—â—â— desperation be gâ—t submission in these â—â—â—â— boâ—â—ing Edward and a vaine apparence of a reâ—urâ—e of fortune to King Hentiâ—s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to this lastrevolt Vpon this so weake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Margaret perceiving 〈◊〉 friendship 〈◊〉 husbands native Country destroy'd it as if an enemie's And â—anting forcâ— to râ—ach the prosperitie of her Competitor â—â—ll â—â—â—elly 〈◊〉 the Common people 〈◊〉 â—itherto beene onely subject to his Fortune bâ—aâ—ing iâ—waâ—dly a 〈◊〉 passionate love to the famely of Lancaster But this oâ—â—rageous carriage of the Armie chang'd absolutely their affections to the Queene Who was questionlesse by necessitie compel'd to things unlawfull whereby to prevent the disbanding of her Forces which were onely payd and kept together by a licencious spoyle To oppose against this attempt which onely betray'd the weaknesse of the Enemie King Edward sent downe the Lord Mountague himselfe staying behind to raise an Armie befitting the greatnesse of his name and present quarrell Giving likewise order that his Navie should guard the Seas to hinder any succours to the Queene from forraigne confederates But this was an unnecessary caution tâ— no state abroad being so desperate as to imbarque itselfe iâ— the broken seat of her Fortune Mountague at Land had a braver occasion to shew his courage who having in the Bishoprick of Durâ—sme gathered convenient Forces marcht directly against King Henry By the way the Lords Hungerford and Rosse and Sir Ralph Percie presented themselves to hinder his farther course but perceiving the good order and courage of his Armie all fled but the
resolve for motion He told him how in the North 15000. men had beene in Armes pretending revenge upon the governours of Saint Leonards Hospitall in Yorke for converting the Alemony they receiv'd from the Country every yeare in Corne to their owne use by which they both defrauded the poore and the charitable intention of the owners Whereas indeed the armed multitude moved first by his councell onely awaiting his presence with resolution to runne any hazard of his command And though the Marquesse Mountague rais'd Forces in King Edwards name by which he quieted the commotion and beheaded Robert Huldron their chiefe Captine yet were the people ready upon the first Summons to reassemble and the Marquesse who by such apparence of fidelity had won upon the easie faith of the dull King prepared to bring his forces and joyne in any enterprise he should appoint He showed farther how by this his brothers dissimulation his intelligence held perfect in the Kings Councell and all the resolutions of state might bee without difficultie prevented since no sooner made but discovered The Duke who before held the Earles courage and authority with the people in great estimation now began to wonder at the so cunning mannage of this great businesse Neither could he suspect the successe the Earle having so order'd things that he left little or nothing to â—ortune Whereupon he gave his judgement entirely up to his Fathers in law discretion with whom hee return'd into England openly professing and justifying his resolution to rebellion The vanity of ambition sealing up his eyes so farre that he could not perceive the unnaturalnesse of his revolt and the certaine hazard of ruine in warring against a Prince so great both in armes and Fortune Against their returne the Arch-bishop of Yorke had wrought so diligently to ripen mischiefe that the multitude disperst before were againe in the field bâ—t under Leaders of a farre more eminent name For Henry Sonne to the Lord Fitz Hugh and Henry Nevill sonne to the Lord Latimer the one Nephew the other Cosen german to Warwicke had the conduct of these Forces both gentlemen great in blood and spirit but in regard of their unexperienc'd youth submiting themselves to the directions of Sir John Conyers a Commander bold in courage and sober in advice Their march was not now directed against any petty Towne in the North as before but toward London the head of the Kingdome and the cause of their taking Armes not upon any triviall injury or opression but out of desire of publicke justice by throwing downe a licencious Vsurper and re-investing in the Soveraignty King Henry their lawfull Monarch so injuriously detain'd prisoner in the Tower This pretention carryed with it much of bravery pleased the humor of most of the Northerne men passionately still affected to the line of Lancaster and tooke generally with the Commonalty a beast as prone to unseasonable pitty as to inhumane cruelty and ever defirous to change governement because naturally it can endure none The noyse of these Armes waked King Edward for he now perceiv'd his title to the Crowne for which he imagin'd he had had so cleere a sentence brought againe to tryall and the sword judge He cast his eye about him and found every where the way open to his jealousie and none to security All those Lords from whom he might expect supply being neerâ— to Warwicke in friendship or allianee and the Marquesse Mountague in whose service he had ever found most trust and fortune even brother to his enemie How could he therefore beleeve but notwithstanding all their outward professious of loyaltie privately they might favour Rebellion As for the Queenes kindred of whose faith in regard of their owne interest he remain'd secure he could draw little confidence Their greatnesse so young that it had yet taken no deepe roote in opinion and their Forces onely weake beames shot from the Sunne of the Kings owne power But no consideration in this trouble begot so much scorne and rage in him as the revolâ— of Clarence whose giddie ambition made him rather chuse to become a Word to rough and insolent guardian than to share with his brother a King in the treasures of Fortune The forces of the Rebells hee weighed more by the reputation of their leader Warwicke than by the number though even that grew every day more formidable To prepare against these dangerous motions in his English Rebells he speedily sent to the Earle of Pembrooke commission â—o raise what Welch Forces he could having in this generall suspition of his disloyall subjects most confidence in the valour of the Welch and their naturall hatred against the English name He required the Earle to give battell by the way while himselfe gathered as great an Armie as the present danger and cause in controversie required The Earle joyfull of the command puts suddenly into the field with his valiant brother Sir Richard Herbert having under their conduct seaven thousand men To them soone joyn'd eight hundred bow men led by the Lord Stafford of Southwicke not long before created Earle of Devonshire With these Forces he resoly'd to hinder the Rebells in their journey and having notice by eâ—piallâ—â—â—â—â— they tooke their way by Northumpton against theiâ— hee led the whole body of his Armie Having given order to Sir Richard Herbert with two thousand souldiers to wheele about and charge the enâ—mle in the Rere Sir John Coniers was â—â—â— vigilanâ— to be suâ—pâ—â—â—'d and so carefully had strengthned the Rerewarâ— that the Welchâ—â— â—â— ere â—epuhâ— with losse and forc'd by flight to safery Whereupon he retired to his brother while Coniers upon new instroctions or else fâ—arefull least Pembrooke in the way might gaine some advantage dwerted from his direct course to London and mâ—â—châ— to Warwicke where the Duke of Clarence and the Earle of Warwicke had leviod a mighty Host Pâ—mâ—rooke waites close up on their journey expecting the opportunity â—â—â—â—â—â— to cut off some part of the enemie disorderd oâ— to give battell to the whole Armie But while constant in this pursuite oâ—â—lâ—â—y hee shewed all the parts of a great Commander a small division betweene him and the Lord Stufford ruin'd the whole aâ—tempt For incasnping aâ— Banbury question grew concerning an Inne to which Stafford pretended as having used long to the house but in which Pembrooke in regard of his preheminence as Generall and commodiousnesse of the place was resolvid â—o lodge This so â—â—iâ—iall distaâ—â— if there were no farther treaâ—â—â—â— in iâ— grew so high that Stafford withdrew himselfe and his English Archâ—â—s leaving the Wâ—â—â—â— in Aâ—â—â—â— and number farre inferiour to the enemie which defect neverthelesse was supplyed by their great courage From when the Reâ—â—ells who soone had notice of this unhappie discord gave the Earles Campe next morning a Camisado the Welch entertain'd the charge so stouâ—ly that they â—ooke Sir Henry Nevill the Leader but what savor'd too much of barbarisme most cruelly slew him in cold
present ingagements he would declare the naturall affection he owed a brother This weake hope the late victory and seeâ—ling baâ—ishment of his enemies looseâ—â—ed King Edward to his accustomed wantonnesse and riâ—â— For certainly never liv'd Prince whom adversitie did more harden to action and prosperitie more soften to voluptâ—ousnesse So that by the judgement on his life we may say like a stone cast into the ayre hee was by necessitie forst up to glory while his center remain'd beneath in the sence of pleasure And so improvident was his memory that he forgot the greatest injuries and resâ—â—â—ed the Archbishop of Yorke into favour not hearing so much as a watchfull eye over a reconcil'd enemy By which his counâ—â—iles were betray'd and he perswaded to a false and most dangerous securitie But the Duke of Buâ—gundy whose recreation was businesse and whose delight extent of dominion who by having long â—â—astled with Lewis the Eleventh had leaâ—â—t all the slights of warre and peace labor'd â—o disperâ—e the storme before it fell upon England Whelâ—â—â—on hee daily advertiz'd King Edward of all passages in the Court of France his intelligence holding good there and who knew how neare danger came to him should our King be overthrowne Hee advis'd him by vast promises which no way oblieg'd performance to winne some and â—owing the poysonous â—eede of aemulation to recall others As likewise to send over some great Lord into France who pretending discontent shall adhere to the faction and under hand discover all their counsailes But above all he sollicited him to rigge up and set forth his Navie whereby to prevent their landing Affirming it to bee a most ridiculous madnesse in a King unlesse urged by inevitable necessitie to stake his Crowne at a battaile against the desperation of a rebell The King contrary to this sober counsaile never endeavour'd to hinder the returne of Warwick but building on the protestations of the Marquesse Mâ—ncatute and the Archbishop of Yorke securely gave himselfe over to licenciousnesse In which interim the Earle with his retinue conducted by the Bastard of Burbâ—â— Admirall of France saild backe into England King Leâ—yâ— having furnisht him with a full supply of mâ—nies and for shouldiers hee needed no â—oâ—taine levies his name and faction was so great at home For though the Countrey by â—ivill warre was much dispeopled yet the commonalty being for the most borne and bred up in tumults were naturally addicted to armes and prone upon any innovations to take the field Neither could the Duke of Burgundy though most passionately hee labor'd it hinder the Earles landing by giving him battaile at Sea for the winds fought for Warwick and disperst the Burgâ—nian fleete the best in that age commanded upon the Seâ— casting some ships upon the coast of Scotland others upon the reâ—otest parts of Holland Neither did the King any way repent his error when hee understood the Earle was landed but presently dispatcht a messenger to the Duke intreating him to continue his Army at Sea to impeach Warwicks flight backe into France as if hee were ascertained fortune would never deny him victory So secure was he growne by an overbold presumption the bastard daughter of a long prosperitie But they whom experience had instructed to more caution pittied his mistake and foresaw the ruine And he himselfe not long after understanding how mightily the Earle increast in power began to thinke his safetie brought into hazard Which he much more beleeved when he found the Nobilitie whom he summon'd to his aide to excuse themselves and the common streame of people to ebbe wholly from his devotion And indeed even in the Citie the adverse faction was growne so strong that Doctor Gooddiard Chaplaine to the Earle at Pauls Crosse in his Sermon dared even to act the Herald and conclude Edward an usurper And thereupon to commend the most religious intentions of the Earle and to exhort the Audience to joyne with him in restoring their imprison'd Soveraigne King Henry to his Scepter and the Common wealth to libertie The credulous multitude tooke this heresie for true doctrine and with some of the zealous ignorant it so farre prevailed that in pure devotion they committed high treason But would to God the Pulpit might onely speake things sacred matters of State having roome enough to bee discust in Councell Chambers and other places erected for publike assemblies For certainly how erronious soever the tenet bee if utter'd there by a Priest with apparence of Religion it gets two much authority in the eare and too much ground upon the conscience As this opinion did which no sooner received but all began to incline to revolt and with the first retired away the late reconcild Archbishop and the Matquesse Montacute his brother both having so often and so ceremoniously vowed never to forsake the title of King Edward and both now perfidiously breaking those vowes and with the lowdest crying out Long live King Henry The trechery of Mountacute who having raisd in King Edwards name six thousand men turnd now with them to Warwicke and the generall defection of the Land threw the King downe into extreame despaire For those few Lords who constantly adheard to his declining fortune commanded over so small a number that to resolve upon a battaile were to betray themselves to slaughter And when misfortune drove their thoughts upon safetie by flight they knew not whether to resolve No Land being willing to receive that Prince who is forc'd to flie his owne But while his imaginations remaind thus confused he had hardly escapt a surprize in the night had not his former misfortune served him now for instruction And finding his stay onely begot disreputation to his quarrell and danger to his person he began his flight towards Lincolneshire But the Earlesent after him his Light Horse following with the whole body of his Army and so close did the Light Horse pursue him that with much difficultie and with losse of all his carriages in his passage thorough the Washes hee reacht Linne The Lord Hastings faithfull to the King in all fortunes and who had yet three thousand Horse under his command stayd some short time behind and now when he imagin'd the King past the reach of imminent danger he dismist his Forces and followed after At parting he commended the faith of the Souldiers to their Prince which neverthelesse for the present hee advised them to dissemble No present securitie nor hope of doing after service but by submission to the prevailing faction Ere long he promis'd to returne when a better fortune would invite them to show the loyaltie of their affections the violence of the storme being too mightie to continue and King Edward in faction at home and abroad too potent so easily to quit a kingdome however for the present he withdrew himselfe a while Having exhorted thus his Souldiers he obeyed necessity and by speedy flight went after the King Who having hired three shippes one of England and
to King Lewys might render him formidable from abroad Certainely there was no just ground for suspicion The French being so lately enter'd into a particular amity with England and never having afforded either comfort or countenance to the young Earles exile Then for any claime to the Crowne the King could not feare him his title being of so impure and base a mettall it could no way indure the touch His Mother by whom onely he could pretend heire indeed of the house of Sommerset but not of Lancaster in regard the streame of this descent was poisoned in the very Spring For John of Gaunt having entertained an affection to Katherine Daughter of Sir Paine de Ruet during her attendance on the Lady Blanch his first wife in the life time of his second the Lady Constance his affection grew into a neerer familiarity and so happy was he that his familiarity proved not barren his Mistris for to what a servitude doth lust betray a sinner making him Father of three Sonnes and a Daughter The Duke zealous to reward any that had so well deserved marryed his bedfellow to Sir Otes Swinford and either through impotency or conscience afterward refrained her company Some yeares past she having buryed her Knight and he his Dutchesse in gratitude to her former merits being now growne very old he tooke her againe to his bed with the lawfull ceremonies of the Church And thus his ancient Concubin became his new Bride Having righted her honour to leave no monument of their sin to posterity he laboured the ligitimation of the children and so farre in the time of Richard the second prevailed that both the sentence of the Church and Parliament pronounced them lawfull and enabled to inherit the Lands of their Father in case his issue by his former wives should faile The eldest Son of the three thus ligitimated was John created Earle of Sommerset Father of John Duke of Sommerset whose sole Daughter and heire Margaret marryed Edmond of Haddam Earle of Richmond whose Sonne Henry was now the marke at which all the arrowes of the Kings suspicion aymed By this Pedegree to the eye at first appeares so me dawning of a title but certainely it is a false light such as oftentimes deceives the credulous traveller For the legitimation by the Church was to take away as much of scandall as possibly from the children and a dispensation onely for the benefit of the bastards without prejudice to the right of any other For these bastards were not of the common nature such as after marryage may make legitimate being not Naturall but Spurious begot in adultery on the one side and consequently incapable of any benefit by dispensation Adde to this that not being of the whole blood according to the common Law of England the house of Sommerset was farther of from inheriting any title from King Henry the sixt then the most remote of the line of Yorke Lastly in the very legitimation it selfe the children were onely made capable to inherit the estate of their Father The Crowne being never mentioned and for the Dutchy of Lancaster they could not pretend that being the inheritance of the Lady Blanch his first wife from whom they no way descended Neither were the Princes of the house of Sommerset ever numberd among the Plantaginets or ever obtained so much as to be declaired heires apparent if Henry the sixt and his Son Prince Edward should extinguish without issue As Mortimer had got to be before in the raigne of Richard the second and Delapole after during the usurpation of Richard the third And if there were any cause of suspicion from the branches of that Family then was the Duke of Buckingham much more to be feared Who was by his Mother heire of Edmond Duke of Sommerset and himselfe a Prince mighty in descent otherwaies from the Crowne as being heire likewise of Thomas Duke of Glocester younger Son to Edward the third Moreover in the faction of a great kindred and dependancy of a multitude of tennants farre more to be suspected Then an exild Lord who claiming by his Mother could during her life have no colour of a Title But the King found the wound of this jealousie ranckle in him and nothing but Richmonds apprehension to heale it He therefore most earnestly sollicited the Duke of Brittaine by his Embassadors to returne him into England Their motives were the much good will the Duke owed their Master who never would forsake his protection though severall wayes and at severall times most importunately provoked That he had in answer to the French requests to that purpose protested that if the Duke were any way endangerd by them personally to crosse the seas and make the quarrell the same as if his owne kingdome were invaded Then for the innocency of the Kings intentions toward the Earle they affirmed that so far from malice the desire to have him returnd into England was that it meerely tended to his present safety and after honour In regard his Majesty would not onely restore him to the possessions of his Ancestors but endeare him in a neerer tye even by the marryage of one of his owne daughters to him and this blessed way absolutely to roote up all the ancient rancor betweene the houses of Yorke and Sommerset This was the pretention which though the King no way intended yet the Almighty afterward made good to instruct after times that the deepe misteries of cunning Princes are meere illusions compared with true wisedome and the disposition of kingdomes is the worke of Heaven By this simulation and tender of a large sum of money for the King had learnt how to traffique by example of King Lewys the poore Earle of Richmond was delivered up to the Embassadours and immediately by them conveyd to St. Malos the next haven Towne where instant preparations were made for his transportation into England Here fortune or what is lesse uncertaine the wind tooke compassion on his affliction for the very imagination of the ruine he was betrayd to had throwne him into a violent Feaver and hindred the Embassadours from taking shippe Where while they remaind joyfull in the successe of their undertaking Peter Landois Treasurer to the Duke in apparence of a ceremonious visit but indeede to contrive the Earles escape most officiously came to them For no sooner had the Duke given up this innocent victim to be sacrific'd but some of the Court sensible of the Law of Nations and their Masters reputation to himselfe related the injury and dishonour of this action And so farre aggravated the perpetuall infamy that would cloud his fame by selling his guest to whom he had promist safetie and protection that the Duke repented the delivery of him and advised Landois by some art to regaine him And indeede Landois undertooke the imployment readily willing perhaps to gaine the honour of doing one good deed among the multitude of his mischiefes and likewise to revenge himselfe upon the evill memory of
proceedings in this injurious way if we looke on our selves onely as at home But if wee consider the state of businesses abroad wee may easily discerne his pollicie For now had the French Arts or the change of time quite dissolved all our confederacies and left us to maintaine with our owne armes our owne quarrell Saint Paul was annihilated in whose death expired all the discontents of the factious Nobilitie in France The Duke of Brittaine by an extreame melancholly which scarce was reputed lesse then madnesse was become unfit for government much lesse for any great attempt And being overcharged by the practises and armes of the French in a manner made resignation of his Dutchy to the disposition of some officers easie to be corrupted And Burgundie which in the victories of Henry the fift had so much advanced the English enterprises was by the last league with Maximilian wholly at the devotion of the French So that all they who heretofore had brought us over were now either reduc'd to bee unprofitable for our ayde or else become enemies should wee renew our ancient quarrell Moreover the long ease the King of England had lived in and the pleasures with which hee appeard altogether fascinated render'd him to the world nothing formidable And King Lewys having with so little difficultie hitherto deluded him and retain'd him in a kinde of servile amitie while hee threw injuries thicke upon him was now heightend to a presumption that the English would either connive at this affront or that by some new cunning they might bee appeasd were the indignitie never so much resented And if the worst should happen the French nothing feared the enmitie Considering that King Edward alone would bee unable to prevaile against them seconded by the forces of Maximilian whom his daughter now interessed in the warre These considerations of securitie to doe wrong according to the nature of wicked Princes made King Lewys so boldly attempt it And what was strange in a man so cunning hee left himselfe no excuse for the fact eyther in the way of honour or conscience And scarce in humane pollicie Vnlesse his expectation reacht beyond common reason in thought that Prince Phillip Sonne to Maximilian and the Dutchesse for shee was mother onely to a sonne and a daughter might chance to die and thus by the Lady Margaret all those large countries devolve into the power of France But how slight soever King Lewys his opinion was of the English this breach of faith was no sooner related to King Edward but hee resolved severely to take revenge And calling together all the Counsell and Nobilitie who for the suddennesse could be convoked hee to this purpose made a remonstrance of his wrongs and intentions how to right himselfe My Lords THe injuries I have receiv'd are divulged every where and the eye of the world is fixt upon mee to observe with what countenance I suffer And I must confesse they are of so strange a nature that I remaine rather amazed then enraged Had I dealt with any Prince not civilized by Lawes or inured to commerce I had yet the Religion of so many oathes and the reason of every pollitique circumstance so cleare that I could no way have suspected this foule and foolish breach of faith But in a Christian King and who pretends to be most Christian I have met with so horrid a perjurie and so disgracefull to our Nation that as all mankind must abhorre him as barbarous so in my owne particular I must neglect the principall office of a Prince if I omit to Chastise him Most of you my Lords are witnesses to the solemnitie of his vowes when humbly hee declined ruine to his Kingdome and I to avoide so great a massacre as the warre would have endangerd condescended to end all controversies by accord My clemency is now become my scorne and I reape indignities where I sowed favours For this ungratefull man Prince I must not tearme him who hath by perjury forfeited that sacred title in contempt of all Law both humane and divine denies not onely the marriage of the Dolphin to our daughter which would have proved so great an honour to his blood and securitie to his Kingdome but even the annuall tribute of fiftie thousand Crownes A slender rent for so large a countrey as by our permission hee hath hitherto enjoyed This contumelie I am resolved to punish and I cannot doubt successe Almightie God strengthen still his arme who undertakes a warre for justice In our expeditions heretofore against the French what prosperitie waited upon the English Armes is to the world divulged and yet ambition then appeard the chiefe Counsellor to warre Now beside all that right which led over Edward the third our glorious Ancestor and Henry the fift our Predecessor we seeme to have a deputieship from Heaven to execute the office of the supreame Iudge in chastising the impious When we were last in France an innate feare in this false man forc'd him downe to a sordid purchase of security How low will a wicked conscience which even makes the valiant cowardly to tremble bend him now Now when an implacable resolution for revenge sets a farre sharper edge upon our Swords Now when he hath no hypocrisie left undiscovered nor subterfuge for his former perjurie nor Art to gaine beleefe to new dissimulation Now vvhen our eares shall be deafe to all submission and when our conscience is so well resolved for the necessitie of this war that mercy will be thought a vicious lenitie and the most savage crueltie but an act of justice I neede not repeate how much age hath infirmed him And indeed I thinke it was his dotage committed this so foolish crime nor yet how hated he is renderd abroad by his unfaithfull dealing at home by his severe government The Commonalty sunke downe by his heavie impositions the Nobilitie by his proud neglect exasprated to desire any innovation But we want not advantage in the justice of our cause and valour of our people wee have enough It is confest our confederacies are quite dissolved And I rejoyce in that alone wee shall undertake this great businesse For experience in our last attempt showed that Princes of severall nations however they pretend the same have still severall aimes And oftentimes a confederate is a greater enemy to the prosperitie of a warre then the enemy himselfe Envie begetting more difficultie in a Campe than any opposition from the adverse Armie Our Brother of Bungurdy and Vncle of Saint Paul are both dead How little their amitie advanced us nay how a just jealousie of their secret practises hinder'd our designe then on France you all may well remember And how in our returne toward England wee had more feare to have beene assaulted by their trayterous weapons then by any armes from the enemy But wee will spare their memory they labor'd their owne safetie not our glory This I am secure that as by death they are render'd unprofitable
of blood hee saild not voluntarily but violently driven by the tempests of his fortune And for the crueltie laid to him in the death of the Duke of Clarence he was certainly wrought to it by practise and the mis-information of an envious faction in Court The horrour of which fratricide possest him to the last houre of his life frequently complaining against the unhappy severitie of his justice and against the hard nature of his Councellors who would not interpose one word to him for mercy whereby so blacke a deede might have beene prevented But howsoever wee may wash away much of this blood from his memory yet there continue many foule staines upon it since publique mischiefes seldome happen but that the Prince though not actually nocent as in some degree guiltie As these so many confusions at home were the misfortune of his time so was abroad that so scandalous losse of the Easterne Empire to the Turke For though King Edward were not the occasion of so great ruine to the Christian Commonwealth and that this happened before hee attained the soveraigntie his father being head of the faction yet the civill warres of England raisd upon the quarrell which he was soone after to maintaine and the universall division among Princes of the West gave courage to the Infidells and denyed succours to the miserable Emperour opprest by an over potent enemy Whereby a Citie was prophaned in which the Christian faith had flourisht without interruption for a thousand yeares But as the Sea is sayd to gaine in another if it looseth in this place So about this time religion by the singular pietie and valour of Ferdinand and Isabella wonne ground upon the Moores in Spaine whence not long after they were totally and I hope for ever expeld But when the Warre licenc'd the King to attend his government we finde the administration of Lawes just and equall and many new statutes enacted wholesome against diseases crept into the State So that he appeard dilligent both to heale up any wound the tumults of his raigne had given the commonwealth and provident for the health of future ages And certainly no Prince could husband the benefits of peace better for the outward magnificence For his glory was much in hospitalitie and a pompous celebration of the principall feasts of our redemption In which way of bravery setling much of his happinesse hee had beene doubtlesse the most fortunate of any King of the Norman line had hee not faild in expectation of his daughters marriage His buildings were few but sumptuous for that time or more properly but reparations Which are yet to bee seene at the Tower of London his house of Eltham the Castles of Nottingham and Dover But above all at Windsor where he built the new Chappell finisht after by Sr. Riginald Bray Knight of the Order and indowed the Colledge with mightie revenues which hee gave not but transferd thither taking from Kings Colledge in Cambridge and Eaton Colledge a thousand pound by the yeare to inrich this at Windsor But our buildings like our children are obnoxious to death and time scornes their folly who place a perpetuitie in either And indeed the safer kinde of fate happened to King Edward in both these felicities His posteritie like his edifices lost in other names For his two sonnes before they had survived their father the ceremonious time of mourning were themselves inhumanly murderd and as obscurely buried His eldest daughter the Lady Elizabeth was married to the Earle of Richmond knowne by the name of Henry the seventh Whose heire in a strait line not liable to any doubt or question is his most sacred Majestie now glorious in government of this Realme The younger daughters were bestowed one in a monasterie others upon inferiour Lords Cicily married John Vicount Wells Anne Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke Briget was profest Nunne at Dartford Mary was contracted to the King of Denmarke but died before consummation Margaret died an Infant Katherine married William Courtney Earle of Devonshire But of none of these younger Princesses at this day remaines any thing but their memory All dying issulesse but the Lady Katherine whose posteritie faild likewise in the third descent Henry her sonne Marquesse of Exceter suffered by attainder in the raigne of his Cosen German Henry the Eight being not long before designd heire apparent an honour fatall in England and his sonne Edward untimely came to his death at Padua in Italy in the raigne of Queene Mary by whose favour hee had regaind his fathers honours and possessions So that all the cleare streame from the spring of Yorke flowes in the house of Scotland The troubled and impure runnes in many veines of the English Gentry For by the Lady Elizabeth Lucy he had an illigitimate Sonne named Arthur who by his wives right was Vicount Lile and dying without issue Male left to his three daughters and their posteritie some tincture of the blood royall This disease of his blood was the crime which procured both to his government and memory many hard censures For though some excuse his lust as a sinne though blacke to the eye of heaven yet no way generally injurious In regard the incontinency of one man could not be so diffusive as to wrong a multitude Neverthelesse who observes the revolutions of Kingdomes shall finde no one iniquitie in Princes so punisht The dishonour of one Lady abused extending the disgrace of severall families and mightie factions knitting together for revenge In the whole stocke of injuries none being so cruell to humane nature and which with lesse patience can bee dissembled His frequent perjurie a sinne which strikes like a Sword with two edges both against divine and humane faith was the crime which renderd him most odious to the societie of man For impiously hee appeard in this to brave heaven slighting all solemne covenants made with God and foolishly preferring before a holy promise a little profit or the satisfaction of his revenge Which crime however for the present it might stand him in some benefit yet certainly it might have indangerd him to much losse in all after enterprises which depended upon faith The deaths of Wells and Dimock of Fauconbridge of Sommerset Lord Prior of St. Iohns and others were the wounds perjury gave his soule the scarres of which remaine yet foule upon his fame But perhaps hee thought no faith was to be held with an enemy Or promist not with intention of performance An impious equivocation but then in practise with his neighbour Princes both of France and Burgundy So that the custome may in some sort seeme to priviledge the fault In his youth he was so uncircumspect and even when he had the strongest arguments for jealousie so overconfident that it engaged him to extreame difficulties and endangerd absolute ruine But his fortune almost miraculously made up all those breaches which had beene by his carelesnesse and presumption laid open and delighting something wantonly to boast her power and favour to him raisd him then highest when all the world and almost his owne hopes forsooke him For presently upon the slaughter of his father at the battell of Wakefield and the overthrow of his great supporter the Earle of Warwick at that of Saint Alban Shee inthrond him in the Kingdome Making the Queene and all the favourers of Lancaster when doubly victorious retire as overcome and the universall acclamations of the people set the regall Diadem upon his head whose fathers head at that time like a Traytors was fixt upon the Walls of Yorke scornd with a paper Crowne And afterward when from a mightie Prince hee was become a miserable Exile forc'd by the treason of his chiefest Councellors and powers of his greatest enemie to flie into Burgundy where hee likewise met with but a dissembled amitie Shee restored him to what at first shee gave And whereas his Forces were so weake upon his returne into England that despayring more hee humbly onely desired to be invested in his fathers Dutchy and vowed never to attempt the Crowne Shee violently forc'd it on him protesting by the mouthes of the Nobilitie who resorted to him at Nottingham not to afford him safetie if hee refused the soveraingtie By which amorous way of threatning shee in a manner wooed him to accept what hee durst not then hope to recover And had the appetite of glory more prevail'd with him then the sence of pleasure as farre as we may conjecture of his fortune hee might have extended his victories over the world which are now straitned with the narrow limits of our Island FINIS
to Duke Philip his Father first made his addresse Who bearing an implacable hatred to Lewis of France desired to gaine so potent a neighbour to his party and that he might secure the friendship against all vacillation he by his Embassadors entreated a marriage with the Lady Margaret the Kings sister A motion heard in England with much acceptance and which every circumstance well weigh'd brought both honour and securitie But it was thought by some intimate with the Earle in his most inward counsells that really he never intended this marriage having from his mother neece to John of Oaunt Duke of Lancaster deriv'd an irreconcilable malice against the house of Yorke And that this negotiation aim'd onely to temporize with England in case the Duke of Brittaine and the French Kings brother should desert him and make their peace with Lewis against whom these three were then in confederacie but this I beleeve an overcunning in conjecture since marriage among Princes as it seldome confirmes a sound friendship so doth it never extirpate an ancient hatred the proofe of our and all times shewing how false a love is created by alliance But the thoughts of Princes are so unknowne to Posterity that they are beyond the â—orâ—tiâ—â—e of the present time I will not therefore dispute what the Earles inward designes were but certainely both according to reason of state and the â—vâ—oâ—â— which is the best light Historians can discerne by as it vvas pretended so vvas it intended The marriage of his sister thus far advanc'd he began to advise with Counsell concerning his owne A strong alliance abroad was soone resolved most necessary both for the dignity and safety of his Crowne and among all the Princesses that time gloried in the Lady Bona was thought worthyest his bed In respect of the excellencie of her beauty greatnesse of birth as being daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy and the mighty marriage of her other sister with Lewis the Eleventh of France This last consideration being a maine inducement as by which all feare might bee taken away of a tempest from that coast whence Queene Margaret seem'd to prepare a storme To this negotiation the Earle of Warwicke was deputed as the fittest person both for his great faith to the King and authority in the Kingdome Who no sooner arriv'd at the French Court where the young Lady then resided in company of her sister but was withall triumph entertain'd and his motion heard with joy and acceptation The ambition of the French Queene to have her sister married to so great a Prince prevailing against many politique respects which might else have overswayd King Lewis And soone after for an absolute conclusion of all businesses Mounsiur D'ampmartin was design'd Embassador for England These two Kings equally solliciting the perfection of this marriage Edward that hee might without feare of more danger enjoy the glory of a late recover'd Kingdome Lewis that freed from the danger of an English invader he might give a period to his busie projects at home by laying the deuill of civill warre rais'd by a tumultuous Nobility But while policie acted severall parts abroade love on the suddaine chang'd the whole Sceane at home For the Young King after hunting comming to visite the Duches of Bedford at her Mannor of Grafton neere Sâ—ony Stratford was sollicited by a faire petitioner the Duchesses daughter widow of Sir John Gray â—â—â—â—e on King Henries part at the battaile of S â— Albans The King could not but yeeld to any request made by â—â— conquering a beauty and presently himselfe glew as earnest in solliciting her but in a more unlawfull suite But she arm'd her â—oule with a modesty able to breake the hottest battery of lust and though on every side assaulted by the engines of temptation shee repulst her enemie so nobly that he offer'd party upon honorable tearmes For when the King perceiv'd her adorn'd with a chastitie strong enough to resist him who had scarce ever beene but victorious in those attempts he grew enamor'd on the beauty of her minde and resolv'd her vertue was dowre enough to marry her to the highest Throne Reason of state argued sharpely against a marriage so unequall to Majestie by alleaging the perill of irritating so potent a neighbour as King Lewis and so dangerous a subject as Warwick as likewise the inconvenience of raising a widdow to his bed who could bring nothing with her but her poverty and an unprovided issue Who if not advanc'd by him would bee a scorne to his children if advanc'd a ruinous charge to his Exchequer and an envie both to the Princes of his blood and the Nobility of his Kingdome But Love like a cunning Sophister easily refell'd all pollitique arguments and perswaded reason her selfe almost to be of his side For he repeated to the King his owne prerogative which being so large why should he then be denyed the liberty of a free choyce which is allowed the meanest subject Why might not he wooe with his owne eyes and make election where his fancie best delighted As for the Lady her selfe he found her in the treasures of her minde most abundant and in the perfections of her body excellent to please him who and not the state was to marry For her birth she was by the father Noble in descent at home by her mother of the house of Luxenbourge a family with which the greatest Princes of Christendome had neere alliance As for marrying a subject and the widdow of his enemie the later argued more charity and the former could not but tye the affection of his people when they saw their Prince disdain'd not affinity with them For a president to authorize these his intended Nuptialls he had Edward the Blacke Prince his great Vncle great indeede if not the greatest among all the Princes of his name And for the threatned danger from King Lewis or the Earle of Warwicke from France he could never expect how neere so ever the alliance had beene but an unfaithfull amitie and should this his marriage thrust Warwicke upon rebellious attempts the rebell would but fondly runne upon his owne ruine since it could not stand with the Majestie of a King to hold his Crowne by so base a tenure as to have his actions awed by a subject These and such like arguments which love is cunning upon all occasions to enforce prevail'd so far that though the old Duches of Yorke his mother most violently opposed by throwing the highest calumnies upon the Lady Gray and alleaging a precontract with the Lady Lucy yet one morning secretly did he marry her For the disparity of birth or Fortune is no impediment and for the precontract upon examination the Lady Lucy her self acquitted the King only laying to his chaâ—g the guilt of a most winning courtship And though afterward during the usurpation of Richard the third in open Parlament was alleaged against the lawfulnesse of King Edwards marriage strange potions and amorous charmes by which the
Lady Elizabeth Gray bewitcht him to her love and likewise another precontract with the Lady Edeanor Dutler daughter to the Earle of Shrewsbury and widdow to the Lord of Sudlye I cannot but beleeve all those scandals by some of the tyrants wicked instruments suggested into the mindes of that assembly For had there beene a just exception against this marriage neither George Duke of Clarence nor the Earle of Warwicke in their frequent calumnies against the King being in open rebellion had left it unmention'd But no sooner had King Edward obey'd his â—ancie in taking her to his bed and in that â—asted the forbidden fruite forbidden I meane by politique respects but he saw himselfe naked of friends at home and abroade to oppose against any new arising difficulty But as yet by the braverie of his carriage did he aâ—de an honour to the â—ct Courage and Love either denying himâ— to foresee or to regard the danger Though as soone as the marriage was deâ—â—â—ged hee presently I discern'd another face of men Moâ—â—â—â—iâ—r 〈◊〉 in the Extraordinary for France full of indignation return'd and the Nobility in generall lookâ— discontented or else but forc'd a smile The soâ— higâ— advancement of this one Lady and her children lately beneath so many in fortune begetting an universall envie in the rest But when the Earle of Warwicke understood how mighty an affront by this was given to his imployment he entertain'd none but disdainefull thoughts against his Prince And exprest so bold a discontent that Lewis of France who was quicke to perceive and carefull to â—omentany displeasure which might tend to the disturbance of another Kingdome began to enter into private communication with him For ever after this common injury so they cal'd the errour of love in the King the Earle held a dangerous intelligence in France which after occasion'd so many confusions to our Kingdome Neverthelesse upon his returne he dissembled â—ll discontent and in every circumstance of respect applyed himselfe to applaâ—de the mariage and in particular the excellent peâ—sonage of the Queene The King intâ—rpreted the intentions of the man according to the apparance unwilling perhaps to racke his owne nature so farre till it had confest that his carriage might dissemble danger And in the meane time to raise his wives kindred as neere as possibly to his owne greatnesse hee searchâ— out all meanes for their advancement The Lord Richard Widdevill her Father he created Earle of Rivers and High Constable of England with an annuall Fee of 200 pound out of the Exchequer whom shortly after he made Lord Treasureâ— Her brother Anthony hee created Lord Scales the daughter and heirâ— to which title by the Kings earâ—est sollicitation he not long before had wedded And her sonne Thomaâ— hee rais'd to the honour of Marquesse Dâ—rset for whom he procured in marriage the heire of the Lord Bonvile and Harrington By his owne free gift enobling them with titles and by the industry of his mediation enabling them with possessions to make those titles no scorne to the owners Every unmarried Lord imagin'd the bestowing of these two great heires on the Queenes kindred an injury to his owne hopes And Warwick thought every great office confer'd upon another misplac'd For his many Services begot so great an insolencie that he scarce allowed the King a share in the distribution of his owne Hereupon his thoughts grew dangerous and onely opportunity was wanting to thrust him into action He consider'd the vastnesse of his possessions the greatnesse of his authority among the Commons and the generall dependancies of the men of war upon him and hence concluded it was as easie for him to uncreate as to create a King But hee found the generall humor of the kingdome not yet fully ripe for mischiefe the vulgar enamor'd on the much curtesie of their Prince the Lords neerest to him in blood likeliest to incline to his Faction deare likewise to the King and all of the house of Lancaster who by probability would at first invitement take fire in any combustion of the state exil'd and poore Sedition therefore for the present was but an embrion in his braine which after when time had deliver'd became so vast and bloody a monster Neverthelesse hee was not unmindfull of his designe cherishing unkinde thoughts in any whom he saw distasted at the King and casting forth speeches which might lessen the honour of his publicke and private actions with which discourses as with slow poysons he infected many limbes of the general body Then upon pretention of infirmity and prescription of Pâ—isitions for the change of ayre with licence from the King he retired to his Castle at Warwicke Where his observation was what Lords great in power or treasure resorted to him and with what countenance whether they undervalued the weakenesse of the Kings judgement or hated the advancement of the Queene and her kindred whether they were troubled at any private repulse or open affront or generally at the publicke businesse or whether they repented not the so violent oppression of the family of Lancaster Any discontent making for his purpose which either pointed at the errors of the King pride of the Queene and her kindred or the misgovernment of the state Vpon the affections of the meaner sort begain'd by a profuâ—e hospitality â—â— open kitchen and buttery perswading more with them than any dutie to justice Vpon the good will of the better sort he wonne by bowing his entertainement downe to an endearing familiarity saluting every man curteously by his name and engaging them by triviall benefits And with all sorts by his great service to the Crowne and a carriage Noble both in warre and peace The King though he wanted that vertue of â—owards suspicion began neverthelesse to have the Earle in some jealousie his unusuall retirednesse from the Court and so expencefull purchasing the voyce of the people argued both distaste against his Prince and a hope to maintaine any unlawfull enterpise by Faction But either in pollicie he dissembled his distrust nor having yet any firme ground to build a just accusation or in good nature would ecclips the Earles greatnesse by which himselfe enjoy'd a benefit little lesse thaâ— the Crowne But that the storme threatned from France for incensing King Lewis in the diâ—â—ouâ—â—t marriage of the Lady â—ona might be diverted he made strong confederacies round about him With Henry King of Castle and John King of Arâ—agon that Spaine however far remoâ—e might bâ—e neere in friendship he enter'd into leagâ—â— and upon the conclusion of it granted licence for the transportation of certaine Cotswold sheepe thither a grant that is complain'd of still as a mighty enriching to the Spanish and as great an empoverishing to the English Merchant With Scotland hee made a trucâ— for fifteene yeeres that he invading France or invaded by the French might be secure however not to have that Nation according to their custome upon all advantages enemies at his