twenty first Year Sir William Herriot vvas Mayor Robert Tate Rich. Charey Will. Wiking Sheriffs In his twenty second Year Sir Edmund Shaa was Mayor William White John Matthew Sheriffs EDWARD V. EDWARD the eldest son of King Edward the 4th A. D. 1483. being a child but of about twelve years of age when his Father dyed was committed to the government of his Uncle Sir Anthony Woodville a right honourable person with whom were joined other of the Queens friends But Richard Duke of Glocester was much discontented that these should have the keeping of him secure whom he designed to destroy that thereby the Crown might become his This bloody man therefore the better to effect his wicked purposes did every-where represent the Queens Kindred to be enemies to the ancient Nobility and that they would abuse the Kings Name to their undoing With which and like suggestions he wrought upon the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Hastings that had formerly born no great good-will to the Queens friends to join with him utterly to remove from the Kings company all his Mothers friends under the name of the ancient Nobles enemies Then the Hypocrite Glocester understanding that the Lords attending the King purposed to bring the King to London to his Coronation strongly guarded he therefore procured the Queen to be brought in mind That it was not needful but would be jeopardous for the King to be brought up strong for that if the Lords of her Kindred should assemble in the Kings Name much people they should give the Lords of the contrary Faction cause to suspect that this was not done for the Kings safety whom no man impugned but for the destruction of the ancient Nobility by which means the Nation should be brought into an uproar The Queen thus over-reached sent such word unto the King and his friends about him so that they mistrusting no guile brought the King forwards with a small company in great haste but with no good speed For the Dukes of York and Buckingham at Stony-Stratford as the King was on his way to London took him by violence from his Friends arrested the Lord Richard Grey Sir Thomas Vaughan and Sir Richard Hawt in the Kings presence and imprisoned Sir Anthony Woodvile Lord Rivers in Northampton whom in short time after with the Lord Richard and Sir Thomas Vaughan they sent prisoners into the North. Which done with much honour and humble reverence they convey the King towards London But the Queen hearing of these proceedings in great fright and heaviness she bewailed her Childs Reign her friends and her own mishap cursing the time that ever she disswaded the gathering of power about the King got her self in all haste possible with her young Son Richard and Daughters into the Sanctuary lodging her self and company in the Abbots place at VVestminster whither the Archbishop of York went to comfort her telling her he hoped that the matter was nothing so bad as she doubted it and that he was put in good hope and out of doubt by a Message sent him from the Lord Hastings whose faithfulness to the King he said none did or had cause to suspect Ah wo worth him quoth the Queen he is one that laboureth to destroy me and my blood When the Archbishop was returned home in the dawning of the day he might out of his Chamber-window see all the Thames full of boats with the Duke of Glocester's servants in them watching that none should go to sanctuary nor none pass unsearched Great then was the commotion and murmur as well in other places about as especially in the City the people diversly divining upon this dealing and some Lords Knights and Gentlemen either for favour of the Queen or fear of themselves assembled in sundry companies harnessed But these commotions and fears were moderated by the Lord Hastings then Lord Chamberlain who perswaded that the Duke of Glocester was a sure friend to the King and that the Lord Rivers with the others were for matters attempted against the Dukes of Glocester and Buckingham put under arrest and that the King was bringing up to his Coronation May 4th the King entred the City and was lodged in the Bishops Palace where was held a great Council and the Dukes of Glocester Buckingham and all the Lords vvere svvorn to the King and the Duke of Glocester vvas chosen to be Protector of the King and his Realm And novv the Protector to the end he might finish his designs at once projecteth to get the young Duke of York out of sanctuary in order to which he pretends that the said Duke only was a fit associate for his brother the King and that it was dishonourable both for the King and those about his Grace that the Kings brother should be fain to keep Sanctuary But because the Duke might not be taken out of Sanctuary by violence the A. B. of York was therefore imploy'd to perswade with the Queen to yield him up This the A.B. undertook though perhaps not very willingly alledging to the Queen the comfort that his society would be to the King his brother and that it would take off the obloquy of one brothers being afraid of the other which would seem to be by the Dukes being kept in Sanctuary The Queen desirous to keep him where he was pleaded his infancy his being vexed with sickness insomuch that she durst put no earthly person in trust with his keeping but her self only For though others said she haply might do their best to him yet there was none that knew better than her self how to order him she having so long kept him nor was there any more like to cherish him than his own Mother that bare him And to this her reply she added many biting words against the Protector Howbeit in the conclusion finding by the A. B's words that the Protector would fetch her Son out by force if otherwise he might not be had she deemed it best to deliver him which she did to the Bishop and other Lords with him saying to them I deliver him and his brother into your hands to keep of whom I shal ask them both before God and the world And to the she said Farewell mine own sweet Son God send you good keeping let me kiss you once ere you go for God knows when we shall kiss together again and therewithal she kissed him blessed him turned her back and wept and so went away leaving the Child weeping as fast Then the Lords brought him to the Protector who took him in his arms and gave him a Judas kiss June the 13 many Lords assembled in the Tower and there sate in Councel communing concerning the Kings Coronation for the which Pageants were provided and whilst they were in consultation in came the Protector about nine of the Clock saluting them curteously and excusing himself that he came so late saying merrily I have been a sleeper to day then after a while departed and about eleven of
head Howbeit the Traytor Banister did not only lose his promised reward but also received just punishments from Heaven for his eldest son fell mad and so died in a Hogstie his second son became deformed and lame in his limbs his third son was drowned in a small puddle of water his eldest daughter was struck with a foul Leprosie and himself being of extream age was found guilty of murder but saved by his Clergy Divers of the Earl of Richmond's party were put to death and so jealous was the King now of his ill-gotten greatness that he stored the Sea-coasts with armies of men furnished the Ports with store of munition and made all things ready to prevent Earl Henry's arrival caused a Parliament to be assembled at Westminster wherein the said Earl and all such as had fled the Land in his behalf were attainted and were made enemies to their native Country their Goods confiscate their Lands and possessions condemned to the Kings use Moreover the Usurper sent his Agents laden with Gold and many gay promises to the Duke of Britain offering what not if he would either send Earl Henry into England or commit him there into Prison but the Duke himself lying extream sick his Treasurer Peter Landose corrupted with Gold had betrayed the Earl into Richard's hands had not the Earl had timely notice of it and prevented it by a speedy escape unto the French-Court where he received great favours Dr. Richard Fox then a Student in Paris was eminently serviceable to the Earl in that Nation And the Duke of Britain when he understood the treachery of Landose was highly displeased and continued a favourer of the Earl and his Cause But all these things with many more were against K. Richard which he very well foresaw though he knew not well how to remedy yet that he might make his Title and interest as good as he could he devised to marry with his Neece the Princess Elizabeth but his Queen Anne stood in his way to this for the present though not long for she fell into the remorseless hands of death but whether a natural or violent is not well known After which Richard courts the Lady Elizabeth his own Brothers daughter though in vain for she detested him Howbeit when Henry heard of Richards attempts herein and not knowing what time through flattery and perswasions from some persons might do upon the young Princess her good nature he hastned for England setting sail from Harfleet with about 200 men August 15 and arrived at Milford-Haven the seventh day following from vvhence he advanced tovvards Shrewsbury On his way to which place there met him Sir Rice ap Thomas a man of great command in VVales with a great body of men to side in his quarrel which Earl Henry afterwards requited by making this his first Alder Governour of VVales From Shrewsbury the Earl marched to Newport where Sir Gilbert Talbot met him with two thousand men from the Earl of Shrewsbury Thence he passed to Litchfield where he was honourably received But when the Usurper understood that the Earl daily increased in strengths and that he was advanced so far without any opposition from his Court at Nottingham he set forth his Host to meet the Earl which he did near unto Market-Bosworth in Leicestershire His Vant-guard he disposed of a marvellous length to strike the more terror into the hearts of his foes the leading whereof was committed to John Duke of Norfolk His own Battalion was furnished with the best approved men of War When he had ordered his army for fight he animated his followers to behave themselves valiantly alledging to them that it was against a company of Runnagates Thieves Outlaws Traytors beggarly Britains and faint-hearted French-men that they were to fight who would oppress and spoil them of their Lands Wives and Children that these their enemies were such Cowards that they would fly faster from them than the silly Hart before the Hound that the Earl of Richmond Captain of the rebellion was but a Welsh Milk-sop For their love to him their Prince their zeal to their native Country he wished them that day to shew their English valour assuring them that for his part he would either triumph in a glorious victory or die in the quarrel with immortal fame Now S. George for us and us for victory saith he Haste therefore forward and remember this that I am he that with high advancement will prefer the valiant and hardy and with severe torture will punish the dastard and cowardly run-away The Earl of Richmond's forefront was commanded by the Earl of Oxford the right wing by Sir Gilbert Talbot the left by Sir John Savage the main Battel by the Earl himself and his Uncle Jasper When the Earl had ordered his small Host consisting of about 5000 men he rode from rank to rank and wing to wing encouraging his followers to fight alledging the justness of their quarrel which God would bless assuring them that for so good a cause as to free the Land of a Monster a Tyrant a Murderer he would that day rather become a dead carrion upon the ground than a Carpet-prisoner kept alive for reproach Advance therefore forward saith he like true-hearted English-men display your Banner in defence of your Country get the day and be Conquerors lose the day and be villains God and St. George give us a happy success Then immediately a fierce Battel commenced and was manfully continued on either part At length the King having intelligence that Earl Henry was but slenderly accompanied with men of Arms he therefore with his Spear in the Rest ran violently towards the Earl in which rage at the first brunt he bare down and overthrew the Earls Standard slew Sir William Brandon the bearer thereof next encountred Sir John Cheiny whom he threw to the ground thereby making an open passage to the Earl himself In which very instant when the Earl was like to be distressed the Lord Stanley sent in aids of fresh Soldiers under the leading of Sir William Stanley which were raised as he pretended for Richard but intended them when he should see his time for Richmond's service These entred the fight with such courage that they put the Usurpers forces to flight when the Usurper closing his Helmet said to such that brought him a swift horse for his escape This day shall finish all Battels or else I will finish my life So thrusting into the throng of his enemies he manfully fighting died in the place A. D. 1485 Aug. 22. There died with him that day the Duke of Norfolk the Lord Ferrers of Chartley Sir Richard Ratcliff Sir Robert Brakenbury The number of both parts slain in the field were 4000 Sir William Catesby with two other persons of quality were taken and two days after were beheaded at Leicester Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey the Duke of Norfolks son and heir being then also taken prisoner the Earl of Richmond demanded of him how he
of Beeralston Sir William Bastard Kt. Sir John Trevors Kt. Borough of Tiverton Samuel Foot Esq Sir Henry Ford Kt. Dorsetshire Thomas Strangeways Esq Thomas Freake Esq Town of Pool Thomas Chafin Esq Henry Trenchard Esq Borough of Dorchester Sir Francis Hollis Kt. and Bar. Nicholas Gould Merch. Borough of Lyme Regis Sir George Strode one of his Majesties Serjeant at Law Henry Henley Esq Borough of Waymouth Anthony Lord Ashley Sir John Coventry Kt. of the Bath Borough of Melcomb Regis Thomas Brown Esq Michael Harvey Esq Borough of Bridport Wadham Strangeways Esq John Every Esq Borough of Shaftson alias Shaftsbury Henry Whitaker Esq Thomas Bennet Esq Borough of Wareham Thomas Erle Esq George Savage Esq Borough of Corfe Castle Sir Nathaniel Napper John Tregonwell Esq Durham Sir Robert Eden Bar. John Tempest Esq City of Durham Sir Ralph Cole Bar. William Tempest Esq Essex Sir Eliab Harvey Kt. Henry Mildmay Esq Borough of Colchester Sir Harbottle Grimstone Bar. Sir Walter Clarges Bar. 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John Parkhurst Esq City of Peterborough William Lord Fitzwilliams Francis St. Johns Esq Town of Northampton Sir Hugh Cholmley Bar. Sir William Farmer Bar. Town of Brackley Sir Thomas Crew Kt. William Lisle Esq Borough of Higham Ferrers Sir Rice Rud Bar. Northumberland Sir John Fenwick Bar. Sir Ralph Dalavell Bar. Town of New-Castle upon Tine Sir William Blacket Bar. Sir Francis Anderson Kt. Borough of Morpeth Edward Lord Morpeth Sir George Downing Kt. and Bar. Town of Berwick upon Tweed Ralph Gray Esq John Rushworth Esq Nottingham Sir Scroop How Kt. John White Esq Town of Nottingham Robert Pierrepont Esq Richard Slater Esq Borough of Eastretford Sir William Hickman Bar. Sir Edward Nevile Kt. and Bar. Borough of Newark Robert Lord Deincourt Sir Robert Markham Bar. Oxon. Sir Edward Norris Kt. Sir John Cope Bar. Vniversity of Oxon. Heneage Finch Esq His Majesties Solicitor General John Edisbury Dr. of Laws City of Oxon. William Wright Esq Broom Whorwood Esq Borough of New-Woodstock Sir Littleton Osbaldeston Bar. Nicholas Baynton Esq Borough of Bandbury Sir John Holman Bar. Rutland Philip Sherrard Esq Sir Thomas Mackworth Bar. Salop. Richard Newport Esq Sir Vincent Corbet Bar. Town of Salop. Sir Richard Corbet Bar. Edward Kinnaston Esq Borough of Bruges alias Bridgenorth Sir Thomas Whitmore Kt. of the Bath Sir William Whitmore Bar. Borough of Ludlow Francis Charlton Esq Somerset Fox Esq Borough of Great Wenlock Sir John Wild Kt. William Forrester Esq Town of Bishops Castle Edmund Waring Esq William Oakely Esq Somerset Sir Hugh Smith Kt. of the Bath and Bar. Sir John Sydenhan Bar. City of Bristol Sir Robert Cann Kt. and Bar. Sir John Knight Kt. City of Bath Sir William Basset Kt. Sir George Speke Bar. City of Wells Edward Berkly Esq William Coward Esq Borough of Taunton Sir William Portman Bar. and Kt. of the Bath John Trenchard Esq Borough of Bridgewater Ralph Stawel Esq Sir Haswel Tynt Bar. Sir Francis Role Kt. Borough of Minehead Francis Lutterel Esq Sir John Mallet Kt. Borough of Ilcester William Strode Esq John Speke Esq Borough of Milhorneport John Hunt Esq William Lacy Jun. Esq Southampton Edward Noel Esq Richard Norton Esq City of Winchester James Lord Annesly Sir John Clobery Kt. Town of Southampton Thomas Knowlys Esq Benjamen Newland Merch. Town of Portsmouth George Leg Esq Sir John Kempthorn Kt. Borough of Yarmouth Sir Richard Mason Kt. Thomas Lucy Esq Borough of Peters-Field Sir John Norton Bar. Leonard Bilson Esq Borough of Newport alias Medona Sir Robert Holms Kt. Sir Robert Dillington Bar. Borough of Stockbridge Henry Whitehead Esq Oliver St. John Esq Borough of Newton Sir John Holmes Kt. John Churchill Esq Borough of Christ Church Sir Thomas Clargis Kt. 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of his predecessors he sought by severe courses to reduce but they being backt by Maximinus whom he had raised murder'd him CAius Julius Verus Maximinus MAXIMINVS A.D. 237. a Thracian by birth spent his youth in keeping of cattel and was of a gigantick stature being eight foot and an half high by geometrical measure On his thumb he wore as a Ring the bracelet which his Wife used to wear on her arm And according to his limbs so was his diet for he daily devoured forty pound weight of flesh and thereunto did drink six gallons of Wine For his admirable height he was admitted by Severus into the rank of a common Soldier and shortly after to be one of his guard and at last the soldiers elected him Emperor But a Tyrant he proved as well to the Roman State in general as the Christians in special 6th Pers against whom he raised the sixth Persecution His conditions were so hateful that the Senate advanced one Gordianus to sway the Empire but he proving unfortunate in his attempts against him strangled himself And Maximinus as he was drawing his forces towards Rome to revenge himself on the Senate at the siege against Aquileia was slain in his pavilion by his discontented soldiers The Citizens Wives in the time of this siege cut off the hair of their heads to make bow-strings thereof PVPIENVS and BALBINVS A.D. 239. PVpienus Maximus and Clodius Balbinus were by the Peers and Princes constituted Empeperors the people extolling the Senate for their prudent choice of so wise men contrary to the rash practice of such who chose their Governours to fit their own fancies But the Praetorian soldiers taking this as a reflect upon them and chiefly because German strangers were brought in to be of the Guard as if themselves were not to be trusted therefore turning their spleens against these Emperors they assaulted them in their chambers dispoiled them of their Imperial Robes haled them through the City like two Thieves and lastly slew them leaving their bodies to despightful ignominy in A. D. 241. in which year was so great an eclipse of the Sun that the noon-day thereby became as dark as the midnight GORDIANVS A D. 241. ANtonius Gordianus was by the Senate and Praetorian Band elected Emperor when he was not yet full sixteen years of age He caused the Temple of Janus at Rome which had long stood shut to be opened a sure token that Wars were at hand which with good success he prosecuted against the Persians Goths Sarmates and Germans He was most noble and lovely conditioned exceeding studious and addicted unto learning having in his Library no less than 62000 books But by his Praefect Philip he was deposed Philip also usurping the Imperial Government under whom for a time this deposed youth held an ordinary Captains place but the Usurper judging himself not secure while Gordianus lived commanded him to be slain JVlius Philippus Arabs hath the honour PHILIPPVS A.D. 246. according to some of being the first Emperor baptized into the Christian faith together with his Wife Severa and Son Philip. Himself and Son were slain by the soldiers Of his son it is reported that he was of so admirable composedness that in all his life he was never seen to laugh TRajanus Decius swayed the Empire like a worthy Prince TRAJANVS A.D. 253. 7th Pers saving his persecuting the Saints of God for he it was that raised the Seventh Persecution against the Christians Under him suffered Fabianus and Cornelius Bishops of Rome St. Lawrence and many other good Christians he put to great tortures amongst the rest Origen he caused to be scourged at an Iron-stake and then lockt his feet in the stocks four paces asunder But after that he had seen his two sons Decius and Hostilianus slain before his face himself was swallowed up in a whirl-pool never having other honour of burial TRebonianus Gallus TREBONIANVS A.D. 254. whom Decius had appointed Governour of Mysia and to keep the passages from the invading Goths through the desire of rule he plotted with the Goths against the Roman Army to the ruine of his Soveraign Lord but thereby he attained the Empire he had lusted after The Christians he banished At which time so violent a Pestilence commenced that no Province in the world was exempt from it He made a dishonourable peace with the Goths who notwithstanding continued their furies against the Romans which his General Aemilianus Maurus revenged with a wonderful slaughter whereby Aemilian grew so famous and Gallus so contemptible that the soldiers proclaimed Aemilian Emperor who slew Gallus and his son both in fight AEMILIANUS A. D. 255. JVlius Aemilianus an African by birth of base parentage was elected Emperor only by the Mysian Army which election the Italian Bands opposed in favour of their own Leader Valerianus whom they sought to promote to the Empire the Senate also inclining thereto Therefore the Mysian Soldiers when they understood this tumultuously murder'd Aemilainus when he had reigned about four months VALERIANUS A. D. 255. 8th Perse LIcinius Valerianus in the beginning of his reign was very gracious and mild toward the Christians but afterward stirred up by an Egyptian Sorcerer he began the Eighth persecution with great cruelty Many were the Martyrs which with horrible tortures he caused to be put to death but the just revenging hand of God cut him off by Sapor the savage King of Persia who in battel took him prisoner and made his aged back his footstool whilst he mounted his horse for the space of seven years and then caused him to be fley'd alive and salted LIcinius Gallienus GALLIENUS A.D. 268. in whose time the sun was clouded as under sackcloth not being seen for many days together also great and fearful earthquakes hapned which overthrew Cities and other Edifices shaking the ground so terribly that vast caves and hideous gaping bowels of the earth were thereby laid open and great streams of salt water flowed out from them the earth roared and seemed to thunder when there was no voice heard in the air above The sea overswelled her banks and brake into many Continents drowning countreys cities and people And so violent a Pestilence raged that in Rome no less than Five thousand persons dyed thereof in a day Which said calamities somewhat moving this Emperor to remorse he stayed the persecutions of the Christians sending out his edicts in favour of them The Roman soldiers now in divers places of the Empire set up no fewer than Thirty titular Emperors at once But Gallienus after that he had suffered the Empire to be rent in pieces and usurped by many barbarous nations was murder'd at Millain by three of his principal Captains AVrelius Flavius Claudius CLAUDIUS II. A.D. 271. was elected by the soldiers before the Walls of Millain and with much joy was confirmed Emperor by the Senate in Rome He slew and took prisoners of the Goths who had
reduced to that penury that he was forced to live upon the Alms of the Church This King designed at least pretended to go for the Holy Land when the Parliament granted him large Aids upon this condition That at this time once for all he should submit himself to govern by Law to confirm the Charters of Liberties or Magna Charta Against the breakers whereof a most solemn curse was pronounced The King swearing to keep all Liberties upon pain of that execratory sentence As he was a man a Christian a Knight and a King anointed and crowned Yet notwithstanding the Oath and the Curse the King two or three years after caused the Tenth of all England and Ireland to be collected for his own use and the Popes the Pope having given the Kingdom of Sicily to his Son Edmond but the English subjects were first to win it for him Which the Nobles peremptorily denied the attempting there being occasion enough for money and men at home the Welsh having risen in rebellion Against whom Prince Edward was sent who though he wanted not for Courage St. Edmund of Abingâ—â—n A. B. Caâ—t yet in one field lost 2000 English men and was beaten out of the field In A.D. 1257 was Richard Earl of Cornwall the King's Brother elected King of Romans and was crowned at Aquisgrane having paid a large sum of money for the honour At this time the Earl was reputed to possess so much ready Coin as would every day for ten years afford him an hundred Marks upon the main stock besides his Rents and Revenues in Germany and the English Dominions And now the King relapsed into his profuseness and favouring of the Poictovins and other forreigners The Nobles hereupon came exquisitely armed to the Parliament holden at Oxford with a resolution to inforce the King and his Aliens to their proposals Which were That the King should unfeignedly keep the Charter of Liberties That such an one should be in place of Justitiar who would judg all impartially That the Forreigners should be expelled the Realm And that twenty-four persons should there be chosen to have the sole administration of King and State and yearly appointing of all great Officers Reserving to the King the Ceremonies of Honour Binding themselves by Oath to see these things performed and the King and Prince swearing to observe the ordination of these disloyal Barons who had by an Edict given out high menacings against all that should resist The Poictovins were so terrified by these violent proceedings that they fled into France The giddy people they joined with the Barons as the Assertors of their Liberties Boniface A. B. Cant the Londoners bound themselves under their publick Seal to assist them in the common Cause Richard King of Romans the Barons would not suffer to come into England but in a private manner with a very small train and being landed they exacted an Oath of him and upon pain of forfeiting all his Lands in England bound him to join with them in reforming the State which they factiously had assumed to do having appointed Four Knights Commissioners in every shire to enquire of all Oppressions and to certifie the same to them And the better to strengthen their Cause Simon Montford Earl of Leicester Head of the Factionists with others passed into France there to transact with the King thereof as to an indissoluble League About which time King Henry for want of Money or good Counsel or both was induced upon no very good terms for ever to renounce to the King of France all his right to Normandy Anjou Tourain Main and Poictou But the fire which had been long in blowing did now break out into a flame the King and his Barons taking arms against each other Simon de Montford executes his greatest revenge on the Queens friends who were aliens not sparing the King's who were free-born English-men Yet at length mutual weariness inclines Henry and his Barons to a peace and the King is willing that the Statutes of Oxford should be in force but the Queen was unwilling Which being known to the Londoners it put the baser sort into so leud a rage that she being to shoot the Bridg from the Tower towards Windsor where Prince Edward was ingarison'd they with dirt and stones and villanous words forced her back to the Tower Howbeit at London in a Parliament there held matters were pieced up though shortly after all was rent again both sides making fresh preparations for War King Henry drew towards Oxford where the rendezvous of his friends and forces was appointed from which University he dismissed all the Students being above fifteen thousand of those only whose names were entred into the Matriculation-book Whereupon many of them went to the Barons to Northamptor whither Henry came and breaking in at the Town-Walls encountred his Enemies amongst whom these Students of Oxford had a Banner by themselves advanced right against the King and did more annoy him in the fight than the rest of the Barons Forces Which the King who at length prevailed vowed sharply to revenge but was disswaded by his Councellors who told him that those Students were the sons and kindred of the great men of the Land whom if he punished even the Nobles that now stood for him would take arms against him The King encouraged by this success advanceth his Royal Standard toward Nottingham burning and wasting the Barons Lands wheresoever he came The Barons they sent Letters to him protesting their loyal observance to his person but all hostility to their enemies who were about him Rob. Kilwarby A B. Cant To which the King returned them a full defiance as to Traytors professing that he took the wrong of his friends as his own and their enemies as his At length the two Armies met and ingaged in fight wherein Prince Edward bravely behaved himself putting the Londoners to flight pursuing them for four miles but in the mean while his Father having his horse slain under him yielded himself prisoner the King of Romans and other great Peers were taken and the whole hope of the day lost on the Kings side On the next day peace was concluded for the present on condition That Prince Edward and Henry the King of Romans Son should also render themselves into the Barons hands And now by this advantage the factious Lords gained all the chief Castles of the Kingdom into their power Montford carrying his Soveraign as his prisoner about the Country yet with all outward respect and honour the rather to procure a more quiet surrender of Garrisons So fortunate may Treason and Rebellion for a time be though in the end it commonly speeds as it deserves To tame these Rebels the Pope sends his Cardinal Legate to Excommunicate them but they trusting to the temporal sword made light of the spiritual Howbeit to the Kings great advantage there hapned so irreconcileable a difference betwixt the two great Earls of Leicester and Glocester that the
had homage done him by many of the Scotish Lords at Dumfres he next took unjust revenge on Walter Langton Bishop of Chester by Imprisoning him and seizing all his temporal goods and credits because that in his Father K. Edward's life-life-time the Bishop had gravely reproved him for his misdemeanors and had complained on Pierce Gavestone whereon ensued young Edward's Imprisonment and Gaveston's banishment Then he sailed into France where at Bolein with wonderful magnificence he was married to young Isabel Daughter of Philip the Fair and at his return for England brought back with him his beloved Minion Pierce Gaveston who was a Gentleman stranger brought up with him Which Gaveston the King suffered now to Lord it over the chief Nobles to fill the Court with Buffoons and Parasites and the like pernicious instruments to wast the wealth of the Kingdom in revellings and riotous courses to transport riches into foreign parts bestowing upon him his own Jewels and Ancestors treasures and even the Crown it self of his victorious Father Not sticking to profess That if it lay in his power he should succeed him in the Kingdom being wholly ruled by him Therefore to repress Gaveston's exorbitances the Lords in Parliament procured though with no good-will of the Kings that Gaveston Earl of Cornwall should be perpetually banished they gratifying the King with a subsidy of the 20th part of the Subjects goods Howbeit shortly after the King contrary to his Oath made unto the Parliament called Earl Gaveston home out the Ireland himself meeting him at Flint-Castle and then bestowing on him to Wife Joan of Acres Countess of Glocester resolving for this leud mans sake to put Crown Life and all in hazard And now the insolent Earl strives to outgo himself in his former courses consuming the Kings treasures and means so that there was not sufficient left for the necessities of the Court and drawing the King into such debaucheries that the Queen conceived her self injured thereby as well as the Nobles Whereupon Gaveston is a third time forced out of the Realm into which he again returned the following Christmas when the King welcomed him as an Angel from Heaven and forthwith advanced him to be principal Secretary But the Lords as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal resolved by force of Arms utterly to extirpate him chusing for their Leader in this design Thomas Earl of Lancaster And at Datkington this infamous Earl Gaveston was surprized by Guy Earl of Warwick who conveyed him to Warwick-Castle and in a place called Blacklow afterward Gaveshead caused his head to be cut off as a subverter of the Laws and an open Traytor to the Kingdom Which act caused a lasting hatred in the King to his Nobles John Offord A.B. Cant. though for the present the Kings displeasure was allayed by the mediation of the Prelates and especially of Gilbert Earl of Glocester who stood neutral But whilst the English King minded only his pleasure undaunted Bruce now the received King of Scotland industriously prosecuted his design for setting his Country at liberty from the English driving them out of most places of his Realm and making great spoil in Northumberland Which awakning K. Edward he marched with a very great Army against him though many of the Nobles refused to attend him in this service because he delayed to ratifie their desired Liberties and provisions for better Government so often consented unto by himself At Bannocksbourn the English and Scotch Armies came in sight each of other when the enemy left nothing undone that might be for their advantage digging before their Battalions certain trenches wherein they stuâ—k sharp Stakes covering them with Hurdles which miserably afflicted the English Cavalry falling into them at unawares thereby procuring to the Scots the greatest victory that ever they had over the English In this fight K. Edward did gallantly behave himself nor would he fly till by the importunity of friends he was thereunto forced for his preservation Now was slain the Earl of Glocester the Lord Clifford with other Lords and about 700 Knights Esquires and mâ—n of Armories Humphry de Bohun was taken Prisoner and a great booty the Scots gained for the English in this expedition had adorned themselves as for a triumph with all sorts of riches gold silver and the like in a kind of wanton manner corresponding to the Prince they followed In those times the Scots made such-like scoffing Rhimes as this on the English Long Beards heartless painted Hoods witless Gay Coats graceless makes England thriftless This Conquest incouraged the Scots to make inroads into the English Northern Counties where they made great spoil some of the disloyal Englishmen joyning with them The King nevertheless could not forget his Gaveston whose body with great pomp he caused to be transferred from Oxford to Kings-Langley in Hartfordshire himself in person honouring the Exequies Then in Pierce Gavestons place the King advanced into his favour the two Spencers Father and Son whose intolerable insolencies and oppressions seemed to exceed those of Gavestons against whom the Barons did swell with such impatience that not content with the wast of their Lands by threats of civil War they procured their Banishment The Queen who hitherto had been a Mediatrix betwixt the King and his Lords having received the denyal of one nights lodging at the Castle of â—eeds in Kent which belonged to one of the Barons whom she perceived to take too much upon them now turned her Spleen against them incensing the King her Husband against them so highly that King Edward resolved to dye in the quarrel or to bring the factious Lords into a more becoming carriage towards him The judgment given against the Spencers he procured to be reversed Some of the Delinquent Lords render'd themselves to the King others of them were apprehended amongst whom were the two Roger Mortimers Father and Son who were committed to the Tower Howbeit the Earl of Lancaster in the North resolved with what forces he could procure to fight for his security against whom the King marched and at Burrowbridg encountred him where Humphrey de Bohun was slain with a spear from under the bridg and the Earl of Lancaster with other principal men Barons and Knights to the number of above ninety were taken by Andrew de Herckly Captain of Carlisle afterward created Earl of that place The Earl of Lancaster a few days after was beheaded at Pontfract the Barons and Knights were drawn hang'd and quarter'd The Lord Badlesmere who refused to let the Queen lodg at Leeds was executed at Canterbury Never did English earth at one time drink so much blood of her Nobles as at this time in so vile a manner shed One Earl and Fourteen Lords suffering death most of them by the halter But that this Tragedy of the Lords was exploited by others and not by the Kings free inclinations appears for that when some of the Courtiers and Favourites pleaded for the life of one of a mean Family
condemned for being engaged in the Rebellion the King fiercely answered A plague upon you for cursed whisperers malicious backbiters wicked Councellors intreat you so for the life of a most notorious Knave who would not speak one word for the life of my most near Kinsman that most noble Knight Earl Thomas By the soul of God this fellow shall dye the death he hath deserved In A. D. 1322. King Edward marched with a mighty Host into Scotland from whence for want of Victuals he was forced in a short time after to return without the honour of any atchievement the Scots also following him at the heels and so suddenly assailing him that he was forced to leave his Treasure and Furniture for pillage to them But by reason of the Interdict which the Pope had put the Scots under in favour of the English a truce was made betwixt the two Nations for thirteen years Which being confirmed Edward took his progress through the Counties of York and Lancaster and Marches of VVales from whence the late seditions had their nourishments there punishing many severely Amongst the rest he caused Andrew de Herkly to be degraded hang'd drawn and quarter'd for trayterously taking part with the Scots Whilst these things were acting young Roger Mortimer having corrupted his Keepers or potion'd them with a sleepy drink escaped out of the Tower getting over into France The Spencers Father and Son one created Earl of VVinchester the other of Glocester behaved themselves exceeding lordly even to the Queen her self whose maintenance they abridg'd to advance their own wealth Many Nobles that had been engaged in the Barons quarrel they put to such excessive rates for purchasing the Kings favour again that utterly impoverish'd them Adam Bishop of Hereford and Henry Bishop of Lincoln for the same cause they deprived of all their temporalties But the Queen and discontented Nobles resolve to clear themselves of the Spencers to which end the Queen procured aids out of Henalt and Germany and uniting them with the Barons forces marched against the King who found but few friends because of the mortal hatred that the people generally did bear to the Spencers The Queen lying with her Army at Oxford caused the whole University to be called together When in the presence of the Queen Prince Roger Mortimer and other Nobles the Bishop of Hereford preached to them from that Text 2 King 4.19 My head my head aketh Delivering to them the reasons of the Queens coming with her Army concluding that an aking and sick Head of a Kingdom was to be taken off and not to be tampered with by any other Physick The Londoners stood high for the Queen and Barons cutting off the Bishop of Excesters head whom the Queen had left Guardian of London The Tower they gained into their possession proclaimed John of Eltham Custos of the City and whole Land set at liberty all prisoners The Queen did the like throughout all the Realm by her order also all banished men were revoked whereby no small encrease was brought to the Barons Forces From Oxford the Queen marched to Bristol which she besieged and took and therein Hugh Spencer the elder whom she caused without any form of trial to be cut up alive and quarter'd having been first at the clamours of the common people drawn and hang'd in his proper Armories The unfortunate King being now forsaken of almost all his English subjects after much wandering intrusted himself with the VVelsh who still loved him lying hid in the Abby of Neath till at length after much search he was found out and with him young le Spencer Robert Baldock Chancellor and Simon de Reading were taken King Edward was conveyed to Kenelworth Castle the Lords to Hereford where the Queen lay with her Host Spencer and Simon de Reading were condemned to death by VVilliam Trussel and were both ignominiously hanged The distressed King being now shut up in prison and without hopes of any redemption after he had been much solicited at last yeilded to resign the Crown to his Son Edward which being granted by the King the Lords forthwith proceed to the short Ceremonies of his Resignation chiefly consisting in the surrender of his Crown and Ensigns of Majesty to the use of his Son Prince Edward Sir VVilliam Trussel thereupon in the behalf of the whole Realm renounced all homage and allegiance to the Lord Edward of Caernarvon late King in these words I William Trussel in the name of all men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator resign to thee Edward the Homage that was made to thee sometime and from this time forward I defie thee and deprive thee of all Power-Royal and I shall never be tendant on thee after this time A.D. 1327. His Issue were Edward John of Eltham Joan and Eleanor In the fourth year of this Kings Reign a Baker named John of Stratford for making bread lesser than the assize was with a fools-hood and loaves of bread about his neck drawn on a Hurdle through the streets of London So terrible a famine was in England that upon St. Lawrence Eve there was scarce bread to be got for sustentation of the Kings household so great a mortality likewise accompanying this dearth that the living were scarce sufficient to bury the dead In the time of scarcity the King set forth an Order That Wheat should be sold in the Market at eleven shillings the Quarter a fat Ox stalled or Corn-fed at 24. Shillings a fat Hog of two years old at three Shillings four pence a fat Hen for a peny and 24 Eggs for a peny but victualls thereby became so scarce in the Markets that this Order was revoked and the people left to sell as they could Mertons Colledge in Oxford brought forth in this Kings and his son Edwards reign those four Lights of Learning namely Jahn Duns called Scotus the Subtil who in a fit of the Apoplexy 't is said was buryed alive Bradwardina the profound Ocham the Invincible and Burlie the Perspicuous And as some say Baconthorp the Resolute was of the same Colledge Now was the Knights-Templars Order universally extinguished Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings Reign In his first Year Sir John Blunt continued Mayor Nicholas Pigot Nigellus Drury Sheriffs In his second Year Nicholas Faringdon was Mayor William Basing James Butler Sheriffs In his third Year Thomas Romaine was Mayor Roger le Palmer James of St. Edmund Sheriffs In his fourth Year Richard Reffam was Mayor Simon Cooper Peter Blackney Sheriffs In his fifth Year Sir John Gisors was Mayor Simon Metwod Richard Wilford Sheriffs In his sixth Year Sir John Gisors was Mayor John Lambin Adam Lutkin Sheriffs In his seventh Year Nicholas Farendon was Mayor Robert Gurden Hugh Garton Sheriffs In his eighth Year Sir John Gisors was Mayor Stephen Abingdon Hammond Chickwel Sheriffs In his ninth Year Stephen de Abingdon was Mayor Hammond Goodcheap William Bodeleigh Sheriffs In his tenth Year John
may befall while my Son is alive but let him either vanquish or dye because the honour of this brave day shall be his if God suffer him to survive Which he did and beat the French out of the field Thereupon King Edward with his untouched Battel advanced towards his victorious Son and most affectionately embracing and kissing him said Fair son God send you perseverance to such prosperous beginnings you have nobly acquit your self and are well worthy to have the governance of a Kingdom intrusted unto you for your valour In the field was found the dead bodies of eleven great Princes and of Barons Knights and men of Arms above fifteen hundred There was slain the King of Bohemia King of Majorca Earl of Alanson Duke of Lorrain Duke of Bourbon Earl of Flanders Earl of Savoy the Dolphin of Viennois Earl of Sancerre and Harecourt Earls of Aumarl Nevers c. six Earls of Almain besides others of great account with the Grand Prior of France and Archbishop of Roan Of the Commons there fell about thirty thousand Of the English side not one man of note or honour was slain A. D. 1346. From the Forrest of Crescie King Edward marched to Callis and besieged it In the time of which siege the Governour thereof for the sparing of food thrust forth of the Town above fifteen hundred of the poor and impotent people whom this Christian King Edward turned not back but suffered them freely to pass through his Camp relieving them gratis with fresh victuals and giving two pence a piece sterling to each of them But whilst the King was busied abroad in France the Scots in favour of the French invaded England advancing as far as Durham where the English encountring them overcame them took David their King prisoner at Nevils Cross by Durham There lay dead in the field the Earls of Murray and Strathern the Constable Marshal Chamberlain and Chancellor of Scotland with many other Nobles Prisoners taken besides the King were the Earls of Douglas Fife Southerland Wigton and Mentieth In this battel on the English side were many spiritual persons who for the defence of their Country made use of carnal Weapons And as King Edwards friends were successful in England so were they also in forreign parts for in Britain Sir Thomas Dagworth overthrew the Lord Charles of Blois though he had much the odds of him as to number of men In Gascoign and those parts Henry Earl of Derby and Lancaster worsted the Duke of Normandy took sundry places of great importance amongst the rest that considerable Town of Brigerac where he permitted every soldier to seize any House and convert all therein to his own profit Whereupon it hapned that a certain Soldier called Reth having broke into a House where the Monyers had for safety stowed the Money of that Countrey in great long sacks he acquainted the Earl therewith supposing that the Earl intended not so great a treasure for a private share but the Earl told him That accordingly as he had at first proclaimed let the treasure be worth what it would yet was it all his own And now after almost a years siege Callis was delivered to King Edwards mercy In Little-Britain the Kings Warden thereof Sir VValter de Bendly vanquished the Marshal of France in fight slew 13 Lords 140 Knights 100 Esquires and took prisoners 9 Lords besides many Knights and Esquires At length after much spoil made upon the French a peace was concluded on betwixt the two Kings though it continued not long ere the French broke the agreement In revenge whereof Edward presently entred France with an Army Will. Witlesy A. B. Cant. and spoiled it where he came and after his return into England again when he heard that John the new King of France had given to Charles the Daulphin the Dutchy of Aquitain King Edward bestowed the same upon the Black-Prince commanding him to defend that right with the sword The Prince thereupon furnished with a gallant Army set sail towards France where he took many Towns and prisoners advanced into the bosome of France up to the very gates of Burges in Berry from whence wheeling about to return to his chief City Burdeaux John King of France encountered him with a great Army having the odds of six to one notwithstanding which the victorious Prince of Wales discomfited the French took prisoners King John and Philip his youngest son the Archbishop of Sens and many great Lords and about two thousand Knights Esquires and Gentlemen bearing Armories And slew in fight about fifty two Lords and seventeen hundred Knights Esquires and Gentlemen with Sir Reginald Camian who that day bore the Or flamb or French Ensign and of the common Soldiers about six thousand To James Lord Audley who in this fight received many wounds the Prince gave 500 Marks Land in fee-simple which said Land the Lord Audley bestowed on his four Esquires that had continued with him in all the brunt and fury of danger King Edward the Father whilst his Son was thus prosperously busied in France proceeded in hostile sort against the Scots and brought King Baliol at Roxbrough to make a surrender of his Crown to him Prince Edward after his late victory marched with joy and triumph to Burdeaux where having refreshed his wearied soldiers he took his leave of France though not of the King thereof for him he brought with him a Captive to London whither the Prince was welcomed with exquisite honour by Henry Picard then Lord Mayor Which said Picard afterwards at one time feasted at his own charge the King of England France Scotland and Cyprus King Edward ordered that eight days should be spent in giving God the glory for the victory and not long after with a Fleet of One thousand one hundred sail he passed over from â—andwich to a fresh invasion and being come before the walls of Paris he honoured Four hundred Esquires and Gentlemen with Knighthood Ample conditions were offered by the French unto the Kâ—ng of England to which he would not at present listen yet at length was perswaded to an accord on these conditions That Himself and Son Edward should for ever release unto King John and his Heirs the right and claim which they had unto the Crown of France Dutchy of Normandy c. That King John and his Son should for them and their Heirs release unto King Edward and his Heirs the whole Country of Aquitain Santoin c. so the County of Ponthicu c. the proper Inheritance of Queen Isabel K Edward's Mother That King John should pay for his ransom the sum of Thirty hundred thousand Schutes of Gold every two of which should be six shillings eight pence sterling with some other conditions All which were ratified with hands Seals and Oaths at Callis though by the falshood of the French King this amity continued not many years for King John by underhand-dealing sought to alienate the hearts of King Edwards forreign subjects
Sheriffs In his thirty second Year John Loufkin was Mayor John Barnes John Buris Sheriffs In his thirty third Year Simon Doulseby was Mayor Simon of Benington John of Chichester Sheriffs In his thirty fourth Year John Wroth was Mayor John Dennis Walter Berney Sheriffs In his thirty fifth Year John Peche was Mayor William Holbech James Tame Sheriffs In his thirty sixth Year Stephen Candish was Mayor John of St. Albans James Andrew Sheriffs In his thirty seventh Year John Not was Mayor Richard of Croydon John Hiltoft Sheriffs In his thirty eighth Year Adam of Bury was Mayor John de Metford Simon de Mordan Sheriffs In his thirty ninth Year John Loufkin was Mayor John Bukilsworth John Ireland Sheriffs In his fortieth Year John Loufkin continued Mayor John Ward Thomas of Lee Sheriffs In his forty first Year James Andrew was Mayor John Tarngold VVilliam Dickman Sheriffs In his forty second Year Simon Mordan was Mayor Robert Girdeler Adam Wimondham Sheriffs In his forty third Year John Chichester was Mayor John Piel Hugh Holdich Sheriffs In his forty fourth Year John Barnes was Mayor William Walworth Robert Gayton Sheriffs In his forty fifth Year John Barnes continued Mayor Adam Staple Robert Hatfield Sheriffs In his forty sixth Year John Piel was Mayor John Philpot Nicholas Brembar Sheriffs In his forty seventh Year Adam of Bury was Mayor John Abery John Fished Sheriffs In his forty eighth Year VVilliam VValworth was Mayor Richard Lions William Woodhouse Sheriffs In his forty ninth Year John Ward was Mayor John Hadley William Newport Sheriffs In his fiftieth Year Adam Staple was Mayor John Northampton Robert Laund Sheriffs RICHARD II. RICHARD the Son of Edward the Black Prince was crowned King in the eleventh year of his age but ere the Crown was setled on his head the French braved it on the English coasts and the Scots set fire on the Tower of Roxbrough and through want of care in such who had the charge of State-matters in the young Kings behalf things were declined to a shameful change and the glorious atchievements of the two late Edwards fell under an eclipse The North parts of England were grievously afflicted with the stroke of Pestilence and their misery augmented by the inroads and outrages of the Scots who had now by surprize gained Berwick which upon the ninth day after the Earl of Northumberland regained by force A. D. 1379 a Parliament was held at London wherein for supply of the Kings wants it was agreed That the Commons or poorer sort should be spared and the burden be wholly laid upon the abler sort And in the next year following a Parliament was held at Northampton wherein every one of each sex above such an age was charged to pay 12 d. per poll which with the hatred born to John Duke of Lancaster was the cause of a great insurrection of the Commons and Bond-men chiefly of Kent Essex Surrey Suffolk Norfolk and Cambridg-shire The principal heads of the said giddy multitude were VVat Tyler and Jack Straw The Rebels of Kent embattel'd themselves upon Black-Heath by Greenwich from whence they marched to London where the common sort generally siding with them they became Masters of Misâ—ule The Priory of St. Johns without Smithfield they kept burning for about seven days Savoy-Palace belonging to the Duke with all the riches therein they consumed by fire in a kind of holy outrage for they threw one of their fellows into the flames because he had thrust a piece of stolen Plate into his bosome They burnt all the Archbishops Goods at Lambeth and defaced all the Writings Rolls Records and Monuments of the Chancery as having a special hatred to the Lawyers Simon Tibald Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of England a worthy Prelate Sir Robert Hales Lord Prior of St. Johns and Treasurer of England they haled out of the Tower where the King was in person and beheaded them on Tower-hill with great shoutings and rejoycings The number of these rebellious Reformers under the leading of Jack Straw and the Idol of Clowns VVat Tyler were about an Hundred thousand and at a Sermon made to them by John Ball there was near twice as many Their proud Petitions the King granted them necessity compelling him thereto after which a great multitude of them repaired to their several homes The remaining Rout the King by his Proclamation invited to meet him in Smithfield where he would satisfie their desires in all respects to the full William Courtney A. B. Cant But when they were met in the place appointed Wat Tyler there in the presence of the King offering to kill Sir John Newton for not giving him some undue respect William Walworth Lord Mayor thereupon set upon the arch-Traytor with a drawn Weapon and slew him Which when the Rebels perceived they prepared to take extream revenge but the King instantly spurring forth his Horse bade them follow him and he would be their Captain And whilst they thronged after him into the fields brave VValworth the while hasted into the City raised a thousand Citizens in armour and brought them with VVat Tylers head born before him upon a spear to the King Which the rude multitude seeing some of them fled and others on their knees begged mercy of the King Worthy Walworth the King knighted and bestowed on him an hundred pound lands by the year in fee-simple and as some write the Dagger was now added to the City-arms in remembrance of the great good service done by the Lord Mayor Jack Straw at the time of his execution confessed that these Rebels had designed to murder the King and chief of the Realm and to have set up petty kings of their own chusing in every shire The number of rebels executed in all places was about Fifteen hundred These were called the Hurling-times And now the Nation being setled in quiet King Richard married the Lady Ann Daughter unto the Emperor Charles the Fourth John Duke of Lancaster was sent into France where he concluded a Truce with that Nation for six months But these sun-shine days lasted not long For besides the annoyances done to England by the Scots at several times and the French threatning an Invasion the worst mischief befel at home through the means of discontented and ambitious spirits who kindled a Civil War The Laity took offence against the Clergy because the Archbishop had in Parliament refused to yeild to an unjust proportion of the Tax granted the King to be laid upon the Clergy And so far were the Commons and some Lay-Peers offended therewith that they petitioned the King to take away the Temporalties from Ecclesiastical persons which he denied saying That he would maintain the English Church in the quality of the same state or better in which himself had known it to be when he came to the Crown The displacing of Sir Richard Scrope Chancellor was displeasing to most men The reason of his displacing was because he refused to pass such large gifts
of York vvas created Regent of France but before he arrived there Paris vvas lost by the treachery of the Citizens Feb. 27. 1436. And Philip Duke of Burgundy novv in person gives proof of his disaffections to the English bringing his Forces before the Tovvn of Callis for the relief of vvhich place the Protector Humphrey Duke of Glocester passed vvith a great Army but Burgundy had vvithdravvn his Forces before the Duke arrived Hovvbeit the Duke took some revenge on him by vvasting part of his Dominions Which done he vvith honour returned to his Charge in England In France the Earl of Warwick vvas very active driving the Duke of Burgundy's Forces from Crotoy freeing Albeville from the danger of a Bastile for tvventy days spoiling the Country of Picardy about Amiens and Artois The Duke of Somreset Lords Talbot and VVilloughby were also busied in other places for the security of what the English had gained John Stratford A. B. Cant. But the common enemy the Turk increasing in strengths Ambassadors were sent from all parts to determine these bloody differences betwixt the Nations of France and England whereupon a Truce was taken by the two Kings for eighteen months A. D. 1444 was King Henry married with Margaret the daughter of Renate Duke of Anjou and Lorrain In which marriage say some begun the mournful Tragedies of our Country For after this day the fortune of the World began to decline the King so that he lost his friends in England and revenues in France for shortly all was ruled by the Queen and her Councel to the great disprofit of the King and his Realm and to the mauger and obloquie of the Queen her self who had many a wrong and false report made of her A. D. 1447 Good Duke Humphreys death was effected He was much hated by the Queen and her party as the only man who by his prudence as also by the Honour and Authority of his birth and place seemed to impeach that Soveraign Command which they pretended to settle in the King but meant indeed as the manner is under soft Princes to reign themselves in anothers name Many great Lords were drawn on at the time of a Parliament then holden at St. Edmondsbury to concur for his destruction not perceiving that thereby they pluckt up the flood-gate at which the Duke of York should enter This great Duke being come to attend in this Parliament was Arrested of High Treason by John Lord Beaumont High Constable of England the Dukes of Buckingham Sommerset and others and to guard him certain of the Kings household were appointed but it was not long before he was found dead whose body was shewed to the Lords and Commons as if he had died of a Palsey or Imposthume His servants Sir Roger Chamberlain Richard Middleton Thomas Herbert Arthur Tursey Esquires and Richard Nedham Gent. were condemned of High Treason and had this unexampled punishment They were drawn from the Tower to Tyburn there hang'd let down quick stript naked mark'd with a knife to be quartred and then a Charter of Pardon for their lives was shewed by the Marquess of Suffolk Thomas Wild the Dukes servant also being condemned and pardoned had for a preamble in his Letters Patents words importing That he had been one among many other Traytors against the King with Duke Humphrey who went about and practised to deliver Eleanor late wife to the Duke out of Prison for which purpose he had gathered a great power and number of men to come to the Parliament at Bury there to have contrived the Kings destruction Such was the end of this great Prince who by the people of England was thought to be doubly murdered by detraction and deadly practise He was not only a true Lover of learned men but himself was also learned and a Father of his Country And now the whole frame of government seemed to repose it self on the Queen and such Favourites as the King by her commendations liked The affairs of France were neglected And the Duke of York perceiving the King to be ruled and not to Rule began secretly to allure his friends of the Nobility and privily declared to them his Title to the Crown as likewise he did to certain Governours of Cities and Towns Which attempt was so politickly and closely carried that his provision was ready before his purpose was publick The very state of things invited this fatal conspiracy there being now a milder King than England was worthy of a Councel out of favour with the people manifold losses and dishonours abroad a turbulent and jealous condition of things at home Of all which the Duke of York made his best use cherishing the popular discontents and instead of seeking to redress any evils in the State he represented them to be worse than they were thereby to ripen that breach of Loyalty in the hearts of men which his ambition wrought upon In France matters went on very unhappily on the English side For the Duke of Sommerset during the Truce suffered a Town of Britain to be surprised denying restitution thereof cherished his Souldiers in their riot and disorders The French therefore making this their example surprized Town after Town till they had gained all Normandy and within few years extorted the Dutchy of Gascoign out of the English possession In the mean time the Duke of York raised his esteem in England by his appeasing of a tumult which had hapned in Ireland And at a Parliament holden at Westminster many Articles were exhibited by the Lower-House against the Duke of Suffolk wherein he was charged with evil demeanor Misprision and Treason and committed Prisoner to the Tower from whence he was discharged within a few weeks after About this time Adam Molins Bishop of Chichester and keeper of the Privy-Seal a wise and stout man stood in the Duke of Yorks way to the Crown therefore he procured him to be slain at Portsmouth by certain Ship-men And in a Parliament holden at Leicester the Duke of Suffolk a principal pillar of King Henries safety was set at again by the Yorkists They charge that for a crime on him namely the delivery of Anjou and Main which themselves had universally in a former Parliament assented unto and ratified This they prosecuted so effectually though unjustly against him that he was condemned to be banished for five years but in his way to banishment he was by some imployed on purpose taken at Dover-road where they struck off his head at the side of a Cock-boat nor was his death much lamented of the people because he was thought to have been a private actor in the death of the Noble Duke of Glocester Now the Yorkists having thus rid Suffolk out of the way think it no unfit time to begin to put their designs in practise so induce the Commons of Kent to make an Insurrection John Kemp. A. B. Cant. The Captain of the Rebels was a Villain named Jack Cade whom some by contraries called
John Amend-all Their demands were That the Duke of York now in Ireland might be called home and that he with some others whom Cade named might be principally used in Council That those guilty of good Duke Humphrey's death might receive due punishment That the Grievances of the people might be redressed These Kentish Rebels with whom others from Essex joined after they had committed some outrages in and about London as in beheading the Lord Say Treasurer of England Mr. Cromer High Sheriff plundering many of the Citizens c. upon the King's Proclamation and assurance of Pardon returned to their own homes But Cade afterward attempting to raise new troubles was slain by Mr. Edan a Kentish Gentleman The Duke of York finding the humours of the popular body fitted for his purpose came suddenly out of Ireland and confederated with divers Noble-men to take the Crown from Henry's head and to set it on his own Howbeit their pretence in taking arms was only for the reformation of the State professing that they meant all honour and obedience to the King Which King Henry and his Friends chiefly the Duke of Somerset could not believe Therefore an Army was prepared and also advanced against the Yorkists But before the Armies came to engage in fight by such that secretly favoured the Duke of York the King was perswaded to a reconciliation and that Somerset should be commanded prisoner to his own house Tho. Bourchier A. B. Cant. Which done and York having dissolved his Army he came to the King making great complaints against Somerset who hearing thereof presented himself to the King against his accuser answering York face to face and in plain terms accused him of highest Treason as having conspired to depose the King and to take the Soveraignty upon himself Whereupon York was for a time put under restraint till in St. Pauls Church in London before the chief of the Nobility he took a solemn oath to be a true faithful and obedient subject unto King Henry A. D. 1452 John Lord Talbot first Earl of Shrewsbury of that Family with an Army was sent to regain Gasgoin Burdeaux her self yeilded to this great Soldier Whence he went to relieve Chastilion but charging the Enemy upon much unequal terms was there slain in the field together with his Son the Viscount Lisle After which battel when the flames of intestine War began to flash out in England betwixt the two Families of York and Lancaster the Martial men of England were called home out of France to maintain the Factions here At which time a French Captain scoffingly asked an English man When they would return again into France To whom the English man feelingly and upon a true ground answered When your sins shall be greater and more grievous in the sight of God than ours are now A. D. 1453 the Queen was delivered of a Son who was named Edward A. D. 1454 the Duke of York in despight of his sacred Oath so publickly taken raised arms against the King marching with his forces towards London Against whose coming King Henry prepared an Army with which he advanced to St. Albans where a sharp battel was fought and the Royal party worsted On the Kings side were slain the Duke of Somerset Earls of Northumberland and Stafford Lord Clifford with sundry worthy Knights and Esquires The King himself was shot into the neck with an arrow taken prisoner and conveyed back to London where in July immediately following a Parliament was holden the precursor whereof was a Blazing-star which appeared in June extending its beams to the South The first popular Act of this Assembly was to restore the memory of Duke Humphrey to honour declaring him to have been a true subject to the King and Realm The next was to free the Yorkists from treason as to their taking up of arms In this Parliament the Duke of York created himself Protector of England the Earl of Salisbury his great Confident was made Lord Chancellor and the Earl of Warwick Salisbury's Son Captain of Callis They spared as yet to touch King Henry's life because the people did wonderfully esteem and reverence him for his holiness But that they the Yorkists might with the more facility uncrown and at last kill him they by degrees workt out his ancient Councellors and placed of their own creatures in their rooms And now the French encouraged by our inward divisions landed at Sandwich Fifteen thousand men where they did some spoil then departed Another part of them burned Foway and some other towns in Devonshire A. D. 1458 the Lords met at London to compose all quarrels bringing with them great troops of armed attendants which through the great vigilancy and providence of the then Mayor of London Godfrey Bullein Queen Ann Bulleins Ancestor dutifully kept the King's peace This Meeting of the Lords ended in a Composure though it continued but a very short time before both sides made preparations for War and at Blore-Heath they came to battel which was long and bloody but at length the worst of the day fell to the Kings side Howbeit not long after the King put the Yorkists to flight at Ludlow which town was spoiled to the bare Walls In a Parliament holden at Coventry the Duke of York Earls of March Salisbury Warwick Rutland and others were attainted of High treason and had their whole Estates confiscated But on July 9 1460 at Northampton was the fatal battel where Henry's Forces vvere utterly broken and vanquished through the treachery of the Lord Grey of Ruthen vvho quit his place and fled to the Yorkists The Duke of Buckingham Earl of Shrewsbury Viscount Beaumont Lord Egrimond Valiant Sir VVilliam Lucy vvith many others of the Kings Friends vvere slain and the King himself fell a prey into his enemies hands vvho carried him to London vvhere a Parliament begun Octob. 8. At which Parliament Richard 〈…〉 his claim to the Crown publ◠〈…〉 â—gree to them on this sort nam◠〈…〉 third son of King â—dward the third had Issue Philip his daughter who was married to Edmond Mortimer Earl of March who had Issue Roger Earl of March who had Issue Edmond Earl of March Roger Anne and Eleanor which said Edmond Roger and Eleanor died without Issue and Anne the Heir of that House was married to Richard Earl of Cambridge the son of Edmond Duke of York fifth son to King Edward the third which said Earl of Cambridge had Richard now Duke of York He also alledged that the descendents of John of Gaunt fourth son and younger brother to Lionel had hitherto holden the Crown of England unjustly for that himself the said Richard Plantagenet Duke of York was the lawful Heir being the son of Richard Earl of Cambridge and Anne aforesaid Whilss this weighty controversy to whom the Crown of right belonged was under debate a Crown which hung for an Ornament in the middle of the roof of the Room where the Knights and Burgesses met to consult and also
murdred body was on the Ascension-Eve laid in an open Coffin and conveyed to St. Pauls in London where it rested uncovered one day and began to bleed afresh thence it was carried to the black Friars Church where it did bleed as before then was buried at Chertsey in Surrey but King Henry the seventh translated it to his Chappel of Windsor A. D. 1474 Was an Interview at Piquigny in France of the two Kings of England and France where falling into complemental conference Lewis told King Edward that he would one day invite him to Paris there to court his fair French Ladies with whom if he committed any sin Lewis merrily told him that Cardinal Bourbon should be his Confessor and to be sure his penance should be the easier for that Bourbon used to kiss fair Ladies himself This was no sooner spoken howsoever meant but Edward was as forward of thanks and acceptance which King Lewis observing rounded Philip Coâ—â—nes his bosome-servant in the ear telling him flatly That he liked not Edwards forwardness to Paris there had been too many English Princes at that City already After King Edwards return into England as he was hunting in Arrow-Park belonging to Thomas Burdet Esquire with the death of much game he slew a white Buck which the Esquire much fancied whereupon he wished the Horns in that persons belly that moved the King to kill that Buck. For which words he was accused and condemned of Treason his words being wrested that he wish'd the Horns in the Kings belly and was beheaded at Tyburne A. D. 1478. George Duke of Clarence by the procurement of his brother Richard Duke of Glocester was accused of Treason and committed to the Tower His accusation was That he had caused divers of his servants to inform the people that Mr. Burdet was wrongfully put to death That upon purpose to exalt himself and Heirs to the regal dignity he had most falsely published that the King his brother was a bastard and therefore not capable to wear the Crown for which and the like crimes charged upon him he was in Parliament Attainted of Treason and found guilty and on the eleventh of March 1478 after he had offered his Mass-peny in the Tower was drowned in a But of Malmsey whose body was buried at Tukesbury But the King was afterwards much grieved that he had consented to his death and would say when any made suit for the life of a condemned person O unfortunate brother for whose life no man would make suit A. D. 1483 King Edward fell into a dangerous and deadly sickness when calling for his Lords into his sick presence and raising his faint body on the pillowes he exhorted and required them all For the love that they had ever born unto him for the love that he had ever born unto them for the love that our Lord beareth unto us all that from that time forward all griefs forgotten each of them would love other Which saith he I verily trust you will If you any thing regard either God or your King affinity or kindred your own Country or your own safety Shortly after which words he departed this life April the ninth and was buried at VVindsor in the New Chappel whose foundation himself had laid 'T is said of him that he was just and merciful in peace sharp and fierce in War and that never any King was more familiar with his Subjects than he In the beginning of his raign he used to sit in person certain days together in his Court of Kings-Bench to see justice and equity done His Issue were Edward Richard George who died an infant Elizabeth Cicely Anne Briget Mary Margret and Catharine His Concubines were Elizabeth Lucy and three others which were of three several humours as himself would say One the merryest which was Shores Wife another the wiliest and the third the holiest for she had wholly devoted her self to his Bed and her Beads His base Issue were Arthur sirnamed Plantaginet and Elizabeth He ordained penal Statutes against excessive pride in apparel especially against long-piked shoes then worn which had grown to such an extream that the Pikes in the toes were turned upwards and with Silver-chains or Silk-laces tied to the knee He gave some Cotswold-sheep to Henry of Castile and John of Arragon 1465 which hath been accounted one of the greatest prejudices that ever hapned to England One VValker a substantial Citizen of London was beheaded in Smithfield for only saying to his Child That he would make him Heir of the Crown meaning his house which had that sign In the fallen estate of King Henry many of the Nobles that had took part with Henry were put to fly for their lives into Forraign Countries and amongst the rest Henry Holland Duke of Excester and Earl of Huntingdon son to the Lady Elizabeth second daughter of John of Gaunt and Husband to the sister of King Edward the fourth was constrained to live in exile in miserable want and penury For saith Philip Comines I once saw the Duke of Excester run on foot bare-leg'd after the Duke of Burgundies Coach and Train begging an Alms for Gods-sake But being known what he was Burgundy gave him a small pension for his maintenance The Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings time In his first Year Sit Hugh Witch was Mayor George Ireland John Lock Sheriffs In his second Year Sir Thomas Cook was Mayor VVilliam Hampton Bartholomew James Sheriffs In his third Year Sir Matthew Philip was Mayor Robert Basset Thomas Muschampt Sheriffs In his fourth Year Sir Ralph Joceline was Mayor John Tate John Stones Sheriffs In his fifth Year Sir Ralph Varney was Mayor Henry Weaver VVilliam Constantine Sheriffs In his sixth Year Sir John Young was Mayor John Brown Henry Brice John Darby Sheriffs In his seventh Year Sir Thomas Oldgrave was Mayor Thomas Stalbrook Humphrey Heyford Sheriffs In his eighth Year Sir VVilliam Taylor was Mayor Simon Smith William Herriot Sheriffs In his ninth Year Sir Richard a Lee was Mayor Richard Gardner Robert Drope Sheriffs In his tenth Year Sir John Stackton was Mayor John Crosby John VVard Sheriffs In his eleventh Year Sir William Edwards was Mayor John Allen John Shelley Sheriffs In his twelfth Year Sir William Hampton was Mayor John Brown Thomas Bledlow Sheriffs In his thirteenth Year Sir John Tate was Mayor Sir VVilliam Stocker Robert Belisdon Sheriffs In his fourteenth Year Sir Robert Drope was Mayor Edmond Shaa Thomas Hill Sheriffs In his fifteenth Year Sir Robert Basset vvas Mayor Hugh Brice Robert Colwich Sheriffs In his sixteenth Year Sir Ralph Joceline was Mayor Richard Rawson William Horn Sheriffs In his seventeenth Year Sir Humfrey Heyford vvas Mayor Henry Collet John Stocker Sheriffs In his eighteenth Year Sir Richard Gardner vvas Mayor Robert Harding Robert Bifield Sheriffs In his nineteenth Year Sir Bartholomew James was Mayor Thomas Ilam John Ward Sheriffs In his twentieth Year Sir John Brown was Mayor Thomas Daniel William Bacon Sheriffs In his
the Clock returned thither but with a wonderful sowr and angry countenance knitting his brows frowning and fretting and biting his lips and after some short time said What are they worthy to have who imagine and compass my destruction that am so near of blood to the King and that am Protector of his Royal Person and Realm The Lord Hastings answered that they deserved to be punished as hainous Traytors whatsoever they were and so said the other Lords This is quoth the Protector yonder Sorceress my brothers Wife meaning the Queen and that other Witch of her Councel Shores Wife with their affinity who by their Sorcery and Witchcraft have wasted my body and therewith with he pluckt up his doublet sleeve to the elbow on his left arm shewing a wearish withered arm and small as it never was otherwise Whereupon the Lords minds much gave them that this was but a quarrel Howbeit the Lord Chamberlain who from the death of King Edward had kept Jane Shore said certainly my Lord if they have so done they are worthy of great punishment What quoth the Protector Thou servest me with Ifs and with And 's I ween I tell thee they have so done and that I will make good on thy body Traytor And therewith he rapt on the board with his fist at which sign given one without the Chamber cryed out Treason Whereupon many men in harness came rushing into the Councel-Chamber where they seized on the Lord Hastings vvhom the Lord Protector bad speed and shrieve him apace for by St. Paul said he I vvill not to dinner till I see thy head off vvhich accordingly vvas done for he vvas presently brought forth to the Tovver-green vvhereupon a long log of Timber his head vvas struck off Thus ended this honourable man easie to beguiled Novv the Protector to set some colour upon the matter after he had dined sent in all haste for many substantial men out of the City into the Tovver against vvhose coming thither himself and Buckingham his creature had harnessed themselves in old rusty Briganders as though some sudden necessity had constrained them to put on such Armour And being come the Protector told them that the Lord Chamberlain Hastings and others of his conspiracy had contrived suddenly to have destroyed him and the Duke of Buckingham there the same day in Councel of the vvhich Treason he never had knovvledge before ten of the Clock the same Forenoon And for the further appeasing of the peoples minds concerning this Lords death he caused also the same day an Herald of Arms to proclaim it through the City of London That the Lord Hastings vvith divers others had conspired to murder the Lord Protector and Duke of Buckingham sitting in Councel and after to have taken upon them to rule the King and Realm at their ovvn pleasures By and by after this he caused the Sheriff of London to repair to Jane Shores house and to spoil her of all that she had then procured the Bishop of London to put her to open penance for her former dalliance vvith his brother King Edward and as 't is said he prohibited any from relieving her extream vvants The Protector had also so contrived it vvith his Cabal that the same day and about the same hour in vvhich the Lord Chamberlain vvas beheaded at the Tovver those Lords taken from the King at Stony-stratford and Northampton should be beheaded at Pontfract Which accordingly vvas done in the presence and by the order of Sir Richard Radcliffe vvho at their execution would not permit them to speak or declare their innocency And novv the vvay thus prepared Glocester hastens for his ovvn Coronation instead of setting the Crovvn on his Nephevvs head Edmund Sha the Mayor of London he vvins to his side And the Mayors brother Dr. Sha by the direction of the Protector and his Councel upon Sunday June 19th at Pauls-Cross declared to the people that King Edward the fourth vvas never lavvfully married to the Queen and therefore his Children vvere Bastards Moreover that neither King Edward himself nor the Duke of Clarence vvere reckoned by those that vvere of secrecy in the household for the Duke of Yorks Children but saith he as for the very Noble Prince the Lord Protector he is the Fathers ovvn Picture his ovvn countenance At the time of the uttering of these vvords according to the plot laid before-hand the Protector should have come in to the end that those vvords just meeting vvith his presence the people might have been the more affected vvith them but vvhether by the slovvness of the Protector in coming or the Doctors too much speed the Protector came not till these words were over Nevertheless when the Dr. spyed his Lordship coming at last he abruptly broke off from the matter he was upon to repeat the former vvords This is the very Noble Prince c. But the people vvere so far from crying King Richard as it vvas hoped they vvould that they stood as if they had been vvithout sense they vvere so amuzed at his shameful Harangue And the poor Parson vvhen he had done got him home and there consumed and pined to death in fevv days after The Theme of his preachment vvas Bastard-slips shall never take deep root On the Tuesday follovving Henry Duke of Buckingham made an oration to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons in the Guildhall of London wherein he aspersed King Edward the fourth as a Tyrant his Children as Bastards endeavoured to prove the Protector to be the only true Heir to the Crown perswading the Citizens that they should therefore joyn with the Nobility in Petitioning the Protector to take the Government of the Realm upon him according to his very right and just Title The next day the Mayor Aldermen and chief Commoners of the City resorted unto the Protector to Baynards-Castle whither also repaired Buckingham and other Nobles with many Knights and Gentlemen When they were met together Buckingham desired the Protectors pardon and licence to acquaint his Grace with the intent of their coming as though he had not known it before which in short was to beseech him to take the Crown and Government of the Realm upon him At which words the Protector began to look angerly withal denying to yield thereto Whereupon his Privado Buckingham threatned saying That if he would not they would find out some other man that should for they were resolved that King Edwards Lineage should no longer Raign over them and then Richard was pleased to accept the Crown as his just right the people thereat shouting and crying King Richard King Richard RICHARD III. RICHARD the Third Son of Richard Duke of York was born with all his teeth and hair to his shoulders This his monstrous birth foreshewing his monstrous conditions and proceedings June 22. he was by the Nobility and Citizens of London elected King of England and afterward by Act of Parliament was confirmed On June 25 he took his seat in the
durst bear Arms in behalf of that Tyrant Richard to which he answered He was my Crowned King and if the Parliamentary authority of England set the Crown upon a stock I vvill fight for that stock And as I fought then for him I will fight for you when you are established by the said Authority King Richard's Crown which was taken amongst the spoils of the field the Lord Stanley Earl of Derby set upon Earl Henries head The slain body of the Usurper all tugg'd and torn stark naked was trussed behind Blanch St. Lieger a Pursevant at Arms like a Hog or Calf the head and arms hanging on one side of the Horse and his legs on the other after which manner it was brought to Leicester where it was buried in the Grey-Friers Church The stone-Chest wherein his Corps lay was at length made a drinking trough for horses at a common Inn. His body if you will credit tradition herein was born out of the City and contemptuously bestowed under Bowbridge His Issue was Edward dead before himself He founded a Colledg at Middleham beyond York and a Collegiate Chantry in London called our Lady of Barking He endowed Queens-Colledg in Cambridg with 500 Marks of yearly revenue He disforested the great field of Whichwood that King Edward his brother had inclosed for his Game and made some good Laws and when divers Shires of England offered him benevolence he refused saying I had rather have your hearts than your money This scoffing Rhime was divulged in contempt of the Usurper Richard and his three principal Creatures The Cat the Rat and Lovell the Dog Rule all England under the Hog The Cat and Rat meant of Catesby and Ratcliff the Dog of Lovell that creature belonging to the Lord Lovell's Arms and the Hog of K. Rich. whose cognisance it was But William Collingbourn Esquire who had been Sheriff of Wiltshire and Devonshire was upon Tower-hill executed with all extremity as Author thereof Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings Time In his first year VVilliam Billesdon was Mayor Thomas Newland VViliam Martin Sheriffs In his second year Thomas Hill was Mayor Richard Chester and he dying Ralph Astry Thomas Britain Sheriffs HENRY VII A D. 1485 Aug. 22. HENRY Earl of Richmond was Son to Margaret Countess of Richmond and Derby daughter to John Duke of Sommerset son to John Earl of Sommerset son to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster fourth son of Edward the third October 30th A. D. 1485 was Henry Crowned at Westminster Then the better to secure his estate he shut up the Earl of Warwick the only son and Heir of George Duke of Clarence in the Tower of London Then instituted a guard for his person consisting of a number of choice Archers with allotment of Fees and Maintenance under a peculiar Captain by the name of Yeomen of the Guard for him and his Successors November the seventh was a Parliament assembled at VVestminster at the sitting whereof Richard the late Usurper was attainted and with him many of the Nobility and Gentry Free pardon was also given to all such saving the persons excepted by name as should presently submit themselves to the Kings mercy Reversed also were all former Acts hurtful either to the King or his Friends and the Crown was established upon the King and his Heirs for ever Next the King assumed into his Councel those two renowned Agents in advancing his fortunes John Morton and Richard Fox A. D. 1486 John Morton A.B. Cant. and January the eighteenth he married the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter of King Edward the fourth to the utter abolisment of all Hostilities between the two Houses or York and Lancaster But there wanted not some male-contents who assayed to disturb these serene days for the Lord Lovell one of the late Usurpers Creatures with Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother assembled forces against the King which upon but the news of an Army coming against them dispersed themselves Sir Humphrey was taken out of Sanctuary and executed at Tyburn When this storm was over the White Rose or York faction raised another procuring one Lambert Symnel to personate one of King Edwards sons Which puppet Lambert was conveyed into Ireland where the Irish adhered to him and in Christ-Church in Dublin Crowned him King of England And into Ireland the Dutchess Dowager of Burgundy sister to Edward the fourth sent this Impostor two thousand Souldiers under the conduct of Collonel Swart These with Irish and some English joyned to them landed in Lancashire at the Pile of Fowdray thence they took their march through York-shire so towards Newark every-where as they came proclaiming their new King Not far from Newark and near to a little village called Stoke the King with his Army encountred them where the fight continued doubtful for about three hours but at last the victory fell to King Henry On Lamberts part were slain the Earl of Lincoln the Lord Lovel Sir Thomas Broughton Colonel Swart and Maurice Fitz-Thomas with four thousand Souldiers On the Kings side fell not any man of Honour but almost half his vant-guard was slain so that the Garland was dipt in blood Amongst the prisoners that were taken was the counterfeit King who had been a Scholler in Oxford and his Tutor Richard Simon a Priest Lambert confessed his parents to be mean persons and of a mean Calling Him the King condemned to his kitchin or scullery at length promoted him to be one of his Falconers in which estate he continued till his death Sim. Subtle or Richard Simon was condemned to a dungeon and perpetual shackles Stoken-field battle was fought A D. 1487 June 16 being Saturday A day of the week observed to have been lucky to this Prince Henry who sent his Royal standard to our Ladies Church of VValsingham in Norfolk there to remain as a Monument of this his Victory and gratitude for it And now the King dispatcheth his Agents into Scotland there to settle amity with James the third and to prevent the retreat and protection that his enemies had found therein Shortly after which some discontented persons in York-shire rose in Arms under pretence that they were oppressed in their Tax or Subsidy but some of these Rebels were routed by the Earl of Surrey who took their Leader John a Chamber prisoner and upon the hearing of the Kings approach the rest of them under the leading of Sir John Egremond dispersed themselves John a Chamber with some others of the chief of the Rebels were executed at York The Kings affairs being setled in a present peaceable estate at home he was next ingaged in a War with France For the carrying on of which his Subjects did largely contribute chiefly the City of London out of which he received for his furniture in that voyage almost ten thousand pounds from the Commoners and two hundred pounds besides from every Alderman And this wise King knowing how great a strength that rich City was to him humoured the
Citizens exceedingly Himself did not only become one amongst them causing himself to be entred a Brother of the Merchant-Taylors Company but also wore the habit at a publick Feast and sate as Master of the Company A. D. 1492 Octob. the sixth King Henry with his Host landed at Callis from whence with his whole forces he marched towards Boloigne which when he had besieged Articles of peace were concluded betwixt him and the King of France For King Henry before his going out of England had been dealt with on the French Kings behalf to accept of conditions but would not enter into any Treaty with him till he was in the field and that with such a puissance as vvas likely enough to force his ovvn conditions When Henry had to his advantage setled his transmarine affairs he returned for England vvhere he vvas not to remain long in quiet For the Dutchess of Burgundy had provided another counterfeit King a youth of a Princely personage called Peter VVarbeck the son of a converted Jew This her creature Peter or as some called him Perkin and Peterkin under the name and Title of Richard Plantaginet second son of King Edward the fourth had great honour given him by the King of France And divers persons of eminency in England were so deluded that they believed him to be the true Richard and thereupon sought to advance him to the Crown which cost some of them the price of their heads as the Lord Fitz-VValter Sir Simon Montford Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlain that gained the Victory for King Henry at Bosworth-field These with more were put to death for favouring of Perkin The King also for the further prevention of dangers caused the coasts of England to be strongly guarded sent a new Lord Chancellor into Ireland Henry Denny a Monk of Langton-Abby and Sir Edward Poynings with some forces whose greatest care and diligence was to punish such as before time had given any assistance to the Mock-king and to restrain such as were likely to do so in time to come The Earl of Kildare falling under suspition Poynings sent prisoner into England where the King did graciously hear and admit his defences and returned him with Honour and continuation of authority The Irish had formerly exhibited many Articles against this Earl the last of which was Finally all Ireland cannot rule this Earl Then quoth the King shall this Earl rule all Ireland constituting him Lord-Deputy thereof But Perkin having gained private assistance from the French King and Maximilian to strengthen yet his enterprize he repairs into Scotland unto James the fourth having special recommendations from the King of France and Dutchess of Burgundy who gave him most courteous entertainment The rare impudency of the youth and that connexion which his darings had with other Princes drew this King into an errour concerning him When he was first brought to the presence of the King of Scots with a right Princely gracefulness he declared to the said King That Edward the fourth leaving two sons Edward and Richard both very young their unnatural Uncle Richard to obtain the Crown purposed the murder of them both but the instruments of his cruelty having murdred his elder brother the young King were moved with pity to spare his life and that thus saved by the mercy of God he was privately conveyed beyond the Seas the world supposing that himself also had been murdred And that Henry Teuder Earl of Richmond after he had by subtle and foul means obtained the Crown he then wrought all means and ways to procure the final destruction of him the rightful Heir to the English Diadem That his said mortal enemy Henry hath not only falsely surmised him to be a feigned person giving him Nick-names so abusing the World but that also to deprive him of his right he had offered large Sums of Mony to corrupt the Princes with whom he had been retained and had imploy'd his servants to murder him That every man of reason might well understand that the said Henry needed not to have taken these courses against him had he been a feigned person That the truth of his manifest cause had moved the King of France and Dutchess of Burgundy his most Dear Ant to yield him their assistence That now because the Kings of Scotland were wont to support them who were spoiled and bereft of the said Kingdom of England and for that he the said King James had given clear signs that he was of the like Noble quality and temper with his Ancestors he so distressed a Prince came to put himself into his hands desiring his aid to recover his Realms promising faithfully that when his Kingdoms were regained he would gratefully do him all the pleasure that should lie in his utmost power The King of Scots was so influenced with this Impostors words amiable person Princely deportment recommendations of Princes his aids from the Irish and assured hope of aid in England that he honourably received him as if he had been the very Richard Duke of York and gave his consent that this pretended Duke should marry the Lady Katharine Gourdon daughter to the Earl of Huntly which accordingly he did and also prepared to invade England in his quarrel although there wanted not them who with many arguments advised this King to repute him for no other than a Cheat. King Henry that he might be prepared for the Scots called a Parliament which granted a Tax to be gathered of six score thousand pounds the Levy of which mony kindled a dangerous fire in England For when the Kings Collectors came amongst the Cornish-men to receive their proportion of the Tax they tumultuously assembled under the leading of one Thomas Flammock a Lawyer and Michael Joseph a Black-Smith of Bodnam Which Captains led their rout towards Kent and at Wells James Tuchet Lord Audley joyned with them From Wells they proceeded to Black-Heath where the Kings forces defeated them without much labour fifteen hundred of the Rebels were taken and the takers had their prisoners goods granted them James Lord Audley was led from New-gate to Tower-hill in a Coat of his own Armories painted on a Paper reverst and torn where he was executed Flammock and the Smith were quartred Memorably strange was the comfort that the Smith cheered himself withall as he was drawing to his execution to wit That yet he hoped that by this means his Name and Memory should be everlasting The Kings care was now to order the War against Scotland whither he sent the Earl of Surrey with an Army to invade the Scotch borders as they had lately done the English The Earl pursued the revenge with great vehemency but in short time by the King of Spains mediation a Truce was concluded betwixt the two Nations One Article of which Truce was That Perkin should be no longer fostered in Scotland Whereupon he withdraws into â—reland whither the Cornish-men sent to him inviting him amongst them promising that at his arrival
wonderful to me that my marriage after twenty years should be thus called in Question with new invention against me who never intended but honesty Alas Sir I see that I am wronged having no Counsel to speak for me but such as are your Subjects and cannot be indifferent upon my part therefore I most humbly beseech you even in charity to stay this course until I may have advice and Councel from Spain if not your Graces pleasure be done Then rising and making low obeisance to the King she departed the Court and though the Crier called her to come into the Court as she was going away yet she went on bidding her Attendant to go forward and saying to him This is no indifferent Court for me When the King perceived that she was departed he presently spake thus unto the Assembly I will quoth he in her absence declare before you all that she hath been to me a most true obedient and comfortable Wife endued with all vertuous qualities and conditions according to her birth and in lowliness equals any of baser sort Which said Cardinal Wolsey humbly requested the King that he would be pleased to declare before that honourable Assembly whether he had been the cause of this his intended Divorce wherewith he was charged in the opinions of the people Whereupon the King said My Lord Cardinal I can well excuse you in this and rather affirm that you have been against me in attempting it thus far Then by and by the Court was adjourned till May 28 following which time being come the Kings learned Council alledged many reasons and likelihoods to prove that Prince Arthur had nuptial knowledg of Lady Catherines body as their being both of years capable to expleat the Act he above fifteen she above seventeen and both laid in one bed almost five months together c. From day to day the Pleas proceeded but nothing was concluded touching the Divorce therefore the King sent the two Cardinals to perswade with the Queen to put the whole matter to himself which he said would be far better and more honourable for her than to stand to the trial of the Law These Legats accordingly repairing to her she from among her maids at work came presently forth of an inner room to them having a skein of white thread about her neck to whom she said Alack my Lords I am very sorry to make you attend upon me What is your will Madam quoth Wolsey We are come in good will to know your Graces mind in this great matter of your Marriage and to give you our advice with the best service we can The Queen thanking them said That by order of holy Church she was espoused to the King as his true Wife and in that point she would abide till the Court of Rome which was privy to the beginning had made thereof a final determination and end The King then hopeless of his Queens consent hasted his Lawyers to forward the Divorce which daily they did but when the day appointed was come for the final determination of the matter in question then Cardinal Campeius reserved it for the Pope himself to conclude Which so enraged the Duke of Suffolk that with a stern countenance he said It was never merry in England since we have had any Cardinals amongst us And Cardinal Wolsey though he sought to excuse himself herein as not having sufficient authority yet did he fall under the Kings high displeasure The first step of this great Prelates fall was his dislike of the Kings affection unto Anne Bullen a Gentlewoman nothing favourable to his Pontifical pomp nor no great follower of the Ceremonies of those times of Popery which moved the Cardinal to write unto the Pope to defer the judgment of Divorce till he had wrought the Kings mind in another mould Which was not done so secretly but it came to the Kings ear and proved to his ruin For first the Broad-seal was taken from him and some of his Bishopricks his house and furniture seized upon and shortly after he was suddenly arrested by the Earl of Northumberland at Cawood-castle for arrogant words against the King importing a desire of revenge from whence he was conveyed towards London in which journey at Leicester-Abbey he ended his life by taking an over-great quantity of a Confection to break wind from off his stomack So ended this haughty Cardinal who was born at Ipswich his father a good honest Butcher himself a good Philosopher and Orator His education in his youth was at Magdalen Colledg in Oxford his first Preferment was from the Lord Marquess of Dorset who bestowed a Benefice upon him Then Sir John Naphant preferred him to King Henry the Seventh which King having urgent business with Maximilian the Emperour he sent this his Chaplain to him post who posted again back before he was thought to be there and withal concluded some points forgot in his directions to the high content of his Soveraign for the which he bestowed on him the Deanry of Lincoln after which he was preferred to be the Kings Almoner then one of his Council then Bishop of Tourney then Bishop of Lincoln then A.B. of York whereby he became as it were three Bishops at once then was made Priest Cardinal and Legat de Latere then Lord Chancellor and Bishop of Winchester and in commendam the Abbey of St. Albans was bestowed upon him And with them the Cardinal held in farm the Episcopal Sees of Bath and Wells Worcester and Hereford enjoyed by strangers incumbents not residing in the Realm This Prelate raised to this greatness was attended with so many officers and servants as is incredible And being Ambassador to the Emperour at Brussels he was there waited upon by many English Nobles and served at the Table by his Servitors on their knees Insatiable he was to get but Princely in bestowing lofty to his enemies and not easily reconciled which hastned his fall when he began The grudges against this Cardinal were not only for the especial favour he stood in with the King and great stroke he bare at the Council-table but for his intolerable pillings who to patch up his pride in the raising of his new Colledges at Oxford and Ipswich suppressed forty Monasteries of good fame converting all their goods and moveables to his own use As also that he emptied the land of twelve-score thousand pounds inforced by him from the King which he employed to relieve and ransome the Pope then in Prison to the great impoverishing of his Majesties Coffers And lastly his so intolerable pride as no less than 1200 Horse for his retinue eighty Wagons for his Carriage Tho. Cranmer A. B. Cant. and sixty Mules for Sumpture-horses attended him into France when he went thither Ambassador but Sic transit gloria mundi A prodigal and merry conceited Nobleman having lately sold a Mannor of an hundred Tenements came ruffling into the Court in a new suit saying Am not I a mighty man
were painted with the five wounds of Christ the Chalice Cake and other Romish inventions This their Rebellion they termed the holy Pilgrimage Their General of foot was one James Diamond a poor Fisher-man stiled the Earl of Poverty their chief Leader was Mr. Robert Aske a man it seems of terror For when Lancaster Herald at Arms was sent to him to declare the Kings message this Aske did so terribly bluster forth his answers that the Herald fell before him on his knees excusing himself to be but a Messenger Many persons of great note were parties in this insurrection And to draw the more in to side with them Aske and his complices set forth in writing these scandalous untruths against the King First That no infant should be permitted to receive the blessed Sacrament of Baptisme bot onles an trybet to be payd to the King Secondly That no man under twenty pound lands shall eyte no brede made of Wheat ner Capon Chekyn Gois ner Pig bot onles to pay a trybet to the King Thirdly That for every Ploghe-land the King will have en trybet with other extreme urgent causes and heartily Fare ye well Their oath wherein they bound themselves in this league was the preservation of the Kings person and Issue the purifying of Nobility and expulsing all villain blood and evil Counsellors not for envy to any to enter into their pilgrimage or any private commodity but for the Common-weal the restitution of the Church and suppression of Heresy and Hereticks But a great force being drawn against them they dispersed themselves upon promise of pardon and redress in their just complaints Yet notwithstanding this the Kings clemency some of the chief of these actors ingaged themselves again in a new insurrection in short time after this for which offence they suffered death Of Ecclesiastical persons were put to death four Abbots two Priors three Monks seven Priests also Captain Mackarel and of temporal persons were executed Robert Aske the Lord Dacres Sir Robert Constable Sir Francis Bigod Palmer Percie Hamilton Tempest and Lumley These stirs being stinted a Commission came forth to purge the Churches of Idols and to suppress the Monastries to the Kings use granted him by Parliament When down went the Rood of Boxely in Kent commonly called the Rood of Grace which was made with divers vices to bow down and lift up it self to shake and stir both head hands and feet to rowl the eyes move the lips and to bend the brows thereby to cheat silly Souls So likewise the Images of our Lady of Walsingham and Ipswich set with Jewels and Gems also divers other both of England and Wales were brought to London and many of them burnt before the Lord Cromwel at Clelsey A. D. 1538. Then down went the Monasteries to the number of about 645 besides 90 Colledges and of Chantries and free Chappels 2374. Almost all these were born down in those boistrous times to the worlds amazement Amongst the Shrines that of Thomas a Becket was defaced whose meanest part was pure Gold garnished with many precious Stones the chiefest of which was a rich Gem of France offered by King Lewis who asked and obtained of this prime Saint believe it who list That no passenger betwixt Dover and White-sand should perish by Ship-wrack But instead of these impertinencies the holy Bible was commanded to be read in English in the Churches and Register-Books of Weddings Christnings and Burials to be kept in every of them If we will credit tradition shameful villanies were too frequently prepetrated by the Monasticks as Whoredoms Incests Sodomy and Murders Many infants bones the products of their wantonness were found in many of their religious houses The Monasteries thus dissolved and the revenues thereof converted to secular uses King Henry hereby ran in great obloquy of many forreign Princes and Potentates but especially of the Pope Yea and homeborn subjects disliking hereof by secret working sought to deprive King Henry and to elevate Regâ—nald Pole to the regal dignity for the which treason Henry Courtney Marquess of Excester the Lord Montacute and Sir Edward Neville were beheaded on Tower-hill A. D. 1540 and January the sixth was King Henry married unto the Lady Anne Sister to the Duke of Cleve but he refrained her bed for the dislike he had to her person and she good Lady no other cause alledged was divorced by Parliament the June following when it was also enacted That she should no longer be called Queen In this Parliament was Cromwell Attainted for setting at liberty certain persons committed for misprision of Treason and Heresy for favouring and maintaining the Translation of heretical Books so called into English for countenancing and supporting heretical Teachers for being an heretick himself and for having spoken great words for the upholding his said religion to wit That the King himself should not change it if he would The cause why the King fell into dislike of him and consequently of his ruin was because he stood in the defence of the Lady Anne of Cleve and spake not all well of the Lady Katharine Howard whom the King was minded and did take to Wife Which distast of the Kings against him his enemy Stephen Gardner Bishop of Winchester did improve to Cromwells destruction who was beheaded on Tower-hill and with him the Lord Hungerford of Heitesbury for buggery Margaret Countess of Salisbury daughter of George Duke of Clarence and Mother of Cardinal Reginald Pole being neither Arraigned nor Tryed but condemned by Parliament as Cromwell had been was beheaded And the Lord Leonard Grey about the same time lost his head for Treason And the next day after his death Thomas Fines Lord Dacres of the South died at Tyburn for killing a man in a fray Nor was the Sword sheathed until the heads of Queen Katharine Howard and the Lady Jane Rochford were struck off the former for Adultery the other for concealment as was alledged The parties offending with Katharine Howard were Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpepper Dereham before she was Queen and Culpepper after who both were executed at Tyburn Decemb. the tenth and on Febru the twelfth following Mrs Katharine Howard for so in the Act of her Attainder she is called who had been Queen for the space of a year and half with the Lady Jane widow of the Lord Rochford were brought unto the Tower-hill where in lamentable passions they suffered death This Queen protested after her condemnation to Dr. White her last Confessor that she was guiltless having never so abused her Soveraigns bed But as these in case of Treason so others in matter of Conscience were put to death by force of the Statutes made under this King Whereof one was the renouncing the Popes supremacy and owning the King for supream head of the Church in his own Dominions this concerned the Papists The other was the six Articles this concerned the Protestants Which six bloody Articles were First That after the words of Consecration there
is no other substance consisting in the bread and wine besides the substance of Christ God and man Secondly That the Communion in both kinds was not necessary to Salvation the flesh only in form of bread being sufficient to the Laity Thirdly That Priests might not marry by the Law of God Fourthly That the vows of chastity ought by Gods law to be observed Fifthly That private Masses were necessary for the people and agreeable to the Law of God Sixthly That auricular Confession was expedient to be retained in the Church of God For offending against the former Law of abjuring the Popes Supremacy c. was John Fisher Bishop of Rochester put to death and Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor so merry conceited a person that he could not forbear his jests though bloody death stared him in the face For when on the Scaffold the Executioner desired his forgiveness he replied I forgive thee but I promise thee thou wilt get no honour by â—utting off my head my neck is so short And when he was to lay his neck on the block he stroâ—kt out his white beard and said to the Heads-man I pray let me lay it over the block lest you should cut it off For though you have a Warrant to cut off my head you have none to cut off my Beard Besides these two there were put to death for the same cause many Abbots Priors and Friars For oppugning the six Articles and asserting Gospel-truths did many Christians of the reformed Religion suffer death in the flames Amongst the rest Dr. Robert Barns was one and Mrs. Anne Askue a person of rare wit and elegant beauty who when she had been twice tormented upon the Rack to the disjoynting of her bones then gave her body to the flames for Christs sake And the life of Queen Katharine Parre was hard laid for by Stephen Gardner but through her wisdom and prudent carriage towards the King it was preserved About A. D. 1545 was a match concluded to be made betwixt Prince Edward King Henrie's son and the young Princess of Scotland the Scotch Nobility approving thereof and in a Parliament of the three estates the match was confirmed in England the like also in Scotland but Cardinal Beton Archbishop of St. Andrews fearing lest hereby Scotland should also change the Church-Orders and the French likewise not liking the union means was therefore wrought to break the said intended marriage of the two young Heirs whence wars insued and the English invaded Scotland spoiled Leith burnt Edenbrough and wasted the Country for seven miles about set fire upon Haddington and Dunbar then returned And because the French refused the performance of certain Covenants King Henry made war also upon that Nation and in short time won the strong Town of Bulloigne Then the French King with intent to balance the loss of Bolloign invaded the Isle of Wight and Sea-coasts of Sussex though it proved to the loss of many of his Captains and thousands of his Souldiers A. D. 1546 the Reingrave came with a great force to victual a Fort built near to Bulloigne which the Earl of Surrey sought to prevent him from but was discomfited with the loss of many brave mens lives Shortly after which by the mediation of the Empâ—ror and other Christian Potentates peace was concluded betwixt France and England A. D. 1547 and January the twenty eighth King Henry yielded to deaths impartial stroke whose body with great solemnity was buried at Windsor In his Will he ordained howsoever Titles had been made invalid in Parliaments That his three Children should succeed each other for want of other Issue One thousand Marks he commanded should be given to the poor and to twelve poor Knights at Windsor each of them twelve-pence a day for ever every year a long Gown of white cloth the Garter to be embroidred upon the breast and therein the Cross of St. George and a Mantle of red cloth to be worn thereupon His Wives were Katharine his brothers Relict Anne Bullen Jane Seymore Anne of Cleve Katharine Howard Neece to the Duke of Norfolk and Katharine Parre the daughter of Sir Thomas Parre of Kendal His Issue Henry which lived not full two months another son not named and Mary these by Katharine of Spain Elizabeth and a son still-born by Anne Bullen Edward by Jane Seymour His natural Issue Henry Fitz-Roy After the dissolution of the religious Houses he erected the Bishopricks of Westminster Chester Oxford Peterborough Bristol and Glocester and also erected the Cathedral Churches of Canterbury Winchester Worcester Chester Peterborough Ely Glocester Bristol Carlile Durham Rochester and Norwich In all which he founded a Dean with a certain number of Prebendaries The Colledge of Christ-Church in Oxford begun by Cardinal Wolsey he ordained to be the Cathedral of this Bishops See Many died of the sweating sickness in England especially about London In the twenty third year of his raign Richard Rice a Cook was boiled to death in Smith-field for poysoning divers persons In the thirty seventh of his raign the Stews on the Bank-side in Southwark were put down by the Kings appointment A. D. 1546 William Foxly continued sleeping fourteen days and fifteen nights and could not by any means be awakened during that time yet when he did awake he was in very good temper as though he had slept but one night and lived forty years after King Henry by Act of Parliament assumed the Stile and Title of King of Ireland former Kings of England bearing only the stile of Lords thereof 'T is said that now Turkey Carp Hops Pickarel and Beer came into England all in a Year Mayors and Sheriffs of Londen in this Kings Time In his first Year Thomas Bradbury was Mayor for the part of the year Sir VVilliam Capel for the rest George Monox John Doget Sheriffs In his second Year Sir Henry Kebble was Mayor John Milborne John Rest Sheriffs In his third Year Sir Roger Acheley was Mayor Nicholas Shelton Thomas Mersine Sheriffs In his fourth Year Sir William Copinger was Mayor for part of the year Sir Richard Haddon for the rest Robert Holdernes or Alderns Robert Fenrother Sheriffs In his fifth Year Sir William Brown was Mayor John Dawes John Bruges Roger Bosford Sheriffs In his sixth Year Sir George Monox vvas Mayor James Yarford John Munday Sheriffs In his seventh Year Sir William Butler vvas Mayor Henry Warley Richard Gray William Baily Sheriffs In his eighth Year Sir John Rest was Mayor Thomas Seymour John or Richard Thurston Sheriffs In his ninth Year Sir Thomas Exmewe was Mayor Thomas Baldrie Ralph or Richard Simons Sheriffs In his tenth Year Sir Thomas Mersine was Mayor John Allen James Spencer Sheriffs In his eleventh Year Sir James Yarford was Mayor John Wilkinson Nicholas Patrick Sheriffs In his twelfth Year Sir John Burg vvas Mayor John Skevington John Kyme alias Keble Sheriffs In his thirteenth Year Sir John Milborn was Mayor John Breton or Britain Thomas Pargitor Sheriffs In his
fourteenth Year Sir John Mundy vvas Mayor John Rudston John Champneis Sheriffs In his fifteenth Year Sir Thomas Baldrie was Mayor Michael English Nicholas Jennings Sheriffs In his sixteenth Year Sir William Bailey vvas Mayor Ralph Dodmere VVilliam Roche Sheriffs In his seventeenth Year Sir John Allen was Mayor John Caunton or Calton Christopher Askaw Sheriffs In his eighteenth Year Sir Thomas Seymour vvas Mayor Stephen Peacock Nicholas Lambert Sheriffs In his nineteenth Year Sir James Spencer was Mayor John Hardy William Hollis Sheriffs In his twentieth Year Sir John Rudston vvas Mayor Ralph Warren John Long Sheriffs In his twenty first Year Sir Ralph Dodmer was Mayor Michael Dormer Walter Champion Sheriffs In his twenty second Year Sir Thomas Pargiter was Mayor William Dantesey or Dancy Richard Champion Sheriffs In his twenty third Year Sir Nicholas Lambert was Mayor Richard Gresham Edward Altham Sheriffs In his Twenty fourth Year Sir Stephen Peacock was Mayor Richard Reynolds John Martin Nicholas Pinchon John Priest Sheriffs In his twenty fifth Year Sir Christopher Askew vvas Mayor William Forman Thomas Kitson Sheriffs In his twenty sixth Year Sir John Champneis was Mayor Nicholas Leveson William Denham Sheriffs In his twenty seventh Year Sir John Allen was Mayor Humfrey Monmouth John Cotes Sheriffs In his Twenty eighth Year Sir Ralph Warren was Mayor Robert or Richard Paget William Bowyer Sheriffs In his twenty ninth Year Sir Richard Gresham was Mayor John Gresham Thomas Lewin Sheriffs In his thirtieth Year Sir VVilliam Forman was Mayor William Wilkinson Nicholas Gibson Sheriffs In his thirty first Year Sir VVilliam Hollys was Mayor Thomas Ferrer Thomas Huntlow Sheriffs In his thirty second Year Sir William Roche was Mayor VVilliam Laxstone Martin Bows Sheriffs In his thirty third Year Sir Michael Dormer was Mayor Rowland Hill Henry Suckley Sheriffs In his thirty fourth Year Sir John Cotes was Mayor Henry Hobberthorn Henry Amcoats Sheriffs In his thirty fifth Year Sir William Bowyer was Mayor John Tholouse Richard Dobbes Sheriffs In his thirty sixth Year Sir William Laxton was Mayor John Wilford Andrew Jud Sheriffs In his thirty seventh Year Sir Martin Bows was Mayor George Barne Ralph Allen or Alley Sheriffs In his thirty eighth Year Sir Henry Hobberthorn was Mayor Richard Jarveis Thomas Curteis Sheriffs EDWARD VI. A. D. 1547. EDward the Sixth was born but not without the death of his Mother A.D. 1537 Octob. 12. A. D. 1547 and Febr. 20. he was Crowned at Westminster At which time when three Swords were delivered to him as King of England France and Ireland he said There was yet another Sword to be delivered him namely the sacred Bible which is said he the sword of the Spirit without which we are nothing neither can do any thing His Mothers brother Edward Lord Seymour Earl of Hartford and Duke of Somerset was by the consent of the Nobles made Protector over his Minority and the Realms In short time after the Kings Coronation the Lord Protector and Council sought to effect the Marriage betwixt the young King and the young Queen of Scotland as it had been formerly agreed on by both Nations but this the Scots refused to yield unto wherefore the Protector led an army into Scotland and at a place called Edmondstone-edg near to Musclebrough fought the Scots and vanquished them following the chase of them almost five miles wherein the Lord Fleming with sundry men of note were slain and 10000 of the Soldiers and about a 1000 were taken Prisoners the chief whereof were the Earl of Huntly the Lords Yester Hobby and Hamilton the Lord Weems and a brother of the Earl of Cassills Lieth the English sacked and set on fire took the Island St. Colmes Broughticrag Rocksbrough Humes Castle and others insomuch that many Gentlemen in Tividale and the Meres came to the Protector and entred into terms and conditions of peace with him After the Protectors return a Parliament was assembled at London wherein the six Articles were repealed those Colledges and Chappels that King Henry had left were given the King and the Churches ordred to be purged of all Images And accordingly Commissioners were appointed who first began at St. Pauls in London and thence proceeded throughout England and Wales But this reformation occasioned great commotions which began in the West A Priest stabbed one Mr. Body a Commissioner to the heart for plucking down certain Images and this fact of his was so favoured by the Cornish and Devonshire Rusticks that ten thousand of them rose in Arms heading themselves under Mr. Humphrey Arundel six other Gentlemen and eight Priests These rebells besieged the City of Excester and sore distressed it yet did the Citizens loyally hold out against them for which the King did enlarge their Liberties and gave unto their City the Mannor of Exilond At last the rebells agree upon Articles to be sent the King therein requiring to have Mass celebrated as in time past it had been To have holy bread and holy water in remembrance of Christs body and blood To have the six Articles again in force c. To these and the rest of their demands the King sent an answer Therein pitying their ignorance reproving their sawciness and withal a general pardon to as many as would desist in time concluding thus We for our part seek no longer to live than to be a Father to our people and as God hath made us your King so hath he commanded you obedience by whose great Majesty we swear you shall feel the same power in our Sword which how mighty it is no subject knoweth how puissant it is no private man can judg and how mortal no English heart can think Therefore embrace our mercy whilst it is offered lest the blood spilt by your means cry vengeance from the earth and be heard in the ears of the Lord of Heaven Notwithstanding all this the rebells still persisted in their Traiterous attempts the King therefore sent an army against them which put them to flight at Honiton then worsted them at Excester where the rebells lay siege and lastly upon Clift-heath destroyed the greatest part of them their consecrated Host Crucifix Crosses consecrated Banners holy bread and holy water which the rebells had brought into the field thinking by vertue of them to have made all sure on their side were all trampled into the dirt Arundel Winsland Holmes and Bury four rebell-Captains were taken and executed at London Others also of their partakers were executed by Martial Law amongst whom was Boyer the Mayor of Bodmin in Cornwall Nigh to which Town dwelt a Miller that had been a busie-fellow in the rebellion but he knowing his own danger willed his man to take the name of Master if any enquired after him To this Millers house Sir Anthony Kingstone Marshall of the Field came where calling for the Master the officious man in his name very bodily presented himself whom Sir Anthony straight commanded to the Gallows and when the poor fellow seeing the
defence of the Reformed Religion because of the bloody Inquisition that without respect had persecuted her subjects Because the King of Spain had sent forces into Ireland and lastly to prevent her enemy the Spaniard from being so nigh a neighbour to her A. D. 1587 and Febr. 7 was Mary Queen of Scotland King James's Mother beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle to the great discontent 't is said of Queen Elizabeth who committed Secretary Davison to the Tower thereupon and never admitted him more to his place because of his forwardness in promoting the death of that Roman-Catholick Queen But what is above us is nothing to us The matters for which she was condemned in the Star-chamber Court at Westminster were her pretending title to the Crown of England her being privy to certain Treasons of Anthony Babington and others tending to the hurt and death of the Royal person of Queen Elizabeth This she absolutely denied affirming that she never attempted any thing against the Queens person though for her own delivery out of prison she confessed she did make some attempts Babington with thirteen other Traytors were executed A. D. 1588 Henry third King of France who ever honoured Queen Elizabeth and not the least because of her Religion sent speedy and secret notice unto her of the Spaniards intentions to invade her Realm of England Against whose coming the Queen caused her Trained-bands to be in readiness Tilbury in Essex was the place for her Camp whereunto were appointed to march 15000 Horse and 22000 Foot And for her special Guard out of the several Counties of the West East and South parts of England were selected 2352 Horsemen and 34050 Footmen The Queen her self was Generalissimo and Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester Lieutenant-General A. D. 1588 and May 19 the Armado or invincible Navy of the Spaniards as they termed it loosed Anchor from Lisbon and on July 20 it passed by Plimouth towards Callis hoping about those coasts to have met with the Prince of Parma but in their way the English Fleet changed some bullets with them July 21 the two Fleets fought within Musket-shot when the English Admiral Lord Charles Howard fell most hotly on the Spaniards Vice-Admiral In this fight they well perceived how that their great unweildy Ships were unfit for service in those narrow Seas the English smaller Ships being too nimble for them as well in respect of saving themselves as in annoying the Spanish July 22 Sir Francis Drake Vice-Admiral took one of their great Gallions wherein was Don Pedro de Valdez with divers other Noblemen The Soldiers had the spoil of this Ship in which was 55000 Duckets of Gold July 23 the Spaniards came right against Portland when the sorest fight was performed and the English gained a great Venetian Ship with other lesser ones July 24 the fight was only betwixt the four great Galleasses and some of the English Ships July 25 the Spaniards came aaginst the Isle of Wight where was a terrible Encounter till at length the English so battered the Spanish tall Ships that they were forced to secure themselves in an Half-moon posture July 28 as the Spanish Fleet lay at Anchor within sight of Callis the English sent in amongst them eight Fire-ships filled with Gun-powder pitch brimstone and other combustible matter their Ordnance charged with bullets stones chains and the like These being drove with wind and tide unto the Spanish Fleet and then taking fire such a sudden roaring clap was given that the Spaniards affrighted in the dead of the night were struck into an horrible fear lest all their Ships should be fierd by these wherefore in great haste they cut their cables hoised their sails and drove at random into the Seas July 29. ranging themselves in order they approached overagainst Greveling where the English again getting the wind of them discharged upon them from morning till night to the confusion of divers of the Spanish Ships The Hollanders with thirty-five of their Ships watched the coasts about Dunkirk to prevent the Duke of Parma from having any intercourse there July 30 the Spanish Dons having gotten more Sea-room for their huge-bodied bulks spread their sails and made away as fast as wind and water would permit them fearing the small fleet and forces of the English whereas had they known but the want of Powder that was on the English side they would sure have stood longer to their tacklings The English Admiral followed now the Vincible Armado towards Norway and the Spaniards for the saving of their fresh-water cast all their Mules and Horses over board The Duke of Medina their Admiral when he at last arrived in Spain was deprived of all his Authority and other ways disgraced Many of the Spanish Ships in their flight perished through tempest upon the Irish Seas others were driven into the Chanel of England where part of them were taken by the English others by the Rochellers and some arrived at Newhaven Of 134 Ships which had set sail from Lisbon only 53 returned into Spain Of the four Galleasses of Naples but one and of the ninety-one Gallions and great Hulks from divers Provinces only thirty-three returned Of the four Gallies of Portugal but one In brief there was missing of their whole Fleet eighty one Vessels and of the 30000 Soldiers 13500 and odd Of Prisoners taken in England Ireland and Low-countries were 2000 and upwards So that it appears there was small virtue in the Popes Crusado wherein he published a safe Pass-port for his Spaniards to enter England The English Fleet was betwixt fourscore and a hundred sail Captains therein were the Lords Howard and Sheffield Sir Francis Drake Sir John Hawkins Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir Martin Frobisher c. For this Deliverance the 19 of November was appointed a day of Thanksgiving Blessed be the Lord who gave us not a prey into their teeth c. Psal 124. Octogesimus octavus mirabilis annus Clade Papistarum faustus ubique piis Dr. Fulk The Thunder-clap of this Armado being thus over and the Invincible become Vincible the Queen determined to assist Don Antonio the expulsed King of Portugal for the regaining of his Kingdom to which end a Fleet was sent out under the conduct of Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Norris for the land-service was General These landing in a Bay of Galicia near to the Groin took the Base-town by surprize which they found well-victualled and stored with Wine to the damage of the English who taking too immoderately of it so inflamed and infected their blood that it caused great sickness and mortality in the whole Army After some conflicts with the High-town they fired the Base-town or suburbs and put again to Sea and when some struglings with the Winds were over they recovered the Burlings In which passage Robert Earl of Essex with his Brother Mr. Walter Deureux accompanied with other gallant men came Voluntiers to the Fleet which landing in Portugal won the Town and Castle of Peniche
Then the English Army marched over-land to Lisbon where a strong sally was made upon the English but the Earl of Essex chased them back to their very gates And the mean while Admiral Drake with his Fleet were come to Cascais and possessed the Town without any resistance and during the stay there the English took threescore Hulks from the Spaniards laden with Corn Masts Cables Copper and Wax About A. D. 1591 Queen Elizabeth sent Ayds into France in the behalf of Henry IV whom the Popish party would not admit to the Crown of France though his absolute right because he leaned to the Reformed Religion nor was he admitted till he had taken Oath to defend the Roman faith against all oppugners A. D. 1596 and June the first did Charles Lord Howard and the Earl of Essex with a gallant Fleet begin their Voyage for Cadiz which in a short time after their coming to it was surrendred to them The spoil thereof was given to the English soldiers the wearing clothes of the inhabitants only excepted and the Citizens upon the payment of an 120000 Duckets for their ransome had their liberty The Spanish Fleet which lay in the Harbour valued at twelve Millions of Duckets was fired by the Admirals command to the end it might not become a prize to the English The Town the English burnt and spoiled the Island then set sail towards Favo a Town in Algarva where the English landed forraged the Country for about three leagues burnt the Town Lotha and then returned for England But the wrongs which had been offered by the Spaniards seeming far greater to the English than was yet the justice upon them and the wise Queen holding it best to keep the Spanish King employed at home the Earl of Essex was therefore Commissioned with a well-furnished Fleet to sail for the Azores Islands Which Fleet upon Septemb. 15. 1597 fell with the Isles of Flores Evernes Fyall and Pike all which submitted to the Earl Then he sailed for St. Michaels where Sir Walter Rawleigh kept the Seas with the Ships whilst Essex landed and sacked the rich Town Villa Franca but the Winters storms approaching the Earl returned home bringing with him a Brazil-ship of War with three other prizes valued at 400000 Duckets The Pope and Spaniard though they had hitherto been frustrated in all their mischievous designments against the Queen and Church of England yet still they hoped that by one treacherous means or other they might at length effect the ruin of both though praised be God the ruin proved to their own vile instruments Patrick Cullen hired to murther the Queen was executed at Tyburn Philip Earl of Arundel and Sir John Perat were both condemned for high Treason but died by course of nature Roderick Lopez a Spaniard one of the Queens Physitians undertaking to poyson her was with his two complices executed at Tyburn Edmund York and Richard VVilliams hired by one Holt an English-Jesuite were executed for their Treasons Edward Squire was executed for impoysoning the pommel of the Queens saddle and pommels of the Earl of Essex his Chair though by Gods providence the poyson effected not what was intended by it One VVallpoll a Jesuite animated him to the fact by alledging that he might do it without much danger of his life but though he should lose his life for it yet he should be assured that in exchange of this transitory one he should enjoy the estate of a glorious Saint in Heaven So meritorious it seems it is to murder Catholique Princes so they be not Roman-Catholick ones But besides all these Romish-Agents there was the Irish Tir-Oen who used his greatest endeavours to divert subjection from the English Crown against whom that Martial Knight Sir John Norris was sent General who after he had brought Tir-Oen to a submission though as it after proved but a feigned one ended his days The Irish Rebelling again the Earl of Essex was sent thither where in the Province of Munster he became terrible to those wild Irish-Rebels chasing them before him into the woods though with more expence of time and loss of men than was well liked by some statists in England Then the Earl advanced into Leinster-Province against the O Coners and O Moils Then made towards Vlster where he entred into Parley with Tyrone But her Majesty being informed likely by some that envyed the Earls being so highly in her favour that the Spring Summer and Autumn were spent without service upon the Arch-Traytor Tyr-Oen that her men were diminished and large sums of mony consumed without the Earls doing that he was sent for That without her Highness order he entred into Parley with the Rebels Hereupon her Majesty sent sharp Letters unto the Earl upon the receipt whereof in discontent he hasted into England well hoping to pacify the Queens displeasure but after a short verbal welcom from the Queen he was commanded to his chamber and soon after committed to the custody of the Lord Keeper 1599. In the Earls stead Charles Blount Lord Montjoy was sent into Ireland who held Tyr-Oen very hard and forced him to withdraw into his old lurking places But to strengthen the Irish part the King of Spain sent into Ireland two thousand old trained Spanish Souldiers with certain fugitive Irish under the command of Don d'Aquila who strait after his arrival published a writing wherein he stiled himself Master-General and Captain of the Catholique King in the Wars of God for preserving the faith in Ireland Unto these two thousand Spaniards more were shortly sent under the conduct of Alohons O Campo but Alphonso had not long nested in Ireland ere himself and three of his Captains were taken and twelve hundred of his Spaniards were slain And at the siege of Kingsale the Spaniards made suit to the Lord General for a peace which was yielded unto whereupon the Spaniards departed and the Irish submitted themselves to the merciful Queen The Earl of Essex who had been committed to the keeping of the Lord Keeper was by her Majesties clemency quit of that durance and only commanded to his own house but the Earl of a daring spirit and exasperated by his Martial followers likewise presuming upon the Queens high respect towards him resolved by force and violence to have personal conference with the Queen and to remove from about her such as he deemed his enemies To effect which many of his favourers assembled at his house as well Noble-men and Knights as Captains and other Officers but this being understood by the Statists they made it known to her Majesty who thereupon sent four of her Honourable Counsellors to the Earl to offer him Justice and to command the Assembly to depart These Counsellors accordingly went to the Earl to Essex-house where they did their message to the Earl and commanded his followers whom they saw about him to lay down their weapons and depart but the Earl leaving these Councellors under custody in his own house with
Guy Fawks who changed his name into Johnson was to be his man and to have the keeping of the Keys of the House Decemb. 11th 1604 the Traytors entred into their work of darkness beginning their Mine and by Christmas-Eve they had brought their work under an entry unto the wall of the Parliament-House under-propping all still as they under-mined The wall which was very hard and nine-foot thick with great labour they wrought half-way thorow but then it hapning that a Cellar was to be let which was under the Parliament-House they ceased their under-mining and Thomas Piercy hired the Cellar for the laying in of his Winter-fuel wood and coal But instead of these they stored it with thirty six Barrels of Gun-Powder upon which they laid bars of Iron logs of Timber massie stones Iron-crows pick-Axes with the rest of their under-mining Tools and to cover all store of Billets and Fagots So that now all was in readiness against the next meeting of the Parliament The secular Traytors had hitherto done their parts nor were the Jesuitical Priests wanting on their parts in doing their utmost Their Masses and Sacrifices they usually concluded with prayers for their brethrens good success supplicating their God to prosper their pains who laboured in his cause day and night and that Heresy might vanish away like smoke and their memory perish with a crack like the ruin and fall of a broken House But through the goodness of the God of Heaven these Romish-Saints were taken in the snare that they had laid for the just They wrought their own destruction For upon Thursday in the evening ten days before the Parliament were to convene a Letter directed to the Lord Mont-Eagle was delivered to a Foot-man of his in the street by an unknown person with a charge to deliver it into his Lords own hand This Letter without date or subscription of name somewhat unlegible and of strange contents perplexed the Lord he hastes therefore to White-hall there to impart it to the Lord Cecil Earl of Salisbury principal Secretary who shewed it to the Lord Chamberlain and other Lords and then conveyed it to the King The Letter was as followeth My Lord Out of the love I bear to some of your Friends I have a care of your preservation Therefore I would advise you as you tender your life to devise some excuse to shift your attendance at this Parliament For God and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this time and think not slightly of this advertisement but retire your self into the Country where you may expect the event in safety For though there be no appearance of any stir yet I say you shall perceive a terrible blow this Parliament and yet they shall not see who hurts them This counsel is not to be contemned because it may do you good and can do you no harm for the danger is past so soon as you have burnt the Letter And I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it to whose holy protection I commend you His Majesty after he had read this Letter first paused a while then reading it again delivered his judgment upon it That he apprehended by these words of receiving a terrible blow this Parliament and yet should not see who hurt them That a sudden danger by blast of Gun-powder should be intended by some base Villain in a corner no Insurrection Rebellion or desperate attempt appearing And therefore he wished that the Rooms under the Parliament-House might be throughly searched which accordingly was done Novemb. 4th about midnight at which time Sir Thomas Knevet went to search those under Rooms Where at the entrance into the Cellar he found Guy Fawks at so unseasonable a time cloaked and booted whom he apprehended then entring the Cellar he found therein under the Billets thirty six Barrels of Powder and when he came to search the Traytor Fawks he found about him a dark Lanthorne three matches and other instruments for blowing up of the Powder And the Villain no whit daunted instantly confessed himself guilty but so far from repentance That he vowed if he had been found within the Room he would have blown up himself and them all And when he was brought before the Lords of the Council he lamented nothing so much as that the deed had not been done saying That the Devil and not God was the discoverer of the Plot. But the news of the Plots discovery coming to the ears of Catesby Piercy Rookwood the Wrights and Thomas Winter they posted into Warwick-shire to other of their associates who now began an open Rebellion pretending that all the Catholiques throats were appointed to be cut And after that they had hovered about a while they fled to Holbeth in Hereford-shire whither they were pursued and where John Wright and Christopher Wright Gentlemen making opposition were slain and Thomas Piercy and Roâ—ert Catesby Esquires fighting back to back were both of them slain with one bullet others were there taken A.D. 1605 and January 27th Sir Everard Digby Knight Tho. Winter Rob. Winter Ambrose Rookwood John Grant Gentlemen Robert Keys Thomas Bates and Guydo Fawks were tryed found guilty and condemned and on Thursday following Digby Grant Bates and Robert Winter were hang'd and quartred at the West-end of Saint Pauls and on Friday the rest were executed in the Parliament-yard at Westminster In memory of this great deliverance the fifth of November being the day appointed for the execution of this Hellish Plot was by Authority of Parliament Enacted to be observed a day of Thanksgiving A. D. 1606 March 28th was Henry Garnet Provincial of the English Jesuites arraigned for concealing the foresaid Treason and on May the third was executed at the West-end of Pauls At his death confessing his fault asking forgiveness and exhorting all Catholiques never to attempt any Treason against the King or State as a thing which God would never prosper A. D. 1607 was an Insurrection in Northampton Warwick and Leicester-shires about the throwing down of Inclosures At first the rout was without any particular head but at length one John Reynolds undertook to be their Captain affirming to the company that in his great Pouch hanging by his side he had sufficient to defend them against all opposers though afterwards being apprehended and his Pouch searched there was nothing found in it but a piece of green Cheese June 12th King James was entred a brother of the Cloth-workers when also many Lords and Gentleman were made free of the same Company A. D. 1608 George Jervis a Seminary Priest and Thomas Garnet a Jesuit were executed at Tyburn the last of which had pardon offered him if he would take the Oath of Supremacy but the Traytor would hang rather About this time were many famous English Pirates some of whom denied their faith and turned Turks living in great state at Tunis as Captain Ward Bishop Sir Francis Verney and Glanvil Nineteen of the Pirates were taken
in their service for the Publick Cause should be secured from the injury of their Masters and their time to go on toward their freedom by which means multitudes of Youth forsook their Masters to fight for the Parliament They also invited their Brethren the Scots as they call'd them to come into England to their aid And to animate the people to take up Arms for the Parliament some busie Clergy-men made great not good use of that sacred Text in their Pulpits Curse ye Meroz c. Judges the 5.23 But blessed are the Peace makers saith the Prince of peace About the beginning of March Commissioners were appointed to treat at Oxford in order to a rcconcilation but the Parliaments proposals were so out of reason that the treaty proved fruitless A. D. 1643 in the beginning of the Spring the Queen returned into England bringing with her considerable supplies of Men Money and Ammunition out of France and that year his Majesty became Master of the North and West some few Garisons excepted July the 5th Sir Ralph Hopton with his Cavaliers routed Sir William Waller at Lansdown near Bath and July the 15th he again defeated him at Roundway-hill by the Devizes killing many hundreds in the place and taking many more Prisoners Bristol and Exeter were yielded unto those two Martial Princes Rupert and Maurice Sons of Fredrick Prince Palatine of the Rhine and Elizabeth his Wife Sister to King Charles the first Gloucester the King besieged with a brave Army and the besieged under the command of Colonel Edward Massey defended themselves with great bravery till the Earl of Essex came with an Army and raised the Siege From this Siege the two Armies marched within few miles each of the other without any engagement save a little skirmish by Alborne-Chace till they came to Newbury where a sore Battel was fought On the Kings part were slain the Earls of Carnarvon and Sunderland and the Learned Lord Faulkland Essex lost many of his Officers January the 22 those loyal Members of Parliament who dissented from them at Westminster met at Oxford by the Kings Summons of these besides the Prince and Duke of York the Lord Keeper Littleton Treasurer Cottington Duke of Richmond and Marquess of Hartford there were nineteen Earls and as many Lords and one hundred and seventeen Knights and Gentlemen Other Loyal Lords Knights and Gentlemen Members of Parliament were at this time imployed in the Kings service in divers places of the Nation In this month and year the Scotch Army under the Conduct of the Earl of Leven entred England for the Parliament being about 18000 foot and 2000 horse About this time was Loyal Newark besieged by Sir John Meldram but by Prince Ruperts coming it was relieved and the Parlimentarians forced to march away after great losses on such conditions as the Prince would grant them This year upon a cessation of Arms in Ireland some forces came over to the Kings assistance This year also that Rebellious thing called a Parliament at Westminster and their Adherents and some to save themselves from punishment took the Scottish Solemn League and Covenant with hands lifted up to the most high God swearing to endeavour the preservation of the reformed Religion the extirpation of Popery and Prelacy to preserve the Rights and priviledges of Parliament and liberties of the Kingdom and to defend and preserve the Kings Majesties person and Authority c. All the Parliaments pretence in raising Arms was reformation for the defence of the Kings person to rescue him from his evil Council and to make him a glorious King which at length they did when they deprived him of his natural life A. D. 1644 Sir William Waller defeated Sir Ralph Hopton about Brandon Heath The Lord Fairfax and his Son Sir Thomas took divers of the Kings Garisons in the North. Prince Rupert raised the Siege of Latham-house June the 29 the Kings forces gave a great defeat to Wallers Army at Cropredy-bridge And presently after this the King drove the Earl of Essex up into Cornwall but the Earl deserted his Army passing by water to Plymouth and his horse taking the advantage of a dark night escaped leaving the Foot to shift how they could who capitulated for their lives leaving their Arms Cannon Amunition and Baggage to the Kings disposal Then Ilferdcomb Barnstable and Saltash yielded to the King who now victoriously marched towards London July the third was a great fight at Maston-Moor where the Parliament obtained a very considerable Victory And October the 27th Essex Waller and the Earl of Manchester met the King as he came out of the West at Newbury where a sharp Battle was fought and the Kings part forced out of the field In November Mac-Mahon an Irish Rebel was hang'd and quartered at Tyburn And December 23d Sir Alexander Carew was beheaded on Tower-hill for attempting to give up the Island of Plymouth to the Kings forces January the first Hotham the Son and January the second Hotham the Father were beheaded on Tower-hill for designing to betray Hull to the Royalists and for other treacheries January the 10th William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury was brought to the Scaffold on Tower-hill where he preached his last Sermon taking for his Text Heb. 12. Vers 2 So yielded his neck to the stroak of the Executioner The charge against him was endeavouring to subvert the Laws Religion and Priviledges of Parliament January the 30th by his Majesties procurement a Treaty was held at Vxbridge where the Parliaments demands were That Episcopacy might be extirpated that Presbytery might be establisht and that the King should yield up the Militia solely into the Parliaments dispose which were such unreasonable demands that the King could not yield to them February the 20th the Lord Mac-Guire another of the grand Irish Rebels was executed at Tyburn About this time was the Parliaments Army new-moduled The Earl of Essex and the other Commanders who were Parliament-men Oliver Cromwel was excepted were by the self-denying ordinance lately made to attend in Parliament in whose steads other and more active persons were appointed Sir Thomas Fairfax was constituted Captain-General Oliver Cromwel then the Sectaries Darling was made Lieutenant-General Henry Ireton Commissary-General c. After which model the Kings affairs of the Nation began fatally to decline A. D. 1645 His Majesty drew his Army out of Oxford in order to relieve his Nothern Counties and Garisons but after he had stormed and taken Leicester in his way he was called back to secure Oxford which the Parliament Army threatned with a Siege This while Sir Thomas Fairfax had intercepted a Letter of the Lord Gorings to the King wherein that Loyal Subject had desired of his Majesty to forbear engaging with the Enemy till he could be joyned with him Hereupon Fairfax left his Siege afore Oxford and made directly towards the King with a purpose to fight him before that addition of strength should come in And at a place near
blow severed his Royal Head from his Body Whose blood was taken up by several persons for different ends by some as Trophies of their Villany by others as â—â—licks of a Martyr His Corps embalmed and wrapped in Lead was conveyed to Windsor by some of his Servants And February the 9th 1648. was there Interred in the Chappel-Royal by the Duke of Richmond Marquess of Hartford Earls of Southampton and Lindsey and the Bishop of London A Prince he was very temperate chaste humble affectionate to his People eloquent notwithstanding some small hesitation in his utterance exceeding in fortitude and patience most devout in and constant to his Religion His Issue were first Charles-James who died almost as soon as born Charles the Second whom God preserve James Duke of York Henry Duke of Gloucester born July 8th 1640 Mary born the 4th of November 1631 Elizabeth born the 28 of December 1635 Anne born March the 7th 1636 Katharine Henrietta Maria born June the 16th 1644 In his troubles he composed an excellent Book intituled Eikon Basilicon he had begun the repairing of St. Paul's at London he built that famous Ship called the Royal Soveraign whose burden was 1636 Tuns her length 127 foot her breadth within the Planks 46 foot her depth from the breadth 19 foot carrying 100 piece of Ordinances wanting four her Lanthorn so large that ten men might stand in it her building cost Eighty thousand pounds An. Dom. 1625 was a great Plague at London whereof died within the Bills of Mortality 41313. A. D. 1632 and February the 11th happened a great Fire on London-Bridg 1635 Thomas Parre died being aged 152 years and was buried in the Abby-Church at Westminster The Names of the Regicides who sate when Judgment was for murdring the King were Serjeant John Bradshaw President of the Court Oliver Cromwell Henry Ireton Thomas Lord Grey of Groby John Danvers Hardress Waller Thomas Maleverer John Bourchier William Counstable Michael Livesey Gregory Norton Knights John Lisle William Say William Hechingham John Blakestone Gilbert Millington Cornelius Holland John Carew Miles Corbet Francis Allen Peregrin Pelham Humphrey Edwards Gregory Clement Thomas Wogan Thomas Scot William Cawley Anthony Stapely Nicholas Love Augustine Garland John Dixwell Simon Mayne Daniel Blagrave Esquires Valentine Walton Thomas Harrison Edward Whaley Thomas Pride Isaac Ewer Henry Marten William Purefoy John Berkstead Edmund Ludlow John Hutchinson Robert Tichburn Owen Roe Robert Lilburn Adrian Scrope Richard Dean John Okey John Hewson William Goffe John Jones John Moor John Alured Henry Smith Edmund Harvey John Venne John Downes Thomas Horton Thomas Hammond George Fleetwood James Temple Thomas Wait Colonels Isaac Pennington and Thomas Andrews Aldermen of London Vincent Potter and Peter Temple Officers belonging to the High Court of Injustice were Dr. Dorislaus Ask William Steel who excused himself by sickness John Cook Solicitor Dendy Mace-bearer Broughton and Phelps Clerks Isaac King Crier Woolfred Pain Radley Powell Hull Messengers and Door-keepers forty of these men of blood The Warrant for the Kings Execution was directed to Colonel Francis Hacker Colonel Huncks and Lieutenant Colonel Phayre to see it done But who can stretch forth his hand against the Lords Anointed and be guiltless Sam. 26.9 My Son saith the wise man Fear thou the Lord and the King and meddle not with them that are given to change for their calamity shall rise suddenly Mayors and Sheriffs of London in his Reign In his first year 1625. Sir Allen Cotton was Mayor Thomas Westraw Ellis Crisp died Jo. Pool and Christopher Cletherow after Sheriffs In his second year 1626. Sir Cuthbert Hacket was Mayor Edward Bromfeild Richard Fenn Sheriffs In his third Year 1627. Sir Hugh Hamersley was Mayor Maurice Abbot Henry Garraway Sheriffs In his fourth Year 1628. Sir Richard Dean was Mayor Rowland Backhouse William Acton Knight and Baronet Sheriffs In his fifth Year 1629. Sir James Cambell was Mayor Humphrey Smith Edmund Wright Sheriffs In his sixth Year 1630. Sir Robert Ducie Barr. vvas Mayor Arthur Abdy Robert Cambell Sheriffs In his seventh Year 1631. Sir George Whitmore vvas Mayor Samuel Cranmore Henry Prat Sheriffs In his eighth Year 1632. Sir Nicholas Raynton vvas Mayor Hugh Perry Henry Andrews Sheriffs In his ninth Year 1633. Sir Ralph Freeman and Sir Tho. Moulston Mayor Gilbert Harrison Richard Gurney Sheriffs In his tenth Year 1634. Sir Robert Parkhurst was Mayor John Heylord John Cordell Sheriffs In his eleventh Year 1635. Sir Christopher Cletherow vvas Mayor Thomas Soame John Gayer Sheriffs In his twelfth Year 1636. Sir Edward Bromfeild was Mayor VVilliam Abell John Garrat Sheriffs In his thirteenth Year 1637. Sir Richard Fenn was Mayor Thomas Atkin Edward Rudge Sheriffs In his fourteenth Year 1638. Sir Maurice Abot was Mayor Isaac Pennington John VVollaston Sheriffs In his fifteenth Year 1639. Sir Henry Garraway was Mayor Thomas Adams John VVarner Sheriffs In his sixteenth Year 1640 Sir Edmund VVright vvas Mayor John Towse Abraham Reynardson Sheriffs In his seventeenth Year 1641. Sir Richard Gurney was Mayor George Garret George Clarke Sheriffs In his eighteenth Year 1642. Isaac Pennington vvas Mayor John Langham Thomas Andrews Sheriffs In his nineteenth Year 1643. Sir John VVollaston was Mayor John Fowke James Bunce Sheriffs In his twentieth Year 1644. Thamas Atkin was Mayor VVilliam Gibbs Richard Chambers Sheriffs In his one and twentieth Year 1645. Thomas Adams was Mayor John Kendrick Thomas Foot Sheriffs In his two and twentieth Year Sir John Gayer was Mayor Thomas Cullam Simon Edmonds Sheriffs In his three and twentieth Year 1647. Sir John VVarner was Mayor Samuel Avery John Bide Sheriffs In his four and twentieth Year 1648. Sir Abraham Reynardson was Mayor Thomas Vyner Richard Brown Sheriffs Thomas Andrews Mayor in room of Reynardson sent to the Tower CHARLES the Second A. D. 1648 JAnuary the 30th Charles the Second was then in Holland when his Father King Charles the First was murdered and that tayl of a Parliament sitting at Westminster were resolved instead of admitting him the lawful Heir unto the Government of England to assume it unto themselves To which end they first set forth a Proclamation That no person whatsoever should presume to proclaim or any way to promote Charles Stuart Son of Charles Stuart late King of England or any other person to be King or chief Magistrate of these Kingdoms but he that should attempt any such thing should be adjudged a Traytor After this they voted the House of Lords to be useless and dangerous and Kingly Government to be unnecessary and burthensome and therefore they abolished both Howbeit the Marquess of Ormond caused his Majesty to be publickly proclaimed King in Ireland and the Scotch Parliament did the like in Scotland But the Members at Westminster having a Victorious Army on their side proceeded to establish their Projects caused all publick Writings to be issued out in the name of the Keepers of the Liberties of England by Authority of Parliament ordering a new great Seal to be
the Dutch General Richard Dean was slain June the 3d the Fleets joined again and the dispute was very hot and bloody till at length the Dutch tacked about and made haste to their own Coasts Of the Dutch were taken Prisoners six Captains 1350 others Eleven men of War were taken and two Hoys six of their best Ships were sunk and two blown up Of the English were slain besides Admiral Dean one Captain and a hundred and twenty others but not one Ship lost or disabled Cromwell this while with some of the leading Officers of the Army had made choice of certain persons not above 150 for the three Nations who were to have the Legislative power and to be stiled a Parliament These Parliament-Gentlemen and Soldiers of the new-fashioned Election met July the 4th at Westminster where they chose Mr. Rouse for their Speaker but not agreeing amongst themselves for about sixty of them contested hard for the taking away of Tythes from the Ministers as Antichristian they fairly re-delivered their power into Oliver's hands December the twelfth after they had Enacted a Law That Justices of the Peace and not Ministers should join persons together in sacred Wedlock But while this cunning thing called a Parliament was doing little or little to the purpose the active Dutch were again put forth to Sea with about 120 Men of War and before the Texel were Encountred by the English July 29th the Fight was vigorously maintained on both parts till the Dutch Admiral Van Trump fighting in the midst of the English Fleet was with a Musket-shot shot into the left-Pap and slain outright whereby the rest of their Fleet was so discouraged that they made to the Texel as speedily as they could The Dutch in this Fight lost 30 Men of War and about 1200 of their Men were taken The English had slain on their part Graves Owen Chapman Newman Taylor Crisp Cox and Peacock Captains and 400 common Seamen The Ship named the Oak was fired and two or three disabled For this eminent piece of service the little Parliament ordered that Chains of Gold should be presented to the Admirals Blake and Col. George Monk Vice-Admiral Pen and Rear-Admiral Lawson and that other Chains likewise should be presented to divers Flag-Captains and Medals of Silver to the Officers of the Fleet. But to return to Oliver who after his patcht Junto had dissolved themselves called a Council of Officers with some others of his Creatures to consult about the settlement of a Government and these at length after great pretences of seeking Gods mind herein concluded to have a single person again to be the head of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging And was accordingly installed with much formality and ceremony in the Chancery-Court at Westminster before the Judges the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London with the chief Officers of the Army on December the 16th Immediately after which all publick Writings changed their stile from that of the Keepers of the Liberties of England to that of Oliver Lord Protector of England c. And the City of London to manifest their good liking of this Government and Governour at least to make shew of it invited the Protector to a magnificent Feast at Grocers-Hall on Febr. 8. and Oliver to gratifie them for this favour Knighted Thomas Viner then Lord Mayor Aspiring Cromwell having thus obtained the Supream Authority in short time yielded to a peace with the Dutch who had been brought exceeding low with the War with England A. D. 1654. and in the Month of May upon an accusation of a Plot to destroy the Protector seize the Tower raise an Army and bring in the King there were divers Royalists apprehended and committed to prison three of whom were condemned by an High Court of Injustice and two of them Executed namely Col. John Gerrard who was Beheaded on Towerhill and Mr. Vowel who was hang'd at Charing-cross on the same day with Col. Gerrard was Beheaded Don Pantaleon Sa Brother to the Portugal Embassador for a Riot made in the New Exchange but death was so terrible to this person that his heart was nigh quite dead within him before his neck came to the Block September the third a pretended Parliament met at Westminster where after they had heard their Master Oliver's Speech and chose William Lenthall for their Speaker they debated Whether the Legislative power should be in a single person and a Parliament or in a Parliament only The Protector 's faction were for the former those called the Commonwealth-party that were for a Democratical Government were for the latter one declaring That as God had made him an Instrument in cutting down Tyranny in one person so now he would not endure to see the Nations Liberties shackled by another whose right to the Government could be measured out no other way than by the length of his Sword But when these things were reported to the Usurper Oliver he hasted from Whitehall to Westminster and there declares to his Parliament that he would have them to take notice of this That the same Government made him a Protector as made them a Parliament That as they were intrusted with some things so was he with others That there were certain Fundamentals which could not be altered as That the Government should be in a single person and Parliament That Parliament's should not be perpetual That in Religious matters there should be liberty of Conscience c. And then he enjoined them to sign this Recognition of the Government viz. I do hereby promise and engage to be true and faithful to the Lord Protector and Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and shall not according to the tenour of the Indenture whereby I am returned to serve in Parliament propose or give my consent to alter the Government as 't is setled in one person and a Parliament The subscription to this was refused by several Members the rest who subscribed it were permitted to sit till January the 24th 1654 at which time Oliver dissolved them because they delayed to settle him in the Government December the 19th Pen and Venables with a Fleet of thirty Ships wherein were three thousand forces put to Sea and in April following arrived at Hispaniola and came within sight of that Golden Town Sancta Domingo upon which their first and chief enterprize was designed but through the excessive heat of the Clime want of fresh-water and some other discouragements great numbers of the Soldiers perished and that design was fruitless therefore they set sail for the Island Jamaica where being arrived they were there so successful as in short time to possess themselves of the chief Town called Ottranto bringing the whole Island into subjection In England the Royal party were busie to take down the Protector 's Greatness but the Plot was discovered before it was ripe for execution and many of the Conspirators in several places seized on by the
Sir George Booth's Forces the Members at Westminster prepared an Act for sequestring of the Estates of such persons as were engaged in this rising and in token of their favour and gratitude they order'd Lambert a thousand pound for his good service which he presently distributed amongst his Soldiers thereby to engage them the more firmly to his designs for though himself and other Grandees of the Army carried fair with the Junto yet were they not well pleased with them because since their last sitting they had somewhat lessened the Armies power in giving order to their Speaker William Lenthall to issue out Commissions for Commanders which had been done afore by the General and had withal reserved the chief command of the Army to themselves without any Captain General Therefore now whilst they were flustred with their late Victory they drew up their Propositions to be presented to the Parliament which they entituled The humble Petition and Proposal of the Army under the Right Honourable the Lord Lambert in the late Northern expedition therein desiring that the Army might be commanded by Fleetwood as chief General by Lambert as the next superior General c. This was sent up to London from Lambert's Army to be presented to the Parliament But Sir Arthur Haslerigg being made acquainted with it before it was delivered immediately informed his fellow-Members thereof alledging that it was a matter of most dangerous consequence The Junto hereupon passed a Vote That the having of more general Officers was a thing needless chargeable and dangerous But the Army-Officers of Lambert's party still-prosecuting their intentions of gaining the whole ordering of the Army into their own hands the Junto thereupon passed this Act That it should be Treason in all persons whatsoever to raise levy or collect moneys without consent of Parliament designing hereby to bring the Army into subjection because otherwise they could have no maintenance they likewise ordered that Lambert Desbrough Kelsey Berry Ashfield Cobbet Packer Barrow and Creed should be discommissionated and that others should enjoy their commands They also ordered the Government of the Army to be in Seven Commissioners in whom the power should jointly reside these were Fleetwood Monk Ludlow Walton Morley Overton and Haslerigg But Lambert and his Complices were resolved to try a tug with the Junto who should be Masters and to that end they engaged divers Companies and Regiments about London to side with them and the Junto drew two Regiments to Westminster to take part with them but when these two parties had stood at Westminster in a hostile sort almost a whole day facing each other and sometimes ready to fall to it in good earnest towards the evening the two parties fairly agreed to draw off to their respective quarters And the next day and forward Lambert took care to guard the Parliament-doors that none of the Members might enter into the House And now the Junto being once more laid aside Lambert's party made choice of Lieutenant General Fleetwood to be Captain General of the Army Lambert who 't is thought aspired to Soveraignty to be Major General and Desbrough to be Commissary General They framed likewise a new Government on October the 26th nominating Twenty-three persons to have the management of publick affairs whom they would have to be called a Committee of Safety Their names were Bulstrode Whitlock Edmund Ludlow Sir Henry Vane Sir James Harrington Sir Archibald Johnson General Fleetwood General John Lambert Colonel Desbrough Colonel Sydanham Major Saloway Colonel Berry Mr. Lawrence Colonel Thompson Colonel Hewson Colonel Lilburn John Ireton Lord Maior Alderman Robert Tichburn Walter Strickland Cornelius Holland William Steel Clerk Bennet Brandrith Thus was miserable England subjected to the Arbitrary power of an Army to have what Lords and Laws they pleased But the time of its liberty approached the principal instrument whereof was General George Monk who pretending to a re-settlement of the Junto and not to be able to see the Nation so inslaved by Lambert and his factious party drew his Army out of Scotland having first changed some of his Officers The Committee of Safety exceedingly courted this General to comply with them and when that would not do Lambert drew his Army into the North with design to impede General Monk's march to London but all their projects availed nothing with the General And to help forward his Majesties interest and the Nations deliverance the City of London grew very discontented and surly against the Army the Fleet that declared for the Junto likewise many of Lambert's party withdrew themselves from him and the Country in general was full of discontents and murmurings insomuch that the Committee of Safety perceived themselves to be in a very unsafe and kind of desolate condition and therefore with great submission they sent for the Speaker desiring him with the rest of his follow-Members to return to the exercise of their trust which accordingly they did on December the twenty-sixth and Colonel Lambert finding that all now went bad on his side privately slipt away from his Soldiers then about Newcastle upon Tine and they returned to their obedience to the Junto who upon their resettlement Discommissionated Lambert with divers Colonels and Commanders of the Army published a Declaration for a Commonwealth without a single Person or House of Lords for preservation of the Laws upholding of the Ministry the University and Tythes all which had lately been in great danger for maintaining liberty of Conscience General Monk in the mean time advanced with his new-modelled Army towards London all the way being caressed by the Gentry of the several Counties as he passed along with all testimonies of affection and petition for the restoring of the Secluded Members and procuring of a Free Parliament Commissioners were sent to him from the City of London with the like request for a Free Parliament but the General wisely concealed his inclinations and intentions pretending strong resolutions to be faithful to those Members sitting at Westminster and yet carried himself with so much evenness that the City and Country had hopes he would stand their friend as the Junto could see but little cause to misdoubt his real good meaning towards them howbeit to make him the surer on their side they ordered him and his heirs a 1000 l. per Annum February the third General Monk came to London with his Army he had drawn out of Scotland the Army which had been quartered there having marched out the night before by the Junto's command though not without discontent and some disorder and mutiny The next day his Excellency was conducted to the Parliament-House where he received thanks from the Members for his good service after which he acquainted them with the numerous Addresses he had received from the Counties for the admission of the secluded Members and a Free Parliament minding them also of the danger themselves and Nation would be in if the Fanatick party should be continued in Civil
London Bridge In May the King passed some Bills in the House of Lords whereof one was for raising an Imposition on Wines and other Liquors and the Parliament was adjourned till the 11th of August following In June News was brought to London of the burning of the Bridge Town in Barbadoes where besides the loss of most of the Houses the Magazine to the great prejudice of the publick as well as of private Persons was blown up The Duke of York in September near to Dover took the usual Oath of Warden of the Cinque Ports The Parliament that was to have met in August was by Proclamation Prorogued till the Tenth of November ensuing and the Duke of Monmouth upon the resignation of the Lord Gerrard was made Captain of his Majesties Life-Guards of Horse Sir Thomas Allen made Peace this year with the Algerines and the Parliament which met at the appointed time and adjourned till March were in December by Proclamation prorogued till the Tenth of October following About the middle of January 1668 9 the Dutchess of York was brought to Bed of a Daughter christened by the Name of Henrietta by the Archbishop of Canterbury the Duke of Ormond assisting as God-father the Marchioness of Dorchester and Countess of Devonshire having the Honour of being God-mothers In March 1668 9 the Prince of Tuscany in pursuance of his Travels came to visit England where being honourably received and magnificently treated by His Majesty and several Persons of Quality of the Kingdom he departed for Holland in his way homeward Anno 1669. The beginning of this year the Earl of Carlisle was sent Embassadour Extraordinary to Sweden As he was at Copenhagen on his way he received a Letter from the King of England in answer to an obliging Letter of the King of Denmark to be delivered to that King This Letter was so acceptable to the Dane that upon the Embassadours instance he dispatched Orders to all his Ports and Mercantile Towns especially in Norway for restoring the English to their former Freedoms and Priviledges in Trading Being arrived in Sweden he presented the King with the George worn by the Knights of the Garter and was afterward as His Majesties Proxie solemnly installed in the Order at Windsor This year was the stately new Theatre of Oxford the noble Gift of Dr. Sheldon Archbishop of Canterbury according to the intent of the Donor put into the Possession of that University And upon his Graces declining the Chancellourship the Duke of Ormond was installed Chancellour of the University of Oxford Whilst the King was taking his Divertisement with the Duke of York in the New Forrest in Hampshire they both received an Express of the death of their Mother the Queen Dowager of England who died at Columbee the last of August and was buried in St. Denis in November following About this time arrived at Dublin the Lord Roberts as Lord Deputy of Ireland The Exchange of London ever since the Fire had been kept at Gresham Colledge in Bishopsgate-street till now to the great satisfaction of the City the Merchants returned to the Royal Exchange in Corn-hill a Fabrick as far exceeding the old one in Beauty and Structure as the City rebuilt does that which was destroyed At the day of October prefixed the Parliament met to whom the King amongst other things in his Speech proposed the uniting of England and Scotland into one Kingdom this Project in the Sequel had no better issue than another set on foot by King James for the same purpose The Parliament having sate above a month and done but very little were prorogued till the 24th of February following The Parliament of Scotland sate at Edenbourgh at the same time that the Parliament of England did at Westminster in the which the Earl of Lauderdale represented His Majesty as His Commissioner In this Session of Parliament amongst many other Acts that of asserting his Majesties Supremacy in all Causes and over all Persons Civil and Ecclesiastical passed A necessary Act for securing the Rights of Monarchy against popular and unwarrantable Innovations and a duty which had it not been forgotten or trampled upon in these later times might with Gods Blessing have preserved both Nations from scandalous and fatal consequences A splendid and magnificent Embassie was this year sent to Taffelette Emperour of Morocco in the Person of Mr. Henry Howard since Duke of Norfolk which by reason of the troubles of that Countrey and the inability of the Emperor to secure a safe conduct to a Person of that quality proved of small consequences and the Embassadour returned without seeing the Emperour or performing his Embassie The later end of this year died the Duke of Albemarle his Dutchess not many days surviving him The King as a mark of gratitude to the deceased Duke sent his Son the present Duke his Fathers Garter continued to him many of his Honours and Preferments and sent him word that he himself would take care of his Fathers Funeral The Parliament met again at the appointed time and the King among other things re-minded them of the project of Union between the two Kingdoms This year in the beginning of April Anno 1670 the King having passed some Bills the Parliament was adjourned to the 24th of October Amongst others was an Act for authorizing such Commissioners as His Majesty should be pleased to nominate for treating with the Scottish Commissioners about the projected Union who being nominated and having afterwards met with those sent from Scotland many Conferences were held but insuperable difficulties appearing in the matter it was wholly laid aside At this time the Lord John Berkley arrived in Dublin and was invested Lord Lieutenant of Ireland The Princess of Orleans made now her last visit to her two Brothers the King of England and Duke of York at Dover and upon her return which was shortly after took her journey out of this World for to the great grief and surprize of the Court of England she died suddenly Captain Beach being in the Straits with four English Frigots met a squadron of seven Algier Men of War full of Men gave them Battel and after a short dispute forced them all ashore where two of them were burnt by themselves and the rest by the English most of their Men were lost and 250 Christian Captives set at liberty In October The Parliament met again according to their Adjournment and then was the Peace between England and Spain beyond the Line concluded and ratified The Prince of Orange came this year into England and having visited both Universities after a short stay he returned During this Session of Parliament the Lords and Commons having humbly represented to His Majesty their fears and jealousies of the growth of Popery the King by Proclamation commanded all Jesuits and English Irish and Scottish Priests and all others that had taken Orders from the See of Rome except such as were to wait upon the Queen and Foreign Embassadors to
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Town of Pembroke Arthur Owen Esq Town of Haverfordwest William Wogan Esq Montgomery Edward Vaughan Esq Town of Montgomery Matthew Price Esq Edward Loyd Esq Radnor Rowland Gwyn Esq Town of Radnor Deerham Esq HIS MAJESTY'S Most Honourable PRIVY COUNCIL HIS Highness Prince Rupert William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Heneage Lord Finch Lord Chancellor of England Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury Lord President of the Council Arthur Earl of Anglesey Lord Privy Seal James Duke of Monmouth Master of the Horse John Duke of Lauderdale Secretary of State for Scotland James Duke of Ormond Lord Steward of the Houshold Charles Lord Marquess of Winchester Henry Lord Marquess of Worcester Henry Earl of Arlington Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold James Earl of Salisbury John Earl of Bridgwater Robert Earl of Sunderland one of His Majesties Principal Secretaries of State Arthur Earl of Essex first Lord Commissioner of the Treasury John Earl of Bath Groom of the Stole Thomas Lord Viscount Falconberg George Lord Viscount Hallifax Henry Lord Bishop of London John Lord Roberts Denzill Lord Hollis William Lord Russel William Lord Cavendish Henry Coventry Esq one of His Majesties Principal Secretaries of State Sir Francis North Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. Sir Henry Capel Knight of the Bath first Commissioner of the Admiralty Sir John Ernly Knight Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Thomas Chicheley Knight Master of the Ordnance Sir William Temple Baronet Edward Seymour Esq Henry Powle Esq Commissioners for the Treasury ARthur Earl of Essex Lawrence Hide Esq Sir Edward Deering Sidney Godolphin Sir John Ernly Chancellor of the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Henry Guy Esquire Commissioners for the Execution of the Office of Lord High Admiral of England SIr Henry Capell Knight of the Bath Daniel Finch Esquire Baronets Sir Thomas Lee Sir Humphrey Winch Sir Thomas Meers Esquires Edward Vaughan Edward Hales FINIS BOOKS sold by Abell Swalle at the Sign of the Vnicorn at the West-end of St. Pauls Folio's PLutarch's Lives in English Sir Rich. Baker's Chronicle 1679. Mr. Joseph Mead's Works Mr. Abr. Cowley's Poems Hugonis Grotii Opera omnia Theologica 4. Vol. 1679. Episcopii Op. Vol. 1. Suarez de Legibus Quarto's Cluverii Geographia in figuris Zelidaura Queen of Tartaria A Dramatick Romance written in spanish by the command of the King of Spain made English 1679 Octavo A Conference between Dr. Stilling-fleet and Dr. Burnet with Coleman 1679. Sermons on several Occasions By John Tillotson D. D. Dean of Canterbury Scriptural Catechism or the Duty of Man laid down in express words of Scripture A Discourse concerning the Blessedness of the Righteous by Mr. How M. A. Tou's Le's Devoires de T'homme ' on La Practique devertus Chre'tiames Dict. Dutch Grammer Festan 's French Grammer A Discourse concerning the Period of Humane Life Twelves French Bible French Testament Psalms French Common-Prayer