Lordes Knightes and other to the number of thrée score and fiue were taken All these were condemned by the iudgement of Andrew Herkeley Earle of Carlile and on the two and twentie of March following Thomas Earle of Lancaster was beheaded and Warin de Lile William Tochet Thomas Manduit Henrie Bradbourne William Fitzwilliam the younger and William de Cheyney Barons were hanged and quartered at Pomfret Iohn Mowbray Roger Clifford and Goceline Deynvile were drawne and quartered at Yorke Bartholmew Badlesmere at Canterburie Henrie de Mountfort and Henrie Willington at Bristow Iohn Clifford and Roger Elinbrough at Glocester William Kerdife and Henrie Chies at London Frances de Aldham at VVindsore Thomas Culpeper at VVinchelsea The rest of their complices were bestowed in diuers prisons Andrew Herkeley Earle of Carlile vnder colour of peace feigned a mariage which by the King his Nobles was reputed for Treason wherevpon he was apprehended by his trustie fréend Sir Anthonie de Lucy and afterward was disgraded of the Earledome by the taking the swoord from him and cutting off his spurres then was he hanged and quartred at Carlile his head being sent to London and his quarters to foure partes of the land Hugh Spencer the elder and Hugh Spencer his sonne were verie troublesome persons to the Realme and caused many seditious treasons to arise daily but the Father was taken at Bristowe where he was drawne to the Gallowes in his Armour and so hanged then was he taken downe and beheaded and his body hanged vp againe and after foure daies his body was cutte in péeces and cast to the Dogges to be eaten but his head was sent to Winchester Hugh Spencer his sonne was brought to Hereforde where he was condemned without aunswere and was drawne and hanged vpon a paire of Gallowes thirtie foote hie and afterward was headed and quartered Simon Reading and Robert Baldocke Bishoppe of Norvvich and the Kinges Chauncelour who were pertakers with them in their traiterous rebellions the saide Simon Reading was drawne and hanged on the same Gallowes but ten foote lower and Robert Baldocke died in Newgate with many tormentes And many of their confederates were executed in other places so that but fewe of them escaped without punishment In the raygne of King Edward the thirde ROger Mortimer for consenting to the murthering of the Kings Father and many other notorious treasons was condemned at VVestminster in the presence of the whole Parliament and afterward was drawne to the Elmes and hanged on the common Gallowes where he hanged two dayes and two nightes by the Kinges commaundement there were hanged with him Sir Simon de Burford Knight Sir William Burford that was Iustice and Iohn Deuerel Esquier who was desirous to haue made open confession of the Kinges Fathers cruell death but he could not be suffered The Londoners sought to kill Iohn of Gaunt the Kings Sonne Duke of Lancaster for a word which he had spoken against their Bishoppe wherevpon the King deposed the Mayor and Aldermen of London and appointed other in their places and Sir Iohn Minsterwoorth Knight with others were drawne and hanged for the same In the raigne of King Richard the seconde BY the wicked perswasions of Iohn Ball a seditious Préest the Commons of Kent and Essex rebelled against the King chusing for their Captaines in their rebellion Watte Tiler and Iacke Strawe They came to Blacke Heath and so on to London and entred the Cittie on Corpus Christi day where they destroyed many goodly places of the Nobles and others as the Sauoy Saint Iohns by Smithféeld the Manour of Highburie by Yseldon and the Temple where the Prentises of the Lawe were lodged for the increase of their Studie They tooke out of the Tower of London where the King was then lodged Simon Sudburie Archbishop of Canterburie Lord Chauncelour of England Robert Halles Priour of Saint Iohns and Treasorer of England William Apelton a Frier Minor the Kinges Confessour and Iohn Legge a Seriant of the Kinges and beheaded them all on the Tower Hyll They beheaded diuers other in many places as Sir Iohn Cauendishe Lord chéefe Iustice of England the Priour of S. Edmundes-burie and other Richard Lions a famous Lapidary of London was drawne out of his house and beheaded in Chepe They beheaded all men of Lawe as well Prentises and vtter Barresters as Iustices and all Iurers that they might get into their hands They spared none whome they thought to be learned were it neuer so lyttle especiallie if they found any to haue pen and inke they pulled off his hoode and cried out all with one voice hale him into the stréetes and cut off his head The King to pacifie their furie offered them peace on condition they would cease from burning of houses and slaughter of men which the Essex men tooke and returned home but the Kentish men remained burning and killing styll as before Wherevpon the King sendeth Sir Iohn Newton Knight to Wat Tiler their Captaine to intreate him to come talke with him about his owne demaundes the Knight hauing doone his message Wat Tiler mallepartlie aunswered that he would come at his owne pleasure neuerthelesse he followed softlie after the Knight and when he came néere Smithféeld where the King tarried his comming the same Knight was sent againe to méet him and vnderstand his requests Wat Tiler séeing the Knight come néere vnto him on horse backe proudlie saide it had become him better to be on foote in his presence the Knight aunswered that it was no harme sith himselfe was also on horsebacke therewith Wat Tiler drew his Dagger and offering to strike called the Knight Traiteur wherevpon the Knight drew his dagger too and aunswered him that he lyed The King séeing the Knight in daunger commaunded him to alight on foote and to deliuer his Dagger to Watte Tyler whose proude minde would not be so pacified but would néedes run on the Knight wherevppon there came to the King William Walwoorth the Mayor of London and many other Knightes and Esquiers who affirmed that it would be a shamefull reproch if they should suffer the Knight to be murdred At last the King commaunded the Mayor to arrest the Rebell which Mayor being a man of verie valiaunt courage arrested Wat Tyler on the head with such a mighty stroke as he caused him to fall downe greatly astonied then a number more enuironed the Rebell round about and gaue him so many woundes as he had no life left in him c. Iacke Strawe being likewise taken when at London he should lose his head by the iudgement of the Maior confessed as followeth The same time sayth he that we came to Black Heath when we sent for the King we purposed to haue murdred all Knightes Esquiers and Gentlemen that should haue come with him and to haue led the King royallie vsed vp and downe that with the sight of him all men especiallie the common people might
Doctour of Diuinitie auouched that in the quarrell of King Richard who was deposed for his euill gouernement and was likewise dead he would fight against any man euen to the death for which traiterous wordes he was condemned drawne and hanged in his religious habite and wéede And not long after Sir Roger Claringdon Knight with him an Esquier and a Yeoman were beheaded and eight Gray Friers hanged and headed at London and two at Leicester all of them executed for trayterous wordes against the King Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester Sir Richard Vernon the Baron of Kinderton with diuers other rebellious persons put themselues in Armes against the King néere vnto Shrewesburie in a place called Olde Feeld alias Bull Feeld but the Earle of vvorcester the Baron of Kinderton and Sir Richard Vernon were taken and beheaded at Shrewesburie Henrie Percie Earle of Northumberland Richard Scrope Archbishop of Yorke Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall Thomas Lord Bardolphe and other conspired against the King and caused the Cittizens of Yorke to take part with them in their rebellion but the Kinges power following them forced the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Bardolphe to take their flight into Scotland but the Archbishop of Yorke and the Earle Marshall were taken and beheaded at Yorke A Squire of VVales named Rice ap Dee who had long tyme rebelled against the King was brought to London and there was drawne hanged and quartered In the raigne of King Henrie the fift THe King kéeping his Christmasse at his Manour of Eltham seuen miles from London was giuen to vnderstand that certaine had conspired against him eyther to haue taken or suddenlie haue slaine him and his brethren on Twelfth day at night wherevpon the King sent word to the Mayor of London that he should arrest all suspicious persons The Maior foorthwith caused euery Alderman in his Warde to kéepe great watch and about ten of the clock at night went himselfe with a strong power to the signe of the Axe without Bishops gate where he apprehended the man of the house named Iohn Burgate Carpenter and seuen other and sent them to Eltham where they confessed before the King that they were confederat with Sir Iohn Oldcastel to fight against him and his Lords in S. Gyles Féeld aboue Holbourne On the morrowe after Twelfth day the King remooued priuilie to UUestminster and with a great Armie kept the Féeld by Saint Gyles for he was warned that Sir Iohn Oldcastell and Sir Roger Acton would be in the same Féeld on the next daye following with fiue twentie thousand people and the same night were taken more then foure score men in Armour of the same faction Also the King being tolde of an Ambushment in Harengay Parke sent thither certaine Lordes who tooke many of them among whome was one VVilliam Murle a ritch Mault man or Brewer of Dunstable who had his two horsses trapped with golde following him and a payre of gylt Spurres in his bosome for he thought to haue béene made Knight on the morrowe The twelfth day of Ianuarie thrée score and nine of them were condemned of treason at VVestminster and on the morrowe after seuen and thirtie of them were drawne from the Tower of London to Newgate and so to Saint Gyles and there in a place called Fickettes féeld were all hanged and seuen of them burnt gallowes and all The ninetenth day of Ianuarie were drawne and hanged Sir Iohn Beuerley Priest Iohn Burgate Carpenter a text writer in Saint Iohns stréete and a Glouer on London Bridge and shortlie after Sir Roger Acton Knight was taken who on the tenth of Februarie was drawne hanged and buried vnder the gallowes On the last of Iulie was discouered a great conspiracie against the King by thrée Lordes in whome aboue all the rest he reposed greatest trust and confidence the chéefest of them was Henrie Scrope Lord Treasorer the second was Richard Earle of Cambridge brother to Edwarde Duke of Yorke and the third was Sir Thomas Grey a Knight of the North. These thrée had caused Edmund Earle of March to sweare vppon a Booke not to disclose their councell and then they tolde him that they intended to kyll the King and to make the saide Edmund King the which if he refused to take vpon him they would likewise kyll him The Earle prayed them to giue him one houres space to take aduisement what he were best to doo which being graunted him the Earle went secretlie and told the King thereof who caused them foorthwith to be apprehended and brought before him where they confessed the treason for the which on the sixt of August they were arreigned in the Kinges presence and the same day all thrée beheaded The Earle was buried head and all but the other two headdes were sent the one to Yorke and the other to New Castell vpon Tine to be set vp Iohn Bennet Woolman who had scattered about London diuers Scedules full of sedition was drawne hanged and beheaded on Michaelmas daye and the eight daye of October a Parchment-maker of Trylmell stréete was drawne hanged and headed for harbouring Sir Iohn Oldcastell contrarie to the Kinges commaundement In the raigne of King Henrie the sixt AT Abington were gathered together a great many of lewde and rebellious persons who sought to make a great vprore in the Realme but the Lord Protector rode thether with his company and arrested there the Bayliffe of the Towne named William Mandeuill a Weauer who was appointed for their Captaine and he had named himselfe Iacke Sharpe of Wigmers Lande in Wales When he was examined he confessed that he meant to haue doone many mischéefes especiallie against Priests so that he would haue made their heads as cheape as Shéepes heads that is to saye thrée for a penny or as some write ten for a penny he was drawne hanged and headed at Abington and his head was sent to London and set on the Bridge the rest of his company were executed in diuers other places for example to other The thirtéenth day of Iulie following one Richard Russell Wooll-man was drawne hanged and quartered for that he would haue made Dukes and Carles at his owne pleasure Roger Bolingbrooke a great Astronomer with Thomas Southwell a Chanon of Saint Stephens Chappell at VVestminster were taken as conspiratours of the Kinges death for it was saide that the same Roger should labour to consume the Kinges person by waye of Necromancie and the saide Thomas should say Masses in the Lodge of Harnesey Parke beside London vppon certaine Instruments with the which the saide Roger should vse his craft of Necromancie against the Faith and was assenting to the saide Roger in all his workes And the fiue and twentie day of Iulie being Sunday Roger Bolingbrooke with all his Instruments of Necromancie that is to say a painted Chayre wherein he was wunt to sit vpon the fowre corners of which Chayre stoode fowre swordes and vpon
at Tiborne and Wapping in the Wose beside London A Commotion was made by the Commons of Cornevvall who vnder the leading of Iames Tuchet of Audley Lord of Audley with Michael Ioseph a Horse Farrer or Blacksmith of Bodman and other came to Blacke heath where the King mette with them and discomfited the Rebelles taking their Captaines and there were slaine of the Rebelles about thrée hundred and a thousand and fiue hundred of them taken the King gaue to them that tooke them their goodes The Lord Audley was beheaded on the Tower hyll and the Blacke Smith and Flamoke a Lawier were hanged headed and quartered at Tiborne A Shoomakers sonne in Bishoppes gate stréete of London was hanged at Saint Thomas Watrings on Shroue Tuesdaie for naming himselfe to be Edward Earle of VVarwicke Sonne to George Duke of Clarence which Edward Earle of VVarvvicke was then and had béene all the raigne of this King kept secret prisoner in the Tower of London The aforenamed Perkin Werbeck that named himselfe King Edwardes Sonne and Iohn a Water Maior of Corfe were executed at Tiborne In the raigne of King Henrie the eight of famous memorie EDward Duke of Buckingham was accused of high treason for which he was apprehended and sent to the Tower of London on the sixtéenth day of Aprill before which time the Dukes Chauncellour was taken who had confessed matter of high treason concerning the Kinges person Shortlie after the Duke was arraigned at VVestminster where were brought against him as witnesses Sir Gilbert Perke his Chauncellour Iohn de la Court his Confessour Charles Kneuet Esquier and a Monke Priour of Henton In the end he was found guiltie and had iudgement to be drawne hanged and quartered so on the seuenth day of Maie following the saide Edward Duke of Buckingham Earle of Hereford Stafford and Northhampton was beheaded on the Tower hyll such is the ende of ambition the credite of false Prophecies and of euill life In December at the Cittie of Couentrie Frauncis Phillip Schoolemaister to the Kinges Henxmen Christopher Pickering Clarke of the Kinges Larder and Anthonie Manuile Gentleman intended to haue taken the Kinges Treasure of his Subsedie as the Collectours of the same came towardes London and therewith they intended to haue raysed men and to haue taken the Castell of Killingvvoorth and then to haue made battaile against the King for the which they were drawne hanged and quartered at Tiborne the eleuenth of February the rest of their conspiracie were executed at Couentrie Elizabeth Barton the holie Maide of Kent and diuerse other of her faction were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne there hanged and headed c. for sundrie conspiracies by them committed in the matter of diuorce betwéene the Kinges Maiestie and Quéene Katherine The nine and twentie day of Aprill the Priour of the Charterhouse at London the Priour of Beuall the Priour of Exham Reinoldes a Brother of Sion Iohn Haile Uicare of Thistlewoorth were all condemned of high treason so the fourth day of Maie following they were drawne hanged and quartered at Tiborne their heads and quarters set on the Gates of the Cittie all sauing one quarter which was set on the Charterhouse at London The eightéene day of Iune thrée Monkes of the Charterhouse at London named Exmewe Middlemore and Nidigate were drawne to Tiborne and there hanged and quartered for treason The two and twentie day of Iune Doctor Iohn Fisher was beheaded on the Tower hyll and his head was set on London Bridge and the sixt of Iulie following Sir Thomas More was beheaded on the Tower hyll for denying the Kinges supremacie Thomas Fitz-garret Sonne and heyre to the Earle of Kildare was beheaded fiue of his Unckles were drawne to Tiborne and there hanged and quartered for treason In the same Moneth which was Februarie Nicholas Musgraue Thomas Gylbie and other stirred a new rebellion and besieged the Cittie of Carlile from whence they were driuen and many of them taken and put to death Also the same moneth Sir Frauncis Bigot Sir Robert Constable and other began a conspiracie and for the same were attainted The nine and twenty day of March twelue men of Lincolne were drawne to Tiborne there hanged and quartered for the rebellion in Lincolneshiere fiue were Priestes and seuen were Lay men one was an Abbot a Suffragan Doctour Mackerell an other was the Uicar of Louthe in Lincolneshiere and two Priests In Aprill through certaine Commissions sent into Sommersetshiere to take vp Corne the people began to make an iusurrection which was by Maister Pawlet and others alayed the beginners thereof to the number of thrée score were condemned whereof fouretéene were hanged and quartered one of them was a woman Frier Forrest was hanged by the middle in a chaine of yron and then burnt in Smithféeld for denying the King to be supreame head of the Church and with him was burnt the Image of Daruel Gatherine of Wales Hugh Ferringdon Abbot of Reading and two Priests named Ruge and Onion for denying the Kinges supremacie were hanged and quartered at Reading the same day was the Abbot of Glastenburie Richard Whitting hanged and quartered on Torre hill beside his Monasterie for the same cause Thomas Lord Cromwell Earle of Essex being in the Councell Chamber was suddenlie apprehended and committed to the Tower of London the nine and twentie day of Iulie following he was attainted by Parliament of heresie and treason and the eight and twentie day of Iulie he was beheaded on the Tower hill with the Lord Walter Hungerford of Heitisburie Rober Barnes Thomas Gerrard and William Ierome Priestes were burnt in Smithféed and the same day Thomas Abel Edward Powel and Richard Fetherstone were hanged and quartered for denying the Kinges supremacie Laurance Cooke a Priour of Dancalfe William Horne a lay Brother of the Charterhouse Giles Horne Gentleman Clement Philpot Edmond Bromham Darby Kenham Robert Bird and Iaruis Carrowe were all put to death for treason In Aprill certaine persons beganne a new rebellion in Yorkeshiere who were shortly after taken and put to execution in diuers places of which Leigh a Gentleman Tatarsal a Clothyer and Thorneton a Yeoman were put to death at London Sir Iohn Neuell Knight and ten persons more were put to death at Yorke The Lord Leonard Grey being endighted of certaine points of treason by him committed and was alleadged against him was arraigned at Westminster but he discharged the Iurie and confessed the endightment wherevppon he had iudgement and was beheaded on the Tower hyll on Saint Peters euen The first day of Iulie a Welch minstrell was hanged and quartered for singing of Songs which were interpreted to be prophecying against the King Germaine Gardner and Larke Parson of Chelsea were executed at Tiborne for denying the Kinges supremacie with them was executed for other offences one Singleton and
Norvvich Gentleman who stoode mute at his arraignement but at the gallowes confessed himselfe to be the chéefe conspiratour and that none had deserued to die but he for that he had procured them With him was executed Thomas Brooke of Rolsebie Gentleman the thirtie day of August and George Redman of Cringlefoord Gentleman was likewise executed the second day of September The eight day of August Iohn Felton who before had béen condemned in the Guild Hall of London for hanging a Bull at the gate of the Bishoppe of Londons Pallace was drawne from Newgate into Paules Churchyarde and there hanged on a gallowes newe set vp that morning before the Bishops Pallace gate and being cut downe aliue he was bowelled and quartered The first day of Iune Iohn Storie a Doctor of the Cannon Lawe who had béene a great persecutour of Gods flocke in the raigne of Quéene Marie hauing béene before condenmed of high treason was drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne and there hanged bowelled and quartered his head set on London Bridge and his quarters on the gates of the Cittie The eleuenth day of Februarie Kenelme Barney and Edward Mather were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne and Henrie Rolfe from the Marshalsea in Southwarke to the same place of execution where they were all thrée hanged bowelled and quartered for treason Barney and Mather for conspiracie and Rolfe for counterfeiting the Quéenes Maiesties hand The sixtéenth of Ianuarie the Lord Thomas Haward Duke of Norfolke was arraigned in VVestminster Hall before George Lord Talbot Earle of Shrewesburie high Steward of England for that day and there by his Péeres found guilty of high treason and had iudgement accordinglie So on the second day of Iune following in the morning betwéene the houres of seuen and eight the said Thomas Haward Duke of Norfolke was beheaded on a Scaffolde set vp on the Tower hill The two and twentie day of August Thomas Percie Earle of Northumberland late of Topcliffe who had béene before attainted by Parliament of high treason as being one of the principall conspiratours in the late rebellion in the North and now brought out of Scotland whether he had fledde was beheaded at Yorke about two of the clocke in the after noone on a newe Scaffolde set vp for that purpose in the Market place The eight and twentie day of Nouember Iohn Hall Gentleman and Oswalde Wilkinson late of Yorke and Gaoler of Yorke Castell being before arraigned and condemned of high treason were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne and there hanged bowelled and quartered The sixtéene day of Iune Thomas Woodhouse a Priest of Lincolneshiere who had béen long prisoner in the Fléet was arraigned in the Guild hall of London and there condemned of high treason who had iudgement to be hanged and quartered and was executed at Tiborne the ninetéene day of Iune Cuthbert Mayne being condemned of high treason the thirtie day of Nouember was drawne hanged and quartered at Lawnceston in the prouince of Cornewall The third day of Februarie earlie in the morning Iohn Nelson being condemned of high treason against her Maiestie was drawne from Newgate to Tiborne and there hanged bowelled and quartered The seuentéene day of Februarie one named Thomas Sherwood hauing béen before condemned of high treason was drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne and was there hanged bowelled and quartered William Lacie and one Kirkman a Priest being condemned of high treason were drawne hanged and quartered at Yorke Euerard Haunse alias Ducket an obstinate and a wicked Traitour hauing béene condemned of high treason was drawne from Newgate to Tiborne and there hanged and quartered according to his iudgement The first day of December Edmund Campion Iesuite Ralphe Sherwin Alexander Briant Seminarie Priests were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne where they were hanged and afterward were bowelled and quartered for high treason On Monday the eight and twentie day of Maie Thomas Foord Iohn Shert and Robert Iohnson Priests who were copartners with Campion in his traiterous enterprises were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne where they were hanged bowelled and quartered for high treason On wednesday following being the thirtie day of May Luke Kirbie William Filbie Thomas Cottam and Lauraunce Richardson who were likewise of Campions confederacie were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne and there hanged bowelled and quartered for high treason Iohn Slade and Iohn Bodye two obstinate and notorious Traitours being condemned of high treason Iohn Slade was drawne hanged and quartered at VVinchester on Wednesdaye being the third daye of October and Iohn Bodye executed in like manner at Andouer on the Saturdaye following Edward Arden Esquier being condemned of high treason was drawne from Newgate into Smithfield where he was hanged bowelled and quartered And Iohn Sommeruile who should haue béene executed with him being condemned for the same offence destroyed himselfe in Newgate the day before William Carter a Stationer by Occupation for printing of traiterous Bookes and other notorious offences was drawne from Newgate to Tiborne where he was hanged bowelled and quartered On Wednesday being the twelfth day of February Haddocke Fenne Hemerfoord Munden and Nutter were all fiue drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne where they were hanged bowelled quartered for high treason Fraunces Throckmorton Esquier for diuers traiterous practises attempted against the Quéenes Maiestie was arraigned and condemned in the Guild hall of London and afterward on the tenth day of Iulie he was drawne from the Sessions house in London to Tiborne where he was hanged bowelled and quartered Héere maiest thou O England as in a Glasse behold the successe of treason from time to time by these so many and sundrie examples héere offered vnto thée whereof full many remaine freshe and quicke in remembrance thou maist discerne how God who placeth Kinges and Princes in their seates and Signories and by whose appointment they haue their ruling on earth dooth sharply chastise such wicked braunches as deale otherwise then beséemes them with their Princes and Gouernours Be their mindes neuer so hautie be their deuises neuer so subtill yea and let them worke neuer so closelie his eye discerneth them and séeing their secrete intentions is against them whome he hath annointed he bringeth them and their practises to open view that the world maye sée their vnduetifull dealing and by the punishment which he woorthelie imputeth to such offendours the rest may learne and dispose themselues to better gouernement But let me England come a lyttle néerer thée and order the matter so as thou mayst finde thy selfe touched in déede Perhappes thou wilt saye these thinges are doone and past and they were but a certaine fewe that thus haue offended and being iustly scourged for their misdemeanours they are now quite worne out of remembraunce in hope there remaineth none such
executed 1551. A Millers sonne fayning himselfe to be King Edward executed 1556. Foure Rebelles executed at Saint Edmundsburie 1557. The blessed protection of almighty God in preseruing the Lady Elizabeth in her manifold daungers and troubles The troubles of Lady Elizabeth in Queene Maries tyme. The historie of Lady Elizabeth Sir Richard Southwell Sir Edward Hastinges and Sir Thomas Cornwalles sent to fetch vp Lady Elizabeth The vnmannerlinesse of the Knights A straite Commission from the Queen to bring the Lady Elizabeth either quick or dead The gentlenesse of Queene Marie to send her horse Lytter to bring her Sister to trouble Lady Elizabeth taketh her iourney toward the Queene Lady Elizabeth brought vp to London Sir William Sentlowe cōmitted to the Tower Lady Elizabeth charged with Sir Thomas Wiats conspiracie Lady Elizabeth charged with the busines of Sir Peter Carew Lady Elizabeth threatned to goe to the Tower Lady Elizabeth purgeth her selfe to the Lordes Lady Elizabeths seruaunts remooued from her The Queenes men and women attendaunt vppon the Lady Elizabeth The hard dealing of a certaine Lord with the Lady Elizabeth The Earle of Sussex gentle to the Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth writeth to the Queene but it would not serue Lady Elizabeth sent to the Tower The wordes of Lady Elizabeth entring the Tower The christian prayer of Lady Elizabeth The Lord of Sussex speaketh for Lady Elizabeth The Bishop of Winchester enimie to Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth examined by the Bishop of Winchester The freendlie speech of the Earle of Arundel to Lady Elizabeth Sir Iames Acroft examined touching the Lady Elizabeth These were not the Officers of the Tower but such as went in white greene Lady Elizabeths seruaunts restrained from bringing her diet to the Tower Displeasure betweene the Lord Chamberlaine and the Lady Elizabeths men Lady Elizabeths wayting men in the Tower Variaunce betweene the Lord Chamberlaine Lady Elizabeths seruaunts Lady Elizabeth denied the lybertie of the Tower Lybertie graunted to Lady Elizabeth to walke in a garden Suspicious heads A young childe examined for bringing flowers to Lady Elizabeth The Constable of the Tower discharged of his Office and Sir Henrie Benifield with his cōpany placed about the Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth both in great feare and doubt of her lyfe Lady Elizabeth in doubt of Sir Henry Benifield Lady Elizabeths prayer Lady Elizabeth remooueth from the Tower to Woodstocke Lady Elizabeth secluded from her seruaunts Lady Elizabeth in dispayre of her selfe Lady Elizabeths Vsher talketh with the Lord of Tame The gentle heart of the Lord of Tame to Lady Elizabeth Tanquam ouis Like a sheepe to to the slaughter Lady Elizabeth honourablie receiued and beloued of the people The gentle entertainement of Lady Elizabeth at the Lord of Tames house Sir Henrie Benifield grudged at the gentle entertainement of Lady Elizabeth The rude and vngentle behauiour of Sir Henrie Benifield Lady Elizabeth commeth to Woodstocke The strait watch kept at Woodstocke A merie storie concerning the straite keeping of the Lady Elizabeth The straitnesse of Sir Henrie Benifield merily noted Lady Elizabeth with much adoo suffered to write to the Queene The cruell dealing of Sir Henrie Benifield to the Lady Elizabeth reproued The Letters of Lady Elizabeth carried to the Queene Doctor Owen Doctor Wendie Queene Maries Phisitions sent to Lady Elizabeth The popish Prelates repined against the Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth requested to submit her selfe to the Queene Councell of the Papists to marie the Lady Elizabeth to a Spaniard Wicked councell giuen against Lady Elizabeth Spaniardes more fauourable to Lady Elizabeth then some English men Lady Elizabeth in daunger of fyre Lady Elizabeth in daunger of kylling An other conspiracie of murder against Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth preserued by the Lordes prouidence from execution in the Tower Winchesters platforme ouerthrowne Verses written by Lady Elizabeth in the glasse windowe Lady Elizabeth not suffered to come to the Lord of Tames house Lady Elizabeth wisheth her selfe to be a Milke maide The Lord William Haward gentle and fauourable to Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth requested by Winchester to submit her selfe to the Queenes mercie Lady Elizabeth standeth to be tryed by the lawe Talke againe betweene Winchester and Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth denieth to confesse any fault doone to the Queene Lady Elizabeth sent for to the Queene Lady Elizabeth brought to the Queenes bed Chamber Talke betweene the Queene and Lady Elizabeth Small comfort at the Queens hand toward her Sister King Phillip thought to be a freend to Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth by Gods prouidence set at lybertie Sir Henrie Benifield discharged Mistresse Ashley sent to the Fleet. Three gentlewomen of Lady Elizabeths sent to the Tower Note the wonderfull working of the Lordes prouidence in sauing of Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth delyuered by the death of Stephen Gardiner How the Lord heere beganne to worke for Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth proclaymed Queene the same day that Queene Marie died The Lord make England thankefull to him for his great benefites Consideration of the hardnesse of the time then and the cruell dealing against Lady Elizabeth Consideration of the wonderfull patience of Lady Elizabeth Consideration of the present helpe of God at all times to Lady Elizabeth Rebelles executed at Durham 1570. Rebelles executed at Yorke Rebelles executed at Berwicke The Nortons executed Conspiracie in Norfolke Iohn Felton executed in Paules Churchyard in London 1571. Doctour Storie executed at Tyborne 1572. Kenelme Barney Edward Mather and Henry Rolfe executed for treason The Duke of Norfolke condemned for high treason and beheaded on the Tower hyll The Earle of Northumberland beheaded at Yorke for high treason Iohn Hall and Oswald Wilkinson executed 1573. Thomas Woodhouse executed 1574. Cuthbert Mayne executed 1577. Iohn Nelson executed Thomas Sherwood executed 1578. William Lacie Kirkman executed at Yorke Euerard Haunse executed Edmund Campion Ralphe Sherwin and Alexander Briant executed 1581. Thomas Foord Iohn Shert and Robert Iohnson executed Luke Kirbie William Filbie Thomas Cottā and Lauraunce Richardson 1582. Iohn Slade and Iohn Body executed Edward Arden executed in Smithfield 1583. William Carter executed Haddock Fenne Hemerfoord Nutter and Mūden executed Frances Throckmorton executed 1584. God sharply scourgeth al traitours who practise any euyll against their Prince England hath beene greatly endaungered by traiterous practises The cause of an euyll cut off the effect can take no place No greater enimies to the safetie of England then Papists The common speech of Traytours at theyr death It is the duety of euerie good subiect to haue a speciall care of the safety of his Prince The first conclusion of such as hold al the Popes doctrine to be true The second conclusion of such as expect theyr Golden day The third conclusion of such as would ouerthrow theys Countrey for theyr Idolatrous Religion The fourth conclusion of such as can not be wun to loue her Maiestie The fift conclusion of the property of papistry The sixt conclusion of such Papistes as
euerie sworde an Image of Copper hanging with many other Instrumentes beside he stoode on a high Scaffolde before Paules Crosse holding a sworde in his right hand and a Scepter in his left arrayed in a meruailous strange attire and after the Sermon was doone by Maister Lawe Bishoppe of Rochester he abiured all Articles belonging to the Arte of Necromancie or against the Faith Afterward these two were condemned of Treason Thomas South well died in the Tower of London but Roger Bolingbrooke was drawne from the Tower to Tiborne and there hanged and quartered Iohn Dauid seruaunt to William Catur an Armorer dwelling in Saint Dunstones Parishe in Fléetstréete appeached his Maister of Treason and a day being assigned for them to fight a Combate together in Smithféeld the Maister was there slaine by his saide seruaunt The Duke of Glocester being arrested by the Lord Beaumont high Cōstable the Duke of Buckingham the Duke of Sommerset other for speciall matters within few daies after he died with sorrow but two thirty of his principal seruauntes being sent to diuers prisons fiue of them were arraigned and condemned at London whose names were Sir Roger Chamberlain Knight Middleton Herbert and Arteyse Esquiers and Richard Nedham Gentleman all which fiue were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne and there hanged but they were let downe quicklie stript naked marked with a knife to be quartred and then a charter was shewed them for their liues but the Yeoman of the Crowne had their liuelode and the hangman had their cloathes Thomas Thany otherwise called Blew beard a Fuller was taken beside Canterburie for raysing a rebellion who afterward was hanged and quartered The Commons of Kent arose against the King hauing to their Captaine Iacke Cade who named himselfe Mortimer Couzin to the Duke of Yorke and of some he was called Iohn Amend all this Captaine and his company came to Blacke Heath and there kept the Féeld more then a moneth pilling and spoyling the Countrie round about At length the Kinges Proclamation going abroad against the Rebelles Iacke Cade was taken by a Gentleman of Kent named Alexander Eden in a Garden in Sussex there was he slaine at Hothféeld afterward brought in a Cart to London where he was quartered his head set on London Bridge and his quarters sent to diuers places in Kent eight men were executed at Canterburie for the same offence and in other Townes of Kent and Sussex was doone the lyke execution In the raygne of King Edward the fourth WAlter Walker a Grocer that dwelt in Chepe for certaine wordes that he spake touching King Edward was beheaded in Smithféeld on the twelfth day of March. Nicholas Faunt Mayor of Canterburie Spicing Quintin and other were hanged and headed at Canterburie for rebelling against King Edward the heads of Spicing and Quintin were set on Algate of London Thomas the Bastard Faulconbridge who tooke parte with the Rebelles in Kent against the King was taken at Southhampton and was beheaded at the Castell of Mildeham in Yorkeshiere his head was sent to London and there set on the Bridge Thomas Burdet an Esquier of Warwickeshiere sonne to Sir Nicholas Burdet for speaking of Treasonable wordes against the King was condemned of Treason drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne and there beheaded In the raigne of King Edward the fift TO set downe the troublesome accidentes happening in this Kinges raigne would require a verie large discourse growe to greater quantitie then the scope that I haue intended beside for that troubles did still follow one in an others necke both in his life time as also after his death by reason he left two Sonnes who were so young in yéeres as they could not take the gouernment vpon them I will therefore referre you to the Chronicles which at large will certifie you of that which I am loth héere to rehearse yet it shall not be a misse to report vnto you howe the King lying on his death bedde desired to pacifie and set in good agréement those that had long time béene heauie enimies especiallie the Lord Marques Dorset the Quéens Sonne by her first Husband and William the Lorde Hastinges a Noble man then Lord Chamberlaine and for his Highnesse would gladlie sée all enmitie ceased before he died he called them into his Chamber when lyfting himselfe vp and being vp helde with pillowes he vttered to them a woorthy Oration which Oration for that it sheweth notable examples to vnsteadie and wilfull heads and deliuereth good councell to all ingenerall I haue béene so bolde to insert it héere to shew the Princelie aduise of so noble a King as also to giue some light of the troubles in those dayes The Oration of the King which he spake lying on his death bedde MY Lordes my déere Kinsemen alyes in what plight I lie you sée and I féele by which the lesse while I looke to liue with you the more déepelie am I mooued to care in what case I leaue you for such as I leaue you such be my children like to finde you Which if they should as God forbid finde you at variaunce might hap to fall themselues at warre ere their discretion would serue to set you at peace Ye sée their youth of which I recken the onelie suretie to rest in your concorde for it suffiseth not that all you loue them if eche of you hate other if they were men your faithfulnesse happilie would suffise but childehoodde must be maintained by mens aucthoritie and slipper youth vnder-propped with elder councell which neither they can haue but ye giue it nor ye giue it if ye grée not For where eche laboureth to breake that the other maketh and for hatred of eche others person impugneth eche others councell there must it néeds be long ere any good conclusion goe forward And also while either partie laboureth to be chéefe flatterie shall haue more place then plaine and faithfull aduise of which must néedes ensue the euill bringing vp of the Prince whose minde in tender youth infected shall readilie fal to mischéefe riot and draw downe with his noble Realme to ruine but if Grace turne him to wisedome which if God send then they that by euill meanes before pleased him best shall after fall furthest out of fauour so that euer at length euill driftes drawe to naught and good plaine waies prosper Great variaunce hath there long béene betwéene you not alway for great causes sometime a thing right well intended our misse construction turneth vnto wurse or a small displeasure doone vs either our own affectiō or euill tongues agréeueth but this I wot well ye neuer had so great cause of hatred as ye haue of loue That we be all men that we be Christian men this shall I leaue for Preachers to tell ye and yet I wot nere whether any Preachers wordes ought more to mooue ye then his that
found with the Almightie who when all helpe of man and hope of recouerie was past stretched out his mightie protection and preserued her Highnes and placed her in this Princelie seate of rest and quietnesse wherin now she sitteth and long may she sit the Lord of his glorious mercie graunt we beséech him In which storie if I should set foorth at large and at full all the particulers and circumstaunces therevnto belonging and as iust occasion of the historie requireth besides the importunate length of the storie discoursed peraduenture it might mooue offence to some being yet aliue and trueth might gette me hatred Yet notwithstanding I intend by the grace of Christe therein to vse such breuitie and moderation as both may be to the glorie of God the discharge of the storie the profite of the Reader and hurt to none suppressing the names of some whome héere although I could receite yet I thought not to be more cruell in hurting their name then the Quéene hath béene mercifull in pardoning their liues Therefore now to enter into the discourse of this tragicall matter first héere is to be noted that Quéene Marie when she was first Quéen before she was crowned would goe no whether but would haue her by the hand and send for her to dinner and supper but after she was crowned she neuer dined nor supped with her but kept her aloofe from her c. After this it happened immediatly vpon the rising of Sir Thomas Wiat that the Ladie Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney were charged with false suspition of Sir Thomas Wiats rising Wherevpon Quéene Marie whether for that surmise or for what other cause I knowe not being offended with the Ladie Elizabeth her Sister at that time lying in her house at Ashridge the next daye after the rising of Wiat sent to her thrée of her Counsaylours to wit Sir Richard Southwell Sir Edward Hastings then Maister of the Horse and Sir Thomas Cornewalles with their retinue and troupe of Horsemen to the number of two hundred and fiftie Who at their suddaine and vnprouided comming found her at the same time sore sicke in her bedde and verie weake féeble of body Whether when they came ascending vp to her Graces priuie Chamber they willed one of her Ladies whome they met to declare vnto her Grace that there were certaine come from the Court which had a message from the Quéene Her Grace hauing knowledge thereof was right glad of their comming howbeit being then verie sicke and the night farre spent which was at ten of the clock she requested them by the messenger that they would resort thither in the morning To this they aunswered and by the same messenger sent word againe that they must néedes sée her would so doo in what case so euer she were Wherat the Lady being agast went to shew her Grace their wordes but they hastilie following her came rushing as soone as she into her Graces chamber vnbidden At whose so sudden comming into her chamber her Grace being not a litle amazed saide vnto them Is the haste such that it might not haue pleased you to come to morrowe in the morning They made answer that they were right sorie to sée her in that case And I quoth she am not glad to sée you héere at this time of the night Whervnto they answered that they came from the Quéene to doo their message duety which was to this effect that the Quéenes pleasure was that she should be at London the seuenth day of that present month Wherevnto she saide Certes no creature more glad then I to come to her Maiestie being right sorie that I am not in case at this time to waite on her as you your selues doo sée and can well testifie In déed we sée it true quoth they that you doo say for which we are verie sorie Albeit we let you vnderstand that our Commission is such and so strayneth vs that we must néedes bring you with vs either quicke or dead Whereat she being amazed sorrowfullie saide that their Commission was verie sore but yet notwithstanding she hoped it to be otherwise not so straite Yes verelie said they Whervpon they called for two Phisitions Doctor Owen and Doctor Wendie and demaūded of them whether she might be remooued from thence with life or no. Whose aunswer and iudgement was that there was no impediment to their iudgement to the contrarie but that she might trauaile without daunger of life In conclusion they willed her to prepare against the morning at nine of the clocke to goe with them declaring that they had brought with them the Quéenes Litter for her After much talke the messengers declaring how there was no prolonging of times and daies so departed to their Chamber being entertained and chéered as appertained to their worshippes On the next morrowe at the time prescribed they had her foorth as she was verie faint and féeble and in such case that she was ready to swound thrée or foure times betwéene them What should I speake héere that cannot well be expressed What an heauie house there was to behold the vnreuerent and dolefull dealing of these men but especially the carefull feare and captiuity of their innocent Ladie and Mistresse Now to procéede in her iourney from Ashridge all sicke in a Litter she came to Redborne where she was garded all night From thence to S. Albones to Sir Ralphe Rowlets house where she taried that night both féeble in body and comfortles in minde From that place they passed to Maister Doddes house at Mymmes where also they remained that night and so from thence she came to Highgate where she being verie sicke taried that night and the next day During which time of her abode there came many Pursuiuants Messengers from the Court but for what purpose I cannot tell From that place she was conueied to the Court where by the way came to méete her many Gentlemen to accompany her Highnesse which were verie sorie to sée her in that case but especiallie a great multitude of people there were standing by the way who then flocking about her Litter lamented and bewailed greatlie her estate Now when she came to the Court her Grace was there straite waies shut vp and kept as close prisoner a fortnight which was till Palme Sundaie séeing neither King nor Quéene nor Lord nor fréend all that time but onelie then the Lord Chamberlaine Sir Iohn Gage the Uicechamberlaine who were attendaunt vnto the doores About which time Sir William Sentlowe was called before the Councel to whose charge was laide that he knew of Wiats rebellion Which he stoutlie denied protesting that he was a true man both to God and his Prince defying all Traitours and Rebelles but being straitly examined he was in conclusion committed to the Tower The Friday before Palme Sunday the Bishoppe of Winchester with ninetéene other of the Councel who shall be héere namelesse
beséech thée to heare me thy creature which am thy seruaunt and at thy commaundement trusting by thy grace euer so to remaine About which time it was spread abroade that her Grace should be carried from thence by this new iollie Captaine and his Soldiours but whether it could not be learned which was vnto her a great gréefe especiallie for that such a companie was appointed to her garde requesting rather to continue there still then to be led thence with such a sort of rascalles At last plaine aunswere was made by the Lord Shandoyes that there was no remedie but from thence she must néeds depart to the Manour of Woodstocke as he thought Being demaunded of her for what cause for that quoth he the Tower is like further to be furnished She being destrous to know what he meant thereby demaunded wherwith with such matter as the Quéene and the Councell were determined in that behalfe wherof he had no knowledge and so departed In conclusion on Trinitie Sunday being the ninetéene day of Maie she was remooued from the Tower the Lord Treasurer being then there for the lading of her Cartes and discharging the place of the same where Sir Henrie Benifield being appointed her Gaoler did receiue her with a company of rakehelles to garde her beside the Lord of Darbyes band wafting in the Countrie about for the Moone-shine in the water Unto whome at length came my Lord of Tame ioyned in Commission with the saide Sir Henrie for the safe guiding of her to prison and they together conueied her Grace to Woodstocke as héereafter followeth The first day they conducted her to Richmond where she continued all night being restrained of her owne men which were lodged in out Chambers and Sir Henrie Benifieldes Soldiours appointed in their roomes to giue attendaunce on her personne Whereat she being meruailouslie dismaied thinking verilie some secrete mischéefe to be working towardes her called her Gentleman Usher and desired him with the rest of his company to pray for her for this night quoth she I thinke to die Wherewith he being stricken to the heart saide God forbid that any such wickednesse should be pretended against your Grace So comforting her as well as he could at last he burst into teares went from her downe into the Court wher were walking the Lord of Tame and Sir Henry Benefield Then he cōming to the Lord of Tame who had proffered to him much fréendshippe desired to speake with him a word or two vnto whom he familiarlie said he should with all his heart Which when Sir Henrie standing by heard he asked what the matter was To whome the Gentleman Usher aunswered No great matter Sir saide he but to speake with my Lord a woord or two Then when the Lord of Tame came to him he spake on this wise My Lord quoth he you haue béene alwaies my good Lord and so I beséech you to remaine The cause why I come to you at this time is to desire your Honour fréendlie to declare to me whether any daunger is meant to my Mistresse this night or no that I and my poore fellowes may take such part as shall please God to appoint for certainlie we will rather die then she should secretlie and innocentlie miscarie Marie saide the Lord of Tame God forbidde that any such wicked purpose should be wrought and rather then it should be so I with my men are ready to die at her foote also And so praised be God they passed that dolefull night with no little heauinesse of heart Afterward passing ouer the water at Richmond going towards VVindsor her Grace espied certaine of her poore seruants stāding on the other side which were verie desirous to sée her Whome when she behelde turning to one of her men standing by she saide Yonder I sée certaine of my men goe to them and say these wordes from me Tanquam ouis So she passing forward to VVindsore was lodged there that night in the Deane of VVindsores house a place in déede more méet for a Priest then a Princesse And from thence her Grace was garded and brought the next night to Maister Dormers house where much people standing by the waie some presented to her one gift and some an other so that Sir Henrie was greatlie mooued therewith and troubled the poore people verie sore for shewing their louing hearts in such a manner calling them Rebels and Traitours with such like vile wordes Beside as he passed through the Uillages the Townsemen rang the Belles as being ioyfull of her comming thinking verilie it had béene otherwise then it was in déede as the sequell prooued after to the said poore men For immediatlie the said Sir Henrie hearing the same sent his Soldiours thether who apprehended some of the Ringers setting them in the stockes and otherwise vncourteouslie misusing othersome for their good willes On the next morrowe her Grace passing from Maister Dormers where for the time of her abode there was a straite watche kept came to the Lord of Tames house where she laie all that night being verie Princelie entertained both of Knightes and Ladies gentlemen and gentlewomen Whereat Sir Henrie Benifield grunted and was highlie offended saying vnto them That they could not tel what they did and were not able to aunswer their dooinges in that behalfe Letting them to vnderstand that she was the Quéenes Maiesties prisoner and no otherwise aduising them therefore to take héede and beware of afterclappes Wherevnto the Lord of Tame aunswered on this wise That he was well aduised of his dooinges being ioyned in Commission as well as he adding with warrant that her Grace might should in his house be merie The next day as she should take her iorney from Kichmond toward VVoodstocke the Lord of Tame with an other Gentleman being at the Tables playing and dropping vye Crownes the Lady Elizabeth passing by staied and saide she would sée the game plaide out which Sir Henrie Benifield would scarce permit The game running long about and they playing drop vye Crownes Come on sayth he I will tarie sayth she and will sée this game out After this Sir Henrie went vp into a Chamber where was appointed for her Grace a Chayre two Cushions and a foote Carpet very faire and Princelike wherein presumptuouslie he sate and called one Barwicke his man to pull off his Bootes Which as soone as it was knowne among the Ladies and Gentles euerie one mused thereat and laughed him to scorne obseruing his vndiscrete manners in that behalfe as they might verie wel When Supper was doon he called my Lord willed him that all the Ladies and gentlemen should withdraw them selues euerie one to his lodging meruailing much that he would permit there such a company considering so great a charge committed to him Sir Henry quoth my Lord content your selfe all shall be voided your men and all Nay my Soldiours quoth Sir Henrie shall watch all night The Lord
of Tame aunswered it shall not néede Well saide he néede or néede not they shall so doo mistrusting belike the company which God knoweth was without cause The next daie her Grace tooke her iourney from thence to Woodstocke where she was inclosed as before in the Tower of London the Soldiours garding and warding both within and without the walles euery day to the number of thrée score and in the night without the walles fortie during the time of her imprisonment there At length she had gardens appointed for her to walke in which was verie comfortable to her Grace but alwaies when she did recreate her selfe therein the doores were fast locked vp and in as straite manner as they were in the Tower being at least fiue or six lockes betwéene her lodging and her walkes Sir Henrie himself kéeping the keies and trusting no man therewith Wherevpon she called him her Gaoler and he knéeling downe desired her Grace not to call him so for he was appointed there to be one of her Officers From such Officers quoth she good Lord deliuer me And now by the way as digressing or rather refreshing the Reader if it be lawfull in so serious a storie to recite a matter incident and yet not impertinent to the same occasion héere mooueth or rather enforceth me to touch bréeflie what happened in the same place and time by a merie conceited man being then about her Grace Who noting the straite and straunge kéeping of his Lady Mistresse by the said Sir Henrie Benifield with so many locks doores with such watch and warde about her as was strange and wunderful espied a Goate in the warde where her Grace was and whether to refreshe her oppressed minde or to notifie her straite handling by Sir Henrie either els both he tooke it vppon his necke and followed her Grace therewith as she was going into her lodging Which when she sawe she asked him what he would doo with it willing to let it alone Unto whome the same partie aunswered No by saint Marie if it like your Grace will I not for I cannot tell whether he be one of the Quéenes fréendes or no I will carrie him to Sir Henrie Benifield God willing to knowe what he is So leauing her Grace he went with the Goate on his necke and carried it to Sir Henrie Benifield who when he sawe him comming with it asked him halfe angerlie what he had there Unto whome the partie aunswered saying Sir quoth he I cannot tell what he is I praie you examine him for I found him in the place where my Ladies Grace was walking what talke they haue had I cannot tell for I vnderstand him not but he should séeme to me to be some straunger and I thinke verilie a Welch man for he hath a white fréese coate on his backe And for so much as I being the Quéenes subiect and perceiuing the straite charge committed to you of her kéeping that no straunger should haue accesse vnto her without sufficient licence I haue héere found a stranger what he is I cannot tell in place where her Grace was walking and therfore for the necessarie discharge of my duety I thought it good to bring the saide straunger to you to examine as you sée cause and so he let him downe At which wordes Sir Henrie séemed much displeased and saide Well well you will neuer leaue this géere I sée and so they departed Now to returne to the matter from whence we haue digressed after her Grace had béene there a time she made sute to the Councell that she might be suffered to write to the Quéene which at last was permitted So that Sir Henrie brought her pen inke and paper and standing by her while she wrote which he straitlie obserued alwayes she being wearie he would carrie away her Letters and bring them againe when she called for them In the finishing therof he would haue béen messenger to the Quéene of the same whose request her Grace denied saying One of her owne men should carrie them and that she would neither trust him nor none of his therein Then he aunswering againe saide None of them durst be so bolde he trowed to carie her Letters being in that case Yes quoth she I am assured I haue none so dishonest that would denie my request in that behalfe but will be as willing to serue me now as before Well saide he my Commission is to the contrarie and I may not so suffer it Her Grace replying againe saide You charge me verie often with your Commission I praye God you may iustlie aunswere the cruell dealing you vse towardes me Then he knéeling downe desired her Grace to thinke and consider how he was a seruaunt and put in trust by the Quéene to serue her Maiestie protesting that if the case were hers he would as willinglie serue her Grace as nowe he did the Quéenes highnesse For the which his aunswer her Grace thanked him desiring of God that she might neuer haue néede of such seruauntes as he was declaring further to him that his dooinges towards her were not good nor aunswerable but more then all the fréends he had would stand by To whome Sir Henrie replied and saide That there was no remedie but his dooinges must be aunswered and so they should trusting to make good account thereof The cause which mooued her Grace so to saye was for that he would not permitte her Letters to be carried foure or fiue daies after the writing therof But in fine he was content to send for her gentleman from the Towne of Woodstocke demaunding of him whether he durst enterprise the carriage of her Graces Letters to the Quéene or no and he aunswered yea Sir that I dare and wil with all my hart Wherevpon Sir Henrie halfe against his stomacke tooke them vnto him Then about the eight day of Iune came downe Doctour Owen and Doctour Wendie sent by the Quéene to her Grace for that she was sicklie who ministring to her and letting her blood tarried there and attended on her Grace fiue or sixe dayes Then she being well amended they returned againe to the Court making their good report to the Quéene and the Councell of her Graces behauiour and humblenesse towardes the Quéenes Highnesse Which her Maiestie hearing tooke verie thankefullie but the Bishoppes therat repined looked blacke in the mouth and tolde the Quéene they meruailed that she submitted not her selfe to her Maiesties mercie considering that she had offended her Highnesse About this time her Grace was requested by a secrete fréend to submit her self to the Quéenes Maiestie which would be very well taken and to her Grace great quiet and commodity vnto whom she aunswered That she would neuer submitte her selfe to them whome she neuer offended For quoth she if I haue offended and am guiltie I then craue no mercie but the lawe which I am certaine quoth she I should haue had ere this
if it could be prooued by me For I knowe my selfe I thanke God to be out of the daunger thereof wishing that I were as cléere out of the perill of mine enimies and then I am assured I should not be so locked and bolted vp within walles doores as I am God giue them a better minde when it pleaseth him About this time was there a great consulting among the Bishoppes and gentlemen touching a mariage for her Grace which some of the Spaniardes wished to be with some Stranger that she might go out of the Realme with her portion some saying one thing and some an other A Lord who shall be heere namelesse being there at last saide That the King should neuer haue any quiet Common wealth in England vnlesse her head were stricken from her shoulders Wherevnto the Spaniardes aunswered saying God forbid that the King their Maister should haue that minde to consent to such a mischéefe This was the courteous aunswere of the Spaniards to the Englishe men speaking after that sort against their owne Country From that day the Spaniardes neuer left off their good perswasions to the King that the like honour he should neuer obtaine as he should in deliuering Lady Elizabethes Grace out of prison whereby at length she was happilie released from the same Héere is a plaine and euident example of the good clemencie and nature of the King and his Councellers towardes her Grace praised be God therefore who mooued their heartes therein Then héerevpon she was sent for shortlie after to come to Hampton Court But before her remoouing from VVoodstocke we will a little stay to declare in what dangers her life was during this time she there remained First thorowe fire which began to kindle betwéene the boordes and seeling vnder the Chamber where she laie whether by a sparke of fire gotten into a creuis or whether of purpose by some that meant her no good the Lord dooth knowe Neuerthelesse a woorshipfull Knight of Oxfordshiere which was there ioyned the same time with Sir Henrie Benifield in kéeping that Lady who then tooke vp the boordes and quenched the fire verilie supposed it to be doon of purpose Furthermore it is thought and also affirmed if it be true of one Paule Peny a kéeper of VVoodstocke a notorious Ruffian and a butcherlie wretch that was appointed to kill the Lady Elizabeth who both sawe the man being often in her sight and also knewe thereof An other time one of the priuie Chamber a great man about the Quéene and chéefe darling of Stephen Gardiner named Maister Iames Basset came to Blandenbridge a mile from UUoodstocke with twentie or thirtie priuie coates and sent for Sir Henrie Benifield to come and speake with him But as God would who disposed all thinges after the purpose of his owne will so it happened that a little before the saide Sir Henrie Benifield was sent for by a Poste to the Councell leauing straite worde behinde him with his brother that no man whatsoeuer he were though comming with a Bill of the Quéenes hand or any other warrant should haue accesse to her before his returne againe By reason whereof so it fell out that Sir Henrie Benifieldes brother comming to him at the Bridge would suffer him in no case to approch in who otherwise as it is supposed was appointed violentlie to murder the innocent Lady At what time likewise that the Lady Elizabeth was in the Tower a Writ came downe subscribed with certaine handes of the Councell for her execution which if it were certaine as it is reported Winchester do doubt was deuiser of that mischeuous drift And doubtlesse the same Achitophell had brought his impious purpose that day to passe had not the fatherlie prouidence of Almightie God who is alwaies stronger then the deuill styrred vp Maister Bridges Lieuetenaunt the same time of the Tower to come in haste to the Quéene to giue certificate therof and to know further her consent for her Sisters death Wherevppon it followed that all that deuise was disappointed and VVinchesters deuillishe platforme which he saide he had cast through the Lordes goodnesse came to no effect Where moreouer is to be noted that during the imprisonment of this Lady and Princesse one Maister Edmund Tremaine was on the Racke and Maister Smithwike and diuers other in the Tower were examined and diuers offers made them to accuse the guiltlesse Lady being in her captiuitie Howbeit all that notwitstanding no matter could be prooued by all examinations as she the same time lying at Woodstocke had certaine intelligence by the meanes of one Iohn Gayer who vnder a coullorable pretence of a Letter to Mistresse Cleue from her Father was let in and so gaue them secretlie to vnderstande of all this matter Wherevppon the Lady Elizabeth at her departing out from VVoodstocke wrote these Uerses with her Diamond in a glasse windowe Much suspected by me Nothing prooued can be Quod Elizabeth prisoner And thus much touching the troubles of Lady Elizabeth at VVoodstocke Wherevnto this is more to be added that during the same time the Lord of Tame had laboured to the Quéene and became suretie for her to haue her from vvoodstocke to his house and had obtained his graunt thereof wherevpon preparation was made accordinglie and all thinges ready in expectation of her comming But thorowe the procurement either of Sir Henry Benifield or by the dooing of vvinchester her mortall enimie Letters came ouer night to the contrarie whereby her iourney was staide Thus this woorthy Lady oppressed with continual sorrowe could not be permitted to haue recourse to any fréendes she had but still in the handes of her enimies was left desolate and vtterlie destitute of all that might refreshe a dolefull heart fraught full of terror and thraldome Wherevpon no meruaile if she hearing vpon a time out of her garden at vvoodstocke a certaine Milke maide singing pleasauntly wished her selfe to be a Milke maide as she was saying That her case was better and life more merier then hers was in that state as she was Now after these thinges thus declared to procéede further where we left before Sir Henrie Benifield and his Soldiors with the Lord of Tame and Sir Ralphe Chamberlaine garding and wayting vppon her The first night from vvoodstocke she came to Ricotte In which iourney such a mightie winde did blowe that her seruauntes were faine to holde downe her cloathes about her in so much that her Hood was twise or thrise blowne from her head Whervpon she desirous to returne to a gentlemans house there néere could not be suffered by Sir Henrie Benifield so to doo but was constrained vnder a hedge to trim her head as well as she could After this they iourneied the next night to Maister Dormers and so to Colbrooke where she laye all that night at the George And by the way comming to Colbrooke certaine of her Graces Gentlemen and Yeomen mette
her to the number of thrée score much to all their comfortes who had not séene her Grace of long season before notwithstanding they were commaunded in the Quéenes name immediatlie to depart the Towne to both their and her Graces no little heauines who could not be suffered once to speake with them So that night all her men were taken from her sauing her gentleman Usher three gentlewomen two Groomes and one of her Wardroppe the Soldiours watching and warding round about the house and she close shut vp within her prison The next day following her Grace entred Hampton Court on the backe side into the Princes lodging the doores being shut to her and she garded with Soldiours as before lay there a fortnight at the least or euer any had recourse vnto her At length came the Lord William Haward who meruailous honourablie vsed her Grace whereat she tooke much comfort and requested him to be a meane that she might speake with some of the Councell To whome not long after came the Bishop of vvinchester the Lord of Arundell the Lord of Shrewesburie and Secretarie Peter who with great humilitie humbled themselues to her Grace She againe likewise saluting them said My Lords quoth she I am glad to sée you for me thinkes I haue béen kept a great while from you desolately alone Wherefore I would desire you to be a meane to the King and Quéenes Maiesties that I may be deliuered from prison wherein I haue béene kept a long space as to you my Lordes it is not vnknowne When she had spoken Stephen Gardiner the Bishoppe of vvinchester knéeled downe and requested that she would submit herselfe to the Quéens Grace and in so dooing he had no doubt but her Maiestie would be good vnto her She making aunswer That rather then she would so doo she would lie in prison all the dayes of her life adding That she craued no mercie at her Maiesties hand but rather desired the lawe if euer she had offended her Maiestie in woord thought or déede And besides this in yéelding quoth she I should speake against my selfe and confesse my selfe to be an offendour which neuer was towards her Maiestie by occasion whereof the King and Quéene might euer héereafter conceiue of me an euill opinion And therefore I say my Lords it were better for me to lie in prison for the trueth then to be abroad and suspected of my Prince And so they departed promising to declare her message to the Quéene On the next day the Bishop of VVinchester came againe vnto her Grace and knéeling downe declared that the Quéene meruailed that she would so stoutlie vse her selfe not confessing to haue offended so that it should séeme the Quéenes Maiestie wrongfullie to haue imprisoned her Grace Nay quoth the Lady Elizabeth it pleaseth her to punish me as she thinketh good Well quoth Gardiner her Maiesty willeth me to tell you that you must tell an other tale ere that you be set at libertie Her Grace aunswered that she had as liefe be in prison with honestie and trueth as to be abroade suspected of her Maiestie and this that I haue saide I will saide she stand vnto for I will neuer belye my selfe VVinchester againe knéeled downe and said Then your Grace hath the vauntage of me and other of the Lordes for your so long and wrong imprisonment What vauntage I haue quoth she you know taking God to record I séeke no aduauntage at your hands for your so dealing with me but God forgiue you and me also With that the rest knéeled downe desiring her Grace that all might be forgotten and so departed she being fast locked vp againe A seuen-night after the Quéene sent for her Grace at ten a clocke in the night to speake with her for she had not séene her in two yéeres before Yet for all that she was amazed at the so sudden sending for thinking it had béene wurse for her then afterwardes it prooued and desired her gentlemen and gentlewomen to praye for her for that she could not tell whether euer she should sée them againe or no. At which time Sir Henrie Benifield with Mistresse Clarencius comming her Grace was brought into the garden vnto a stayres foote that went into the Quéenes lodging her Graces gentlewomen waiting on her her gentleman Usher and her Groomes going before with Torches where her gentlemen and gentlewomen being commaunded to staie all sauing one Woman Mistresse Clarencius conducted her to the Quéenes bed Chamber where her Maiestie was At the sight of whome her Grace knéeled downe desired God to preserue her Maiestie not mistrusting but that she should trie her selfe as true a subiect towardes her Maiestie as euer did any and desired her Maiestie euen so to iudge of her and saide that she should not finde her to the contrarie whatsoeuer report otherwise had gone of her To whome the Quéene aunswered You will not confesse your offence but stande stoutlie to your trueth I praie God it may so fall out If it dooth not quoth the Lady Elizabeth I request neither fauour nor pardon at your Maiesties handes Well saide the Quéene you still stiflie perseuer in your trueth belike you will not confesse but that you haue béene wrongfullie punished I must not saye so it it please your Maiestie quoth she to you Why then saide the Quéene belike you will to other No if it please your Maiestie quoth she I haue borne the burden and must beare it I humbly beséech your Maiestie to haue a good opinion of me and to thinke me to be your true Subiect not onelie from the beginning hitherto but for euer as long as lyfe lasteth And so they departed with verie fewe comfortable wordes of the Quéene in Englishe but what she saide in Spanishe God knoweth It is thought that King Phillip was there behinde a cloath and not séene and that he shewed himselfe a verie fréend in that matter c. Thus her Grace departing went to her lodging againe and the seuenight after was deliuered of Sir Henrie Benifield her Goaler as she tearmed him and his Soldiours and so her Grace being set at libertie from imprisonment went into the Country and had appointed to goe with her Sir Thomas Pope one of Quéene Maries Counsaylors and one of her gentlemen Ushers Maister Gage And thus straitlie was she looked too all Quéene Maries time and this is the discourse of her Highnesse imprisonment Then there came to Lamheyre Maister Ierningham and Maister Norris gentleman Usher Quéene Maries men who tooke away from her Grace Mistresse Ashley to the Fleete and three other of her gentlewomen to the Tower which was no little trouble to her Grace saying that she thought they would fetch away all at the end But God he praised shortlie after was fetched away Gardiner by occasion of whose oportune decease the life of this excellent Princesse the wealth of all England was preserued