a Jesuit William Cawley a Brewer Nicholas Love Son to Doctor Love of Winchester John Dixwel a Recruit to the Long Parliament Daniel Blagrave Daniel Broughton Edward Denby John Hutchison Francis Lossely Lord Munson James Challenor Sir Henry Mildmay Robert Wallop James Harrington and John Philips These were the pack of Hellhounds that were thought most fit to hunt after Royal-Blood as Indeed they were for such Monsters never Breathed before on Brittish-Soil Matters being brought to this pass on the 20 of January 1648. Bradshaw the President with about 70 of the aforesaid pack Guarded by Partizans came into Westminster-Hall and sate down in the Court whither the King was brought by Collonel Thomlinson and placed at the Bar by the Serjeant at Arms where a Crimson-Chair was set in which he sate down without moving his Hat or Regarding the Monsters yet the President stood up and declared why he was brought thither laying many Notorious Falsities to his charge and was seconded by Solicitor Cook but the King not to Impair his Kingly Character absolutely denyed the Jurisdiction of the Court and so Learnedly opposed the Illiterate Rout with Stupendious Arguments that they were beaten from all Defences and nothing to say but that they were well satisfied in their Power and that it was not for him to dispute their Jurisdiction as indeed it availed not for past doubt they Right or wrong had before-hand determined his Destruction and yet they convened his Majesty before them the day following and the next day as also on the 23 and still pressed him to answer the charge and own the Jurisdiction of the Court without permitting him though he earnestly desired it to give his reasons why he refused it nor to plead for the Liberty of his Subjects which most of all he insisted on but Adjourned the Court to the 27 when notwithstanding the Kings Learned Arguments and perswasions which they impatiently heard they passed Judgment upon him which after a long repetition of what had passed during the Tryal concluded in the words For all which Treasons and Crimes this Court doth adjudge that he meaning the King as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and Publick-Enemy shall be put to Death by severing his Head from his Body after which Bradshaw declared It was the Act and Resolution of the whole Court And thus they layed to his charge things that he knew not nor could be possible Guilty of for Kings are accountable to none but God nor can any man of Sence Imagine that Treason can be committed against a Subject by his Prince no Law allowing that it can descend but it must ever ascend Yet to the amazement of all Nations having carryed on their Villany to this height they proceeded further for on the 29 of January a Warrant was directed under the Hands of John Bradshaw Thomas Lord Gray of Grooby and Oliver Cromwell to Francis Hacker Collonel Hunks and Lieutenant Collonel Phray for the Execution of their wicked Sentence the place appointed for the Tragedy being before VVhitehall and the next day between the hours of ten in the Morning and five in the Afternoon to compleat the great wickedness But to amuse the People that every where detested against their Diabollical proceedings and to prevent any attempt that might be made to rescue his Majesty they caused it to be Rumoured that they would respite the Execution yet on the Fatal 30 of January in the Year aforesaid the Commissioners met and ordered four or five of their Canting Tub-Preachers to attend upon his Majesty at St. James's but he refused to have any conference with those Varlets In the Morning before his Majesty was brought thence Dr. Juxon Bishop of London officiated and read Divine Service when as the Second Lesson appointed to be Read for that day by the Church Calender happened to be the 27 Chap. of St. Matthew being the History of our Saviours passion which caused his Majesty to Thank the Doctor for chusing so fit a place of Scripture but being given to understand that it fell in course he was highly Animated then his Majesty received the Sacrament after which and some other Devotions ended he was conveyed to Whitehall through the Park by a Regiment of Foot but about his Person were a private Guard of Partizans the Bishop on the one hand and Collonel Thomlinson on the other when with a chearful voice he bid the Guard march faster saying That now he went before them to strive for a Heavenly Crown with less Solicitude then he had often Incouraged his Souldiers to Fight for an Earthly Diadem Being come to the Stairs of the long Gallery he passed through and coming in to an appartment appointed for him continued in fervent Prayer wondering at the delay but the reason was because the Scaffold was not Finished here he received a Letter from the Prince brought by Mr. Seymour and Dinner time came he refused to Dine only Eat a bit of Bread and Drank a Glass of Clarret About one of the Clock Collonel Hacker came with his Guard of Officers and brought his Majesty accompanyed with the Bishop and Collonel Thomlinson through the Banqueting-House and from thence upon the Scaffold a Bridge being made from one of the Windows to it round about which stood a Guard of 7 Regiments of Horse and Foot there placed to keep off his weeping Subjects from approaching to commiserate their dying Soveraign the Scaffold was hung with mourning and so Villanously were they bent on their wicked purpose that fearing his Majesty would not willingly submit to the Axe they had driven in Iron staples to force him to the Block with Cords O monstrous Barbarity of these Inhumane monsters His Majesty looking upon the Blcok and having asked Hacker whither there were none higher turned to Thomlinson and began his Speech wherein he declared His Innocence the unjust Incroachments of the Parliament upon his Perogative Royal and their begining the unnatural War against him yet Prays to God to forgive them all and all that had a hand in his Death advises them to restore the Church and Liberties of the People and the Crown to his Successor laying down the particular means and methods that would unavoidably conduce to the Nations happiness declaring till they were effectually observed the Nation would be miserable and Lastly that his Blood was causelesly shed and that he Dyed the Martyr of the People and then at the motion of Dr. Juxon declared his Religion saying That he Dyed a good Christian according to the Profession of the Church of England as he found it left to him by his Father of which this good man can bear me witness meaning Dr. Juxon then turning to the Officers said Sirs Excuse me for I have a good Cause and I have a Gracious God then turning to Hacker he said Take care they do not put me to pain after which he said to the Executioner I shall say but very short Prayers and when I thrust out my Hands
then he called to Dr. Juxon for his Night-Cap which he having put on said to the Doctor I have a Gracious God and a Good cause on my Side to which the Doctor answered There is but one Stage more this Stage is Turbulent and Troublesome it is a short one but you may consider it will soon carry you a very great way it will carry you from Earth to Heaven and there you will find a great deal of Cordial Joy and Comfort To which his Majesty replied I go from a Corruptible to an Incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be no disturbance in the World when as the Doctor again answered You are to Exâ—hange a Temporary for an Eternal Crown a good Exchange After this they asked if his Hair was well then he taking off his Cloak and George gave to the Doctor saying Remember which as many suppose was to give his George to the Prince then he put off his Doublet and bid the Executioner set the Block and bid him when he stretched out his Hands shewing him the manner to strike After that having said several Prayers and bidding the Executioner who was disguised with a Vizard-masque stay for the signe he meekly layed down his head and after a short space giving the Sign O horror and Eternal Infamy to his Murtherers had it struck off at one blow which bloody as it was was taken up and shewed to the People who in Groans and tears expressed their unfeigned Sorrow The Tragedy Finished his Body and Head were put into a Coffin covered with mourning Velvet and carryed to his House at St. James's where it was Embalmed and layed in a Leaden Coffin to be seen of such as resorted thither and after a Fortnights exposing delivered to four of his Servants who in a Hearse conveyed it to VVindsor themselves in mourning accompanying the Corps and placed it in the Danes-Hall all hung with mourning and Lights stuck round whither resorted the Duke of Lenox the Marquess of Hartford the Earl of Lindsey and the Marquess of Dorchester to pay their last Duty to their Royal-Master having received orders of Parliament for his Interment but were denyed by Whitchcot to Bury him in St. Georges Chappel by the form of the Common-Prayer-Book of the Church of England though they pleaded the consent of the Parliament thereto he alledging that the Parliament would not permit the use of what they had so solemnly abolished and so destroy their own Acts the Lords reply'd that there was a difference between destroying their own Act and dispencing with it and that no power so binds its own hands as to disable it self in some cases but the rigid Fanatick would not hearken to their reasons so that they were obliged to seek a place and at last found King Henry the Eight his Vault where t is conjectured his Body and that of his Wife the Lady Jane Seymore lies in Leaden Coffins there being Room for one more they Interred the King and upon his Coffin fixed in large Characters King Charles 1648 bedewing the Earth with Tears and Sighs but especially the Bishop for that he was not permitted to do his last Duty to his Royal Master Thus by Murthering hands fell this blessed Martyr but Heavens Vengeance was not slow in making it manifest how Sacred Kings lives ought to be held First it is observed that the first raisers of the Rebellion most of them died miserable some by Grievous Diseases some Beheaded and Hanged by their own Rebel Party and others lived miserably in Exile Oliver that Monster during his greatness was nightly terrified with dreadful Visions and in the day time continually in fear of his Life seldom Lying twice in a Room and ever haunted with an Evil Conscience till he was cut off in the Strength of his days and Transported to his proper place in a Whirl-wind and after his Majesties Restauration had his odious Corps together with Bradshaws and his Son Iretons taken out of their Graves and Hanged upon Tyburn their Heads set up at Westminster-Hall Pride Ewer Lord Gray of Grooby Danvers Malleverer Bourcher Purefoy Blackstone Constable Dean killed by a Shot Allen Peham Moor Allured Edwards Norton Venn Andrews Stapeley Horton Fry Hammond Pennington and Meyen all of them the Kings Judges Dyed miserably before his present Majesties Restauration Olivers Daughter Dyed Madd his Son Richard tumbled down as soon as set up and beset with Bayliffs for Debt these of the Kings Judges were condemned and Executed as Traytors since his Majestys Restauration viz. Harrison Carew Cook Peters Scot Clement Sâ—roop Jones Hacker Axtel Okey Corbet and Berkstead being Excluded the Act of Indemnity these following of the Kings Judges were Sentenced to Death as Traytors and kept in Prison to be Executed at the pleasure of the King viz. Wallen Heningham Martin Row Garland Smith Tichburn Fleetwood James Temple Peter Temple Waite Lilburn Millington Potter and Downs most of which since Dyed miserably in Prison those that Fled and came to miserable ends for the most part in Exile were these Wagan Lisle Say VValton VVhaly Ludlow Linsey Hewson Goffe Holland Challenor Cawlice Love Dixwell Braughton and Danby the following were such as upon humble submission and Recantation found mercy and only Fined Hutchison Lassels both Fined but VVilliam Lord Munson James Challenor Sir Henry Mildmay Robert VVallop Sir James Harrington and John Philips were deprived of their Estates and Sentenced to be drawn on Sledges to Tyburn with Ropes about their Necks like Traytors and then returned to the Tower where they were to continue Prisoners during their Natural Lives And thus Heavens Vengeance overtook the Regicides and brought those monsters to their deserved Punnishents who durst stretch out their Bloody and Trayterous hands to the sheding Innocent Blood of the Lords Anointed and that such or worse may be the Portion of all that shall hereafter dare to imagine the like is the hearty wish of the Authour FINIS Books sold by Daniel Brown at the Black Swan and Bible without Temple-Bar and Thomas Benskin in St. Brides Church-Yard A Prospect of Government in Europe and Civil Policy shewing the Antiquity Power Decay of Parliaments with other Historical and Political Observations relating thereunto By T. R. 8 vo price 1s No Protestant but Dissenters Plot discovered and defeated being an Answer to the late Writings of several Eminent Dissenters wherein their Designs against the Established Church of England and the unreasonableness of Seperation are more fully manifested By the Author of the second Part of the History of Seperation 8 vo The Forfeitures of Londons Charter or an Impartial Account of the several Seisures of the City Charter together with the means and methods that were used for the Recovery of the same with the causes by which it came Forfeited c. Price 6d The Third Edition of the Life Bloody Reign and Daath of Queen MARY In this Edition is added an Account of the most Remarkable Judgments of God on many of the Persecuters Price Bound 1s There is now Published the newest Collection of the choicest Songs as they are Sung at Court Theatre Musick-Schools Balls c. With Musick-Notes Price Bound 1s The Cause and Cure of Offences in a discourse on Matth. 18. vers 7. By R. 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firmly to establish his Successour in his Throne who sat uneasie whilst deposed Majesty was breathing who though in an abject condition yet wanted not those who were contriving to readvance him to his Throne yet he to render a better Construction of his actions than indeed they would bear not only published several Proclamations excusing what was done but sent his Ambassadours to the Courts of neighbouring Princes to give his reasons for taking upon him the Crown of England during the Life of the Rightful Heir and in Parliament the better to ingratiate himself passed an Act for restoring the Blood and Estates of such as had either suffered or were disinherited as Traytors during the Reign of King Richard yet gained he not so much love but that a conspiracy if so it may be termed in so rightful a cause was formed for restoring Richard to his Regal Dignity The chief contrivers of which were the Dukes of Exceter Surry and Amaurle the Earls of Huntington Kent Rutland Salisbury and the Lord Spencer late Earl of Glocester the Bishop of Carlile Sir Bernard Broukas Sir John Shevele the Abbot of Westminster and John Maudlin the counterfeit King Richard a person who had been his Chaplain and much resembled him both in Features and Lineaments with several others so that undertaking grew strong but how to seize upon Henry and his Son they knew not unless with a multitude and that not to be raised without suspicion so that it was concluded that it should be performed in Christmas Holydays then at hand under pretence of shows and pastime but the Morning before the Evening it should have been put in practice it was discovered to the King by the Duke of Amaurle as some report yet so narrowly the King escaped that he had scarce reached London before the Earls of Kent and Salisbury not knowing their design was discovered entered the Kings Lodging at Windsor with four hundred Armed Men supposing to have surprized him there But when they found the Bird was flown they were much grieved yet having dared thus far they resolved to proceed yet further and thereupon to increase their number gave out that King Richard was at liberty and in the midst of an Army of 100000 Men at Pomfret and that Henry and his Son were fled and then the better to confirm the belief of the People Maudlin the Chaplain personated Richard but the device answered not their expectation for in the end most of the Lords were taken and put to death as likewise Maudlin the counterfeit Richard the whole number that at that time fell a Sacrifice to Richard's cause were 19. Thus his friends being put to death his turn came next for jealous Henry could not imagine himself safe whilst Richard remained still in the Hearts of his Subjects therefore many Councils were held how to be rid of him so that at last it was concluded that he should be conveyed from the Tower to Pomfret Castle and committed to the hands of Bloody Ruffians who that he might die a death the least discernable as our Historians of most credit relate was there starved to death with cold and hunger being kept with insufferable torments fifteen days e're he died and as some say the more to aggravate his torments he had Victuals daily set before him but was not suffered to touch it or at most but so small a quantity as ratheâ— lingered out his misery than was any ways advantageous a death so cruel that even the barbarous Nations detest to inflict upon the worst of Malefactors and much more on a King Anointed and Viceroy of Heaven for no other fault than what he was prompted to by others who worked upon his tender nature being a King in himself disposed to mercy After he was dead his Body was brought up to London and in St. Pauls exposed to the view of the people and the better to colour so great an iniquity it was caused to be rumoured that upon notice of the execution of his friends he had pined away with grief but that he was starved to death agree Stow Walsingham Harding and other Historians of account though some there be that affirm he was slain by Sir Piers Exton after he had in resisting slain several of his Knights but if he had been brained or mortally wounded certain it is that he would never have been exposed to the view of the people nor could he have been put to death without Henries consent but inquiry would have been made into the cause of his death Therefore O Henry if thou wert Author or at least but privy to so Execrable a Murther though for thine own pretended safety and for that errors cause which is erroneously miscalled a reason of state thou art altogether inexcusable and surely he is not a man that hears of the Infamishment of this King and feels not a chilling horrour and conceives not detestation of such a bloody barbarity but Heaven was not slow in revenging the fall of this King for what was the Reign of his Successour but a continual trouble what Insurrections Rebellions Losses at Sea Plagues Tempests fearful Prodigies and all that can make a Nation miserable Famine excepted did not happen how many Plots and Conspiracies were layed against his Life by those that had advanced him to the Regal Dignity What fears and jealousies stuck as Thorns in his Crown and made ever uneasie what executions of the Nobility happened during his Reign even of those especially who had been instrumental in deposing Richard and no doubt counselling his death so that the English Earth never drank more noble Blood in so short a time he Reigning but 13. y. 6. m. 3. d. and left Issue Prince Henry afterwards King Thomas Duke of Clarence slain at Beaufort without Issue John Duke of Bedford who died without Issue and Humfry Duke of Glocester who was murthered in his Bed at Bury and two Daughters Blaunch and Philip Now as for his Eldest Son Henry the Fifth after his glorious Atchievements in France he died in the Flower of his Age not without suspicion of Poyson and Henry the Sixth Son to King Henry the Fifth and Grandson to Henry the Fourth and Prince Edward his Son and great Grand-child to the Fourth Henry were Murthered by that Monster of Mankind the Duke of Glocester afterwards Reigning by the name of Richard the Third And thus we may see how Sacred Kings Lives ought to be held when such Tragedies revenge their fall King Richard after he had been exposed to view for several days and the rueful spectacle moved many to compassionate his death was conveyed to Langly in Hartfordshire and there obscurely buried though King Henry the Fifth caused those Royal remains to be removed to Westminster and there Interred amongst his Ancestors Thus fell this unhappy King without Issue and thus his fall was revenged and now leaving him to slumber in his Grave we shall proceed to the next Tragedy which as it falls next in
the day and his own Life upon notice of which overthrow the Duke and Earl betook themselves again to Calais of which place the latter was Captain but were denied entrance by Vawclere his Lieutenant and thereupon went to the French Court where they were kindly received and within a while returning into England gathered so huge an Army that Edward was forced to fly the Land and his Queen to take Sanctuary whereupon King Henry was again restored to his Regal Dignity and Edward with all his adherents Proclaimed Traitors and in Parliament disinabled from Inheriting the Crown and it again Intailed on King Henry upon which Heart-breaking news Edward procures forces from the Duke of Burgundia who had Married his Sister and under pretence of Friendship enters England pretending to no more than his Dutchy of York framing Letters for his safe conduct under the Seal of the Earl of Northumberland but he no sooner entered but surprized that City whereupon Warwick and Clarence prepare to drive him thence but the latter was so wrought with under hand that he revolted to Edward and endeavored to perswade Warwick to do the like who generously answered to the Messenger go tell your Duke that I had rather be an Earl and always like my self than a false and perjured Duke and that e're my Oath shall be falsified as his apparently is I will lay down my Life at my Enemies Foot which I doubt not but shall be bought very dear and thereupon Marched towards London when at St. Albans he considered what was best to be done and finding that the Sword must decide it he advanced and at Barnet both Armies approached each other where in the spacious Field the Battle joyn'd on Easter day with such fury that the like had not been known and continued doubtful for a long time when as the day being overcast with mist hindering the Soldiers sight Warwicks Battalian took the Stars Imbroidered upon the Earl of Oxford's Mens Coats for his Son Edwards Body whereupon they let fly upon their friends which mistake caused the Earl to leave the fight his Men crying Treason Treason we are all betrayed which Warwick perceiving charged with fury upon the Enemy but entering too far was beaten down and slain though not without performing wonders sutable to his great Soul who had been Englands Make-King for many years before with him perished his Brother the Marquess of Montacute and a great number of smaller note as likewise the loss of the Battle on the side of the Lancastrians Son after this overthrow Queen Margaret and Prince Edward arrive at Weymouth and understanding the loss of the Battle of Barnet Field she went to Ceerue Abby whither the Lancastrian Nobility that escaped the slaughter came to her and with comfortable words put her in hopes of better success and immediately raised such forces as they could and joyned them to those they Queen had brought over from France but loth she was that the Prince her Son should hazard himself in the Battle and urged sundry persons but was over perswaded by the Lords whose preparations alarumed Edward so that gathering an Army he advanced towards them resolving to hinder the increase of the Queens power having first committed King Henry and the Archbishop of York to the Tower and at Teuxbury both Armies met where after a hot Encounter by the Treachery of the Lord Wenlock the Battle went with Edward which Treachery was rewarded with death the Duke of Somerset the Queens General beating his Brains out with his Battle-Ax In this Battle of the Lancastrian Nobility were slain John Lord Summert John Coventry Earl of Devonshire the Lord Wenlock in manner aforesaid several Knights and three thousand common Soldiers and on the other side not fewer Upon this defeat Proclamation was made for the Apprehending Prince Edward who was soon taken by that unworthy Knight Sir Robert Crofts and delivered to his most Capital Enemy the Duke of Somerset and others of Quality having taken Sanctuary were haled thence and beheaded Prince Edward not passing fourteen years of Age being brought before Edward had assumed the Soveraignty he beheld him with a stern Countenance and demanded how he durst with Banners displayed enter his Realm to which the young Prince with an undaunted Courage replied to recover my Fathers Kingdoms and most Rightful Inheritance possessed by his Father and Grandfather and immediately from him descending to me how darest thou then that art but his Subject take up Arms against thy King This Brave and Generous Answer so touched King Edward to the quick that he unmanly with his Gauntlet smote him on the Mouth when at the same instant the more villanous Duke of Glocester afterwards Usurper of the Crown by the name of Richard the Third together with his wicked Accomplices stabbed the Prince to death in Edwards presence Monsters unworthy of the name of Men but Heavens vengeance for this and other black crimes overtook the Actors The Prince after his being murthered was Buried in the Grey-Fryars at Tewksbury without any Ceremony and now Queen Margaret having taken Sanctuary was discovered and brought Prisoner to the Tower where she continued till her Father with a great Ransome to raise which he was forced to sell most of his Signeouries to the French King he redeemed her and now King Henry being Prisoner likewise and the Thorne that made Edwards Crown sit uneasie he resolves to be rid of him and therefore sent his Brother that Crook-backed Monster in the shape of a Man to dispatch him who pretending to discourse about his releasment stabbed the pious King to the Heart and eased him of this troublesome Life though perpetual horrour haunted the Actor of this black deed to his Grave After this cruel murther committed on the pious King his Body was for many days exposed to the view of the People ever bleeding afresh which raised at once pitty and detestation in the Spectators and then carried by Water to Chersie in Surry And thus fell this good King though not unrevenged for he lived to see the miserable ends of all such as had first broached the mutual War against him viz. Richard Duke of York the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick and afterward God was not slow to revenge his Royal Blood for within a while the Duke of Clarence King Edwards Brother was attainted of Treason and privately put to death in the Tower as some say drowned in a Butt of Malmsey King Edward himself continually infested with troubles through his unquiet Reign and People every where suffering through storms pestilence and Losses by Sea and Land after his Decease his two Sons murthered by their unnatural Uncle the Duke of Glocester and that Monster himself after a short Usurpation slain in Bosworth Field as in the sequel shall more at large be shown and thus I shall end with the death of this pious though unfortunate King who left no Issue his only Son being murthered as is before recited CHAP. V.
The Murther of Edward the Fifth and his Brother Richard Duke of York by the means of their Vncle the Duke of Glocester his Vsurpation and Death with various Examples of Gods vengeance upon those that were his Assistants in the Regicide Edward the Fourth having though for the most part reigned twenty two years one Moneth and five days deceased leaving his Nobility at variance though at his death they were seemingly reconciled and his two Sons both young and Glocester Protector of the Realm during Edward the Elders Minority but he having before Plotted the Acquirement of the Soveraignty resolved to work the destruction of his Nephews to his way to the Throne and therefore confederating with the Duke of Buckingham and other Lords of his Faction which with gifts and large promises he won to his Lure Whereupon his first attempt was to accuse the Lords of the Queens Blood with many things thereby to render them odious in the Eyes of the People and therewith a strong Guard went to meet the young King who at his Fathers death was at Ludlow under pretence of bringing him up to London to his Coronation when indeed he never intended he should wear the Diadem they having politickly perswaded the Queen from setting any guard about her Son that so they might the easier work their purposes and coming to Northampton where the Lord Rivers the Queens Brother and the Lord Richard her Son by Sir John Grey lay they with all seeming kindness received and imbraced them and seemed to study nothing more than the advancement of the King but Glocester Buckingham and others of the Faction having held a close Consult most part of the Night the next Morning they locked up the Inn setting a guard of their Servants whom they had privately sent for to secure it and others to secure the way from Northampton to Stony Stratford where the King lay that none should pass to bear the news of what had happened under a pretence only that they designed to be the first that would wait upon the King from that Town but Earl Rivers perceiving himself as it were a Prisoner and mistrusting some design against his Person went boldly to the Dukes who were in the same Inn and demanded the reason of such their proceedings upon which they began to pick a quarrel with him saying that he endeavoured to sow discord between the King and them to their utter confusion should it take effect but as he was about to excuse the false Accusation they committed him to Ward and taking Horse Rode to Stony Stratford where in the presence of the young King they after a feigned salutation and submission picked a quarrel with the Lord Grey the Kings other Brother by the Mothers side saying that he the Lord Rivers and Lord Marquess had Conspired their ruin and that the Marquess had taken the Kings Treasure out of the Tower and fitted out Ships to Sea which though they alledged as a crime against him yet themselves knew it was done for the good of the Nation and with the consent of the Council These Accusations the King excused saying as for his Uncle and his Brother present he durst ingage they had done nor meant no ill though the Marquess being absent he could not as yet tell what he might have done but this availed not for in the Kings presence they Arrested the Lord Richard Sir Thomas Vaughan and Sir Richard Hawit and brought the King and all his Train back to Northampton which unexpected news coming to the Queens Ear she immediately with her second Son the Duke of York took Sanctuary in Westminster and there in great heaviness attended the sequel and there had the great Seal delivered to her by the Arch-bishop of York which he afterward repenting sent privately for it again In the mean while Gloucester used many Arguments to perswade the King and those about him that all should be well and sent a dish of meat from his own Table to Earl Rivers with comfortable though dissembling words but in the end the Lord Rivers the Lord Richard Sir Thomas Vaughan were sent to divers Prisons and in conclusion all Beheaded at Pomfret by the command of Gloucester without Process of Law The next thing was to scandalize the Queen and to insinuate with the people that the Lord aforesaid intended to kill all of the Blood Royal to which purpose they shewed several pieces of Armour found in their Carriages saying it was designed for their destruction which many of the more easie sort believed though wise men knew that if they had so intended they would have had it on their backs but at last the King was brought to London and joyfully received by the Lord Mayor Aldermen Sheriffs and chief Citizens and thereupon a Council was called to consult of his Coronation in which Gloucester so cunningly dissembled his Intentions thâ—t he was made Protector of the Kings Person and Realm and so the Lamb was committed to the keeping of the Woolf and thus having got the King safe in the Tower nothing remained but possessing himself of the young Duke of York who was with the Queen in Sanctuary the which though much contrary to the will of the Queen he at last obtained and upon first sight took him in his Armes and gave him a Judas kiss Thus having secured himself of the Male Line of the House of York he began to pull off the Vizard that he so long had worn and began to place and displace the Kings attendants as he thought most advantagious for the carrying on of his design to all which Buckingham was privy and it was resolved between them that the Protector should be King and Buckingham upon these following considerations to assist him to grasp the Crown to his utmost power viz. That Gloucesters only Son should Marry his Daughter and that when he had attained his desire he should have quiet possession of the Earldome of Hereford with other Immunities and the better to carry on the designe two Counsels were appointed one in the Tower and the other in Bishopsgate-street the latter of which was composed of the Protectors own Creatures amongst whom was one Catesby a Lawyer in whom the Lord Hastings Lord Chamberlaine put such câ—nfidence that he doubted not but from him to have frequent Intelligence of all that passed but he deceived his expectation and instead of standing by him gave Council against his Life by incensing the Protector that whilst he lived he could not accomplish his design which so netled the Protector that though he loved the Lord Chamberlain yet rather than to be baulked in his purpose he resolved and the next day in Counsel he found occasion to pick a Quarrel with him upon pretence that the Queen and Shores Wife the late Kings Concubine had bewitched him the latter of which the Lord Chamberlaine for the great Love he bore her seeming to excuse as indeed she was no ways Guilty the Protector with a Sign given
condescending for the sake of Peace that his concessions were by the Rebels themselves Voted satisfactory which the Arch-Traytor Cromwell perceiving and finding that such a conclusion would hinder him from aspiring he Plotted with the Factious Army Officers to marr the whole proceedings by new modelling the Parliament and turning out such as were Inclinable to accord with his Majesty whereupon placing Guards about the Parliament-House after some conference with the Speaker Pride and Hewson sent in a Paper to the House of Commons Requiring the Impeached Members and Major-General Brown as Guilty of calling in Hammilton a Forged pretence to pick a Quarrel might be secured and brought to Justice and that the ninety and odd Members that refused to Vote against the Scotch Ingagement and all that Voted for recalling the four Votes of non Addresses to his Majesty and for a Personal Treaty and acquiescing Votes in his Majesties answer should be immediately suspended the House and that those that had done no such things should draw up their Protestations in Writing c. a brave way of making and unmaking Parliaments but the Paper being thrown out of the House with detestation whereupon all the Guards advanced and a strong Guard set at the House Door where Sir Hardress Waller and the Collonels Pride and Hewson lying purdue violently seized upon several Knights and Burgesses as they came out others they decoyed out under Sleeveless pretences and in the end seized upon debarred of Entrance and caused to decline coming no less then 200 forty one all which number were secured and kept Prisoners Hugh Peters being their Keeper who protesting against this force and Insolency done upon and against the Houses and priviledges of Parliament were released all except Major-General Brown who was kept Prisoner at St. James's Ireton bidding them at their departure look to it and see they Acted nothing against the present Parliament or Army Thus all things being brought and fitted to their purpose the King is taken from the Isle of Wight and carried to Hurst Castle a place very incommodious both for health and necessaries it standing in the Sea and no fresh water being to be had within three Miles from whence Harrison conveyed him to Winchester and so by several Journies to St. James's that insolent Traytor riding in the Coach with him and giving order to his Souldiers to beat such as pressed near either to see him or compassionate his Sufferings And now these Monsters resolving the Kings Death to make way for their greatness the offalls or fragments of a Parliament make an Ordinance whereby they took away and disanulled the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance and at the same time the Council of War forbid any State to be used towards his Majesty whose attendants were for the most part discharged and to compleat their Villanies and to appear in their proper colours an Ordinance was brought into the Commons House by Scot for the Tryal of the King so monsterous and wicked a proposal that no Age e're parallel'd which after some debate was approved of and sent to the Lords House who cast it out with detestation which so metled them that they presently passed a Vote asserting the Supream power to lie in the Commons and that whatsoever is Enacted or declared for Law by the House of Commons in Parliament hath the force of Law which passed without a Negative Voice so that it plainly appeared at whose beck they were And upon these Votes they made the Nest wherein they hatched the Monster called An Act for the Tryal the King c. which the 9 th of January 1648 was Proclaimed in Westminster-Hall by Serjeant Danby by the Beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet and notice given that the Commissioners of the pretended High-Court of Justice were to sit the next day and that all those that had any thing to say against Charles Stuart King of England might be heard The like was done in Cheapside and at the Royal-Exchange And thus they Proclaimed their Wickedness aloud the which however Masqued with specious pretences and was then heard by most with Horror and amazement The Bloody Villains that durst sit to Judge their Lawful King were as followeth whose Name and Memory are hateful to all Mankind Oliver Cromwell that Monster in Nature Henry Ireton John Bradshaw President and scandal to the Long-Robe who a little before had taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy but such Monsters no Oaths can bind Thomas Harrison a Butchers Son at New-Castle Underline in Stafford-shire John Carew John Cook Solicitor to the Court Hugh Peters that Scandal to the Clergy and Factious Bell-weather Thomas Scot a Brewers Clark Gregory Clement a broken Merchant Adrian Scroop the Stain of his Family John Jones a Serving-man Frances Hacker Daniel Axtil a mean Shop-Keeper in Bedford-shire Collonel Okey once a Stoaker in a Brew-House Miles Corbet John Bark stoad a sorry Goldsmith in the Strand Thomâ—s Pride sometimes a Dray-man Isaac Ewer Thomas Lord Gray of Grooby O Scandal and Shame of his Family Sir John Danvers Brother to the Loyal Earl of Danby Sir Thomas Maleverrer Sir John Bourcher a troublesome Independant Collonel Purefoy Governour of Coventry John Black stone a Shopkeeper in Newcastle Sir William Constable Governour of Gloucester Richard Dean General at Sea Francis Allen a Broken Goldsmith Peregrine Pelham Governour of Hull John Moor John Allured not long before a private Souldier but to fit him for this Villany made a Collonel Humphry Edwards a Member of the long Parliament Sir Gregory Norton a Pensioner to the King but now bought off to make one in the Execrable Villany John Ven a broaken Silk-man Thomas Andrews a Linnen-Draper Anthony Stapely Governour of Chichester Thomas Horton of mean and obscure Birth John Fry a Country Farmer and an Arian Heretick Thomas Hammond Prince Henry's Physitians Son Isaac Pennington twice Lord-Mayor of London twice Broke and a lasting Dishonour to the City Simon Meyen a recruit to the Long Parliament Sir Hardress Waller a poor Knight though after Inriched by the Spoils of his Maiesty William Heveningham Henry Martin a Lude and vicious Person and consequently the fitter for so wicked a purpose Owen Rowe a Silkman Augustine Garland a petty Fogger Henry Smith one of the Six Clarks in Chancery Robert Tichbourn a Linnen-Draper also Lord-Mayor of London George Fleetwood James Temple Thomas Wait of obscure Birth Peter Temple a Linnen-Draper Robert Lilburn Brother to John Lilburn the troubler of Israel Gilbert Millington Chairman to the Committee for Plundering the Clergy Vincent Potter of obscure Birth John Downs Thomas Wogan John Lisby William Say Valentine Walton Brother in Law to Cromwell Edward Whaly a Woollen-Draper Edmund Ludlow Son of a Traytor Sir Michael Livesey a poor Knight of Kent John Hewson first a Cobler then a Shoomaker William Goff a Salters Apprentice who run away from his Master and betook him to the Army Cornelius Holland a Serving-man Thomas Challenor by some Reputed
without opposition and took the Tower wherein the King was and were designed to murther him had not providence prevented it by his condescending to what they demanded though never so unreasonable and granting a pardon to all for what offences soever had been committed upon which a great part acknowledged the Kings Concessions satisfactory and so returned home yet their grand Captains keep their Armies on foot and still drew up unreasonable Petitions such as they knew the King could not with honour grant and hereupon they took a pretence of doing more mischief intending to have divided the Kingdom amongst Mechanicks every County to have had a King of the Commons as they termed it But e're they could bring their rebellious purpose to perfection it it was prevented for Sir William Walworth then Lord Mayor of London being with the King at a Treaty with Wat Tyler and hearing the Traitor speak irreverently of his Soveraign and offering to murther one of the Kings Knights for not shewing him such respect as he required he with his drawn Sword Arrested him as a Traitor in West-Smithfield and he refusing to yield some Lords coming in he was killed and had his head cut off and carried on a Spear out of the mouth of which he had before impiously protested that all the Laws of England should proceed At the fall of their grand Captain the Rebels were much grieved and being near twenty thousand strong resolved upon revenge but the young King spurring forward told them that he was and would be their Captain and that whatsoever they desired if it were lawful they should have which appeased and caused many of them to throw down their Arms and in the mean space the Lord Mayor having raised 1000 Citizens and brought them to confront the Rebels under his own Conduct that of Sir Robert Knowles and others whereupon the Rebels totally submitted to the King upon promise of pardon Whereupon the King sent to all his loving Subjects throughout England who were able to provide Horse and Arms to attend him on Black-Heath where they were mustered to the number of 40000 all on Horseback and well appointed and now the Rebels in Kent Essex and other Counties beginning again to raise tumults were dispersed by force and many of the principal Incendiaries put to death so that the Nation was reduced to its former obedience and quiet so that the King began to think of Marriage which Anno 1382. In the Month of January he effected with the Lady Anne Daughter to the Emperour Charles the Fourth and Sister to Winceslaus King of Bohemia and she Crown'd by William Courtney Son to the Earl of Devonshire and Bishop of Canterbury Upon which through the Negotiation of the Duke of Lancaster a Truce was concluded between the French and English from Christmas till Midsummer and the said Duke upon his return dispatched with an Army to revenge the injuries the Scots had put upon the English during the intestine broils but returned without effecting any thing memorable and upon his return he was accused by a Carmelite Friar and by Birth an Irish-man to have conspired the Kings Death to the truth of which the Friar Swore upon the Sacrament but the Dukes Interest in the King and his Council so overpowered the testimony of the Friar that it was not believed but on the contrary the Evidencer delivered over to the Lord John Holland who caused him cruelly to be put to death without Trial or Form of Law and afterwards dragged through the streets when at the same time the Lord Thomas of Woodstock afterwards made Duke of Glocester rushed into the presence Chamber swearing that he would kill any man alive the King not excepted that durst lay Treason to his Brothers charge which rash words were afterwards excused upon pretence of his Zeal to his Brothers honour though at the same time his duty to his Soveraign ought to have overballanced the other but the Duke of Lancaster's credit growing great with the Court Lords the King was forced to oblige him not knowing how to help it and therefore seeing him grow obstinate he the rather wished to be rid of him which he thought he could no better do than by furnishing him a Navy and an Army to Invade Castile which Kingdom he claimed in the Right of his Wife Constance Daughter to the late King where arriving he obtained several places of strength worsting the Spaniards every where When in the mean while the French under their young King resolving to revenge old injuries prepared an Army of 100000. Men to Invade England supposing it weakned by the remoteness of the Duke of Lancaster's Army but such was Gods providence that although they were imbarqued and several times attempted to put to Sea yet were they still driven back and detained by contrary winds even at such a time when the discontents amongst the Nobility made way for their Conquest for the King supposing himself rid at least for a time of his Uncle the turbulent Duke of Lancaster found his second Uncle Thomas Duke of Glocester no less troublesome who with the Lords of his Faction continually opposed the Kings proceedings even to the weakning the Kingdom denying in Parliament to grant him either Men or Money even when the French Army was daily expected to Land upon pretence that he had undeservedly created Michael Delâ— Pole Lord Chancellour Duke of Suffolk and Robert D' Vere Duke of Dublin in Ireland not being willing any should be advanced but of his own Faction which caused a Poet both learnedly and fellingly to Sing or rather Weep his Countries misery in the doleful strains I Sing the Civil Wars tumultuous Broils And Bloody Factions of a mighty Land Whose People haughty proud with foreign spoils Upon themselves now turn their Conquering Hand Whilst Kin their Kin Brother his Brother foils Like Ensigns all against like Ensigns band Bows against Bows a Crown against a Crown Whilst all pretending Right all Right threw down The Nation which had been formerly troubled with the Insurrection of the Plebeans was again troubled by the Faction of the Peers who stuck not to demand the removal and banishment of all such as were near and dear unto the King under pretence of evil Councillours When indeed their distast for the most part was founded upon private Animosities which when they perceived they could not effect by fair means they retired into the several Counties where their Lands were and where they were most popular and there raised such forces as they could get which in a short time in conjunction made an Army of Forty thousand men though in time of eminent danger they pretended no Forces considerable could be levyed With these forces they march towards London with an intent to force the King to accord to what they should propose although at that time Dela Pole the Duke of Ireland and Archbishop of York the Persons against whom they chiefly objected were banished the Kings presence The
Escutcheons the Armories of St. Edward the Confessor sometime King of England These proceedings for a time made fair weather but not long for a Feud arising between Henry Duke of Hereford and Thomas Duke of Glocester the latter accused the former of speaking several words to the dishonour of the King that King Richard held the Peers of England in no esteem but as much as in him lay sought to destroy them by banishing some and putting others to death That he never troubled his mind with considering how his Dominions were diminished through his carelesness and lastly that all things went to wrack as well in Peace as War Upon this it was ordered that the Accuser and the Accused should try the matter by Combate the latter stoutly denying he ever said any such words as were objected against him so that gages being delivered on both sides they entered the Lists but e're they encountered the King threw down his Warder and upon further consideration banished Norfolk for his Life and Hereford at first for ten years which after he reduced to six which some alleadged was a just Judgment on the former for being instrumental in putting the Duke of Glocester to death he being then Captain of Calais But now ruin and desolation being at hand Portents forerun it all the Bay-trees in England suddenly withered and within a while sprung out again fresh near Bedford the River between the Villages of Harleswood and Swelston where it is deepest drove back on either hand and for three Miles left its Channel dry with sundry other remarkable presages of what after happened To give way to which the King upon notice of his Cousin the Lord Mortimer's being slain by the Irish of Leinster who were up in Arms under their Leader Obrian he resolved to pass over in person to revenge his death and therefore to furnish his expedition he raised many of all hands and at the same time his Uncle the Duke of Lancaster dying he seized on his Inheritance without regard to his Son the Duke of Hereford who remained in Exile which the said Duke hearing was so throughly netled that not resolving to wait the expiration of his Banishment he taking the advantage of King Richard's absence resolves for England having upon notice of his Fathers decease taken upon him the Title of Duke of Lancaster and only accompanied with the banished Bishop of Canterbury and about twenty others when having taken Ship he for some time lay hovering on the Coast to understand how the People stood affected to him and the better to give his agents on shore time to work them to his purpose but upon notice that his Faction was strong he Landed only under pretence of recovering his Rightful Inheritance when as there repaired to him the Earl of Northumberland and his Son the Lord Henry his Son the Lord Nevil Earl of Westmorland and others as likewise a great number of the Country People offering him their Service so that within a short time he had formed a Puissant Army the news of which soon alarumed Edmund Duke of York the Kings Uncle who calling to his assistance Edmund Stafford Bishop of Chichester Lord Chancellour Lord Treasurer Earl of Wiltshire Bushy Bagot Green Russel and other Knights of the Kings Council to consult about raising forces to impeach the Dukes passage but their consultation came to nothing the Dukes Faction having so dealt with the common people that they every where refused to take up Arms against him Whereupon Sir John Bushy Lord Treasurer and Sir Henry Green betake themselves to Bristol Castle but it being stormed by the Lancastrians their Heads became a Sacrifice to popular fury but Bagot taking ship Sailed over to Ireland to acquaint the King with what had happened who thereupon making such peace as he could with the Irish he hastens over but before his arrival the Dukes Faction was swelled to such a torrent that there was no opposing it Whereupon the King having Cashiered his Army or they for the most part deserting him he retired to the Castle of Conway in North-Wales whither upon notice of his being there resorted to him the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Earl of Northumberland where after a long Parly the King perceiving no other conditions could be gained required that he and eight more whom he would name might have honourable allowance with the assurance of a quiet private Life that he in consideration thereof would make a resignation of his Crown which demand Northumberland swore should be observed and thereupon the King accompanied them to the Castle of Flint whither the Duke was come with a part of his Army and from thence after a short conference they removed to Chester where the King in consideration of many fair promises never performed put himself into the Dukes hands who conveyed him to London and there made sure of him in the Tower whither several of the Lancastrian Faction daily resorted to him to parly about the surrender of his Crown which at last he consented to do seeing no other Remedy to his Cousin the Duke of Lancaster and at the same time taking off his Signet he put it on the Dukes Finger and at the same time there being a Parliament called in King Richard's name the Arch-bishop of York and Bishop of Hereford were appointed his Procurators to declare what he had done nor was this sufficient for to make him odious to the People they exhibited thirty two Articles against him very scandalous and reproachful Whereupon Commissioners were nominated by the consent of the Houses to pronounce the Sentence of Deposition who were the Bishop of Asaph the Abbot of Glastenbury the Duke of Glocester the Lord Berkly and William Thyrring Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas the Form thus In the Name of God We John Bishop of St. Asaph John Abbot of Glastenbury c. Commissioners specially chosen by the Lords Spiritual of the Realm of England and Commons of the said Realm representing all the states of the said Realm sitting in place of Judgment do renounce all fealty to Richard of Burdeaux and him Depose from all Kingly Dignity c. Upon which the Duke of Lancaster rising from his Seat Crossed himself and then layed claim to the Crown in these words In the Name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster claim the Realm of England and Crown with all the appurtenances as coming by the Blood Royal from King Henry and by that Justice which God of his Grace hath sent me by the help of my Kinsfolks and Friends for the Recovery of the said Realm which was in point of perdition through default of Government and breach of Laws This said he was conducted by the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and York to the Royal Throne and there Seated and from thenceforth all Writs and Process Issued out in his Name Richard In the mean space remaining a Prisoner in the Tower and every day in danger of his Life which was often aimed at the more
opportunity to recover it The King seeing himself in danger resolves to oppose the torrent and therefore Arms and with a strong power marcheth towards Wales in whose Marches the Duke resided with his forces of which the Duke having notice and understanding the Kings power was such that he was no ways able to oppose them upon his feigned submission he so wrought upon the good nature of this pious and peaceful King that a peace was concluded and after some heats and accusations had passed between the Dukes of York and Somerset the former was swore to be true to the King and never more take up Arms but regarded his Oath no longer than it served for his purpose for joyning with the Earls of Warwick Salisbury and others of the Faction he again takes Arms and marches towards London and to oppose him the King does the like both Armies meeting at St. Albans a dreadful fight began which for a long time lasted doubtful but at last the Earl of Warwick with his Battalian breaking through a Garden fell in so furiously that the Kings party were put to the rout six hundred slain and amongst them the Duke of Somerset Earl of Northumberland Stafford Lord Clifford and others of Note Here the King received a slight wound in the Neck with an Arrow and was taken Prisoner though at the same time the Lords of the Faction pretended abundance of respect leading him to London and there procured a Parliament to be called in his name where they caused an Act of Indemnity to be passed and all things to be so ordered that they render their Faction pleasing to the multitude and now nothing remained but to depose the King and deprive him of Life but this they feared to do till their insinuations had spread wider and that they had got Prince Edward his Son into their hands for the King notwithstanding this adversity was extreamly beloved for his singular Piety and meekness nor did this suffice for in this Parliament the Duke of York got himself made Protector of England and its appurtenances a thing never heard of before unless in the Nonage of a King but his insolencies were such by Imprisoning and deposing the Kings best friends that he was soon divested of that power at the instance of the Queen and several Noble Lords well-wishers to the King These Intestine broils Incited the French and Scots to molest the Sea-port Towns and ways the remote parts of England upon news of which the King the better to revenge those injuries called an Assembly of the Peers at London whither the Duke of York Earls of Warwick and Salisbury were Summoned under the Kings Privy Seal and accordingly came but finding things not for their purpose they feigned a Plot against their Lives and so retired to their several Castles and places of strength without leave taken and there gathering forces upon a second Summons came in Hostile manner yet the good natured King so labored that a reconciliation or at least a seeming one on the part of the Yorkists was the result of that meeting but it continued not so long for upon a Quarrel between one of the Kings Servants and one of the Earl of Warwicks all was again in a combustion for the Earl of Warwick upon that occasion being Assaulted flies to Calais and there maintains himself by Piracy utterly disowning the King Supream Lord of that Place but being not long satisfied there he Sails over to the Assistance of the Duke of York and Earl of Salisbury who again had taken up Arms and Encamped near Ludlow bringing with him one Captain Andrew Trolop and a stout Band of Calesians whom all along he had perswaded that they were to fight in the Kings Quarrel but they finding it otherwise upon the Kings approach expressed their Loyalty by forsaking the Yorkists and coming over to the King who good natured Prince received them with all convenient expressions of kindness and Royal favour and Trolop their Captain being privy to all the Plots and Designs of the Yorkists Faction the Kings Enemies disperse the Duke of York with the Earl of Rutland his youngest Son into Ireland the Earl of March his Eldest Son and Heir together with the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury with much difficulty escape to Calais which place had King Henry timely fortified he had driven them all to great extremity yet the Parliament proceeded to Proclaim them and their Abetters Traitours and to attaint them of high Treason disabling them or their Heirs of ever inheriting their Titles or Possessions which made them again prepare to Invade England by stealth in their wonted Hypocrisy the better to win the multitude to side with them with deepest Oaths protesting they only sought the good and welfare of King Henry and the removal of evil Councillors sending many Writings abroad fraight with dissimulations to that purpose which wrought them much favour so that Landing in Kent and swearing to be true to King Henry especially the Earl of Warwick who swore it upon the Cross of the Cathedral of Canterbury they came forward to London still increasing in number which caused the King and Queen being no ways confident of the Citizens to remove to Northampton whither the Earls of March and Warwick hasted and notwithstanding their many fair pretences gave the King Battel overthrew his Army and taking him Prisoner brought him as it were in Triumph to London and although they held him Prisoner yet continued their dissembled kindness towards him with many feigned expressions of Obedience and Loyalty Upon news of this success the Duke of York hasts from Dublin in Ireland and pulling off the Mask he had so long vailed his design with layed claim in the Parliament then sitting to the Crown breaking open the Kings Lodgings and possessing himself thereof but the Parliament not approving his rashness he drew up his Pedigree in which he proposed himself to be the rightful Heir which was likewise opposed with many forcible Arguments yet so powerful was his Faction that he prevailed to be Proclaimed Heir apparent and again to enjoy the Title of Protector of England with a grant that Henry the Sixth should Reign only during his natural Life and that then the Crown should devolve on him and his Heirs as descended of the Masculine Line from Edward the Third but at this time the Queen being in the North gathering forces to release her Husband would by no means consent to this agreement which caused York to advance in order to oppose her but her forces consisting of near 18000 and his a far less number he contrary to the advice of his Council resolving to give Battel before his Son the Earl of March could joyn him the Battel was fought at Wakefield and therein himself the Lord Harington Sir Thomas Nevil Son to the Earl of Salisbury and almost all his Soldiers were slain so severe is the Almighty in punishing perjury and disloyalty to him and his Vice-gerents Kings Anointed