Anne married first to Edmund Earle of Stafford by whom she had Humphrey Duke of Buckingham secondly to William Bourchier Earle of Ewe by whom she had Henry Earle of Essex and Ioane married to Gylbert Lord Talbot and hâ—d issue by him a daughter who died young Of King Edwards daughters the eldest named Isabell was married at Windsor to Ingelram of Guysnes Lord of Coâ—cy Earle of Soysons and after Arch-duke of Austria created also by King Edward Earle of Bedford by whom she was mother of two daughters Mary married to Henry Duke of Barre and Philip married to Robert de Vere Earle of Oxford Duke of Ireland and Marquesse of Dublyn This Robert in the height of his fortunes forsooke his Lady Philip and married one Lancerona a Joyners daâ—ghter as was said which came with King Richard the seconds wife ouâ— of Bohemia and being for abusing the Kings eare driven out of the Land by the Lords he died at London in extreame poverty in the yeare 1392. Isabell his wives mother was buried in the Church of Friers Minorites neare Aldgate in London King Edwards second daughter Ioane was married by Proxie to Alphonsus King of Castile and Leonâ— but passing into Spaine died by the way and King Alphonsus met her instead of consummating his Espousall to solemnise her Funerall His third daughter Blanch died young His fourth named Mary was married to Iohn Montford Duke of Britaine His youngest named Margaret borne in Callice was the first wife of Iohn de Hastings Earle of Pembroke but died without issue Of his Personage and Conditions HE was of stature indifferent tall of sparkling eyes of a comely and manly countenance in his later time something bald and concerning his conditions no man was more gentle where there was submission where opposition no man more sterne He was a Prince no lesse of his passions then of his people for he was never so loving as to be fond nor ever so angry as to be inexorable but this must be understood of the time while he was a man for in his old age when he came to be a childe againe he was Prince of neither He was no lesse fortunate then valiant and his fortunatenes was the greater by a kind of Antiperistatis as comming betweene two unfortunate Princes Successour to one and Predecessour to another He was of so warlike a disposition that his very sports were warlike for no delights were so frequent with him as Justs and Tournaments To shew his devotion one example may be sufficient for when neither Cardinals nor Counsellours could move him to make peace with France a tempest from Heaven did it to which may be added that he never wanne great battell of which he wanne many but he presently gave the glory of it to God by publike Thanksgiving He out-lived the best wife and the best sonne that ever King had and to say the truth he out-lived the best of himselfe for his later years were not answerable to his former Of his Death and Buriall KING Edward besides his being old and worne with the labours of warre had other causes that hastened his end his griefe for the losse of so worthy a sonne dead but tenne moneths before his griefe for the losse of all benefit of his conquests in France of all which he had little now left but onely Callice and oppressed thus in body and minde he was drawing his last breath when his Concubine Alice Pierce packing away what she could catch even to the Rings of his fingers left him and by her example other of his attendants seaâ—sing on what they could come by shift away and all his Counsellours and others forsooke him when he most needed them leaving his Chamber quite empty which a poore Priest in the house seeing he approaches to the Kings Bed-side and finding him yet breathing cals upon him to remember his Saviour and to aske mercie for his offences which none about him before would doe but now moved by the voyce of this Priest he shewes all signes of contrition and at his last breath expresses the name of Jesus Thus died this victorious King at his Manor at Sheene now Richmond the one and twentieth day of Iune in the yeare 1377. in the sixty fourth yeare of his age having Raigned fifty yeares foure moneths and odde dayes His body was conveyed from Sheene by his foure sonnes and other Lords and solemnly interred within Westminster Church where he hath his Monument and whereit is said the sword he used in battell is yet to be seene being eight pound in weight and seven foote in length Of Men of Note in his time MArtiall men were never more plentifull then in this Kings Raigne whetâ—â—r it were that the Starres have an influence to produce such men at one time more then another or whether it were that Regis ad exemplâ—â— the Kings example made his subjects like himselfe or lastly that his continuall exercise of Armes put them as it were into a mould of fortitude The first of this kinde is worthily Edward the Blacke Prince and so worthily the first that Longe erit â— primo quisque secundus erit Next him is Henry Earle of Lancaster the Princes right hand in all his great atâ—â—â—evements then William the valiant Earle of Salisbury then Iohn Eure Ancestor to 〈◊〉 Lord Eures that now liveth then follow the Lord Iohn Chandos Sir Iames Audeâ—â— Sir Walter de Manny Sir Robert Knolls then Sir Iohn Hawkewood born in Essex who â—â—ough not much honoured at home having been a Taylour yet in forrain parts and â—â—ecially in Italy so famous that his Statue was erected in publike for a Monument 〈◊〉 testifie his valour to posterity And here must not be forgotten Venileâ—night â—night a Norfolke man who when the Scots and English were ready to give battell â— certaine stout Champion of great stature commonly called Tournboll comming 〈◊〉 of the Scots Army and challenging any English man to meete him in a single combate this Robert Venile accepteth the challenge and marching towards the Champion and meeting by the way a certaine blacke Mastiffe Dogge which waiâ—ed on the Champion he suddenly with his sword cut him off at the loynes and afterwards did more to the Champion himselfe cutting his head from off his shoulders And as there was this great plenty of Martiall men so there was no lesse plenty of learned men Iohn Baconthorpe borne in Norfolke a Carmelite Frier who wrote divers excellent Treatises in Divinity Nicholas Trivet born also in Norfolk a black Frier who wrote two Histories and a book of Annals Richard Stradley born in the Marches of Wales a Monk and a Divine who wrote divers excellent Treatises of the Scriptures William Herbert a Welshman and a Frier Minor who wrote many good Treatises in Divinity Tho. Walleis a Dominican Frier and a writer of many excellent books Iohn Eversden a Monk of Bury in Suffolk an Historiographer Walter Burley a Doctor of Divinity brought up in Martin Colledge in
in the North was raising a new army against whom King Edward upon the twelveth of March marched with his forces from London and by easie journeyes came to Pomfret Castle from whence the Lord Fitzwater was sent to guard the passage at Ferribridge to stop the Enemies approach that way King Henry likewise advanceth forward sending his power under the conduct of the Duke of Somerset the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Clifford whilest himselfe with his Queen and Sonne stay at Yorke The Lord Clifford very early on Palm sunday with a troop of Northern men fals upon those that guarded Fetribridge and defeated them with the slaughter of the Lord Fitzwater and the bastard of Salisbury The Earle of Warwicke hearing of this defeate comes posting to King Edwards Câ—mpe and in his presence killing his horse Proâ—ested his resolution to stand with him to the Death Upon â—his Resolution of the Earles the King made presently Proclamation that all who were afraid to sight should at their pleasure depart but to those that would stay he promised good reward adding withall that if any that stayed should after turn his back or flee then he that should kill him should have double pay After this he gave order to the Lord Fawconbridge and Sir Walter Blunt to leade on the Vawâ—rd who in their march about Dandingdale encountred with the Lord Clifford who formerly in cold blood had slaughtered the young Earle of Rutland and he being stricken into the throate with an arrow some say without a head and presently dying the Lord Nevill Sonne and heire of the Earle of Westmerland was also slaine with most of their companies and the rest put to flight The next day likewise the Duke of Norfolke being dangerously sick to whom that place was assigned Fâ—â—conbridge and Blunt continue the leading of the Vaunt-guard and on Palm-sunday by break of day they came to a plaine field between Towton Saxtoâ— from whence they made a full survey of king Henries Army and certified king Edward that the Enemy was threescore thousand strong where his Army was but forty thousand and six hundred whereupon a second Proclamation was made through the Campe that no quarter should be kept nor prisoner taken The Armies being both in sight the Lord Fauconbridge gave direction to the Archers upon a signall by him given to shoote every man a flight-arrow for that purpose provided and then to fall back three strides and stand The Northern men in the mean time plyed their bowes till all their sheaves were empty but their arrowes fell short of the Enemy by threescore yards and not onely did no hurt to the Enemy but did hurt to themselves for their arrows being spent and comming to hand-blows their own arrows sticking in the ground galled their shins and pierced their feet Ten houres the battell continued doubtfull till the Earle of Northumberland being slaine with the Lord Beaumont Gray Dacres and Wells Sir Iohn Nevill Andrew Tâ—ollop and many other knights and Esquires the Earles of Exeter and Somerset fled leaving the Conquest to King Edward but the bloodiest that ever England felt for there fell that day six and thirty thousand seven hundred threescore and sixteen persons no prisoner being taken but the Earle of Devonshire The battell ended K. Edward hastes to York where he caused the heads of his father and other friends to be taken down and buried with their bodies setting in their places the heads of the Earle of Devonshire and three other there at that time executed The Earle of Somerset acquainting King Henry with this overthrow perswades him with his Queen and Son to flie to Barwick where leaving the Duke of Somerset they flie further for succour to the King of Scots who comforteth them with promise of reliefe but maketh a sure bargaine for in lieu of a pension to be allowed King Henry during his abode there the Towne and Castle of Barwick were delivered to him Queen Margaret and her Sonne are sent into France who obtained of Lewis the Eleveâ—th her Cosin that all of King Edwards friends were prohibited Stay or Traffick in the French kings Dominions but all King Henries friends might live there freely After this king Edward comes to London and upon his entrance to the Tower makes foure and twenty knights and the next day foure more and upon the 28 day of Iune in the yeare 1461. he rode from the Tâ—wer to Westminster and was there Crowned in the Abby-Church Shortly after a Parliament is summoned which began at Westminster the fourth of November In which all Acts of king Henry the Sixth prejudiciall to king Edwards Title are repealed and therein Iohn Earle of Oxford a valiant and wise man he who in a former Parliament had disputed the question concerning the precedency of Temporall and Spirituall Barons a bold attempt in those dayes and by force of whose Arguments Judgement was given for the Lords Temporall with his Sonne Aubry de Veer Sir Thomas Tiddingham knight William Tyrrell Walter Montgomery Esquires were without answer convicted of Treason and beheaded And to encourage others to well-deserving king Edward at this time advanced many in honour his brother George he created Duke of Clarence his brother Richard Duke of Glocester Iohn Lord Nevill brother to the Earle of Warwicke he made first Viscount then Marquesse Montacuâ—e Henry Bourchier brother to the Archbishop of Canterbury is made Earle of Essex and William Lord Fauconbridge Earle of Kent And now their new honours are presently put into imploiment the Earls of Essex Kent accompaneid with the Lords Audeley and Clinton Sir Iohn Howard Sir Richard Walgrave and others to the number of ten thousand are appointed to scowre the Seas who landing in Britaine took the town of Conqueâ— and the Isle of Ree and then returned At this time Henry Duke of Somerset Ralph Percy and divers others came in and humbly submitted themselves to king Edwards mercy who protested his propension of freely pardoning them and as many other that would submit themselves as they did All this time King Henry was in Scotland and Queen Margaret in France where she obtained of the French King a company of five hundred men with whom she sayled towards Newcastle and landed at Tinmouth but suddenly againe returned and was herselfe by tempest beaten to Barwick but her company was driven on the shore before Bamburg Castle where they set their Ships on fire and fled to an Islâ—nd called Holy Island but were so assayled there by the bastard Ogle and Iohn Manners Esquâ—re that many of them were slaine and almost foure hundred taken prisoners onely their Coronell Peter Bressie hâ—ppened upon a Fisherman who brought him to â—â—â—wick to Queen Margaret and by her was made Captaine of the Castle of Alnewick which he with his French-men kept till they were rescâ—ed Shortly afterâ— Queen Margaret having gotten together a great company of Scots and other of her friends bringing her husband with her and leaving
Frontiers forraged the Bishoprick of Durham and at last besieged the castle of Norham whereof Richard Fox then Bishop of Durham was owner who thereupon sent presently to the Earle of Surrey acquainting him with this Invasion Whereupon the Earle taking with him Ralph Earle of Westmerland Thomas Lord Barnes Ralph Lord Nevill George Lord Strange and many other Lords and knights and an Army of little lesse then twenty thousand men besides a Navy whereof the Lord Brooke was Admirall set forward against the Scots and not only forced the Scots to raise their siege of Norham Castle but followed them also into Scotland where he overthrew and defaced the Castle at Cawdestraynes the Tower of Heâ—eâ—hall the Tower of Edington the Tower of Fulden and at last by composition tooke the strong Castle of Hayton and rased it to the ground At the Earles being at Hayton the King of Scots sent to him Marchemont and another Herald requiring him at his election either to fight with him with their whole Armies or else they two to fight in single combat upon condition that if the victory fell to the Scotish king the Earle should deliver for his Ransome the Towne of Barwick Whereunto the Earle made answer that the Town of Barwick was the King his Masters and therefore not for him to dispose of but for his offer of single combat he willingly accepted it and thought himselfe highly honored by such a match But King Iames of Scotland had no meaning to performe either one or other but privily in the night fled back into Scotland and then the Earle returned to Barwick In the meane time one Peter Hyalâ—s a man of great learning and policie was sent Ambassadour to the King of Scots from the King of Spaine to mediate a Peace between the two kings of of England and Scotland who finding the King of Scots conformable to his motion found after the King of England who was never averse from Peace upon honourable Conditions no lesse enclining to it and so a Truce was concluded for certaine yeeres upon conditition that Perkin Warbeck should be sent out of the Scotish Dominions About this time the Lord of Camphyre and others sent from Philip Archduke of Austria and Duke of Burgundy came to king Henry for a conclusion of Amity and to procure the English merchanâ—s resort againe to his Country for king Henry some time before upon displeasure with the Flemings but specially with the Lady Margaret for abetting Perkin Warbeck not onely had banished all Flemish wares and merchandizes out of his Dominions but had also restrained all English merchants from having any traffick in any of their Territories causing the Mart for all English commodities to be kept at Callice but now upon this invitation and having found it had been a great hinderance to his owne Merchant-adventurers and thereupon some insurrections had risen he willingly condiscended to their Request and so the English resorted againe into the Archdukes Dominions and were received into Antwerp with generall Procession so glad was that Towne of the Engglish-mens returne In this eleventh yeere of the Kings Reigne dyed Cicely Dutchesse of Yorke mother to king Edward the fourth at her Castle of Berkhamstead being of extreme age who had lived to see three Princes of her body Crowned and foure Murthered she was buried at Fâ—driâ—gâ—am by her Husband Shortly after the Truce concluded between England and Scotland Perkin Warbeck was commanded to depart out of the Scotish Dominions who thereupon with his wife and familie sayled into Ireland where understanding that the Cornish-men were ready to renue the warre againe he thought best not to let pâ—sse so faire an occasion and thereupon having with him foure small ships and not above six-score men he sailed into Cornwall and there landed in the moneth of September and came to a Town called Bodmyn where with faire words and large promises he so prevailed with the people that he had gotten to him above three thousand persons to take his part and then made Proclamations in the name of King Richard the Fourth as sonne to King Edward the Fourth and by the advice of his three Counsellors Iohn Heron a bankrupt Mercer Richard Skelton a Tailour and Iohn Astley a Scrivener determined to attempt first the winning of Exceter which with great violence he assaulted and the Townsmen with as great valiantnes defended whereof when the King heard he sent the Lord Dawbeny to their rescue but before he came the Lord Edward Courtney Earle of Devonshire and the valiant Lord William his sonne accompanied with Sir Edmund Carew Sir Thomas Trenchard Sir Courtneyâ— Sir Thomas Fulford Sir Iohn Halâ—well Sir Iohn Croker Walter Courtâ—ey Peter Edgecombe William St. Maure with others came to their ayde upon whose comming Perkin left the siege and retired to Taunton where he mustered his men as though he meant to prepare for battell but finding his number to be much diminished foâ— of six thousand which he had at Exceter many were fled from him when they saw no Great ones to take his part he began to distrust his case and heâ—â—ing withall that the king with a great Power was at hand about midnight with threescore horse-men in his company he departed in post from Taunton and tooke Sanctuary in a Town called Beauly neere to Southampton When king Henry heâ—rd that Perkin was fled he sent after him to the Sea-side to stop his passage and apprehend him But the messengers that were sent when they came to St. Michaels 〈◊〉 though they found not Perkin yet there they found his wife the Lady Katherine Gourdon whom they presently brought to the king a beautifull young Lady to whom in honour of her birth and commiseration of her beauty the king allowed a competent maintenance which she enjoyed during the kings life and mâ—ny yeeres after king Henry being come to Exceter stayed there a few dayes about examination of the Rebellion and execution of the chiefe Offendours of whom there being a great multitude and all of them craving pardon the king caused them all to be assembled in the Church-yard of St. Peter where they all appeared barâ—-headed in their shirts and halters about their necks whom the king viewing out of a window made for the purpose after he had paused a while made a speech unto them exhorting them to obedience and then in hope they would afterward be dutifull Subjects he pardoned them all whereat they made a great shout crying 〈◊〉 God save king Henry though some of them afterward like ungratefull wretches fell into new Rebellions All this whiâ—e Perkin was in Sanctuary and the King thinking himselfe in danger as long as he was in safety set a Guard about the place to keepe him for escaping whereby Perkin was so restrained that at last hee submitted himselfe to the kings mercy and was thereupon sent to the Tower to bâ— there in sâ—fe custodie This doâ—e king Henry appointed Thomas Lord Dâ—rcy Sir Amyâ—s Pawleâ— and Robert Sherbâ—â—â—â—
Hereupon the Lord Howard and his Company went to Rendre the Lord Willoughby to Gorschaâ—g and Sir William Sands with many other Captaines to Fontarely King Henry in the meane time hearing what the King of Spaines intention was senâ— his Herauld Windsor with Letters to the Army willing them to tarry thereâ—for that very shortly he meant to send them a new supply of Forces under the conduct of the Lord Herbert his Chamberlaine but this message so incenseâ— the Souldiers that in a great fury they had slaine the Lord Howard if he had â—oâ— yeelded presently to returne home who thereupon was forced to hire shippeâ—â— and in the beginning of December they landed in England being taught â—â—y this experience what trust is to be given to Spanish promises About the same time that the Marquesse went into Spaine Sir Edward Hâ—â—ard Lord Admirall of England with twenty great ships made forth towardâ— Brâ—ttaine where setting his men on land he burned and wasted divers Townâ— and Villages and being threatned by the Lords of Brittaine to be encountred to encourage his Gentlemen he made divers of them Knights as Sir Edwaâ—â— Brook brother to the L. Cobham Sir Grifâ—eth Downe Sir Thomas Windham Sir Thomas Lucy Sir Iohn Burdet Sir William Pirton Sir Henry Sherburne and Sir Stephen Bull. The Brittains were tenne thousand the English but five and twenty hundred yet the Brittaines not contented with this advantage of number would neâ—ds use policy besides for by the advice of an old experienced Captaine their Generall commanded his men that aâ—soone as Battels were joynedâ— they should retire a little meaning thereby to draw the English into some disadvantage but the common Souldiers not knowing their Generalls purpose and supposing he had seen some present danger instead of retyring tooke their heeles and fled so giving the English by their Brittish policy if not a Victory at least a safety to returne to their ships After which the Brittaines sued for truce and could not obtaine it for the English Admirall pursued his forraging the Countrey till fearing there were many French ships abroad at Sea he came and lay before the Isle of Wight King Henry in the meane time followed his pleasures and in Iune kept a solemne Just at Greenwich where he and Sir Charles Brandon took up all cummers and the King shewed himselfe no lesse a King at Arms then in Estate After this King Henry having prepared men and ships ready to go to Sea under the Governance of Sir Anthony Outâ—read Sir Edmund Ichingham William Sidney and divers other Gentlemen appointed them take the sea and to come before the Isle of Wight there to joyne with the Admirall which altogether made a Fleet of five and twenty faire ships and to Portesmouth he weâ—t himselfe to see them where he appointed Captaines for one of his chiefest ships called the Regent Sir Thomas Knevet master of his horse and Sir Iohn Carew of Devonshire and to another principall ship called the Soveraigne he appointed for Captaines Sir Charles Brandon and Sir Henry Guildford and then making them a bankeâ— sent them going The French King likewise had prepared a Navy of nine thirty ships in the Haven of Brest whereof the chief was a great Carrick called the Cordelyer pertaining to the Queen his wife These two Fleets met at the Bay of Brittaine and there entred a tirrible fight The Lord Admirall made with the great ship of Deepe and chased her Sir Charles Brandon and Sir Henry Guildford being in the Soveraigne made with the great Carrick of Brest and laid stemme to stemme to her but whether by negligence of the Master or by reason of the smoake from the Ordnance the Soveraigne was cast at the sterâ—e of the Carrick whereat the Frenchmen shoured for joy which Sir Thomas Knevet seeing suddenly he caused the Regent in which he was to make to the Carrick and to grapple with her a long boord and when they of the Carrick perceived they could not get a sunder they let slippe an Anchor and so with the streame the ships turned and the Carrick was on the Weather side and the Regent on the Lee side at which time a cruell fight passed between these two ships but in conclusion the Englishmen entred the Carrick which when a Gunner saw he desperately set fire on the Gunpowder as some say though others affirmed that Sir Anthonie Outhread following the Regent at the sterne bowged her in divers places and set her powder on fire but howsoever it chanced the Carrick and the Regent both were consumed by fire In the Carrick was Sir Piers Morgan and with him nine hundred men in the Regent were Sir Thomas Knevett and Sir Iohn Carew and with them seven hundred men all drowned and burnt King Henry to repaire the losse of the Regent caused a great ship to be made such a one as had never been seen in England and named it Henry Grace de Dieu Though King Henry had hitherto followed his pleasures as well agreeing with his youth and constitution yet he neglected not in the meane time severer studies for he frequented daily his Councell Table and no matter of importance was resolved on till he had heard it first maturely discussed as was now a War wiâ—h France which he would not enter into upon his owne head nor yet upon advise of his private Councell till he had it dâ—bâ—ted and concluded in Parliament whereupon he called his High Court of Parliament wherein it was resolved that himselfe in person with a Royall Army should invade France and towards the charges thereof an extraordinary Subsidy was willingly granted On May even this yeer Edmund de la Poole Earle of Suffolke was beheaded on the Tower Hill This was that Earle of Suffolke whom King Phillip Duke of Austria had delivered up into the hands of King Henry the seventh upon his promise that he would not put him to death which indeed he performed but his sonne King Henry the eight was not bound by that promise and by him he was and shortly after to bring another Lord in his place Sir Charles Brandon was created Viscount Lisle For all the great preparation for France King Henry forbore not his course of Revelling but kept his Christmas at Greenwich with divers cuâ—ious devises in most magnificent manner In March following the Kings Navy Royall to the number of two and forty ships was set forth under the conduct of Sir Edward Howard Lord Admirall accompanied with Sir Walter Deveraux Lord Ferrers Sir Wolston Browne Sir Edward Ichingham Sir Anthony Poynings Sir Iohn Walloppe Sir Thomas Windham Sir Stephen Bull William Fits Williams Arthur Plantagenet William Sidney esquires and divers other Gentlemen who sayling to Brittane came into Bertram Bay and there lay at Anchor in sight of the French Navie wherof one Prior Iohn was Admirall who keeping himselfe close in the Haven of Brest the English Admirall intended to assaile him in the Haven but because his ships were to
her and then desiring him further to have some consideration of her Servants On the eighth of Ianuary at Kimbolton she departed this life and was buried at Peterborough A woman of so vertuous a life and of so great obsequiousnesse to her husband that from her onely merit is grown a reputation to all Spanish wives Also the nine and twentieth of Ianuary this yeere Queene Anne was delivered of a childe before her time which was borne dead And now King Henry began to fall into thoâ—e great disorders which have been the blemish of his life and have made him be blotted out of the Catalogue of our best Princes for first in October this yeer he sent Dâ—ctor Lee and others to â—isit the Abbeys Priories and Nunneries in England who set at liberty all those Religious persons that would forsake their habit and all that were under thâ— age of foure and twenty yeers and in December following a survay was taken of all Chantries and the names of such as had the guift of them After which in a Parliament holden the fourth of February an Act was made which gave to the King all Religious houses with all their lands and goods that were of the value of three hundred marks a yeere and under the â—â—mber of which Houses was three hundred seventy and six the value of their lands yeerly above two and thirty thousand pounds their movable goods one hundred thousand the Religious persons put out of the same houses above ten thoâ—sand This yeere William Tindall was burnt at a Town in Flanders betweene Brussels and Mechlyn called Villefort for translating into English the New Testament and divers parts of the old who having beene long imprisoned was upon the Lord Cromwels writing for his Deliverance in all haste brought to the fire and burnt It was now the eight and twentieth yeere of King Henries Reigne when on Munday there were solemne Justs holden at Geeenwich from whence the King suddainely departed and came to Westminster whose suddaine departure stroke great amazement into many but to the Queene especially and not without cause for the next day the Lord Rochford her brother and Henry Norris were brought to the Tower of London prisoners whither also the same day at five a clock in the afternoone was brought Queene Anne her selfe by Sir Thomas Audeley Lord Chancelour the Duke of Norfolke Thomas Cromwell Secretary and Sir William Kingston Leivtenant of the Tower who at the Tower-gate fell on her knees before the said Lords beseeching God to help her as she was innocent of that whereof she was accused on the â—ifteenth of May she was arraigned in the Tower before the Duke of Norfolke sitting as high Steward of England When her Inditement was read she made unto it so wise and discreet answers that shee seemed fully to cleere her selfe of all matters laid to her charge but being tried by her Peeres whereof the Duke of Suffolke was chiefe she was by them found guilty and had Judgment pronounced by the Duke of Norâ—olke immeadiatly the Lord Rochford her brother was likewise arraigned and condemned who on the seaventeenth of May together with Henry Norris Marke Smeton VVilliam Briorton and Francis VVeston all of the Kings Privy-chamber about marters touching the Queen were beheâ—deâ— on the Tower-hill Queen Anne her selfe on the nineteenth of May on a Scaâ—fold upon the Green within the Tower was beheaded with the sword of Callice by the hangman of that Towne her body with the head was buried in the Quire of the chappell there This Queen Anne was the daughter of Thomas Bullen Earle of VViltshire and of Lady Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norâ—olke the Earles Father was the sonne of Sir VVilliam Bullen whose wife was Margaret the second daughter and Coheire of Thomas Butler Ealre of Ormond and the said Sir VVilliam was the sonne of Sir Godfrey Bullen Lord Major of London who lieth buried in Saint Leonards Church in the Iewry whose wife was Anne eldest daughter coheire to Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings and his discent was out of the house of the Bullens in the County of Norfolke thus much for her Parentage for her Religion she was an â—arnest Professor and one of the first Countenancers of the Gospell in Almes-deeds so liberall that in nine moneths space It it is said she distributed amongst the poore to the value of fifteene thousand pounds now for the crimes for which she died Adultery and Incest proofes of her guiltinesse there are none recorded of her Innocency many first her owne clearing of all objections at the time of her arraignment then Cromwels writing to the King after full examination of the matter that many things have been objected but none confessed onely some circumstances had been acknowledged by Marke Smeton and what was Marke Smeton but a meane fellow one that upon promise of life would say any thing and having said somthing which they took hold of was soone after executed least he should retract it lastly they that were accused with her they all denied it to the death even Henry Norris whom the King specially favoured and promised him pardon if he would but confesse it It was a poore proofe of Incest with her brother that comming one morning into her chamber before she was up he leaned down upon her bed to say somthing in her eare yet this was taken hold of for a proof and it need be no marvaile if we consider the many aduersaries she had as being a Protestant and perhaps in that respect the King himselfe not greatly her friend for though he had excluded the Pope yet he continued a Papist stil and then who knowes not that nature is not more able of an Acorn to make an oake then authority is able of the least surmise to make a certainty But howsoever it was that her death was contrived certain it is that it cast upon King Henry a dishonourable Imputation in so much that where the Protestant Princes of Germany had resolved to choose him for head of their League after they heard of this Queens death in such a manner they utterly refused him as unworthy of the honour and it is memorable what conceit Queene Anne her selfe had of her death for at the time when shee was led to be beheaded in the Towerâ— shee called one of the Kings Privy-chamber to her and said unto him commend me to the King and tell him he is constant in his course of advancing me for from a private Gentlewoman he made me a Marquesse from a Marquesse a Queen and now that he had left no higher degree of worldly honour for me he hath made me a Martyr Immediatly after her death in the weeke before Whiâ—â—onâ—ide the King maried Iane Seymour daughter to Sir Iohn Seymour who at Whitsontide was openly shewed as Queene and on the Tuesday in the Whitson-weeke her brother Sir Edmund Seymour was created Viscount Beauchamp and Sir Walter Hangerford was made Lord Hangerford The
plainly by the Chancellour and Treasurer That if she refused to answer to such crimes as should be objected they would then proceed against her though she were absent Being brought at last with much ado to consent the Commissioners came together in the Presence Chamber a Chaire of Estate was set for the Queen of England in the upper end of the Chamber under a Canopy beneath over against it was placed a Chair for the Queen of Scots on both sides of the Cloth of Estate stools were set upon which on the one side sate the Lord Chancellor the Lord Treasurer the Earls of Oxford Kent Derby Worcester Rutland Cumberland Warwicke Pembrooke Lincolne and Viscount Mountacuteâ— On the other side sate the Lords Aburgavany Zouch Morley St. Iohn of Bletsho Compton and Cheyney Next to these sate the Knights that were Privie Councellors Sir Iames Crofts Sir Christopher Hatton Sir Francis Walsingham Sir Ralph Sadler Sir Walter Mildâ—â— and Sir Amis Pawlet Foreward before the Earls sate the two Chiefe Justices and the Lord chiefe Baron on the other side the two Barons and the other Justices Dale and Foord Doctors of the Civill Law at a Table in the midst Popham the Queens Atturney Generall Egerton her Solicitor â—â—â—die her Serjeant at Law the Clerk of the Crown and two Notaries When the Queen of Scots was come and had placed her selfe silence being made Bromely Lord Chancellor turning towards her sayd That the Queen had appointed these Commissioners to hear what she could Answer to crimes layd to her charge assuring her that nothing would be cause of more joy to the Queen then to hear that she had proved her selfe innocent Upon this she rising up sayd That although being an absolute Prince she could not be compelled to appear before the Deâ—egates yet to manifest her innocency she was now content to appear Then Gawdie opened every speciality of the Law lately made against which she had taken excception shewing By Babingtons confession by Letters passed between them by the confessions of Ballard and Savage by the confessions of her Secretaries Nave and Curle that she was privy to their Treasons and consented to the Invasion of England and destruction of the Queen To which she answered That Letters might be counterfeited her Secretaries might be corrupted and rest in hope of life might be drawn to confesse that which was not true In this she stood peremptorily That she never consented to any Attempt against the Queens Person though for her own delivery she confessed she did After many other charges by the Commissioners and replies by the Queen of Scots At last she requested that she might be heard in a full Parliament or before the Queen her selfe and her Councell But this request prevailed not for on the 25. day of October following at the Star-Chamber in Westminster the Commissioners met again and there pronounced sentence against her Ratifying by their Seals and subscriptions that after the 1. day of Iune in the seven and twentieth year of our Soveraign Lady Queen Elizabeth divers matters were compassed and imagined in this Kingdom by Anthony Babington and others with the privity of Mary Queen of Scots pretending Title to the Crown of England tending to the hurt death and destruction of the Royall Person of our sayd Soveraigne Lady the Queen After a few dayes a Parliament was holden at Westminster the which was begun by Authority from the Queen derived to the Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Treasurer and the Earl of Derby and the same not without some Presidents At this Parliament the Proscriptions of the Lord Paget Charls Paget Francis Inglefield Francis Throgmorton Anthony Babington Thomas Salisbury Edward Iones Chydâ—ock Tichburne Charles Tilney and the other complices was confirmed and their goods and possessions adjudged confiscate Also the Peers of the Kingdom with an unanimous consent exhibit a Petition to the Queen by the Lord Chancellor that for the preservation of the true Religion and safety of the Queen of themselves and their Posterity the Sentence passed against Mary Queen of Scots might according to Law be presently Promulged They put the Queen in minde of the fearfull examples of Gods Judgements extant in Scripture upon King Saul for sparing of Agag and upon Ahab for not putting Benhadad to death But the Queen answereth them to this effect First acknowledging Gods miraculous preservation of her and then their constant affections towards her for whose sakes onely she desires to live Otherwise when she calls to minde things past beholds the present and expects what may happen in time to come that she accounts them most happy who go soonest hence That the Law lately made by which the Queen of Scots is condemned was not made as some maliciously have imagined to ensnare her but contâ—ariwise to forewarn and deterre her from attempting any thing against it which though it had not been made yet were there other ancient Laws enough to condemne her Nothing could have been more grievous to me than that a Prince and one so neer Allied unto me should deserve the Sentence pronounced against her and seeing the matter is of rare example and of a very weighty consequence I hope you will not expect that I should at this present determine any thing Yet that there may be no danger in delayâ— I will in due time signifie my minde unto you and in the meane time would have you to expect from me whatsoever good Subjects may looke for from a Gracious Prince Twelve dayes after having deeply weighed the matter in her minde she sent the Lord Chancellor to the Peers and Puckering to the Lower House entreating them to advise more diligently concerning so weighty a matter and to bethinke themselves of some wholesome remedy by which the life of the Queen of Scots might be spared and their security also provided for They when they had a long time in most serious manner deliberated hereof Return at last this Verdict That the Queenes life could not be in safety while the Queen of Scots lived unlesse she either repented and acknowledged her crimes or were kept in straight custody or bound by her oath and obligations or gave Hostages or lastly departed the Kingdome And seeing none of these were likely to be remedies It remained that only her death would be a remedy Repentance in her they could little hope for who would not so much as acknowledge her self faulty Close Imprisonment Obligations Oath and Hostages they accounted as nothing which all vanished if the Queens life were once taken away and if she departed the Kingdom they feared she would straightway go about to Invade it again These things the Lord Chancellor and Puckering the Speaker of the Lower-House declared to the Queen at large and urged her in their names to have the Sentence put in execution Hereupon the Queen after a short pawse spake at last to this effect I protest my chief desire hath been that for your security and my own safety some other
longer served her it was evident by the lifting up of her hands and eyes that her thoughts were fixed upon him And so on the four and twentieth day of March being the last day of the yeer 160â— she yeelded up her soul to God when she had lived threescore and nine yeers six months and seventeen dayes Raigned four and forty yeers four months and seven dayes Her Body was embalmed wrapped in Lead and brought to White-hall from whence on the eight and twentieth of April following in great solemnity it was carried into the Collegiate Church of S. Peters at Westminster and there interred in the Vault of her Grand-father K. Henry the seventh in his magnificent Chappell where our renowned Soveraign K. Iames hath built her a Princely Monument inscribed with Epitaphs to her eternall glory At her Funerall were said to be Mourners in black to the number of onâ— thousand and six hundred persons MEN of NOTE in her time THe Ocean is not more boundlesse then the number of men of note in her time but though all of them cannot be reckoned yet some of them must not be omitted And to begin with Sates-men An exquisite States-man for his own ends was Robert Earl of Lèicester and for his Countries good Sir William Cecill Lord Bâ—rleigh as also Sir Francis Walsingham that great underminer of Conspirators Famous Sea-men were the Earl of Cumberland the Lord Thomas Howard afterward Earl of Suffolk and of meaner Rank Sir Iohn Hawkins Sir Martin Forbysâ—er Sir Walter Raleigh Cavendish Preston Ryman and to name the worthiest last Sir Francis Drake who though he were but a short square bodied man yet his great Acts have made the Spaniards believe that he was some goodly Personage Great Commanders by Land were Robert Earl of Essex the Lord Willoughby the Lord Grey of Wilton Sir Francis Vere Sir Roger Williams Baskervile Savage and the Honour of his Family and our English Nation Sir Iohn Norris Learned Gentlemen and Writers were Sir Thomas Chaloner employed by Queen Elizabeth as her Ligier in Spain who wrote five books of the restoring of the English Common-wealth in elegant Verses while as he said he lived in a Stove in Winter and in a Barn in Summer Roger Askam born in York-shire notably skilfull in the Greek and Latin Tongues who had sometime been School-master to Queen Elizabeth and her Secretary for the Latin Tongue but taking too great delight in Gaming and Cock-fighting he both lived and died in mean estate yet left behinde him sundry Monuments of Wit and Industry Sir Thomas Smith born at Saffron Walden in Essex sometime Secretary to K. Edward the 6 who wrote an imperfect Work of the English Common-wealth a singular Book of the Orthography of the English Tongue and another of the Pronunciation of the Greek the first man that set on foot the Law for serving the Colledges with Provision Sir Henry Savill Provost of Eaton and Reader to Queen Elizabeth who set forth all S. Chrysostomes works in Greek and by translating of Cornelius Tacitus deserved as much of the English Tongue as he of the Latin But above all the admirable sir Philip Sidney who by writing in a light Argument shewed how excellently and beyond all comparison he could have done in a grave Learned Divines were Iohn Iewell born in Devon-shire a Student in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford in Queen Maries time an Exile by Queen Elizabeth made Bishop of Salisbury who wrote an Apologie for the Protestant Doctrine and died at scarce fifty yeers of age in the fourteenth yeer of Queen Elizabeth Iohn Whitaker Master of S. Iohns Colledge in Cambridge who learnedly answered all the books of Bellarmine Bilson Bishop of Winchester sometimes Fellow of New Colledge in Oxford who amongst his other learned Works hath written notably of Christs descent into hell Richard Hooker Preacher at the Temple who with too much meeknesse smoothered his great Learning yet hath something discovered it in his five Books of Ecclesiasticall Discipline and died in the yeer 1599. Alexander Nowel Dean of Pauls who forbearing deeper Works set forth a Catechism according to the Doctrine of the English Church and died in the yeer 1602. After such men it might be thought ridiculous to speak so Stage Players but seeing excellency in the meanest things deserves remembring and Boscius the Comedian is recorded in History with such commendation it may be allowed us to do the like with some of our Nation Richard Bourbidge and Edward Allen two such Actors as no age must ever look to see the like and to make their Comedies compleat Richard Tarleton who for the Part called the Clowns Part never had his match never will have For Writers of Playes and such as had been Players themselves William Shakespeare and Benjamin Iohnson have specially left their Names recommended to posterity THE RAIGNE OF King Iames. IAMES the fourth King of Scotland marryed Margaret eldest daughter of Henry the 7 K. of England by whom he had Iames the 5 who had one only child Mary Q. of Scots who had one only son Iames the 6 who from Iames the fourth had undoubted right to the Kingdome of Scotlandâ— and from Margaret King Henry the 7 eldest daughter the male line being cleane extinct unquestionable title to the Crown of England whereupon Q. Eliz. being dead about 10 a clock in the morning K. Iames the 6 K. of Scotland was the very same day M. Secretary Cecill himself reading his Title and Q. Eliz. Will proclaimed K. of Eng. Scot. and Ireland by sound of Trumpet first at White-Hall and then in Cheapside in presence of all the Lords and the Counsell and other of the Nobility with a generall acclamation of all sorts of people that we may truly say sorrow was never more deceived than at this time for where upon the death of Q. Eliz. It was expected there would be nothing for a long time but sorrowing and lamenting Now that very sorrow was swallowed up of joy her death bringing with it no other alteration but only of sex in all other points in a manner the same the like wisdome the like learning the like Iustice the like religiousnesse in them both only bettered in this that we changed a Q. of 70 years old whom we could not look to keepe long for a K. of 36 whom we might well hope to enjoy many years Q. Eliz. was not sooner deadâ— but Sir Robert Cary a younger son of the Late L. Hunsdon posted away unsent to K. Iaâ—es in Scotland informing him of the accidentâ— for bringing which news the K. afterwards rewarded him with making him a Baâ—on of the Realm and L. of Leppington But though it were sufficient for the K. information that he heard the news by Sir Robert Carye yet it was not sufficient for the Lords of the Counsell in discharge of their duty if he heard it not from them and therefore within a very few dayes as soon as they could provide fit men they sent
favour which King Iames at his first comming to the Crown shewed to the Earle of South-Hampton was like to breed no good blood in those that were his oposites and it was said how true I know not that as the King had sent to enlarge the Earle of South-Hampton and apointed him to meet him upon the way So when he heard of an Intention that the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Ralegh had to meet him he sent them word they should spare their labour But why there it were so or no it seemes they found some â—ause of discontentment and discontentment will never want Complyces and by this meanes was the composition of this Tâ—eason made up and thereupon were apprehended Henry Lord Cobham and George Brook his brother Thomas Lord Grey of Wilton Sir Walter Ralegh Sir Griffith Markham and Sir Edward Parham Knights Bartholmew Brookesby and Anthony Copley Gentlemen William Watson and William Clerke Priests But though they were apprehended in Iuly yet they come not to their arraignment till November following for by reason of the sicknesse which was then hot in London the Terme was put off till Crastino Martini and then to be kept at Winchester in Hamp-shire only the Courts of the Exchecker Wards Liveries and the Dutchy of Lancaster were kept in the Kings Mannour at Richmond in the County of Surrey and so in the fourth of November following all the foresaid Delinquents were removed from the Tower of London and other Prisons by strong Guards to Winchester and there arraigned whose Indictment was for Conspiring 1 To kill the King 2 To raise Rebellion 3 To alter Religion 4 To subvert the State 5 To procure Invasion by Strangers Concerning the first Point it was proved that the Lord Grey intended to obtaine the levying of two thousand men for defence of the Low-Countreyes and with them to seize uâ—on the King and Prince and take the Lords of the Counsaile in their chambers For the other Points It was proved that the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Ralegh met at S Martins in the Fields and there consulted about raising Sedition mooving Rebellion altering Religion subverting the State and to set up the Lady Arbella And particularly for the Point of subverting the State It was proved that Watson was designed to be Lord Chancellor George Brooke Lord Treasurer Sir Griffin Markham Secretary and the Lord Grey to be Master of the Horse and Earle Marshall of England and for effecting of these Treasons It was proved that Waston the Priest had devised Oaths in writing by which all parties were bound to keep them secret And for the last point It was proved that Sir Walter Ralegh was appointed to treate with Count Aramberg for six hundred thousand Câ—owns and the Lord Cobham to go to the Arch-Duke and to the King of Spaine to perswade them to assist the Lady Arbella These things being proved against them on the dayes in which they were severally Indicted the most which was replied in mitigation of their fault was first by Waston who affirmed it could not be Treason because the King was not yet Crowned and then by the Lord Grey that it was but a verbal matter and never took effect and therfore could be no Treason but these assertions being both refuted they were al except Sir Edwâ— Parham who only was acquitted on their severall dayes of inditement found guilty of Treason and had Iudgement accordingly The Priests Watson and Clerk were executde at Winchester the nine and twentieth of November George Brooke was beheaded the fift of Decemb. but then the hand of Iustice stayedâ— and this was the course which the K. held in shewing mercy After the death of the three before named he signed three other warrants for the execution of the late L. Cobham the Lord Grâ—y and Sir Griffin Markâ—hâ—m on a certain day then following but before that day came he privately framed another warrant written with his own hand to the Sheriffe who was then Sir Benjamin Tichburne by which he countermanded the former Warrants and that there might be no notice taken of it he sent it by Mr. Iohn Gybbe a Scotch-man and one utterly unknown to all the company appointing him to deliver it so that it might not take effect til after their severall confessions and at the very point of their Execution which was accordingly performed At which time it was a wonderfull thing to see how the Delinquents falling on their knees lamented their misdoings and most of all how they extolled the Kings unspeakable mercy But though thus pardoned yet were they carryed back to the Tower where the L Grey not long after dyed and in him was extinct that Barony which had formerly broâ—ght forth many valourous worthy men Sir Griffin MarkhaÌ„ after some time was set at liberty passed beyond sea wher he lived long after in meane account The Lord Cobham likewise was afterward discharged of imprisonment but deprived of his Estate lived divers years after in great pennury and in him ended that noble Family which had flourished in great honor many Ages Sir Walter Ralegh was kept in the Tower where to his great honour he spent his time in writing and had bin a happy man if he had never beene released But such is our state that no mans fortune is understood whether it be good or bad untill it be discovered by the Event But in this meane time many things had passedâ— for his Majesty having deferred the Feast of St. George untill his being at some of his owne houses held now the said Feast at Windsor the second of Iuly where the Prince was installed Knight of the Garter as also the Duke of Lenox the Earle of South-Hampton the Earle of Mâ—rre and the Earle of Pembrooke and at the same time were elected the King of Denmark and the Duke of Wirtenberg though their investing have been spoken off before And now was preparation made for the Kings Coronation and for a preparative unto it hâ— first restored the Earle of South-Hampton and then raised in honor these following Sir Thomas Egerâ—on Lord Chancellourâ— he made Baron of Elsemere Sir William Russell Baron of Thornâ—ugh Sir Henry Grey Baron of Grobye Sir Iohn Peter Baron of Writtle Sir Iohn Harington Baron of Exton Sir Henry Denvers Baron of Daâ—sey Sir Thomas Gerard Baron of Gerads Bromely in the County of Stafford and Sir Robert Spenser Baron of Wormeleyton After this he conferred inferiour Orders and made Knights all the Iudges and Serjeants at Law all Civilians and Clerkes of the Signet all his Gentlemen Vshers and divers other and lastly made Knights of the Bathe threescore and two most of them Noble mens sons and the rest Gentlemen of speciall worth These things done on the five and twentieth of Iuly being St. Iames day the King and Queen were together crowned and anoynted at Westminster by the hands of Iohn Whitegift Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in presence of the Nobility and other namely Sir Robert Lee Lord
good way to proceed by force but rather by fraud and thereupon sends to the Lords that if they would come to him to Windsor he would grant their demands The Lords comming thither but in a Military manner for they durst not trust his word the King saluted them all kindly and promised to give them satisfaction in all they demanded and so in a Meadow betweene Windsor and Stanes called Running-meade he freely consented to confirme their former Liberties and was content some grave Personages should be chosen to see it performed But the next day when it should be done he gets him gone to South-hampton and from thence to the I le of Wight where advising with his Councell what in this case was fittest to be done It was concluded he should send to the Pope to acquaint him with this mutiny of the Lords and to require his help while the King in the meane time lived skulking up and downe in corners that no man might know where to find him or which is worse as some write roving about and practising Piracy And now the Lords beginne to suspect fraud when shortly after the Kings Messengers who were Walter and Iohn Bishops of Worcester and Norwich returne with the Popes Decree which was that the Kings Grant to the Lords should be void with this Decree the King after three moneths that he had staied in the I le of Wight comming backe to Windsor acquaints the Lords but they accusing the Messengers for false informing the Pope and the Pope also for making a Decree without hearing both sides betake them to Armes and sweare by the holy Altar to be revenged for this Iudification and injurious dealing The King finding the Lords nothing moved with the Popes Decree sends againe unto him to acquaint him with it who mightily incensed to have his Decree so sleighted adjudgeth them all to be held as enemies of Religion and gives power to Peter Bishop of Winchester and to the Abbot of Reading to Excommunicate them In the meane time the King had sent the Bishop of Worcester Chancellour of England and others with his Seale to hire Souldiers from the parts beyond the Seas who returned shortly after bringing along with him out of Poictoâ— and Glasconie Savery de Malcon Geoffrey and Oliver Bâ—tâ—vile brothers under their conduct so great a rabble that with these Forces within halfe a yeare the King had gotten all the Castles of the Barons to the borders of Scotland And now he divides his Army committing part of it to his brother William Earle of Salisbury and others to set upon London and with the other part he goes himselfe into Yorkshire where most of the Lords had Possessions which in most cruell manner he destroyeth with fire and sword The Lords being thus on all sides distressed resolve upon a course neither honourable nor safe yet such as necessity made seeme both they send to Philip King of France requiring him to send over his sonne Lewis to their aide and promising they would submit themselves to be governed by him and take him for their Soveraigne To this motion of the Lords King Philip was as forward as themselves which King Iohn understanding sends againe to the Pope requiring him to use his authority to stay the King of France from comming But King Philip though much regarding the request of the Pope yet nothing so much as the acquest of England with all speed provides an Army and with a fleete of sixe hundred sayleâ— sends over his sonne Lewis who passing into England landeth at Sandwich whither many of the Lords and others resort unto him and giving Oaths of Allegeance joyne themselves with him King Iohn at this time was at Dover but not daring to stay there for feare of the enemy he commits the Castle to Hubert Burgh and goeth himselfe to Canterbury and from thence to Winchester in manner of a flight which Prince Lewis understanding goeth straight to London and by a plausible Oration makes that City sure unto him and thither come to him the King of Scots with an Army of choyce Souldiers as also the Earles Warren Arundel Salisbury with many others And now Prince Lewis passeth all the Countrey over without resistance but not without infinite outrages committed by his Souldiers which it was not in him to hinder and then comming to Norwich he takes that City easily but Dover cost him a longer siege as being defended by the valiant and loyall Captaine Hubert Burgh In this meane while King Iohn finding his enemies imployed in these difficult sieges sends about and gathers a rabble of all raskall people to him and with them runneth over all the Countrey spoyling and killing in most barbarous manner and now was the kingdome made the Stage of all miseries of rapine and cruelty two Armies in it on foote at once each of them seeking to prey upon the other and both of them upon the Countrey But the King comming to Wallpoole in Norfolke where the Washes were to be passed over he sendeth one to search where the Foord was passable and there himselfe with some few passed over but the multitude with all the cariages passing without ordeâ— they cared not where were all drowned with which dysaster the King through anguish of minde fell into a Feaver whereof within a few dayes he died And here was an end of all the troubles of this King In whom it is observable that loving his caseâ— so well as he did he should runne voluntarily into such troubles especially at home upon so small occasions as he did but it should seeme there is no greater hinderance to men for accomplishing their will then their owne wilfulnesse Of his Taxations TO speake of his Taxations it may not unproperly be said that it was but one continued Taxation all his Raigne through yet to divide it into parts his first was the Taxation of three shillings upon every Plough-land through the kingdomâ— to pay the thirty thousand Markes for his Neece Blanches Portion and to mend this Taxation he seiseth upon all the Temporalties of his brother Geoffrey Arch-bishop of Yorke for opposing it and for a continuation he makes a progresse shortly after into all the North parts where he exacts great Fines of offenders in his Forests Very shortly after solicited by the Popes Legate he grants a Subsidy of the fortieth part of al his subjects Revenues for one year to succor the Holy Land Shortly after this he chargeth his Earls and Barons with the losses he sustained in France thereupon Fines them to pay the seventh part of all their goods neither spared he the Church or the Commons in this Imposition Before this year is ended another Leaâ—y is made at a Parliament in Oxford wherein is granted two Markes and a halfe of every knights Fee for Military aide neither are the Clergy exempted from paying their part and before another yeare is out another Imposition is laid of the thirteenth part of all movables and other
advancement in honour alter men to the better to the worse often and commonly then when it is joyned with an Authority that sets them above controlement Neither yet was their feare more out of what they had seene then out of what they saw for where he should have endevoured to accomplish the charge his Father had given him in his death-bed he seemed to intend nothing lesse nothing more then wholly to breake it for he presently called home Pierce Gaveston from banishment and the two and thirty thousand pounds which his Father had specially appointed for the Holy Warre either all or the most of it he beâ—towed upon Gaveston and for carrying his Fathers bones with him about Scotland it had beene well if he had suffered them quietly to be laid at rest in England for after the Corps had beene kept above ground sixteene weekes in the Abbey of Waltham and that the Bishop of Chester Walter Langton the then Lord Treasurer and Executor of his Fathers Will was busie in preparing for his Funerals he sent the Constable of the Tower to arrest him and imprison him at Wallingford seising upon all his Goods and giving them to Gaveston and all for old grudges And that which seemed a high straine of incongruity before he had seene performed his Fathers Funerals which was not till the 27. of October following he entred into Treatie of his owne Nuptials forgoing over to Boleigne on the two and twentieth of Ianuary he marryed Isabell the Daughter of Philip the Faire King of France which Marriage was honoured with the presence of foure Kings the King of France himselfe the King of Navâ—rre his Sonne the King of the Romans and the King of Sicilie and three Queenes besides the Bride Mary Queene of France Margaret the Dowager Queene of England and the Queene of Navarre and yet did Gavestâ—n exceed them all in bravery This was observed by the Lords of England and thereupon when his Queene and he came afterward to be Crowned they went unto him signifying what a hainous transgression of his Fathers will it was to call home Gâ—veston and seeing the charge was no lesse given to them then to him if he did not performe it they would and therefore unlesse he would remove Gaveston from the Court and kingdome they would hinder his Coronation from proceeding which strooke such a dampe to Prince Edwards spirits to thinke what a disgrace it would be to him if so many of his great Friends being present Charles of Valois the King of Frances Brother the Dukes of Britaine and Brabant the Count of Luxenburg who was afterward Emperor the Duke of Savoy the two Dutchesses of Brabant Artois with many other Princes and great Ladies if now his Coronation should be called in question that he solemnly swore he would do what they desired in the next Parliament so they would be quiet now and thereupon on the 24. day of February in the yeare 1307. his Queene and he were both Crowned at Westminster by the hands of Henry Bishop of Winchester by Commission from Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury being then in Exile and out of the kingdome At which solemnity there was so great a presse of People that Sir Iohn Blackwell knight was crowded to death And now in the very Act of his Coronation there was given another provocation to the Lords against Gaveston for the King had appointed him to carry the Crowne of Saint Edward before him the greatest honour could be done to a Subject which added to the other honours the King had done him for he had made him Earle of Cornewall Lord of Man and Lord Chamberlaine so incensed the Lords that they entred into consultation how to suppresse this violence of the Kings affection which shortly after they put in execution Portion in money King Edward had none with his Wife but the King of France gave him the Dutchy of Guyenne which he had seised upon before as confiscate to him and thereupon King Edward did him Homage for that Dutchy and for the County of Ponthieu Of his difference with his Lords about Gaveston VVE shall have here no Quinquennium Neronis no such five yeares as Nero afforded in the beginning of his Raigne but this King at his first entrance will shew what he is and what he will continue to be as long as he lives for though he tooke some great and grave men to be of his Councell yet as appeared afterward he did it rather to the end they should be pliant to him then that he had any meaning to apply himselfe to them For let them say what they would Gaveston must be the Oracle all the Kings actions were but Gavestons impressions And now Gaveston presently after the Coronation to let the world be a witnesse of his worthinesse and that the King had not bestowed his Favours upon him without cause caused to be published a Turneament at Wallingford whither came all the great Lords of the kingdome as Thomas Earle of Lancaster Humfrey Earle of Hereford Aymer Earle of Pembroke and Iohn Earle of Warren with many others all Valiant men at Armes yet none had the honour of the day like to Gaveston And thus farre he did well if he could have stayed here if having gotten true glory he had not falne into vaine-glory For the Lords envyed him not so much for his advancement in Honours as they hated him for his insolency in Manners for in a scornefull pride he would be casting scoffes upon them all calling Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Stage Player the Earle of Lincolne Burstenbelly â—imer de Valence Earle of Pembroke Ioseph the Iew and Guy Earle of Warwicke the blacke Dogge of Arderne which scoffes together with his other insolencies drew such a party upon him that in the next Parliament the whole assembly obtaines of the King to draw Articles of their grievances of which the chiefe were that the great Charter of Magna Charta should be observedâ— that all strangers should be banished the Court and kingdome that the businesse of the State should be treated of by the Counsell of the Clergy and the Nobles and that the King should not begin any warre nor goe out of the kingdome without consent of Parliament Which Articles though seeming harsh to the King yet for avoyding of further inconvenience he yeelds unto them and specially to the baniâ—hment of his Minion Gaveston as hoping that would excuse him for all the rest and Robert of Winchelsey Arch-bishop of Canterbury lately called home from Exile pronounceth Excommunication against all such as should oppose the Articles Hereupon Gaveston is sent away into Ireland where he lived awhile not as a banisht man but as Lieutenant rather of the Country and indeed not unworthily for in the time of his being there he is said to have made a Journey into the Mountaines of Dublin and to have broken and subdued the Rebels there built New Castle in the Kerns Country repaired the Castle of Kevyn and
Oxford who wrote divers excellent Treatises in Naturall and Morall Philosophy which remaine in estimation to this day and who for the great fame of his learning had the honour to be one of the Instructours of Edward the blacke Prince Roger of Chester a Monke of that City and an Historiographer Iohn Burgh a Monke who wrote a History and also divers Homilies Richard Aungervill Bishop of Durham and Lord Chancellour of England borne in Suffolke Walter Heminford an Historiographer Richard Chichester a Monke of Westminster who wrote an excellent Chronicle from the yeare 449. to the yeare 1348. Richard Rolle alias Hampole who writ many excellent Treatises in Divinity Robert Holcot a blacke Frier borne in Northampton a learned Schooleman and wrote many bookes in Arguments of Divinity Thomas Bradwardin borne neare Chichester in Sussex Arch-bishop of Canterbury and who wrote against the Pelagians and for his depth of learning had the Title of Doctor Profunduâ— Richard Fits Ralph Arch-bishop of Armagh in Ireland a learned writer William Grysant named Anglicus a notable Physitian whose son came to be Pope and was called Urbane the fifth Iohn Killingworth an excellent Philosopher Astronomer and Physitian Ranulph Higden a Monke of Chester an Historiographer Bartholomew Glanvile descended of those Glanviles that were sometimes Earles of Suffolke Simon Islip Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Founder of Canterbury Colledge in Oxford who wrote many Treatises Matthew Westmonasteriensis who wrote the booke called Flores Historiarum William Fleete an Hermit who wrote sundry Treatises exhorting England to repentance Henry Knighton who wrote a History Intituled De gestis Anglorum and lastly two other worthy perhaps to have beene placed first Iohn Mandevill the great Travellour a Doctor of Physicke and a knight who died at Liege in the yeare 1372. and Sir Geoffrey Chawcer the Homer of our Nation and who found as sweete a Muse in the Groves of Woodstocke as the Antients did upon the banks of Helicon THE REIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND RICHARD called of Burdeaux because born there the onely Sonne of Edward the black Prince was by his Grandfather in his life-time declared to be his Heire and lawfull Successour and accordingly after his death was crowned King of England at Westminster the sixteenth day of Iuly in the yerre 1377. by Simon Suâ—bury Archbishop of Canterbury And for the more solemnity of his Coronation he then mâ—de nine Knights and created foure Earles Thomas of Woodstock King Edward the Thirds youngest Sonne was created Earle of Buckingham and Northampton Thomas Mowbray younger brother of Iohn L. Mowbray Earle of Nottingham Gifford Angoulesme a Gascoigne was made Earle of Huntington and Henry Percy sonne of Henry L. Percy was created Earle of Northumberland At the time of the Coronation the Duke of Lâ—ncaster by the name of Iohn King of Castile and Leon and Duke of Lancaster put in his claim as Earle of Leicester to have the place of Earle Marshall of England as Duke of Lancaster to carry the sword called Curtana as Earle of Lincolne to be Carver that day all which to be executed by himselfe or by his sufficient Deputy which with the fees thereunto belonging were confirmed unto him As likewise divers others made their claimes Robert de Veere Eâ—rle of Oxford to have the office of Chamberlaine and to powre out water for the King to wâ—sh Iohn Wiltshire Citizen of London by reason of a Moyitie of the Manour of Heydon holden in Sergeantie claimed to hold a Towell for the King to wipe with when he went to meat Thomas Beauchampe Earle of Warwick to beare the third Sword before the King and also to exercise the office of Pantler Sir Iohn Argentine by reason of his Manour of Wimondtey in the County of Hartford to serve the King at his Cup William L. Furnivall for his Manour of Fernham to support the Kings right arme when he held the Royall Scepter Anne late wife of Iohn de Hastings Earle of Pemâ—rooke â—or hiâ— Manour of Ashele in Norfolke to have the Office of Naperer which she was admitted to doe by her Deputy Sr. Thomas Blunt Richard Earle of Arundell for his Manour of B. in Kent was admitted to be chiefe Butler The L. Major of London to attend in his owne person as chiefe Cup-waiter Sir Iohn Dimmock for his Manour of Scrivelbie and Sir Baldwin Frevile for his Castle of Tamworth in the County of Warwick contended for the Office of being the Kings Champion but adjudged to Dimmock William de Latimer and Iohn the sonne and heire of Iohn Mowbray of Axholm joyntly petitioned to have the Office of Almoner but adjudged to Latimer Richard Lion as Tenant of the Manour of L. held by the service of making wafers for the King at his Coronation was thereunto admitted The Barons of the Cinque-Ports were admitted to beare the Kings Canopy upon foure staves of silver over the Kings head and also to sit at meat in the Hall at the highest Table on the Kings right hand Iohn Fitz-Iohn by reason of his Manour of S. in Norfolk was admitted to be chiefe Lardeâ—er Richard Herring for the Manour of C. in the County of Surry claimed to be Usher of the Kings Chamber but because that claim did no way concern the Coronation he was left to pursue his Right some other time The Coronation it selfe was performed with great solemnity After a Sermon the King tooke his Oath and then the Archbishop blessed the King which done he tore â—ff his garments and strippped him into his shirt then he annoynted his handâ— head breast shoulders and the joynts of his armes with the sâ—cred Oyle and after certaine Prayers he then clâ—ddâ— him first with the Coat of S. â—dward and after with his Mantle after which the Archbishop delivered him the Sword saying Accipe Gladium with which two Earles gyrded him Then he gave him Bracelets sayingâ— Accipe Armillas After this he put upon him an upper vesture called a Pall sayingâ— Accipe Pallium In the meane time while the Archbishop blessed the Crowne he to whose Office it pertained put spurres on his heeles after the Crown was blessed the Archbishop set it on his Head saying Coronet te Deuâ— then he delivered him a Ring saying Accipe Anâ—â—lum Immediately herewith came the L. Furâ—ivall by virtue of his Office offering him a red Glove which the Arch B. blessed and putting it on his hand gave him the Scepter saying Accipe Scepâ—rum and after that in his other hand delivered him a Rod on the top whereof stood a Dove saying Accipe Virgam Virtutiâ— and then blessed the King saying Benedicat te Deâ—â— which done the King kissed the Bishops and Abbots by whom he was afterward led to his seat and so ended the solemnity The tender yeares of the King being but eleven yeeres of age required a Protector but being perhaps thought dangerous to commit that Authority to onely one who might rather seeke to get it for himselfe then to keep it for
another It was thought fit to commit it to many and thereupon Iohn Duke of Lancaster Edmâ—â—d Earle of Cambridge the Kings Unkles with some other Lords and Bishops were joyned in Commission to manage the State and Guishard de Angoulesme appointed to be his Schoole-master And now the Kings Minority made forreigne Princes conceive that this would be a time of advantage for any that had quarrell to England which the French and Scots tooke presently hold of For the French came now and burnt the Town of Rye and soone after entring the Isle of Wight burnt divers Townes there and though they were repelled from the Castle by the valiant Sir Hugh Tyrrell Captaine thereof yet they constrained the men of the Isle to give them a thousand Markes to spare the residue of their houses and goods and departing thence they set on land where they saw advantage burning sundry Towns neere to the shoare as Portsmouth Dertmoâ—th and Plimmouth and then sayling towards Dover they burnt Hastings assaulted Winchelsey but being valiantly defended by the Abbot of Battell were forced to retire After this they landed not far from the Abby of Lewis at a place called Rottington where the Prior of Lewis with Sir Thomas Cheyny and Sir Iohn Fâ—llesly encountring them were overthrowne and taken Prisoners And no lesse then the French were the Scots also now busie for comming one morning by stealth they wonne the Castle of Barwick but shortly after upon knowledge thereof had they were driven out againe by the Earles of Northumberland and Nottingham and all the Scotâ— they found in it except Alexander Ramsey their Captaine put to the sword About Michaelmas a Parliament was held at Westminster wherein Alice Piercâ— the late Kings Concubine was banished the Realms and all her goods confiscate and two Tenths of the Clergie and two Fifteenths of the Temporalty were granted but so as that two Citizens of London William Walworth and Iohn Philpot should receive and keepe it to see it bestowed for defence of the Realme In this time Sir Hugh Calverley Deputy of Callis burnt six and twenty French ships in the Haven of Bulloigne and at the same time a great Navy is set out under the guiding of the Earle of Buckiâ—gham the Duke of Britaine the Lord Lâ—timer Sir Robert Knolls and others with a purpose to intercept the Spanish Fleet but through Tempest were twice driven back when in the mean time one Mercer a Scottish Pyrate came to Scâ—rborough tooke there divers ships and committed many outrages and no order being taken to repell him a Citizen of Lâ—â—doâ— nâ—med Iohn Philpot at his own charges set forth a Fleet and in his own person encountring them tooke the said Mercer and all his ships and returning home in stead of being rewarded for his service he was called in question for presuming to raise a Navy without advice of the Kings Councell but he gave â—uch reasons for that he had done that not onely he came off then wiâ—h credit but lives in reputation for it to this day Indeed Reasons of State though they may secretly be censured yet they must not openly be controlled for this were to bring Authority into contempt and in stead of Errors to bring in Confusion but yet when wrongs be offered that are publick every particular person seemes to have an interest in taking revenge and though it may be no manners not to stay the States leisure yet it can be no offence to doe their worke for them Many actions passed at this time with the French and Scots some prosperous and some adverse The Scots burne Roxborough this was adverse but the Earle of Northumberland entring Scotland with ten thousand men spoyleth the Lands of the Earle of March the chief Incendiary this was prosperous but when the Northern men would needs make a Road into Scotland and were encountred by the Scots and put to flight this was adverse Anon after Midsomer the Duke of Lancaster with the Earles of Buckingham Warwick Stafford and others of the Nobility with a strong Power toâ—ke the Sea and landing in Britaine besieged the Towne of Sâ— Malo but finding strong opposition is forced to raise his Siege and returne home this was adverse And now againe the Scots by night entred secretly into the Castle of Berwick and slew Sir Robert Baynton that was Constable there this also was adverse But when the Earle of Northumberland being advertised therâ—of came with a Power assauâ—ted the Castle and after two dayeâ— defence recovered it againe this was prosperous William Montacute Eâ—rle of Salisbury the Kings Lieutenant in Callis forrageth the Country round about and furnisheth Callis with Booties of French cattell Sir Hugh Calverley and Sir Thomas Percy made Admirallsâ— put to Seaâ— and take divers ships laden with merchandise and one shâ—p of warre Sir Iohn Hâ—â—leston Captaine of Chierbourg in France issuing forth assaults a Fortresse of the French which was the storehouse of their Provision and with much valour takes it these were prosperous But when Sir Iohn Clerke lying in Gaâ—rison in a Castle in Britaine where laâ— many Engâ—â—sh ships in the Haven â—ad â—heâ—e ships let upon by the French where though he shewed incredible valoâ—r in the action yet the ships were taken and himselfe slaine this was adverse Also in the third yeere of this Kings Reigne Sir Iohn Arundell Sir Hugh Calverley Sir Thomas Percie Sir William Elmham Sir Thomas Banister and many other Knights went to Sea with a purpose to passe over into Britaine but were so beaten back wâ—th Tempest that divers of their ships were â—ast away and Sir Iohn Arundell Sir Thomas Banister Sir Nicolas Trumpingâ—on Sir Thomas Dale and above a thousand others were all drowned onely Sir Thomas Percie Sir Hugh Calverley Sir William Elmham and certaine others escaped It may not be imperâ—inent to note here the sumptuousnesse of those times for this Sir Iohn Arundell was then said in his Furniture to have two and fifty new sutes of apparell of cloath of Gold and Tissue all lost at Sea This yeere also there being found inconvenience in having many Governors of the King and Kingdome it was by Parliament decreed Thâ—t the Lord Thomas Beauchampe Earle of Warwickâ— should himself alone hold the place of Protector About this time Sir Iohn Annesley Knight accused Thomas Katrington Esquire for betraying the Fortresse of St. Saviour to the French which Katrington denyingâ— at the suit of Annesly a solemne combat is permitted to be between them at which combat the King and all the great Lords were present the Esquire Katrington was a man of a mighty statuâ—e the Knight Annesley a little manâ— yet through the justnesse of his cause after a long fight the Knight prevailed and Katrington the day after the combat dyed In the beginning of the fourth yeere of this King Thomas of Woodstock Earle of Buckingham the Kings Unkle with divers Earles and Lords and an Army of seven or eight thousand was sent into France
the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Hereford For they in their Banishment meeting often together and aggravating the Grievances of king Richards Government fell at last to consult by what meanes he might best be removed seeing there was no hope he could ever be reclaimed In the time of their consultation about it Iohn Duke of Lancaster father to the Duke of Hereford dyed at Ely house in Holborne And as if Fortune herselfe meant to doe their worke for them Sollicitations came from many parts of England to move the Duke of Hereford to come now take the Government upon him wherein they would be ready to assist him The Duke heated before by the Archbishops instigation and now set on fire by this sollicitation gives Fortune no leisure to alter her minde by delaying the time but without further deliberation prepares to be going and taking with him the Archbishop the Lord Cobham Sir Thomas Erpington and Sir Thomâ—s Ramston Knights Iohn Norbury Robert Waterton and Francis Coynt Esquires and about some threescore other persons as many as he could readily get in three ships which the Duke of Britaine lent him he put to Sea where hovering about the Coast a while to marke the countenance of the shores he landed at last about the beginning of July at Ravenspurre in Yorkeshire which no sooner was knowne but there repaired to him the Lords Willoughby Rosse Darcie and Beaumont and shortly after at Doncaster the Earle of Northumberland and his sonne Sir Heâ—ry Percy with the Earle of Westmerland and great numbers of the Gentry and common sort of whom though some had invited him to come to take the Goverment of the Realme upon him yet he forbore to pretend that for any cause of his comming but made a solemne Protestation that he came onely to take possession of the Inheritances descended upon him from his father which king Richard most unjustly and contrary to his promise had seized into his hands for this was a Reason had no objection the other he reserved till his Power should not need to regard Objections And indeed no snow-ball ever gathered greatnesse so fast by rolling as his Forces increased by marching forward for by that time he came to Berkly he had got a mighty Army and within three dayes after all the Kings Castles in those parts were surrendred to him The Duke of Yorke left Governour of the Kingdome used his best meanes to raise Forces to resist him but found few willing to beare Armes against him whereupon and perhaps hearing withall that the Dukes comming was but onely to take possession of his Inheritance he thought good to goe to Berkly to him to have there some communication about it At Berkly at that time was arrested the Bishop of Norwich Sir William Elmham and Sir Walter Burliâ— knights Laurence Drew and Iohn Golofer Esquires From Berkly the two Dukes went forward towards Bristow where in the Castle were the Lord William Scroope Earle of Wiltshire and Treasurer of England Sir Henry Greene and Sir Henry Bushye who were taken and brought forth bound before the Duke of Lancaster and the day after arraigned before the Constable and Marshall found guilty of Treason for misgoverning the King and the Realme and presently had their heads smitten off Sir Iohn Russell also was taken there but he feigning himselfe to be our of his wits escaped for that time All this while K. Richard was in Ireland where he performed Acts in repressing the Rebels there not unworthy of him and having with him amongst other of the Great Lords the Duke of Lancasters sonne Henry he there for his towardlinesse in service Knighted himâ— by which it appeared that he had no great feare of â—he Father when he graced the Sonne and indeed he needed not have feared him iâ— his owne absence out of England had not given him advantage Six weekes were now passeâ— after the Dukes arrivall in England in all which time king Richard had no noticeâ— it by reason the windes were contrary to come â—orth of England But as soon as 〈◊〉 heard it and in what hostile manner he proceeded he then determined to returne instantly into England and had done it but that the Duke of Aumerle his principâ—â— Counsellor whether out of a good meaning but grounded upon errors or ouâ— of an ill meaning but shadowed with colours by all meanes perswaded him to stay so long till things fitting for his journy might be made ready It was king Richards ill luck to hearken to this Counsell but yet he presently sent the Earle of Salisbury into England to provide him an Army out of Wales and Châ—shire against his own comming which he promised faithfully should be within sixe dayes at the most The Earle landed at Coâ—way in Wales and had soon gotten to the number of Forty Thousand men but the sixe dayes passed and no newes of the King which made the souldiers suspect that he was dead and thereupon were ready to disband but at the Earle of Salisburies perswasion they were contented to stay for some dayes longer and when the King came not in that time neither they then would stay no longer but departed and went home At length about eighteen dayes after that the King had sent away the Earle of Salisbury he tooke shipping together with the Dukes of Aâ—merle Exceter and Surrey and diverâ— other of the Nobility with the Bishops of London Lincolne and Carlile and landed at Barklowly in Wales He had about him some Châ—shire men and was at first in no great doubt of prevailing but when he heard that all the Castles from the borders of Scotland unto Bristow were delivered to the Duke of Lancaster and that the gratest part of the Nobility and Commons tooke part with him and specially that his principall Counsellors had lost their heads at Bristâ—â— then solvuntur frigore membra he fell so utterly to despaire that calling his Army together he licensed every man to be gone and to shift for himselfe The souldiers besought him to be of good cheere swearing they would stand with him to the death But this encouraged him not at all so as the next night he stole from his Army and with the Dukes of Exceter and Surry the Bishop of Carlile Sir Stephen Scroope and some halfe a score others he got him to the Castle of Coâ—â—ay where he found the Earle of Salisbury determining there to stay till he might see the world at some better stay Here the Earle of Worcester Steward of the Kings house broke his white staffe and without delay went to the Duke of Lancaster who understanding that k. Richard was returned out of Ireland he left the Duke of York at Bristow and came back with his Power to Berkly and from thence the next day came to Glocester then to Rosse after to Hereford where came to him the Bishop of Hereford and Sir Edmund Mortimer on the Sunday following he went to Lyâ—ster and there the Lord Charleton
came to him from thence he went to Ludlow and the next day to Shrewsbery and thither came to him Sir Leighâ—nd â—nd Sir Iohn Leigh and many other being sent from Chester to offer their service thither also came to him the Lord Scales and the Lord â—ardolphe forth of Ireland From Shrewsbery he went to Chester and from thence sent for his sonne and heire and likewise for the Duke of Glocesters sonne and heire whom K. Richard had left in custody in Ireland with all speed to come into England but the Duke of Glocesters son through misfortune perished at Sea or as some write dyed of the plague the sorrow whereof caused shortly after his mothers death After this the Duke sent the Earle of Northumberland to the king who upon safe-conduct comming to him declared that if it might please his Grace to undertake that there should be a Parliament assembled in which Justice might be had and herewith pardon the Duke of Lancaster of all things wherein he had offended the Duke would be ready to come to him on his knees and as an humble subject obey him in all dutifull services Yet upon this conference with the Earle some say the king required onely that himselfe and eight more whom he would name might have honorable allowance with the assurance of a private quiet life and that then he would resigne his Crown and that upon the Earles Oath that this should be performed the king agreed to goâ— with the Earle to meet the Duke but after foure miles riding coâ—ming to the place where they had laid an Ambush the King was enclosed and constrained to goe with â—he Earle to Rutland where they dined and from thence to Flint to bed The 〈◊〉 had very few of his friends about him but onely the Earle of Salisbury the â—ishop of Carlile the Lord Scroope Sir Nicolas Ferehye and Iames D'Arthois a Gasâ—â—â—gne who still wore a white Heart the Cognisance of his Master K. Richard and neither for Promises nor Threats would be drawne to leave it off The King being in the Castle of Flint and Duke Henry with his Army approaching neere the Towne the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Duke of Aumerle aâ—d the Earle of Worcester went before to the King whom the King spying from the walls where he stood went downe to meet and finding they did their due reverence to him on their knees he tooke them up and taking the Archbishop aside nâ—ked with him a good while and as it was reported the Archbishop willed him to be of good comfort for he should be assured not to have any hurt as touching his person After this the Duke of Lancaster came to the Castle himselfe all-armed and being within the first gate he there stayed till the King accompanied with the Bishâ—p of Carlile and Earle of Salisbury and Sir Stephen Scroope who bore the sword before him came forth and sate down in a place prepared for him As soone as theâ— Duke saw him he came towards him bowing his knee and comming forward did so the second time and the third till the king tooke him by the hand and lift him up saying Deere Cousin you are welcome The Duke humbly thanking him sâ—â—dâ— My Soveraigne Lord and king the cause of my comming at this present is your Honour saved to have restitution of my Person my Lands and Heritage Whereto the king answered Deere Cousin I am ready to accomplish your will so that you may enjoy all that is yours without exception After this comming forth of the Castle the king called for wine and after they had drunke they mouâ—â—ed on horse-back and rode to Chester the next day to Nantwych then to Newcâ—stle from thence to Stafford and then to Lichfield and there rested Sunday after that they rode forward and lodged first at Coventry then at Dayntree then at Nâ—râ—hâ—mpton next day at Dunstable then at S. Albans and so came to London In all which journy they suffered not the king to change his apparell but made him riâ—e still in one suit of raiment and that but a simple one though he in his time was â—xâ—â—eding sumptuous in apparell having one Coate which was valued at Thirty Thousand markes And in this â—ort he was brought the next way to Westminster and from thence the next day had to the Tower and committed to safe Custodie After this a Parliament was called by the Duke of Lancaster but in the name of â— Richard in which many heinous points of Misgovernment were laid to his charge and were ingrossed up in three and thirty Articles the chiefe whereof were these That he had wastefully spent the Treasure of the Realme That without Law or Iustice he had caused the Duke of Glocester and the Earle of Arundell to be put to death That he had borrowed great summes of money and given his Letters Patents to repay thesame and yet not one Penny ever paid That he had said The Laws of the Realme were in his head and in his breast by reason of which fantasticall opinion he destroyed Noble-men and impoverished the Commons That he changed Knights and Burgesses of the Parliament at his pleasure That most tyrannously he said that the lives and goods of all his subiects were in his hands and at his disposition That whereas divers Lords were by the Court of Parliament appointed to treat of matters concerning the state of the Kingdome they being busied about the same Commission â—e wâ—â—t about to appeach them of high Treason That by force and threats he enforced the Iudges of the Realme at Shrewsbery to condiscend to his way for the destruction of divers of the Lords That he caused his fathers own brother the Duke of Glocester without Law to be attached and sent to Callis and there without reason secretly murthered That notwithstanding the Earle of Arundell at his Arraignment pleaded his Charter of Pardon yet he could not be heard but was shamefully and suddenly put to death That he â—ssemblâ—d certaine Laâ—cashire and Câ—â—shire men to mâ—ke warre upon his Lordâ— and suffered them to rob and spoyle without prohibition That though he had made Proclamation that the Lords were not attached for any criâ—â— of Treason yet afteâ—ward in the Parliament he laid Treason to their charge That notwitâ—standing his Pardon granted to thâ—m he enforced divers of the Lords partakâ—rs to be againe intolerably Fined to their utter undoing That without the â—ssent of the Peeres he caried the Iewels and Plate of this Kingdomâ— into Ireland Upon these and some other Articles he was by Parliament adjudged to be deposed from all Kingly Honour and Princely Government And thereupon the King being advised by his owne servants rather voluntarily to resigne the Crowne then by compulsion to be forced to it on the Monday before the nine and â—â—entieth day of September in the yeere 1399. he made a solâ—mne Resignation befâ—re diverâ— Lords and others sent to him for that purpose and an Insâ—â—umeâ—t of hiâ— Râ—signation
Pallace to be thrown down and defaced as though to revenge himselfe upon the place could ease his minde and mitigate his sorrow His second Wife was Isabel Daughter to Charles the Sixth King of France She was married to him at eight years of age and therefore never co-habited After King Richards death she was sent home and married afterwards to Charles Son and heire to the Duke of Orleance Of his Personage and conditions HE was the goodliest personage of all the Kings that had been since the conquest tall of stature of streight and strong limbes faire and amiable of countenance and such a one as might well be the Son of a most beautifull mother Concerning his Conditions there was more to be blamed in his Education than in his Nature for there appeared in him many good inclinations which would have grown to be abilities if they had not been perverted by corrupt flatterers in his youth He was of a credulous disposition apt to believe and therfore easie to be abused His greatest transgression was that he went with his friends ultra aras where he should have gone but usque ad aras His greatest imbecilitie that he could not distinguish between a flatterer and a friend He seemed to have in him both a French nature and an English violent at the first apprehension calm upon deliberation He never shewed himself more worthy of the Government than when he was deposed as unworthy to Governe for it appeared that his Regality was not so deare unto him as a private quiet lifâ—â— which if he might have enjoyed he would never have complained that Fortune had done him wrong Of his Death and Buriall KIng Richard shortly after his Resignation was conveyed to the Castle of Leeds in Kent and from thence to Pomfret where the common fame is that he was served with costly meat like a King but not suffered once to touch it and so dyed of forced famine But Thomas Walsingham referreth it altogether to a voluntary pining of himselfe through grief of his misfortunes But one Writer well acquainted with king Richards doings saith that king Henry sitting one day at his Table said sighing Have I no faithfull friend that will deliver me of him who will be my deathâ— This speech was specially noted by one Sir Piers of Exâ—on who presently with eight persons in his company went to Pomfret commanding the Esquire that tooke the Assay before king Richard to doe so no more saying Let him eat now for he shall not eat long King Richard sitting down to dinner was served without Assay whereat marvelling he demanded of his Esquire why he did not his duty Sir said he I am otherwise commanded by Sir Piers of Exâ—on who is newly come from king Henry When king Richard heard that word he tooke the Carving knife in his hand and stroke the Squire on the head saying The Devill take Henry of Lancaster and thee together And with that word Sir Piers entred the Chamber with eight armed men every of them having a Bill in his hand King Richard perceiving this put the Table from him and stepping to the foremost man wrung the bill out of his hands and slew foure of those that thus came to assaile him but in conclusion was felled with a stroke of a Poll-axe which Sir Piers gave him upon the head with which blow he fell down deadâ— though it be scarce credible that â— man upon his bare word and without shewing any warrant should be admitted to doe such a fact Sir Piers having thus slaine him wept bitterly a poore amends for so heynous a trespasse King Richard thus dead his body was embalmed and covered with Lead all save the face and then brought to London where it lay at Pauls three dayes together that all men might behold it to see he was dead The corps was after had to Langley in Buckinghamshire and there buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers but afterward by k. Henry the Fift it was removed to Westminster and there honorably entombed with Queen Anne his wife and that beautifull picture of a King sitting crowned in a Chaire of State at the upper end of the Quire in S. Peters at Westminster is said to be of him although the Scots untruly write that he escaped out of Prison and led a solitary and vertuous life in Scotland and there dyed and is buried as they hold in the Black-Friers at Sterling He lived three and thirty yeares Reigned two and twenty and three moneths Men of Note in this Kings time MEn of Valour in his time were so many that to reckon them all would be a hard taske and to leave out any would be an injury yet to give an instance in one we may take Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaâ—ter whose valour was no lesse seen abroad then at home In France in Germany in Spaine in all which places he left Trophies of his Victories But of learned men we may name these William Thorne an Augustine Frier of Canterbury an Historiographer Adam Merimouth a Canon of Pauls Church in London who wrote two Historicall Treatises one intitled Chronicon 40. annoruâ— another Chrâ—nicon 60. â—nnorum William Packington sometime Secretary to the Black Prince an excellent Historiographer William Badbye a Carmelite Frier Bishop of Worcester and Confessour to the Duke of Lancaster Iohn â—ourg Chancellour of the University of Cambridge William Scâ—ade a Monke of Buckâ—ast Abby in Devonshire Iohn Thâ—risbye Archbishop of Yorke Lord Chancellour of England and a Cardinall Williâ—m Berton Chancellour of Oxford an Adversary to Wickliffe Philip Repington Abbot of Leicester a Defender of Wickliffe Walter Brit a Scholar of Wickliffs a writer both in Divinity and other Arguments Iohn Sharpe a great adversary to Wickliffe who wrote many Treatises Peter Pateshall a great favourer of Wickliffe Marcell Ingelno an excellent Divine one of the first Teachers in the University of Heydelberg Richard Withee a learned Priest and an earnest follower of Wickliffe Iohn Swasham Bishop of Bangor a great adversary to the Wickliffs Adam Eston a great Linguist and a Cardinall Iohn Trevise a Cornish man and a secular Priest who translated the Bible Bartholmew De Proprietatibus Rerum Polichronicon of Ranulph Higden and divers other Treatises Iohn Moone an English man but a Student in Paris who compiled in the French tongue The Romant of the Rose translated into English by Geoffry Châ—wcer and divers others THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FOURTH Of his comming to the Crowne AFter the Resignation of King Richard and the sentence of his Deposing openly read in Parliament Henry Duke of Lancaster riseth up from his seat and first making the Signe of the Crosse upon his forehead and breast he said In the name of the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost I Henry of Lancaster claime the Crown of England as descended by right line from King Henry the Third And having thus spoken he sate downe againe Upon this the Archbishop conferred with the
Lords and having heard their opinions he â—urned to the Commons asking them if they would joyne with the Lords in choosing Henry of Lancaster for their King who all with one voyce cryed Yea Yea whereupon going to the Duke he bowed his knee and taking him by the hand led him to the Royall seat and then began a Sermon taking for his Text out of the first Booke of the Kings cap. 9. Vir dominabitur in populo wherein he declared what a happinesse it is to a Nation to have a King of wisedome and valour and shewed the Duke of Laâ—caster to be such a one and as much the defects in both of the late king Richard The Sermon ended the king thanked them all for his Elâ—ction and testified unto them that he meant not to take advantage against any mans estate aâ— comming in by Conquest but that every one should freely enjoy his own as in times of lawfull succession And now a time was appointed for his Coronation and accordingly upon the 13th day of October following the very day wherein the yeere before he had been banished he was Crowned at Westminster by the Archbishop of Canterbury with all Rites and Ceremonies accustâ—med At his Coronation he was anoynted with an Oyle which a Religious man had given to Henry the first Duke of Lancaster together with this Prophâ—re That the kings anoynted with this oyle should be the Champions of the Church This oyle comming to the hands of king Richard as he was looking amongst his Jewels going then into Ireland he was desirous to be anoynted with it but that the Archbishop of Canterbury told him it was not lawfull to be anoynted twice whereupon putting it up againe at his comming afterwards to Fliâ—t the Archbishop got it of him and kept it till â—he Coronation of king Henry who was the first king of the Realme that was anoynted with it The day before the Coronation the king in the Tower made one and â—orty some say but twelve knights of the Bathe whereof foure were his owne sonnes Henryâ— Thomas Iohâ— and Humfry all then alive and with thâ—m â—hree Earles aâ—d five â—â—rons Upon the Feast-day many claimed Offices as belonging to their Tenures â—o which upon shewing their Right they were admitted And now the King â—ade divers new Officers The Earle of Northumberland he made Constable of Engâ—â—nd the Earle of Westmerland was made Lord Marshall Sir Iohn Serle Chancellor â—ohn Newbery Esquire Treasurer and Sir Richâ—rd Clifford was made Lord Keeper of â—he Privy Seale The Lord Henry his eldest sonne being then about thirteen yeers â—f age was created Prince of Walâ—s Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and â—oone after also Duke of Aquitaine and the Crowne was by Parliament Eâ—â—ailed â—o King Henry and the heires of his body lawfully begotten After this a Parliament was holden in which the Acts made in the Eleventh yeere of King Richard were revived and the Acts made in his one and twentieth yeere were wholly repealed and they who by that Parliament were attainted were reâ—tored to their Lands and Honours whereupon Richard Earle of Warwick was deâ—ivered out of Prison and the Earle of Arundells sonne recovered his Inheritance â—nd many other also that were banished or imprisoned by King Richard were then â—ully restored to their liberty and estates Also the King gave to the Earle of Westâ—erland the County of Richmond and to the Earle of Northumberland the Isle of Mâ—n to be holden of him by bearing the sword wherewith he entred into England And now was the time for shewing of Spleens Sir Iohn Bagot then Prisoner in the Tower accused the Earle of Aâ—merle for speaking words against the Duke of Lancâ—ster now King also the Lord Fitzwater accused him for the death of the Duke of Glocester the Lord Mâ—rley appealed the Earle of Salisbury of Treason and one Hall accused the Duke of Exceter for conspiring the death of Iohn of Gaunt the Kings father But King Henry having entred the Throne in a storme was willing now to have a Calme and therefore laying aside the ones Accusations he accepted of the others Excuses and received the Duke of Aâ—merle and the Duke of Exceter into as much favour as if they had never been accused And to qualifie the hard opinion which forraigne Princes might conceive of King Richards Deposing He sent Ambassadours into divers Countries to make it knowne by what Title and by what favour of the People he came to the Kingdome To the Court of Rome he sent Iohn Trenevant Bishop of Hereford Sir Iohn Cheyny Knight and Iohn Cheyny Esquire Into France he sent Walter Sherlow Bishop of Durham and Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester Into Spaine he sent Iohn Trevor Bishop of Assaph and Sir William Parre and into Germany he sent the Bishop of Bangor and certaine others Most of these Princes seemed either not to regard what was done or were easily perswaded that all was done well onely Charles King of France was so distemper'd with this indignity offered to his sonne in Law K. Richard that by violence of his Passion he fell into his old pangues of Frensie but somewhat recovered he resolved to revenge it wherein many Lords of France shewed themselves forward but specially the Earle of S. Paul who had maried K. Richards halfe-sister yet having prepared an Army in readinesse when afterward they heard of King Richards death they dissolved it againe as considering the time was then past The Aquitaines also and specially the Citizens of Burdeaux as being the place where K. Richard was born were mightily incensed but Sir Robert Knolls Lieutenant of Guyen and afterwards Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester being sent to them by the King so perswaded them that with much adoe they continued in obedience It was about this time moved in Parliament what should be done with King Richard for he was not as yet murthered Whereupon the Bishop of Carlile â— learned man and wise and who had never given allowance to the Deposing of King Richard now that he was in a place of freedome of speech he rose up and said My Lords The matter now propounded is of marvellous weight and consequence wherein there are two points chiefly to be considered the first Whether King Richard be sufficiently put out of his Throne the second Whether the Duke of Lancaster be lawfully taken in For the first how can that be sufficiently done when there is no Power sufficient to doe it The Parliament cannot for of the Parliament the King is the Head and can the Body put down the Heâ—â— You will say But the Head may bow it selfe downe and so may the King â—esignâ— It is true but what force is in that which is done by force and who knowes 〈◊〉 that King Richards Resignation was no other But suppose he be sufficiently ouâ— yet how comes the Duke of Lancaster to be lawfully in If you say by Conâ—uest you speak Treason for what Conquest without Arms aâ—d can a subjâ—ct
Ships to the mouth of the River of Seyne which stopped all passage of succour to Roan many policies and practices were used against the Citie but none prevailed till famine forced it for there being in Roan 210000 persons at the begining of the Siege and the Siege continuing long it grew to that extremity that the Citizens dranke no thing but vinegar and water and had little to eate but Rats and Mice Cats and dogs and such like Great numbers of the poorer sort were thrust out of the Citie who not suffered to passe the English Army miserably perished onely â—pon Christmas-day in honor of Christs birth the King relieved and suffered to passe as many as were at first put out but not others that were put out the second time but suffered them to perish In this distresse a Parley is required by the Citizens who notwithstanding their misery yet stood upon such high termes that nothing was concluded only a truce for eight dayes was granted them the eight dayes ended and nothing yet agreed upon amongst themselves they crave one day longer and neither in that day could any thing be agreed on then they crave four dayes more in which the multitude and common people so pressed the Magistrates and Governours of the Citie that on the fourth day being about the nineteenth of Ianuary the Citie was surrendred and the Inhabitants themselves and all their goods were yielded to the Kings mercy the Duke of Exeter was appointed to take possession who accordingly entred with his Souldiers The next day after being Friday the twentieth of Ianuary the King himselfe made his entry with four Dukes ten Earles eight Bishops sixteen Barons and others and was by the Clergie conducted to our Lady Church where after publique thanksgiving he tooke Homage and fealty of the Burgesses and Inhabitants making Proclamation that all that would come and acknowledge him to be their Soveraigne should enjoy the benefit of his Protection and retaine their possessions whereupon many came in and many Townes were surrendred In this time of the Kings lying at Roan the Earle of Salisbury tooke in Hunflew Munster de Villiers Ewe and Newcastle the Duke of Clarence tooke Vernon and Naunt and the Earle of Warwicke la Roche Guyon And now the Duke of Burgundie seeing the great successes of King Henry could thinke of no better way for his own safety then to make a reconciliation betweene the two Kings to which end Ambassadors are sent to procure their meeting at which time King Henry for their service already performed and in hope of more hereâ—fter made the valiant Gascoigne Captaine le Beuff Earle of Longuevyle Sir Iohn Graâ— Earle of Tâ—nkevyle and the Lord Boâ—rchâ—er Earle of Eâ—â— Upon the lâ—st of Mâ—y King Henry accompanied with the Dukes of Clarence Glocester and Exeter his Uncle Beaufort the Bishop of Winchester with the Earles of March and Salisbâ—ry and a thousand men at Armes entred the place appointed for the meeting of the two Kings The French Queene her Husband being taken with hi◠〈◊〉 with the Duke of Burgâ—igne and the Earle of St. Paul and a company of Ladiesâ— amongst whom as a bait to entangle the Kings affection was the kings Dâ—ughter the beautifull Lady Katherine with whose sight though the King was marvellously taken yet he made no shew thereof till other things should be agreed upon but the Dolphin having made means to the Duke of Burgoigne to hinder all agreement nothing was effected whereupon at their parting the King told the Duke that he would have both the Lady and all his other Demands or else drive the King of France out of his kingdome and him out of his Dukedome Upon thiâ— the Duke thought it best to agree with the Dolphin and upon the sixth of Iuly Articles of their reconcilement are signed and sealed In the meane time the Eaâ—le of Longâ—â—vyle surprized the Towne of Ponthoyse but had scarce beene able to make good the surprize if the Duke of Clarence had not coâ—e to his â—ucâ—â—ur 〈◊〉 thence the Duke marched to Paris and there stayed two dayes but peâ—ceiviâ—â— no shew of sallye to be made he returned to Ponthâ—yse whither the King himselfe came and from thence marching on tooke in the Castle of Vanyon Villeirs and on the last of August the Castles of Gysors and Galyard and Dumall so that now all Normandy Mouâ—t St. Michael only excepted was reduced to the possession of the King of England which had beene wrongfully detained from him ever since the yeare 1207. The Dolphin all this while though having outwardly made a reconcilement with the Duke of Burgoigne yet inwardly bearing a spleene against him intended nothing so much as his destruction which to eâ—â—ect he procured a meeting betweene the Duke and him and all the Peers of the Realm at Mountstrew where the Duke though humbling himselfe in reverence to the Dolphin on his knee was most barbarously murthered which act was so much the lesse to be pitied in the Duke by how much he in the like kinde upon the like enterview had caused Lewis the Duke of Orleance to be murthered But though this barbarous act might justly incensâ— Philip Earle of Carolois the Duke of Burgoigâ—es heire to seeke revenge yet as a wise and and politicke Prince he forbore for the present to make shew of choller or distemperature and considering with himselfe that difference betweene the Dolphin and him would but give King Heâ—ry the greater advantage he endeavoured to propose an overture of peace betweene the two Kings And to that end Ambassadors are sent from the King of France and the yong Duke of Burgoigâ—â— whom the King kindly entertained but seemed to intimate unto them that hee could give no great credit to their propositions unlesse the Lady Katherine would joyne in them whose innocence he knew would never abuse him Whilest these things are in agitation the Earle of Salisbury tooke in Fresâ—â—y and the Earls Marshall and Huntington entred into Mayn who approaching Ments were encountred by the forces of the Dolphin whereof they slew five thousand and tooke two hundred prisoners for which newes being brought to Roan whither King Henry was come to solemnize the Feast of Christs Birth thanksgiving to God were publickly made and in the instant thereof arrived other Ambassadors from the King and Queene of France and a letter from the Lady Katherine to King Henry was secretly by the Bishop of Arrâ—s delivered The conclusion of all was that the king of England should speed himselfe to Troyes there to be Espoused to the Lady Kaâ—herine and to have assurance of the Crowne of France after the decease of the present king Charles Whereupon with a Guard of fifteen thousand choice Souldiers accompanied with the Duke of Clareâ—ce and Glocester the Earls of Warwicke Salisbury Huntington Loâ—gâ—evile Tankervile and Ewe the king of England came to Troyes in Champaign upon the eighteenth day of May where he was met by the Duke of Burgoignâ— and
thousand men at Arms and foure and twenty thousand Archers whom about the middle of May he followeth himselfe and safâ—ly aâ—riving at Câ—lliâ— hasted to relieve Charters which the Dolphin with seven thousand men had besieged but hearing of the kings comming was retired to Tours The king of Scots with the Duke of Glocester about the eighth of Iuly besieged Dreux which agreed if it were not relieved by the twentieth of that moneth then to surrender it no reliefe comming it was surrendred The king pursuâ—d the Dolphin from place to place but could not overtake him but in the way surprized the Towne of Bâ—wgâ—â—cy where all that craved it he â—ooke to mercy as likewise he did at Roâ—gemoâ—t from thence he went to Orleance and from thence to Vigneâ— St. Toâ— and from thence to Paris where having fitted himselfe with supplies he went and sate downe before Menixe in Brye which after some opposition he also tooke and thereby had possession of all the Fortresses in the Isle of France in 〈◊〉 in â—rye and in Champaigne Upon St. Nicholas day in the yeare 1422 Queen Katherine was brought to bed of a Son at Windsor who was by the Duke of Bedford and Henry Bishop of Winchester and the Countesse of Holland Christned by the name of Henry whereof when the king had notice out of a Propheticke rapture he sayd Good Lord I Henry of Monmouth shall small time Reigne and much get and Henry borne at Windsor shall long time Reigne and lose all but Gods will be done About this time the Dolphin layd siege to Cosney which the king was intentive to relieve as being a Town of the Duke of Burgoignes and therefore tendredit more than if it had beene hiâ— owne and making over-hasty journeys he over-heat himselfe with travell and comming to Sâ—â—lys found himselfe so ill at ease that he was forced to remaine there and to send his brother the Duke of Bedford to prosecute his designe which the Duke performed and the Dolphin upon his approach retired into Berry whereof in mockage he was after called the king of Berry But the kings Feaver and flâ—â— increasing he was removed to Boys de Vincens where growing worse and worse within a few dayes he dyed But somewhat before his departure he had made his Brother the Duke of Bedford Lievetenant Generall of Norâ—â—â—dy and Regent of the kingdome of France and his Brother the Duke of Glocester he had made Protector of England and of his Sons Person Exhorting all to be true and faithfull to the Duke of â—urgoâ—gâ—e to be at unitie amongst themselves to be loyall to their young Prince to be serviceable to his dearly beloved Queene to hold aâ—d preserve what he by his valour and Gods assistance had wonne and never to conclude contract of amitie with the Dolphin or Duke of Alanson untill they had submitted themselves to the kings Gracâ— And so giving God thanks for all his favors and blessings bestowed upon him in the midst of saying a Psalme of David he departed this life who might justly have prayed God with David Take me â—ot away in the midst of my dayes for he dyed about the age of five or six and thirty years which in Davids account is the midst of the number of the dayes of mans life but though he dyed in the midst of his dayes yet he dyed in the fulnesse of his Glory and of whom it may he said Iamque arce potitus Ridet anhelâ—â—tes durâ— ad fastigâ—â— montis When he had Reigned nine yeares and five moneths Of his Taxations IN his first yeere an incredible sum of money was given him by the Clergy to diâ—ert him from a motion propounded to take away their Temporalties And in the same yeere a Subsidie was granted him both by the Clergy and the Laity In his fourth yeere was granted him towards his warres in France two whole Tenths of the Clergy and a fifteenth of the Laity which being farre too short to defray his great charge he was forced to pawne his Crowne to the Bishop of Beauford his Uncle for a great sum of money as also certain Jewels to the Lord Major of London for ten thousand markes In his ninth yeere in a Parliament at Weâ—â—minster for revenge of the Duke of Clarence death two tenths of the Clergy and one fifteenth by the Laity which because the haste of the businesse could not stay the usuall course of collection the Bishop of Winchester brought in presently twenty thousand pounds to receive it againe when the Subsidie should be gathered The same yeere also the Duke of Bedford in the kings absence called a Parliament wherein was granted towards his warres one fifteenth to be paid in such money as was at that time current These are all the Subsidies that were given him notwithstanding his many and great atchievements by which it appeares what great matters a moderate Prince may doe and yet not grieve his subjects with Taxations Of Lawes and Ordinances made by him or in his â—ime HE ordained the king of Heralds over the English which is called Gâ—rter In his ninth yeare in a Parliament holden at Westminster It was ordained that no man should offer Gold in payment unlesse it were weight and thereupon were appointed ballances and weights An act made in the thirteenth yeare of king Richard the Second which disabled the Alien Religious to enjoy any Bâ—nefices within England was in the beginning of this kings Reigne put in execution and further this king excluded also the French from all preferments Ecclesiasticall and those Priors Aliens Conventuall who had institution and induction were bound to put in security not to disclose or cause to be disclosed the Counsell and secreâ—s of the Realme Affaires of the Church in his tiâ—e IN the beginning of his Reigne the Wickliffs increased greatly of whom Sir Iohn Oldcastle was a Chiefe who by mariage of a kinswoman of the Lord Cobhamâ— of Câ—â—ling in Kent obtained that Title This knight being very valorous and in great favour with the king was in a Synod at London accused for maintaining of Wickliffâ— doctrine whereof the king being informed sent for him and instantly dealt with him to submit himselfe to the censure of the Church But Sir Iohn Oldcastle told the King that he owed his subjection onely to his Majestie and as for others he would stand for the truth against them to the uttermost of his life Upon this he was served by Processe to appeare in the Archbishops Court and not appeaâ—ing was condemned of Contumacy and afterwards in a Synod at Rochester was by the Archbishop pronounced to be an Heretick who then enacted that Decree That the Holy Scriptures ought not to be translated into the English tongue But marke the judgement that fell upon his owne tongue whoâ—e rootes and blade shortly after as is recorded grew so bigge in his mouth and throat that he could neither speake nor swallow downe meat but in horrour lay languishing till at last
deceased Duke of Somerset and Cosen Germane to the King with a large Dowry and married them at St. Mary-Overys in Southwarke yet all this curtesie could not keep him afterward from being unfaithfull and unthankfull And now the Protector sent over to the Regent ten thousand wel furnished Souldiers with which fresh succour he wonne many Townes and places of strength which the French seeing and finding themselves too weak by plaine force to withstand the English they sought by subtilty to compasse their ends and first they worke upon the inconstancie of the Duke of Brittaine and his brother Arthur by King Henry the fifth created Earle of Yewry whom by gifts and promises they suborned perfidiously to deliver over into their possession the Castles of Crotoye and Yerney but the English before the French Garrisons were setled fell upon Crotoye and recovered it and that done the Regent besieged Yerney and by secret mining and violent Batteries so shooke the Walls that they agreed to yeild it up if not relieved by a certaine time whereupon the Duke of Alaâ—son with sixteene thousand French came to the rescue but perceiving the English to be prepared to receive them he wheeled about to Verâ—oyle and swore to the Townsmen that hee had put the Regent to flight and rescued Yerney which they believing rendrâ—d up Vernoyle to him but the Regent followed him thither when by the encouragement of some fresh Companies of Scots come to his succour he came to a battell in the field where the English with the losse of two thousand one hundred common Souldiers and two of the Nobility the Lord Dudley and the Lord Charleton got the honor of the day and slew of their enemies five Earles two Viscounts twenty Barons and above seven thousand other of the French besides two thousand seven hundred Scots lately arrived and tooke Prisoners the Duke of Alanson himselfe the Lord of Herâ—ys and divers other French and Sir Iohn Tourâ—â—ull and two hundred Gentlemen besides common Souldiers This battell was fought the eight and twentieth day of August in the yeare 14â—4 and thereupon Vernoyle was presently redelivered After this the Earle of Salisbury with ten thousand men taketh in the strong Towne of Mâ—â—â—ts the Towne of St. Susan the Fort Sâ— Bernard and others from thence he went to Aâ—jou where he performed such heroicke Acts that his very name grew terrible in all France as for instance the new High-Constable perfidious Richmond with forty thousand men layd Siege to the good Town of St. Iames in Benyoâ— the Garrison whereof consisted but of six hundred English who being driven to some extremity sallied forth crying Saâ—nt George a Salisbury which word of Salisbury so frighted the French thinking hee had been come to rescue them that casting away their weapons they ran all away saving some few that yielded themselves prisoners leaving all their Tents fourteen Peeces of Ordnance forty Barrels of Powder three hundred Pipes of Wine much Armour and some treasure behinde them After which other Castles as that of Beamâ—â—t of Vicount Tenney Gilly Osce Rusey Vasicke and many more were taken in by Sir Iohn Monâ—gomery and Sir Iohn Falstaffe so as once againe the French are glad to betake themselves to their old course of fraud they compounded with a Gascoigne Captaine for delivery of Alâ—â—son to them whereof the Regent having notice he sent the Lord Willoughby and Sir Iohn Falstaffe to prevent it who encountering with Charles de Villiers that with two hundred horse and three hundred foot was come to the place appointed for entry tooke and slew them all except some few horse which saved themselves by flying After which the Earle of Salisbury tooke in and demolished above forty Castles and strong Piles for which there was publique thanksgiving to God in London Whil'st these things were done in France an unkinde variance fell out betweene the Protector and his brother the Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellor for appeasing whereof the Regent having substituted the Earle of Warwick Lievtenant Generall in his absence came into England where in a Parliament he compounded all differences between them in honour whereof king Henry kept a solemne feast at which time the Regent dubbed the King knight not yet above foure yeares old and then the King presently invested with that dignity many of his servants and Edmund Mortimer the last Earle of March at this time dying his Inheritance descended to Richard Plantagenet sonne and heire to Richard Earle of Cambridge beheaded at Southampton who was now created Duke of York was afterward father to king Edward the fouâ—h and at this time also Iohn Mowbray sonne and heire to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk banished before by king Richard the second was restored to the Title of Duke of Norfolk And now all things peaceably setled in England the Regent with the Bishop of Winchester returned into France where at the intercession of the Duke of Burgoigne the Duke of Alanson was ransomed for two hundred thousand Crownes and the Bishop of Winchester returned to Callice where he was invested with the dignity and Hat of a Cardinall which his brother the Regent put upon his head About this time the Duke of Glocester Protector tooke some blemish in his honour by marying another mans wife Iâ—queline Countesse of Haynoult Holland and Zealand who was maried before to Iohn Duke of Brabant yet living and had lived with him ten moneths as his lawfull wife but at that time upon some discontent gone from him intending to be divorced at which injury offered to the Duke of Brabaâ—t the Duke of Burgoigne being his Cosin tooke so great offence that first by friendly letters he admonished the Duke of Glocester of it and that not prevailing they grew to termes of challenge and a Combat between them was appointed but in the meane time the Lady betrayed was caried to the Duke of Burgoigne who conveyed her to Gaunt from whence by friendship of a Burgonian knight in mans apparell she escaped into Holland and there made a defensive warre against her husband the Duke of Brabant and the Duke of Burgoigne To her ayd the Duke of Glocester sent the Lord Fitzwater with a Power of a thousand men but she being discomfited by the Duke of Brabant and the Pope also pronouncing the first mariage legall the Duke of Glocester deserted her and then tooke for a second wife Eleanor daughter of the Lord Cobham of Sterborough his old mistresse and the Lady Iaqueline after the death of Iohn Duke of Brabant maried a meane Gentleman whom the Duke of Burgoigne imprisoned and brought herselfe to live in much trouble And now in France the Constable with forty thousand men besieged the Town of S. Iames de Benuron and having made a breach fit for assault whilst his Captaines stood streining of courtesie which of them should first enter Sir Nicolas Burdet with all his forces sallied forth crying aloud A Salisbury a Suffolk whose names struck such
a terrour into the besiegers that they stood like men amazed of whom six hundred were slaine two hundred drowned in the ditches fifty taken prisoners with eighteen Standards and the Constable was glad to quit the place and give over the Siege At the same time also the Earle of Warwick and the L. Scales with seven thousand besieged Ponterson many weekes together but Povâ—sion waxing scant the Lord Scales with three thousand men went a forraging into the Enemies Country and in his returne with plenty of provision was encountred with six thousand French of whom he slew many hundreds tooke above a thousand prisoners and then returned safe into the Campe. About this time also Sir Iohn Falstaffe besieged the strong Towne of Gravile which after twelve dayes offered to render it selfe by a day if it were not relieved The offer was taken and Pledges delivered but before the day came they within â—he Towne had victualled and manned the place and thereupon neglecting their Pledges refused to render the Castle according to agreement whereupon the Pledges were brought before the sight of them within the Castle and there openly put to death And now a conspiracy of the Clergie and Magistrates in Maunts so prevailed that the Marshals of France with five hundred men about midnight came to the Town-walls where the Guard of the English by those that seemed their friends were suddenly massacâ—ed and setting open the Gates made way for the Enemy to enter whereupon the Alarum given the Earle of Suffolk with the surviving English withdrew to the Castle wherein they were sharply assayled by the French who yet had more minde to ransack houses and to make good cheere whereof the Lord Tâ—lbot having intelligence by Captaine Goffe whom he had sent to discover the state of the French he secretly gave notice to the Earle of Suffolk who thereupon sallied forth of the Castle at a time when the Lord Tâ—lbot was ready with his Troopes and on both sides crying St. George a Tâ—lbot they fell upon the carelesse French who lost foure hundred of their best men the rest were all taken the Town re-gained and the Conspiratours thirty Citizens twenty Priests and fifteen Friers condemned and put to execution Whilst these things went on prosperously in France a great disaster fell out in England for the right Noble Thomas Beauford sonne of Iohn of Gâ—uâ—t and Katherine Swiâ—ford Duke of Exeter and Guardian of the King makes king Henry his heire and at East-Greenwich in Kent ended his life whose place was presently supplyed by the Earle of Warwick and the Earles place in France by the Earle of Salisbury who thereupon with five thousand men came to Orleaâ—ce and besieged the City and won from the French the great fort But here happened another great disaster for from an high tower in this fort the Besiegers observed the passages of the Townsmen when the Noble Earle of Salisbury intending to informe himselfe of the state of the Towne unfortunately looking out at a window of the fort with Sir Thâ—â—â—â— Gâ—rgrave a great shot from the Town striking the barres of the window the splinters thereof were driven into his head and face of which wounds within eight dayes he died This was now a second weakning to the English party but in his place the Earle of Suffolk succeeded to whom the Regent sendeth Sir Iohn Falsâ—â—â—â—â— with fresh supplies whom the Lord de la Brets nine thousand strong endeavours to intercept but Sir Iohn resolving to abide the charge placeth his cariages behind the horse next and the foot before lining his bowes with bill-men and pitching stakes behind the Archers who having discharged their first volley retired behind the stakes on which the French forgetting their former defeats by that course ran and goared their horses by which their Vaward being disordered the Battaile made a stand which Sir Iohn perceiving cryeth out St. George Theyâ—â—ie at which words they fled indeed and lost two thousand five hundred of their men with the Lords de la Brets and William Steward eleven hundred were taken Prisoners with whom and a rich booty they came to the Campe before Orleance Hereof the besieged having notice they offered to submit themselves to the Duke of Burgâ—igne who was contented to receive them so as the Regent would consent But the Regent consented not and therefore in the meane time the besieged made meanes to the Duke of Alâ—â—soâ— who furnished the Towne with fresh Forces and Provision which put such spirits into the Citizens that they made a sally out slew six hundred English and adventured upon the Bastile where the Lord Tâ—lbot commanded who repelled them with great slaughter of their men but yet the next day the Earle of Suffolk gave over his siege and dispersed his Army into their Garrisons And now the wheele of Fortune began to turn to the French against the English which once set a going was not easie to be stayed And first the Duke of Alâ—â—soâ— tooke by assault the Towne of Iargeux and in it the Earle of Suffolk and one of his brothers and slew Sir Alexander Pole another of his brothers and many other Prisoners in cold blood by reason of a contention amongst the French to whom the Prisoners should belong Presently upon this â—nother great blow was given the English for the Lords Talbot Scaleâ— and Hungerford going to foâ—tifie the Town of S. Meuâ— were encountred by the said Duke of Alâ—â—son and Arthur of Britaine with three and twenty thousand men with whom the English Lords interchanged some blowes but oppressed with multitude were all three taken prisoners all sore wounded twelve hundred of their company slaine and the rest hardly escaping to Meâ—â— where they fortified themselves the best they could against future assaults These were great blowes given to the English fortune in France Salisbury slaine and now Talbot taken prisoner which though they made her a little to totter yet there must be greater blowes given before she will fall And indeed these disasters were seconded by the perfidous surrender of many Townes and strong Holds to the French king who now encouraged by these successes marcheth into Champaigne where by composition he tooke Troyes the chiefe City of that Province Chaltoâ—s rebelleth and enforceth their Captaine to yield it up by whose example the Citizens of Rhemes doe the like where the French king is anew Proclaimed and with accustomed ceremonies Anointed and Crowned whereupon many Townes submit themselves to him and revolt from the English Upon this the Duke of Bedford to make the French know that all the English strength consisted not in onely Salisbury and Talbot with ten thousand English besides Normans marched out of Paâ—is and sent letters of defiance to the French king affirming that deceitfully and by unjust meanes he had stolne many Cities and places of importance belonging to the Crown of England which he was come to justifie by battell if he would appoint a time and place To which the
multitudes as opposed them for he marching with the rest of the Army towards Baugeux was encountred by the Earle of Clermont with seven thousand French and Scots whom yet at first he made to recoyle till the Constable of France with foure hundred men at Armes and eight hundred Archers came to the rescue and then fresh men comming upon them that were already tyred the English lost three thousand and above seven hundred besides divers that were taken prisoners After this losse of men followes presently a losse of Towns Harflew is assaulted and though valiantly for a while defended by Sir Robert Curson yet surrendred at last upon composition Then the French King with an Army royall besiegeth Caen in Normandy a Towne belonging to the Duke of Yorke defended in his absence by his Lievtenant Sir David Hall but the Duke of Somerset being Regent in commiseration of his Dutchesse being in the Towne notwithstanding the sâ—out opposition of Sir David Hall surrenders it upon composition to the French whereof Sir David giving notice to the Duke of Yorke it bred such a deadly quarrell between the two Dukes that they were never after throughly reconciled And thus is all Normandy recovered from the English after it had been in their possession a hundred years and finally all France is reduced to the obedience of Charles the French King And now hereafter there will be little to do abroad but there will be the more to do at home and more bloud will be shed in England by civill dissentions then was shed before in all the Wars of France This losse of Normandy and other parts in France is imputed much to the Duke of Somerset at that time Regent but the Duke of Suffolke must beare a great part of the blame partly for having beene the cause of the surrender of Anjou and Mayne and the chiefe procurer of the Duke of Glocesters death and partly for having wilfully wasted the Kings treasure and been a meanes to remove the ablest men from the Councell Boord of all which aspersions the Queen takes notice and knowing how far they trenched upon the Dukes destruction and her own She so wrought that the Parliament assembled at the Black-Friers is adjourned to Leicester and from thence to Westminster but though all means were used to stop these accusations against the Duke yet the lower House would not be taken off but exhibited their Bill of Grievances against him That he had traiterously incited the Bastard of Orleance the Lord Presigny and others to levy warre against the King to the end that thereby the King might be destroyed and his Son Iohn who had married Margaret Daughter and sole Heire of Ioâ—n Duke of Soâ—â—â—set whose title to the Crowne the sayd Duke had often declared in case king Henry should dye without issue might come to be King That through his treachery the French King had gotten possession of the Dutchie of Normandy and had taken prisoners the valiant Earle of Shrewsbury the Lord Fawcâ—â—bridge and others but to these accusâ—tions he peremptorily affirmed himselfe not guilty so much as in thought Then were further allegations made against him that being with others sent Ambassador into France he had transcended his Commission and without privity of his fellow Commissioners had presumed to promise the surrender of Anjou and the delivery of the County of Mauâ—ts to Duke Rayner which accordingly was â—erformed to the great dishonour of the King and detriment of the Crowne That he had traiterously acquainted the French King with all the affaires of State and passages of secrecie by which the enemy was throughly instructed in all the designes of the King and Councell That he had received rewards from the French king to divert and disappoint all succours sent to the kings friends in France Upon these and divers other accusations brought against him to bleare the peopâ—es eyes he is committed to the Tower but the Parliament was no sooner dissolved but he was set at liberty which so incensed the common people that they made an Insurrection and under the leading of a desperate fellow styling himselfe Blewbeard they committed many outrages but by the diligence of the Gentlemen of the Country the Captain was apprehended and the Rebellion ceased And now another Parlâ—ament is called where great care is taken in chusing of Burgesses presuming thereby to stop any further proceeding against the Duke of Suffolke but his personall appearance at the Parliament gave such a generall distaste to the House though he came in the company of the king and Queene that they forbore not to begin the Assembly with Petitioning the king for punishment to be inflicted upon such as had plotted or consented to the resignation of Aâ—joâ— and Mayne whereof by name they instanced in the Duke of Suffolke Iohn Bishop of Salisbury Sir Iameâ— Fynes Lord Say and others This Petition was seconded by the Lords of the upper House whereupon to give some satisfaction to the Houses the Lord Say Lord Treasurer is sequestred from his place the Dukes Officers are all discarded and himselfe formally banished for five yeares but with an intent after the multitude had put out of minde their hatred against him to have revoked him but God did otherwise dispose of him for when he was shipped in Suffolke with intent to have passed over into France he was met by an Englishman of War taken and carried to Dover sands and there had his head chopt off on the side of the long-boate which together with the body was left there on the sands as a pledge of some satisfaction for the death of Duke Hâ—â—phry Whilâ—st these things are done in England the Duke of Yorke in Ireland began to make his way to the Crowne as descended from Philippe daughter and heire of George Duke of Clarence elder brother to Iohn of Gaunt great Grandfather to the present king Henry the sixth And for a beginning it is privately whispered that king Hâ—nry was of a weake capacity and easily abused the Queene of a malignant spirit and bloudily ambitious the Privie Councell if wise enough yet not honest enough regarding more their private profit then the publique good that through their delinquencies all Frâ—â—ce was lost and that God would not blesse the usurped possession of king Heâ—ry with these suggestions the Kentishmen seemed to be taken which being observed by an instrument of the Duke of Yorke called Mortimer he takes his time and tells the multitude that if they will be ruled by him he will put them in a course to worke a generall Reformation and free them for ever from those insupportable burthens of taxations so often upon every slight occasion obtruded upon them These promises of Reformation and freedome from impositions so wrought with the people that they drew to a head and make Mortimer otherwise Iacke Cade their leader who stiling himselfe Captaine Mend-all marcheth with no great number but those well ordered to Blâ—ck-heath where betweene Elthaâ— and Greenwich he
Workes of Piety done by him or others in his time THe King himselfe Founded two famous Colledges the one in Cambridge to our Lady and St. Nicholâ—s called the Colledge Royall or the kings Colledge the other of Eateâ— besides Windsor called of our blessed Lady to the maintenance whereof he gave 3400 pounds by yeare In the 28 year of his Reigne his Queen Margaret began the Foundation of Queens Colledge in Cambridge In the time of his Reigne also Henry Chicheley Archbishop of Canterbury Founded two Colledges in Oxford one called All-Soules Colledge the other Bernard Colledge In his time also Hâ—mpâ—ry Duke of Glocester but others say Thomas Kempe Archbishop of Caâ—terâ—â—ry built the Divinity School in Oxford also the sayd Archbishop built Pauls-Crosse in forme as now it standeth and William Wâ—ynflete Bishop of VVinchester and Lord Chancellor of England Founded Mary Magdalen Colledge in Oxford In his seventeenth yeare Ralph Lord Cromwell builded the Colledge of Tatshall in Lincâ—lâ—shire Also this yeare VVilliam â—â—stfield Major of London caused to be builded at his own charge the Water-Conduict in Fleetstreet In his ninth year Iohn VVells Major of London caused the Condâ—ict commonly called the Standard in Cheape to be builded In his first yeare the West Gate of London sometime called Chamberlaine gate and now Newgate was begun to be new builded by the Executors of Sir Richard VVhittington Lord Major of London In his fifth yeare Iohn Reynwell Major of London gave certaine lands to the Citie of London for which thâ— Citie is bound to pay for ever all Fifâ—eens that shall be granted to the King so as it passe â—ot three Fifteens in one year for three Wards in London namely Dowgâ—te-Ward Billiâ—gsgate-Ward and Aldgate Also this yeare the Tower at the Drawbridge of Loâ—don was begun by the same Major In his foure and twentieth yeare Simon Eyre Lord Major of Lâ—ndon builded the Leaden-Hall in Loâ—doâ— to be a Storehoâ—se for Graine and Fewell for the poore of the Citie and faire Chappell at the East end of the same leaving in stocke a thousand pounds which aâ—terward King Edward the Fourth borrowed and never paid it again Also in this kings time William de la Poole Duke of Suffolke and Alice his wife Daughter to Thomas Châ—â—cer Son of Geoffry Chawcer the famous Poet translated and encreased the Mannour place of Ewelme in Oxfordshire and builded new the Parish Church of Ewelme and an Hospitall or Almeshouse for two Priests and thirteene poore men to which he gave three Manours Ramruge in Hampshire Coâ—ocke in Wiltshire and Meâ—sh in Buckinghâ—mshire They also founded the Hospitall of Doâ—nington Castle Of Casualtieâ— happening in his time In his Fifth yeare was â—o unseasonable weather that it rained almost continually from Easter to Michaelmasse In his seventh yeare the eight of November the Duke of Norfolke was like to have been drowned passing through London-Bridge hiâ— Barge being set upon the piles overwhelmed so that thirty persons were drowned and the Duke with others that escaped were fain to be drawn up with ropes In his 18 year all the Lyons in the Tower dyed Also this year the 18 day of Iuly the Postern-Gates of London by Eâ—st-Smithfield against the Tower of London sanke by night more than seven foot into the earth In his two and twentieth year on Newyears day neer unto Bedford a very deep water which ran betwixt the Towns oâ— Swelstone and Harleswood stood suddenly still and divided it selfe so that by the spâ—ce of three miles the bottome remained dry which wonder many thought to signifie the division of the people and falling away from the king which happened shortly after In the three and thirtieth year of his Reign besides a great Blazing Starre there happened a strange sight a monstrous Cock came out of the Sea and in the presence of a multitude of people at Portland made a hideous crowing three times each time turning about clapping his wings and beckning towardâ— the North the South and the West as also many prodigious births In his six and thirtieth year in a little Town in Bedfordshire it rained bloud wherof the red drops appeared in sheets hung out to dry Of his Wife and issue HE married Margaret Daughter of Rayner Duke of Anjou and Tiâ—ular king of Ierusalem Sicilie and Arragon by whom he had small Portion and little strength of Alliance yet might have been a good match if they could have changed conditions with one another that he might have had her active and stirring spirit and she his softly and milde disposition She was his wife six and twenty years and after her husbands depulsion from the Regall Throne his Forces being vanquished at the Battell of Tewkesberry in a poore Religious house where she had fled for safety of her life was taken prisoner and carried captive to London where shee remained in durance till Duke Rayner her Father purchased her liberty unto whom she returned and lastly dyed in her native Country By her king Henry had issue only one Son named Edwâ—rd who when the day was lost at Tâ—wkesberry sought to escape by flight but being taken was brought into the presence of king Edward whose râ—solute answers provoked king Edward so much that he dashed him on the mouth with his Gantlet and then Richard the Crouchback ran him into the heart with his Dagger his body waâ— buried amongst the poore persons there slain in the Monasticall Church of the Black-Friers in Tewkesberry Of his Death and Buriall UPon King Edwards recovering the Crown he was committed to the Tower where the 21 of May in the yeare 147â— he was murthered by the bloudy hand of â—ichard Duke of Glocester the day after he was brought to Pauls Church in an open Coffin bare-faced where he bled thence carried to the Black-Friers where â—e â—lso bled from thence in a Boat to Chersey Abbey without Priest or Clerk â—orch or taper saying or singing and there buried but afterwards at the appointment of King Edward was removed to Windsor and there interred and a fair Monument made ovâ—r him Of his Personage and Conditions HEe was tall of statuâ—e spare and slender of body of a comely countenance and all parts well proportioned For endowments of his minde he had virtues enough to make him a Saint but not to make him a God as kings are said to be gods for of that commanding power there being two parts Parcere subjectis debellare â—uperbos he wanted the latter He was not sensible of that which the world calls Honour accounting the greatest honour to consist in humility His greatest imperfection was that he had in him too much of the Logge and too little of the Storke for he would not move but as he was moved and had rather be devoured than he would devoure He was not so stupid not to know prosperity from adversity but he was so devout to thinke nothing adversitie which was not a hinderance to Devotion He was fitter for a Priest than
Daughter of Richard Beauchamp Earle of Wâ—rwicke deceased Upon this marriage the Earle of Warwicke discovered to hiâ— what hitherto he had concealed concerning his project for the restoring of k. Hâ—nry to which Clarence gave approbation with promise to assist him in it to his uttermoâ—â— At this time Sir Thomas Cooke late Major of London was by one Hawkins appeached of Treason for the which he was sent to the Tower and his place in Londoâ— seized by the Lord Rivers The case was this the sayd Hawkins came to Sir Thomas requesting him to lend a thousand Marks upon good surety who answered he would first know for whom it should be and for what intent and understanding it should be for the use of Queen Margaret he refused to lend a penny The matter rested two or three years till the sayd Hawkins was layd in the Tower and brought to the Brake called the Duke of Exeters Daughter by means of which paine hee confessed amongst other things the motion he had made to Sir Thomas Cookâ— and accused himselfe so farre that hee was put death Sir Thomas Cooke lying in the Tower from Whitsuntide till Michaelmas had his place in Essex named Gyddihall spoyled his Deere in his Parke destroyed and though arraigned upon life and death he were acquitted of the Indictment yet could not be delivered till he had payd eight thousand pounds to the king and eight hundred to the Queen And now the Earle of VVarwicke sendeth to his brothers the Arcbbishop and the Marquesse to prepare all things ready to set on foot the intended revolt from king Edward and to procure some rebellious commotion in the North whil'st he and his new Son in law would provide to goe forward with the worke which they accordingly did in Yorkeshire an occasion being taken for the breach of an ancient custome there to give to the poore people of St. Leonards in the City of Yorke certain quantities of Corn and Grain This commotion the Archbishop and the Marquâ—sse underhand fomented yet to colour the matter the Marquesse opposed the Rebels and cut off the head of Robert Huldorne their Captain but his head being cut off the Rebels got them other Captains Henry Son and heir to the Lord Fiâ—zhugh and sir Henry Nevill Son to the Lord Latimer the one the Nephâ—w the other â— Cozen-germane to the Earle of VVarwicke with whom they joyne the valiant Captaine Sir Iohn Conyers These when they could not enter Yorke came marching towards London all the way exclaiming against king Edward as an unjust Prince and an usurper King Edward hearing of this commotion sends Sir VVilliam Herbert whom of a meane Gentleman two years before he had made Earle of Pembrooke and his brother sir Richard Herbert together with the Lord Stafford of Southwick to suppresse the Rebels and they with an Army of seven thousand most Welchmen march towards them but the Lord Stafford being put from his Inne where he used â—o lodge by the Earle of Peâ—brooke tooke such a distaste at it that he withdrew his Archeâ—s and gave over the businesse yet the Earle of Pembâ—ooke though thus forâ—â—â—en with his own Regiment encountred the Rebels slew Sir Henry Nevill and divers othersâ— when being upon the point of victory one Iohn Clappaâ— a servant of the Eâ—rle of VVarwicke comming in with five hundred rascally fellows and crying aloud a Wâ—rwicke a Warwicke the Welchmen supposing the Earle had beene 〈◊〉 turned presently their backs and fled five thousand of them were slain the Eâ—â—le of Pembrâ—â—ke himselfe and his much lamented brother Sir Richard Herbert a most goodly personage were taken prisoners brought to Banbury where both oâ— thâ—â— with ten other Gentlemen were put to death And now the Northamptonshire men joyning with the Rebels in this fury made them a Captain named Robert Hillaâ—d but they named him Robin of Riddesdale suddenly came to Grafton where they tooke the Earle Rivers father to the Queen and his sonne Sir Iohn Woodvile brought them to Northampton and there without Judgement beheaded them King Edward advertised of these mischances wrote to the Sheriffs of Somerset-shire and Dâ—vâ—â—-shire to apprehend the Lord Stafford of Southwick who had treacherously â—â—â—saken the Earle of Pembrooke and if they could take him to put him to death who being soon after found in a Village within Brentmarsh was brought to Bridgeâ—aâ—er and there beheaded After this battell fought at Hedgecote commonly called Bâ—â—bury field the Northern men resorted to Warwick where the Earl with great joy received them and hearing that king Edward with a great army was comming thither he sent for his sonne in Law the Duke of Clareâ—ce with all speed to repaire â—â—to him who joyning together and using means cunningly by having some coâ—â—â—nication of Peace to make the king secure and to take little heed of himselfâ—â— they took advantage of his security and in the dead of night set on his Campe and killing the watch before the king was aware at a place called Wolney foure miles from Barwick they took him prisoner in his bed and presently conveyed him to Middleham Castle in Yorkeshire to be there in safe custody with the Archbishop of Yorke And now they had the Prey in their hand if they had as well looked to keâ—p it as they had done to get it but king Edward whether bribing his Keepers or otherwise winning them by faire promises got so much liberty sometimes for his reâ—reation to goe a hunting by which he caused Sir William Stanley Sir Thomas of 〈◊〉 and divers of his friends at a certaine time to meet him who took him from hiâ— Keepers and set him againe at liberty whil'st the Earle of Warwicke nothing doubting his brother the Archbishops care in safe keeping him thinking the brunt of the warres to be now past dismist his Army and intended only to finde out King Henryâ— who was kept a prisoner but few men knew where King Edward being now at liberty posteth to York and from thence to Lancaâ—â—eâ— where his Chamberlaine the Lord Hastings had raised some forces with which he marcheth to London aud is there joyfully received The Earle of Warwick likewise sends to his friends and makes preparation for a new army whil'st in the meâ—n time by mediation of divers Lords an enterview in VVestminster-hall is agreed upon and solemn Oath taken on both sides for safety between King Edward the Duke of Clarence and the Earle of Warwicke but each party standing strictly upon terms tending to their own ends they parted as great Enemies as they met and so from thence the K. went to Canterbury the Duke and the E. to Lincolne whither they had preappointed their forces to repaire under the Conduct of Sir Robert Wâ—lâ— Son heir of the L. Wels a man of great valour and experience in the wars K. Eâ—â—â—rd to take off so able a man from the Earles part sends for his Father the L. Wels to come unto him who taking with him his
neere in blood than different in conditions of equall 〈…〉 of personage both but not of equall goodnesse of minde Sir Thomas 〈◊〉 of in honest and sober disposition but Sir Iames of a turbulent spirit and one 〈…〉 after preferment would not stick to make a fortune out of any villany 〈◊〉 told of this man as he was sitting at the close-stoole he presently roâ—e and 〈◊〉 to him where being met the maâ—ch is soon made up between them for he 〈◊〉 Sir Iames more ready to undertake the work than he was himselfe to set him 〈◊〉 it It onely remained to procure him free passage to the place where the 〈◊〉 was to be done for King Richard had formerly sent a trusty Privado of his 〈◊〉 Iohn Greene to Sir Robert Brackenbury then Lieutenant of the Tower think 〈…〉 having been raised by him would not have refused to doe the deed himselfe but when he heard how averse he was from it Good Lord saith he whom 〈◊〉 man trust Once he saw plainly that whilst he was Lieutenant there was 〈…〉 to effect it To remove therefore this Rub he sends his Letters Manâ—â—â—â— to Brâ—ckenbury to deliver presently the keyes of the Tower to Sir Iames 〈◊〉 who being now Lieutenant for the time and having the two innocent 〈◊〉 under his custodie gets two other as very villaines as himselfe the one 〈…〉 the other Iames Dighton his horse-keeper a bigge sturdy knave and 〈…〉 makes his under-agents who comming into the childrens chamber in the 〈◊〉 for they were suffered to have none about them but one Black Will or 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—ghter a bloody rascall they suddenly lapped them up in their cloaths 〈…〉 down by force the featherbed and pillowes hard unto their mouths so 〈…〉 that their breath failing they gave up their innocent soule to God 〈◊〉 when the murâ—herers perceived first by their strugling with the paines of 〈◊〉 and then by their long lying still to be throughly dead they laid their bodies out upon the bed and then fetched Sir Iames to see them who presently caused their bodies to be buried under the staires under a heap of stones from whence they were afterward removed to a place of Christian buriall by a Priest of Sir Robert 〈◊〉 who dying within a few dayes after and none knowing the place but 〈◊〉 was cause that it hath not been known to this day and gave occasion afterwardâ—â— the Imposture of Perkin Warbeck in King Henry the Seventh's Raign Some 〈◊〉 that king Richard caused their bodies to be taken up and closed them in lead and then to be put in a Cossin full of holes hooked at the ends with Iron and so 〈…〉 a place called the Black Deepes at the Thames mouth to be sure they should 〈◊〉 rise up not be seen againe And now see the Divine revenge upon the actors 〈…〉 â—â—cerable murther Miles Forrest at St. Martins le Grand peece-meale rotâ—â—â— away Dighton lived at Callice a long time after but detested of all men dyed 〈◊〉 misery Sir Iames Tyrrell was beheaded afterward on the Tower-hill for 〈◊〉 and king Richard himselfe after this abhominable fact done never had 〈◊〉 minde troubled with fearfull dreames and would sometimes in the night 〈◊〉 of his bed and run about the Chamber in great fright as if all the Furies of 〈◊〉 were hanging about him that it was verefied in him â—ltrix Tisiphone vocat 〈◊〉 seva sororum Conâ—â—deracies in evill are seldome long-lived and commonly end in a reciprocall 〈◊〉 and so was it now with king Richard and the Duke of Buckingham They had confederated together to the destruction of many and now their confederacy dissolves in both their ruines but what the cause was of their dissolving is not so certaine whether it were that the Duke thought not himselfe so well rewarded as his great services had deserved or whether it were that King Richard thought not himselfe absolute King as long as the Duke by whose means he came to be King was in such a height of greatnesse or whether it were as was rather thought that the Duke being a man ambitious and of an aspiring spirit though he had himselfe been the means to bring King Richard to the Crown yet when the Crown was put upon his head so envied at it that he turned his head another way â—s not enduring the sight and for the same caâ—se was willing not to have been present at the Coronation pretending sicknes in excuse of his absence but that King Richard sent him a sharpe Message requiring him to come or he would fetch him whereupon the Duke went but with so ill a minde that he bore it in minde ever after Whatsoever it was certaine it is that presently after the Coronation there grew great jealousies between them and the Duke retired himselfe to his Castle at Brecknock where he had the Bishop of Ely in custody And here we may observe the unsearchable depth of the divine Providence the bottome whereof the soundest judgement of Man can never sound as working effects by contrary causes for where King Richard had committed the Bishop to the Duke as to one that would have a most watchfull eye over him This which the King did for the Bishops greater punishment proved a means afterward of the Bishops greater advancement and a means at the present of King Richards ruine For the Duke being retyred home and having his head so full of thoughts that of necessity it required â—ent for his own recreation would sometimes fall in talke with the Bishop with whose discourse as he was a man of great wit and solid judgement the Duke was so taken thaâ— he grew to delight in nothing more then to be conferring with him One time it happened that the Duke had opened his minde something freely to him and the Bishop following him in his own way and cunningly working upon that humour of the Duke which he found most working in the Duke which he conceived to grow out of envy to king Richard he said to this purpose My Lord you know I followed first the part of king Henry the sixth and if I could have had my wish his Sonne should have had the Crown and not king Edward But after that God had ordained king Edward to Reigne I was never so mad that I would with a dead man strive against the quick And so was I to king Edward also a faithfull Chaplaine and glad would have been that his childe had succeeded him How be it if the sâ—cret Judgement of God have otherwise provided I purpose not to labour to set up that which God pulleth down And as for the Lord Protectour and now Kingâ— and even there he left saying he had already meddled too much with the world and would from that day meddle with his Books and his Beads and no further Then longed the Duke exceedingly to heare what he would have said because he ended with the king and there suddenly stopped and thereupon intreated him to be bold to say
but little exceed one halfe of the Kings Yet to make the best shew he couldâ— by the advice of his Counsell of War he made his Vaward open and thin of which Iohn Earle of Oxford had the leading The Earle himselfe led the Battaile Sir Gilbert Talbot commanding the Right wing and Sir Iohn Savage the left whose souldiers being all alike clad in white Coates and hoods of Frize by the reflection of the Sun upon them made them appeare in the view of their Enemies double the number The Reereward was governed by the Earle of Pembrooke which consisted most of â—orse and some Pikes and Black bills King Richard to incourage his souldiers made a solemne speech unto them but alas what hope coâ—ld he have to put them in heart whose hearts he had lost or to rise alacrity in others who had none in himselfe For now the remembrance of his fore-passed villanies and specially a fearfull dreame he had the night before wherein it seemed to him he saw divers Images like Devils which pulled and haled him not suffering him to take any rest or quiet so damped his spirits that although he set a good face upon the matter yet he coâ—ld not choose but have a presaging feare that the date oâ— hiâ— dayes was not farre from expiring The Earle of Richmond on the other side having a cleere conscience in himself and speaking to men that followed him for loveâ— had the easier means â—o give them encouragement which he did with so cheerfull a countenance as though already he had gotten the victory After their military exhorâ—ations ended King Richard commanded to give the onset Between both Armies there was agreat Marsh which the Earle left on his right-hand that it might be a defence for his souldiers on that side and besides by so doing he had the Sunne at his back and in the faces of the enemy When king Richard saw that the Earles company waâ— paâ—â—ed this Marish he commanded with all speed to set upon them Then were the Arrows let fly on both sides and those spent they came to hand-strokes at which encounter comes in the the Lord Stanley and joyns with the Earle The Earle of Oxford in the mean time fearing lest his company should be compassed in with the multitude of his enemies gave charge in every ranke that no man should goe above ten foot from the Standard whereupon they knit themselves together and ceased a while from fighting which the Enemy seeing and mistrusting some fraud they also paused and left striking But then the Eâ—rle of Oxford having brought all his Band together set on the Enemy afresh which the Enemy perceiving they placed their men slender and thinne before but thick and broad behinde and resolutely againe began â—he Fight While these two Vaâ—ntguâ—rds were thus contending King Richard was informed that the Earle of Richmond with a small â—â—â—ber was not farre off whereupon he presently makes towards him and being of an invincible courage whereof he was now to give the last proofe he made so furious an assault that first with his own hands he slew Sir William Brandon who bore the Earles Standard next he unhorst and overthrew Sir Iohn Cheyny a strong and stout man at Armes and then assaulted the Earle of Richmond himself who â—hough no man would have thought it yet for all the Kings fury held him off at his Launces point till Sir William Stanley came in with three thousand freshmen and then opprest with multitude King Richard is there slaine It is said that when the Battell was at the point to be lost a swift horse was bâ—ought unto him with which he might have saved himselfe by flight but out of his undaunted courage he refused it saying He would that day make an end of all Battells or else lose his life In this Battell Heâ—ry Earle of Northumberland who led King Richards Reereward never struck stroke as likewise many other who followed King Richard more for Feare than Love and so King Richard who had deceived many in his time was at this time deceived by many which was not unforeseen by some who caused a Rhyme to be set upon the Duke of Norfolks gate the night before the Battell which was this Iack of Norfolke be not too bold For Dickon thy Master is bought and sold. Yet notwithstanding this warning the noble Duke continued firme to king Richard and more considering what he was towards him then what towards others followed him to the last and in his quarrell lost his life This Iohn Howard was the sonne of Sir Robert Howard knight and Margaret eldest daughter of Thomas â—â—â—bray Duke of Norfolke in whoâ—e right he was created Duke of Norfolke by king Richard the Third in â—he yeere 1483. having been made a Baron before by king Edward the Fourth The whole number slain in thiâ— battell on kinâ— Râ—châ—rds parâ— was not above a thousand persons whereof of the Nobility besides the Duke of Norfolke only Walter Lord Ferrers of Chartley Sir Richard Ratâ—liffe and Sir Robert â—rakenbury Lievtenant of the Tower and not many Gentlemen more Sir William Catesby one of the chiefe Counsellours of king Richard with divers others were two dayes after beheaded at Leicester Amongst those that ran away were Franciâ— Viscount Lovell Huâ—fry Stafford and Thomas Stafford his brother who took Sanctuary in Saint Iohns at Glocester Of Captives and Prisoners there were great number Henry Earle of Northumberland who though on king Richards side intermiâ—ted not in the battell was incontinently taken into favour and made of the Counsell But Thomas Howard Earle of Sâ—rry though he submitted himselfe yet as having been specially familiar with king Richard was committed to the Tower where he remained a long time but at last was delivered and highly promoted On the Earle of Richmonds part were slaine scarce a hundred persons some say but ten of whom the principall was Sir William Brandon the Earles Standard-bearer This battell was fought at Rodmer neer Bosworth in Leicestershire the two and twentieth day of August in the yeer 1485. having continued little above two houres Presently after the battell the Earle knighted in the field Sir Gilbert Talbot Sir Iohn Mortimer Sir William Willoughby Sir Rice ap Thomas Sir Robert Poynts Sir Humfry Stanley Sir Iohn Turbervile Sir Hugh Pershall Sir R. Edgecombe Sir Iohn Bykenill and Sir Edmund Carew and then kneeling down he rendred to Almighty God his hearty Thankes for the victory he had obtained and commanded all the hurt and maimed persons to be cured whereat the people rejoycing clapped their hands and cryed king Henry king Henry which good will and gladnesse of the people when the Lord Staâ—ley saw he tooke the Crown of king Richard which was found amongst the spoiles in the field and set it on the Earles head as though he had been elected King by the voice of the people It may not be forgotten that when king Richard was come to Bosworth he sent to the Lord
Stowre upon the West side of the Towne Upon this bridge the like report runneth stood a stone of some heigth against which king Richard as hee passed â—owards Bosworth by chance strook his spurre and against the same stone as he was brought back hanging by the horse side his head was dashed and broken as a Wise-woman forsooth had fore-told who before his going to battell being asked of his successe said that where his spurre strooke his head should be broken But these are but Repoâ—â—â— He had lived seven and thirty yeeres Reigned two and two moneths Of men of Note in his time OF men of Note for wickednesse and villany enough have been mentioned iâ— the body of the Story and for men of Valour and Learning they will fitteâ— be placed in a better Kings Reigne THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SEVENTH HENRY Earle of Richmond borne in Pembrooke-Castle sonne to Edmund Earle of Richmond by his wife Margaret sole daughter of Iohn Duke of Somerset which Iohn was sonne of Iohn Earle of Somerset sonne of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster by his third wife Katherine Swinford and by this descent Heire of the House of Lancaster having wonne the Battell at Bosworth against King Richard is by publick acclamations saluted King of England on the 22 day of August in the yeere 1485. and this was his first Title And now to take away a Root of danger before his departure from Leicester he sent Sir Robert Willougâ—by to the Castle of Sheriffehaton in the County of Yorke for Edward Plantageâ—et Earle of Warwick sonne and heire to George Duke of Clarence being then of the age of fifteen yeeres whom King Richard had there kept a prisoner all his time who was thence conveyed to London and shut up in the Tower to be kept in safe custodie In the same Castle also King Richard had left residing the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Edward the Fourth and her now King Henry appoints honorably attended to be brought up to London and to be delivered to the Queene her mother This done he tooke his journey towards London where at his approaching neere the City Thomas Hill the Major Thomas Brittaine and Richard Chester Sheriffs with other principall Citizens met him at Shore-ditch and in great state brought him to the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul where he offered three Standards in the one was the Image of St. George in another was a red fiery Dragon beaten upon white and greene Sarcenet in the third was painted a dun Cow upon yellow Tarterne After Prayers said he departed to the Bishops Palace and there sojourned a season And in the time of his stay here he advised with his Councell and appointed a day for solemnizing his mariage with the Lady Elizabeth before which time notwithstanding he went by water to Westminster and was there with great solemnity Anointed and Crowned King of England by the whole consent as well of the Commons as of the Nobility by the name of Henry the Seventh on the thirtieth day of October in the yeere 1485 and this was his second Title And even this was revealed to Cadwalloder last King of the Britaines seven â—uâ—dred ninety and seven yeeres past That his off-spring should Raigne and bâ—aâ—e Dominion in this Realme againe On the seventeenth day of November following he called his High Court of Parliament where at the first sitting two scruples appeaâ—ed One concerning tâ—e Burgesses for that many had been returned Burgesses and knights of Shires who by a Parliament in king Richards time stood Attainted still and it was thought incongâ—uous for men to make Lawâ—â— who were themselves out-lawed For remedy whereof an Act was presently passed for their restoring and then they were admitted to sit in the House The other concerning the King himselfe who had been Attainted by king Richard but for this It was resolvâ—d by all the Judges in the Châ—quer Chamber that the possession of the Crowne takes away all defects yet for Honours sake all Records of hiâ— Attainder were taken off the File And so these scruples thus removed the Parliament bâ—gaâ— wherein were Attainted first Richard late Duke of Glocester calling himselfe Richard the Third Then his Assistants at the Battell of Bosworth Iohn late Duke of Norfolk Thomas Earle of Surrey Francis Viscount Lovell Walter Devereux late Lord Ferrers Iohn Lord Zouch Roberâ— Harington Richard Chaâ—letoâ—â— Richarâ— Ratâ—liffeâ— William Berâ—ley of Weley Robert Middleton Iames Haringtoâ—â—â—obert Brâ—câ—enbâ—â—y Tâ—omas Pilkington Walâ—er Hoâ—ton William Catesby Roger Wâ—ke William Sapcoâ—e Humfry Stafford William Clerke of Wenlock Geoffry St. Germaine Richard Watkins Herauld at Armes Richard Revell Thomas Pulâ—er Iohn Welsh Iohn Kenâ—all lâ—te Secretary to the late king Richard Iohn Buck Andrew Rat and William Brampton of Burford But notwithstanding this Attainder divers of the persons aforesaid were afterwards not only by King Henâ—y pardoned but restored also to their lands and livings As likewise he caused Proclamation to be made that whosoever would submit themselves and take Oath to be true subjects should have their Pardon whereupon many came out of Sanctuaries and other places who submitting themselves were received to mercy And now King Henry conâ—idering that â—aena Praemio Respublica contineâ—uy after Punishing for Offenceâ— he proceeds to Rewarding for Service and first Iasper Earle of Pembrooke his Unkle he created Duke of Bedford Thomas Lord Stanley he created Earle of Darbâ— the Lord Chendow of Britaine his speciall friend he made Earle of Bathe Sir Giles Daubenâ—y was made Lord Dawbeney Sir Robert Willoughby was made Lord Brooke and Edward Stafford eldest sonne to Henry late Duke of Buckingham he restored to his Dignity and Possessions Besides in this Parliament an Act was made for seâ—â—ing the Crowne upon the person of king Henry and the heires of his Body successively for ever And then with all speed he sent and redeemed the Marquesse Dorset and Sir Iohn Bourchier whom he had left Hostages in France for money and called home Morton Bishop of Ely and Richard Fox making Morton Archbishop of Canterbury and Fox Lord Keeper of the Privy Sâ—ole and Bishop of Winchester Besides these he made also of his Privy Counsell Iasper Duke of Bedford Iohn Earle of Oxford Thomas Stanley Earle of Darby Iohn Bishop of Ely Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlaine of his Houshold Sir Robert Willoughby Lord Brooke Lord Steward of his Houshold Giles Lord Dawbeny Iohn Lord Dynâ—â—m after made Lord Treasurer of England Sir Reginold Bray Sir Iohn Cheyny Sir Richard Guildford Sir Richard Tunstall Sir Richard Edgecombe Sir Thomas Lovell Sir Edmund Pâ—ynings Sir Iohn Risley with some other These things thus done as well in performance of his Oath as to make his Crown sit the surer on his head on the eighteenth day of Ianuary he proceeded to the solemnizing his marriage with the Lady Elizabeth which gave him a third title And indeed this conjunction made a wreath of three so indissoluble that no age since hath
Hell so that Callice were in the possâ—ssion of the French brake up his siege and returned to Helding with as much shame as the English to Callice with honour A little before this tâ—me Francis Duke of Britaine dying left onely one daughter the Lady Anne affianced to Maximilian King of the Romans and in so solemne a manner that she taking upon her to be the Bride and being laid in her bed was contented to permit Maximilians Deputy in presence of many Noble witnesses as well men as women to put his legge stript naked to the knee between the spousall sheets accounting that Ceremony to amount to a Consummation The King of France likewise had been contracted to the Lady Margaret daughter to the foresaid Maximilian and had received her to that end Yet all this notwithstanding out of a violent desire to joyne the Dutchy of Britaine to the Crowne of Frâ—â—ce he disanulled and made void both the Contracts But to the end he might doe it without opposition of the King of England he sent Ambassadors the Lord Francis of Lâ—â—zemburg Charles Marignane and Robert Gaguine to King Henry partly to conclude a Peace but chiefly to procure king Heâ—ries good will to make voyd the foresaid contracts to which though king Henry was not willing to give consent yet he consented willingly to have a Treaty for Peace and to that end sent over Thoâ—as Earle of Ormond and Thomas Goldenston Prior of Christs Church in Canterbury to the French King about it But during this Treaty and before conditions of Peace could be agreed on the French King had gotten into his possâ—ssion the Lady Anne of Britaine and solemnly maried her Which under-hand dealing so incensed King Henry that he presently called his High Court of Parliament and there declared the just cause he had of War with France desiring their Benevolence towards the charge thereof which was as readily granted as desired and great summes of money were soon collected In the yeere 1491 being the sixth yeere of the Kings Reigne on the sixth of April the Nobility of the Realme assembled in the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul in London where also was the Major and Aldermen and principall Citizens in their liveries to whom D. Morton Lord Chancellour made an Oration declaring from his owne letters that the King of Spaine had wonne the great and rich City and Country of Granado from the Moores which had been in their possession above seven hundred yeeres and having in places of their superstition built Churches to the honour of Christ was thereupon intituled the Catholick King For joy whereof Te Deâ—m was sung with great solemnity In the moneth of May was holden a solemne Justing at the kings Palace of Sheeâ—e now called Richmond which continued the space of a moneth sometimes within the Palace and sometimes without upon the green before the gate in which Justs Sir Iames Parker running against a Gentleman named Hugh Vaughan by reason of a faulty Helmet was strucken into the mouth at the first course so that his tongue was borne to the hinder part of his head in such sort that he dyed presently upon the place And now Maximilian having received back his daughter from the king of France was so displeased that he presently sent an Ambassadour one Iames Contibald to king Henry requiring him to take his part in a warre against the French king towards which he promised to provide ten thousand men with pay for two years king Henry consented to it and having pâ—ovided himselfe of a puissant Army on the sixth day of October sayled to Callice but sending his Almoner Christopher â—rswiâ—ke and Sir Iohn Resley to Maximilian requiring his promised forces they found him altogether unprovided of either men or money which brought king Henry into a great streight what he should doe To proceede in the warre with his own forces alone would be â—ull of hazard To return home without doing any thing would bring an imputation upon him amongst his Subjects as though he had used the pretence of war but as a trick to get money at last he resolved to doe something and thereupon went and besieged Boloigne having in his Army of chiefe Lords Iasper Duke of Bedford his Lieutenant Generall Thomas Marquesse Dorset the Earles of Arundell Oxford Suffolke Shrewsbury Darby Keâ—t Devonshire and Ormond sundry Barons as Dâ—wbeney Aburgayny De la Ware Zouch Hastings Cobham and others During his siege of Boloigne in which there were but few slaine and no man of note but Sir Iohn Savage who riding to take view at what place the town might best be assaulted was set upon by certaine French men and by them slaine King Henry was secretly dealt with by the Lord Cordes Governour of Heynault on the king of France's behalf to accept of certaine conditions of Peace Who thereupon sent Richard Fox Bishop of Exceter and Giles Lord Dawbeney to conclude them which amongst other Articles were That king Henry without quitting his claime to France should for a Peace to continue during the two kings lives receive in present of Charles king of France for his charges in that warre seven hundred forty and five thousand Dockets which in English money amounts to one hundred eighty six thousand two hundred and fifty pounds and five and twenty thousand crowns yeerly towards the expenses he had been at before in aiding the Britaines which by the English called Tribute was duly paid during all the Kings Reigne and also to king Henry his Sonne afterward longer then it could continue upon any computation of charges There were also assigned by the French king unto all king Henries principall Counsellours great pensions besides rich gifts for the present Which whether the king did permit to save his own purse from Rewards or to communicate the envy of a businesse that was displeasing to his people was diversly interpreted for certainly the King had no great fancy to own this Peace and therefore a little before it was concluded he had underhand procured some of his best Captaines and Men of Warre to advise him to a Peace under their hands in an earnest manner in the nature of a Supplication that he might have it shew for justifying himselfe and to give some allay to the discontentments of many who had sold and engaged their Estates upon the hopes of the warre After the Peace thus concluded he went to Callice where he stayed some time and the seventeenth of December following came to Westminster where he kept his Christmasse Soon after his return he elected into the order of the Garter Alphoâ—sus Duke of Calabriâ— Sonne and Heire to Ferdinand King of Naples to whom Christopher Vrswicke the kings Almoner was sent to Naples to carry it which as soon as Alphonsus had received he apparelled himselfe presently in the Habit before a great assembly indeed to shew what favour he was in with the king of England There had been disturbance in the Realme before by a Counterfeit Sonne
great to enter the Bay he caused certaine Boaâ—es to be manned forth thinking thereby to toule out the French but when this neither would draw them to come abroad he then called a Councell where it was determined that first they should assayle Prior Iohn and his Gallies lying in Blankesable Bay and after set upon the rest of the French Fleeâ—e in the Haven of Brest and it was further appointed that the Lord Ferrers Sir Stephen Bull and others should go on land with a convenient number to assault the Bulworkes which the French had there made while the Admiâ—all with Row Bâ—rges and little Gallies entred into the Bay that so the Frenchmen might at once be assailed both by sea and land But though this were determined by the Councell of Warre â—et the Lord Admirall had a trick by himselfe for by the advise of a Spanish Knight called Sir Alphonso Charunt affirming that he might enter the Bay with little danger he called to him William Fiâ—s-VVilliams VVilliam Cooke Iohn Colley and Sir VVolston Browne as his most trusty friends making them privy to his intent which was to take on him the whole enterprize with their assistance only and so confident he was of successe that he wrote to the King to come thither in person to have the honour of the enterprize himselfe but it seemes the King had better Fates at least went not and thereupon on Saint Marks day the Admirall put himselfe in a small row Bâ—rge and appointing three other small row Ships and his own Ship-boat to attend him and therewith on a sudden rowed into the Baâ— where Pryor Iohn had moored up his Gallies just to the ground which Gallies with the Bulworks on the land shot most cruelly yet the Admirall went on and comming to the Gallies drove out the French-men The Bay was shallow and the other ships by reason the Tide was spent could not enter which the French-men perceiving they entred the Gallies againe with Morris Pikes and began a new fight whereupon the Admirall attempting to returne back into his row Bâ—rge which by violence of the Tide was driven downe the streame with a Pike was throwne over boord and drowned the just issue of his head-strong enterprize the forenamed Alphonso was also there slaine upon which sorrowfull accident the Lord Ferrers with the rest returned into England After whose departure Pryor Iohn came forth with his Gallies and coasting over the borders of Sussex burnt certaine poore Cottagesâ— but the King made suddenly a new Admirall the Lord Thomas Howard eldest Brother to him that was drowned sonne and heire of the Earle of Surrey who so skowrd the seas that the French were no more to be seen on any coast of England King Henry had hitherto performed Acts of Armes though in Jest yet with great magnificence he will not performe them with lesse being now in earnest and especially to deale with so potent aa adversary and therefore when it was concluded by Parliament that he should make a Warre in France himselfe in pâ—rson he sent before to prepare the way for him George Talbot Earle of Shâ—ewsbury high Steward of his Houshold accompanied with the Lord Thomas Stanley Earle of Derby the Lord Dowckeroy Pryor of Saint Iohns Sir Robert Ratcliffe Lord Fitswater the Lord Hastings the Lord Cobham Sir Riceap Thomas Sir Thomas Blunt Sir Richad Sacheverell Sir Iohn Digby Sir Iohn Askew Sir Lewis Bagot Sir Thomas Cornwall and others to the number of eight thousand who arrived at Callice about the middle of May after him in the end of May followed Sir Charles Somerset Lord Herbert Lord Chamberline accompanied with the Lord Percy Earle of Northumberland the Lord Gray Earle of Kent the Lord Stafford Earle of Wiltshire the Lord Dudley the Lord Delaware Sir Edward Hussey Sir Edward Dimmock Sir David Owen with others to the number of six thousand These Generalls joyning together issued out of Callice and on the two and twentieth day of Iune sate downe before the strong Towne of Terwin which City was strongly fortified and in it was Governour the Lord Poultreny who had with him six hundred Horsemen and five and twenty hundred Almans besides the Inhabitants Here at the very first happened two disasters to the English one that the Baron Carew was slaine with a shot from the Towne the other that Sir Nicholas Vaâ—x and Sir Edward Belknappe coming from Guysâ—es with four and twenty Carts of Provision were set upon by the Duke of Vendosme Lieutenant of Picardie and many of the English slaine and the Provision taken In this state was the English Campe at Terwin when King Henry the last day of Iune came himselfe to Callice and on the one and twentieth of Iuly took the field having in his Army of fighting men not above nine thousand but with Pyoners and others that attended the Cariages eleven thousand and three hundred men His foreward was led by Charles Brandon Viscount Lisle his maine Battaile by himselfe and Sir Henry Guildford carried his Standard and in this order he marched forward to the siege of Terwin entring upon the French ground the five and twentieth of Iuly On the morrow after by negligence of the Carters that mistook the way a great Gunne called the Iohn Evangelist was overthrowne in a deep Pond of water aud could not at that time be recovered but a few dayes after the Master Carpenter taking with him a hundred labourers went and weyed it up but having carted it ready to bring away was set upon by eight hundred French and the most of his company slaine the Gunne was taken by the French and carried to Bulloyne In the French Army were to the number of eleaven thousand footmen and four thousand Horse whereof were Captaines the Lord De la Palyce the Lord De Priennes the Duke De Longuevyle the Earle of Saint Paul the Lord of Floringes the Lord of Clermont and Richard De la Poole an English man sonne to Iohn Duke of Suffolke The Armies were come within two miles one of another and some light skirmishes passed between them specially one on a day called the dry Wednesday for the day was wonderfull hot and the King with his Army stood in order of battaile from six a clock in the morning till three in the afternoone after this the King removed towards Terwyn and as the Army marched another of the Kings Bombards of Iron called the Redde Gunne was overthrowne in a lane and there left which the French understanding went with a great power to fetch it away as they had done the other but the Lord Berners Captaine of the English Pyoners prevented them and though set upon by the French to the number of nine or ten thousand yet by the valour of the Earle of Essex and Sir Riceap Thomas with the bold adventures of Sir William Tyler and Sir Iohn Sharpe they recovered it and brought it safe to the Campe. On the fourth of August K. Henry came before the city
to come on land was to have disswaded the King from any Enterview with the French King but when he saw him â—o forward in that jourâ—ey he then onely endeavoured to perswadâ— him that he should put no trust in the French Kings words and with great guiâ—ts and promises prevailed with the Cardinall to joyne with him in this perswasion The last of May the Emperour tooke his leave and the same day the King made saile from Dover and landed at Callice together with the Queen and many Lords and Ladies The fourth of Iune the King and Queen removed from Callice to his Princely lodging beside the Towne of Guysnes the most Royall Building that was eâ—er seene likewise Francis the French King had his lodging prepared close to the Towne of Ard in a strange but most magnificent fashion Both Kings had given authority and power to the Cardinall to affirme and confirme â—o bind or unbind whatsoever should be in difference betweene them no lesse an honour to the Cardinall then a confidence in the Kings On Thursday the seavenâ—h of Iune the Kings met in the vale of Andren so magnificently attired both themselves and all their followers that from thence it was called â—he campe of cloath of Gold Heere they spent that day in loving complements and at night departed the one to Guysnes the other to Ard. On Satureday the ninth of Iune were set up in a place within the English pale two Trees of honour with stately roomes and stages for the Queens and thither the two Kings came most Royally accompanâ—ed wherein most magnificent manner they performed Acts of valour both on fooâ—e and horseback and after them all the great Lords both of France and England did the like this solemnity of Justs and Maskes was continued to the foure and twentieth day of Iune at which time the Kings and Queenes tooke leave of each other the French King and Qâ—eene removed to Ard the King and Queene of England to Callice where he remained till the tenth of Iuly and then ridings â—oward Graveling was by the way met by the Emperour and by him conducted thithet and there in most royall manner enteâ—tained whereof when the French King heard he began from that day forward to have King Henry in a kinde of jelousie as though to love him and the Emperour both were inconsistent and could not stand together On Wednesday the eleventh of Iuly the Emperor and his Aunt the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Savoy came with the King of England to the town of Callice and there continued with Feasting Dancing and Masking till the fourteenth of Iuly In which time all the Articles of the league tripartito betweene the Emperour and the Kings of England and France were reviewed to which the King of France had so fully condiscended that he had sent Monsieur de Roche to the Emperor with Letâ—ers of credence that in the word of a Prince he would inviolably observe and keepe them all all which notwithstanding he dispenced with his conscience afterward in breaking them all On Saturday Iuly 14. the Emperor tooke his leave and went to Graveling the King with his Queene returned into England It was now the twelfth yeer of King Henries reigne when being returned from Callice he kept his Christmas at Greenwich with great magnificence on twelfth day he and the Earl of Devonshire maintained a solemn Justs against al commers The Cardinal had long born a grudg against the Duke of Buckingham for speaking certain words in his disgrace and now hath made his way for reveng for the Earl of Surrey Lord Admirall who had maried the Dukes daughter the Cardinall had caused to be sent Deputy into Ireland and the Earle of Northumberland the Dukes speciall friend he had caused upon certain suggested crimes to be Imprisoned so as the Duke having his friends sequestred from him he lay now open to accusations and accusations shall not long be wanting for the Duke having some time before put from him in displeasure one Charles Knevet that had been his Surveyar and inward with him him the Cardinall gets to him to see what he could get out of him against the Duke And whether it was out of desire of revenge or out of hope of reward or that the matter was so indeed this Knevet confessed to the Cardinall that the Duke had once fully determined to make away the King being brought into a hope to be King himselfe by a vaine Prophesie which one Nicholas Hopkins a Monke of an house of the Chartnar Order besides Bristow called Henton somtimes his Confessor had opened to him and as for the Cardinall that he had often heard the Duke sweare he would punish him soundly for his manifold misdoings And now had the Cardinall matter enough for Accusation which he so aggravated to the King that the King bid him do with him according to Law Hereupon the Duke is apprehended and brought to the Tower by Sir Henry Marney Captain of the Guard the fifteenth of April and shortly after in Guild-hal before Sir Iohn Brugge then Lord Major was indited of divers points of High-treason the substance whereof was that in the second yeer of the Kings reign and at divers times before and after he had imagined and compassed the Kings death at London and at Thornbery in Glocestershiâ—e and that in the sixth yeer of the Kings reign he went in person to the Priory of Henton and there had conference with the foresaid Nicholas Hopkins who told him he should be King and that he had often said to the Lord Aburgayne who had maried his daughter that if King Henry died without issue he would look to have the Crown himself Vpon these points hee was arraigned in Westminster-hall before the Duke of Norfolk sitting then as high Steward of Englaâ—d the Duke of Suffolk the Marquesse Dorset the Earls of VVorcester Devonshire Essex Shrewsbury Kent Oxford and Darby the Lords of Saint Iohns de la ware Fitz-water Willoughby Brook Cobhaâ— Herbert Morley The Duke pleaded for himself til he swet again but al booted â—ot for by these Peeres he was found guilty and condemned and so on Friday the seventeenth of May was led by Iohn Keyme and Iohn Skevington Sheriffes of London to the scaffold on Tower-hill and there beheaded The Augustine Friers took his body and head and buried them This Edward Bohun Duke of Buckingham was the last high Constable of England the greatest place next the high Steward in the kingdome whose Power extended to restrain some actions of the King He was also Earl of Hereford Stafford and Northampton he maried Elianor the daughter of Henry Earle of Northumberland and had issue Henry Lord Stafford Father to Henry Lord Stafford laâ—e living and three daughters Elizabeth maried to Thomas Hâ—ward Earl of Surrey Katherine maried to Ralph Nevil Earl of Wesâ—merland and Mary maried to George Nevill Lord of Abuâ—gaâ—enie In this meane while a new Warre was begun between the Emperour and
chose Sir Thomas Moore who at first disabling himselfe at last made two Petitions to the King one for himselfe that if he should be sent by the Commons to the King on a Message and mistake their intenâ— he might then with the Kings pleasure resort again to the Commons to know their meaning The other for the House of Commons that if in communication and reasoning any man should speake more largely then of duty he ought to do yet all such offences should be pardoned and that to be entred of Record Which Petitions were granted and then the Parliament began where at first a Subsidie was demanded but as there was much adoe in the House of Commons about it so there was no lesse amongst the Clergey in the Convocation House for Richard Bishop of VVinchester and Iohn Bishop of Rochester were much against it but most of all one Rowland Philips Vicar of Croyden and a Canon of Pauls but the Cardinall taking him aside dealt so with him that he took him off so as he came no more to the Houseâ— and then the Bel-weather as one saith giving over his hold the rest soon yelded and so was granted the half of all their spiritual yeerly Revenues to be paid in five yeers following The Clergey being thus brought on on the nine twentieth of April the Cardinall came into the House of Commons to work them also and there shewing the great charges the King was necessarily to be at in his present Wars demanded the sum of eight hundred thousand pounds to be raised of the fifth part of every mans Goods and Lands which was four shillings of every pound This demand was enforced the day after by the Speaker Sir Thomas Moore but the Burgesses were all against it shewing that it was not possible to have it gathered in money for that men of Lands had not the fifth part thereof in Coyne And further alleadged that there be not many parishes in England one with another able to spare a hundred Marks except Cities and Townes and seeing there were not above thirteen thousand Parishes in the Kingdome at this day there are but 9285. how could such a summe be raised Hereupon certaiâ—e of the House were sent to move the Cardinall to be a meanes to the King to accept of a lesser summe but the Cardinall answered he would rather have his tongue plucked out of his mouth with a paire of Pinsors then make to the King any such motion Whereupon the Cardinall came again inâ—o the House and desired that he might reason with them that were against the demand to which it was answered that the order of that house was to heare and not to reason except amongst themselves When the Cardinall was gone the Commons after long debating the mâ—tter at last agreed of two shillings in the pound from twenty pounds upward and from forty shillings to twenty pounds of every twenty shillings twelve pence and under forty shillings of every head of sixteene yeeres and upwards foure pence to be paid in two yeeres when this was told to the Cardinall he was much offended so that to please him the Gentlemen of fifty pound Land and upward by the motion of Sir Iohn Hussey a Knight of Lincolneshire were charged with twelve pence more in the pound to be paid in three yeeres The Cardinall to move them to it bore them in hand that the Lords had agreed to foure shillings of the pound which was untrue for the Lords had granted nothing but stayed to see what the Commons would doe whereof when the King heard he reproved the Cardinall for it saying withall that ere it were long he would looke to things himselfe without any Substitute Which speech of the Kings though it daâ—ted the Cardinall for a while yet he soone recovered his Spirits and now as peremptory afterwards as he had been before After this the Parliament was prorogued till the tenth of Iune during with prorogation the Common people said to the Burgesses we heare say you will grant foure shillings of the pound we advise you â—o doe so that you may goe home with many like threatnings At this time the Cardinall by his power Legant me dissolved the Convocation at Pauls convoked by the Archbishop of Canterbury calling him and all the Clergy to his Convocation at Westminster which was never seene before in England saith Hall The one and thirtieth of Iuly the Parliament was adjourned to Westminster and there continuing till the thirteenth of August was that day at nine of the clock at night dissolved About this time the Bishop of Durham died and the King gave that Bishoprick to the Cardinall who resigned the Bishoprick of Bath to Doctor Iohn Clerke Master of the Rolles and Sir Henry Marney that was Vice-chamberlain was made Lord Privy Seale and shortly after was created Lord Marney also during this Parliament Sir Arthur Plantagenet bastard sonne to King Edward the fourth at Bridewell was created Vicount Lisle in right of his wife who was wise before to Edmund Dudley Beheaded The fifteenth of Iune in the fifteenth yeere of the Kings Reigne Christian King of Denmarke with his Queene driven out of his own Country came into England and was lodged at Bath place who after he had been feasted by the King and by the Citty of London and received great guifts of both returned again into Flanders where he remained as a banished man some yeers after King Henry sent Doctor Henry Standish Bishop of Saint Assaph and Sir Iohn Baker Knight into Denmarke to perswade the people to receive him againe into his Kingdome but they could not prevaile he was so much hated for his cruelty About this time the Earle of Kildare having recovered againe the favour of the Cardinall was sent Deputy into Ireland as he had bin before where he reduced the wilde Irish to indifferent conformity All this while had England warres both with the French and with the Scots In Scotland the Marquesse of Dorset threw downe the Castles of Wederborne of Nesgate of Blackater of Mackwals and burnt to the number of seven and thirty Villages yet never came to skirmish In France the Lord Sands Treasurer of Callice with twelve hundred men went before Bulloigne where he skirmished with the Enemie and after taking divers Churches and Castles in the Enemies Countreâ— returned backe to Callice with the losse onely of a dozen men King Henry being advertised that the Duke of Albanie was providing of Forces in France with which to returne into Scotland sent forth his Vice-admirall Sir William Fitz-williams with divers great Shippes to intercept him but when he could not meet with him he then landed in the Haven of Treporâ— where with seaven hundred men hee beat six thousand French that sought to impeach his landing took their Bulworks and much Ordnance in themâ— burned the suburbs of the town of Treport and all in five houres and then returned All this while King Henry had but played with the French
Sir Edward Baynton and others The last of October the Duke of Albonye sent two or three thousand men over the water to besâ—edge the Castle of VVarke who by battery of their Ordnance won the ouâ—ermost Ward called the Barnekins and continuing their battery won the second Ward but then Sir William Lisle that was Captaine of the Castle issuing forth with those few he had left drove the Frâ—nch-mâ—n from the place and slew of them to the number of three hundred a memorable service and for which the Earle of Surrey afterwards gave him great thankes The Earle would gladly have followed his enemies inâ—o their owne Borders but that his Commission was onely to defend England and not to invade Scotland Shortly after the Queeâ—e of Scots Mother to the King sent to her Brother the King of England for an abstinence from Warre till a further communication might be had which being graâ—â—ed the English Army brake up and the Earle of Surrey returned to the Court. And now for a while we must be coâ—â—ent to heare of petâ—y Occurrances because greater did not happen which if it make us like the Story the worse it may make us like the times the better seeing they are ever the best times that afford lest matter to be talked of but this time will lasâ— but a while for shortly we shall come to hear Occurrances that have been matter of talk to this day whereof the like have never scarce been seen and will hardly be beleeved when they are heard a Marriage dissolved after twenty yeeres coâ—summation houses built in Piety under pretence of Piety demolished a King made a captiveâ— a Pope held a prisonerâ— Queenes taken out of love put to death out of loathing and the Church it selfe so shaken that it hath stood in distraction ever since At this time the Emperouâ— Charles sent to the King of England two Mâ—ses trapped in crimson Velvet richly embridered also eleven goodly Jeâ—its trapped with russeâ— Velvet richly wrought foure Speares and two Javelins of strange timber and worke richly garnished and five brace of Greyhoâ—ndâ— To the Queene he sent two Mules richly trapped and high Chaiâ—es after the Spanish fashion which Presents were thankfully received both of the King and Queene At this time in the moneth of October the Cardinall sent out Commissions that every man being worth forty pounds should pay the whole Subsedie before granted out of hand which he called an Anticipation which fine new word he thought would make them pay their money the more willingly but they loved their money better then any words he could devise In this yeere the King sent the Lord Morley Sir VVilliam Hussey knight and Doctor Lee his Almoner to Fâ—rdinand Archduke of Austria with the Order of the Garter which he received in the towne of Norimberg to his great contentment In this yeere through Bookes of Prognosticatâ—ons foreshewing much hurt to come by waters and â—â—oods many persons withdrew themselves to high grounds for feare of drowning specially one Bolton Prior of Sainâ— Bartholâ—mewes in Smithfield builded him an House upon Harrow on the Hill and thither wenâ— and made provision for two moneths These great waters should have fallen in February but no such thiâ—â— happeniâ—g the Astronomers excused themselves by saying that in the computaâ—ion they had miscounted in their number an hundred yeeres In this meane time many enterpriâ—es were attempted betweene the Englishmen of Callice and Guyâ—â—es and the Frenchmen of Bulloigne and the Froâ—â—tiers of Picardâ—â— and still Sir VVilliam Fitz Williams Captaine of Guysnes Sir Robert Iâ—rningham Captaine of Newnham Bridge Sir Iohn Walloppe and Sir Iohn Gage were the men that did the French most hurt This yeere the first of September was Docter Thomas Hannibell Master of the Rolles receaved into London by Earles Bishops and diverse Lords and Gentlemen as Embassadours from Pope Clement who brought with him a Rose of gold for a present to the Kingâ— on the day of the Nativity of our Ladâ— after a solemne Masse sung by the Cardinall of Yorke the said present was delivered to the King which was a Tree forged of fine Gold and with branches leaves and flowers resembling Roses About the beginning of Winter the adventâ—rers called Krâ—ekers being not above two hundred and of them five and twenty horsmen made an attempt to fetch some booty from a Village not farre from Mattrell wherof the Earle of Dâ—mmartine having notice he set upon them with a far greater number and slew most of them and this was the end of the Kreekers as brave men as ever served any Prince In December this yeere there came to London diverse Embassadours out of Scotland about a peace to be hadâ— and a mariage to be concluded between the King of Scots and the Lady Mary daughter to the King of England At this time the Lord Leonard Gray and the Lord Iohn Grâ—y brothers to the Lord Marquesse Dorset Sir George Cobham sonne to the Lord Cobham VVilliaâ— Carye Sir Iohn Dudley Thomas VVyat Francis Poynts Francis Sidâ—â—y Sir Anthony Browne Sir Edward Seymor Oliver Manners Percivall Hart Sebastiâ—â— Nudigatâ— and Thomas Calen Esquires of the Kings Household made a challenge of Arms against the Feast of Christmas which was proclaimed by Windsor the Herauld and performed at the time appointed very Nobly at Tilts Tâ—rneys Barriars and the assault of a Castle erected for that purpose iâ— the Tilt-yard at Greenwich where the King held his Christmas that yeer with great State and magnificence About this time Iohn Iokyn Steward of the Household to the French Kings Motheâ— came into England and was received in secret manâ—er into the House of one Doctor Larke a Prebrendary of Saint Stephens who oftentimes talked with the Cardinall about a Peace to be concluded between the two Kings of â—ngland and France of whose often meetings Monsieur de Brate the Emperours Embassadour grew very jealous The four and twentieth of Ianuary Monsieâ—r Brynion President of Roan came to London as Embassadour from the French King and was lodged with the said Iohn Iokyn which small things should not be related but that they were preparatives to great matters afterward On Sunday the fifth of March were received into London Monsieur de Beuer Loâ—d of Campher Admirall of Flanders Monsieur Iohn de la Coose President of 〈◊〉 Master Iohn de la Gache as Embassadours from the Lady Margaret in the name of the Emperour who required three things First they demanded the Lady Mary the Kings only daughter to be presently delivered and she to be nâ—â—ed Empresse and as Governesse take possession of all the Low-Countryes Secondly that all such summes of money as the King should give with her in maâ—riage should be paid incontinently Thirdly that the King of England should passe the sea in person and make Warre in France the next Summer The â—â—rst two demands were not agreed too for certaine causes and as to the third the King said he would take time
to advize On Thursday the ninth of March a Gentleman came in Post from the Lady Margaret with Letters signifying that whereas the King of France had long lyen at the siege of Pavia he had now been forced to raise his siege and was himselfe taken prisoner by thâ— Imperialestsâ— for joy whereof Bonfires and great Triumph was made in 〈◊〉 and on the twentieth of March being Sunday the King himselfe came to Pauls and there heard a solemne Masse But for all this shew of joy it was thought if the King of France had not now been taken prisoner that the King of England would have joyned in amity with him as being angry with the Fleâ—â—â—gs for Inhauâ—â—ing his Coyne in Flanders which caused much money to be conâ—ayed out of England thither The King of France being taken prisoner was after some time convayed into Spaine and at last brought to Madrill where he â—ell so sicke that the Physitians had little hope of his life unlesse the Emperour would be pleased speedily to visit him upon whose visitation he recovered his health though not presently his strength In which time many propositions were made for his delivery but the Emperour would accept of â—one without restitution of the Dutchy of Burgoigne At last the French King weary of imprisonment and longing for liberty was content to agree to any conditionsâ— the chiefe whereof were that the French King by a certaine day should be set at liberty and within six weeks after should resigne to the Emperour the Dutchy of Burgoigne with all Members pertayning to it and at the â—ame â—â—stant should put into the Emperours hands the Dolphyn of France â—nd with him either the Duke of Orleance his second sonne or else twelve priâ—cipall Lords of France whom the Emperour should name and that there should be between them a League and perpetâ—all coâ—federation foâ— defence of their estates Of whose attonement when King Henry heard as before he had expressed gladnesse that he was taken prisoner so now he sent Sir Thomas Cheiney to him to expresse his joy for being set at liberty so suddaine is the enterchange of love and hate amongst great Princes The French King being thus delivered the Emperour married the Lady Isabel Daughter to Emanuel King of Portingal and â—ad with her in Dower eleven hundred thousand Duckeâ—sâ— though three yeers before being at Windsor he had covenanted to take to wife the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter At this time Cardinall Woolsey obtained licence of the King to erect a Colledge at Oxford and another at Ipswich and towards the charge of them got leave also to suppresse certaine small Monasteries to the number of forty and after got a confirmation of the Pope that he might imploy the Goods and Lands belonging to those Houses to the maintenance of those two Colledges a perniâ—ious president and that which made the King a way afterward to make a generall suppression of all religioâ—s Houses though indeed there be great difference between converting of Monestaries into Colledges and utter subverting them In March King Henry sent Cuthert Tunstall Bishop of London and Sir Richard Winkfield Chancelour of the Duâ—chy of Lancâ—ster into Spaine to conferre with the Emperour about matters of great importance and particularly about Warre to be made in France and yet were these two Princes at this time in League but he that shall observe the carriage of these three Princes towards one another and how convertible their Leagues were into Warre and their Warre into Peace shall finde it a strange Riddle of Ragion di statâ— and their Leagues to have been but meere complements where the skale was turned with the least graine of a circumstance and though they were bound by Oath yet that Oath made the Leagues but little the firmer seeing the League might be broken and yet the Oath kept for while one gave the occasion and the other took it though they were both accessaries yet neither was principall and where there is not a principall the Oath remains inviolate And upon those Hinges did the friend-ship of these Princes turne as at this time the Emperour though not long before he had parted with the King of England in the greatest kindnesse that could be yet gave not the English Embassadours so kinde entertainment now as he had formerly done but for what cause was not apparent unlesse upon some sinister report made to him by Monsieur de Prate who having been his Ligier with the King of England was without taking leave of the King departed and come to the Emperour before the English Embassadours came But howsoever King Henry being determined to make Warre in France himselfe in person his Councell fell into consideration how the charge of the Warre should be maintained which care the Cardinall takes upon him and thereupon appoints Commissioners in all Shiers to sit and draw the people to pay the sixth part of every mans substance in plate or money but the people opposed it alleadging that it was against the Law of the Realme for any man to be charged with such payments unlesse by Parliament and as the Cardinall continued to presse it so the people continued to denye it and when some for denying it were committed to prison the Commons in many Countryes made great assemblies for their defence the report whereof at last came to the King who thereupon came to VVestminster and protested openly that it was done without his knowledge and that it was never his meaning to ask any thing of his Subjects but according to Law and therefore desired to know by whose Authority it was done Here the Cardinall excused himselfe and said that it was the opinion of all the Judges and of all his Councell thaâ— he might Lawfully demand any summe so it were done by Commission and thereupon it was done But the King liked not to take advantage of a distinction to draw money from his Subjects and thereupon gave warning for doing any such thing hereafter and signified so much by his Letters into all the Shiers of England giving also a generall pardon to all that had offered to rise upon it which though he did of his owne free grace yet the Cardinall to win a good opinion in the Commons gave out that it was by his meanes the King granted the pardon King Henries seventeenth yeer was honoured with the advancing of many in honour for on the eighteenth of Iune at his Pallace of Bridewell the Kings sonne which he had by Elizibeth Blunt daughter to Sir Iohn Blunt Knight called Henry Fitz-Roy was created first Earl of Nottingham and after on the same day Duke of Richmond and Somerset Henry Courtney Earle of Devonshire was created Marquis of Excetur the Lord Brandon sonne to the Duke of Suffolke and the French Queene a child of two yeers old was created Earle of Lincolne Sir Thomas Manners Lord Rosse was created Earle of Rutland Sir Henry Clifford was created Earle of Cunberland Sir Robert Ratcliffe
but neither yet was there an end of Commotions for in the latter end of this eight and twentieth yeer the Lord Darcy the Lord Hussey Sir Robert Constable Sir Iohn Bulmer and his wife Sir Thomas Percy brother to the Earl of Northumberland Sir Stephen Hamilton Nicholas Tempest Esquire and others began to conspire although each of them before had been pardoned by the King but this as being but the fagge end of Commotion was soon suppressed the Lord Darcy was beheaded on the Tower-hill the Lord Hussey at Lincolâ—e Sir Robert Câ—nstable was hanged in cheins at Hull Sir Iohn Balmers Paramout was burnt in Smithfield and most of the other were executed at Tyburne Tantae molis erat so great a matter it wasâ— to make the Realme be quiet in so great innovations of Religion This yeer on Saint Georges-feast the Lord Cromwell was made Knight of the Garter and on the twelfth of October which is Saint Edwards-eveâ— at Haâ—ton-Court the Queen was delivered of a sonne but with so hard a labour that she was faine to be ript the child was named Edward whose Godfathers at the Christning were the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Norfolke his Godmother was his sister the Lady Mary at his Bishoping his Godfather was the Duke of Suffolk on the eighteenth of October he was made Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester but the birth of his sonne brought not so much joy to the King as the death of his Queene brought him sorrow for within two dayes after she died and was buried at Winsor and â—o much was the Kings grief for her death that he continued a widdawer two yeeres after It is not unworthy the relating what a miserable dissolation befell the family of the Geraldynes or Fitz-Garrets Earle of Kildare in Ireland about this time for Gerald Fitz-Garret who had been ten yeers Deputy in Ireland upon complaint of some fault was sent for over into England where not making a satisfying answer he was committed to the Tower but before his commiâ—g over had with the Kings leave left Deputy there his own sonne a Young-man of not above twenty yeers of age but yet ripe of understanding and fit for the plaâ—e this young Lord hearing that his father was committed prisoner to the Tower and soon after as the rumour encreased that he was put to death in rage to be revenged rose up in Armes and having five Unckles in the Couâ—try men of great estimatioâ— drew them though some of them unwillingly to take his part amongst other outrages he committed the Archbishop of Dublin was slaine in his presenceâ— the Father in the Tower hearing hereof with very griefe died the Sonne and his Uncles upon the Kings sending aâ— Army were all either taken or submitted and being sent for over into England those of his Unckles that against their wils had been drawn into the Action had good hope of their lives till entring the ship of passage which was called the Cow they then presently dispaired because of a Prophesie that five sonnes of a certaine Earl should be carried into England in the belly of a Cowe and never after return and indeed it fell out true for through the malice of their adversaries exasperating the King against them and saying there would never be quietnes in Ireland as long as any of the Geraldines were left alive they were all put to death one onely sonne of the family remained a youth of thirteene yeers of age who though at that time sick of the smal-pox yet made shift to save himselfe by flight fled first into France and frighted from thence afterwards into Flanders and driven from thence at last into Italy where prâ—oected by Reginâ—ld Poole ar that time made Cardinall by Pope Iulie the third he was afterward by this meaneâ— restored to his dignity and his patrimony This yeere Edward Seymour Viscount Beauchamp the Queens brother was created Earl of Hartford and Sir VVilliam Fitz-VVilliams Lord Admirall was created Earl of Southamton Master Paulet was made Vice Treasurer Sir Iohn Russell was made Controller of the Kings House and diverse Gentlemen were made Knights In February diverse Roodes were taken downe by the Kings commandement as the Roode of Boxeley called the Rood of grace which was made with vices to move the eyes and lips also the Rood called Saint Saviour at Bermondsey Abbey in Southwarke aâ—d diverse others in May a Frier Observant called Frier Forrest who had taken the oath of Supremacy himselfe yet privately perswaded others that the King was not supreme head of the Church was thereupon examined and for his defence said that he took the oath with his outward man but his inward man never consented to it but this answer served not his turn from being condemned and on a paire of Gallowes prepared for him in Smithâ—â—eld he was hanged by the middle and arme-holes all quick and under the Gallowes was made a fire wherewith he was consumed a little before his executioâ— a huge great Image was brought to the Gallowes fetched out of Wales which the Welch-men had in great reverence called Darvell Gatheren of which there went a Prophesie that thiâ— Image should set a whole Forrest on fire which was thought to take effect in â—erring this Frier Forrest on fire and consuming him to nothing In September by the speciall motion of the Lord Cromwell all the notable Images unto which were made any speciall Pilgrimages and offerings were taken downe and burnt as the Images of Walsingham Ipswicâ— VVorcester the Lady of VVilsdon with many other and forthwith by meanes of the said Cromwell all the orders of Friers and Nunnes with theirs Cloysters and Houses were suppressed and put downe also the shrines of counterfeit Saints amongst others the shrine of Thomas Becket in the Priory of Christ-church was taken to the Kings use and his bones scull and all which was there found with a peece â—roken out by the wound of his death were all burnt in the same Church by command of the Lord Cromwell and the one and twentieth of October the Church of Thomas Becket in London called the Hospitall of Saint Thomas of Acres was suppressed the sixteenth of November the Black-friers in London was suppressed the next day the VVhite-friers the Gray-friers and the Monkes of the Charter-house and so all the other immediately after 〈◊〉 three Abbots resisted the Abbot of Colechester the Abboâ— of Reding and the Abbot of Glastenbury who therefore were all taken and executed The foure and twentieth of November the Bishop of Rochester Preached at Pauls-crosse and there shewed the blood of Hales affirming it to be no blood but honey clarified and coloured with saâ—â—ron as it had been evidently proved before the King and Councell The number of Monasteries suppressed were six hundred forty five besides fourescore and ten Colledges one hundred and ten Hospitals and of Chantries and free Chappels two thousand three hundred seventy foure But now to make amends
for the suppressing of so many Monasteries the King instituted certaine new Bishoprickes as at VVestminster Oxford Peterborough Bristow Chester and Gloster and assigned certaine Canons and Prebends to each of them The third of November Henry Courtney Marquesse of Exceter and Earle of Devonshire Henry Poole Lord Montacute Sir Nicholas Carew of Bedington Knight of the Garter and Master of the Kings Horse and Sir Edward Nevill brother to the Lord of Aburgeiney were sent to the Tower being accused by Sir Geoffry Poole the Lord Montacutes brother of high treason theâ— were indiâ—ed for devising to promote and advance one Reinold Poole to the Crowne and put downe King Henry This Poole was a neere kinsman of the Kings being the sonne of the Lady Margaret Countesse of Salisbury daughter and heire to George Duke of Clarence he had been brought up by the King in learning and made Deane of Excetur but being sent after to learne experience by travaile he grew so great a friend of the Popes that he became an enemy to King Henry and for his enmity to the King was by Pope Iulius the third made Cardinall for this mans cause the Lords aforesaid being condemned were all executed the Lord Marquis the Lord Montacute and Sir Edward Neâ—ill beheaded on the Tower-hill the ninth of Ianuary Sir Nicholas Carew the third of March two Priests condemned with them were hanged at Tyburn Sir Ieoffry Poole though condemned also yet had his pardon About thiâ— time one Nicholson alias Lambert being accused for denying the Reall presence in the Sacrament appealed to the King and the King was coâ—tent to heare him whereupon a Thronâ— was set up in the Hall of the Kings Pallace at Westminster for the King to siâ— and when tâ—e Bishops had urged their arguments and could not prevaile then the King tooke him in hand hoping perhaps to have the honour of conâ—erting an Hereticke when the Bishops could not doe it and withall promised him pardon if he would recant but all would not doe Nicholsoâ— remained obstinâ—te the King mist his honor the delinquent mist his pardon and shortly after was drawne to Smithfield and there burnt About this time King Henry being informed that the Pope by instigation of Cardinall Poole had earnestly moved divers great Princes to invade England He as a provident Prince endeaâ—oured aâ—â—arnâ—stly to provide â—or defence aâ—d to that end rode himselfe to the Sâ—a-coast◠〈◊〉 them fortifiâ—â— and in needfull places Bulwarkes to be erected Hee câ—used hiâ— Naâ—â—eâ—â— be rigged and to be in readinesse at any short warning he câ—â—sed Musters â—â— be raken in all sheeâ—es and lists of all able men in eâ—ery Countâ— in Lâ—â—â—don specially where Sir William Forman the â—hen Mâ—jor â—â—â—â—ified the number of fifteene thousand not that they were 〈…〉 but that so many were ready prepared and these on the eight of May the King himselfe saw Mustered in Iames Parke where the Citizeâ—s â—â—â—ove in such sort to exceed each other in bravary of armes and forwardnesse of service aâ— if the City had bin a Campe and they not men of the gownâ— but all profest Souldiers which they performed to their great cost but greater comendâ—â—ion It was now the one and thirtieth yeere of King Henriâ—s reigne and the nine and fortieth of his age when having continued a widdower two yeere he began to thinke of marrying againe and bee needed not be a suiâ—our for a wife for he was sued unto take one The Emperour sollicited him to marry the Dutchesse of Milan but to marry her he must first obtaine a Licence from the Pope and King Henry was resolved rather to have no wife then to have any more to doe with the Pope Then the Duke of Cleve made suit unto him to marry the Lady Anne hiâ— Sister and hee was a Protestant Prince and so though differing in points of Doctrine yet in the maine Point of excluding â—he Pope both of one minâ—e Many about the King were forward for thiâ— Maâ—ch but the Lord Croâ—well specially and indeed it concerned him more then any other that the King should take a Protestant wife seeing 〈◊〉 actions hâ—d beene such as none but â— Protestant Queene would ever like and if the Queene should not like them the King though done by his leave would â—ot like them long Hereupon such meanes was used that Embâ—ssaâ—ours came from the Duke of Cleve to conclude the March and theâ— the elevâ—nth of December the Lady her selfe in grâ—at state was brought first to Callice and then over to Dover and being come to Rochester the King secretly came to see her afterward she was conducted to London meâ— by the way in severall places by all the great Lords and Ladies of the Kingdome The third of Ianuary she was received into London by Sir William Hollice then Lord Major with Orationâ— Pageants anâ— all complements of Staâ—e the greatest that ever had beene seene On Twelfth day the Marriage was â—olemnized the Archbishop of Canterbury did the office the Earle of Oversteine a German Lord gaâ—e her In Aprill following the Lord Cromwell as though he had won the Kings heart for ever by making this march was made Earle of Essex for in March before Henry Rourchieâ— Earle of Essexâ— and the ancientest Earle of England had broken his necke by seeking to breake a yong Horse leaving onely one Daughter and the dying without issue the Earldome came to the Family of Devereux which yet enjoyed not the honour till afterward in Queene Elizabeths time and then made but not restored The ninth of March the King created Sir William Paulet Treasurour of his House Lord Saint Iohn Sir Iohn Russell Controlour Lord Russell and shortly after Sir William Par was created Lord Par. The eight and twentieth of April began a Parliament at Westminster in the which Margaret Countesse of Salisbury Gertrude wife to the Marquesse of Exceter Reynold Poole Cardinall broâ—her to the Lord Montacute Sir Adrian Foskew Thomas Dingley Knight of Saint Iohns and divers others were attainâ—ed of high treason of whom Foskew and Dingley the tenth of Iuly were beheaded the Countesse of Salisbury two yeeres after and in this Parliament the Act of the six Articles was established and Sir Nicholas Hare was restored to his place of Speaker in the Parliament It was now five moneths after the Kings marriage with the Lady Anne of Cleve and though the King at the first sight of the Lady did not like her person yet whether as respecting the honour of Ladies he would not disgrace her at the first meeting or whether he ment to try how time might worke him to a better liking or indeed that he would not give distaste to the German Princes at that time for sole ends he had a working he dissembled the matter and all things went on in a shew of contentment on all hands But for all these shewes the crafty Bishop of London Stephen Gardiner finding how the world went with the Kings affection towards his
execution upon a statute of the Sâ—aple and for so much as the said Cook during all the Parliament served the Speâ—ker in tâ—at office he was taken out of execution by priviledge of Parliament the Prerogative of which Court as our learned Counsaile informeth us is so great that all Acts and processes comming ouâ— of any other Court must for the time ceâ—se and give place to it and touching the party himselfe though for his presumption he was worthy to have lost his debt yet I commend your Equity that have restored him to hiâ— debt against him that was the principall when the King had said this Sir Edward Mountacute Lord chiefe Justice rose up and confirmed by many reasons all that the King had said as likwise did all the other Lordâ— none speaking any thing to the contrary It was now the foure and thirtieth yeere of King Henries Reigne when in May he took a loane of money of all such as were valued at fifty pounds and upwardâ— in the Subsidy book the Lord Privy-seale the Bishop of VVinchester Sir Iohn Baker and Sir Thomas Wriothsley were commissioners that the loane in London who so handled the matter that of some chief Citizens they obtained a thousand maâ—kes in prest to the Kings use for which Privie Seales were delivered to repay it againe within two yeeres At this time were many complaints made by the â—â—gliâ—h against the Scots partly for receiving and maintaining diverse English Rebâ—ls 〈◊〉 into Scotland and partly for invading â—he Engliâ—h Borders but still wâ—en the King of Englanâ— was preparing to oppose them the Scottish King would send Embassadours to treâ—t of reconcilement till at last â—fter mâ—nâ— delusory prankes of the Scots the King of England no longer â—nduriâ—g such abuses sent the Duke of Norfolke his Leivtenaâ—â— Generall accompanied with the Earls of Shrewsbury Darby Cumberland Surrey Hartâ—oâ—d Aâ—â—us Rutland the Lords of the North parts Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Kings horse and Sir Iohn Gage Controller of the Kingâ— House with others to the number of twenty thousand men who on the one and twentieth of Ocâ—ober entred Scotland where staying but eigâ—t dayeâ— onely he burnt above eighteen Towneâ— Abbeys and Castles and then without â—aving batâ—aile offered for want of victuals returned to Barwick â—â— soon as â—e was returned comes abroâ—d the King of Scots raiseth a power of fifteen thousâ—nd men and using great threatnings what he would doe invaded the west Borders but the edge of his threatning was soon taken off for the bastard Daâ—â—es with Iack of Musgrave setting upon them with onely an hundred Lightâ—horse and Sir Thomas Wharton with three hundred put them to flight upon a conceiâ— thâ—â— the Duke of Norfolke with all his Army had beene come iâ—to those partâ— where were taken prisonerâ— of the Scots the Earl of Cassill and Glencâ—â—ne the Lord Maxwell Admirâ—ll of Scotland the Lord Flemming the Lord Soâ—erwell the Lord Oliâ—haâ—t the Lord Gray Sir Oliver Sincleeâ—e the Kings Minion Iohn Rosse Lord of Gragy Robert Erskin sonne to the Lord Erskin Car Lord of Gredon the Lord Maxwells two Brothers Iohn Lesloy bastard sonne to the Earl of Rothus George Hame Lord of Hemetton with divers other men of account to the number of above two hundred and more then eight hundred of meaner calling so as some one English mâ—n and some women also had three or foure prisonerâ— in their hands at which overâ—hrow the King of Scots took such grief that he fell into a burning Ague and thereof died leaving behind him one onely daughter and heere King Henry began to apprehend a greater matter then the victory for he and his Counsâ—ile conceived that â—hiâ— daughter would be a fit match for his sonne Prince Edward thereby to make â— perpetuall union of the two Kingdomes and to â—his purpose they conferâ—ed with the Lord whom they had taken prisoners who exceeding glad of the proposition and promising to further it by all the possible meane they could were â—hereupon sâ—t at liberty and suffered â—o return home Comming into Scotland 〈◊〉 acquainting the Earl of Arraine wiâ—h the motion who was chosen Goverâ—our of the young Queen and of the Realme tâ—e matter with great liking was entertained and in Parliament of the three estâ—tes in Scotland the marriage was confirmeâ— and â— peace between the two Reâ—lms for ten yeerâ— waâ— proclaimed and Embassâ—dours sent into England for sealing the conditions But Beton Archbishop of Sâ—int Andrews being Cardinall and at the Popes devotion and therefore an utter enemy to King Henry so crossed the businesse that it came to nothing but ended in a war between the two Kingdomes so as in March the yeere following the Lord Seymour Earle of Hartford with an Army by Land and Sir Iohn Dudley Lord Lisle with a Fleeâ—e by Sea meâ— at New-castle and there joyned together for invading of Scotland with the Earl of Hartford were the Earl of Shrewsbury the Lords Cobham Clinton Conyers Stinton the Lord William Howard with Knights and others to the number of ten thousand with Sir Iohn Dudley the Admirall were two huâ—dred sâ—ile of ships on the fourth of May the whole Army was landed two miles from the Towne of Lieth at a place called Granther Crag and there the Lord Lievtennant puting his men in order maâ—ched toward the Towne of Lieth the Lord Admirall led the foreward the Lievtennant the Battell and the Earl of Shrewsbury the Rearward Before they came to the Towne of Lieth the Cardinal with six hundred â—orse besides foot lay in the way to impeach their passage but they were so assailed by the Harquâ—butars that they were glad to flye and the first man that fled was the Cardinal himself and then the Earls of Huntley Murrey Bothwel hereupon the English made forward to Lieth and entred it without any great resistance the sixth of May they marched towards Edenbrough and as they approached the Towne the provost with some of the Burgers came and offered the keyes of the Towen to the Lord Lievtennant upon condition they might depart with bag and baggage and the Towne to be preserved from fire but the Lord Livetennant told them their falshood had been such as deserved â—o faâ—our and therefore unlesse they would deliver the Towne absolutely without any condition he would proâ—eed in his enterprise and burne the Towne Here wee may see what it is to make men desperate for to this the Provest answered they were better then to stand upon defence and so indeed they did and made the English glad to retire for the Castle shot so fiercely upon them that having burnt onely a part of the Towne they returned to Lieth but whilst they lay there they so wasted the Country that within seaven mileâ— every way of Edenbrough there was not a Towne nor Village nor house tâ—at was left unburnt at Lieth the eleveth day of May the Lord Generall made Knights the Lord Clinton the Lord Conyers Sir William Wroughton Sir Thomas
of Heraulds therein But this notwithstanding being no Lord of the Parliament he was tried by a common Jurie and by them was found guilty and thereupon had judgement of death and the nineteenth of Ianuary was beheaded on the Tower-hill The Duke was attainted by Parliament and kept in prison â—ill in the first yeer of Queen Mary the Attaindour was reversed The death of this Earle might lay an imputation of cruelty upon King Henry if a just jealousie growing from the many circumstances of the Earles greatnesse in the tender age of his owne Sonne did not excuse him Soone after the death of this Earle the King himselfe died having made his last Will in which he tooke order that his Sonne Edward should succeed him in the Crowne and he dying without issue his daughter Mary and she dying without issue his daughter Elizabeth although another order of succession had passed before by Act of Parliament The Executors of his last Will were these sixteene Thomas Cranmor Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Wriothsley Lord Chancellour Sir William Pawlet Lord Saint Iohn and great Master of the Houshold Sir Edward Seymor Earle of Hartford and high Chamberlin of England Sir Iohn Russell Lord Privie Seale Sir Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle Lord Admirallâ— Cutbert Tunstall Bishop of Durham Sir Anthonie Browne Master of the Horse Sir Edmund Montacute Lord chiefe Justice of the Common-Pleas Sir Thomas Bromley one of the Justices of the Kings Bench Sir Edward North Chancellour of the Augmentation Sir William Paget Knight of the Order Sir Anthonie Dennie Sir William Herbert Sir Edward Wootton Treasurour of Callice and Nicholas VVootton Deane of Canterbury and Yooke To whom were adjoyned as assistance these twelve Henry Fitz Allan Earle of Arundell VVilliam Par Earle of Essex Sir Thomas Cheyney Treasurour of the Houshold Sir Iohn Gage Controlour Sir Anthony VVingfield Vice-chamberlaine Sir VVilliam Peter Principall Secretary Sir Richard Rich Sir Iohn Baker of Sissingherst in Kent Chancellour of the Exchequer Sir Ralph Sadler Sir Thomas Seymour Sir Richard Southwell and Sir Edward Peckham And it was not without need to leave a full Councell Table considering in what termes he left the Kingdome when he died Abroad in league with the Emperour at Peace with the King of France but whether these were not personall onely and no longer binding then King Henry lived might be doubted with the Scots at deadly send with the Pope at utter defiance from both which coasts there could be expected but little faire weather at home the frame of Religion extreamly disioynted and the Clergie that should set it in frame out of frame themselves the mindes of the people extreamly distracted and the Nobility that should cyment them scarce holding themselves together And in this stare was the Kingdome when King Henry the eight dyed in the yeer 1547. the fifty sixth of his life and of his Reigne the eight and thirtieth Of his Taxations IN his fourth yeer in a Parliament at Westminster was granted to the King two Fifteens of the Temporalty and two Tenths of the Clergie and Head-money of every Duke ten marke an Earle five pound a Barron â—oure pound a Knight foure markes and every man valued at eight hundred pounds in goods to pay â—oure markes and so after that rate till him that was valued at forty shillings and he paid twelve pence and every man and woman of fifteen yeers upward four pence In his sixth yeer a Parliament was holden wherin divers subsidies were granted to the King towards the charges of his wars in France in his fourteenth yeer order was taken by the Cardinall that the true value of all mens substance might be knowne and he would have had every man swom to tell what they were worth and required a â—enth part thereof towards the Kings charges in his present wars as the spiritualty had granted a fourth part this the Londoners thought very hard and thereupon were excused for taking oath and were allowed to bring in their bils upon their honesties but when all was done after much labouring by the Cardinall the Clergy granted one halfe of all their yeerly Spirituall Revenues for five yeers and the Temporalty two shillings in the pound from twenty pounds upwards and from forty shillings to twenty pounds of every twenty shillings twelve pence and under forty shillings of every head of sixteen yeers and upwards four pence to be paid in every two yeers in his sixteenth yeer the Cardinall of his owne head attempted by Comission to draw the People to pay the sixth part of every mans substance in plate or monie but this was generally opposed and the People in many Countries rise upon it so as comming to the Kings knowledg â—e utterly disavowed it and blamed the Cardinall exceedingly for attempting it In his foure and twentieth yeer in a Parliament then holden a fifteenth was granted to the King towards his charges of making fortifications against Scotland In his one and thirâ—ieth yeer a Subsidie of two shillings in the pound of lands and twelve of goods with foure fifteenes were granted to the King towards his charges of making Bulwarks In his five and thirtieth yeer a Subsidie was granted to be paid in three yeers every English-man being worth in goods twenty shillings and upwards to five pounds to pay four pence of every pound and from five pounds to ten pounds eight pence from ten pounds to twenty pound six penceâ— from twenty pounds and upwards of every pound two shilings strangers as wel denizens as others being inhabitants to pay double and for lands every English-man paid eight pence oâ— the pound from twenty shillings to five pounds from five pounds to ten pounds sixteen pence and from ten pounds to twenty pouâ—dâ— two shillings and from twenty pounds and upwards of every pound three shillings strangers double the Clergy six shillings in the pound of Benefices and every Priest having no Benifice but an Anual stipend six shillings eight pence yeerly during three yeers Of Lawes and Ordinances in his time IN a Parliament holden in his sixth yeere diverse Lawes were made but two most spoken of one for Apparell another for Labourers In his twelvth yeere he caused the Statutes against Inclosures to be revived and Commanded that decaied houses should be built up againe and that inclosed grounds should be laid open which though it did some good yet not so much as it might have done if the Cardinall for his owne benefit had not procured liberty for great men to keep up their inclosures to the oppression of poor men In his seventeenth yeer the King lying at Eltham diverse ordinances were made bâ— the Cardinall touching the Governance of the Kings House and were long after called the Statutes of Eltham In his eighteenth yeere in the month of May Proclamation was made against all unlawfull games so that in all places tables dice cards and Bowles were taken and burnt but this order continued not long for young men being
betweene them was appointed it happened that the night before a small Brooke called Dun running between the two Armies upon the fall of a small raiâ—e swelled to such a height that it was not passable by either foot or horse a thing which had never happened before upon a great raine and was then accounted as indeed it was no lesse then a Miracle In his three and thirtieth yeere was a great mortality in the Realme by reason of hot Agues and Fluxes and withall so great a drouth that small Rivers were clean dryed much cattell dyed for lacke of water and the Thames were grown so shallow that the Salt-water flowed above London-bridge till the raine had encreased the fresh waters In his five and thirtieth yeere the first cast-Peeces of Iroâ— that ever were made in England were made at Buckstead in Sussex by Ralph Hâ—ge and Peter Bawde In his six and thirtieth yeere was a great Plague in London so as Michaelmâ—s Tearme was adjourned to Saint Albones and there kept In his seven and thirtieth yeere on Tuesday in Easter-weeke William Foxley Pot-maker for the Mint of the Tower of London fell asleepe and could not bâ— waked with pinching or burning till the first day of the next Tearme which was full fourteene dayes and when he awaked was found in all points as if he had slept but one night and lived forty yeeres after About â—â—is fifteenth yeere it happened that divers things were newly brought intâ— England whereupon this Rime was made Turâ—â—s Carps Hoppes Piccarell and Beere Caâ—â—e into ENGLAND all in one yeere Of his Wives and Children KIng Henry had six Wives his first was Katherine daughter of Ferdinand King of Spain the Relict of his brother Arthur she lived his Wife above twenty yeeâ—s and then was divorced from him after which she lived three yeers by the name of Katherine Dowager she deceased at Kimbolton in the County of Huntington the eighth of Ianuary in the yeere 1535. and lieth interred in the Cathedral Church of Peterborough under a Hearce of black say having a white Crosse in the midst His second Wife was Anne second daâ—ghter of Sir Thomas Bullen Earle of VViltshire and Ormond shee was maried to him the five and twentieth day of Ianuary in the yeere 1533. lived his wife three yeers three months and five and twenty dayes and then was beheaded and her body buried in the Quire of the Chappell in the Tower his third Wife was Iane daughter of Sir Iohn Seymour and sister to the Lord Edward Seymour Earle of Hartford and Duke of Somerset she was maried to him the next day after the beheading of Queen Anne lived his Wife one yeer five months and foure and twenty dayes and then died in Child-bed and was buried in the midst of the Quire of the Church within the Castle of Windsor His fourth Wife was Anne sister to the Duke of Cleve she lived his wife six moneths and then was Divorced she remained in England long after the Kings death and accompanied the Lady Elizabeth through London at the solemnizing of Queene Maries Coronation His fifth wife was Katherine daughter of Edmund and Neece of Thomas Howard his brother Duke of Norfolke she was married to him in the two and thirtieth yeere of his reigne lived his wife one yeere sixe moneths and foure dayes and then was beheaded in the Tower of London and buried in the Chancell of the Chappell by Queene Anne Bullen His sixt wife was Katherine daughter of Sir Thomas Parre of Kendall and sister to the Lord William Parre Marquesse of Northampton she was first married to Iohn Nevill Lord Latimer and after his decease to the King at Hampton-Court in the five and thirtieth yeere of his reigne she was his wife three yeeres six moneths and five dayes and then surviving him was againe married to Thomas Seymour Lord Admirall of England unto whom she bore a daughter but died in her Childe-bed in the yeere 1548. He had children by his first wife Queene Katherine Henry borne at Richmond who lived not full two moneths and was buried at Westminster also another Sonne whose name is not mentioned lived but a short time neither then a daughter named Mary borne at Greenwich in the eighth yeere of his reigne and came afâ—erward to be Queene of England By his second wife Queene Anne Bullen he had a daughter named Elizabeth borne at Greenwich in the five and twentieth yeere of his reigne who succeeded her sister Mary in the Crowne he had also by her a sonne but borne dead By his third wife Queene Iane he had a Sonne named Edward borne at Hampton-Court in the nine and twentieth yeere of his reigne who succeeded him in the Kingdome Besides these he had a base Sonne named Henry Fitz-roy begotten of the Lady Talboyse called Elizabeth Blunt borne at Blackamore in Essex in the tenth yeere of his reigne who was made Duke of Richmond and Somerset married Mary daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke with whom he lived not long but dyed at Saint Iames by Westminster and was buried at Framingham in Suffolke Of his Personage and Conditions HEE was exceeding tall of statuâ—e and very strong faire of complexion in his latter dayes corpulent and burley concerning his conditionâ— Hee was a Prince of so many good parts that one would wonder he could have any ill and indeed he had noâ— many ill till flattery and ill councell in his latter time got the upper hand of him His cruelty to his wives may not onely be excused but defended for if they were incontinent he did but justice if they were not so yet it was sufficient to satisfie his conscience that he thought he had câ—use to thinke them so and if the marriage bed be honourable in all in Princes it is sacred In suppressing of Abbies he shewed not little Piety but great providence for though they were excellent things being rightly used yeâ— most pestilent being abused and then may the use be justly suppressed when the abuse scarce possibly can be restrained To thinke he suppressed Abbies out of covetousnesse and desire of gaine is to make him extreamly deceived in his reckoning for if we compare the profit with the charge that followed we shall finde him certainly a great looser by the bargaine He was so farre from Pride that he was rather too humble at lest he conversed with his Subjects in a more familiar manner then was usuall with Princes So valiant that his whole liâ—e almost was nothing but exercises of valour and though performed amongst his friends in jest yet they prepared him against his enemies in earnest and they that durst be his enemies found it It may be said the complexion of his government for the first twenty yeers was sanguine and joviall for the rest collerick and bloody and it may be doubted whether in the former he were more prodigall of his owne treasure or in the latter of his Subjects blood for as he spent more in Fictions
then any other King did in Realities so in any distemper of his people he had no other Physicke but to open a veine but we shall do him extreame wrong to thinke that all the blood shed in his time was of his shedding they were the Bishops that were the Draco to make the bloody Laws the Bishops that were the Phalaris to put them in execution the King ofâ—entimes scarce knowing what was done Certain it is when a great Lord put a Gentlewoman the second time on the rack the King hearing of it exceedingly condemned him for such extream cruelty As for Religion though he brought it not to a full Reformation yet he gave it so great a beginning that we may truly say of that he did Dimidium plus toto They who charge him with the vice of lust let them shew such another example of continence as was seen in him to lye six moneths by a yong Lady and not to touch her for so did hee with the Lady Anne of Cleve but this is to make Nosegayes I like better to leave every flower growing upon its staulke that it may be gathered fresh which will be done by reading the Story of his Life Of his Death and Buriall IT is Recorded of him that in his later time he grew so fat and slothfull that engines were made to lift and remove him up and downe but howsoever in the six and fiftieth yeer of his age whither a dropsie or by reason of an ulcer in his leg he fell into a langâ—ishing feaver which brought him into such extreamity that his Physitians utterly despared of his life whereof yet none durst speake a word to him till Master Denny one of his Privy-chamber tooke the the boldnes to goe to him telling him of the danger he was in and withall putting him in mind to thinke of his soules health to which he answered that hee confessed his sinâ—es to be exceeding great yet had such confidence in the mercy of God through Christ that he doubted not of forgivenesse though they had been much greater and being then asked by Master Denny if he would have any Divine brought to him with whom to confer he answered he would willingly have the Archbishop Cranmer but not yet a while til he had taken a litle rest whereupon the Archbishop being then at Croydon was presently sent â—or but before he could come the King was growne speechlesse onely seeming to retain a little memory so as putting out his hand and the Archbishop desiring him to shew some signe of his faith in Christ he then wrung the Archbishop hard by the hand and immediately gave up the Ghost the eight and twentieth of Ianuary in the yeer 1547. the six and fiftieth of his age and of his reigne the eight and thirtieth his body with great solemnity was buried at Windsor under a most costly and stately Tombe begun in copper and guilt but never fiâ—ished Men of note in his time MEn famous for the sword were many in his time and in a manner all that it is hard making choice without being partiall unlesse we shal preferre Dukes of equal valour before others of meaner caling and then wil the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolk hold worthily the place first and next to them the yong Earl of Surrey who had been more fortunate if he had been lesse valiant Of men of letters in his time there were whole Armies in forraigne parts the most â—amous were Budaeus Ludovicus Vines Iohn Revolin Erasmus Roteradamuâ— Vrsinus Cornarius Sadolet Martin Bucer in England were Iohn Collet Deane of Pauls and Founder of the Schoole there VVilliam Lilly borne aâ— Odiham in Hamshire first Scholmaster of Pauls-Schoole Thomas Linaker a learned Phisitian Iohn Skelton a pleasant Poet VVilliam Horman Vice Provest of Eaten who wrote divers workes Sir Rastalâ— a Citizen and Stationer of London Christopher Saint-Germane an excellent Lawyer Sir Thomas Elyot Iohn Leland a diligent searcher of Antiquities Sir Iohn Bourchier Knight Lord Berners who translated â—he Chronocles of Froysard out of French into English Henry Standish Bishop of Saint Assaph who wâ—ote a book against Erasmus traslation of the new Testament Arnold of London who wrote certain Colections touching Historicall matters Thomas Lupset a Londoner who wrote sundry vertuous Treatises Henry Bradshaw a black Monke who wrote the life of Saint VVerborough and also a certain Chronocle Iohn Palsgrave a Londoner who wrote instructions for the perfect understanding of the French tongue Iohn Sâ—vish a Cornish-man who wrote certaine abbreviations of Chronicles with a Treatise of the wars of Troy Anthony Fitz-Herbert a Judge who wrote an Abridgment of the Law Wilfride Holme who wrot a Treatise of the rebellion in Lincolnshire Thomâ—s Lanquet who wrote an Epitomy of Chronicles and also of the winning of Bulloigne Thomas Soulman of Gernsey who wrote divers notes of History Cutbert Tunstall Bishop of Durham Robert VVhittington who wrote divers Treatises for the instruction of Grammarians Iohn Russell who wrote a Treatise entituled super jure Caesaris et Papae also commentaries in Cantica Simon Fish a Kentish-man who wrote a book called the supplication of Beggars George Bullen Lord Rochford brother to Queen Anne who wrote divers songs and sonets Francis Bigod Knight born in Yorkeshire who wrote a book against the Clergy intitled de Impropriationibus Henry Lord Morley who wrote divers Treatises as Comodies and Tragedies as the life of sectaries and certaine rimes VVilliam Botevile alias Thynne who restored the works of Chawcer Richard Turpin who serâ—ing in the Garrison of Callice wrote a Chronicle of his time and died in the â—eer 1541. Sir Thomas VViat Knight who wrote divers matters in English-meeter and translâ—ted the seven Penitentiall Psalmes and as some say the whole Psalter he died of the pestilence as he was going Embassadour to the Emperour in the yeer 1541. Henry Howard Earle of Surrey who wrote divers Treatises in English-meeter Iohn Field a Londoner who wrote a Treatise of mans Free-will de Servo homiâ—is Arbitrio and Collections of the common Laws of England Robert Shingleton borne in Lancashire who wrote a Treatise of the seven Churches and certaine Prophesies William Parry a Welsh-man who wrote a booke intitled speculum Iuvenam THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE SIXTH IT was now the yeere 1547. when on the eight and twentieth of Ianuary King Henry dying Prince Edward his Sonne by his third wife the Lady Iane Seymour and the onely Sonne he left behinde him as well by right of Inheritance as by his last Will succeeded him in the Kingdome to whom as being but nine yeers old and therefore unripe for Government hee had assigned eight and twenty Councellours a fit number if agreeing amongst themselves too many if at variance and at variance they would soon fall if there were not a moderatour to keep them in concord the first worke therfore necessary to be done in this new world was to make choice of such a man as might be
mildnesse the neerenesse of the Husbands gave occasion to the Ladies often meeting where the Dutchesse would inwardly murmur why shee being the wife of the elder brother and the better man should give place to her who was the wife of the younger brother and the meaner man this envy of hers toward the Queen bred a malice in her towards the Admirall as thinking the mischiefe she did to the husband to be a part of revenge upon the wife and though the Queene shortly after died in Child-bed yet the mallice of the Dutchesse towards the Admirall lived still so hard a thing it is for malice once setled in a womans heart to be removed out of this malice she put divers surmises into her husband the Protectours head against his brother the Admirall as though he went about to procure his death to the end he might aspire to the place he held but certainly as misliking his government being a Protestant who was himselfe a Papist in this case causes of jealousie against the Admirall was obvious enough for it was knowne that in King Henries time he had aimed at the mariage of the Lady Elizabeth King Henries second daughter and now his wife the Queen Dowager being dead and not without suspition of poyson he fell upon that mariage a fresh which could not be thought to tend but to some very high aspiring end the Protectour a plain man and one that had not the cleerest insight into practises whether too importunately provoked by his wife or whither out of an honest mind not willing to patronize faults though in a brother gave way to accusatioâ—s brought against him so as in a Parliament then holden he was accused for attempting to get into his custody the person of the King and government of the Realm for endeavouring to marry the Lady Elizabeth the Kings sister for perswading the King in his tender yeers to take upon him the rule and ordering of himselfe upon which points though perhaps proved yet not sufficiently against him who was never called to his answere he was by Act of Parliament condemned and within few dayes after condemnation a warrant was sent under the hand of his brother the Protectour to cut off his head wherein as after it proved he did as much as if he had laid his own head downe upon the block for whilst these brothers lived and held together they were as a strong fortresse one to the other the Admirals courage supporting the Protectours authority and the Protectours authority maintaining the Admirals stoutnesse but the Admiral once gone the Protectours authority as wanting support began to totter and fell at last to utter ruine besides there was at this time amongst the Nobility a kind of faction Protestants who favoured the Protectour for his owne sake and other of Papall inclination who favoured him for his brothers sake but his brother being gone both sides forsooke him even his owne side as thinking they could expect little assistance from him who gave no more assistance to his own brotheâ— and perhaps more then all this the Earl of Warwick at this time was the most powerfull man both in Courage and Counsaile amongst all the Nobility and none so neere to match him as the Admirall while he lived but he being gone there was none left that either was able and durst or durst and was able to stand against him however it was not long after the Admirals death the Protectour was invaded with sundry accusations wherein â—hâ— Earl of Warwick made not alwaies the greatest show but yet had alwayes the greatest hand one thing the Protectour had done which though a private act yet gave a publick distaste To make him a Mansion house in the Strand the same which is now called Somerset-house he pulled downe a Church and two Bishops houses by the Strand Bridge in digging the foundation wherof the bones of many who had been there buried were cast out and carried into the fields and because the stones of those houses and the Church suffised not for his work the steeple aâ—d most part of the Church of Saint Iohns of Ierusalem neer Smithfield was mined and overthrowne with powder and the stones applied to this sparious building and more then this the Cloyster of Pauls on the North side of the Church in a place called Pardon Church-yard and the dance of Death very curiously wrought about the Cloyster a Chapel that stood in the midst of the Churchyard also the Charnal house that stood upon the South side of Pauls now a Carpenters yard with the Chappell timber and Monuments therin were beaten downe the bones of the dead caried into Finsbury-fields and the stones converted to this building This Act of the Protectours did something alienate the Peoples minds from him which the Earle of Warwick perceiving thought it now a fit time to be falling upon him and therupon drew eighteene of the Privy Counsaile to joyne with him who withdrawing themselves from the Court held secret consultations together and walked in the Citty with many Servants weaponed and in new Liveries whereof when the Lord Protectour heard he sent secretary Peter to them to know the causes of their Assembly requiring them to resort unto him peaceably that they might comune together as friends but in the meane time hee Armed five hundred men and removed the King by night from Hampton-court to Windsor on the other side the Lords at London having first taken possession of the Tower sent for the Majoâ— and Aldermen of the Citty to the Earle of Warwicks lodging at Ely-house in Holburn to whom the Lord Rich then Lord Chancelour made a long Oration wherin he shewed the ill government of the Lord Protector and the many mischifes that by it were come upon the Kingdome and therupâ—n requiring them to joyn with the Lords there assembled to remove him and presently that day a Proclamation was made in divers parts of the Citty to that purpose to which the Lords and Counsailors that subscribed their names were these the Lord Rich Chancelour the Lord Saint-Iohn Lord great Master the Marquesse of Northampton the Earle of Warwick Lord great Chamberlaine the Earle of Arundell Lord Chamberlaine the Earle of Shrewsbury the Earle of Southampton Sir Thomas Cheyney Treasurer of the Houshold Sir Iohn Gagâ— Constaple of the Tower Sir William Peter secretary Sir Edward North Knight Sir Edward Montague chiefe Justice of the Common-pleas Sir Iohn Baker Chancelour of the Exchequer Sir Ralph Sadler Sir Edward Wootton Sir Richard Southwell Knights and Doctor Wootton Deane of Canterbury In the afternoone of the same day the Lord Major assembled a Common Counsaile in the Guild-hall where two letters arrived almost in one instant from the King and the Lord Protectour for a thousand men to be Armed for defence of the Kings Person another from the Lords at London for two thousand men to aide them in defence of the Kings person also both pretending alike and therefore hard how to
please them both The Recorder set forth the complaint of the Lords against the Protectour in such sort that he made many inclinable to favour that side but one named George Stadlow better advised stept up and in a long Speech shewed what mischiefes had come to the City by opposing the King and therefore gave his opinion to suspend giving aide to the Lords at lest for a time His advice was harkened to and thereupon the Court resolved onely to arme a hundred Horsemen and foure hundred foot in defence of the City and to the letters returned submissive but dilatory answers After some other passages betweene the Protectour and the Lords Sir Edward Winkfield Captaine of the Guard was sent from the Lords to Windsor who so well perswaded the King of the Lords loyall affection towards him and of their moderate intention towards the Protectour that the King was contented to have him presently remvoed from him and suffered him within two dayes after to be carried to the Tower In whose absence seven Lords of the Councell and foure Knights were appointed by turnes to attend the Kings person and for affaires of State the government of them was referred to the whole body of the Councell soone after were sent to the Protectour in the Tower certain Lords of the Councell with Articles against him requiring his present Answer whether he would acknowledge them to be true or else stand upon his justificaâ—ion The chiefe Article was this That he tooke upon him the Office of Protectour with expresse condition that he should doe nothing in the Kings affaires but by assent of the late Kings Executours or the greaâ—est part of them and that contrary to this condition he had hindered Justice and subverted laws of his owne authority as well by letters as by other command and many other Articles but all much to this purpose The Protectour whether thinking to speed better by submission then by contesting or perhaps finding himselfe not altogether innocent for indeed in so great a place who can beare himselfe with such sincerity but he will commit errours with which he may be taxed subscribed an acknowledgement with his owne hand humbly submitting himselfe to the Kings mercy and desiring their Lordships favour â—owards him Upon this submission three moneths after he had bin imprisoned he was released entertained and feasted by the King and sworâ—e again to be a Privie Councellour but no more Protectour at which time betweene him and the Lords a shew at lest of perfect amity was made and to make it the more firme the Dukes daughter was afterward married to the Lord Lisle Sonne and heire to the Earle of Warwicke at which marriage the King himselfe was present and perhaps to honour their reconcilement and this marriâ—ge the Earle of Warwicke was made Lord Admirall of England Sir Iohn Russell Lord Privie Seale was created Earle of Bedford the Lord Saint-Iohn was created Earle of Wiltshire and soone after made Lord Treasurour Sir William Paget Controlour of the Kings House was made Lord Paget Sir Anthony VVinkfield Captaine of the Guard was made Controlour and Sir Thomas Darcye was made Captaine of the Guard But of the other side the Earle of Arundell the Earle of Southampton were put off from the Councell of whom the Earle of Southampton dyed shortly after at Lincolne-Place in Holborne and was buried in Saint Andrewes Church there About this time a Parliament was held at Westminster wherein one Act was made against spreading of Prophesies another against unlawfull Assemblies but for feare of new tumults the Parliament was untimely Dissolved and Gentlemen were commanded to retyre to their Countâ—ey-habitations and â—or the same cause also Trinity Terme did not hold About this time also Pope Paul the third dyed after whose death the Cardinals being divided about the election of a new Pope the Imperial part which was the greatest gave their voyces for Cardinall Poole which being told him â—e disabled himselfe and wished them to choose one that might be most for the glory of God and good of the Church upon â—his stop some that were no friends to Poole and perhaps looked for the place themselves if he were put off laid mâ—ny things to his charge amongst other that he was noâ— withouâ— suspition of Lutharisme as having bin very conversant with Immanuell Tremellius and Anthonius Flaminius great Lutherans and not altogether without blemish of incontinency there being a young Nunne that was thought to be his daughter But of these criminations Poole so cleered himselfe that he was afterward more importuned to take the place then he was before and thereupon one night the Cardinals came unto him being in bed and sent him word they came to adore him which is one special kind of electing the Pope but he being awaked out of his sleepe and acquainted with it made answer that this was not a worke of darkenesse and therefore required them to forbeare till the next day and then to doe as God should put in their mindes But the Italian Cardinals attributing this putting off to a kinde of stupidity and sloth in Poole looked no more after him but the next day chose Cardinall Montanus Pope who was afterward named Iulius the third And now the King of France upon many just considerations was growne desirous to have a Peace with England and thereupon sent one Guidolâ—i a Florentine inâ—o England to make some overture of his desire to the Lords of the Councell who addressing himselfe to the Earle of Warwicke whom he knew to be most prevalent so prevailed that it was concluded foure Embassadours should be sent from the King of England into Franeeâ— and foure from the French King to treat with them The Commissioners for the English were Iohn Earl of Bedford William Lord Paget Sir William Peter and Sir Iohn Mason Secretaries of State For the French were Monsieur Rochpot Monsieur Chatillon Guyllart de Martyer and Rochetelle de Dassie much time was spent to agree about a place of meeting till at last the English to satisfie the French were contented it should be before Bulloigne where were many meetings and mâ—ny diffâ—rences about conditions but in conclusion a Peace was concluded upon certaine Articles the chiefe whereof was that Bulloigne and the places adjacent should be delivered up to the French within six weekes after the Peace Proclaimed and that the French should pay for the same two hundred thousand crownes within three dayes after delivery of the Towne and other two huâ—dred thousand crowes upon the fifth day of August following hostages were on both sides given for performance and to those Articles the French King was sworne at Amyens and the King of England in London the Lord Clinton who had been Deputy of Bulloigne was made Lord Admirall of England Presently after this Agreement the Duke of Brunswicke sent to the King of England to offer his service in the Kings wars with ten thousand men and to intreat a marriage with the Lady
Mary the Kings eldest sister To his offer of aide answer was made that the Kings warres were ended and touching the marriage with the Lady Mary â—hat the King was in speech for her marriage with the Infanta of Portugall which if it succeeded not he should then be favourably heard Upon this the Emperours Embassadour demanded of the King that the Lady Mary might have free exercise of the Masse which the King not onely constantly denied but thereupon Sermons were exercised at Court and order taken that no man should have any Benefice from the King but first he should Preach before him and shortly after under pretence of preparing for Sea-matters five thouâ—and pounds were sent to relieve Protestants beyond the Seas At this time also an Embassadour came from Gustanuâ— King of Sweden to enter league with the King for entercourse of Merchants and charge was then also given that the Lawes of England should be administred in Ireland About this time the Queene Dowager of Scotland going from France to her Countrey passed thorow England having first obtained a safe Conduct she arrived at Portesmouth and was there met by divers of the English Nobility conducted to London she was lodged in the Bishops-Pallace after four dayes staying having beene feasted by the King at Whitehall she departed being waited on by the Sheriffes of Counries to the borders of Scotland And now was one Steward a Scot apprehended in England and imprisoned in the Tower for intending to poyson the yong Queene of Scots whom the King delivered to the French King upon the frontiers of Callice to be by him justiced at his pleasure At â—his time certaine Ships were appointed by the Emperour to transport the Lady Mary either by violence or by stelth out of England to Antwerpe whereupon Sir Iohn Gates was sent with Forces into Essex where the Lady lay and besides the Duke of Somerset was sent with two hundred men the Lord Privie Seale with other two hundred and Master Sentleger with foure hundred more to severall coasts upon the Sea and the Lord Chancellour and Secretary Peter were sent to the Lady Mary who after some conference brought her to the Lord Chancellours house at Lyee in Essex and from thence to the King at Westminster Here the Councell declared unto her how long the King had permitted her the use of the Masse and considering her obstinacy was resolved now no longer to permit it unlesse she would put him in hope of some conformity in short time To which she answered that her soule was Gods and touching her faith as she could not change so she would not dissemble it Reply was made that the King intended not to constraine her faith but to restrain the outward profession of it in regard of the danger the example might draw After some like enterchange of speeches the Lady was appointed to remain with the King when there arived an Embassadour from the Emperor with a threatning message of warre in case his cousin the Lady Mary should be denied the free exercise of the Masse hereupon the King presently advised with the Archbishop of Canterbury and with the Bishop of London and Rochester who gave their opinion that to give licence to sin was sin but to connive at sinne might be â—llowed so it were not too long nor without hope of reformation then answere was given to the Embassadour that the King would send to the Emperour within a month or two and give him such satisfaction as should be fit And now the King being uncertaine of the faith both of his Subjects and of his Confederates intended by alliance to strengthen himselfe and thereupon sent one Bartwicke to the King of Denmarke with private instructions to treat of a mariage betweene the Lady Elizabeth the Kings youngest sister and the King of Denmarks eldest son but when it came to the point this Lady could not be induced to entertaine mariage with any After this the Marquesse of Northampton was sent Embassadour to the French King as well to present him with the Order of the Garter as to treat with him of other secret affaires with him were joyned in Commission the Bishop of Elye Sir Philip Hobbie Sir William Pickering Sir Iohn Mason and Master Smith Secritary of State also the Earle of Worcester Rutland and Ormond were appointed to accompany them as likewise the Lords Lisle Fitzwater Bray Aburgavenie and Evers with other Knights and Gentlemen of note to the number of six and twenty and for avoiding of immoderate traine order was given that every Earle should have but foure attendants every Baron but three every Knight and Gentlemâ—n but two onely the Commissioners were not limited to any number Being come to the Court of France they were forthwith brought to the King being then in his Bedchamber to whom the Marquesse presented the Order of the Garter wherewith he was presently invested then the Bishop of Elye in a short Speech declared how the King of England out of his love and desire of amitye had sent this Order to his Majestie desiring with all that some persons might be authorized to treat with them about some other mâ—tters of importance whereupon a Commission went forth to the Cardinall of Lorraigne Chastillion the Constable the Duke of Guysae and others At the first the English demanded that the yong Queene of Scots might be sâ—nt into England for perfecting of marriage betweene King Edward and her But to this the French answered That conclusion had beene made long before for her marriage with the Dolphin of France Then the English proposed a marriage betweene King Edward and the Lady Elizaâ—eth the French Kings eldest daughter to this the French did cheerfully incline but when they came to talke of Portion the English demanded at first fifteen hundred thousand crownes then fell to foureteene and aâ— last to eight hundred thousand the French offered at first one hundred thousand crownes then rose to two hundred thousand and higher they would not be drawne saying it was more then ever had bin given with a daughâ—er of France Shortly after Monsieur the Marshall and other Commissioners were sent by the French King to deliver to the King of England the Order of Saint Michael and then was further treaty about the marriage and because the French could be sâ—rued no higher then two hundred thousand crownes it was at last accepted and the agreement was reduced into writing and delivered under Seale on both sides And now King Edward supposing his state to be most safe when indeed it was most unsure in testimoâ—y both of his joy and love advanced many to new titles of honouâ— the Lord Marquesse Dorset who had maried the eldest daughter of Charles Brandon was created Duke of Suffolke the Earle of Warwicke Duke of Northumberland the Earle of Wiltshire was created Marquesse of Winchester Sir William Herbert Lord of Cardisse and Master of the Horse was created Earle of Pembrooke also William Cecill the Kings
taken downe and Tables placed in their roomes In his fifth yeer the Book of Common Prayer was established Casualties happening in his time IN his second yeere Saint Annes Church within Aldesgate was burnt In his â—ifth yeere a sweating sicknesse infested first Shrewesbury and then the north parts and after grew most extreame in London so as the first weeke there dyed eight hundred persons and was so violent that it tooke men away in foure and twenty houres sometimes in twelve and somtimes in lesse amongst other of account that dyed of this sicknesse were the two Sonnes of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke who dyed within an houre after one another in such order that both of them dyed Dukes This disease was proper to the English Nation for it followed the English wheresoever they were in foraigne parts but seized upon none of any other Countrey In this yeere one Master Arden of Kent by procurement of his wife was murthered in his owne house being dead his body was carried out and laid upon the ground in a close hard by where this is memorable that for two yeers after the ground where his body lay bore no grasse but represented still as it were a picture of his body onely in the space between his legges and armes there grew grasse but where any part of his body touched none at all Yet this miraculous accident was not so much for the murther as for the curses of a widow-woman out of whose hands the said Master Arden had uncharitably bought the said close to her undoing And thus the divine justice even in this world oftentimes works miracles upon offenders for a mercifull warning to men if they would be so wise to take it In his sixth yeer the third of August at Middleton-stony eleven miles from Oxford a woman brought forth a childe which had two perfect bodies from the navill upward the legges for both the bodies grew out at the midst where the bodies joyned and had but one issue for the excrements of them both they lived eighteen dayes and were women children This yeere also were taken at Quinborow three Dolphins and at Black-Wall six more the least of which was bigger then any horse Works of Piety by him or other in his time THis King gave three houses to the reliefe of the poor first for the fatherlesse and beggers children he gave the late Gray-Fryers in London which iâ— now called Christs Hospitall then for lame and diseased persons he gave the Hospitall of Saint Thomas in Southwarke and Saint Barthalomews in West Smithfield Thirdly for riotous and idle persons he gave his house of Bridâ—well and for their maintenance he took six hundred pounds a yeer land from the house of the Savoy which had been long abused and bestowed it upon these houses to which he added four thousand marks a yeer more By his example Sir William Chester Alderman of London and Iohn Calthroppe Draper at their owne costs made the Brickwalls and way on the backside that leadeth to the Hospitall of Saint Barthalomews and also covered and vawted the Towne Ditch which before was very noysome In the second yeer of this King Sir Iohn Gresham then Major of London founded a free Schoole at Host in Norfolke also at his decease he gave to every Ward in London ten pounds to be distributed amongst the poor and to maids marriages two hundred pounds In his third yeer Sir Rowland Hill the â—hen Lord Major of London caused to be made a Cawsway commonly called Overlane pavement in the high way from Stone to Nantwich in length four miles for the ease of horse and man He caused also a Cawsway to be made from Dunchurch to Bransen in Warwickshiere more then two miles in length and gave twenty pounds towards the making of Roitton Bridge three miles from Coventry He made likewise the high way to Kilborne neere to London Also four Bridges two of them of stone containing eighteen arches in them both the one over the River of Severne called Acham Bridge the other Terne Bridge and two other of Timber at Stoke where he built also a good part of the Church A free Schoole likewise he builded at â—rayton in Shropshiere with Master and Usher and gave sufficient stipends to them both Also he purchased a free fair to the said Towne with a free Market weekly and every fourteen dayes a free Market for cartell Besides all thiâ— he gave to the Hospitall of Christ-Church in London in his life time five hundred pounds and at his death a hundred In this Kings fourth yeer Sir Andrew Iud Major of London founded a notable free Schoole at Tunbridge in Kent he builded also an Almshouse for six poor people nigh to the Parish Church of Saint Helens in Bishopsgate-streete and gave threescore pounds land a yeer to the Skinners of London for which be bound to pay twenty pounds to the Schoolemaster and eight pounds to the Usher of his free Schoole at Tunbridge yeerly for ever and four shillings weekely to the six poor Almspeople and something more yeerly In his sixth yeer Sir George Barnes Major of London gave a Windmill in Finsbury-field to the Haberdashers of London the profits thereof to be destributed to the poor of that Company also to Saint Bartholamews the little certaine Tenements to the like use Of his personage and conditions COncerning his personage it is said he was in body beautifull of a sweete aspect and specially in his eyes which seemed to have a starry livelinesse and lustre in them Concerning his conditions in matter of fact there is not much to be said but in matter of disposition and inclination very much even to admiration For though his tree was not yet come to the maturity of bearing fruit yet it was come to the forwardnesse to bear plenty of buds and blossomes For proofe of his mercifull disposition this one example may be sufficient when one Ioan Butcher was to be burned for blasphemy and heresie all the Counsell could not get him to signe the Warrant till the Archbishop Cranmer with much importunity perswaded him and then he did it but not without weeping For his pregnancy of wit and knowledge in all kindes of learning we shall need but to hear what Cardan who coming into England had often conference with him reporteth of him that he was extraordinarily skilfull in Languages and in the Politicks well seen in Philosophy and in Divinity and generally indeed a very miracle of Art and Nature He would answer Embassadours somerimes upon the suddaine either in French or Latine he knew the state of forraigne Princes perfectly and his own more He could call all Gentlemen of account through his Kingdome by their names and all this when he had scarce yet attained to the age of fifteene yeers and died before sixteene that from hence we may gather it is a signe of no long life when the faculties of the minde are ripe so early Of his death and buriall IN
in respect of them whom he left behinde him for if they in his absence should by any accident be drawne to waver in their resolution they might worke their owne safety with his destruction and make themselves seeme innocent in his guiltinesse To which one of the Lords replied and said Your Grace makes a doubt of that which cannot be for which of us all can wash his hands cleane of this businesse and therefore it behooves us to be as resolute as your selfe and the Earle of Arundell to testifie his resolution in the matter said he was sorry it was not his chance to goe with him at whose feet he could finde in his heart to spend his blood So the Duke with the Marquesse of Northampton the Lord Gray and divers other of account on the fourteenth of Iuly set forward on the journey with eight thousand foot and two thousand horse and passing through Shoreditch the Duke said to the Lord Gray see how the people presse to see us but not one of them saith God speed you The Duke had every dayes march how farre he should goe appointed him by Commission which being very slow whether it were done of purpose by some that favoured the Lady Maries side was certainly a great helpe to her proceedings for by this meanes she had the longer time to make her preparations and indeed in this time two accidents happened of great benefit to her one that Edward Hastings the Earle of Huntingtons brother having an Army of foure thousand foot committed to him by the Earle of Northumberland he now left his Party and went to the Lady Mary the other that six great Ships which lay before Yarmouth to intercept the Lady Mary if she shouly attempt to flye now at the perswasion of Master Ierningham came in to her aide which two revolts so terrified the Londoners that though Doctor Ridley Bishop of London on the sixteenth of Iuly at Pauls Crosse Preached a Sermon wherein he invited the people to stand firme to Queene Iane whose cause he affirmed to be most just yeâ— few or none were perswaded by him so as the Lords themselves fell off from the side who assembling at Beynards-Castle first the Earle of Arundell then the Earle of Pembrooke fell to invectives against the Earle of Northumberland and then all the Lords joyning in opinion with them they called for the Major and in London Proclaimed the Lady Mary Queene as likewise the Lord Windsor Sir Edmund Peckham Sir Robert Drurie and Sir Edward Hastings did in Buckinghamshire Sir Iohn Williams of Tame and Sir Leonard Chamberlaine in Oxfordshire and Sir Thomas Tresham in the County of Northampton All this came soone to the knowledge of the Duke of Northumberland being then at Burie who thereby seeing how the world went thought it his best course to turne with the streame and thereupon returning to Cambridge he tooke the Major of the Towne with him into the Market-place and there himselfe for want of a Herauld Proclaimed the Lady Mary Queene and in signe of joy threw up his Cap which yet served not his turne for the next morning Henry Fitz-Allen Earle of Arundell came into Cambridge from Queene Mary who entring his Chamber the Duke at his feet fell on his knees desiring him for Gods love to consider his case that had done nothing but by the Warrant of him and the Councell My Lord said the Earle I am sent hither by the Queen to arrest you and I said the Duke obey your arrest yet I beseech your Lordship to use mercy towards him whose Acts have been no other then were injoyned by Commission you should have thought of that sooner said the Earle and thereupon committed him to a Guard and left him to the Queenes mercy Thus ended all this great Dukes designes in his owne destruction and brought him to fall on his knees to them who had often before bowed their knees to him and the Earle who at the Dukes going ouâ— could have beene contented to spend his blood at his feet was now contented to be made an instrument of his fall so sudden are the turnes of mens affections and so unstable is the building upon their asseverations at lest no man must looke to have his case be of any weight against him who hath his owne case put in the Ballance Together with the Duke his three Sonnes Iohn Ambrose and Henry the Earle of Huntington Sir Andrew Dudley the two Gates Iohn and Henry Sir Thomas Palmer and Doctor Sands were conveyed towards London and brought to the Tower and the next day the Marquesse of Northampton the Lord Robert Dudley and Sir Robert Corbet Before which time the Duke of Suffolke entring his daughters the Lady Ianes Chamber told her she must now put off her Royall Robes and be contented with a private life to which she answered She would much more willingly put them off then she had put them on and would never have done it but in obedience to him and her Mother And this was the end of the Lady Ianes ten dayes Reigne THE REIGNE OF QUEEN MARY THE Lady Mary having bin Proclaimed Queen in London and other parts of the Realme removed from her castle of Framingham towards London and being come to Wanstead in Essex on the thirtieth of Iuly the Lady Elizabeth her sister with a traine of a thousand horse rode from her place in the Strand to meet her on the third of August the Queene rode through London to the Tower where at her entrance were presented to her Thomas Duke of Norfolke Edward Lord Courtney Stephen Gardiner late Bishop of Winchester and the Duâ—chesse of Somerset who all kneeling downeâ— she kissed them and said These be my Prisoners and then caused them presently to be set at liberty the next day she restored the Lord Courtney to his Marchisate of Exceter and the same day also she not onely restored Stephen Gardiner to his Bishopricke of Winchester but a few daâ—es after made him Chancellour of England yet this was the man that had subscribed to her Mothers Divorceâ— and had written Bookes against the lawfulnesse of her mariage The fift of August Edmund Bonner late Bishop of London prisoner in the Marshalsey and Cutbert Tunstall the old Bishop of Durham prisoner in the Kings Bench had their Pardons and were restored to their Sees Sortly aftâ—r all the Bishops which had been deprived in the time of King Edward the sixth were restored to their Bishopricksâ— and the new removed as Ridley was removed from London and Bonner placed Skory from Chichester and Day placed Miles Coverdale from Exceter and West placed Iohn Hooper from Worcester and Heath placed Also all Beneficed men that were married or would not renounce their Religion were put out of their Livings and other of a contrary opinion put in their rooms On the thirteenth of August one Master Bourne a Canon of Pauls preaching at Pauls Crosse not onely prayed for the dead but also declared that Doctor Bonner
Bishop of London late restored and there in presence for a Sermon by him made foure yeeres before in the same place and upon the same Text had unjustly beene cast into the vile prison of the Marshalsey which Speech so offended some of the Auditory that they cried Pull him downe pull him downe and had certainly done him violence for a Dagger was throwne at him if Master Bradford a Protestant Preacher had not stept into his place and appeased the tumult and Master Rogers another Protestant Minister who were both afterward burnt for Religion had not shifted away Bourne into Pauls Schoole Hitherto Queene Maries reigne had beene without blood but now the Cataracts of seventy will be opened that will make it raine blood for now on the eighteenth of August Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland VVilliam Parre Marquesse of Northamptâ—n and Iohn Earle of VVarwicke soâ—ne and heire to the Duk were arraigned at VVestminster-hall before Thomas Duke of Nâ—â—folke as high Steward of England where the Duke of Northumberland after his Indictment read required the opinion of the Court in two points first whither a man doing any Act by authority of the Princes Counsâ—â—le and by warrant of the great Seale of England might for any such Act be charged with treason secondly whither any such persons as were equally culpable and by whose commandements he was directed might be his Judges and passe upon his triall whereunto was answered that concerning the first the great Seale which he alleaged for his warrant was not the Seale of the lawfull Queene of the Realm but of an Usurper and therfore could be no warrant for him and as to the second it was resolved that if any were as deeply to be touched in the case as himself yet so long as no Attainder were of record against them they were persons able in law to passe â—pon his triall and not to be challenged but at the Princes pleasure After which answers the Duke used few words but confessed the Indictment and accordingly had judgment to dye By whose example the other prisoners arraigned with him confessed the Indictments and therupon had judgment the ninteenth of August Sir Andrew Dudley Sir Iohn and Sir Henry Gates brethren and Sir Thomas Palmer Knights were arraigned at VVestminster who câ—nfessing their Indictments had judgment which was pronounced by the Marquesse of VVinchester Lord high Treasuâ—er sitting that day as chiefe Justice after these condemnations followed the executions for on the two and twentieth of August Iohn Duke of Northumâ—erland was brought to the Tower-hill and there beheaded being upon the scaffold in a gowne of green coloured damaske he put it off and then made a long Speech wherein he asked the Queen forgivenesse whom he acknowledged to have grievously offended and then making profession of his Faith that he died a true Catholick meaning a Papist he said the Psalmes of Miserere and De Profundis the Pater noster and six of the first verses of the Psalme In te Domine speravi ending with this verse Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit and this said he looked about him as looking for a Pardon but none comming he laid his head downe upon the blocke and at one blow had it strucken off his body with the head was buried in the Tower by the body of Edward late Duke of Somerset mortall enemies while they lived but now lying together as good friends so as there lyeth before the high Altar in Saint Peters Church â—wo Dukes between two Queens namely the Duke of Somerset and the Duke of Northumberland between Queen Anne and Queene Katherine all foure beheaded Of what religion this Duke was may well be doubted seeing at his death he professed himself a Papist when lately before he had importuned King Edward to make the Lady Iane his successour lest the Papall religion should be restored it seems he was not greatly of either but for other ends a Protestant then when it was to make his daughter in law Queen now a Papist when it was to save his life for it was thought he had Pardon promised if he would recant At the same time and place were beheaded Sir Iohn Gates and Sir Thomas Palmer who were no such temporizers but persisted and dyed in the Protestant Religion which they had alwayes professed After this a sprinkling of mercy came from the Queene for on the third of September the Lord Ferrers of Chartley the two chiefe Justices Sir Roger Cholmley and Mountague Sir Iohn Cheeke and others were delivered out of the Tower whether before they had been committed but a shower of severity followed soon after for on the fifteenth of September Master Latimer and Doctor Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury were sent to the Tower and on the third oâ— November following the said Archbishop Cranmer the Lady Iane late Queene and the Lord Guildford her husband with the Lords Ambrose and Henry sonnes to the late Duke of Northumberland were all arraigned at the Guild-hall found guilty and had judgement to dye All this while Queen Mary had contented her selfe to be Queene by Proclamation but now that things were something setled she proceeds to her Coronation for on the last of September she rode in her Chariot through London towards VVestminster in this order first rode a number of Gentlemen and Knights then Doctors then Judges then Bishops then Lords then the Councell after whom followed the Knights of the Bath thirteene in number in their Robes then the Bishop of VVinchester Lord Chancellour and the Marquesse of VVinchester Lord high Treasurer next came the Duke of Norfolke and after him the Earle of Oxford who bore the sword then the Major of Londâ—n in a Gowne of Crimson Velvet who bore the Scepter of Gold after came the Queenes Chariot and then followed another Chariot wherein sat the Lady Elizabeth her sister and the Lady Anne of Cleeve and then came Ladies and Gentlewomen riding on horses trapped with red velvet c. In this order they came through London to VVestminster where in many places by the way were Pagents and stately shewes and many rich presents given to the Queene The next day she went by water to the old Palace and remained there till eleven of the clock and then went on foot upon blew cloth being railed on either side to Saint Peters Church where she was Crowned and Anointed by the Bishop of VVinchester the two Archbishops being then in the Tower with all Rites and Ceremonies of old accustomed After her Coronation a generall pardon was published in her name but interlaced with so many exceptions of matters and persons that very few tooke benefit by it for after the pardon published there were Commissioners assigned to compound with such persons as were excepted from some of whom they tooke away their Fees and Offices some they fiâ—ed and some they deprived of their estates and livings About this time Sir Iames Hales one of the Justices of the Common Pleas who
mercy and gave them their Pardon of which number were Master Rudston of Kent Sir Iames a Crofts the Lord Iohn Gray brother to the Duke of Sufâ—olke and some others About this time a little before and after were advancements in honour the Lord William Howard Lord Admirall of England was created Baron Hoâ—ard of Eâ—â—ingham Sir Iohn VVilliams was created Baron of Tames Sir Edward North was created Baâ—on of Chartleigh Sir Iohn Bridges was created Baron Chandowes of Sudeley Gerrard Fitz Garret was created Earl of Kildare and Bâ—ron of Ophelley and not long after Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Horse was created Viscount Mountagâ—â— It is scarce worth remembring that in the end of this firâ—â— yeer of â—he Queens reignâ— one Elizabeth Croâ—t a wench of eighteen yeeres old was by prâ—ctice put into a Wall and thereupon called the Spirit in the Wall who with a whistle made for the purpose whistled out many seditious words against the Queene the Prince of Spaine the Masse Confession and such other Points for which she did Penance standing upon a skaffold at Pauls Croâ—â—e all the Sermon time where she made open confession of her fault There had beene good store of Laymens blood shed already and now the times is comming to have Clergie mens shed and for a preparative to it on the tenth of Aprill Cranmâ—r Archbishop of Canterbury Nicholas Ridley laâ—e Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer late Bishop of Worcester are conveyed from the Tower to Oxford there to dispure with Oxford and Cambridge men in points of Religion but specially of the Eucharist the Oxford men were Cole Chaâ—scy Pye Harpsefield Smith and Doctor Weston Prolocurour the Cambridge men Young Seaton Watson Atkinson Fecknham and Sedgewicke the Disputation ended which we may well thinke as the matter was carried went against the prisoners on the twentieth of Aprill they were brought again on the Stage and then demanded whether they would persist in their opinion or else recant and affirming they would persist they were all three adjudged Hereticks and condemned to the fire but their execution we must not looke for till a yeere or two hence but in the meane time we have Iohn Rogers the first Martyr of these time burnt at London the fourth of February after whom the ninth of February Iohn Hooper late Bishop of VVorcester burnt at Glocester after him Robert Ferrar Bishop of Man burnt at Carmarden after him Iohn Bradford with many others and then the two famous men Ridley and Latimer no lesse famous for their constant deaths then their religious lives both burnt at Oxford the sixteenth of October This rising of VVyat had beene a Remora to the Queenes marriage and now to avoid all such obstacles hereafter the Queen in Aprill called a Parliament wherein were pâ—opounded two things one for confirmation of the Marriage the other for restoration of the Popes Primacie This latter was not assented to but with great difficulty for the six yeers reigne of King Edward had spred a plantation of the Protestâ—nt Religion in the hearts of many but the Proposition for the marriage was assented to readily but yet with the adding of some conditions which had noâ— beene thought of in the former Articles First that King Phillip should admit of no Stranger in any Office but onely Nativesâ— secondly that he should innovate nothing in the Lawes and Customes of the Kingdome Thirdly that he should not carry the Queen out of the Realme without her consent nor any of her children without consent of the Councell Fourthly that surviving the Queeâ— he should challenge no right in the Kingdome but suffâ—r it to descend to the next heire Fiftly that he should carry none of the Jewels of the Realme out of the Kingdome nor suffer any Ships or Ordnance to be removed out of the Realme and lastly that neither directly nor indirectly he should cause the Realme of England to be intangled with the warre betweene Spaine and France All things being thus agreed on the Earle of Bedford Lord Privie Seale the Lord Fitzwaters and divers other Lordâ— and Gentlemen are sent into Spaine to fetch over Prince Phillippe who arrived at Southampton the twentieth of Iuly in the yeere 1554. and the three and twentieth came to VVinchester where the Queene met him and the five and twentieth the marriage betweene them there was openly solemnized the desparity of yeeres as in Princes not much regarded though he were then but seven and twenty yeeres of age shee eight and thirty at which time the Emperours Embassadour being present openly declared that in consideration of that mariage the Emperour had given to Prince Phillippe his sonne the Kingdomes of Naples and Hierusalem and thereupon the solemnity of marriage being ended Garter King of Heraulds openly in the Church in the presence of the King the Queene and the Lords both of England and Spaine solemnly proclaimed the title and stile of these two Princes as followeth Phillip and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England France Naples Hierusalem and Ireland Defenders of the Faith Princes of Spaine and Scicily Archdukes of Austria Dukes of Millany Burgandy and Brabant Counts of Habspurge Flanders and Tyroll After this the King and Queene by easie journeys came to Winsor Castle where the King was instal'd Knight of the Garter and the Earle of Sussex with him The eleventh of August they removed to Richmond the seven and twentieth to Suffolk-place in Southwark and the next day to London where the stately shews that were made may well enough be conceived without relaring from hence after foure dayes they removed againe to Richmond where all the Lords had leave to depart into their Countries and indeede so many departed that there remained not an English Lord at the Court but the Bishop of Winchester from Richmond they removed to Hampton-court where the Hall door within the Court was continually kept shut so as no man might enter unlesse his errand were first known which might perhaps be the fashion of Spain but to Englishmen seemed very strange About this time Cardinall Poole sent for by the King and Queene came over into England and had come sooner but that the Emperour fearing he might prove a corrivall with his sonne Phillip had used meanes to stop his passage but now that his Sonnes marriage was past he was content to let him passe who though he came from Rome with the great authority of a Legat â— Latere yet he would not but come privately into London because his Attaindour was yet upon Record an Act therefore was presently passed to take it off and to restore him in blood for passing of which Act the King and Queene in person came to the Parliament house whither a few dayes after the Cardinall came himselfe which was then kept in the great Chamber of Whitehall because the Queen by reason of sicknesse was not well able to goe abroad and here the King and Queene sitting under the cloath of Estate
and the Cardinall on their right hand all the Lords Knights and Burgesses being present the Bishop of VVinchester Lord Chancellour made a short speech unto them signifying the presence of the Lord Cardinall and that he was sent from the Pope as his Legate a Latere to doe a worke tending to the glory of God and the benefit of them all which saith he you may better heare from his own mouth Then the Cardinall rose up and made a long solemne Oration wherin he first thanked them for his restoring by which he was enabled to be a member of their society then exhorting them to returne into the bosome of the Church for which end he was come not to condemne but to reconcile not to compell but to call and require and for their first worke of reconcilement requiring them to repeale and abrogate all such Lawes as had formerly beene made in derogation of the Catholicke Religion After which Speech the Parliament going together drew up a Supplication which within two dayes after they presented to â—he King and Queene wherein they shewed themselves to be very penitent for their former errours and humbly desired their Majesties to intercede for them to the Lord Cardinall and the See Apostolicke that they might be Pardoned of all they had done amisse and be received into the bosome of the Church being themselves most ready to abrogate all Lawes prejudiciall to the See of Rome This Supplication being delivered to the Cardinall he then gave them Absolution in these words Wee by the Apostolicke authority given unto us by the most Holy Lord Pope Iulius the third Christs Vicegerent on Earth doe Absolve and deliver you and every of you with the whole Realme and Dominions thereof from all Heresie and Schisme and from all Judgements Censures and Paines for that cause incurred and also Wee doe restore you againe to the unity of our Mother the holy Church The report hereof comming to Rome was cause that a solemne Procession was made for joy of the conversion of England to the Church of Rome And now the Queene had a great desire to have King Phillip crowned but to this the Parliament would by no meanes assent In October this second yeere of her reigne a rumour was spread of the Queenes being with childe and so forward that she was quicke and thereupon were Lettes sent from the Lords of the Councell to Bonner Bishop of London that Prayers of Thanksgiving should be made in all Churches and the Parliament it selfe was so credulous of it that they entred into consideration of the education of the childe and made an Act desiring the King our of 〈◊〉 confidence they had in him that if the Queene should faile he would be pleased â—o take upon him the Rule and Government of the childe but after â—ll this in Iune following it came to be knowne that it was but a Tympany â—r at lest the Queene so miscarried that there came no childe nor the Queene likely ever after to have any But howsoever in hope of the joy that was expected in Ianuâ—ry of this yeere divers of the Councell as the Lord Chancellour the Bishop of Elye the Lord Treasurour the Earle of Shrewsbâ—ry the Controlour of the Queens house Secretary Bourne and Sir Richard Soâ—thwell Master of the Ordinance were sent to the Tower to discharge and set at liberty a great part of the Prisoners in the Tower as â—amely the late Duke of Northumberlands sonnes Ambrose Robert and Henry also Sir Andrew Dudley Sir Iames Croâ—ts Sir Nicholas Throgmorton Sir Iohn Rogers Sir Nicholas Arnold Sir George Harper Sir Edward Warner Sir William Sentlow Sir Gowen Carow William Gybbs Esquire Cutbert Vaughan and some others About this time one William Fetherstone a Millers sonne of the age of eighteene yeeres named and bruted himselfe to be King Edward the sixth for which being apprehended and examined he answered as one lunaticke and thereupon was whipped at a Carts â—ayle and banished into the North but the yeere after spreading abroad againe that King Edward was alive and that he had talked with him he was arraigned and condemned of treason and at Tyburn hanged and quartered In the moneth of March the Queene was taken with a fit of Devotion and thereupon called unto her foure of her Privie Councell namely William Marquesse of Winchester Lord Treasurour Sir Robert Rochester Comptrolour Sir William Peter Secretary and Sir Francis Englefield Master of the Wards and signified unto them that it went against her conscience to hold the Lands and Possessions as well of Monasteries aud Abbeys as of other Churches and therefore did freely relinquish them and leave them to be disposed as the Pope and the Lord Cardinall should thinke fit and thereupon charged them to acquaint the Cardinall with this her purpose Aâ—d shortly after in performance hereof Iohn Fecknam late Deane of Pauls was made Abbot of Westminster and had possession delivered him and with him fourteen Monkes received the Habit at the same time and on the twentieth of November Sir Thomas was instituted Lord of Saint Iohns of Hierusalem and was put in possession of the Lands belonging unto it And when it was told herâ— that this would be a great diminution of the Revenues of her Crowne she answered she more valued the salvation of her soule then a thousand Crownes a most religious speech and enough if there were but this to shew her to be a most pious Prince The fourth of September this yeer King Phillip waited on with the Earle of Arundell Lord Steward the Earle of Pembrooke the Earle of Huntington and others went over to Callice and from thence to Brussels in Brabant to visit the Emperour his Father who deliveâ—ing him possession of the Low Countries in March following he returned into England but then on the sixth of Iuly following by reason of wars with France he passed again over to Callicâ— and so into Flanders from whence he returned not till eighteene moneths after which made great muttering amongst the common people as though hee tooke any little occasion to be absent for the little love hee bore to the Queene In the third yeere of the Queene dyed Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester at his house in Southwarke of whose death it is memorable that the same day in which Bishop Ridley and Master Latimer suffered at Oxford he would not goe to dinner till foure a clocke in the aâ—ternoone thoâ—gh the old Duke of Norâ—olke was come to dine with him the reason was because he would first heare of their being burnt and as soon as word of that was brought him he presently said Now let us goe to Dinner where sitting downe and eating merrily upon a sudden he fell into such extremity that he was faine to be taken from the Table and carried to his bed where he continued fifteen dayes without voyding any thing either by urine or otherwise which caused his tsongu to swell in his mouth and so dyed after whose death
his fault shall deserve The Bishop alleâ—dged for himself That he had not violated the Right of â—n Ambassadour Via Iuris but Vâ—â— Factâ— to use his own words and therefore adviseth them not to use harder measure to him then was used to the English Ambassadours 〈…〉 in France Râ—ndoll and Tâ—mwoâ—th in Scotland who had raised Rebellions there and were open Abettors of the same and yet had no greater punishment then to be gone at a time limitted When they began to urge him what the English had testified against him he lovingly requested them to give no credit to itâ— forasmuch as by a received Custome which hath the force of a Law The Testimony of an English man against a Scot or of a Scot against an English man is not to be admitted but after some other altercations the Bishop is led away to the Tower and kept close prisoner At this very season Matthew Earl of Lenox Regent of Scoâ—â—and the Kings Grand-father was by the adverse party set upon at unawares who having yeelded himself to David Spense of Wormester that was then very carefull to defend him together with him was slain by Bell and Câ—ulder when with great industry he had governed the Kingdom for his Grand-childe about fourteen months In whose room Iohn Areskin Earl of Marâ—e by common consent of the Kings Faction was chosen Regent of Scotland who being a man of a quiet disposition through extreme grief of the mâ—ny troubles he sustained in the place departed this life when he had governed thirteen months And now a Parliament was held at Westminster wherein besides a Law for preventing of the treacherous endeavours of seditious subjects another Law was made That if any one during the Queens life by Books written or printed shall expressely affirm That any iâ— or ought to be the Heir or Successor of the Queen besides the naturall Off-spâ—ing of her Body or shall to that purpose publish print or dispersâ— any Book or Schedules he and his favourâ—rs shall for the first offence suffer a yeers imprisonment and the losse of one half of his goods and if they offend again they shall be in a Prâ—munirâ— A Law also was made by which to be reconciled to the Sea of Rome was made Treason and it was pronounced against the Queen of Scots That if she offended again against the Laws of England it might be lawfull to question her as the wife of a Peer of the Kingdom of England But here the Queen interposed her Authority and would not suffer it to be enacted About this time in May a solemn Tilting was performed at Westminster where thâ— Challengers were Edward Earl of Oxford Charles Howard Sir Henry Lee and Chriâ—â—â—pher Hattâ—n Esquire who all did valiantly but the Earl of Oxford best Assoon as the Parliament was dissolved a Consultation was held Wheâ—her Iohn Story Doctor of the Laws the Duke D'Alva's Searcher who somtime before was by a wile brought into England being an Englishman born and having in Braâ—ant consulted with a forâ—aign Prince about the invading of England were to be held guilty of high Treason It was resolved aâ—firmatively whereupon he is called to the Bar and indicted of Treasonâ— That he had consulted with one Presâ—all a Conjurer to make away the Queen That he cursed her dayly when he said Grace at Table That he shewed a way to the Secretary of Duke D'Alva how to invade England c. where he affirming That the Judges had no power to meddle with him for that he bâ—longed not to the Queen of England but was the King of Spain's sworn subjectâ— is neverthelesse condemned by the Foâ—m of Nihil dicit forasmuch as no man can renounce the Country wherin he was born nor abjure his Prince at his own pleasure and finally executed after the manner of Trayâ—ors Ireland at this time was indifferent quieâ— for Sir Iohn Perot President of Munster had brought Iames Fitz Morris to submit himself and crave pardon Sidney the Lord Deputy returned into England and Sir William Fitz Williams who had marryed his sister succeeded in his room It was now the fifteenth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign when Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk on the sixteenth day of Ianuary was brought to his Tryall at Westminster-Hall where sate as Commissioners George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury made High Steward of England for that day Reynold Grey Earl of Kent Thomas Ratcliff Earl of Sussex Henry Hastings Earl of Huntington Francis Russell Earl of Bedford Henry Herbert Earl of Pembrâ—â—k Edward Seymor Earl of Hertford Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester Walter Devereux Viscount of Hereford Edward Lord Clinton Admirall William Lord Howard of Effingham Chamberlain William Cecill Lord Burley Secretary Arthur Lord Grey of Wilton Iames Blunt Lord Mountjoy William Lord Sands Thomas Lord Wentworth William Lord Borough Lewis Lord Mordant Iohn Pawlet Lord St. Iohn of Bâ—sing Robert Lord Rich Roger Lord North Edmund Bruges Lord Châ—ndois Oliver Lord St. Iohn of Blâ—tsho Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst and William West Lord de la Ware After silence bidden Sir Owen Hopton Lievtenant oâ— the Tower is commanded to bring the Duke to the Bar and then the Clerk of the Crown said Thomas Duke of Norfolk late of Keningale in the County of Norfolk Hold up thy hand which done the Clerk with a loud voyce readeth the crimes laid to his charge That in the eleventh yeer of the Queens Raign he had trayterously consulted to make her away and to bring in forraign Forces for invading the Kingdom Also That he dealt with the Queen of Scots concerning Marriage contrary to his promise made to the Queen under his hand writing Also That he relieved with money the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland that had stirred up Rebellion against the Queen Also That in the thirteenth yeer of the Queens Raign he implored Auxiliary Forces of Pope Pius the fifth the Queens professed enemy of the King of Spain and the Duke D'Alva for the freeing of the Queen of Scots and restoring of the Popish Religion And lastly That he sent supply to the Lord Heris and other the Queens enemies in Scotland These Indictments being read the Clerk demanded of the Duke if he were guilty of these crimes or not Here the Duke requested he might be allowed to have Counsell But Catiline chief Justice made answer That it was not lawfull Yet saith the Duke I have heard that Humphrey Stafford in the Raign of K. Henry the seventh in a Cause of Treason had one assigned to plead for him To which Dyer chief Justice of the Common-Pleas made answer That Stafford had Counsell assigned him concerning the Right of Sanctuary from whence he was taken by forceâ— but in the Inditement of Treason he pleaded his own cause After this the Duke yeelding to be tryed by the Peers first Barham Serjeant at Law then Gerard the Queens Atturney and lastly Bromley the Queens Solicitor enforced the crimes objected against him to
into the Town their own Army sickly Victualls and Powder failing and that which most of all Sir Francis Drake not bringing the great Ordnance as he promised they departed from the Suburbs of Lisbon towards Cascais a little Town at the mouth of the River Tagus which Town Drake had taken this meane while who excused his not coming to Lisbon by reason of the Flatâ— he must have passed and the Castle of Saint Julian Fortified with fifty pieces of great Ordnance Neer this place they found threescore Hulkeâ— of the Hause towns of Germany laden with corne and all manner of Munition which they took as good prize towards their charges in regard the Queen had forbidden them to carry Victualls or Munition to the Spaniard From hence they set sayle toward Virgo a forlorne Town by the Sea-side and pillaging all along that Quarter returned for England having lost in the Voyage of Souldiers and Marriners about six thousand yet not so much by the Enemy as by eating of strange fruites and distemper of the Climate It concerns the state of England to look at this time into the state of France for while those things were in doing between Spain and England the Popish Princes of France under pretext of defending the Catholike Religion entred into a combination which they called The holy League The purpose whereof was to root out the Protestants and to divert the Right of Succession to the Crown of France For they bound themselves to each other by oath to suffer no person but a Catholike to be King of France which was directly to exclude the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde if the present King without issue male should fail The head of this League was the Duke of Guise who having given some overthrows to the German Forces that came into France in aid of the Protestants was immeasurably extolled by the Clergie and others and grew to such a height of reputation that entring into Paris he made the King glad to leave the City and in an Assembly at Bloys to make him great Master of the French Cavalery and to consent by Edict to the cutting off the Protestants So as the King standing now in fear of him used means at last even in the very Court to have him murthered and soon after the Cardinall his brother to be strangled Hereupon so great a confusion followed that the people every where disobeyed the Magistrates and spoiled the Kings very Pallace at Paris Some Cities affected a Democrâ—cie others an Aristocracie but few liked of a Monarchy The Confederates in the mean while made a new Seal usurped the Royall Authority seized into their hands the best fortified places intercept the Kings Revenues call in Spanish Souldiers and in all places denounce war and violence against the King And the King in this case being forced to flye to the Protestantâ— for succour they then most wickedly by one Iames Clement a Monk made him away The King being ready to dye Declareth the King of Navarre to be his lawfull successor but the Confederates would exclude him as an open Heretick and yet whom to make choice of they cannot well agree some would have the Duke of Lorraine as being descended from the ancient Kings of France some thâ— Duke of Savoy as borne of the French Kings daughter a Prince Poâ—eâ—t and Couragious others would have the Duke of Guises brother that waâ— murtheredâ— others the King of Spain but the greatest part gave theiâ— voices for the Câ—rdinall of Bourbon who was one degree neerer alâ—yed to the slain King then the King of Navarre his Nephew He therefore was presently proclaimed King of France with the Title of Charls the Tenth but he being a Priest the King of Navarre also was at the same time proclaimed King of France who abode at Diepe a Sea Town of Normandy and doubted not to drive the Cardinall easily out of France The King of Navarre being thus raised in Dignity but weake in means implored Aid of the Queen of England offering to make a League Offensive and Defensive the Queen out of a pious respect to a King of her own Religion sent him presently two and twenty thousand pound sterling in Gold such a summe of Gold as he professed he had never seen at one time before and withall supplyed him with four thousand Souldiers under the command of Peregrine Lord Willoughby for Colonells she appointed Sir Thomas Wilford who was made Marshâ—ll of the Field Iohn Boroâ—ghs Siâ— William Drury and Sir Thomas Baskervyle and gave them a months pay in hand Hereupon the Confederates whom the King had vanquished â— little before at Arques beyond all expectation began to quaile and the day before the Arrivall of the English they vanished away with this addition of Forces the King marcheth to Paris and being ready to enter the Citie causeth a retreat to be â—ounded as loath to have spoile made of a Citie which he hoped shortly should be his own Afterwards by the assistance of the English he wonne many Towns and then having marched at least five hundred miles on foot he gave them leave after a long winters service to returne into England In which Voyage of men of note dyed Captain Hunnings but of a naturall death also Stubbs he whose right hand was cutt off for writing the book against the Queens marriage and Sir William Drury slain by Master Boroâ—ghs in a single Combat where the quarrell was that he being but a Knight would take place of Boroughs that was the younger son of a Baron contrary to the Lawes of the English Gentry About this time Iames King of Scots with Queen Elizabeths good liking Espoused Anne the daughter of Frederick the second King of Denmarke by his Deputy but she afterward sayling for Scotland was by tempest cast upon Norway and there through continuall stormes forced to stay so as the King in the winter season set sayle thither that the marriâ—ge according to his vow might be accomplished within the yeer some were of opinion that those stormes were caused by witch-craft and was confirmed indeed by some witches taken in Scotland who confessed they had raised those stormes to keep the Queen from landing in Scotland and that the Earl of Bothwell had asked Counsell of them concerning the Kings end who was thereupon cast into prison but in a short time breaking loose occasioned new stirs in Scotland This yeer many Noble personages dyed Frances Countesse of Sussex sister to Sir Henry Sidney Sir Walter Mildway Chancellour and Vice-Treasurer of the Exchequer William Somerset Earl of Worcester so numerous in his off-spring that he could reckon more children of both Sexes then all the Earls of England Also Iohn Lord Sturton Henry Lord Compton and at Bruxels the Lord Paget At this time the Queen who was alwayes frugall strained one point of Frugality more then ever she had done before for upon the information of one Caermarden though Burleigh Leicester and Walsingham were
be sowed on while the wound was green he most villanously eat it up and swallowed it down before his face After this all on a â—udden he took upon him a shew of wonderfull holinesse did nothing but hear Sermons and getting Scriptures by heart â—â—d counterfeting Revelations from God and an extraordinary calling and â—rew to be so magnified by certain zealous Ministers and specially of one â—â—â—ard Coppinger a Gentleman of a good house and one Arthington a great admirer of the Geneva Discipline that they accounted him as sent â—rom Heaven and a greater Prophet then Moses or Iohn Baptist and finally that he was Christ himself come with his fanne in his hand to judge the world And this they proclaimed in Cheapside giving out that Hacket participated of Christs glorified body by his especiall Spirit and was now come to propagate the Gospel over Europe and to settle a true Discipline in the Church of England and that they themselves were two Prophets the one of Mercie and the other of Judgement with many other such incredible blasphemies whereupon Hacket was apprehended and arraigned and at last hanged drawn and quartered continuing all the time and at his death his blasphemous Assertions Coppinger a while after starved himself to death in prison Arthington repented and made his Recantation in a publike writing Besides these other also at this time opposed the established Government of the Church of England crying down the calling of Bishops with whom sided some Common-Lawyers also affirming that the Queen could not depute nor these men exercise any such Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction and that the Oath Ex Officio was unchristian But the Queen conceiving that through the sides of the Prelates she her self was shot at suppressed them what she could and maintained the Government formerly established About this time the Lord Thomas Howard with six of the Queens ships having waited at the Azores six whole Moneths for the coming of the Spanish Fleet from America was at last set upon by Alphonso Bassano with three and fifty ships sent out for the Convoy of the American Fleet where Richard Granvile Vice-Admirall being in the Revenge and separated from his company was so hemmed in by the Spanish ships and so battered with great shot that most of his men being slain his Main-mast cut off himself sore wounded in the head he commanded to sink the ship that it might not come into the Spaniards hands but this being countermanded by most voices it was agreed to yeeld it to the Spaniards upon condition that the men should be set at liberty Granvile himself was carryed into the Spanish Admirall where within two dayes he dyed not without praise of his very enemies Thus the great ship called the Revenge was yeelded but had so many leaks in the Keâ—l that soon after it was cast away in a storm and the losse of this one ship the English soon made good upon the Spaniards by taking many of theirs About this time also Cavendish who in the yeer 1578. had sailed round about the world now with five ships bent his course toward the Magellan Straits but by reason of foul weather was not able to passe them being driven to the coast of Brasile was there cast away And now enmity increasing daily between Spain and England two Proclamations were set forth one prohibiting upon pain of high-Treason to carry Victuals or Munition into any of the King of Spains dominions Another forbidding all persons to entertain any in their houses till inquiry made what they were lest they might entertain Popish Priests who at this time came swarming into England by reason the King of Spain had lately founded a Seminary at Valledolid for the English At this time dyed Sir Christopher Hatton Lord Chancelour whom of a mean Gentlemans house the Queens favour had raised to this height of Dignity a goodly personage of body of Noble but no aspiring spirits the onely of all the Queens speciall Favourites that dyed a Batchelour and therefore left William Newport his sisters son his heir who erected for him in Pauls Church a sumptuous Monument After his death the keeping of the great Seal was for certain Moneths committed to the Lord Burleigh Treasurer Hunsdon Cobham and Buckhurst Afterward Puckering the Queens Sergeant at Law was elected not Chancelour but Keeper of the great Seal At this time also Brian O-Rork the Irish Potentate was arraigned at Westminster his Indictments were For raising Rebellion against the Queen for dragging her Picture at a horse tail for giving the Spaniards entertainment which things being told him by an Interpreter for he understood no English hee said Hee would not be tryed unlesse the Queen her self in person sate to judge him Yet being told that it was the Law hee onely said If it must be so let it be so and so condemned was executed at Tyburn as a Traitour whereof hee seemed to make as little reckoning as if it had but been in jest And now this yeer the Queen made the Colledge of Dublin in Ireland an University which was formerly the Monastery of All-Saints endowing it with power to confer Scholasticall Dignities At this time Sir Iohn Pâ—rot who had been Deputy of Ireland and done good service there was yet by the malice of Adversaries of whom Hatton was one called in question before the Baron Hunsdon the Lord Buckhurst Sir Robert Cecill lately made a Councellour Sir Iohn Fortescue Sir Iohn Wolley and some of the Judges His Accusations were first that he had spoken opprobrious words against the Queen saying Shee was illegitimate and cowardly secondly that hee had fostered notorious Traitours and Popish Priests thirdly that hee held correspondence with the Prince of Parma and the Queens enemies To the first of which he confessed that in his passion he had spoken of the Queen unadvisedly for which hee was infinitely grieved the rest hee denyed And all men knew he was never Popishly affected His Accusers were one Philip Williams sometime his Secretary Denys O-Roghan an Irish marryed Priest whose life hee had saved and one Walton a fellow of no worth or Reputation Yet the crimes being urged against him by Popham and other Lawyers till eleven a clock at night hee was at last condemned of high Treason but Sentence waâ— not pronounced till twenty dayes after and yet was not put to death but dyed a naturall death in the Tower hee vvas a man of a goodly personage stout and chollerick and one whom many thought the Queen had the more reason to respect for her father King Henry the Eighths sake The Earl of Essâ—x after a tedious Winters siege in Normandy challenged Monsieur Villerse Governour of Roan to a single combate who refusing to meet him hee then returned into England being called home by the Queen whose favour by his long absence might else have suffered prejudice And now the King of France hearing that the Prince of Parma was coming iâ—to France once again was fain to flye to
Queen at this time for her better security entred a League of Defence and Offence with the French King against the Spaniard upon certain Conditions which League she confirmed by Oath in the Chappell at Greenwich the nine and twentieth of August laying her hand upon the hand of Henry de la Tour Duke of Bulloign and Marshall of France the Bishop of Chichester holding forth the Evangelists and a great company of the Nobility standing round about In September following Gilbert Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury was sent on Ambassage into France to take the French Kings Oath and to present Sir Anthony Mildmay for the Queens Ambassadour in Ordinary in the room of Sir Henry Unton lately there deceased and to invest the King with the Order of the Garter Soon after Baskervile wafted into Picardy with two thousand souldiers for no more were by agreement to be sent this yeer It was now the yeer 1596 and the nine and thirtieth of Queen Elizabeths Raign when Thomas Arundel of Warder returned into England from the Wars in Hungary against the Turk whom for his good service done thereâ— the Emperour by his Letters Patents had created Earl of the sacred Empire and all and singular his Heirs and their Posterity Males or Females lawfully descended from him to be Earls and Countesses of the holy Empire for ever Those who are graced with this Title have a Place and Voice in the Imperiall Diets May purchase Lands in the Emperours Dominions May take up voluntary souldiers And are not bound to answer any matter before any Judge but onely in the Chamber of the Empire At his return a great Question came in agitation Whether Titles of Honour given to the Queens subjects without her privity ought to be accepted by them or admitted by her For this new Earl stuck in the stomacks of the English Barons who inwardly grudged to give him place The matter was long disputed on both sides but what issue it had or whether he were permitted this Honour here at home I finde not Certain it is That Sir Nicholas Clifford and Sir Anthony Shirley whom the French King two yeers since received into the Order of S. Michael were laid in prison at their coming home and charged to resigne their Robes of the Order This yeer many great persons died Iohn Puckering Lord Keeper of the Great Seal whom Thomas Egerton succeeded Richard Fletcher Bishop of London who for marrying the Lady Baker as goodly a Lady as he was a Prelate incurred the Queens displeasure and to cure his cares fell immoderately to drinking of Tobacco and so expired Henry Cary Baron of Hunsdon Lord Chamberlain of her Majesties House and her Cousin German Sir Francis Knolls who marryed Hunsdons sister in Queen Maries dayes an Exile in Germany for the Gospell by Queen Elizabeth made first Vice-Chamberlain then Captain of the Guard afterward Treasurer of the Houshold and Knight of the Garter Henry Hastings Earl of Huâ—tington and President of the Counsell in the North who spent his estate upon Puritan Ministers Francis Lord Hastings Nephew to him by his brother George who succeeded him in the Earledome and Margaret Clifford Countesse of Derbie who descended of the blood Royall from Charles Brandon consulted with sorcerers and cunning men and thereupon a little before her end was in a manner excluded from the Queens favour The Queen at this time was told that the King of Spain was preparing a new Fleet against Ireland whereupon to encounter him she also prepared a Navy of a hundred and twenty Ships seventeene of the Queens Three aud forty lesser Ships of Warre the rest for the carriage of provision They were parted into three Squadrons Essex Commanded the first who was also chiefe Commander in the expedition The Lord Thomas Howard the second and Raliegh the third In this Fleet were sundry of the Nobility and Gentry Charls Blunt Lord Mountjoy Vere Carew Sir Christopher Blunt the Earles of Rutland and Southampton the Lords Grey Crumwell Rich and many other The ninth of July they weighed Anchour from Plimmouth and were to direct their course to Ferall and the Groyne to sieze upon the Spanish Fleet in the Harbour and towards the Isles called Azores to intercept the Indiâ—n Fleet at their returne into Spaine but this expedition was crossed and overthrowne by Tempests for they had not sayled forty Leagues from Plimmouth when they were shaken with such a terrible Tempest for foure dayes together that the Marriners themselves were at their witts end and the Fleet had much a do to recover Plimmoâ—th the Navy being mended then hoise up sayle the second time but the winde â—ell presently againe so crosse that for a whole Moneths time they could not get out of the Haven returning to Plimmouth the seventeenth of August they got out of the Haven and now the third time with a side wind hoyse up sayle but before they came in view of Spaine they were dispersed by another horrible Tempestâ— wherein of the two great Ships which were taken at Calis one was dashed in pieces the other wandered no man knew whither At the Island Flores the Fleet met againe where Rawleigh being distressed for water went on shore without leave and ere he had watered had charge to follow Essex to Fayâ—ll but not finding him there hee observed the Port and calling a Councell the Commanders wished him to set upon the place and not let slippe so faire a booty Upon this Rawleigh with some of the prime Voluntaries got to shoare and wonne the Towne but found no booty in it The next day Essex came thither whom Merrick informeth what Rawleigh had done affirming spitefully that he had done it only to prevent his Lordshippe in the honour of the exploite whereupon some perswaded the Earle to call a Councell of Warre and than dâ—â—place him others again to take of his Head for going to Land without the chiefe Commanders leave saying hee was never like for to have such another opportunity to bee rid of his Adversary upon this Sidney Brett Berry and other of Rawleighs company were displaced and layed by the heeles Rawleigh himselfe was sent for and entertained with a grimme looke by Essex and all his Party Essex rebuketh him angerly for landing his Forces which none upon payne of death might do without the Generalls command Rawleigh made answer that the Captaines indeed Ship-masters the rest were within the compasse of that Law but not the Three prime Commanders of whom himself was One That he had a long time wayted his comming and longer would have wayted but that the Islanders provoked him to fight And now the L. Thomas Howard mediated that no severity might be used against Rawleigh perswaded him to acknowledge his fault which being done all were friends and the displaced Captaines were restored to their places for the Earle was of a placable disposition easily apt to take offence and as easily ready to remit it From hence they saile to Gratiosa
Major of London in a gowâ—e of Crymson Velvet his brethren the Aldermen in gownes of Scarlet and twelve principall Citizens admitted to attend on them all other Citizens stayed from passing thither either by water or by Land by reson of the sicknesse and the first of Aâ—gust following all suitors were by Proclamation forbidden to repayâ—e to the Count till the winter following At this time the King forgot noâ— a deliverance he had formerly had which though it were had in Scotland yet he would have notice of it taken in England which was his deliverance from the conspiracy of the Goâ—ries on the fift day of August three yeâ—â—es before and thereupon Friday being the fift of August was by commandement appoâ—â—â—ed to be kept Holy day with Morning Prayer Sermons and Evening Prayer thâ—t day and Bonfires â—t night which was then and after during his life solemnely oâ—â—erved King Iaâ—â—â— had in hiâ— aâ— it were two Persons one as he was King of Scotland and in this he was in perfect amity with â—he King of Spainâ— another as he was King oâ— England and in this he had some difference with Spaine but he as Rex pacificâ—â— â—â—oke the best from both and was altogether for the Olive branch and thereupon when at his comming into England he found letters of Mart granted against Spaniards he first caused them all to be called in and then consâ—nted to a Treaty of perâ—it reconcilment In which Treaty handled at London the 18 oâ— August 16â—4 The Commissioners for the King of England were Thomas Earle of Dorset Charles Earle of Nottingham Charles Earle of Devonshire Henry Earle of North-Hampton and Robert Viscount Cranbourne For the King of Spaine Iohn de Velasco Constable of Castile Iohn de Tassis Earle of Villa Mediaâ—a and Alexander Robidius Professor of the Law in the Colledge of Millaine For the Archdukes Charles Count of Aramberg Iohn Richardoâ— President of the Privy Counsaile and Lodowick Verreikin principall Secretary by whom a Peace being concluded and contained in many Articles The Somer following the King of Spaine sent Don Iohn de Velesco Constable of Castile and Duke of Fryas also Pedraca de la Syerra his great Chamberlaine accompagnied with diverse Marquises Earles and Barons who comming into England were by the Earle of Devonshire on the nineteenth of August brought to the Court where the King in his Chappell in the presence of the â—ommissioners and other English Lords the Duke of Fryas holding the Kings hands between his tooke his Oath upon the holy Bible religiously to obserue and keep all the Articles of the Peace and League agreed upon and in March following being now the third yeare of King Iames Charles Earle of Nottingham Lord high Admirall of England was sent into Spaine to take in like manner the King of Spaine's Oath who accompanied with three Barons and many Knights Gentlemen and other to the number of six hundred and fifty the fifteenth of Aprill arrived at Groyne from whence he was conducted to Valledolid three hundred miles off where the King of Spaine then kept his Court enterteined in all places as he passed at the King of Spaine's charge with so great provisions and such demonstration of love and gladnesse that it plainly shewed the Spaniards were as glad of our friendship as we of theirs The Lord Embassadour being come to Court He caused Thomas Knoll Esquire to deliver the presents sent from the King of England which were siz goodly Horses with saddles and saddle cloaths very richly imbrodered whereof three for the King and three for the Queen two crossebows with sheafes of arrowsâ— foure fowling pieces inlaid with plates of Gold and a couple of Lyme hownds of singular qualities which the King and Queen in very kind manner accepted and then on the thirtyth of May the Lord Embassadour being sent for the King came forth into a large room where having a little Table set before him and a Bible very reverently laid upon it together with a Crucifix The Archbishop of Toledo read the Oath at the reading whereof the Lord Embassadour held the Kings hands between his and the King kneeling down layd his hands upon the Book and after his Oath subscribed to the Articles formerly concluded Whilst the E. of Nothingham was thus imployed in Spaine the right honorable Edward Earle of Hartford was likewise sent Embâ—ssador to Albertus and Isabella Archdukes of Austria to take their Oaths for confirmation of the said Articles of Peace which were taken at Bruxell the first of May with great State and solemnity After which as the Earle bestowed on the Archduks servants to the full summe of three thousand pouns So the Archduke at his departy bestowed upon the Earle a Iewell worth nine hundred pounds and a suite of Arms worth three hundred and bore his charges all the time of his stay at Bruxels And now was King Iames truly Rex Pacificus Peece and amity with all Princes of Christendome which few of his Auncestors ever were A little before this in the Month of August in the yeare 1604 the strong Town of Ostend in Flanders after above three years siege and the slaughter of a hundred and twenty thousand men of both sides and in defense whereof Sir Francis Vere Generall and his brother Sir Horatio Vere had shewed great Valour was by the Marquis Spinola taken for which Service the King of Spaine made him Duke of Santa Severina and Lord Generall of all his Forces in the Low-Countryes It was now the third yeare of King Iames his Reigne when he kept Saint Georges Feast at Grenwich and there made two new Knights of the Garter namely the High and Mighty Prince Duke Ulrick heire of Norway and brother to our gracious Queen Anne and the right Noble Lord Henry Howard Earle of North-Hampton And upon the Saturday following in the Hall at Grenwich being richly hanged with Arras he created three Earles one Viscount and foure Barons namely Sir Robert Cecil Viscount Cranbourne he created Earle of Salisbury Thomas Cecil Lord Burley his eldest brother he created Earle of Exceter and Sir Philipe Herbert yonger brother to the Earle of Pembrooke he created Earle of Montgomery then Robert Sidney Baron of Penshurst Lord Chamberlaine to the Queen he created Viscount Lisle Sir Iohn Stanhope Vicechamberlaine to the King he made Lord Stanhope of Harington Sir George Carew Vicechamberlaine to the Queen he made Lord Carew of Cloptonâ— Master Thomas Arundell of Devonshire he made Lord Arundell of Wardez and Master William Cavendish he made Lord Cavendish of Hardwick About this time a strange fancy possessed the braines of a professed Physition one Richard Haidock of new Colledge in Oxford who pretended to preach at night in his sleep in such sort that though he were called aloud or stirred and pull'd by the hands or feet yet would make no shew of either hearing or feeling And this he did often in the presence of many honorable persons that came to heare him
Iames His Raigne there were so many made that it may not be unfit to set them down in a Cathalogue together In His first yeare were made foure Earles and nine Barons namely Henry Howard yonger brother of the last Duke of Norfolk was made Earle of Northampton Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst was made Earle of Dorset and shortly after Charles Blount Lord Montjoy was made Earle of Devonshire and Thomas Howard Baron of Walden was made Earle of Suffolk Henry Grey was made Lord Grey of Groby afterward by King Charles made E. of Stamford Henry Danvers was made Baron of Dansley afterwards by K. Charles made Earle of Danby Sir Iohn Peter of Essex was made B. of Writtle Sir W. Russell was made Baron of Thornaugh Sir Thomas Gerard was made Baron of Gerards Bromly in Stafford-shire Sir Robert Spencer was made B. of Wormelayton in the County of Warwick Sir Thomas Egerton was made B. of Elesmore and Sir Robert Cecill was created B. of Henden in Rutlandshire and Sir Iohn Harington was made Baron of Exâ—on In His second yeare on the 20 of May were made foure Barons and one Viscount Sir Robert Sidney was made Baron of Penshurst Sir William Knowles Baron of Grayes Sir Edw. Wotton Baron of Marley and Mildmay Fanc Lord de Spencer and in August the same yeare Sir Robert Cecill Baron of Essenden was created Viscount Cranbourne In His third yeare of the 4 of May were created three Earles and one Viscount and foure Barons namely Sir Robert Cecill Viscount Cranbourne was created E. of Salisburyâ— Sir Thomas Cecill his elder brother L. Burghley was created E. of Exeter and Sir Philip Herbert younger brother to the E. of Pembrok was created E. of Montgomery Robert Sidney Baron of Penshurst was created Viscount of Lisle Sir Iohn Stanhope was made Baron of Harington Sir George Carew Baron of Clopton Mr Thomas Arundell of Devonshireâ— Baron of Warder and Master William Cavendysh Baron of Hardrickâ— In his fourth yeare on the fourth of Iuly Sir Thomas Kneveâ—t was called by writ to the Parliament by the name of Bâ—ron of Estrickâ— and was thereby Baron of that Title and on the seventh of September Sir Iervys Clifton was likewise called by writ to the Parliament by the name of Baron of Layton Bromsensold and was thereby Baron of that Title In his ninth yeare upon Easter-munday Sir Robert Carre was created Viscount Rochester and In his tenth yeare an the fourth of November was created Earle of Somersett In his eleventh yeare Lewis Steward Duke of Lenox was made Earle of Richmond and after Duke of Richmond In his thirteenth yeare on the 29. of Iuâ—e Sir Iames Hâ—y of Scotland was created Baron of Sawley and about three yeares after was made Viscount Doncaster and Sir â—obert Dorâ—er was created Baâ—on of Wyng afterward by K. Charles made Earle of Carâ—arvan In his fourteenth yeare on the 9. of Iuly Sir Iohn Hollis was created Baron of Haughton and Sir Iohn Roper of Kenâ—â— was made Baron of Tenham and on the 17. of August Sir George Villiers was created Baron of Whadden and Viscount Villiers and on the 7. of November Thomas Egerton L. Elsemore was created Viscount Brackley and he dying soon after his sonne Iohn was created Earle of Bridgewater William L. Knowles was created Viscount Wallingford and Sir Philip Stanhope was created Baron of Shelford On the 5 of Ianuary the Viscount Villiers was created Earle of Buckingham and on the third of March Sir Edward Noell of Rutland-shire was made Baron of Rydlington In his fifteenth yeare on New-yeares day Sir George Villiers Earle of Buckingham was created Marquis of Buckingham and on the 12 of Iuly Sir Francis Bacon Lord Chancellour of England was created Baron of Verulam and not long after Viscount Saint Albans Also in the Summer of this year the King created foure Earles and one Countesse namely the Viscount Lisle was made Earle of Leycester the Lord Compton was made Earle of Northampton the Lord Rich was made Earle of Warwick the Lord Cavendish was made Earle of Devonshire and the lady Compton wife to Sir Thomas Compton and mother of the Marquis of Buckingham was created Countesse of Buckingham In his sixteenth yeare on the 25 of November Sir Iohn Digby Vice chamberlaine to the King was created Baron of Shirbourne by Patent to him and his heires Males In his seventeenth yeare in the moneth of Iune Esme steward Lord d' Aubigny younger brother Duke of Lenox was created Earle of March Iames Marquis Hammilton was created Earle of Cambridge and Sir Iohn Villiers brother to the Marquis of Buckingham was Baron of Stâ—k and Viscount Purbeck In his eighteenth yeare William Câ—vendish was created Viscount Mansfield afterward by King Châ—rlâ—s mâ—de Earle of Neâ—castle and on Munday the fourth of Decâ—mber Sir Henry Mâ—â—tague being first made Lord Treasurer was created Baron of Kimbolton and Viscount Mâ—â—devile and not long after Earle of Manchester and Sir Iohn Ramsey Viscount Haddington of Scotland was created Earle of Holdernesse and William Fielding was created Baron of Newhenâ—â—â— and Viscount Fielding In his ninteenth yeare Henry Cary was made Lord Cary of Lâ—ppington afterward by King Charles made Earle of Manmouth Sir Edward Mountague elder Brother to the Viscount Mâ—â—devile was made Baron of Boulton the Lord Darciâ— of Essex was created Viscount Colchester afterward by King Charles made Earle Râ—vers the Lord Huâ—sdoâ— was created Viscount Rochford afterward by King Charles made Earle of Dâ—ver Sir Lyonell Cranfield Master of the Wardes was created Baron of Cranfield in Bedford-shire and Sir Howardâ— second sonne to Thomas Earle of Suffolkeâ— was created Baron Chorleton and Viscount Andover afterward by King Charles made Earle of Barke-shire In his twentyth yeare in the moneth of September the Viscount Doncaster was created Earle of Carlile the Viscount Fielding was created Earle of Denhigh the Lord Digby was made Earle of Bristow the Lord Cranfield was created Earle of Middlesex and Sir Henry Rich was made Baron of Kensington In his one and twentyth yeare the Marquis of Buckingham being then in Spaine with Prince Charles had his Patent sent him to be Duke of Buckingham William Grey was created Baron of Warke Elizabeth the widdow of Sir Moyle Fynch of Kent was created Viscountesse Maidestone afterward by K. Charles made Countesse of Winchelsly â—his two and twentieth year the Earle of Clanricard of Ireland was created Viscount Tunbridge in Kent afterward by King Charles made Earle of Saint Albans Sir Iohn Hollis Baron of Haughton was created Earle of Clare Sir 〈…〉 Riâ—h Baron of Kensington was created Earle of Holland the Lord 〈…〉 Baron of Say and Seale was made Viscount Say and Seale Sir 〈…〉 â—ane was created Earle of Westmerland Oliver Lord St. Iohn of Bletâ—â—◠〈◊〉 made Earle of Bullinbrook Sir Christopher Villers brother to the Duke of Bâ—ckingham was made Earle of Anglesey and Sir Iames Ley was made 〈…〉 afterward by King Charles made Earle of Marlborough Also this yearâ—â— Sir Francis Leak was made Baron of Deincourt and Sir Richard Roberts was made Lord Roberts of Truro in Cornwall And this was the number of all the Earles and Barons made by King Iamesâ— but in his time also began another sort of Nobility to bee made in England which had none of the Priviledges of English Barons but had onely Title to bee called Lords of some place either in Scotland or Ireland although they possessed not a foot of Land in either Of which â—oâ—t the number being great I forbeare to rehearse them lest I should be tedious or otherwise bee thought to encroach too much upon the Heralds office It is sufficient to have shewed that King Iames advanced so many in honour that in a kind it might be said of him as was said of Augustus Caesar That he left Rome of Marble which hee found built of Brick The beginning of THE RAIGNE OF KING Charles KING Iames being deceased on the 27 day of March in the forenoon the same day in the afternoone Charles Prince of Wales His only son then living was Proclaimed King of Great-Brittain France and Ireland with the Generall acclamation of all sorts of People as being a Prince of admirable endowments both of mind and body He was now about the age of 25 yeares whereof the most part of one he had spent in Spaine where although he was frustrated of the end for which he went yet it gave him a tincture of Travaile and Expeâ—ience more worth perhaps then the end he went for For by this meanes he attainâ—â— to a greater degree of that which made Ulysses so famous Quod mores hominum multorum vidit urbes The first thing he did after his Coronation was to proceed in the marriage agreed upon in His Fathers time with the beautiful vertuous Lady Henrieta Maria yonger daughter of the Great Henry the 4â— K. of France after which marriage we have only to say that he was happy in the Wife of His bosome Happy in His hopefull Issue Happy in the love of His people Happy in the Peace and tranquility of his Kingdomesâ— and Happy in the continuâ—nce of all these Happinesses for 15 years together and might have so continued still if it had not been for Discordia Demens Viperiuâ—s crinem vittiâ— innexa cruentis But of that which happened afterward I dare not take upon me to be a Register Neither is it indeed safe to begin a Narration which I must be faine to breake off in amazâ—ment as having nothing left me to say but Omnia in maluâ—â—â—ere and so far from any apparance of humane remedy that our only Anchor must be this supersuntâ— Yet our hope is It will be but a fit and the storme once past faire weather again and fairer perhaps than it was before and then with Ioy we shall resume our stile Laetumque choro Poeana canemus In the meane time comforting our selves with the words of the Prophet David Many are the troubles of the Righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all Carolus en Rex magnus in armis major in ermis Quid mirum Imperio magnus amore magis FINIS
counted themselves dishonoured in the dishonourable Conditions he had made and Baldwyn Earle of Flanders also when he saw the poore spiâ—its of King Iohn to descend to such base Conditions left his Party and entring League with the King of France disposed himselfe for the Holy Warre But King Iohn having now gotten a Vacation and a time of ease which agreed much better with his nature then Warre sets his minde wholly upon pleasures and for maintaining his pleasures upon seeking after profit which he pursues by all manner of injustice under the name of Prerogative and with such violence that when his Brother Geoffrey Arch-bishop of Yorke in the dutifulnesse of a Counsellour advised him not to take such unlawfull courses he most unworthily tooke from him all he had and it was a yeares worke for all the Arch-bishops friends to pacify his anger In the necke of this injustice he commits another he procures a divorce from his Wife Avis the Daughter of Robert Earle of Glocester onely for being of kinne to him in the third degree and by advice of the King of France marries Isabell Daughter and Heire of the Earle of Angoulesme Affianced before to Hugh le Brun Earle of March and shortly after brings her with him into England where he and she together are both Crowned at Canterbury And here the Earles and Barons of the Realme being all summoned to attend the King into France at Whitsontide following they all by a generall consent send him word that unlesse he would restore them their Rights and Liberties they would doe him no service out of the kingdome But what it was that made the Lords more violent in pressing their Demands at this time then before no Writers of these times doe sufficiently deliver Onely some of them speake scatteringly of certaine oppressions besides the generall Grievance for Exactions lately offered to some of the Lords one to the Earle of Chester whom he would have banished onely for advising him to leave his cruelty and incontinency Another a pursuite in Love to a Daughter of Robert Fits-Water called Maude the Faire who not consenting to the Kings lust a messenger was sent to give her poyson in a potched Egge whereof she dyed And a third offered to William de Brawse and his Lady for a rash word spoken for when the King sent to have de Brawses Sonne delivered him for a pledge the Lady answered We shall doe well indeed to commit our Sonne to his keeping who kept so well his owne Nephew Prince Arthur This rash word cost de Brawse his Country and his Lady and their Son their lives both of them being famished to death in Prison For though these directly were but particular Grievances yet reflectingly they were generall what one suffered all might but whether any of these or all of these together were Ingredients to make a Compound of violence in the Lords at this time or whatsoever was the true cause this was plainely the effect that unlesse the King would restore their liberties they would not follow him out of the kingdome But notwithstanding this refusall of his Lords he passeth over with his Queene into Normandy and from thence to Paris where the King of France receives them with all complements of Love and amity But now Hugh Earle of March resenting the injury done him by King Iohn in taking away his affianced Wife joynes with Prince Arthur and the King of France also for all his faire shew of amity lately made joynes with them as having sometime before marryed his youngest Daughter to Prince Arthur and these with their Forces joyned invade first the Turones and then the Anjovins of which Province Queene Eleanor the Kings Mother was left Regent who thereupon betakes her selfe to Mirabell the strongest Towne of those parts and sends to her Sonne King Iohn acquainting him with the danger she was in aud requiring his speedy succour When in the meane time Prince Arthur takes the City and in it his Grand-mother Queene Eleaâ—or whom he used with greater reverence and respect then she expected But King Iohn at the hearing hereof was so moved calling the French King ungratefull and perfidious for succouring Prince Arthur contrary to his League that studyâ—ng presently the Art of Revenge he fell upon a stratagem of all other the most prudent against an Enemy For a Surprise in Warre is like to an Apoplexy in the Body which strikes without giving warning for defence And this Stratagemme at this time King Iohn put in practise for travelling night day with indefatigable labor he came upon his enemies before they were aware and setting upon them unprovided it was rather an execution then a battell and they who remained unslaine were taken prisoners amongst whom Prince Arthur himâ—elfe who committed presently to the custody of Robert de Veypont in Roan lived not long after whether it were that attempting to make escape he fell down from the wals of his Prison and was drowned in the River Seyne as some say or whether it were that through anguish of minde he fell sicke and dyed as others say or whether indeed he wâ—re made away by King Iohn as the common fame went Certaine it is that he survived his imprisonment but a very few dayes But though he were gone yet his sister Eleanor a preceding Competitor to King Iohn was still remaining Her therefore at this time also King Iohn seiseth upon and commits her in safe custody to Bristow Castle where after she had lived long she dyed Of his Troubles after the death of his Nephew Arthur KIng Iohn being now freed from his Competitor one would thinke he should have ended all his troubles but like a Hydraes head they rather multiplyed upon him For they who had beene so ready to assist Prince Arthur in his life were now as ready to revenge his death And first Constance his Mother comes to King Philip with open exclamations against King Iohn accusing him with the murther of her Sonne and with all the instance of Teares and Intreaties solicites him to revenge it Hereupon King Philip summons King Iohn to appeare at a day and because he appeared not according to the tenure of his Homage it was decreed against him that he had forfeited all the property of his Estate in France and thereupon King Philip with mighty Forces invades his Territories takes many Townes of principall consequence while King Iohn lived idle at Râ—an no more regarding it then if it had not at all concerned him and when some of his Lords seemed to marvell what he meant to suffer the French to rob him of such goodly Cities You say true indeed saith he for it is but Robbery and within a few dayes you shall see I will make him to restore them backe with usuâ—y In this slighting humour he returnes into England where he lookes not after the levying of Souldiers or the raising of an Army as this case required but continues his old course for raising of money
accusing sometimes one of his Lords sometimes another as 〈◊〉 it wâ—re their fault that he had lost these Townes in Franceâ— and upon 〈…〉 made many of them pay great summes of money which brought 〈…〉 into hatred at home but into contempt abroad for the King of 〈◊〉 â—nâ—â—â—standing his unworthy courses proceeds more violently in his Invasiâ—ns 〈…〉 getting Falaiâ— Damfrâ—nt and all the good Townes of Normandy but onely Roan and at last though Râ—an was a Towne strongly fortifyed with Walls and more strongly with the faithfull hearts of the Inhabiâ—ants yet finding no hope of succour from King Iohn it was forced for want of Victuals to submit it selfe to the King of France whose example all the other Cities followed and so all Normandy returned to the subjection of the French after three hundred and sixteene yeares that Rollâ— the Dane had first possest it It was now the yeare 1205. and the fourth of King Iohns Raigne about which time the two props of his Estate or rather indeed the two Bridles of his intemperancy dyed his Mother Queene Eleanor whose vertues had oftentimes qualifyed the vices of her Sonne and Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury who repented him at his death of nothing more then that he had beene an Instrument of bringing him to the Crowne And now King Iohn being a Substantive of himselfe hath a devise in his head to make his subjects as willing to give him money as he was to have it for knowing the great discontentment they all had for his losses in France he gives it out that he would presently raisâ— an Army for recovery of those losses if he might have money to goe about it whereupon never was money given with more alacrity and as soone as he had it he instantly went to Portesmouth and there took Shipping before it was possible for his Lords and others to be in readinesse to accompany him and sayling forward some certaine Leagues into the Sea upon a sudden he returnes backe againe and then laies the fault upon his Lords that had not followed him and for this backwardnesse of theirs imposed afterwards great Fines upon them by which meanes he got money no lesse by pretence of his not going then he had done before by pretence of his going About this time died Geoffrey Fits-Peter Justitiar of England who while he lived kept the King in some awe in so much as hearing he was dead he swore by the feete of God that now at length he was King of England and with great rejoycing said to some Lords about him Now when this man comes into Hell let him salute the Arch-Bishop Hubert whom certainely he shall finde there But Philip King of France intending to leave the English nothing on that side the Sea invadeth Chinon and takes it and in it the valiant Captaine Roger Lacie which had given a period to King Philips victories had not Guido the husband of Constantia Prince Arthurs Mother revolted to King Iohn who with his assistance once againe leavies an Army besiegeth Mount Auban a Castle thought impregnable and within fifteene dayes takes it which Charles the Great could not get with his seven yeares siege where so great a number of French Lords were taken prisoners that King Iohn sent a Catalogue of their names into England for a memoriall of so great a victory After this he taketh the strong Towne of Angiers and utterly defaceth it for which afterward he was sorry as being the Towne where he was borne But now when the two Kings were ready to meete and to give battell intercession was made by friends of both sides and thereupon a Peace concluded for two yeares and King Iohn returned into England King Iohn being returned performes no lesse worthy acts at home then he had done in France for first he invades the Borders of Scotland and brings Alexander King of Scots to doe him homage and then understanding many of the Irish to be revolted he passeth over to Dublin and reduceth them to his obedience and then placing Iohn Bishop of Norwich Governour there he returnes into England where passing through Wales he subdueth certaine Rebels there and takes eight and twenty children of the best Families for pledges of their future loyalty but not long after hearing they grew mutinous and rebelled againe he was so incensed that he would not goe to dinner till he had seene those twenty eight children to be all hanged before his face so inconsiderate a thing is the desire of revenge that it makes no difference betweene innocency and guiltinesse though indeed a thing oftentimes must be done for example which considered in it selfe would be forborne And it was the yeare 1214. and the fourteenth of K. Iohns Raign when he going to Angiers strongly repaires it and the Province of Poictou revolted to him which Lewis King Philips sonne understanding comes upon them with a mighty Army and using much severity upon the Authors of the revolt takes prisoners Reynold Earle of Boleigne and William Earle of Salisbury with many others of King Iohns Captaines and defeateth his whole Army whereof when King Iohn was certified he grew in a manner desperate and as a man dejected makes a new Truce upon any conditions with the King of France and returnes into England where he findes a worse businesse ready to entertaine him for the Lords of the Realme having often required their ancient Rights and Liberties and finding nothing but delusions endure no longer to be abused but meeting at Saint Edmundsbery they there conferre how they may finde a remedy to redresse this evill and at laâ—t concluded to goe to the King themselves in person and make their Demands whereof a Charter was produced that had beene formerly granted in King Henry the firsts time whereupon comming to the King after Christmas lying then in the New Temple and acquainting him with their Demands he gives them this faire Answer that within a few dayes he would give them satisfaction and causeth the Bishops of Canterbury and Ely with William Marshall Earle of Glocester to passe their words for him that it should be performed But the King meaning nothing lesse then to doe as he said fals presently a leavying of Souldiers which the Lords understanding they also doe the like and going to the Bishop of Canterbury deliver him a Copy of their Demands and require the Kings Answer But the Bishop shewing it to the King and humbly intreating him to give the Lords a satisfactory Answer he swore a great Oath they might as well demand the Kingdome and that he would die before he would yeeld to any such demands Whereupon the Lords knowing now what they were to trust to fall to besiege Northampton and after that Redford which is yeelded to them and withall they are sent to by the Londoners to signifie their readinesse to joyne with them At this time the King was at Windsor providing an Army but hearing the Londoners were joyned with the Lords he thought it no
they get the authority of the twenty foure to be estated wholly upon themselves and they alone to dispose of the custody of the Castles and other businesses of the kingdom and here they bind the King to lose to them their Legall obedience whensoever he infringed his Charter At this time intelligence was given to the Lords that Richard King of the Româ—ns had a purpose to come into England and the Lords suspecting he would come with power to aide the King his brother take order for guarding the Ports with intent to hinder his landing but finding his traine to be but small accompanied onely with his Queene two German Earles and eight knights upon his promise to take their propounded Oath they admit him to land but would nether permit the King who came thither to meeâ—e him nor himselfe to enter into Dover Castle At Canterbury they bring him into the Chapter house where the Earle of Glocester standing forth in the midst cals out the Earle not by the name of King but Richard Earle of Cornwall who in reverent manner comming forth taketh his Oath in these words Heare all men that I Richard Earle of Cornwall doe here sweare upon the holy Evangelists that I shall be faithfull and diligent to reforme with you the Kingdome of England and â—e an effectuall Coadjutor to expell all Rebels and disturbers of the same and this Oath will inviolably observe under paine of losing all the Land I have in England so helpe me God But though this Earle came home but weake and poore yet upon his returne the King takes heart and seeks all meanes to vindicate his power and first sends messengers secretly to Rome to be Absolved from his enforced Oath and to have the more assurance from the King of France he makes an absolute resignation of all his Right to the Dutchy of Normandy and the Earledomes of Anjou Poictou Tourene and Maine in regard whereof the King of France gives him three hundred thousand pounds some say Crownes oâ— Anjouin money and granâ—s him to enjoy all Guyen beyond the River Garoâ—ne all the Countrey of Xanâ—oigne to the River of Charente the Countrey of Limousin and Quercy for him and his successoâ—rs doing their homage to the Crowne of France as Duke of Aquitâ—iâ—e And now was the King of France made Arbiter of the difference betweene King Henry and his Barons who gives sentence against the Barons concerning the Provisions at Oxford but of their side concerning King Iohns Charter by which nice distinâ—tion though he did but leave the matter as he found it for those Provisions as the Lords pretended were grounded upon that Charter yet did his sentence draw many away from the party of the Barons amongst whom was Henry sonne to the Earle of Cornwall Roger Clifford Roger de Leisbourne Haimo Lestrange and many others But the Earle of Leycester notwithstanding this revolt recovers the Town and Castle of Glocester constraines the Citizens to pay a thousand pounds for their redemption goes with an Army to Worcester possesseth him of the Castle thence to Shrewsbery and so comes about to the I le of Ely subdues the same and growes exceeding powerfull The King doubting his approach to London fals to treat of a Peace and a Peace is concluded upon these conditions that all the Castles of the King should be delivered to the keeping of the Barons the Provisions of Oxford should inviolably be kept all strangers by a certaine time should avoid the kingdome except onely such as were licensed to stay The Prince had fortified Windsor Castle but Leycester comming to besiege it he treats with him for Peace which is refused and the Castle is rendred to him The King at this time to win time convokes another Parliament at London wherin he won many Lords to take his part as namely the Prince Richard his brother Henry his son William Valence with the rest of his brothers lately returned and with them the King marcheth to Oxford whither divers Lords of Scotland repaire to him as Iohn Commin Iohn Baylioll Lords of Galloway Robert Bruce and others also many Barons of the North Glifford Percey Basset and others From Oxford he goes to Northampton where he tooke prisoners Simon Montford the younger with foureteene other principall men thence to Nottingham making spoyles of such possessions as pertained to the Barons in those parts And now the Kings side growes strong which the Earles of Leycester and Glocester seeing they write to the King protesting their loyalty and how they opposed onely such as were enemies to him and the kingdome and had belied them The King returnes answer that themselves were the perturbers of him and his State and sought his and the kingdomes destruction and therefore defies them The Prince likewise and the Earle of Cornwall send letters of defiance to them Yet the Barons continue to mediate a Peace and send the Bishops of London and Worcester with offer of thirty thousand Markes to the King for the dammages done in these warres so as the Statutes of Oxford may be observed but this offer is not accepted The Earle seeing no remedy but it must be put to a day takes his time to be earlier ready then was expected and supplies his want of strength with policie placing on the one side of a hill neare Lewis where the battell was fought certaine Ensignes without men in such sort as they might seeme a farre off to be Squadrons of succours to second those he brought to the encounter whom he caused all to weare white Crosses both for their owne notice and the signification of his cause which he would have to be thought for justice Here the fortune of the day was his the King the Prince the Earle of Cornwall and his sonne Henry the Earles of Arundell and Hereford with all the Scottish Lords are taken prisoners the Eale Warren William de Valence Guy de Lusignan the Kings brothers with Hugh Bigod Earle Marshall save themselves by flight five thousand some say twenty thousand others are slaine in the battell A yeare and a halfe is Simon Montford in possession of his prisoners carrying the King about with him to countenance his actions till he had gotten all the strongest Castles in the kingdome And now comes Erinnys and sets debabte betweene the two great Earles of Leycester and Glocester about their Dividend Leycester is taxed to doe more for his owne particular then the common good his sonnes also presuming upon his greatnesse grew insolent whereupon Glocester discontented forsakes that side and betakes him to the Prince who lately escaping out of the Castle of Hereford had gotten a power about him to try the fortune of another battell The revolt of this Earle being great in it selfe was greater by its example for now many others revolted likewise and the Earle of Leycester seeing the improvement of the Princes forces who was now with his Army about Worcester though he â—aw his owne disadvantage yet imbattels in
Nunnery of Marran neare to Linne Friers Minors first arrived at Dover nine in number whereof five remained at Canterbury and there builded the first Covent of Friers Minors that ever was in England the other foure came to London who encreasing in number had a place assigned them in Saint Nicholas Shambles which Iohn Iwyn Mercer of London appropriated to the use of the said Friers and became himselfe a Lay brother Also in this Kings time the new worke of Saint Pauls Church in London was begunne If it were piety in the Iew who falling into a Privie upon a Saterday would not be taken out that day because it was the Iewes Sabbath It was as much piety in the Earle of Glocester that would not suffer him to be taken out the next day because it was the Christian Sabbath and when the third day he was taken out dead whose piety was the greater A strange accident upon an act of piety is related in this Kings time which if true is a Miracle if not true is yet a Legend and not unworthy to be read that in a time of dearth one man in a certaine Parish who allowed poore people to relieve themselves with taking Corne upon his ground had at Harvest a plentifull crop where others that denied them had their Corne all blasted and nothing worth In this Kings time also Hugh Balsamus Bishop of Ely founded Saint Peters Colledge in Cambridge Hubert de Burgh Earle of Kent was buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers in London to which Church he gave his Palace at Westminster which afterward the Arch-bishop of Yorke bought and made it his Inne since commonly called Yorke place now White-Hall Casualties happening in his time AT one time there fell no Raine in England from the first of March to the Assumption of our Lady and at another time there fell so much Raine that Holland and Holdernes in Lincolneshire were over-flowed and drowned In the seventeenth yeare of his Raign were seene five Suns at one time together after which followed so great a Dearth that people were constrained to eate horse flesh and barkes of Trees and in London twenty thousand were starved for want of foode Also in his time the Church of Saint Mildred in Canterbury and a great part of the City was burnt Also the Towne of New-Castle upon Tine was burnt Bridge and all And though it may seeme no fit place to tell it yet here or no where it must be told that in this Kings time there was sent by the King of France the first Elephant that ever was seene in England Of his Wife and Children HE marryed Eleanor the second of the five Daughters of Raymond Earle of Provence who lived his Wife thirty seven yeares his Widow nineteene dyed a Nun at Aimesbury and was buryed in her Monastery By her he had sixe Sonnes and three Daughters of his Sonnes the foure youngest dyed young and were buryed three of them at Westminster and the fourth in the New Temple by Fleetstreet His eldest Sonne Edward surnamed Longshanke of his tall and slender body succeeded him in the kingdome His second Sonne Edmund surnamed Crouch-backe of bowing in his backe as some say but more likely of wearing the signe of the Crosse anciently called a Crouch upon his backe which was usually worne of such as had vowed voyages to Hierusalem as he had done He was invested Titular King of Sicilie and Apulia and created Earle of Lancaster on whose person originally the great contention of Lancaster and Yorke was Founded He had two Wives the first was Avelin Daughter and Heire of William Earle of Albemarle by whom he left no issue The second was Queene Blanch Daughter of Robert Earle of Artois Brother of Saint Lewis King of France Widow of Henry of Champaigne King of Navarre by her he had issue three Sonnes and one Daughter His eldest Sonne Thomas who after his Father was Earle of Lancaster and having marryed Alice Daughter and Heire of Henry Lacie Earle of Lincolne was beheaded at Pomfret without issue His second sonne Henry Lord of Monmouth who after his Brothers death was Earle of Lancaster and Father of Henry the first Duke of Lancaster his third Sonne Iohn who dyed unmarryed His Daughter Mary marryed to Henry Lord Percy Mother of Henry the first Earle of Northumberland This Edmund dyed at Bay in Gascoyne in the yeare 1296. when he had lived fifty yeares whose body halfe a yeare after his death was brought over into England and entombed at Westminster Of King Henries three Daughter the eldest Margaret was marryed to Alexander the third King of Scotland by whom she had issue two Sonnes Alexander and David who dyed both before their Father without issue and one Daughter Margarâ—t Queene of Norway Wife of King Erike and Mother of Margaret the Heire of Scotland and Norway that dyed unmarryed The second Daughter of King Henry was Beatrice borne at Burdeaux marryed to Iohn the first Duke of Britaine and had issue by him Arthur Duke of Britaine Iohn Earle of Richmont Peter and Blanch marryed to Philip Sonne of Robert Earle of Artois Eleanor a Nunne at Aimesbury and Mary marryed to Guy Earle of S. Paulâ— she deceased in Britaine and was buryed at London in the Quire of the Gray Fryers within Newgate The third Daughter of King Henry named Katherine dyed young and lies buryed at Westminster in the space betweene the Chappels of King Edward and Saint Benet Of his Personage and Conditions HE was of stature but meane yet of a well compacted body and very strong one of his eyelids hanging downe and almost covering the blacke of his Eye For his inward endowments it may be said he was wiser for a man then for a Prince for he knew better how to governe his life then his Subjects He was rather Pious then Devout as taking more pleasure in hearing Masses then Sermons as he said to the King of France He had rather see his Friend once then heare from him often His minde seemed not to stand firme upon its Basis for every sudden accident put him into passion He was neither constant in his love nor in his hate for he never had so great a Favorite whom he cast not into disgrace nor so great an Enemy whom he received not into favour An example of both which qualities was seene in his carriage towards Hubert de Burgh who was for a time his greatest Favourite yet cast out afterward in miserable disgrace and then no man held in greater haâ—red yet received afterward into grace againe And it is memorable to heare with what crimes this Hubert was charged at his Arraignment and â—pecially one That to disswade a great Lady from marriage with the King he had said the King was a squint-eyed Foole and a kinde of Leper deceitfull perjuâ—ed more faint-hearted then a Woman and utterly unfit for any Noble Ladies company For which and other crimes laid to his charge in the Kings Bench where
the King himselfe was present he was adjudged to have his Lands confiscate and to be deprived of his title of Earle yet after all this was restored to his estate againe and suffered to live in quiet He was more desirous of money then of honour for else he would never have sold his Right to the two great Dukedomes of Normandy and Anjou to the King of France for a Summe of money Yet he was more desirous of honour then of quietnesse for else he would never have contended so long with his Barons about their Charter of Liberty which was upon the matter but a point of Honour His most eminent vertue and that which made him the more eminent as being rare in Princes was his Continency for there is nothing read either of any baâ—e children he had or of any Concubine he kept Of his Death and Buriall THough he had lived a troublesome life yet he dyed a quiet death for he had â—etled Peace in his kingdome and in his Conscience For being at Saint Edmundsbury and finding himselfe not well at ease he made the more hast to London where calling before him his Lords and specially Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester he exhorted them to be true and faithfull to his Sonne Prince Edward who was at that time farre from home and therefore had the more need of their care which consisted chiefly in their agreement one with another And then his sicknesse encreasing he yeelded up his Soule to God on the sixteenth day of November in the yeare 1272. when he had lived threescore and five yeares Raigned five and fifty and was buryed at Westminster which he had newly Builded Of Men of note in his time OF Martial men famous in his time there were many but three specially who obscured the rest The first was William Marshall Earle of Pembroke memorable for the great care he had of King Henry in his minority and more memorable for the little care that Destiny had of his Posterity for leaving five Sonnes behind him they all lived to be Earles successively yet all dyed without issue So as the great name and numerous Family of the Marshals came wholly to be extinct in that Generation The second was Richard de Clare Earle of Glocester who in a Battaile against Baldwyn de Gisnes a valiant Fleming imployed by King Henry himselfe alone encountred twelve of his Enemies and having his Horse slaine under him he pitcht one of them by the legge out of the saddle and leapt into it himselfe and continued the fight without giving ground till his Army came to rescue him An Act that may seeme fitter to be placed amongst the Fictions of knights Errant then in a true Narration The third was Simon Montford a man of so audacious a spirit that he gave King Henry the lye to his face and that in presence of all his Lords and of whom it seemes the King stood in no small feare for passing one time upon the Thames and suddenly taken with a terrible storme of Thunder and Lightning he commanded to be set ashore at the next Staires which happened to be at Durham House where Montford then lay who comming downe to meet the King and perceiving him somewhat frighted with the Thunder said unto him Your Majâ—sty need not feare the Thunder the danger is now past No Montford said the King I feare not the Thunder so much as I doe thee Of men famous for Sanctity of life there were likewise many in his time but three more eminent then the rest Edmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury Richard Bishop of Chichester and Thomas Arch-deacon of Hereford All three either Canonized or at least thought worthy to be Canonized for Saints To these may be added Robert Grosshead Bishop of Lincolne who Translated the Testaments of the twelve Patriarchs out of Greeke into Latine which through envy of the Jewes never came to the knowledge of Saint Hierome wherein are many Prophesies of our Saviour Christ. Of men famous for learning there were likewise many in his time of whom some left workes behinde them for testimonies of their knowledge in divers kindes as Alexander Hales a Fryer Minor who wrote many Treatises in Divinity Ralpâ— Coggeshall who wrote the Appendix to the Chronicle of Ralph Niger Randulph Earle of Chester the third and last of that name who compiled a Booke of the Lawes of England Henry Bracton who wrote the Booke commonly called by his name De Consuetudinibus Anglicanis and besides these Hugh Kirkestead Richard of Ely Peter Henham Iohn Gyles and Nicholas Fernham excellent Physitians Richard surnamed Theologus and Robert Bacon two notable Divines Stephen Langthon Richard Fisaker Simon Stokes Iohn of Kent William Shirwood Michael Blaunpaine Iohn Godard Vincent of Coventry Albericke Veer Richard Wich Iohn Basing Roger Waltham William Seningham and others THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FIRST Surnamed of WINCHESTER Of his comming to the Crowne AS soone as King Henry was dead and buryed the great Lords of the Land caused his eldest Sonne Prince Edward to be proclaimed King and assembling at the New Temple in London they there tooke order for the quiet Governing of the kingdome till he should come home For at this time he was absent in the Holy Land and had beene there above a yeare when his Father dyed But we cannot bring him home without telling what he did and what he suffered in all that time and in his returne for at his first comming thither he rescued the great City of Acon from being â—urrendred to the Souldan after which out of envy to his Valour one Anzazim a desperate Saracen who had often beene employed to him from their Generall being one time upon pretence of some secret message admitted alone into his Chamber with a poysoned knife gave him three wounds in the Body two in the Arme and one neare the arme-pit which were thought to be mortall and had perhaps beene mortall if out of unspeakeable love the Lady Eleanor his Wife had not suckt out the poyson of his wounds with her mouth and thereby effected a cure which otherwise had beene incurable and it is no wonder that love should doe wonders which is it selfe a wonder And now being disappointed of Aides that were promised to be sent him and leaving Garrisons in fit places for defence of the Country he with his Wife Eleanor takes his journey homewards and first passing by Sicilie was there most kindly received by Charles King of that Island where he first heard of his Fathers death which he tooke more heavily farre then he had taken the death of his young Sonne Henry whereof he had heard a little before at which when King Charles marvailed he answered that other Sonnes might be had but â—nother Father could never be had From hence he passeth through Italy where much honour is done him both by the Pope and other Princes and then descends into Burgoigne where by the Earle of Chalboun a stout man
brought to King Edward and for the love of her Prince Leolyn was content to submit himselfe to any conditions which besides subjection of his State was to pay fifty thousand pounds Sterling and a thousand pounds per annum during his life and upon these conditions the marriage with his beloved Lady was granted him and was solemnized here in England whereat the King and Queene were themselves present Three yeares Leolyn continued loyall and within bounds of obedience in which time David one of his Brothers staying here in England and found by the King to be of a stirring Spirit was much honoured by him Knighted and matched to a rich Widow Daughter of the Earle of Darby and had given him by the King besides the Castle of Denbigh with a thousand pounds per annum though as it was afterwards found he lived here but in the nature of a spy For when Prince Leolyns Lady was afterward dead and that he contrary to his Conditions formerly made brake out into rebellion then goes his Brother David to him notwithstanding all these Favours of the King and they together enter the English Borders Surprise the Castles of Flynt and Rutland with the person of the Lord Clifford sent Justiciar into those parts and in a great Battaile overthrew the Earles of Northumberland and Surrey with the slaughter of Sir William Lyndsey Sir Richard Tanny and many others King Edward advertised of this Revolt and overthrow being then at the Vyzes in Wiltshire prepares an Army to represse it but before his setting forth goes privately to his Mother Queene Eleanor lying at the Nunnery of Aimesbury with whom whilest he conferred there was one brought into the Chamber who faigned himselfe being blinde to have received his sight at the Tombe of King Henry the third Aâ—soone as the King saw the man he remembred he had seene him before and knew him to be a most notorious lying Villaine and wished his Mother in no case to beleeve him but his mother who much rejoyced to heare of this Miracle for the glory of her husband finding her sonne unwilling that his Father should be a Saint grew suddenly into such a rage against him that she commanded him to avoid her Chamber which the King obeyes and going forth meetes with a Clergy man to whom he tels the story of this Impostour and merrily said He knew the justice of his Father to be such that he would rather pull out the eyes being whole of such a wicked wretch then restore them to their sight In this meane time the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had gone of himselfe to Prince Leolin and had laboured to bring him and his brother David to a re-submission but could effect nothing for besides other reasons that swayed Prince Leolin the conceit of a Prophesie of Merlin that he should shortly be Crowned with the Diadem of Brute so overweighed him that he had no care for peace and shortly after no head for after the Earle of Pembroke had taken Bere Castle which was the seat of Prince Leolin he was himself slain in battell and his head cut off by a common Souldier was sent to King Edw. who caused the same to be Crowned with Ivie and to be set upon the Tower of London And this was the end of Leolin the last of the Welsh Princes betraied as some write by the men of Buelth Not long after his brother David also is taken in Wales and judged in England to an ignominious death First drawn at a horse taile about the City of Shrewsbury then beheaded the trunke of his body divided his heart and bowels burnt his head sent to accompany his brothers on the Tower of London his foure quarters to foure Cities Bristow Northâ—â—pton York and Winchester A manifold execution and the first shewed in that kind to this kingdome in the person of the son of a Prince or any other Noble man that we reade of in our History It is perhaps something which some here observe that at the sealing of this conquest King Edward lost his eldest son Alphonsus of the age of twelve years a Prince of great hope and had onely left to succeed him his sonne Edward lately borne at Carnarvan and the first of the English intituled Prince of Wales but no Prince worthy of either Wales or England And thus came Wales to be united to the Crowne of England in the eleventh yeare of this King Edwards Raigne who thereupon established the government thereof according to the Lawes of England as may be seene by the Statute of Rutland in the twelfth yeare of his Raigne The worke of Wales being setled King Edward passeth over into France upon notice of the death of Philip the Hardy to renew and confirme such conditions as his state in those parts required with the new King Philip the fourth intituled the Faire to whom he doth homage for Aquitaine having before quitted his claime to Normandy for ever After three yeares and a halfe being away in France he returns into England and now in the next place comes the businesse with Scotland and will hold him woâ—ke at times as long as he lives and his sonne after him Alexander the third King of Scots as he was running his horse fell horse and man to the ground and brake his necke and died immediatelyâ— by reason whereof he leaving no issue but onely a daughter of his daughter Margaret who died also soone after there fell out presently great contention about succession Ten Competitors pretend title namely Erick King of Norway Florence Earle of Holland Robert Bruce Earle of Anandale Iohn de Baylioll Lord of Galloway Iohn de Hastings Lord of Abergeveny Iohn Cummin Lord of Badenaw Patrick de Dunbarre Earle of March Iohn de Vescie Nicholas de Sulâ—s William de Rosse all or most of them deâ—cending from David Earle of Huntington younger brother to William King of Scots and great Unkle to the late King Alexander This title King Edward takes upon him to decide pretending a Right of Superiority from his Ancestours over that kingdome and proving it by authority of old Chronicles as Marianus Scotus William of Malmsbury Roger de Hoveden Henry of Huntington Ralph de Luceto and others which though the Scottish Lords who swaied the Interregnum opposed yet are they constrained for avoyding of further inconveniences to make him Arbiter thereof and the tenne Competitours bound to stand to his award Two are especially found betweene whom the â—ight lay Iohn de Baylioll Lord of Galloway and Robert Brâ—ce the one descending from an elder daughter the other from a sonne of a younger daughter of Alan who had married the eldest daughter of this David brother to King William The controversie held long twelve of either kingdome learned in the Lawes are elected to debate the same at Berwick all the best Civilians in the Universities of France are solicited to give their opinions all which brought forth rather doubts then resolutions whereupon King Edward the better to
men of that kingdome except onely Walleys once againe sweare Fealty to the King of England It seemes swearing of Fealty was with the Scots but a Ceremony without substance as good as nothing for this is now the third time they swore Fealty to King Edward yet all did not serve to make them loyall for not long after comes the newes of a new King made and Crowned in Scotland Robert Bruce Earle of Carrick sonne to that Bruce who was competitour with Baylioll escaping out of England becomes Head to the confused Body of that kingdome and perceiving Iohn Cummyn who had a title himselfe to goe about to bewray his intentions to King Edward he finding him at Dunfrayes sets upon him and murthers him in the Church Whereof as soone as King Edward heard he sends Aymer de Valence Earle of Pembroke and the Lords Clifford and Percie with a strong power to revenge the death of Cummyn and to relieve his Wardens of Scotland who upon Bruces revolt were all retired to Berwicke whilst himselfe prepares an Army to follow wherein to be the more nobly attended he caused Proclamation to be made that whosoever ought by their Paternall succession or otherwise had meanes of their owne for service should repaire to Westminster at the Feast of Pentecost to receive the Order of knighthood and a Military Ornament out of the Kings Wardrobe Hereupon three hundred young Gentlemen all the sonnes of Earles Barons and knights assemble at the day appointed and receive Purples silkes Sindons Scarffes wrought with Gold or Silver according to every mans Estate For which traine because the Kings House was too little by reason a part of it had beene lately burnt roome is made and the Apple-trees cut downe at the new Temple for their Tents where they attire themselves and keepe their Vigile The Prince whom the King then likewise knighted and gave him the Dutchy of Aquitaine kept his Vigile with his Traine at Westminster and the next day girds these three hundred knights with the Military Belt in such manner as he himselfe had received it Which done the King before them all makes a Vow that alive or dead he would revenge the death of Cummyn upon Bruce and the perjured Scots Adjuring his Sonne and all the Nobles about him upon their Fealty that if he dyed in this Journey they should carry his Corps with them about Scotland and not suffer it to be interred till they had vanquished the Usurper and absolutely brought the Country to Subjection The Prince and all the Nobles promise upon their Faith to imploy their uttermost power to performe his Vow and herewithall he sets forth with a potent Army presently after Whitsontide and makes his last Expedition into Scotland in the foure and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne The Earle of Pembroke with that power sent before and aid of the Scottish party had before the King arrived in Scotland defeated in a battaile neare Saint Iohns Towne the whole Army of the new King and narrowly missed the taking of his Person but he escaping in disguise and sheltring himselfe in obscure places was reserved for greater Battailes his Brothers Nigell Bruce and shortly after Thomas and Alexander a Priest were taken and Executed after the manner of Traytors at Berwicke And now King Edward had done for Fighting all was now for Executions and indeed his desire of Revenge made him inexorable and vow to spare none of what degree soever The Earle of Atholl though of Royall blood and allyed unto him was sent to London where all his preferment was to have a higher paire of Gallowes then the rest The Wife of Robert Bruce taken by the Lord Rosse is sent Prisoner to London and his Daughter to a Monastery in Lindsey The Countesse of Boughan who had beene ayding at Bruces Coronation is put into a woodden Cage and hung out upon the walls of Berwicke for people to gaze on But though Bruces party was thus dejected and himselfe at this time appeared not but shifted privily from place to place in a distressed manner attended onely with two Noble Gentlemen who neeer forsooke him in his misfortunes the Earle of Lenox and Gilbert Hay yet gives he not over but gathers new Forces with which he suddenly assailes the Earle of Pembroke at unawares gives him a great defeate and within three dayes after chaseth the Earle of Glocester into the Castle of Aire where he besieged him till by the Kings Forces he was driven againe to his former retire Whereupon King Edward who had spent his Winter at Carlile in Iuly following with a fresh Army enters Scotland himselfe but falling into a Dysentery or Bloody-flix at Borough upon the Sands he ended his life and thus ended King Edwards troubles with Scotland but not Englands troubles which are more to come then yet are past But though this businesse of Scotland never left King Edward till his dying day yet it had been upon him but as an Ague sometimes putting him into violent heats and sometimes leaving him in a quiet temper with such a vicissitude that when he had quietnesse with Scotland he had troubles with France whereof the time is now to speake It is well knowne that Philip King of France Father of the present King and Edward King of England were neare Cousins the Sonnes of two Sisters and it hath beene shewed before at King Edwards returning from the Holy Land and passing through France what extraordinary kindnesse and mutuall courtesie passed betweene them that one would have thought neither they noâ— theirs should ever have falne out and perhaps never should if they had beene private men and not Princes For private men may easily continue Friends as having none to consider but themselves but Princes hardly as having besides themselves their Subjects to consider And though they be the Subjects oftentimes that make the Quarrell yet they are the Princes that must maintaine it And besides betweene Princes there can never be but jealousies and where jealousies are every trifle makes a quarrell And this was the case of these two Kings certaine of the King of Englands Subjects had upon the Coast of Normandy done spoyle to some Subjects of the King of France and this difference of the Subjects made a difference betweene the Kings while each of them standing in defence of his owne fall out themselves and for a beginning the King of France summons King Edward as owing homage to that Crowne to appeare and answer it in his Court. And King Edward though voluntarily before he had done it in a way of Courtesie yet being now impetiously commanded he refuseth it upon which refusall all his Territories in France are condemned to be forfaited and an Army is presently sent to seise upon the same led by Charles de Valois and Arnold de Neele Constable of France Burdeaux with divers other Peecâ—s of importance are taken from him And now King Edward well knowing what danger it was to have so powerfull an
of Acton Burnell In the foureteenth yeare of his Raigne were made the Statutes called Additamenta Glocestriae He ordained such men to be Sheriffes in every County as were of the same County where they were to be Sheriffes He ordained that Iewes should weare a Cognisance upon their upper Garment whereby to be knowne and restrained their excessive taking of Usury In his time was also Enacted the Statute of Mortmaine In his twelfth yeare in the Quindenes of Saint Michael the Justices Itinerants beganne to goe their generall Circuits In his time new pleces of money were coyned and halfe pence of Silver came to be in use which were before of base metall In his time three men for rescuing a prisoner arrested by an Officer had their right hands cut off by the wrists In his time all Iewes were banished out of the Realme This King by Proclamation prohibited the burning of Sea-coale in London and the Suburbs for avoiding the noysome smoake In his eleventh yeare the Bakers of London were first drawne upon Hurdles by Henry Waleys Major and Corne was then first sold by weight In this Kings time the title of Baron which had before beene promiscuous to men of estate was first confined to such onely as by the King were called to have voice in Parliament Affaires of the Church in his time IN his time at a Synod holden at Reading by the Arch-bishop of Câ—nterbury it was ordained according to the Constitutions of the Generall Councell that no Ecclesiasticall person should have more then one Benefice to which belonged the Cure of soules and that every person promoted to any Ecclesiasticall Living should take the Order of Priesthood within one yeare after In his time lived and died Pope Boniface the 8. of whom his Predecessour had Prophesied Ascendes ut Vulpes Regnabis ut Leo Morieris ut Canis Workes of Piety done by him or by others in his time THis King Founded the Abbey of the Vale Royall in Cheshire of the Cisteaux Order In his time Iohn Baylioll King of Scots builded Baylioll Colledge in Oxford also in his time Walter Marton Lord Chancellour of England and after Bishop of Rochester Founded Marton Colledge in Oxford who was drowned passing over the water at Rochester being at that time no Bridge there as now there is In his time was finished the new worke of the Church of Westminster which had bâ—ene threescore and sixe yeares in building In his time was laid the Foundation of the Black-Friers besides Ludgate and of Baynards Castle also in his time his second wife Queene Margaret beganne to build the Quire of the Gray-Friers in London In his time was begunne to be made the great Conduit in London standing against the Church called Acres in Cheape In his time Henry Walleys Major of London caused the Tonne upon Cornhill to be a Prison for night-walkers and also builded a house called the Stocks for a Market of fish and flesh in the midst of the City In this Kings time Edmund Earle of Leycester the Kings brother Founded the Minories a Nunnery without Aldgate This King builded the Castle of Flint in Wales and the Castle of Beaumaris in the I le of Anglesey and the Castle of Carnarvan by Snowdon Also in this Kings time Iohn Peckham Arch-bishop of Canterbury Founded a Colledge of Canons at Wingham in Kent Casualties happening in his time IN the second yeare of this Kings Raigne there happened the greatest rot of Sheepe in England that ever was knowne which continued five and twenty years and came as was thought by one infected Sheepe of incredible greatnesse brought out of Spaine by a French Merchant into Northumberland In the fifteenth yeare of this Kings Raigne Wheate was sold for tenne Groats a Quarter where the next yeare after there was so great a Dearth that it was sold for eighteene pence the Bushell In the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne there fell so much raine that Wheate was raised from three pence the Bushell to sixteene pence and so encreased yearely till at last it was sold for twenty shillings the Quarter And this yeare the City of Carlile and the Abbey with all the houses belonging to the Friers Minors was consumed with fire In his one and twentieth yeare a great part of the Towne of Cambridge with the Church of our Lady was also burnt In the seven and twentieth yeare of his Raigne his Palace at Westminster and the Monastery adjoyning were consumed with fire The Monastery of Glocester also was burnt to the ground In this yeare also an Act of Common Counsell by consent of the King was made concerning victuals a fat Cocke to be sold for three halfe pence two Pullets for three halfe pence a fat Capon for two pence halfe penny a Goose foure pence a Mallard three halfe pence a Partridge three halfe pence a Pheasant foure pence a Hearon sixe pence a Plover one penny a Swanne three shillings â— Crane twelve pence two-Woodcocks three halfe pence a fat Lambe from Christmas to Shrovetide sixteene pence and all the yeare after for foure pence Of his Wives and Children HE had two Wives his first was Eleanor daughter to Ferdinand the third King of Spaine and was married to him at Bâ—res in Spaine who having lived with him sixe and thirty years in a journey with him towards Scotland at Herdeby in Lincolneshire she died in whose memory and as Monuments of her vertue and his affection King Edward caused Crosses with her Statue to be erected in all chiefe places where her Corps in carrying to Westminster rested as at Stamford Dunstable Saint Albons Waltham Cheapside and lastly at the place called Charing Crosse she was buried in Westminster at the feete of King Henry the third under a faire Marble Tombe adorned with her Portraiture of Copper guilt By this wife King Edward had foure sonnes and nine daughters his eldest sonne Iohn his second Henry his third Alphonsus died all young in their Fathers time his fourth sonne Edward called of Carnarvaâ— because borne there succeeded him in the kingdome Of his daughters the eldest named Eleanor was first married by Proxie to Alphonsus King of Arragon but he dying before the marriage solemniâ—ed she was afterward married at Bristow to Henry Earle of Barry in France by whom she had issue sons and daughters Ioane the second daughter of King Edward and Queene Eleanor borne at Acon in the Holy Land was married to Gylbert Clare called the Red Earle of Glocester and Hereford by whom she had issue sonnes and daughters She survived her husband and was re-married to the Lord Ralph Monthermere Father to Margaret the mother of Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury from whom the now Vicount Montacuâ—e is descended Margaret the third daughter of King Edward and Queene Eleanor was married to Iohn Duke of Brabant Berenger and Alice their fourth and fifth daughters dying young and unmarried Mary their sixth daughter at tenne yeares of her age was made a Nunne in the Monastery
of Aâ—mesbury in Wiltshire at the instance of Queene Eleanor her Grandmother who lived there Elizabeth their seventh daughter was first married to Iohn Earle of Holland Zeland and Lord of Freezeland he dying within two yeares she was afterward married to Humphrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex Lord of Breknok and High Constable of England by whom she had issue sonnes and daughters Beatrice and Blanch their eighth and ninth daughters died young and unmarried King Edwards second Wife was Margaret eldest daughter of Philip King of France called the Hardy and sister to Philip called the Faire at eighteene yeares old she was married to King Edward being above threescore yet at the unequall yeares she had issue by him two sonnes and a daughter their eldest sonne was borne at a little Village in Yorkshire called Brotherton and was thereof called Thomas of Brotherton he was created Earle of Norfolke and Earle Marshall of England after Roger Bigod who died without issue Their second sonne Edmund was borne at Woodstocke in Oxfordshire and of the place was so called he was created Earle of Kent and married Margaret daughter of Iohn and sister of sole Heire of Thomas Lord Wakes of Lydell in the County of Northampton by whom he had issue two sonnes and one daughter his sonnes Edmund and Iohn died without issue his daughter Ioane for her beauty called the Faire maid of Kent was married first to William Montacute Earle of Salisbury and from him divorced was re-married to Sir Thomas Holland in her Right Earle of Kent and by her Father of Thomas and Iohn Holland Duke of Surrey and Earle of Huntington and lastly she was the Wife of Edward of Woodstocke the blacke Prince of Wales and by him Mother of King Richard the second This Earle Edmund was beheaded at Winchester in the fourth yeare of King Edward his Nephew Eleanor the daughter of King Edward by his second Wife Margaret died in her childhood Of his personage and conditions HE was tall of stature higher then ordinary men by head and shoulders and thereof called Longshanke of a swarthy complection strong of body but leane of a comely favour his eyes in his anger sparkling like fire the haire of his head black and curled Concerning his conditions as he was in warre peacefull so in Peace he was warlike delighting specially in that kinde of hunting which is to kill Stagges or other wilde beasts with Speares In continencie of life he was equall to his Father in acts of valour farre beyond him He had in him the two wisdomes not often found in any single both together seldome or never An ability of judgement in himselfe and a readinesse to heare the judgement of others He seemed to be a great observer of opportunity a great point of wisdome in any in Princes greatest and that he could beare an injury long without seeking to revenge it as appeared by his carriage towards the Earle Roger Bigod whom when he saw his time he called to account for an affront he had offered him diâ—ers yeares before He was not easily provoked into passion but once in passion not easily appeased as was seene by his dealing with the Scots towards whom he shewed at first patience and at last severity If he be censured for his many Taxations he may be justified by his well bestowing them for never Prince laid out his money to more honour of himselfe or good of his kingdome His greatest unfortunatenesse was in his greatest blessing for of foure sonnes which he had by his Wife Queen Eleanor three of them died in his owne life time who were worthy to have out-lived him and the fourth out-lived him who was worthy never to have beene borne Of his death and buriall IN his last expedition into Scotland being at Carlile he fell sicke and lying in his death-bed he sent for his sonne Edward to whom besides many admonitions to Piety he commanded three things specially that he should carry his bones about with him through Scotland till he had subdued it that he should send his heart into the Holy Land with sevenscore knights to that warre and the two and thirty thousand pounds he had provided for that purpose and that he should never recall Gaveston from banishment and soon after of a dysentery or Bloudy-Flix he died at Borough upon the Sands the seventh of Iuly in the yeare 1307. when he had Raigned foure and thirty yeares and seven moneths lived threescore and eight yeares Being dead his Corps was brought to Waltham Abbey and there kept the space of sixteene weekes and after on Simon and Iudes day buried at Westminster Men of Note in his time OF Martiall men there were many these specially Iohn Earle of Warren who opposed the Kings Inquisition by Quo Warranto and Roger Bigod who gave the King an affront to his face Of learned men also many specially these Iohn Breton bishop of Hereford who compiled a book of the Lawes of England called lâ— Breton Thomas Spot a Chronographer Iohn Eversden a writer of Annals and of this Kings Raigne Gregory Cairugent a Monke of Glocester and a writer also of Annals Iohn Peckham a Franciscan Frier made Arch-bishop of Canterbury who writ many excellent workes Iohn Read an Historiographer Thomas Bungey a Frier Minor an excellent Mathematician Roger Bacon a Franciscan Frier an excellent Philosopher and Mathematician Robert Kilwarby Arch-bishop of Canterbury and after made a Cardinall also Ralph Baldock Bishop of London who writ a Chronicle of England in the Latine tongue but above them all though of another Countrey Thomas Aquinas borne of a Noble Family whose workes are too famous to be spoken of who going to the Councell holden at Lyons by Pope Gregory the tenth died by the way THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE SECOND Of his Acts before and at his Coronation EDward of Carnarvan eldest Sonne of King Edward the first succeeded him in the kingdome and never did Prince come to a Crowne with more applause of Nobility and People and there was good cause for it For he had beene trained up in all good courses for Piety and Learning he had seene the Government of his Father from whose Example he could not but have learned many good Lessons he had been initiated in the wayes of State having beene left Governour of the Realme and presiding in Parliament in his Fathers absence and he was now three and twenty yeares old a fit age for bearing the weight of a Scepter and yet for all these advantages there wanted not feares of him in the mindes of many who could not but remember what prankes he had played not long before how he had broken the Bishop of Chesters Parke and in most disorderly manner had killed his Deere for which both himselfe had beene committed to Prison and his Friend Pierce Gaveston banished the Realme and if he did such things being but Prince what might not be feared of him comming to be King For seldome doth
well he performed the third charge of his Fathers Will for subduing of Scotland It was now the sixth yeare after the death of his Father King Edward and Robert Bruce now gotten to be King of Scotland had stayed all this while to see how this new King Edward would prove and when he found by the courses he held that he was like to prove a good easie Enemy he thereupon tooke heart and began to stirre and in a very short time had brought almost all Scotland under his obedience and finding no opposition he entred the English Borders tooke and burnt Townes that now King Edward unlesse he would sit still and suffer Bruce to come and pull his Crown from his head he could not chuse but doe something to stop his proceeding Hereupon he prepares an Army but like himselfe fitter for a Court then for a Campe Many men and great Bravery but readieâ— to take spoiles then to make spoile and accordingly they sped For going to raise the siege at Strâ—veling defended for King Edward by the valiant knight Philip Mowbray the Kings Army consisting of a hundred thousand was defeated and overthrowne by the Scots Army consisting of scarce thirty thousand So true is that saying of an ancient Souldier There is more hope of an Army where the General is a Lion though the Souldiers be but Sheepe then of an Army where the Generall is a Sheepe though the Souldiers be Lions But indeed the Scots besides Valour used Policy For having in their owne Army none but Foot no Horse at all they had made Trenches in the Ground three foot deepe covering them with Twigges and Hurdles where the English Horsemen were to passe who Floundring in those Trenches were killed no lesse by their owne Fellowes then by the Enemy In this Battell called of Bannocks borough were slaine the Lord Mawle the Lord Clifford the Lord Tiptoft the Lord William Marshall Sir Giles Doctor Argenton and seven hundred Knights and Squires specially Gylbert Earle of Glocester who had shewed much Valour that day and whom the Scots would willingly have kept for ransome if they had knowne him but he had forgotten to put on his Coate of Armes whereby to be knowne The slaughter of common Souldiers was certainely great though perhaps not so great as Hector Boetius speakes of who saith they were fifty thousand There were taken Prisoners Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford Iohn Seagrave Iohn Claveringham William Latimer and Sir Roger Northbrooke bearer of the Kings shield the King himselfe with the Bishops the Earles of Hartford and Pembroke and Hugh Spenser saved themselves by flight Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford was afterward released in exchange for Bruces Wife who had beene long kept a Prisoner in England After this many English fell away to the Scots and all the North parts from Carlile to Yorke came under their Subjection and the English grew so faint-hearted and into such contempt that three Scots durst venture upon a hundred English when a hundred English durst scarce encounter with three Scots And what can be thought the cause of this great dysaster to this King but the want of his Fathers blessing for not performing the charge he gave him dying which is commonly accompanyed with the want of a higher blessing without which a Vacat is set upon the labours of men that makes them all frustrate But Bruce not satisfied with his Acquests in England sends his Brother Edward into Ireland also who so farre prevailed that many Irish came in unto him and in the end Crowned him King of a great part of that Island and so continued the space of three yeares till the Primat of Armagh and the Lord Brinningham Justiciar of Ireland gathering Forces together opposed him and in a Battaile taking him Prisoner at Dundalke cut off his head with the slaughter of many thousands of the Scots besides With which the Scots are so incensed that they invade againe the English Borders forraging as farre as Yorke whereupon a Parliament is assembled at London wherein an ayde is granted of Armed men to goe against them London sets forth two hundred Canterbury forty Saint Albons ten and so proportionably for all Cities and Boroughs whereby a great Army was levyed which comming to Yorke through mutiny emulation and other impediments was soone dissolved and returned backe without effecting any thing Not long after the Towne of Berwicke was betrayed to the Scots through the treason of Peter Spalding the Governour and other Englishmen whom the King of Scots to make them an Example caused to be hanged for being Traitors to their Country King Edward hearing of the surrendring of Berwicke raiseth an Army and beleaguers it but the Scots to divert his Forces enter upon England by other wayes and were like to have surprised the person of the Queene lying then neare â—orke The siege of Bâ—rwicke is notwithstanding eagerly continued and the King in great possibility to have regained the Towne had not the Earle of Lancaster with his follâ—wers withdrawne himselfe upon discontent hearing the King say he would give the keeping thereof to Hugh Spenâ—â—r the younger who was now grown a speciall favourite of the Kings and therefâ—râ— not to be enâ—ured by the Earle In the mean 〈◊〉 the Scots wonne the Castles of 〈…〉 and Midâ—ord so as they possessed the greater part of all Northâ—mberland burning all before them 〈◊〉 they came to â—â—â—pon which Towne they spoyledâ— and carrying there three dayes they received â— thousand Markes to save the Towne from burning as they had done the Townes of Norâ—hallerton Borâ—ugh-bridgâ— and others In their returning backe they 〈◊〉 Knaresborough and Shipton in Câ—â—ven and all other afore them carrying into â—â—land a marvellous number of Cattell besides prisoners men and womenâ— Theâ— â—â—â—â—shire men thus grievously endammaged gather together to the number of ten thousand and at the Towne of Mitton tenne miles from Yorke encounter the Scoâ—â— where they lost three thousand of their men and were defeatedâ— which bâ—ttell because of the many Spirituall men that were in it was called the white battell Whereof when the King heardâ— he left the siege of Beâ—wicke to follow the Scots but they returned another way The yeare following King Edward once againe with a great Army entred Scotland but the Scots having destroyed all afore the King oppressed with famine was forced to reâ—urneâ— whom the Scots followed and in a place of the Forest of Blackmore seâ— upon him that he hardly escaped where were taken Iohn Earle of Britaine and the Lord of Silâ—acâ— the French Kings Embassadour and many others After this King Edward finding the Scots either too strong or too wily for him made a Truce with them for two yeares some say for thirteene And this was the successe of this unfortunate King in his warres with Scotland Of his trâ—â—bles at home BUt his troubles abroad were not so grievous as those at home or rather they were those at home that made his
beheaded he was the same day without the Towne of Pomfret before his owne Castle To speake of the Miracles said to be done by him after his death might be fit for a Legend but not for a Chronicle and therefore I omit them By the like judgement were condemned the Lord Cliffordâ— the Lord Warren Lisle the Lord William Tuchet Thomas Maudit Henry Bradburne Williâ—m Fits-Williams William Lord Cheyney Thomas Lord Mâ—wbray Ioceline Lord Danill all which were executed at Yorke Shortly after the Lord Henry Teyes is taken drawne hanged and quarterâ—d at London the Lord Aldenham at Windsor the Lords Baddlesmere and Ashburton at Canterbury at Cardiffe in Wales Sir William Flemming at Bristow Siâ— Henry Womington and Sir Henry Montford Bannerets at Glocester the Lord Cliffordâ— and Sir William Elminbridge principall men in principall places to spread the more â—eâ—rour over the kingdome all their estates and inheritances are confiscated and â—â—ny new men advanced by the same And this is the first bloud of Nobility that ever was shed in this manner in England since William the Conquerour But not long after the King in a calmer humour beganne to have a sense oâ— the Earle of Lancasters execution which he discovered upon this occasion some â—bouâ— him making earnest suite for a Pardon to one of the Earles followers and preâ—â—â—ng the King hard to it he fell into a great pâ—ssion exclâ—iming â—gâ—inst them as unjusâ— and wicked Counsellours who would urge him to save the life of a notorious Vâ—â—let and would not speake one word for his neare kinsman the Earle of Lancasteâ— who said he had he lived might have beene useâ—ull to me and the whole kingdome but this fellow the longer he lives the more mischiefe he will doe and therefore by the soule of God he should die the death he had deserved Sir Andrew Harkeley who was the man that tooke the Earle of Lancaster prisoner being advanced for his service to the Earledome of Carlile enjoyed his honour but a while for the next yeare after either thrust out into discontent by the Spensers envying his high preferment or combining with the Scots upon hope of a great match as he was accused he is degraded of all his honours drawne hanged and quartered at Londâ—n for Treason But now the King of France summons King Edward to come and doe his homage for Gascoyne and he not comming all his Territories in France are adjudged to be forfeited and many places of importance are seiâ—ed on by the French Hereupon a Parliament is called and it is by common consent of all agreed that the King should not goe in person himselfe in regard of the distraction of the times but should send some speciall man to excuse his appearance whereupon Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings brother is sent but to little effect Then it is thought fit the Queene should goe and indeed the Queene went but what was the cause of her going there is amongst Writers great variance some say she was sent by the King to accommodate this businesse which she negotiated so well as that all quarrels were ended upon condition the King should give to his sonne Edward the Dutchie of Aquitaine with the Earledome of Ponthieu and send him over to doe his homage for them which after many consultationsâ— the King is wrought to yeeld unto and the Prince is sent with the Bishop of Exeter and others to the Court of France accordingly but others sayâ— she went out of discontent to complaine to her brother the King of France for wrongs offered her by the Spensers who had so alienated the Kings minde from her that he would scarce come where she was nor allow her fit maintenance for her calling But whatsoever was the cause of her goingâ— there appeared no cause of her staying but that she had gotten into her company Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmâ—re a gallant young Gentlemanâ— whom she specially favoured lately escaped out of the Tower of London by giving his keepers as was said a sleeping drinke And withall the Bishop of Exeter perceiving some plots to be in hand and their close consultations made without him withdrawes himselfe secretly and discovers to the King what he observed in their courses Whereupon the King sends presently for the Quâ— and Prince and solicits the King of France to hasten their return which when he saw was neglected and delaied he caused them openly to be proclaimed enemies to the kingdome banished them and all their adherents out of the Land and withall causeth all the Ports to be strongly kept and sends three Admirals to attend in severall Coasts to hinder their landing It was not without suspition that as the King for love of the Spensers had his minde alienated from loving the Queen so the Queen for love of Mâ—rtimer had her minde alienated from loving the King and therefore having him with her câ—red not how long she staied However it was when the Queene heard of the Kings Proclamation she knew there was no returning for her into England without some good assistance whereupon soliciting her brother the King of France he aided her with men and money say some but others that he refusing to aide her as being wrought under hand by the Spensers against her she left the French Court and went into Heynault to the Earle of that Countrey who upon a contract betweene her sonne Prince Edward and Philippa the Earles daughterâ—â—ided her with a competent Army under the conduct of his brotheâ— Iohn and with them and her beloved Mortimer she tooke shipping and landed at Orwell a Port neare unto Harwich in Suffolke where presently came to her the Earle Marshall Henry Earle of Leycester and Henry Earle of Lancaster with the wry neck called Tâ—rtcâ—ll with many other Lords and Bishops The King at this time being at London and hearing of the Queenes landing with such forces and chiefely how all the Realme ranne flocking to her was â—uddenly strucken into a great amazement and though he had his great Counsellours the Spensers about him yet now he found what little good thâ—ir counsel could do him and indeed in this case what should he or what could he do To stay in London was apparent danger for he plainely saw the Londâ—ners to be more inclining to take the Queenes part then his and to goe from London to any other place was as unsafe all places being possest eitheâ— with certaine Enemies or uncertaine Friendsâ— at last the Isle of Lundy is thought of a place plentifull of provisionâ— abounding with Conies Fish and Fowle and the Island of hard accesse as having but one place in it where it could be entred and that so narrow that a few might easily keepe out many upon this place he resolvesâ— and taking with him the Earle of Glocester the Spensers and Robert â—aldâ—cke with some feâ— others he â—akes shipping but by contrary windes is driven backe and raine through Tempests to land in Wales and there in the Abbey of
if his fortune had beene to love good men his owne goodnesse would have made him happy Two Vertues were eminent in him above all his Predecessours Continence and Abstinence So continent that he left no base issue behind him So abstinent that he tooke no base courses for raising of money They who despised him being alive so much honoured him being dead that they could have found in their hearts to make him a Saint Of his Death and Buriall MAny wayes were attempted to take away his life First they vexed him in his dyet allowing him nothing he could well endure to eate but this succeeded not Then they lodged him in a chamber over carion and dead carkasses enough to have poysoned him and indeed he told a workman at his window he never endured so great a misery in all his life but neither did this succeed Then they attempted it by Poysons but whether by the strength of his constitution or by the Divine Providence neither did this succeed At last the pestilent Achitâ—phel the Bishop of Hereford devised a Letter to his keepers blaming them for giving him too much liberty and for not doing the service which was expected from them and in the end of his Letter wrote this line Edwardum Octidere â—â—lite timere bonum est Craftily contriving it in this doubtfull sense that both the keepers might find sufficient warrant and himselfe might find sufficient excuse The keepers guessing at his meaning tooke it in the worst sense and accordingly put it in execuâ—ion they tooke him in his bed and casting heavy bolsters upon him and pressing them hard downe stifled him and not content with that they heated an iron red hot and through a pipe thrust it up into his Fondament that no markes of violence might be seene but though none were seene yet some were heard For when the Fact was in doing he was heard to roare and cry all the Castle over Gourney and Matrevers his murtherers looking for reward had the reward of murtherers For the Queene and Bishop Torleton disavowing the command threatned to question them for the Kings death whereupon they fled beyond Sea and Gourney after three yeares being taken in France and sent into England was in the way upon the Sea beheaded Matrevers flying into Germany had the grace to repent but lived ever after miserably Thus dyed this King in the yeare 1327. more then halfe a yeare after his deposing when he had Raigned almost 19. yeares lived 43. His body was câ—rryed to Glocester and there without any Funerall Pompe buryed in the Monastery of Saint Peter by the Benedictine Fryers Of Men of note in his time IN this Kings time of Martiall men were many whose Acts have beene spoken of in the late Kings life Of Learned men also many as Iohn Duns the great Logician called Doctor Subtilis borne in Northumberland at Emildune a Village three miles distant from Alâ—wiâ—ke though both the Scots and the Irish challenge him for theiâ—s Robert Walsingham a Carmelite Fryer who wrote divers Treatises Robert Baston borne in Nottingham-shire a Carmelite Fryer of Scarborough whom King Edward tooke with him into Scotland to write some Remembrances of his victories but being taken by the Scots was constrained by Robert Bruce to write Remembrances of his overthrowes William Rishanger a Monke of Saint Albans an Historiographer Ralph Baldocke Bishop of London who wrote a History intituled Historia Anglica Iohn Walsingham a Carmelite Fryer who wrote divers Treatises Nicholas de Lyra a Jew by birth who wrote many excellent Treatises in Divinity William Ockam a Fryer Minor who wrote divers Treatises and namely against Iohn Duns and also against Pope Iohn the 23. in favour of the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria Thomas Haselwood a Canon of Leedes in Kent who wrote a Chronicle called Chronicon compendiarium Robert Perscrutator borne in Yorkeshire a blacke Fryer and a Philosopher or rather a Magician and lastly though not least worthy to be remembred Iohn Mandevile the great Travellour a Doctor of Physicke and a Knight THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD Of his comming to the Crowne and Acts done in his minority EDward of Windsor eldest sonne of King Edward the second by Order of Parliament upon his Fathers Resignation was proclaimed King of England on the five and twentieth day of Ianuary in the yeare 1327. and because he had not yet received the Order of knighthood he was by Henry Earle of Lancaster giâ—t solemnly with the Sword and on the first day of February following was Crowned at Westminster by Walter Reginolds Archbishop of Canterbury and thereupon a generall Pardon is Proclaimed which hath since beene used as a Custome with all the succeeding Kings that at their first comming to the Crowne a Generall Pardon is alwayes granted And because the King was under age scarce fifteene yeares old though Froyssard saith he was then Eighteene there were twelve appointed Governours of him and the kingdomeâ— namely the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Worcester Thomas of Brotherton Earle Marshall Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings Unkles Iohn Earle Warren Thomas Lord Wake Henry Lord Percie Oliver Lord Ingham and Iohn Lord Rosse but though these were appointed and bore the name yet the Queen and Roger Mortimer tooke all the authority to themselves The first action that was undertaken was an expedition against the Scots for Robert Bruce though now old and sickly and as was said Leprous yet considering the youth of the new King and the distractions of the kingdome thought it now a â—it time to doe some good upon England and entring the English borders with an Army sent defiance to King Edward whereupon an Army is raised and the Heynaâ—lders whom the Queen had brought over are joyned with the English but a variance falling out betweene the two Nations made the action not successefull For the Kings Army encountring the Scots at Stanhope Parke in Weridall in the Bishopricke of Durham though three times as many as the Scots as being thirty thousand yet through this variance but more through treason of some great men suffered them all to escape their hands and the Scots returned home in safety the English with dishonour and after this the English seeing the Heynaulders could doe them no good sent them away to their owne Countrey In King Edwards second yeare his marriage with Philippa of Heynault is solemnised a dispensation being first gotten because of their nearenesse in bloud and a Parliament is holden at Northampton where the King made three Earles Iohn of Eltham his brother Earle of Cornwall Roger Mortimer Earle of March and Iames Butler of Ireland Earle of Ormond and in this Parliament a dishonourable peace is concluded with the Scots and confirmed by a match betweene David Bruce Prince of Scotland being but seven yeares old and Ioane sister to King Edward not so old at which time by the secret working of Queene Isabell Roger Mortimer and
to Berwicke with a purpose to doe great matters but nothing was done for a new Truce was againe concluded for two yeares By this time Robert d' Arthois had made ready his Army and taking with him the Countesse of Montford the Earles of Pembroke Salisbury and Suffolke and many other Barons after great tempests and encounters at Sea lands safely at last neare to Vannes which was held by the French and laying â—â—ege to the City with the assistance of Walter de Manny who came unto him after many assaults at last he tooke it to the great joy of the Countesse of Montford though she held it not long for certaine resolute French knights assaulted it soone after and recovered it from the English In which action many Lords were slaine or wounded and particularly Robert de Arâ—hois himselfe who passing over into England for the better curing of his wounds soone after died and was buried in Pauls Church in Lâ—ndon And now King Edward himselfe with a strong Army passeth over into Britaine and plants his Campe before the City of Vannes where was like to have beene a cruell battell but in the instant there came from Pope Clâ—ment the sixth two Cardinals the Bishops of Preneste and Thusculum who upon certaine conditions concluded a Peace amongst other conditions this was one that the City of Vannes should be delivered to â—ing Philip and thereupon Iohn Earle of Montford should be set at liberty but yet with this charge not to goe into Britaine which promise notwithstanding he kept not but went presently and besieged a Towâ—e in Britaine though he were forced to retire and died shortly after But the Truce cracked â—hus as it were by Montford was afterward absolutely broken by King Edward though he charged the breach of it upon K. Philip and King Philip upon him But howsoever broken it was and Henry of Lancaster Earle of Derby with divers other Earles and Barons is sent into France who won many Townes in Gascoyneâ— and in the Counties of Perigort and Tholoâ—se and then went to winter at Burdeaux And afterward in May following pursuing his victories he wonne many morâ— Townes and amongst others the great Towne of Reoll After this againe he tooke Montpesat Maurore Villefranche and many other Townes and at last the great City of Angoâ—lesme and then came to winter againe at Burdeaux Of his Acts together with the Prince KING Philip informed of so many great losses assembles a mighty Army no lesse then a hundred thousand men with which he recovers Miremont and Villefranche and then proceeded to besiege Angoulesme whom the Earle of Derby having not forces sufficient to encounter King Edward leaving for Wardens of England in his absence the Lords Percie and Nevill goeth himselfe in person with an Army as Froyssard saith of fourescore thousand men at Armes and ten thousand Archers besides those out of Wales and Ireland taking with him his sonne the Prince of Wales and Duke of Guyenne being then but of the age of fifteene yeares It may be thought preposterous in King Edward to put his sonne to be a Souldier before he was come to be a man but it seemes he had a longing to try his sonnes valour in the bud and perhaps was loath to omit any thing that might give any countenance to this battell in which the two kingdomes were laid as it were at stake but howsoever taking him along with him and almost all the Lords of his kingdome he takes Shipping and lands at Normandy where at the first setting his foote on ground he tooke such a fall that the bloud gushed out at his nose which the Barons tooke for an ill signe but the King tooke it for a good saying it was a signe that the Land desired to have him and in deede he presently tooke the Townes of Harsteur Moulbourg Carenton and Saint Lo and afterward the City of Caâ—n it selfe and from thence passed to the County of Eureux saccaged and pillaged it as also the City of Gisors Vernon Meulan and Boulebourse to the City of Poyssy King Philip all this while staied about Paris as looking for King Edward to give him battell there and for that purpose had planted his Campe neare to Saint Germans but King Edward deceived him for going from Poyssy he passed into Picardie and Ponthieâ— where he tooke and burned many Townes and Castles and then passed the River of 〈◊〉 though not without danger for King Philip had sent thither Gundemar de Fay with a thousand horse and sixe thousand foote to stop his passage King Edward notwithstanding resolves to passe or perish and plungeth foremâ—â—â— into the River crying out They who love me will follow me at which voyce 〈◊〉 man strove who should be foremost and so the shoare was presently gained by the English Gunâ—emar astonished with this bold adventure astonisheth his peoâ—â—â— with his fearfull countenance so that the English encountring the French all in 〈◊〉 put them to flight King Philip enraged with this dishonour resolves to 〈◊〉 it and presently provokes King Edward to a battell King Edward had 〈◊〉 â—â—camped in a Village called Cressy his Army consisted of thirty thousand 〈◊〉 â—hich he divided into three battalions the first was led by the young Prince 〈…〉 with whom were joyned the Earle of Warwicke Geoffrey of Harecourt 〈◊〉 Hollaâ—d Ricâ—ard Stafford Iohn Chandoes Robert Nevile and many other 〈◊〉 and Gentlemen to the number of eight hundred men at Armes two thou 〈…〉 and a thousand Welsh In the second were the Earles of Northamâ—â—â—â—â—nd â—nd of 〈◊〉 the Lords Rosse Basset and others to the number of eight hun 〈…〉 Armes and twelve hundred Archers In the third the King was himâ—â—â—â—â— hâ—ving about him seven hundred men at Armes and three thousand Archers 〈◊〉 battels thus ordered mounted on a white Hobby he rode from ranke to ranke 〈◊〉 â—â—em encouraging every man that day to have regard to his right and ho 〈…〉 The French Kings Army was farre greater consisting of above sixty thou 〈…〉 well armed whereof the chiefe were Charles Duke of Alanson 〈…〉 Iohn of Luxembourg King of Bohemia Charles de Blois the Kings 〈…〉 Duke of Lorraine the Earles of Flanders Nevers Sancerre of Ba 〈…〉 and Gentlemen about three thousand The Vauntguard he commits to his â—rother the Count de Alanson the Reere to the Earle of Savoy the maine battell â—e leadâ— himselfe his heate out of confidence of victory was so great that 〈…〉 permitted time for a little counsell what was fit to be done The old King 〈…〉 advised that the Army should take some repast and that the Infantry câ—â—â—isting of Geâ—oueses which were above fifteene thousand Crossebowes and 〈◊〉 menâ— should make the first Front and the Cavallery to follow which was agreed on But the Count of Alanson contrary to this order tooke it ill that the 〈◊〉 were in the first ranke and in fury caused them to change place which 〈…〉 discontentment that it irritated them more against the
Leader then the 〈◊〉 besides there fell at the instant such a showre of raine as dissolved their 〈◊〉 and made their Bowes of little use and at the breaking up of the showre the 〈…〉 full in the face of the French dazling their sight and on the backe of the 〈◊〉 as if all made for them K. Edward who had gotten to a Windmill beholding 〈◊〉 a Sentinell the countenance of the Enemy and discovering the disturbance 〈◊〉 by the change of place instantly sends to charge that part without giving 〈…〉 to re-accommodate themselves whereupon the discontented Genâ—â—ese 〈◊〉 which the Coâ—nt de Alanson perceiving he comes on with the horse and 〈…〉 â—age cries out On on Let us make way upon the bellies of these Genoueses 〈…〉 but hinder us and instantly pricks on with a full careere through the midst 〈…〉 followed by the Earles of Lorraine and Savoy and never staies till he came 〈◊〉 the English battell where the Prince was the fight grew hot and doubtfull 〈…〉 as the Commanders about the Prince send to King Edward to come up with his power to aide him The King askes the messengers whether his son were 〈…〉 hurt who answering no but that he was like to be over-laid Well then 〈◊〉 â—he King returne and tell them who sent you that so long as my sonne is a 〈…〉 they send no more to me what ever happen for I will that the honour of this 〈…〉 his And so being left to try for themselves they wrought it out with the 〈◊〉 â— the rather by reason the French King having his horse slaine under him and 〈◊〉 danger to be trodden to death had he not been recovered by the Lord Beau 〈…〉 â—â—â—s to the great discouragement of his people withdrawne out of the field 〈◊〉 noâ—â—ce being once taken by the English the day was soone after theirs and 〈…〉 victory they ever had yet against the French and so bloudy as there is 〈…〉 made of any one prisoner taken in the battell but all â—laine out-right â—nely â—ome few troopes that held together saved themselves by retiring to places neare adjoyning The French King himselfe with â— small company got to Bray in the night and approaching the walls and the Guâ—rd asking him who goes there he answered the Fortune of Frâ—â—câ— By â—iâ— voyce â—e was knowne and thereupon received into the Towne with the teares and lamentaâ—ions of his people The number of the slaine are certified to be thirty thousand the chiefe whereof were Charles de Alâ—nsâ—n Iohn Duke of 〈◊〉 â—alph Earle of Lorraine Lâ—wis Earle of Flâ—â—â—ers Iâ—ques Daâ—lphin de 〈◊〉 Soâ—â—e to Iâ—bâ—rt who after gave Daulphin to the Crowne of France the Earlâ—â— of Sâ—â—câ—rre Hâ—râ—court and many other Earles Barons and Gentlemen to the number of fifteeâ—â— hundred This memorable Victory happened upon the Sâ—turday after Bartâ—â—lâ—â—â—â— day in the yeare 1346. The next day earely in the morning being Sunday he sâ—nâ— out 300. Lances and 2000. Archersâ— to discover what was becomâ— of tâ—◠〈◊〉 who found great Troopes comming from Abbeâ—â—lâ— Saint 〈…〉 aâ—d Bâ—â—uvoyes ignorant of what had happened 〈◊〉 by the Arch-Bishop of Râ—â—â— and the Priour of France whom they likewise defeated and slew sâ—ven thousand But this was not all thâ— Victories that fell to King Edward that yeare there was another of no lesse importance gotten in Englâ—â—d by the Queene and hiâ— peoplâ— at home against the Scots who being set on by the French to divert the waâ—â—â— thereâ— entred upon this kingdome witâ—â—hreescoâ—e thousand men as our Writers report assuring himselfe of successe in regard as he supposed â— the maâ—â—e streâ—gth thereof was now gone into France but â—e found it otherwiseâ— For the Lords of the North as Gylbert de Umfrevile the Earlâ— of Angâ—â—â— Henry Percâ— Ralph Nevile William Dâ—yâ—coâ—â—t with the Arch-bishop of Yorke the Bishop of Durâ—am and others of the Clergy gathered so great Forces and so well ordered them by the animation of the Queene who was there in person as fighting a great Battaile at Nevils Crosse in the Bishopricke of Durhaâ— they utterly defeaâ—ed this great Army tooke David their King Prisoner with the Earles of Fifâ— Menteth Murry Sutherland the Lord Dowglas the Arch-bishop of Saint Andrewes and others and put to the sword fifteene thousand Scâ—ts This Victory also fell upon a Saturday sixe weekes after that of Cressy He that tooke King David Prisoner waâ— one Iohn Câ—plâ—nd an Esquire of Northumberland whom King Edward rewarded with five hundred pounds land a yeare and made him a Bannerâ—t And as if all concurred to make this yeare Triumphant the Aides sent to the Countesse of Montford in Britaine led by Thomas Dagworth a Valiant knight overthrew and tooke Prisoner Charles de Blois Pretender to that Dutchy and with him Mounsiâ—ur la Vall the Lords Rochford Beaâ—â—anoyre Loiâ—câ—ue with many other Barons Knights and Esquires Where were slaine the Lord De la Vall Father to him that was taken Viscount Rohan Mounsieur de Chasteaâ— Bryan de â—alestroit de Quintin de Dyrevâ—ll besides many other knights and Esquires to the number of seven hundred And now King Edward without medling with the great Cities of Amiens and Abbevile marcheth on directly and sits downe before Callice a Town of more importance for England and the Gate to all the rest Wherein Iohn dâ— Vienne Marshall of France and the Lord de Andreghâ—n a great man in his time commanded All that Winter King Edward lay without any molestation by the French King who was busied at home in his owne State about raising of money wherewith supplyed at last he raiseth an Army and approacheth Callice but findes no way open to come to relieve it The King of England was both Master of the Haven and possest all other wayes that were passable and the Flemings his friends had besieged Aire to oppose whom Iohn Duke of Normandy is sent for out of Guyenne who departing leaves Henry of Lancaster Earle of Derby Master of the Field and â—e having an Army consisting of twelve hundred men at Armes two thousand Archers and three thousand other Foot takes in most of the Townes of Xaintoigne and Poictâ—â— and in the end besieged and sacked Pâ—ityerâ— and then returnes to Bâ—rdeaâ—x with more â—illage then his people could well beare Thus the 〈◊〉 prosper every â—â—here and the French suffer During this siege of Calliâ—e â—n 〈◊〉 some tâ—inâ—â— King Edwâ—â—â— first used Gunnes the Flemingâ— send to King 〈◊〉 to make a marriage betweene his Daughter Isabell and their Lord the 〈…〉 to which the King consented but the Duke of Brâ—â—â—nt gets 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 â—o make the match for a Daughter of hisâ— The Flemings presse 〈◊〉 Lord with tâ—e match of England but he absolutely refuseâ—h it sayingâ— h◠〈◊〉 never marry a Daughter of him that had killed his Father though he would 〈…〉 â—â—lfâ— his kingdome This answer so incensed the Flemiâ—gs that they 〈…〉 Lord in Prison till with long durance he at last consented and
time by reason the King of France would not be drawne to any Encounter and had so disfurnished the Country of all provisions that the King of England was forced to returne King Edward solicited by the King of Navarre to aide him against the King of France sends over the Duâ—e of Lancaster with foure thousand men at Armes who winnes many Townesâ— and the Prince enters Gâ—yenne passeth over Langnâ—dâ—c to Tholouse Narbonne Burges without any Encounter sackes spoyles and destroyes where he goes and loaden with booties returnes to Burdeaux The French King thus assaulted on all â—ides gathers all the power he possibly could and first makes against his Eâ—emies in Nâ—â—â—â—â—dy recovers many of his lost Townes and was likely to have there prevaileâ— but that he was drawne of force to oppose 〈◊〉 fresh Invader the Prince of Wales who was come up into Tourayne against 〈◊〉 he brings his whole Army consisting of above threescore thousand whereâ—â—â—â— the Prince whose Forces were not likely to be able to encounter him being 〈◊〉 for one was advised to retire againe to Burdeaux But the French King to preveâ—â— this course followes and within two leagues of Poyctiers hath him at a 〈◊〉 advantage at which instant two Cardinals came from the Pope to mediate â— Peâ—ce But the French King supposing he had his enemy now in his mercy would accept of no other conditions but that the Prince should deliver him foure Hostageâ— â—nd â—s vanquished render himselfe and his Army to his discretion The Prince waâ— content to restore unto him what he had gained upon him but without prâ—juâ—â—â—â— of his honour wherein he said he stood accomptable to his Father and to his Câ—uâ—trâ—y But the French King would abate nothing of his demands as making himsâ—lfâ— sure of victory and thereupon was instantly ready to set upon the Princ◠〈◊〉 seeing himselfe reduced to this straight takes what advantage he could of th◠〈◊〉 and providently got the benefit of Vines Shrubs and Bushes on that part 〈…〉 like to be assailed to impester and intangle the French horse which he saw 〈◊〉 â—ome furiously upon him The successe answered his expectation for the 〈◊〉 of his enemies upon their first assault were so wrapt and encombred 〈◊〉 â—he Vines that his Archers galled and annoyed them at their pleasure For 〈◊〉 Freâ—â—h King to give the honour of the day to his Cavallery imployed them onely without his Infantery so as they being disordered and put to rout his wholâ— Army came utterly to be defeated In this battell were taken prisoners King Iohn himselfe with his yoâ—ngest sonne Philip by Dennis de Morbecque a knight of Arâ—hâ—is Iaques de Bourbon Conte de Ponthieu the Arch-bishop of Sens Iohn de Arthâ—is Conte de En Charles de Arthois his brother Count de Longueville Iohn de 〈◊〉 Count de Tankarvile the Counts of Vendosme Vaâ—demont Estampes Salbourg 〈◊〉 and La Roche also Iohn de Ceintre accounted as Froissard saith the 〈◊〉 â—night of France with many other Lords besides two thousand Knights and Genâ—lemen in so much as the Conquerours holding it not safe to retaine so many leâ—â—â—ny of them goe The French who can give best account of their owne losses â—â—porâ— there died in the battell a thousand seven hundred Gentlemen amongst which were fifty two Bannerets the most eminent Peter de Bourbon the Duke of Athâ—â—s Constable of France Iehan de Clermont Marshall Geoffrey de Charmy High Chamberlainâ— the Bishop of Chalons the Lords of Landas of Pons and of Chamâ—â—y There escaped from this battell three of the French Kings sons for he brought them all thither Charles Prince Daulphin Louys after Duke of Anjou and Iohn Duke of Bâ—â—ryâ— all great actours in the time following The special great men of the English iâ— thâ—â— fight were the Earles of Warwicke Suffolke Salisbury Oxford Stafford the Lordâ—â— Cobham Spenser Barkeley Basset of Gascoynes Le Capital de Beuff the Lords Pumyer Chaumont and others The Lord Iames Andeley wonne honour both by his valour and his bounty for having vowed to be foremost in this fight he peâ—formed his word and sealed it with many wounds for which the Prince having rewarded him with the gift of five hundred Markes Fee-simple in England he pâ—esently gave it to foure of his Esquires whereupon the Prince demanding whether he accepted not his gift he answered that these men had deserved the same as well â—s himselfe and had more neede of it with which reply the Prince was so well pleased that he gave him five hundred Markes more in the same kinde A rare example where desert in the Subject and reward in the Prince strive which should be the greater And now though King Iohn had the misfortune to fall into the hands of his enemy yet he had the happinesse to fall into the hands of a Noble enemy for Prince Edw. used him with such respect and observance that he could not find much dâ—â—ference betweene his captivity and liberty After the battell which was fought the â—inâ—â—â—enth day of September in the yeare 1357. Prince Edward leads King Iohn and the captive Lords to Burdeâ—ux where he retaines them till the spring following but 〈◊〉 present newes of his victory to his Father who thereupon causeth a generall Thanksgiving all England over eight dayes together and in May following King Iohn rather comming over with the Prince then brought over by him is lodged at the Savoâ— a Palace belonging to Henry Duke of Lancaster and the fairest at that time about London And King Edward as though he thought it honour enough to have one King his prisoner at once at the suite of his sister Queene Iâ—ane he sets her Husband David King of Scots at liberty after he had beene prisoner in England eleven yeares but not without paying a Ransome which was a hun-thousand Markes to be paid in ten yeares After this by mediation of Cardinals sent by the Pope a Truce for two yeares is concluded betweene the two kingdomes of France and England and in the time of this Truce Articles of Peace betweene the two Kings are propoundedâ— King Edward requires the Dutchies of Normâ—â—â—â— and Gâ—yennâ— the Counties of Poictoâ— Tâ—uraine Mayne and Anjoâ—â— with all their â—ppurâ—eâ—ances as large as King Richard the first held them and many other Provinces besides and to hold them all without Homage or any other service to which Articles King Iohn weary of imprisonment assents and seales but the 〈◊〉 â—nd Councell of France utterly reject it whereupon King Edward in great displeâ—sure resolves to make an end of this worke with the sword and to take possession of the kingdome of France and leaving his younger sonne Thomas Goveâ—â—our of his kingdome at home with a Fleet of â—leven hundred saile and taking all the great Lords of the Realme with him he passeth over to Callice dividing his Army into three battels whereof one he commits to the Prince of Wales another to the Duke of Lancaster and the â—hird he leads
himselfeâ— and first marching through 〈◊〉 where he takes in many Townes he plants his siâ—ge afterward before 〈◊〉 but having spent there sixe or seven weekes without effecting any thing he â—asseth thence and takes in the Cities of Sens Nevers the Dutchy of Bâ—rgoyne redeemes it self from spoil with paying two hundred thousand Floâ—ens of gold then he marcheth up to â—aris and plants his Camp within two small Leagues of the Towâ—â— where â—e honoured 400. Esquires and Gentlemen with the Order of knighthood but when Sir Walter de Manny had made a Bravado before the Gates of the City and the King saw that the Daulphin would by no provocations be drawne out to battell he raiseth his siege and returnes into Briâ—aine to refresh his Army from thence he marcheth towards Charâ—res with a purpose to besiege that City and though great offers were made him by the French and Commissioners from the Pope solicited him with all earnestnesse to accept them yet neither they nor the Duke of Lancasters perswasions could prevaile with him till a terrible â—torme of haile with thunder and lightning fell upon his Army which so terrified him being a warning as it were from Heauen that he presently vowed to make Peace with the French King upon any reasonable conditions as shortly after he did at a Treaty of Britigny neare to Chartres upon these Articles that the Fiefs of Thouars and Belleville the Dutchy of Guyenne comprising Gascoyne Poictou Sanâ—ogne Limoâ—sin Perigort Quercie Rhodes Angoulesme and Rochell together with the Counties of Guysnes and Callice and some other places with the Homages of the Lords within those Territories should be to the King of England who besides was to have three Millions of crownes of goldâ— whereof sixe hundred thousand in hand foure hundred thousand the yeaâ—e following and the rest in two yeares after and for this the King of England and his sonne the Prince of Wales for them and their successours for ever should renounce all their right pretended to the Câ—owne of France the Dutchy of Normandy the Countries of Touraine Anjou Mayne the Homage and Soveraignty of Britaine and the Earledome of Flanders and within three weekes King Iohn to be rendred at Callice at the charge of the King of England except the expenses of his house For assurance of which accord should be given into his hand five and twenty of the greatest Dukes and Lords of France for Hostages The Scots not to be aided by the French King nor the Flemmings by the English This accord and finall Peace signed by both Kings was ratified by their two eldest sonnes Edward and Charles and sworne unto by the Nobility of both kingdomes The Hostages are delivered to King Edward who brought them into England and thereupon King Iohn is honourably conducted to Callice after he had remained prisoner in England neare about five yeares but being come to Callice he was detained there above three moneths till the money which he was to pay in hand could be provided and for providing the rest he was put to hard shifts being faine to give the Iewes leave to dwell in France for twenty yeares paying twelve Florins a man at the entry and sixe every yeare after At this time the Prince by dispensation marries the Countesse of Kent daughter to Edmund brother to Edward the second and his Father investing him with the Dutchy of Aquitaine he was now Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitaine Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and Kent and not long after with the Princesse his wife he passeth over into France and keepes his Court at Burdeaux This was now the yeare 1362. and the fiftieth yeare of King Edwards age wherein for a Iubilee he shewes himselfe extraordinarily gracious to his peoplâ— freely pardoning many offences relesing prisoners revoking exiles with many other expressions of his love and bounty The yeare following was famous for three Kings comming into England Iohn King of France Peter King of Cyprus and Dâ—vid King of Scots The King of Cyprus came to solicite King Edward to joyne with other Princes in the Holy Warre but receives onely royall entertainment and excuses The King of Scots came for businesse and visitation but why the King of France came is not so certaine whether it were about taking order for his Hostages or to satisfie King Edward for breach of some Articles or else for love to the Countesse of Salisbury or perhaps out of a desire to let England see his Majesty being at liberty which had beene darkened before by the cloud of captivity but whatsoever the cause of his comming was the cause of his staying at least of longer staying then he meant was a mortall sicknesse whereof having lien all the Winter at the Savoy in March or Aprill following he died and his body convaied over into France was buried at Saint Donis with his Ancestours The Prince of Wales was now growne famous all the Christian world over and the man to whom all wronged Princes seemed to appeale and to flie for succour for which end there came at this time to his Court Iames King of Majorque and happened to come at a time when the Princesse lay in and thereupon he and Richard King of Navarre were taken to be Godfathers to his sonne Richard For the like assistance also there came at the same time to him Peter King of Castile driven out of his kingdome by the French in favour to Peter King of Aragon and Prince Edward partly out of charity to succour a distressed Prince and partly out of policy to keepe his Souldiers in exercise undertakes the enterprise and was so prosperous in it that with one battell having but thirty thousand against a hundred thousand hee put King Peter in possession of his kingdome though he was ill rewarded for his labour for the ungratefull King would not so much as pay his Souldiers An unfortunate journey for the Prince for though he came back with victory yet he brought backe with him such an indisposition of body that he was never throughly well after not perhaps by poyson nor given him by his brother the Duke of Lancaster though both were suspected but there were causes of distempering him enough besides the Countrey the season the action it selfe and it may be more marvelled that his Souldiers came home so well then that he came so ill but howsoever being now returned there was presently to his indisposition of body added discontentment of minde for not having meanes to pay his Souldiers which forced him to winke at that which he could not chuse but see and seeing grieve at how they preyed upon the Countrey and thereupon how the Countrey murmured against him and now to stop this murmuring his Chancellour the Bishop of Rhodes devised a new Imposition of leavying a Frank for every Chimney and this to continue for five yeares to pay the Princes debts but this Imposition made the murmuring the more for though some part of his Dominions
as the Poictâ—â—ins Xaingtonois and Lymoâ—sins in a sort consented to it yet the Count of Armigniâ—ck the Count of Comminges the Viscount of Carmayn and many others so much distasted it that they complained thereof to the King of France as to their Supreme Lord who upon examination finding their complaint to be just he thereupon by advise of his Councell Summons Prince Edward to appeare in person to answer the complaint whereunto Prince Edw. made answere that if he must needs appeare he would bring threescore thousand men in Armes to appeare with him and had certainely brought his Army that Summer against Paris if he had not fallen into Symptomes of a Dropsie which Walsingham saith was wrought by Enchantments But upon this answer of the Prince King Charles sends defiance to King Edward who thereupon prepares Armes both by Sea and Land to oppose him The French enter upon the Territoriâ—s of the Prince and defeate divers of his Troopes in revenge whereof Iohn Chandos the Princes Lieutenant assaults Terrieres in the Province of Tholouse and takes it The Count of Perigourd aâ—saults Royanville in Querâ—y and puts all the English to the sword in revenge whereof Iames Audeley Seneâ—chall of Poicton assaults the City of Brosse and takes it In the meane time Robert Knols by some called Robin and by others Arnould or Reynold Knoll had drawne Perducas de Albert to the party of the English and thereupon wenâ— and encamped before the Fort of Darcâ—ell in Quercy which Iohn Chandos understanding went also and joyned with him in the Siege but finding they could doe no good there they removed and Besieged the City of Damme and when they could doe no good there neither they marched forward tooke the Fort of Froyus Rochevaudour and Villefranche and that done returned to the Prince at Angoulesme At the same time the Earles of Cambridge and Pembroke having spent nine weekes at the Siege of Bordeille at last tooke it but other Captaines of the English did yet more for they scaled Belleperche in the Province of Bourbon where the Mother of the Duke of Bourbon and of the Queene of France was and take her prisoner About this time Philippa Queene of England King Edwards Wife died and was buried at Westminster but this hindred not the proceeding of the English in France the Earle of Pembroke enters Anjou where he takes many Townes the Duke of Lancaster doth the like about Callice and marching forward plants his Campe before Harfleur with a purpose to burne the King of France his Navy but being watched by the Count Saint Poll was forced to forbeare that designe and so passing other wayes and spoyling all the places where he passed he returned to Callice Winter now was drawing on and Iohn Chandos desiring to recover the Abby of Saint Silvin in Poictou which not long before had beene betraied to the French was in the enterprise discovered and being assaulted by greater forces was slaine in the place to the great griefe of the Prince of Wales and of the English Lords but dying without issue his estate which amounted to foure hundred thousand Franks came to the Prince At this time the Dukes of Anjou and Berry with two great Armies enter upon the Territories of the Prince of Wales whereof the Prince advertised assembles Forces to oppose them but when the newes was brought him of the taking of Limouges he was so much troubled at it by reason of the Bishop of that place was his Gossip and one in whom he specially had affiance that he resolved to recover it at any price and not to spare a man that had any hand in the rendring it up and thereupon taking it by force he commanded to sacke and pillage it and would not be staied by the cries of the people casting themselves downe at his feete till passing through the Towne he perceived three French Captaines who themselves alone had withstood the assault of his victorious Army and moved with the consideration of their valour he then abated his anger and for their sakes granted mercy to all the Inhabitants So much is vertue even in an enemy respected by generous minds In the meane time David King of Scots died without issue and Robert Stuart his Nephew succeeded him in the kingdome and was Crowned at Scone At this time Robert Knolls with a great Army is sent into France where making many attempts with valour enough but with little successe he was comming home though with no gaine yet with no losse till Bertrand de Gueschlyn assaulting him slew the most part of his men and so this great Army on a sudden came to nothing It seemes Knolls his action was the lesse succesfully by reason some young Lords that wenâ— with him scoâ—ning to â—e 〈◊〉 his command as being but a new man and risen froâ— a low estate were refractory to hiâ— directions And indeed what can a Generall do if he have not as well reputation of person as of place And now the Prince of Wales his eldest sonne Edward dying 〈◊〉 Buâ—deâ—â—â— the 〈◊〉 with his wife and his other sonne Richard come over into England at whiâ—â— time the vallant knight Walter de Mâ—â—ny died at Londâ—n and was buried in the Monastery of the Chartreux which he had builded leaving one onely daughter married to Iohn Earle of Pembroke This Earle of Pembroke was soone after sent Goâ—ernour into Aquitaâ—ne but set upon by the way by Spaniards in favour of the Frâ—â—ch was by them taken prisoner and carried with other into Spainâ—â— who being chained together as the manner is one Evans a Welsh Fugitiveâ— who gave â—â—â—selfe out for the right Heire of Wales camâ— unto him foolishly playing upon him with scornfull language as though to insult over another mans misery could sâ—â—le for a coâ—diall to mitigate his owne And now upon the taking of this Earle the Princes Dominions in France are either taken away or â—all away faster then they â—ere gotten Gueschlyâ— enters Poictou and takes Montmâ—rillon Chauvigny Lussâ—â— and Moâ—tâ—ontiâ—r straight after followes the Countrey of Aulnys of Xaintoigne and the rest of Poicâ—ou then Saint Maxenâ— Neele Aulnâ—y then Benaon Marant Surgâ—rs 〈◊〉 and at last they came to Thouars where the most part of the Lords of Poicâ—oâ— that held with the Prince were assembled at which time King Edward with the Prâ—â—ce the Duke of Lancaster and all the great Lords of England set forward to their succour but being driven backâ— by tempest never came to give them assistance so as Thouars yeelded upon composition Yet did this preparation of the King stand him in nine thousand Markes that it may be truly said it cost him more now to lose Townes then it had cost him before to win them so great oddes there is betweene the Spring and Fall of Fortune After this the Duke of Lancaster is sent over with another great Army who passed up into many parts of the Country but King Charles resolved to hazard no
will exercise his Ecclesiasticall authoritie and proceed to Excommunication of his Officers though not of himselfe Queen or children The King answers and sends his Letter to the Bishop of London charging the Arch-bishop to be the câ—â—se of all this disturbance having beene the man that first set him upon the warre with France assuring him he should want no money and now had beene the hinderance that monies given him by Parliament were not duly levied and after many remonstrances to such purpose concludes that if he desisted not from his reâ—â—llions obstinacie he would use his Temporall authority and prooceed 〈…〉 as against a Rebell But this difference betweene them was not long after upon the Arch-bishops submission reconciled And indeed the great account which this King made of Clergy men may appeare by his imploying almost none but Clergy men in all his Offices of accountâ— Simon â—â—â—gham Arch-bishop of Canterbury was Chancellour of England William Wickam Arch-deacon of Lincolne keeper of the Privy Seale David Willer Parson of Somerâ—â—â—â— Master of the Rolles ten Beneficed Priests Civilians Masters of the Chancery William Mulse Deane of Saint Martins le Grand chiefe Chamberlaine of the 〈◊〉 Receiver and keeper of the Kings Treasure and Jewelsâ— Willâ—am Aâ—â—â—y Arch-deacon of Northampton Chancellour of the Exchequerâ— William Diâ—htâ—◠〈◊〉 of Saint Marâ—ins Clerke of the Privy Sealeâ— Richard Chesterfield Pâ—ebâ—nd 〈…〉 Stephensâ— Treasurer of the Kings house Henry Snatcâ— Parson of 〈…〉 of the Kings Wardrobe Iohn Nâ—wâ—ham Parson of Fenâ—y-staâ—â—on one of the 〈◊〉 of the Exchâ—quer Iohn â—ouseby Parson of 〈◊〉 Surveyor and 〈◊〉 of the Kings workes Thomas Brittingham Parson of Asby Treasurer 〈…〉 King for the parts of Guisnes and the Marches of Callice Iohn Troys a Priest 〈◊〉 of Ireland 〈◊〉 the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne in a Parliament holden at Westâ—inster 〈◊〉 is made of the great inconvenience that came by the Popes Collation of Benefices in England conferring them upon Strangers who understood not the 〈◊〉 and therefore not fit to be Pastours over a Flocke they could not feed and hereupon Sir Iohn Shordich is sent to Pope Clement the sixth to require him to foâ—â—eare such Collations and to signifie his consent therein but this Message was 〈…〉 welcome to the Pope that the Messenger came backe unheard at least unansweredâ— and the King taking his silence for consentâ— or perhaps not much caring whether he consented or no proceeded to a Prohibition of all such Collations within his Realme on paine of Imprisonment or death to whomsoever should in time to come present or admit any such person who by the Pope were so preferred to the prejudice of the Kings Prerogative These were disturbances in matter of Discipline but towards the end of his Raigne there fell a disturbance in matter of Doctrine for a certaine Divine named Iohn Wickliffe inveighed in his 〈◊〉 and other Acts in the Schooles against the abuses of Churchmen Monks and other religious Orders and had by his Doctrine wonne many Disciples unto him who after were called Lollards professing poverty going bare-foot and poorely clad in Ruâ—â—et amongst other his Doctrines he taught that neither King â—â—r other secular Lord could give any thing â—n perpetuity unto Church-men and thâ—â— Temporall Lords if they needed might lawfully take the Goods of Religious Persons to relieve them in their necessities by the example of William Rufus and others This man the Duke of Lancaster and Sir Henry Percy Marshall much favour and cherish extolling him for his learning and integrity of life which made him so farre to presume that daily in one Church or other he published his Opinions whereupon at length he is cited to answer before the Arch-bishop the Bishop of London and others in â—auls At the day appointed the Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Marshall goe to conduct him when they were come to our Ladies Chappell the Duke and Barons with the Bishops sitting downe Iohn Wickliffe was by the Lord Marshall willed to sit downe in regard he said the man had much to answer and needed a convenient seat The Bishop of London told him It was against all Law and Reason that he who was there â—ited before his 〈◊〉 should sit Hereupon contumelious words arose betweene the Lord Mâ—â—â—hall and the Biâ—â—op the Duke takes the Marshals part and sharpely reprehended the Bishop the Bishop returnes the like to the Duke who in a greâ—â— rage 〈◊〉 he would pull downe the pride of him and of all the Bishops of Eâ—glandâ— and whispering in his eare told him he had rather pull him out of the Church by 〈…〉 of the head then to suffer such indignities which words the Londoâ—ers over-hearing swore with a loud voyce they would rather lose their lives theâ—â— suffer â—â—eir Bishop to be thus injuriously used Their fuâ—y was the more against the Duke for that the day before in the Parliament whereof he was President it was 〈◊〉 in the Kings name that from thenceforth â—hâ—re should be no more a Major of London but a Captaine appointed for the Government of the City and that the Lord Marshall of England should arrest Offenders within the Liberties as in other places The morrow after the Citizens assembling to consult of this businesse it happened the Lord Fits-water and Guidâ— Bryan came into the City which the People seeing furiously ranne upon them and were like to beate them downe for comming at that time The Lord Fits-water protested he came to no other end but to offer his service to the City being by inheritance their Standard bearer and was to take injuries offered to them as to himselfe and therefore willed them to looke to their defence Whereupon they presâ—ntly take Armes assaile the Marshals Inne breâ—ke open the Gaâ—es brought foâ—th a Prisoner in his Gives and set him at liberty but found 〈◊〉 the Lord 〈…〉 with thâ— Duke was that day to dine with one Iohn de 〈◊〉 Tâ—â—n this furious multitude ranne to assaile the Savâ—y which a knight of the Dukâ—â—â—â—â—ing haâ—tes to the placâ— where his Lord dined and acquainâ—â— him with this 〈◊〉 in the Câ—â—y The Duke upon hearing it leapes from the Table so hastily that he hurt botâ— his shinnes on the fowrme and with Sir Henry â—ercy alone takes boate and goes to Kennington neare Lambeâ—h where the Princesse with the young Prince lay to whom he complaines of this Riot and the violence offered him In the meâ—ne time the multitude comming to the Savoy a Priest inquisitive to know the businesse was answered they went to take the Duke and the Lord Marshall and compell them to deliver Sir Peter de la Marâ— unjustly kept in Prison The Priest replyed thâ—t Sir Peter was a Traytor to the King and worthy to be hâ—nged At which words they all cryed out This is Percy This is the Traytor of England his speech bewrayes him though his Appâ—rell be disguised and presently they râ—n upon him and wounded him to death The Bishop of London hearing of
this outrage leaves his dinner hastes to the Savâ—y admonisheth them of the holy time being Lent assuring them all should be fairely ended for the good of the City with whose perswasions they were somewhat pacified but yet they tooke the Dukes Armes and hung â—hem up reversed in signe of Treason in all the principall streeâ—s of the City Upoâ— the Princesses advice the chiefe Citizens send to the sickâ— King to excuse this tumult saying it was not in their power to suppresse it the Commonalty being in commotion upon an information that their Liberties should be taken from them by Parliament The King told them it never was in his thought to infringe their liberties but he rather desired to enlarge them But this affrâ—nt of the Citizens would not downe with the Duke till he had pulled downe somâ— of the Principall of them for he caused the Major and Aldermen to â—e displaced and other put in their roomes a revenge he had better beene without for he never had the love of the City after and to want their love is a kind of banishment Wickliffe himselfe censured by the Bishops to abjure his Opinions chose rather to leave his Country then his Doctrine and going over into Bohemia was there much honoured while he lived and hath beene more since he dyed at least a great part of his Doctrine continues in veneration amongst that people to this day Workes of piety done by him or by others in his time HIs workes of Piety were great and many as the Founding of East Minster an Abbey of the Cisteaâ—â— Order neare the Tower An Abbey for Nunnes at Dâ—rtford in Kent The Kings Hall in Cambridge for poore Schollers An Hospitall for the poore at Callice He conferred upon the University of Oxford where he had himselfe beene trained up under the learned Walter Burley the chiefe rule of the City subordinating the Major and Citizens to the Chancellour of the University He Built Saint Stephens Chappel at Westminster with the endowment of 300. pound per annum He augmented the Chappell at Windsore and made provisions there for Church-men and foure and twenty poore knights These were his publicke workes But besides these his private Buildings were the Castle of Windsore which he re-edified and enlarged the Castle at Quinborough Fortifications at 〈◊〉 and other places His Queen Philippa founded Queens Colledge in Oxford 〈…〉 Countesse of Pembroke the Colledge called Pembroke Hall in Cambridge In this Kings tâ—me Sir Iohn Poultney Major of London built the Colledge in London calâ—â—d 〈◊〉 Lâ—wrence Poultâ—â—y and little Alholloâ—es a Parish Church in Thames street â—â—d also the Carmelite Friers Church in Câ—ventry Henry Earle of Lancaster and 〈◊〉 â—ounded the new Hospitall by the Castle of Leycester wherein a hundred 〈◊〉 impotent people were provided for with all things necessary William Elsing Mercâ—â— of London made a new Hospitall of an old house of Nunnes by Cripplegâ—â—â— and placing Chanons Regular there he became the first Prior thereof Walter 〈◊〉 Bishop of Exeter Founded Exeter Colledge and Hart Hall in Oxford William Bâ—â—eman Bishop of Norwich builded Trinity Hall in Cambridge Simon 〈◊〉 Arch-bishop of Canterbury Founded Canterbury Colledge in Oxford William 〈◊〉 Treasurer of England Founded the Monastery of Edendon the religious brethren whereof were called Bâ—nhommes Sir Walter de Manny borne in Cambray purchased a piece of ground called Spittle Croft containing thirâ—eene Acres withouâ— the barres of West Smithfield and caused the same to be enclosed where he built a Chappell and after Founded the same to be a house of Charter-house Monkes Humphrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex re-edified the Augustine Friers Church in London and was buried in the Quire thereâ— In the two and thirtieth yeare of this Kings Raigne Iohn Stody Major of London gave unto the Vintners of London all the Quadrant where the Vintners Hall now standeth with the Tenements round abouâ— from the lane to this day called Studis laneâ— where are Founded thirâ—eene houses for thirteene poore people which are there kept of charity Also in this Kings time Sir Iohn Cobham Founded the Colledge of Cobham in Kent Iâ—hn Lâ—vekin foure times Major of London builded at Kingston upon Thames where he was borne a Chappell called Magdalens to the which he joyned an Hospitall wherein was a Master two Priests and certaine poore men and for that the Parish Church of Saint Michael by Crooked-lane where he dwelled was a very homely thing and the ground thereabout a filthy plot by reason of the Burchers in Eastcheape who made the same their lay-stall he on the same ground builded the faire new Parish Church of Saint Michael now standing and was buried there in the middle of the Quire under a faire Tombe of stone He also Founded a Colledge to the same Church neare thereunto adjoyning Iohn Barnes Major of London gave a Chest with three locks and a thousand Markes to be lent to young men upon secâ—rity so that it passed not one hundred Markes and for the occupying thereof if he were learned to say at his pleasure De Profundis for the soule of Iohn Barnes if he were not learned to say Pater Noster but howsoever the money is lent the Chest at this day standeth in the Chamber of London without money or pâ—â—dges Thomas of Woodstocke the youngest sonne of King Edward Founded a Colledge at Playsiâ— in Essex where in his life he had providâ—d a sumptuous Tombe where he was first laid but translated afterward to Westminster Casualties happening in his time IN the the two and twentieth yeare of his Raigne a contagious Pestilence arose in the East and South parts of the world and spread it selfe over all Christendome and comming at last into England it so wasted the people that scarce the tenth person of all sorts was left alive There died in London some say in Nâ—rwich betweene the first of Ianuary and the first of Iuly 57374. persons In Yarmouth in oâ—e yeare 7052. men and women before which time the Parsonage there was worth 700. Markes a yeare and afterwards was â—carce worth forty pounds a yeare This Plague beganne in London about Alhollanâ—ide in the yeare 1348. and continued till the yeare 1357. â—here it was observed that those who were borne after the beginning of this mortality had but twenty eight teeth where before â—hey had two and thirty In the twelveth yeare of his Raigne a sudden â—â—undation of water at New-castle upon Tyne bare downe a piâ—ce of the Towne wâ—ll and sixe pearches in length neare to a place called Walkenew where a hundred and twenty men and women were drowned In the five and thiâ—â—ieth yeare of his Raigne another Pestilence hâ—ppâ—ned in England which was called the second Pestilence in which died Henry Duke of Laâ—caster also Reginâ—ld Lord Câ—â—haâ—â— and Walter Fits-warren two famous men and five Bishops of Wâ—rcester of London of Ely of Lincolne and of Chichâ—ster In this Kings time a Frost lasted from the midst of September to
number of Fifty thousand by the setting on of one Iohn Wraw a lewd Priest and these fell to destroying the houses of Lawyers speciallly and Sir Iohn Cavendish L. Chiefe Justice of England they beheaded and set his head upon the Pillory in St. Edmundsbury The like commotion of the Commons was at the same time also in Cambridgeshire in the Isle of Ely and in Norfolke under the guiding of one Iohn Littester a Dyer and to countenance their proceeding the more they had a purpose to have brought William Vfford Earle of Suffolke into their fellowship but he advertised of their intention suddenly rose from suppâ—r and got him away but many other Lords and Knights they compelled to be sworne to them and to ride with them as the Lord Scales the Lord Morley Sir Iohn Brewiâ— Sir Stephen Hales Sr. Robert Salle who not enduring their insolencies had his braines dasht out by a Country Clowne that was his Bondman The rest terrified by this example were glad to carry themselves submissively to their Chieftaine Iohn Litâ—ester who named himselfe King of the Commons and counted it a preferment for any to serve him at his Table in taking the assay of his meates and drinkes with kneeling humbly before him as he sate at meat And now these fellowes upon a câ—nsultation send two choycemen namely the L. Morleâ— and Sir Iohn Brewiâ— with three of their chiefe Commons to the King for their Charter of Manumission and Enfranchising who being on their way at Itchingham not farre from New market they met with Henry Spenser Bishop of Norwich and he examining them if there were any of the Rebels in their company and hearing that thrâ—e of the chiefe were there present he presently caused their heads to be struck off and then pursuing on towards Northwalsham in Norfolke where the Commons stayed for Answer from the King by that time he came thither where he had at first but eight Launces and a small number of Archers in his company his number was so increased that it came to be a compleat Army with which he set upon the Rebels discomfited them and tooke Iohn Littester and their other Chieftains whom he caused all to be executed and by this meanes the Country was quieted After this the Major of Londonâ—ate â—ate in Judgment upon Offenders where many were found culpable and lost their heads amongst other Iack Straw Iohn Kirkeby Alane Tredder and Iohn Sterlâ—ng who gloried that he was the man had slaine the Archbishop Also Sir Robert Tresilian Chiefe Justice was appointed to sit in Judgement against the Offenders before whom above fifteen hundred were found guilty and in sundry places put to death amongst others Iohn Ball Priest their Incendiary of whom it is not impertinent to relate a letter he wrote to the Rebell-rabble of Essex by which we may see how fit an Oratour he was for such an Auditory and what strength of perswasion there was in Non-sence Iohn Sheepe St. Mary Priest of Yorke and now of Colchester greeteth well Iohn Namelesse and Iohn the Miller and Iohn Carter and biddeth them that they beware of guile in Borough and stand together in Gods name and biddeth Piers Plowman goe to his work and chastise well Hob the robber and take with you Iohn Trewman and all his fellowes and no moe Iohn the miller ye ground small small small the Kings Sonne of Heaven shall pay for all Beware or ye be woe Know your friend from your foe Have enough and say Ho and doe well and better Flee sinne and seeke peace and hold you therein and so biddeth Iohn Trewman and all his fellowes Neither is it impertinent to declare the Confession of Iack Straw at his execution When we were assembled said he upon Blackheath and had sent to the K. to câ—me to us our purpose was to have slaine all Knights and Gentlemen that should be about him and as for the King we would have kept him amongst us to the end the people might more boldly have repaired to us and when we had gotten power enough we would have slaine all Noblemen and specially the Knights of the Rhodes and lastly we would have killed the King and all men of possessions with Bishops Monkes Parsons of Churches onely Friers Mendicants we would have spared for administration of the Sacraments Then we would have devised Laws according to which the people should have lived for we would have created Kings as Wat Tyler in Kent and other in other Countries and the same evening that Wat Tyler was killed we were determined to set fire in foure corners of the City and to have divided the spoyle amongst us and this was our purpose as God may helpe me now at my last end For his service done in this seditious businesse the King knighted the Major William Walworth and gave him a hundred pounds a yeere in Fee also he knighted five Aldermen his brethren girding them abouâ— the waste with the girdle of knighthood which was the manner of Graduating in those dayes And to doe the City it selfe honour he granted there should be a Dagger added to the Armes of the City for till this time the City bore onely the Crosse without the Dagger And now all parts being quiet the King by Proclamation revoked and made void his former Charters of Infranchising the Bondmen of the Realme and that they should stand in the same condition they were before In the time of this sedition the Duke of Lancaster had been sent into Scotland to keep the Scots quiet who so carried the matter that before the Scots heard of the Sedition a Truce was concluded for two or three yeeres But the Duke comming back to Berwick was denied by the Captaine Sir Matthew Redman to enter the Towne because of a Commandement given him by the Earle of Northumberland L. Warden of the Marches not to suffer any person to enter the same which the King indeed had appointed to be done forgetting the Duke of Lancaster that was then in Scotland but howsoever this bred such a spleen in the Duke against the Earle that at his comming home he laid many things to the Earles charge and the Earle as stoutly answered his objections and so farre it proceeded that both of them came to the Parliament which was then beginning with great numbers of Armed men and themselves in Armour to the great terrour of the people but the King wisely taking the matter into his owne hands made them friends At which time the Lady Anne Sister to the Emperour Winceslâ—us and affianced wife to the King was come to Callis whereupon the Parliament was Prorogued the Lady was brought to London joyned in mariage to the King and Crowned Queene at Westminster by the Archbishop of Canterbury with great solemnity After the Mariage the Parliament began againe in which William Vfford Earle of Suffolke being chosen by the Knights of the Shires to deliver in behalfe of the Commonwealth certaine matters concerning the same
the very day and houre in which he should have done the businesse as he went up the staires towards the upper House he suddenly fell down and dyed having been merry and well before to all mens judgements About this time the Lord Scroope was deposed from the Chancellourship for refusing to seale some Grants which the King had made and the King receiving the great Seale at his hands kept it a certaine time and sealed with it such Grants and Writings as he pleased till at length it was delivered to Robert Braybrooke Bishop of London who was made Lord Chancellour Henry Spenser Bishop of Norwich had lately with the Kings leave raised an Army and was gone into France in behalfe of Pope Vrban against the Anti-pope Clement and entring first into Flaâ—ders he tooke and sacked many Townes at last besieged Ypres till by an Army of French greater then was thought could have been raised in France he was forced to raise his siege and then passing divers places he came to Grâ—â—eling from whence he writ to King Richard that if ever he meant to try battell with the French now was the time The King was at that time at Dayntrie in Northâ—mptonshire and being at supper when the word was brought him he instantly rose from the Table got to horse-back and rode in Post with such speed that he came to St. Albans about midnight where making no stay but while he borrowed the Abbots Gelding he hasted forth till he came to Westminster as though he had meant never to rest till he had given battell to the French-men but after he had taken councell of his pillow his minde was altered and hâ— thought it better to imploy some other then to goe himselfe so the Duke of Lancaster is thought the fittest man but he protracted the time so long in making preparation thâ—t before he could be gone the Bishop was come away And this indeed is the condition of many to spend so much time in preparing that they utterly lose all opportunity of acting like to men that are putting on their cloathes so long till it be time to put them off againe Shortly after a Truce was concluded between Fraâ—ce and England to endure till the Feast of St. Michael which should be in the yeere 1384. Of Acts done after He came of Age. THe Scots in this meane time had made Roades into England and taken and burnt divers Townes upon the Borders whereupon the Duke of Lancaster with his Brother the Earle of Buckingham is sent with a mighty Army to represse them but having entred Scotland and not able to draw the Scots to a Battell they onely burnt certaine Townes and then returned About this time an Irish Frier of the Order of the Carmelites charged the Duke of Lancaster with heynous crimesâ— as that he intended to destroy the King and usâ—rpe the Crowne shewing the time the place and other circumstances of the whole plot But the Duke called to his Answer so cleered himselfe aâ— least gave such colours of cleering that the Accuser was committed to the custody of Iohn Holland the kings halfe-brother till a day appointed for further tryall The niâ—ht before which day the said Lord Holland and Sir Henry Greene are said to have come to this Frier and putting a cord about his neck tyed the other end about his privy members and after hanging him up from the ground laid a stone upon his belly with the weight whereof his very back-bone burst asunder thereby putting him to a most tormenting death An act not more inhumane then unadvised for though it took away the Accuser yet it made the Accusation more suspitious At this time though a Truce had been made with the Scots yet they would not be quiet but entred and wonne the Castle of Barwick whereof the Earle of Northumberland was Captaine but had committed the keeping of it to another for which being blamed he went against them with an Army but took an easier course for with the summe of two thousand markes he bought them out and had the Castle surrendâ—ed into his hands againe The king upon some new displeasure being now incensed against the Duke of Lancaster had a purpose to have him arrested and arraigned of certaine points of Treason before Sir Robert Tresilian Chiefe Justice though he ought to be tryed by his Peeres but the Duke having intimation hereofâ— got him to his Castle of Pomfret and stood upon his guard till the Kings mother notwithstanding her indisposition of body by reason of her corpulency riding to and fro betwixt them pacified the King and made them friends In the ninth yeere of K. Richards Reigne the French-king sent the Admirall of France into Scotland with a Thousand men of Armes besides Crosse-bowes and others to ayde the Scots against the English with which ayde the Scots encouraged enter the English Borders whereof K. Richard advertised himselfe with a mighty Army enters Scotland and comming to Edingborough and finding all the people fledâ— he set fire on the houses burnt the Church of S. Giles onely Holy-Rood-house was spared at the Duke of Lancasters suit in remembrance of friendship he had formerly received in that house The Scots by no meanes could be drawn to any Battell buâ— to divert the Kings Army they entred Cumberland and besieged Carlile whereby the valour of Sir Lewis Clifford and Sir Thomas Musgrave they were repelled and hearing of the Kings Army comming towards them and fearing to be inclosed they drew back into Scotland and the King returned into England But in this meane while the English of Callis tooke many prizes of French ships at Sea and many Booties also by land at one time foure thousand sheep and three hundred head of great Cattell This yeere the King called a Parliament at Westminster where he created two Dukes one Marquesse and five Earles Edmund of Langly Earle of Cambridge the Kings Unkle was created Duke of Yorke Thomas of Woodstock Earle of Buckingham his other Unkle Duke of Glocester Robert Veere Earle of Oxford was made Marquesse of Dublin Henry of Bullingbrooke sonne of Iohn of Gaunt was created Earle of Darby Edward Plantagenet sonne to the Duke of Yorke was made Earle of Rutland Michael de la Poole Chancellour of England was created Earle of Suffolke and Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham was made Earle Marshall Also by aâ—thority of this Parliament Roger Mortimer Earle of March sonne and heire of Edmund Mortimer and of the Lady Philip eldest daughter and heire to Lionell Duke of Clarence third sonne to king Edward the Third was established heire apparent to the Crowne of the Realme and shortly after so Proclaimed but going into Ireland to his Lordship of Vlster was there by the wilde Irish slaine This Roger Earle of March had issue Edmund Roger Anne Alice and Eleanor which Eleanor was made a Nun The two sonnes dyed without issue Anne his eldest daughter was maried to Richard Earle of Cambridge sonne to Edmund of
Chancellour owed him and if he were so tender of him that he could not finde iâ— his heart to doe it himselfe they would doe that work for him and thereupoâ— charged him with such crimes that all his goods were confiscate and himselfe adjudged to dye if the king so pleased though some write his sentence was onely to pay a Fine of twenty thousand markes and a thousand pounds yeerly beside Upoâ— this provocation the opposite side seek present revenge It is devised that the Duke of Glocester as principall and other Lords that crossed the kings courses should be invited to a Supper in London and there be murthered In the execuâ—â—on of which plot the former Lord Major Sir Nicolas Brember had a speciall handâ— but the present Major Richâ—rd Exton moved to it by the king would by no meanâ—â— consent and thereupon the plot proceeded not But for all these harsh straines and many such other that passed this Parliament a Subsidie was at length granted to the king of halfe a Tenth and halfe a Fifteenth but with condition that 〈◊〉 should not be issued but by order from the Lords and the Earle of Arundâ—ll was appointed to receive it But before this time both Houses had directly agreed that unlesse the Chancellour were removed they would meddle no further in the Pâ—â—liament The king advertised hereof sent to the Commons that they should seâ—â— unto Eltham where he then lay forty of their House to declare their mindes 〈◊〉 him but upon conference of both Houses it was agreed that the Duke of Gloâ—â—stâ—r and Thomas Arundell Bishop of Ely should in the name of the Parliament goe unto him who comming to the king declared That by an old Statute the king once a yeere might lawfully summon his Court of Parliament for reformation of all corruptions and enormities within the Realme and further declared That by an old Ordinance also it was Enacted That if the king should absent himself 40 dayes not being sick the Houses might lawfully break up and returne home At this the king is said to say Well we perceive our people goe about to rise against us and therefore we thinke we cannot doe better then to aske ayd of our Cosin the king of France and rather submit us to him then to our own Subjects To which the Lordâ— answered They wondred at this opinion of his Majesty seeing the French king was the antient Enemy of the kingdome and he might remember what mischiefes were brought upon the Realme in king Iohns time by such a course By these and the like perswasions the king was induced to come to the Parliament and soon after Iohn Fortham Bishop of Durham is discharged of his Office of Lord Treasurer and in his place was appointâ—d Iohâ— Gilberâ— Bishop of Hereford a Frier of the order of Preachers also Michael de la Pâ—â—le Earle of Suffolke is discharged of his Office of Chancellour and Thomas Aruâ—dell Bishop of Ely by consent of Parliament placed in his roome Also by Order of Parliament thirteen Lords were chosen to have oversight under the king of the wâ—ole government of the Realme of which thirteen there were three of the New-Officers named as the Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellour the Bishop of Hereford Lord Treasurer and Nicolas Abbot of Wâ—ltham Lord keeper of the Privy Seale The other ten were William Archbishop of Câ—â—terbury Alexander Archbishop of York Edmund of Lâ—ngley Duke of York Thomaâ— Duke of Glocester William Bishop of Winchester Thomas Bishop of Exeter Richâ—rd Earle of Arundell Richard Lord Scrâ—â—pe and Iohn Lord Devereux But this participation of the Government being found inconvenient held not long Also in this Parliament it was granted that Robert de Veere lately created Duke of Ireland should have receive to his own use 30000. markes which the French-men were to give for the heires of â—he Lord Charles de Blâ—ys but it was granted upon â—his conditionâ— That before the next Easter he should passe over into Ireland to recover such lands as the King had there given him so desirous the Lords and Commons were to have him removed from the Kings presence But though the King gave way to this torrent of the Parliament for the present yet as soone as the Parliament was dissolved he dissolved also all that had been done either against the Lord Chancellour or against the Duke of Ireland or against Alexander Nevil Archbishop of York and received them into more favour then ever he had done before In his Tenth yeere about the Beginning of March Richard Earle of Arundell appointed Admirall and Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham the Earle of Devonshire and the Bishop of Norwich went to Sea with a warlike power of men and â—rmes to watch for the Fleet of Flanders that was ready to come from Rochell with wines and meeting with them they set upon them and tooke of them to the number of a hundred Vessels all fraught with wines so as wine grew so plentifull that it was sold for thirteen shillings foure pence the Tonne and the best and choysest for twenty shillings Besides this they landed in Flanders where they relieved and fortified Brest and demolished two Forts which the Enemy had built against it But this happy service of the Earle of Arundell the Duke of Ireland the Earle of Suffolke Sir Simon Burley and Sir Richard Sturrey who continued still about the King seemed rather to envy then to commend insomuch that when the Earle of Nottingham that had ever been the Kings play fellow and of equall age to him came to the Court he was neither received by the Duke of Ireland with any good welcome nor by the King with any good countenance and therefore indeed not by the King with any good Countenance because not by the Duke of Ireland with any good Welcome About this time the Duke of Ireland sought to be divorced from his lawfull wife daughter to the Lady Isabel one of king Edward the third's daughters and took to wife one Lancerona a Vintners daughter of Bohemia one of the Queenes maids at which indignity the Duke of Glocester that was unkle to the Lady thus forsaken tooke great displeasure which the Duke of Ireland understanding studied how by some meanes he might dispatch the Duke of Glocester out of the way Easter was now past the time appointed for the D. of Irelands going over into Ireland when the King with a shew to bring him to the waters side went with him into Wales and in his company Michael de la Poole Earl of Suffolke Robert Tresilian L. Chieâ— Justice and divers others who there consulted how they might diâ—patch the Duke of Glocester the Earles of Arundel Warwick Dâ—rby Nottingham with divers others of that Faction but when the King had remained in those parts a good while he returned and brought back the Duke of Ireland with him and so his voyage into Irelâ—â—d was cleane forgotten About the same time Robert Tresilian Chiefe Justice came to
Coventry where he Indicted two thousand persons The King and the Queene came to Groby and thither came by his Commandement the Justices of the Reâ—â—me Robert Belknap Lord Chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas Iohn Holt Râ—ger Fulthorpe and William Borough knights to whom it was propounded to anâ—wer to these Questions following First Whether the New Statute and Commission made in the last Parliament were against the kings Prerogative or no To which they all answered It was Secondly How they ought to be punished that procured the said Statute and Commission to be made They answered with one assent that they deserved death except the king would pardon them Thirdly How they ought to be punished who moved the King to consent to the making of the said Statute and Commission They answered They ought to lose their lives unlesse the King would pardon them Fourthly How they ought to be punished that comâ—elled the king to the making of that Statute They answered They ought to suffer as Traitours Fiftly Whether the king might cause the Parliament to proceed upon Articles by him limited before they proceeded to any other They answered That in this the king â—hould over-rule and if any presumed to doe contrary he was to be punished as a Traitour Sixthly Whether the king might not at his pleasure disâ—olve the Parliament and command the Lords and Commons to depart They all answered He might Seventhly Whether the Lords and Commons might without the kings will impeach Officers and Justices upon their offences in Parliament or no It was answered They might not and he that attempted contrary was to suffer as a Traitour Eightly How he is to be punished who moved in the Parliament that the Statute wherein Edward the Second was indicted in Parliament might be sent for by iâ—spection of which Statute that present Statute was deâ—ised It was answered That as well he that moved it as he that brought the 〈◊〉 into the House were to be punished as Traitours Ninthly Whether the Judgement given in Parliament against Michael de la Poâ—le were erronious and revocable They answered It was erronious and revocableâ— and that if the Judgement were now to be given the Justices would not give the same In witnesse of the Premises the Justices aforesaid to these Presents have set their Seales in the presence of Alexander Archbishop of Yorke Robâ—â—t Arcbishop of Dublin Iohn Bishop of Durham Thomas Bishop of Chester Iohn Bishop of â—â—ngâ—r Robert Duke of Ireland Michael Earle of Suffolk Iohn Ripon Clerk and Iohn Blake At this time the Londoners incurred much obloquie For having before beene pardoned by the king of some crimeâ—â—aid to their charge they were now ready to comply with the king in his desires and thereupon being impannelled they indicted some Lords of many crimes informed against them But not onely the Justices aforesaid but all other Justices and Sheriffes of the Realme were called at this time to Nottingham the chiefe cause was to understand what power of men they could assure the king of to serve him against the Lords and further that where he meanâ— shortly to call a Parliament they should so use the matter that no knight or Burgesse should be chosen but such as the King and his Councell should name To which the Sheriffes made answer that it lay not in their power to assemble any forces against the Lords who were so well beloved And as for choosing knights and Burgesses the Commons would undoubtedly look to enjoy their antient liberties and could not be hinâ—ered But yet the king and the Duke of Ireland sent into all parts of the Realme to raise men in this quarrell against the Lords Whereof the Duke of Glocester being advertised he came secretly to Conference with the Earles of Arundell Warwick and Darby who upon consultation determined to talke with the king with their Forces about them and the king on the other part tooke advice how he might apprehend them apart and thereupon sent the Earle of Northumberland and others to the Castle of Rygate to take the Earle of Arundell who lay there at that time but howsoever it fortuned they faâ—â—ed of their purpose After this he sent others to apprehend him but he being warned by a messenger from the Duke of Glocester conveyed himselfe away by night and by morning was come to Haringey-Parke where he found the Duke of Glocester and the Earle of Warwick with a great power of men about them The king hearing of this Assembly at Hariâ—gey-Parke called his Councell to heare their opinions what was fit to be done Some were of opinion that the king should assemble his friends and joyning them with the Londoners give them battell the chiefest of this minde was the Archbishop of York Others thought best the king should seeke to appease the Lords with faire promises till a fitter opportunity to suppresse them But the king not yet resolved what course to take caused onely order to be taken that no Citizen of Londâ—n should sell to the Duke of Glocester the Earle of Arundell or to any other of the Lords any armour or furniture of warre under a great paine But for all this the Lords proceeded in their course and sent the Arcbishop of Canterbury the Lord Iohn Lovell the Lord Cobham and the Lord Iohn Devereux requiring to have delivered to them such as were about the king that were Traitours and Seducers both of him and the Realme and further to declare that their Assembling was for the honour and wealth both of him and the kingdome The Duke of Ireland the Earle of Suffolk and two or three other about the king perâ—wadâ—d him to offer Callâ—â— to the king of France to have his assistance against the Lords Withall the king seat to the Major of London requiring to know how many able men the City could make To which the Major answered that he thought it could make Fifty thousand men at an houres warning Well then said the king goe and prove what will be done But when the Major went about it he was answered They would never fight against the kings friends and defenders of the Realme At the same time the Earle of Northumberland said to the king Sir there is no doubt but these Lords have alwaies been and still are your true and faithfull subjects though now distemper'd by certaine persons about you that seeke to oppresse them therefore my advice is that you send to them to come before your presence in some publick place and I verily believe they will shew such reasons of their doings that you will hold them excused The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellour and other of the Bishops there present approved all of the Earles advice whereupon the king sent the Archbâ—shop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely to the Lords requiring them to come to him to Westminster on Sunday then next following which upon oath given by the Archbishop and the Chancellour that no fraud nor
evill practice should be used against them they were content to doe But when the Lords were ready to come at the day appointed they heard of an Ambush laid to intrap them at the Mewes and thereupon stayed so as they came not at the time appointed Whereupon the king asking why they came not according to their promise It was answered because hee kept not his promise there being an Ambush of a Thousand armed men laid to surpâ—ize them at the Mewes The king hearing this was astonied and swore he knew of no such thing and commanded presently the place should be searched but it was true an ambush was laid but not at the Mewes but in a place aâ—out Westminster where Sir Thomas Tryvet and Sir Nicholas Brember had assembled them This one action might have made the king sensible of his favorites abusing his authority but that where affection makes the construction all things are taken in a good sense or was it perhaps they had a VVarrant dormant to prosecute the kings ends without the kings knowledge Yet the Lords after this receiving a safe conduct from the king came to Westminster of whose comming when the king heard hee apparelled himselfe in his royall-Robes and with his Scepter in his hand came into the great Hall before whom the Lords upon their knees presented themselves the king bidding them welcome and taking each of them by the hand Then the lord Chancellor making a speech wherein he blamed them for raysing of Armes and requiring to know the cause they answered They had done it for the good of the King and kingdome and to take away the Traâ—tors about the King Upon this the king himself spake asking him whether they thought to compel him by strong hand have not I saith he sufficieÌ„t men to beat you down truly in this behalf I make no more account of you then of the basest skullion in my kytchin yet after these great words he lift up the Duke of Glocester who all this while was kneeling and commanded the rest also to rise and then led them courteously to his chamber where they sate and dranke together And finally it was concluded they should all meete againe as well these Lords as those they accused at the next Parliament which the king promised to call speedily and each party to receive there according to Justice and in the meane time all parties to be in the kings protection But when the Favorite Lords heard this they told the king plainly they neither durst nor would put themselves to the hazard of such a meeting and therfore the Duke of Ireland and the rest of that faction left the Court to bee out of the way But the king not enduring their absâ—nce appâ—lâ—ted Thomas Mollineux Constable of â—he castle of Chester to rayse an Army and to safe-conduct the duke of Ireland to him But â—â—ey being come as far as Radcoat-bridge were encounâ—red by the Earle of Darby and the Duke of Ireland not dâ—ring to joyne battell with him fled and being to passe a River cast away his gantlets and sword to bee the more nimble and giving his horse the spur leapt into the river and so escaped that when these things were afterwards found it was verily thought hee had been drowned till news came he was got into Holland where being no very welcome guest hee went from thence into the Bishoprick of Vtricht and after two or three yeeres scambling about in manner of a fugitive at Lovaine in Brabant he ended his life A man of many good parts and worthy enough of his Princes favor if with that favor he had not grown proud and in that pride injurious and insulting over others no lesse deserving then himselfe Hee was valiant enough against any man but the Earle of Dâ—rby and of him indeede both the Genius of the Duke of Ireland and of King Richard himselfe seemed to stand in feare for neither of them durst meet him in the field though encouraged to it by those about them About this time the Duke of Suffolke doubting some plots laid to surprize him fled over to Câ—llis in disguise shaving his beard and counterfeiting himselfe a Poulterer to sell certain foule which hee had gotten but being come to Callis was by the Lord William Beauchampe Deputy of the Town sent back into England whom the King notwithstanding permited to goe at large to make it be thought hee was more afraid then hurt more suspicious then he needed By this time the Lords hâ—d gotten matter enough against the King at least to justifie their Armes and thereupon with an Army of forty thousand men they came to London where after some debate they were received and then the Duke of Gloucester the Earles of Darby and Nottingham went to the King in the Tower to whom after humble salutations they shewed the Letter which he had written to the Duke of Ireland to levy an Army for their destruction likewise the Letters which the French King had written to him conteining a safe conduct for him to come into France there to doe Acts to his own dishonor and the kingdoms This done upon the Kings promise that he would come the next day to Westminster to treate further of these matters the Lords departed only the Earles of Nottingham and Darby at the Kings instance stayed all night but before the King went to bed his minde was cleane altered for keeping his promise to meete the Lords the next day at Westminster which the Lords understanding they sent peremptorily to him that if he came not according to his promise they would choose another king that should hearken to the faithfull Counsell of his Lords This touched the king so to the quick that the next morning he went and met the Lords who there declared to him how much it concerned the good of the kingdome that those Traitours so often spoken of should be removed from the Court To which the king though much against his will yet at last condiscended And thereupon presently Alexander Nevil Archbishop of York and Thomas Rushoke Bishop of Chichester and Confessour to the king were expelled the Court who not willing to come to after-reckonings fled no man knew whither They expelled also Iohn Fourdham Bishop of Durham Lord Treasurer the Lord Zouch of Haringworth the Lord Burvell the Lord Beaumont Albery de Veere Baldwin de Bereford Richard Adderbury Iohn Worth Thomas Clifford and Iohn Lovel knights but constreined to put in Sureties to appeare at the next Parliament Also certaine Ladies were expelled the Court as the Lady Poynings the Lady Mouling and others bound to appeare at the next Parliament There were also arrested and committed to severall Prisons Sir Symon Burley William Elmham Iohn Beauchamp Steward of the kings house Sir Iohn Salisbery Sir Thomas Trivet Sir Iames Berneys Sir Nicolas Dagworth and Sir Nicolas Brember knights Also Richard Clifford Iohn Lincolne Richard Mitford the kings Chaplains Nicolas Sclake Deane of the kings Chappell and Iohn
told the King Their brother perhaps might let fall some unadvised words but they knew his heart to be true and faithfull Yet doubting how far the King might presse upon them to answer for their brothers faithfulnes they retired from Court which gave the Dâ—kes enemies time to incense the King farther against him It happened that the Duke of Glocester had with him one day at his house the Abbot of S. Albans that was his Godfather and the Prior of Westminster and after dinner falling in talke with them amongst other communications the Duke required the Prior to tell truth whether he had any Vision the night before To which the Prior was loath at first to make a direct Answer but at last being earnestly requested as well by the Abbot as the Duke he confessed that he had a Vision indeed which was that the Realme of England should be destroyed through the Misgovernance of K. Richard By the Virgin Mary said the Abbot I had the very same Vision Whereupon the Duke presently disclosed to them all the secrets of his minde and by their devices contrived an assembly of divers great Lords of the Realme to meet at Arundell-Castle that day Fortnightâ— at which time he appointed to be there himselfe with the Earles of Dâ—rby Arundell Marshâ—ll and Wâ—rwick also the Archbishop of Canterbury the Abbot of S. Albans the Prior of Westminster with divers others And accordingly all these met at Arundell Castle at the day appointed where receiving first the Sacrament by the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury to be assistant each to other in all such matters as they should determine They resolved to seize upon K. Richard and upon the Dukes of Lancaster and York and commit them to Prison and all the other Lords of the Kings Councell they determined should be drawne and hanged But the Earle Marshall that was Deputy of Calliâ— and had maried the Earle of Arundels daughter discovered all their Counsell to the King who thereupon by a plot devised by his Councell tooke his brother the Earle of Huntington with him and rising from supper rode that night to the Duke of Glocesters house at Plashey in Essex When the King came thither the Duke was a-bed but informed of it cast his cloake about his shoulders and came down bidding the Kings Grace with all reverence welcome The King courteously requested him to goe and make him ready for that he must needs ride with him a little way to conferre of some busines The Duke presently made him ready and came downe and as soone as the King and his Company was gone a little way from the house and the Duke with him the Earle Marshall arrested the Duke as he had been appointed to doe by the King who immediately was sent to Callis where after some time he was dispatched of his life either strangled or else smothered with pillowes as some write At the very same time was the Earle of Arundell apprehended by the Earles of Rutland and Kent the Earle of Warwick also when the King had invited him to dinner and shewed him very good countenance was taken and arrested in the place As likewise at the same time were apprehended and committed to the Tower the Lord Iohn Cobham and Sir Iohn Châ—yny Shortly after the King procured them to be indicted at Nottingham suborning such as should appeale them in Parliament namely Edward Earle of Rutland Thomâ—â— Mowbray Earle Marshall Thomâ—s Holland Earle of Kent Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington Thomas Beaufort Earle of Somerset Iohn Montacute Earle of Salisbury Thomas L. Spenser and the Lord William Scroope L. Chamberlaine and in the meane time the King sent for a Power of Cheshiâ—â— men to keep Watch and Ward about his person On the 17. of September a Parliament began at Westminster wherein the King complained as well of many things done by the Lords in his Minority as also of the hard dealing which they had used towards the Queen who was three houres at one time on her knees before the Earle of Arundell for one of her Esquires named Iohn Calverley who neverthelesse had his head smitten from his shoulders and all the answer she could get was this Madame pray for your selfe and your Husband and let this suit alone Those that set forth the Kings grievances in this Parliament were Iohn Bushie William Bagot and Thomas Greene. The cause of aâ—sembling the Parliament was shewed that the King had called it for reformation of divers transgressions against the Peace of his Land by the Duke of Glocester the Earles of Arundell Warwick and others Then Sir Iohn Bushie Speaker of the Parliament made request on behalfe of the Commonalty that they might be punished according to their deservings and specially the Archbishop of Canterburyâ— who then â—ate next the king whom he accused of high Treason When the Archbishop began to answer Sir Iohn Bushie besought the king that he might not be admitted to answer lest by his great wit and cunning he might lead men away to believe him And here Sir Iohn Bushie in all his talke did not attribute to the king Titles of honour due and â—ccustomed but such as were fitter for the Majestie of God then for any Earthly Prince And when the Archbishop was constrained to keepe silence Sir Iohn Bushie proceeded requiring on the behalfe of the Commons that the Charters of Pardon granted to the Duke of Glocester and the Earles of Arundell and Warwick should be revoked The king for his part protested that they were drawne from him by compulsion and therefore besought them to deliver their opinions what they thought thereof whereupon the Bishops first gave their sentence that the said Pardons were revocable and might be called in but pretending a scrupulosity as if they might not with safe consciences be present where Judgement of Blood should passe they appointed a Lay-man to be their Prolocutor for that turne The Temporall Lords likewise gave their sentence that the Pardons were revocable onely the Judges and Lawyers were not of this opinion But howsoever the Archbishop of Câ—nterbury is hereupon condemned to perpetuall Exile and appointed to avoyd the Realme within sixe weekes Also the Earle of Arundell is by the Duke of Laâ—caster who sate that day as High Steward condemned of Treason and on the Tower-hill beheaded There went to see the execution divers Lords amongst whom was the Earle of Nottingham that had maried his daughter and the Earle of Kent that was his daughters sonne to whom at the place of his execution he said Truly it would have beseemed you rather to bee absent then here at this businesse but the time will come ere long that as many shall marvell at your misfortune as they doe now at mine After his death a Fame went that his head was grown to his body againe whereupon the tenth day after his buriall his body by the kings appointment was taken up and then found to be a Fable After this the Lord Thomas
to deliver Mortimer but the King was deafe of that eare he could rather have wished both him and his two Sisters in heaven for then he should be free from conceal'd competitours These affronts were at this time suffered in the Welch because the King was now employed in a more dangerous service with the Scots for they taking advantage of the distraction in the kingdome as it was alwayes their custome to do had made an In-rode into the County of Northumberland and suddenâ—y one night set upon the Castle of Werke tooke and spoiled it and then returned In revenge wherof the English invaded and spoiled certain Islands of the Orknâ—ys Then the Scots set forth a Fleet under the conduct of Sir Robert Logon but before he came to any action he was encountred and the greatest part of his Fleet taken But these were but such affronts as often happen between troublesome neighbours for all this while the Peace was still in being between the Nations but at last it brake out into an open warre upon this occasion Robert King of Scots had offered to match his Son David with a Dâ—ughter of Geoâ—ge Earle of Dunbarre and had received money of him in part of her portion and afterward would neither suffer the March to proceed nor yet pay back the money but married his Son to a Daughter of Archibold Earle of Dâ—â—glasse Upon which indignity George of Dunbarre flyes into England to king Henry and with his ayd makes divers incursions into Scoâ—land Whereupon Roberâ— king of Scots sent to king Henry that if he would have the Truce between them to continue he should deliver to him George of Dunbarre King Henry answered that he had given him a safe conduct and could not now recall it with his Honor but as for continuing the Truce king Robert might do in that what he thought bestâ— Upon this answer the king of Scots presently proclaimed warre against him But king Henry as ready in that matter as he stayed not for king Roberts invading of England but himselfe with a puissant Army invaded Scotland burning Castles and Cities and not sparing Churches and Religious Houses About the end of September he besieged the Castle of Maydens in Edenbourgh where Prince David and the Earle Dowglasse were At which time Robert Duke of Albanye who in the king of Scots sicknesse managed the businesse sent an Herald to king Henry protesting upon his honor that if he would stay but six dayes he would give him battell K. Henry rewarded the Herald and stayed but six times six dayes passed but neither Duke of Albany nor any other for him appeared And now winter came on Victualls grew scant and which was worst a mortality began in the Englâ—sh Campe For which causes king Henry removed his Siege and retuâ—ned iâ—tâ— England As soone as he was gone sir Patrick Hebborne a Scottishman having a good opinion of his valour thought to do great matters and with a competent Army of the men of Lâ—â—gh-deane he invaded Northumberland making great spoile and loading his Soulâ—diers with prey and prisoners but in the Retreit marching loosely and licentiously was set upon by the Earle of Northumberland Vice-warden at a Towne called Neshye where Hebborne himselfe and all the floure of Lâ—ugh-deane were flaine sir Iohn and William Cockburne sir William Busse Iohn and Thomas Hablington Esqâ—ires and a multitude of common Souldiers taken prisoners On the Englâ—sh part few slâ—inâ— and none of any ranke or quality In revenge whereof Archibold Dowglasse with an Army of twenty thousand entred Northumberland but at a place called Homâ—ldon were encountred by the English under the leading of Henry Lord Percye sirnamed Hoâ—spuâ—â—e and George Earle of March who put them to â—light and after the slauâ—hter of ten thousand of them tooke five hundred prisoners whereof the chieft were Mordack Earle of Fife sonne of the Generall who in the fight lost one of his eyes Thomas Earle of Murrey Robert Earle of Aâ—gus the Earls of Atholl and Menliâ—â—â— and amongst the slaine were Sir Iohn Swinton Sir Adam Gourdon Sir Iohn Leviston Sir Alexander Ramsey and three and twenty other knights In this meane time Glendour of Wales had solicited the king of France for ayde who sent him twelve hundred men of quality but the windes were so contrary that they lost twelve of their ships and the rest returned home The English deriding this ill successe of the French so exasperated the French-king that presently after he sent twelve thousand who landed safely and joyned with the Welch but as soone as they heard of the English armies approach whether mistrusting their own strength or suspecting the Welch-mens faithfullnesse they ran to their ships and disgracefully went home King Henry's Ambassadors lately sent into Britaine to fetch the Lady Iane de Navarre Dutchesse of Britiane the relict of Iohn de Montford sirnamed the Conquerourâ— with whom the king by Procurators had contracted Matrimony in the beginning of February returned with her in safety The king met her at Winchester where the seventh of February the marriage was solemnized About this time some affronts were offered by the French Valerian Earle of S. Paul with seventeene hundred men landed in the Isle of Wight where hee burnt two Villages and some few Cottages but hearing the people of the Island to have assembled hee made haste to his ships and returned home Also Iohn Earle of Clermont the heire of Bourbon won from the English the Castles of S. Peter S. Mary and the New-Castle The Lord de la Brett won the Castle of Calâ—â—in places of great consequence to the English And now to make k. Henry sensible that a Crown can hardly ever sit easie upon the head if it be not set on right at first a new Conspiracy is hatching against him The Percies Earls of Northumberland and Worcester with Henry Hotspur began about thiâ— time to fall off from king Henry their reason was First because the king at their request refused to redeeme their kinsman Mortimer from Glendours slavery and then because he denied them the benefit of such prisoners as they had taken of the Scots at Homildon or Nâ—shye whereupon they went of themselves and procured Mortimer's delivery and then entred into a League offensive and defensive with Glendour and by their Proxies in the house of the Arch-deacon of Bangor they agreed upon a Tripartite Indenture under their hands and seales to divide the kingdome into three parts whereby all England from Severâ— and Trent South and Eastward was assigned for the portion of the Earle of March All Wales and the Lands beyond Severâ— VVestward were assigned to Owen Glendour And all the remainder of land from Trent Northward to bee the portion of the Lord Percy In this as Glendour perswaded them they thought they should accomplish a Prophesie as though king Henry were the Mouldwarp cursed of Gods own mouth they three were the Lyon the Dragon and the Wolfe which should divide the Land
Lieutenant of the English pale they were forced to retire and flye The Earle of S. Paul escaped to S. Omers but left many of his men of quality behind him and more taken Prisoners After this Thomas Duke of Clarence the Kings second sonne and the Earle of Kent with competent Forces entred the Haven of Sluce where they burnt foure ships riding at anchour and then returned to the reliefe of Callis besieged at that time by the French and in the way tooke three Carricks of Gâ—noua richly laden and brought them into the Chamber of Rye And these were the troubles of this King abroad But now at home the Reliques of the former Northerne Rebellion began to revive for now Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall the Lords Hastings Fawconbridge and Bardolfe with divers others conspired at a time appointed to meet upon Yorkswould-Downes and there to bid defiance to king Henry Articles of Grievances were framed and set up in all publick places which drew multitudes to be partakers of the enterprize But now Ralph Nevill Earle of Westmeâ—land with the Lord Iohn the Kings third sonne the Lords Henry Fitz-Hughes Ralph Evers and Robert Vmphrevile make head against them and comming into a Plaine in the Forrests of Galltree they sate down right against the Archbishop and his Forces which were twenty thousand and Westmerland perceiving the Enemies forces to be farre more than theirs he used this policie he sent to the Archbishop demanding the reason why he would raise Forces against the king who answering that his Armes were not against the king but for his owne defence whom the king upon the instigation of Sycophants had threatned withall he sent him a scrowle of their grievances which Westmerland read and seemed to approve and thereupon desired a conference with him The Archbishop more credulous then wise perswaded the Earle Marshall to goe with him to the place appointed to conferre the Articles are read and allowed of and thereupon Westmerland seeming to commiserate the souldiersâ— having beene in armour all day and weary wished the Archbishop to acquaint his Party as he would his with this their mutuall agreement and so shaking hands in most Courtly friendship dranke unto him whereupon the souldiers were willed to disband and repaire home which they had no sooner done but a Troâ—p of horse which in a colourable manner had made a shew to depart wheeled about and afterwards returned and being come in â—ight the Earle of Westmerland arrested both the Arcbishop and the Earle Marshall and brought them both Prisoners to the king at Poâ—fret who passing from thence to York the Prisoners likewise were carried thither and the next day both of them beheaded At Durham the Lords Hastings and Fâ—wconbridge with two knights were executed Northumberland with the Lord Bardolfe fled first to Barwick and after into Scotland where they were entertained by David Lord Flemming whereupon the king gave summons to the Castle of Barwick which at first they refused to obey but upon the planting and discharging of a Piece they presently yeelded without composition and here William Greystock Henry Baynton and Iohn Blinkâ—nsop knights and five other were presently put to execution and many others committed to severall Prisons About this time Iames sonne and heire of Robert king of Scotland a childe of nine yeares old attended by the Earle of Orkney as he was sailing into France was taken by certaine Mariners of Norfolk who brought him to the King at Windsor the 30. of March 1408. and the King sent them to the Tower of London Northumberland and Bardolfe after they had been in Wales France and Flanders to raise a Power against King Henry returned back into Scotland and after a yeere with a great Power of Scots entred England and came into Yorkshire making great spoyle and waste as they passed but Sir Thomas Rokesby Sheriffe of Yorke levying the forces of the County upon Bramham-moore gave them battell in which Northumberland was slaine Bardolfe taken but wounded to death and the rest put to flight About this time also Sir Robert Vmphrevile Vice-admirall of England with ten men of warre entred Scotland burnt their Gallyâ—t and many other ships over against Lieth and brought away with him fourteen tall ships laden with corne and other staple commodities which at his returne he sent into the Markets round about and thereby brought down the prizes of all things and purchased to himselfe the name of Mend-market The Prince had been a Student In Queenes Colledge in Oxford under the tuition of his Unkle Henry Beaufort Chancellor of that University afterwards Bishop of Lincolâ—e and Winchester and lastly made a Cardinall by the title of Eusebius From Oxford the Prince was called to Court and the Lord Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester was made his Governour but comming afterward to be at his owne disposing whether being by nature valorous and not yet well stayed by time and experience oâ— whether incited by ill companions and emboldened by the opinion of his owne greatnesse he ranne into many courses so unworthy of a Prince that it was much doubted what he would prove when he came to be Prince Once it is said he lay in wait for the Receivers of his fathers Rents and in the person of a Thiefe set upon them and robbed them Another time when one of his companions was arraigned for felony before the Lord Chiefe Justice he went to the Kings Bench barre and offered to take the Prisoner away by force but being withstood by the Lord Chiefe Justice he stepped to him and struck him over the face whereat the Judge nothing abashed rose up and told him that he did not this affront to him but to the King his father in whose place he sate and therefore to make him know his fault he commanded him to be committed to the Fleete You would have wondred to see how calme the Prince was in his own cause who in the cause of his companion had been so violent for he quietly obeyed the Judges sentence and suffered himselfe to be led to Prison This passage was not a little pleasing to the King to thinke that he had a Judge of such courage and a Sonne of such submission but yet for these and such other pranks he removed him from being President of the Councell and placed in it his third sonne Iohn This made the Prince so sensible of his fathers displeasure that he thought it necessary to seek by al means to recover his â—ood opinion which he endeavored to doe by a way as strange as that by which he lost it for attiring himselfe in a garment of blew Sattin wrought all with Eylet-holes of black silke at every hole the needle hanging by which it was sowed and about his arme a thing in fashion of a hounds collar studded with SS of gold he came to the Court at Westminster to whom the King though not well in health caused himselfe in
withall made the Bishop sweare that if the said Iohn and Gaunt should at any time either directly or indirectly attempt the Crown or that rightfully through want of issue it should devolve unto him that then he should discover this matter and make it known unto the King and Councell Afterward the Queen being dead and the Bishop finding Iohn of Gaunt as he thought too much aspiring he secretly told him this relation and this adjuration of his supposed mother advising him not to seeke higher than a private state for else he was bound by oath to make it known to all the World Thus far the Bishop did well but when he saw the Son of Iohn of Gaunt not only aspiring but possessed of the Crown why did he not then discover it and joyn at least with the Bishop of Caâ—lile in opposing it Certainly we may know that either the whole relation was but a Fable or that Wickham was a Temporizer or that Iohn of Gaunt was a most patient man to suffer the affront of such an indignity with lâ—sse than the death of him that did it But howsoever it was it is certain the Duke bore a mortall grudge to the Bishop who had no way to withstand such an enemy but by making Alice Pierce his friend by whose means after two years he was restored to all his livings and afterward K. Edward being dead and Alice Pierce banished by the means of a greater friend than Alice Pierce his full ourse he obteined in the second year of k. Richard a generall pardon under the Great Seale of England and from that time forward enjoyed a quiet life and dyed in the fourth yeare of this King Henry the fourth being then of the age of above 80 years and lieth buried in the Church of St. Swithenâ— in VVinchester in a monument of his own making in his life time leaving for his heire Thomas Perrot the son of his sister Agnes married to VVilliam Perrot Another great example of the volubility of Fortune in Professors of learning was Roger VValden who dyed in the ninth yeare of this King he was at first a poor Scholler in Oxford and the first step of his rising was to be a Chaplain in the Colledge there of St. Maries from thence by degrees he got to be Dean of Yorke and after this a high step to be Treasurer of England and yet a higher after that upâ—n the banishment of Thomas Arundell to be Archbishop of Canterbury But beinâ— now at the top he came down again for in this kings time Thomas Arundell beiâ—g restored to the Archbishopricke VValden was not only put out of â—hat place 〈◊〉 was called to accompt for the Treasureâ—ship and though he shewed hiâ— quietus est yet all his Temporalties were seized and his person imprisoned till by the mediation of the now Archbishop Arundell he was made Treasurer of Calice and after promoted to be Bâ—shop of London The next place after these is justly due to Geoffry Châ—ucer and Iohn Gower two famous Poets in this time and the Fathers of English Poets in all the times after Chaâ—cer dyed in the fourth yeare of this king and lyeth buried at VVestminster Gower in this kings ninth yeare and was buried in St. Mary Overys Church in Southwarke And now come others to be remembred who lived and died in this kings time Hugh Legate born in Hartfordshire a Monke of St. Albons who wrote Scholies upon Boetius de Consolatione Nicholas Gorham born also in Hartfordshire a Dominick Frier and the French kings Confessor though an Englishman VValteâ— Disse so called of a Town in Norfolke where he was borne Confessor to the Duke of Lancaster Lawrence Holbeck a Monke of Ramsey who wrote an Hebrew Dictionary Iohn Cotton Archbishop of Armagh Richâ—rd Scroope brother to William Scroope Lord Treasurer of England made Archbishop of Yorke and writing an invective against King Henry lost his head William Thorpe an earnest follower of Iohn Wickliffe for which he was committed to Saltwood Castle where he dyed Stephen Patrington born in Yorkâ—shire and Robert Mascall a Carmelite Frier of Ludlow both of them Confessors to king Henry the fifth Boston a Monke of the Abbey of Burie in Suffolke who wrote a Catalogue of all the Writers of the Church and other Treatises Iohn Purvey who was convented for teaching Doctrine conâ—rary to the Church of Rome and compelled to recant Thomas Rudburne Bishop of S. Davids who wrote a Chronicle Nicolas Riston who considering the strife between the then Anti-popes wrote a booke De tollendo schismate Robert Wansham a Monke in Darâ—etshire who wrote a booke in verse Of the Originall and signification of Words Robert Wimbledon an excellent Preacher as appâ—arâ—th by the Sermon he made upoâ— this Text Redde rationem Villicatioâ—is tuae THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FIFTH HENRY of Monmouth so called from the place in Wales where he was born eldest Son of King Henry the fourth succeeded his Father in the kingdom of England to whom the Lords of the Realm swore Homage and Allegiance before he was yet Crowned an honor never done before to any of his Predecessors and afterwards on the ninth of Aprill in the yeare 1412 he was Crowned at Westminster by Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury with all Riâ—es and Solemnities in such case accustomed And as the Scripture speaks of Saul that assoone as Samuel had annointed him King he had a new heart given him and he became another man than he was before So was it with this king Henry for presently after his Coronation he called before him all his old Companions who had been frâ—tres in malo with him strictly charging them not to preâ—ume to come within ten miles of his Court untill such time as they had given good proofe of their amendment in manners and least any of them should pretend want of maintenance to be any cause of their taking ill courses he gave to every one of them a competent meanes whereby to subsist And knowing as he did the fashion of the Scots and Welch that in times of change they would commonly take advaâ—tage to make Inroades upon the Borders he therefore caâ—sed Forts and Bulwarks in fit places to be erected and placed Garrisons in them for preventing or repelling any such incuâ—sions Immediately after this he called a Parliament where a Subsidie was granted without asking and in this Parlâ—ament the Commons began to harp upon their old string of taking away the Temporalties of the Clergie and the Bishops fearing how it might take in the kings ears thought it best to divert him by striking upon another string which they knew would be more pleasing to him which was to shew him the great right he had to the Crown of France And hereupon Chicheley Archbishop of Câ—nterbury in a long narration deduced the kings Right from Isâ—bel Daughter to Philip the fourth married to king Edward the second from whom it discended by direct line to his Majesty and no
hinderance of enjoying it buâ— pretension of the Salâ—que laws which said he was neither according to the law of God nor yet intended at first to that Nation and though his Predecessors by reason of other incumbrances forbore to prosecute their Claime yet he being free from all such incumbrances had no lesse power than right to do it This indeed struck upon the right string of the kings inclination for as he affected nothing more than true glory so in nothing more than in Warlike actions Hereupon nothing was now thought of but the Conquest of France First thereâ—ore he begins to alter in his Arms the bearing of Semy-de-Luces and quarters the three Flower Deluces as the Kings of Fraâ—ce then bare them and that he might not be thought to steale advantage but to do it fairly he sent Embassadours to Charles the sixth then king of France requiring in peaceable manner the surrender of the Crown of Fraâ—ce which if he would yeeld unto then King Henry would take to Wife his Daughter Katherine but if he refused to do it then King Henry would with fire and sword enforce it from him or lose his life The Ambassadorâ— sent were the Duke of Exeter the Archbishop of Dublin the Lord Gray the Lord High Admirall and the Bishop of Norwich with five hundred horse who comming to the Court of Fâ—ance were at first received and feasted with all the honor and shew of kindnes that â—â—ght be but assoone as their message was delivered and that it was knowne what they câ—me about the copy of their entertainment was altered and they were sent away with as little complement as they werâ— before received with honor only told that the king would speedily make Answer to the King their Master by his owne Ambassadors and speedily indeed he did it for the Earle of Vendosme William Bâ—â—â—tier Archbishop of Bourges Peter Fresnel Bishop of Lyseaâ—x with others were arrived in England assoone almost as the Eâ—glish were returnedâ— But being come the Archbishop of Bourges made a long Oration in the praise of Peace concluding with the tender of the Lady Kâ—theriâ—e and 50000 Crowns with her in Dower besides some Towns of no great importance To which King Hâ—â—â—y by the Archbishop of Caâ—terbury made Answer That these offers were trifles and that without yeelding to his demands he would never desist from that he intended and with this Answer the French Ambassadors were dismissed It is sayd that about this time the Dâ—lphiâ— who in the King of France his sicknes managed the State sent to King Henry a Tonne of Tennis Balls in derision of his youth as fitter to play with them then to manage Armâ— which king Heâ—ry tooke in such scorne that he promised with an oath it should not be long ere he would tosse such iron bâ—lls amongst them that the best armes in France should not be able to hold a Racket to râ—turâ—e thâ—m And now all things are prepared and in a readines for the kings journey into France his men shipped and himselfe ready to go on shipbâ—â—rd when sodainly a Treason was discovered against his Person plotted by Richard Earle of Cambridge Hâ—â—â—y Lord Scroope of Masham Lord Treasurer and Thomas Grey Earle of Nâ—â—thuâ—berlâ—â—d and plotted and procured by the French Agents These being apprehâ—â—ded and upon examination confessing the Treason and the money which was sayd to be a Million of Gold by them for that end received were all of them immediately put to death From this Richard Earle of Cambridge second Sonne of Edmund of Lâ—â—gleâ— did Richard afterward Duke of Yorke claime and recover the Crown from the Laâ—castrian Family This execution done and the winde blowing faire king Henry weighs Anchor and with a Fleet of 1200 Sayle Grafton saith but 140 ships but Enguerant saith 1600 attended with six thousand spears and 24000 Fooâ— besides Engineers and labourers he puts to Sea and on our Lady Eve landeth at Caux where he made Proclamation that no man upon paine of death should robbe any Church or offer violence to any that were found â—narmed and from thence passing on he besieged Harâ—lew which when no succour came within certain dayes agreed upon the Town was surrendred and sacked Of this Towne he made the Duke of Exeter Captain who left there for his Lievetenant Sir Iohn Fâ—lstoffe with a Garrison of 1500 men It is said that when king Henry entred Hâ—râ—lew he passed along the streets bare foot untill he came to the Church of St. Martin where with great devotion he gave most humble thanks to God for this his first atchieved Enterprize From thence he marched forward and comming to the River of Soame he found all the Bridges broken whereupon he passed on to the bridge of Sr. Maxenae where 30000 French appearing he pitcht his Campe expecting to be fought with and the more to encourage his men he gave the â—rder of knighthood to Iohn Lord Ferrers of Groby Reynold Graystocke Percy Tempâ—sâ— Christopher Morisby Thomas Pickering William Huddleston Henry Mortimer Iohâ— Hosbalton Philip Hall but not perceiving the Freâ—ch to have any minde to fighâ— he marched by the Town of Aâ—yens to Bowâ—s and there stayed two dayes expecâ—â—ing battell and from thence marched to Corby where the Peasants of the Counâ—ry with certain men of Arms sent from the Dolphiâ— charged the right wing of the English which was led by Hugh Stafford Lord Boâ—rchier and wonne away his Standard but was recovered againe by Iohn Bromeley of Bromeley a Commander in the Loâ—â— Staffords Regiment who with his own hand slew him that had taken the Coloâ—â—â—â— and then taking them up displayed the same with sight whereof the English were so encouraged that they presently roâ—ted the Freâ—ch and put them to flight which valiant exploit the Lord Stafford recompenced by giving to Bromeley an Aâ—â—â—ity of fifty pounds a yeare out of his lands in Staffordshire After this the king marched towards Callice so strictly observing his Proclamation against Church robbingâ— that when one was complained of for having taken a silver Pyxe â—ut of a Church he not only caused the same to be restored but the souldier also to be hanged which point of Discipline both â—ept the reâ—â— from offending in that kinde and drew the people of the Country under hand to relieve his men with all things necessary The French king hearing that king Heâ—ry had passed the River of Sâ—ame by advice of his Councell who yet were divided in opinion sent Montjoy the French king at Arms to defye king Henry and to let him know he should be fought with which king Henrâ— though his Army was much infected with Feavers whereof the Earl of Stafford the Bishop of Norwich the Lords Molines and Burnell were lately deadâ— yet he willingly heard and rewarded the Herald for his meâ—â—age and first having cleered a passage over a bridge where of necessity he was to passe on the 22 of October he passed over with his Army At which time the
Duke of York that led the Rereward had discovered the Enemy to come on â—pace whereof he sent word to the king who thereupon made a stand and appointing his Officers what course to hold and encouraging his Souldiers they all attended when the battell should begin The French Army was divided into three battels in the first were placed eight thousand men at Arms foure thousand Archers and fifteen hundred Crosse-bowes the wings consisting of two thousand two hundred men at Arms this battaile was led by the Constable of France himselfe the Dukes of Orleance and Bourbon the Earles of Ewe Richmond and Vaâ—dosme the Lord Dempier the Lord Admirall of France the Marshall Bouciquale and others The middle Battaile wherein were more men at Arms was commanded by the Dukes of Barre and Alâ—â—soâ— and by the Earles of Vâ—â—monâ— Salings Blamont Grantpee and Rusey In the Rereward weâ—e all the remainder of the French forces guided by the Earles of Mâ—rle Dampmartin Faucoâ—bridge and the Lord Loâ—rey Captaine of Ardy The Frenchmen thus ordered being six times some say ten times as many as the English who were not above nine thousand thought of nothing but of the booty they should get In the meane time king Henry having made choice of a piece of grouâ—d halfe fenâ—ed on his back with the Village wherein they had rested the night before on both sides having strong hedges and ditches begun there to order his battell but first he appointed an ambush of two hundred Archers which upon a watch-word given should discharge their whole flight upon the flanke of the Enemies horse The Vauntguard consisting of Archers only was conducted by the Duke of Yorke who out of an heroicke courage made suâ—e for that place with whom were joyned the Lords Beaumont Willoughby and Fâ—â—hope The maine Battaile was led by the king himselfe which consisted of Bill-men and some Bow-men with him were the Duke of Glocester his Brother the Earle Marshall Oxford and Suffâ—lke The Rereward was led by Thomas Duke of Exeter the kings Uncle consisting of all sorts of weapons the horsemen as wings guarded the companies on both sides The king to prevent the fury of the French Cavallery by the direction of the Duke of Yorke appointed divers stakes studded with iron at both ends of six foot long to be pitched behinde the Archers and appointed Pyoners to attend to remove them as they should be directed These things thus ordered publique Prayers were humbly made and the on-set was presently given by the French horsemen whereupon Sir Walter Orpington according to direction caused the Bow-men behind the â—â—dges to let flie their arrowes which so galled the French horses that either they cast their Riders or through their unrulinesse so opened their Ranks that the right wing of the English horse had way to come in upon the French foot withall the French horse disorderly retiring they were miserably troden down disranked by their own company Upon which the King with his Main-battell came on with such 〈◊〉 that himselfe in person charged the Duke of Alaâ—son by whom he was well neere unhorsed but afterward having first slaine two of the Dukes men he châ—â—ged the Duke againe and with his sword beat him from his horse whom the Kings Guard notwithstanding the King cryed out to the contrary slew outright and with his fall the maine-battell of the French first gave ground then turned their backs and lastly cast away their weapons and fled But then certaine of the French-horsemen that first ran away led on by Robert Bondile and the Captain of Agincourt meaning to wipe away the blot of running away from souldiers by fighting with boyes set upon the Pages and Laundresses that were left in the Campe who gave such a lamentable shreeke that king Henry verily thought some fresh forces had been come whereupon he caused all the arrowes that were sticking in the field to be gâ—â—hered and the stakes to be plucked up and made ready to be againe used amongst which the Duke of Yorks body was found miserably hacked and defaced the fight whereof together with danger of a second Charge made king Henry give oâ—der the Prisoners should be all slaine except onely some principall men whom â—e caused to be bound back to back and so left For which fact though done in cold blood yet the King could not justly be taxed with cruelty seeing the number of the prisoners was more than of his own souldiers and nothing could give assurance of safety but their slaughter But all was not yet done for the Earles of Marle and Fâ—â—coâ—bridge with sixe hundred men at Armes who had stood still all day began now to stir and gave a brave Charge upon King Henries Army but being but few and their horses galled with the stakes they had onely the honour to dye bravely and indeed they slew more of the English than the whole Army had done before And now at last the King being satisfied by the Scouts that no Enemy was more to be seen he asked what the place was called and being told Agincourt Well then said he this shall be from henceforth called the Battell of Agincourt and presently he câ—â—sed the whole Army in their array as they were to give God thankes causing the Clergie there present to sing the Psalme of David In exitu Israel de Aegypto and made Proclamation that every one at the verse Non nobis Domine sed nomini tuâ— dâ— gloriam should kneele downe and the horse-men bow their bodies and then singing Te Deum and other holy Hymnes they marched to the Enemies Camp where the souldiers had liberty given them to take the spoyle A great Victory no doubt but yet a Victory by which the English gained not one foote of ground in France more then they had before and which â—oâ—shelet attributeth not so much to the valour of the English as to the indiscretion of the French who had so streightned the vantguard of their Army and pent them up so close together that they had not roome to draw out their swords so true is that saying Quos Deus vult perdere dementat The next day after the Battayle French Heâ—â—uldâ— came to aske leave to bury their dead and had it and the English Heraâ—lds appointed to make search made returne that there were slayn of the French above ten thousand whereof a hundred twenty six were of the Nobility bearing 〈◊〉 of Knights and Gentlemen of Coat-Armour seven thousand eight hundred seventy foure whereof five hundred were knighâ—ed the night before the Battell of common souldiers about sixteen hundred Amongst the slain of the Nobility were Charles le Brets High Constable Iaques of Chatillon Admir 〈…〉 the great Master of France the Master of the Crossebowes the Dukes oâ— â—â—aâ—son Braâ—â—â—â— and Barre the Earles of Nevers Marle Vaudemont Beaumont Graâ—â—â—ee Rousey Fâ—uconbridge Fâ—ys and Lestreuck There was taken Prisoners Charles Duke of Orleance Iohn Duke of Bourbon the Lords Danvert Fosseux
his Sons only King Heâ—ry the Fifth to be his eldest And now that in him the heroicall nature was come to the height it degenerated againe in King Henry the Sixth which must needs be attributed to the mothers side who though in her selfe she were a Princesse of a noble spirit yet being the issue of a crazie father what marvell if she proved the mother of a crazie issue and yet even this issue of hers a Prince no doubt of excellent parts in their kinde though not of parts kindly for a Princâ— in a private man praise-worthy enough but the sword of a King required a harder mettall than the soft temper of King Henry the sixth was made of and in him we may see the fulfilling of the Text Vae genti cujus Rex est puer Woe to that Nation whose King is a Childe for he was not above eight moneths old when he succeeded his father in the Kingdome although that Text perhaps is not meant so much of a child in years for which there may be helps by good Protectors as of a childe in abilities of ruling whereof though possibly there may yet probably there can be no sufficient supply of which in this King we have a pregnant example for as long as he continued a childe in yeares so long his Kingdomes were kept flourishing by the Providence of his carefull Uncles but assoone as he left being a Childe in years and yet continued a childe in ability of Ruling then presently began all things Iâ— pejus ruere retro sublapsa referri all things went to wracke both in France and England And thus much was necessary to be sayd by way of a Preface to that great fall as it were of Nilus in King Henry the Sixth Henry called of Windsor because borne there the only childe of King Henry the Fifth as yet scarce nine moneths old succeeded his Father and was Proclaimed King of England on the last of August in the yeare 1422 by reason of whose infancie King Henry his Father had before by his Will appointed and now the Lords by their consent confirmed the Regency of France to Iohn Duke of Bedford the Government of England to Humphry Duke of Glocester the Guard of his Person to Thomas Duke of Exeter and Hâ—nry Beauford Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor wherein it was wisely provided that one man should not rule all lest it should prove a spurre to aspiring and withall stay them from envying one another when many were alike placed in the highest forme of authoriâ—y and indeed they all carried themselves so uprightly and carefully in their places that it well appeared the trust reposed in them by the dying King had made a strong impression of love and loyalty towards his Son The Duke of Bedford Regent of France was to keepe that by the sword which King Henry the Fifth by his sword had gotten wherein he had many and great assistants specially the two terrours of France Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury and Iohn Lord Talbot and amongst the French themselves the Duke of Burgoigne a friend no lesse powerfull than firme unto him The Dolphin also now crowned king at Poytiers and called Charles the seventh of France his father being newly dead within little more than a moneth after king Henry had likewise great assistants the Duke of Alanson and many other Peers of France and of the Scoâ—s many and some perhaps of the English that tooke part with him by meanes whereof the game of Fortune was a long time played betweene them with great variety The first act of the Duke of Bedfords Regency was an Oration which he made to the French in Paris which wrought this good effect that king Henry is Proclaimed king of England and of France and such French Lords as were present did their Homages and tooke their oathes to be true unto him The first act of hostility was performed by the new king of France who sends the Lord Granvile to Pont Meulan who surprized it putting all the English Souldiers to the sword but the Regent sending thither Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury so strongly beleaguered it that the Lord Granvile not only surrendred it but swore allegiance though he kept it not to the king of England From thence the Earle marched to Seyne which hee tooke by assault and put all the Souldiers except the Captain Sir William Maryn to the sword At this time the Regent the Duke of Burgoigne Iohn Duke of Brittaine and his brother in law the Earle of Râ—chmond who revolted afterward to the new king of France and was by him made Constable of France met at Amyens and there not only renewed the old League but further enlarged it to be offensive and defensive respectively and to make the friendship the more firme the Regent married Anne the Sister of the Duke of Burgoigne at Troys In this meane time the Parisians taking advantage of the Regents absence conspired to have let in the new king into Paris but the day before the night appointed for his admission the Regent with his power entred apprehended the Conspirators and put them to publicke execution That done he furnished all the Forts and places of strength with Englishmen and sent Sir Iohn Falstaffe who tooke in Pacye and Coursay two strong Castles whil'st himselfe with his forces tooke in Trayâ—els and Brâ—y upon Seyne The Constable of France the meane while with the new kings forces layd siege to Cravant in Burgoigne but the Regent sent thither the Earle of Salisbury who set upon the French and after a long fight putting them to flight slew about 1800 knights and gentlemen of noteâ— and three thousand common Souldiers Scots and French tooke prisoners the Constable himselfe the Earle of Ventadour Sir Alexâ—â—der Alerdyn Sir Lewis Ferignye and two and twenty hundred Gentlemen Of the English part were slaine Sir Iohn Gray Sir William Hall Sir Gilbert Halsall Richard â—p Maddocke and one and twenty hundred Souldiers From thence the Eâ—rle led his forces to Montaguillon and sate downe before it which after five moneths Siege he took whil'st the Duke of Suffolke took in the two strong Castles of Cowcye and le Roche Whil'st these things are done in France in England the Protectour Ransomed and inlarged the young king of Scots Iames the first who by the space of eighteene yeares had been kept a Prisoner which he did out of opinion thâ—t he might withdraw the Scots out of France taking Homâ—ge and fealty of him for the Crown of Scotland in these words Iâ—ames â—ames Sâ—eward King of Scotâ— shall be true and faithfull to you Lord Henry King of England and France the Superiour Lord of Scotlandâ— and to you I make my fidelitie for the sayd Kingdome which I hold and claime of you and shall do you service for the same so God me helpe and these holy Evangelists and therewithall with consent of all the Nobility the Protector gave him to Wife Iane Daughter to the
discharged of his office done of purpose by his enemies to lay a blot upon him A lamentable thing in a State when private envy shall be suffered to undermine the publique safety and by this meanes Sir Thomas Gâ—rard had the more opportunity to sell the Towne for which if he were a gainer in money he was yet a loser in reputation and hated both of French and English in much discontent dyed Arthur Constable of France and Iohn Duke of Alanson besieged the Towne of Aurancâ—es but were with dishonor repelled by the Lord Talbot After this Le Hyre sent Letters to them that he had a promise from divers Burgers of Roâ—â— to let them in at any time appointed against which time they came to Râ—ze within foure leagues of Roan but the Lord Talbot having notice hereof marched covertly to Roaâ— and from thence before day to Ryze where he surprizeth the French takes the Lord Fountaines Sir Allan Geron and many others and with a rich booty returneth to Roan The sixt day of November in the sixteenth year of the Kings Reign the Earle of Warwicke having oftentimes been aboord and still beaten back by tempest landed at Harflâ—w with a thousand fresh Souldiers and from thence came to Roaâ— but in the meane time the Duke of Burgoigne seeing no new Regent yet come besiegâ—th the Towne of Croâ—â—y to the reliefe whereof the new Regent now come sent the Lord Talbot with five thousand men whose approach the Duke not enduring retired to Abâ—evyle leaving onely foure hundred with whom hee had manned the â—â—style by him there erected which was soone gained and all the souldiers either taken or slaine And here the valiant Talbot sent word to the Duke that if he would save his Countrey from vastation he should come to a battell but the Duke not liking the match conveighs himselfe to Aâ—yeâ—s Twenty dayes together did the Lord Talboâ— with fire and sword passe through Piccardie and Arthoâ—s without opposition and then returned Sir Thâ—mâ—â— Kyriell seized upon the Dukes Carriages and Ordnance and having left in Crotoy victuall enough for six hundred men for a whole yeare he brought the rest to the Earle of Warwicke And now Henry Earle of Mortaigâ—e Son to Edmund Duke of Somerset arrived with two hundred Archers and three hundred Spears took the Castle of St. Aâ—yoâ— wherein were three hundred Scots and French the Scots he flew all and hanged the French because they had sworn fealty to England and broke it he tooke likewise the Castle of Algarche and by means of an ambush taketh the Lord Camerois comming to the rescue thereof On the other side the Towns of Neux in Brye and Susan were sold and delivered to the French by the treacherous Burgers In Iune the Earle of Huntingtâ—â— with two thousand Archers and foure thousand Speares was sent into Gascoigne whither the Earle of Danois was lately come to buy Towns and Castles but the Earle of Huntington upon his comming thither changed all the Captains and Officers whereby he prevented all such bargains and so farre had bribery spread it selfe at this time that even in Normandy the English Captaines â—ad but small confidence in the Natives and not much in some of their owne Nation whereupon Sir Richard Woâ—dvile Sir William Chamberlaine and sir William Peâ—o were sent thither to stop the current of that corruption At this time the Councell of France procured a reconcilement between the king and the Dolphin who had beene long in jealousies and dissention which if â—t had not beene done the kingdome had beene torne with Factions and never beene able to subsist And now in a great frost and snow the English under the conduct of Sir Iohn Clifford having covered their Armour with white shirts and their heads with white Almâ—â— skulls came to Ponthois by night and undiscovered past the ditches scaled the walls slew the Guards and tooke the Towne but this good lucke was accompanied with a bad of more importance for presently upon it the Earle of Warwicke dyed in the Castle of Roan and conveyed into England was buried in his Castle of Wâ—rwicke To reduce Pontâ—ois the French King in person layeth siege unto it when Richard Duke of Yorke being the second time made Regent having with him the Earle of Oxford aud the Earle of Ewe levyes a power to raise the Siege and arriving there sends word to the King that the next morning he would give him battell but the King liked not his bidding but leaving his Ordnance at midnight stole away to Poyssy thither also the Regent followes him but with no provocations could draw him to fight About this time a treaty for Peace between the two Kings is appointed to be held at Callis by the mediation of the Dutchesse of Burgoigne a Portugall Lady Commissioners meet of both sides but nothing concluded only the Duke of Orleance who had been prisoner to the English five and twenty years is by the Dutchesse medâ—ation ransomed with three hundred thousand Crowns of the Duke of Burgoignes money The Lord Willoughby besiegeth Deepe which the Dolphin with sixteene thousand men commeth to raise and there young Talbot is taken prisoner with Sir Iohâ— Peto and sir Iohn Repley but are shortly after redeemed by exchange And now another weakning happened to the English party the Earle of St. Paul forsakes them and is reconciled to the King of France The English lay siege to Tartus for the raysing whereof the French King marcheth thither with 60000 men relieveth the Towne and then marcheth to Saveryne which he taketh in and in it Sir Iohn Rampston after which he tooke in Arques but then the English cutting off all convoyes of victualls from comming to him he is forced to returne after whose departure the English recover all that he had taken and to boot take his Lieâ—tenant prisoner slaying or hanging all his Souldiers In this meane while the Lord Talbot taketh in Conquet and driveth the Bastard of Orleance from the siege of Gagliâ—rdâ— but the French in the Castle of Cornhill detained many English prisonersâ— for redeeming of whom Sir Francis the Aragonist used this stratagem he apparelled halfe a dozen lusty fellowes like Peasantsâ— carrying baskets with corne and victualls and sends them to the Castle while he with his company lyes in ambush in a Valley neere the Castle the six unsuspected are admitted and comming to the Captaines chamber seize upon him and withall give the signe to the ambush who comming readily on entred the Castle put the Souldiers to the sword set the prisoners at liberty burnt downe the Castle and with the booty and Captaine of the Castle returned to Roan Whil'st these alternations passed in France a more unnaturall passed in Engâ—and the Uncle riseth against the Nephew the Nephew against the Uncle The Duke of Glocester Articles against the Cardinall charging him with affecting Preheminence to the derogation of the Kings Prerogative and contempt of his Lawes which Articles are delivered to the
King and by him to his Councell who being most of the Clergie durst not meddle in them for offending â—he Cardinall On the other side the Cardinall finding nothing whereof directly to accuse the Duke of Glocester himselfe accuseth his or her selfe the Lady Cothamâ—he â—he Dukes wife of Treason for attempting by sorcery and witchcraft the death of the King and advancement of her husband to the Crown for which though acquiâ—ed of the Treason she is adjudged to open Penance namely to goe with a wax taper in her hand hoodlesse save a kerchiffe through London divers dayes together and after to remaine in perpetuall imprisonment in the Isle of Man The crime objected against her was procuring Thomas Southwell Iohn Hunne Priests Roger Bollingbrockâ— a supposed Necromancer and Margery Iourdan called the Witch of Eye in Suffolkeâ— to devise a picture of waxe in proportion of the king in such sort by sorcery that as the picture consumed so the kings body should consume for which they were all condemned the witch was burnt in Smithfield Bollingbrooke was hanged constantly affirming upon his death that neither the Dutchesse nor any other from her did ever require more of him than onely to know by his art how long the king should live Iohn Hunne had his pardon and Southwell dyed the night before he shouâ—d have been executed About this time the Countesse of Cominges being dead the king of France and the Earle of Arminiack are Competitors for the Inheritance The Earle takes possession but fearing the King of France his greatnesse makes offer of his daughter in mariage to the King of England with a large portion in money and besides to deliver full possession of all such Townes and Castles as were by him or his Ancestors detained in Aquitaine and had been formerly by the Progenitors of the King of England conquered The Ambassadors for this businesse were by King Henry graciously heard and honorably returned after whom were sent Sir Edward Hall Sir Robert Rose and others to conclude all things and the young Lady is by Proxy affianced to king Henry But the king of France not liking the proceeding of the match sendeâ—h the Dolphin with a puissant Army who tooke the Earle with his youngest sonne and both his daughters aud gained the Counties of Arminiack Louverne Rouergue Moulessenois with the Cities of Severâ—e and Cadeack chasing the Bastard of Arminiack out of â—he Country by meanes whereof the mariage was then deferred and left in suspense In this distraction of Christendome many Princes the kings of Spaine Denmark and Hungary became Mediators for a Peace between the two kings of France and England Ambassadors of both sides are sent many meetings were had many motions made but in conclusion onely a Truce for eighteen moneths is agreed upon In the meane time the Earle of Suffolk one of the Commissioners for the Peace takes upon him beyond his Commssion and without acquainting his fellowes to treat of a mariage between the king of England and a kinswoman of the king of France Neece to the French Queene daughter to Raynâ—r Duke of Anjou stiling himâ—elfe king of Sicilie and Naples In which businesse he was so intentive that it brought an aspersion upon him of being bribed but howsoever an Enterview betwixt the two kings is appointed without any warrant of king Henries part to be between Charterâ— and Roan The Commissioners returne the Earle of Suffolk sets forth the beauty of the proposed Bride and the great benefits that would redound to the kingdome by this match The king was easily induced to credit the relation but divers of the kings Councell especially the Duke of Glocester opposed it partly for the meannesse of the match her father being onely a Titular Prince and withall but poore unable to give any portion at all and partly for the wrong which should hereby be offered to the Duke of Arminiacks daughter to whom the king had been in solemne manner publickly affianced But Reasons could not prevaile against favour the Earle of Suffolks affirmation must not be undervalued And hereupon a new creation of Lords first made Iohn Beaufort Earle of Somerset made Duke of Somerset Iohn Lord Talbot made Earle of Shrewsbury Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington made Duke of Exeter Humfry Earle of Stafford made Duke of Buckingham Henry 〈◊〉 Earle of Warwick made Duke of Warwick Edmund Beaufoâ—t Earle of Dorset made Marquesse Dorset and William de la Poole Earle of Suffolke made Marquesse of Suffolke this new Marquesse honorably accompanied is sent into Fraâ—ce to fetch the Lady Margaret the proposed Bride who shortly after is maried at Southwick in Hampshire and crowned Queen of England at Westminster on the 30 day of May 1444 in the three and twentieth yeare of king Henries Reigne And now in stead of benefits by this mariage there presently followed great inconveniences for first in exchange of her person the Dutchy of Anjou the City of 〈◊〉 with the whole County of Mayne the best props of the Dutchy of Normandy are agreed to be surrendred into the hands of the French and then the Duke of Arminiack to revenge the injury offred to his daughter is a meanes to expell the English â—ut of all Aquitaine At this time the Duke of Somersets spleen against the Duke of Yorke not onely is revived but is growne stronger for the Duke of Yorke who was now after the death of the Earle of Warwick made the second time Regent of France is so undermined by him through assistance of the new Marquesse of Suffolke who bore now all the sway with the King and Queen that not onely he supplanted him in his place but planted himselfe in it to the great heart-burning of the Duke of York and his friends but he wisely dissembled his anger and for the present passed it oveâ— And now is no man in grace but the new Marquesse of Suffolk all favours from the King and Queene must passe by him and the extent of his power over-râ—acheth all the Councell He gets of the King the wardship of the body and lands of the Countesse of Warwick and of the Lady Margaret sole daughter and heire of Iohn Duke of Somerset afterward mother to king Henry the seventh And now the kings weaknesse in judgement growes every day more apparent then other whil'st governed by no counsell but of his Queen and she by no counsell but her owne will and the new Marquesse of Suffolke King Henry is himself the least part of the king and serves but to countenance the devices of others whereof he little understands the drifts and which proving ill the blame must be his if well the benefit and honour others For by instigation of the Queene he suffers the Duke of Glocester for his care of the Common-wealth called the good Duke to be excluded not onely from Command but from the Counsell-Table and permits Informers sâ—t on by the Marquesse of Suffolke the Duke of Buckingham the Cardinall Bishop of
whom if the King would be pleased to commit toward till his legall tryall might be had in Parliament he would then not onely dismisse his army but come unto his presence as a loyall subject Hereupon the Duke of Somerset is committed to prison The Duke of Yorke dismisseth his army and commeth in person to the King in whose presence contrary to his expectation he found the Duke of Somerset which so moved him that he could not hold but presently charged him with Treason which the Duke of Somerset not onely denieth but 〈◊〉 aâ—re the Duke of Yorke to have conspired â—he kings death and the usuâ—pation of the Crown whereupon the king removeth to London the Duke oâ— Yorke as a prisoner ryding before him and the Duke of Somerset at liberty which was not a little mervailed at by many And now the king calleth a Councell at Westminster where the two Dukes are earnest in accusing each other but while the Counsell are debating of the matter there comes a flash of lightning out of France which diverted them for the Earl of Kendall and the L' Espar câ—me Embassadours from Burdeaux offering their obedience to the Crown of England if they might but be assured to be defended by it but withall at the same time there came a report that Edward Earle of March sonne and heire to the Duke of Yorke with a great power was marching towards London Here was matter for a double consultation and for this latter it was resolved on that the Duke of York should in the presence of the king and his Nobility at the high Altar in Paulâ— take his Oath of submission and Allegiance to king Henry which he accordingly did and then had liberty to depart to his Castle of Wigmore And for the former the Earle of Shrewsbury with about three thousand men was sent into Gascoigne who ariving in the Isle of Madre passed forth with his power and took Froâ—sack and other pieces but having received in the night instructions from Burdeaux of certaine conspiratours he makes all the speed he can thither and was entred the Town before the French had notice of his comming so that many of them were slaine by the Lord L' Espar in their beds Shortly after there arrived the Earle of Shrewsbury's sonne Sir Iohâ— Talbot with the bastard of Somerset and two and twenty hundred men by whose means Burdeaux is well manned with English in which time the Earle was not idle but went from place to place to receive the offered submission of all places where he came and having taken Chatilloâ— he strongly fortified it whereupon the Freâ—ch king raiseth an army and besiegeth Chatillon to the rescue whereof the Earle maketh all possible speed with eight hundred horse appointing the Earle of Kendall and the Lord L' Espar to follow with the foot In his way he surprized a Tower the French had taken and put all within it to the sword and meeting five hundred French men that had been forraging many of them he slew and the rest he chased to their Campe. Upon whose approach the French left the siege and retyred to a place which they had formerly fortified whither the Earle followeth them and resolutely chargeth them so home that he got the entry of the Campe where being shot through the thigh with an Harquebuse and his horse slaine under him his sonne desirous to relieve his father lost his own life and therein was accompanied with his bastard brother Henry Talbot Sir Edward Hall and thirty other Gentlemen of name The Lord Nolius with threescoâ—â— other were taken prisoners the rest fled to Burdeaux but in the way a thousand of them were slaine And thus on the last day of July in the yeer 1453. at Chatilloâ— the most valourous Earle of Shrewsbury the first of that name after foure and twenty yeers service beyond the seas ended his life and was buried at Roaâ— in Normandie with this Inscription upon his Tombe Here lyeth the right Noble knight Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Weshford Waterford and Valence Lord Talbot of Goodrich and Orchenfield Lord Strange of Blackmere Lord Verdon of Actoâ— Lord Cromwell of Winkfield Lord Lovetâ—ft of Worsoppe Lord Furnivall of Shâ—ffield knight of the Noble Orders of St. George St. Michael and the golden fleece great Marshall to King Henry the sixth of his Realme of France The Earle of Kendall the Lords Montserat Rosaine and Dâ—â—gledas entred the Castle of Chatillon and made it good against the French the space of ten dayes but then having no hope of succour they delivered it upon composition to have liberty to depart to Burdeaux and now the Gascoigâ—â—s were as ready to open their gates to the French as they were before to the English by means whereof in short time the French recovered againe all Gascoigâ—e except Burdeaux and that also at length upon condition that both garrisons and inhabitants with all their substance might safely depart for England or Callice and that the Lords L' Espar and Durant with thirty others upon paine of death should never after be found in the Territories of France At this time upon St. Bartholomews day an ancient custome being that the Major of London and the Sheriffs should be present in giving prizes to the best wrestlers It hâ—ppened that at the wrestling place neere Moore-fields the Prior of S. Iohns was there to see the sports when a servant of his not brooking the disgrace to be foyled before his Master against the custome of the place would have wrestled againe which the Major denyed whereupon the Prior fetcht Bowmen from Clarkâ—â—â—ell to resist the Major and some slaughter was committed the Majors Cap was shot through with an Arrow he neverthelesse would have had the spoâ—t goe on buâ— no wrestlers came yet the Major Sr. Iohn Norman told his brethren he would stay awhile to make tryall of the Citizens respect towards him which he had no sooner said but the Citizens with Banners displayed came in great numbers to him and fetcht him home in great triumph Upon the neck of this began the quarrell in Holborne between the Gentlemen of the Inns of Chancery and some Citizens in appeasing whereof the Queens Atturney and three more were slaine And now the Duke of Yorke by all means laboureth to stirre up the hatred of the Commons against the Duke of Somerset repeating often what dishonour England sustained by Somersets giving up the strong Towns of Normandy and how he abuseth the Kings and Queens favour to his own gaine and the Commons grievance then he addresseth himselfe to those of the Nobility that could not well brook his too much commanding over the Kings and Queens affection amongst others he fasteneth upon the two Nevils both Richards the father and the sonne the one Earle of Salisbury the other of Warwick with whom he deales so effectually that an indissoluble knot of friendship is knit betwixt them by whose assistance the King lying dangerously sick at Claringdon the
by him are all the counsells of the Duke of Yorke discovered which so much discouraged him that he with his young Son the Earle of Rutland fled first into Wales and then into Ireland The Earles of March Salisbury and Warwicke got into Devonshire where by the means of Iohn Dynhâ—m Esquire the same man that afterward by king Henry the Seventh was made Lord Treasurer of England they were shipt from Exmouth to Gernsey and so to Callis All the common souldiers the king Pardons onely makes exemplary punishment of some few Captains sends the Dutchesse of Yorke and her two younger children to the Dutchesse of Buckingham her Sister to be â—afely kept and then having spoiled the Town and Castle of Ludlow he dismist his Armie And now a Parliament is called at Coventry wherein the Duke of Yorke Edward Earle of March his Son Richard Earle of Richardâ—arle â—arle of Warwickeâ— Iohn Lord Clifford and many other the confederates of the Duke of York are convict of Treason and all their lands and goods seized on to the kings use Henry D. of Somerset by the Queens means is made Captain of Callis whither comming to take possession he was by reason of Ordnance shot at him from Rice-banke forced to Retire which the Queen hearing was so incensed that in great passion she gave order to make ready all the kings Ships lying at Sandwich to give assistance to the Duke of Somerset but the forementioned Iohn Dynham out of love to the Earle of March boorded those ships in the harbour and tooke the Lord Rivers designed Admirall for that service and carried both him and the Ships to Callice from whence the Earle sayled to Ireland to the Duke of Yorke who having conferred and concluded what course to take he returned to Callice the new Admirall the Duke of Exeter not daring to stop his course Sir Simon Montford was appointed â—o guard the Cinque Ports having divers ships under his command to barre the Earle of Warwickâ—s entrance but the Earle by his espyalls having perfect intelligence of all passages fell sodainly upon Sir Simon before his ships were ready tooke him prisoner ransackt the Town of Sandwich carried his prisoner and the ships to Callice By the way he understood how much the kentishmen desired his return and longed for his comming whereupon he came the second time to Sandwich to whom presently resorted the Lord Cobham and very many Gentlemen of the Country so as now his army was five and twenty thousand strong with which he marched towards London against whom the Lord Scales was appointed to goe and with some convenient troopes to assure London but the Major directly refused to admit him whereupon he resorted to the Tower from whence afterwards he did the Londoners no small displeasure The Earle of Warwick having notice that his father the Earle of Salisbury was upon march to meet him passeth over his men and without impeachment joyned with him and his friends neer Exeter The King with the Dukes of Somerset and Buckingham with a great Army marcheth towards them and neer to the Town of Northampton both Armies meet The Earle of March with the advice of the Earle of Warwick prepares for the fight The Queen the King more intentive to devotion then fighting did the like the fight continued about two houres wherein were slaine of both sides above â—en thousand men but upon the fall of Humfry Duke of Buckingham the Kings side was discomfited and Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Thomas L. Egremont Iohn L. Beaumont and some other of account were slaine The Queen with the Duke of Somersâ—t taking with them the young Prince fled to the Bishoprick of Durham The King himselfe was taken and as a prisoner conveyed to London where the Tower is yeelded to the Earle of Warwick The Lord Scales in disguised apparell endeavouring to escape is taken by the water-men and by them beheaded and his Corpes carelesly left upon the sands Thomas Thorpe one of the Barons of the Exchequer in the habit of a Monke his Crown shorne purposing to flie to the Queen is taken and committed prisoner to the Tower and after by the Commons beheaded at Highgate The Duke of Yorke being advertised of this good successe leaveth Ireland and posts to London where in the kings name he summoneth a Parliament which being assembled he in the presence of the Lords in the upper House placeth himselfe in the Imperiall Seate and with great boldnesse layes open his rightfull claime to the Crowne of England as being the Sonne and heire of Anne daughter and heire of Roger Mortimer Earle of March Sonne and heire of Philip the sole daughter and heire of Lyonel Duke of Clarence the third sonne of Edward the third and elder brother of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Father of the usurper Henry the Fourth Grandfather to Henry the Fifth who was Father to him that at this time untruly stileth himselfe king Henry the sixth And after relating the many miseries that had befallen the Realme since the time of this Usurpation he concluded that he would not expect nor desire possession of the Crown except his discent were undisputable and his title without exception This being a businesse of importance required deliberation but in conclusion the Duke having before hand prepared the Lords Spirituall and few of the Nobility being present that were not of his part the Burgesses were easily perswaded and it was generally resolved and enacted accordingly that king Henry during his life should reteine the name and honour of a king that the Duke of Yorke should be Proclaimed heire apparent to the Crown and Protectour of the kings Person his lands and dominions and that if at any time any of king Henries friends allies or favourites in his behalfe should attempt the disaâ—â—lling of this Act that then the Duke should have present possession of the Crown It is not unworthy the noting that while the Earle of March was declaring his title in the upper house it happened in the nether house that a Crowne which hung in the middle of the house to garnish a branch to set lights upon without touch or winde fell suddenly down as likewise at the same time fell down the Crown which stood on the top of Dover Castle a signe as some thought that the Crowne of the Realme should be changed Assoone as the Parliament was dissolved the Duke dispatcheth letters into Scotland requiring in the kings name the Queen the Dukes of Somerset and Exeter and all other of the Nobility that remained in that kingdome with all speed to repaire to his presence in London but they had other worke in hand for having goten together of English and Scots to the number of eighteen thousand they came maâ—ching into Englandâ— against whom went the Duke of Yorke with his younger sonne the Earle of Rutland and the Earle of Salisbury leaving the king in the custody of the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Warwick and
a King and for a sacrifice than a Priest and he could not choose but dye a Martyr who all his life had beene a Confessor He had one immunity peculiar to himself that no man could ever be revenged of him seeing he never offered any man injury By being innocent as a Dove hee kept his Crown upon his head so long but if he had been wise as a Serpent he might have kept it on longer But all this is not sufficient if we expresse not in particular his severall virtues So modest that when in a Christmas a shew of women was presented before him with their breasts layd out he presently departed saying fie fie for shame forsooth you be to blame So pittifull that when he saw the quarter of a Traytor over Cripplegate he caused it to be taken down saying I will not have any Christian so cruelly handled for my sake So free from swearing that he never used other oath but forsooth and verily So patient that to one who strooke him when he was taken prisoner he onely sayd forsooth you wrong yourselfe more than me to strike the Lords annointed So devout that on principall Holy-dayes he used to weare sackcloth next his skinne Once for all let his Confeâ—â—or be heard speak who in ten years confession never found that he had done or sayd any thing for which he might justly be injoyned Pennance For which causes King Henry the Seventh would have procured him to be Cannonized for a Saint but that he was prevented by deathâ— or perhaps because the charge would have been too great the Canonization of a king being much more costly than of a private person Of men of Note in his time THere were men of valour in this Kings Reigne of extraordinary eminencie as first Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France whom when a French Lord upbraided that his sword was of lead he made him answer and made him feel that it was of steele Next him was Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury whose very name was a sufficient charme to daunt a whole French Army Then the next was Iohn Lord Talbot so great a terror to the French that when the women would still their children from crying they would use to say Talbot comes Then was Richard Nevill Earle of Warwicke so much greater than a king as that which makes is greater than that it makes and such a one was he Many other besides these not much inferior to these that we may truly say there never was a more heroicall King of England than Henry the Fifth nor ever a King of England that had more heroicall Subjects than Henry the Sixth And though Arms and Letters seem to be of different conditions yet they commonly grow up and flourish together as in this kings Reigne were Iohn Leland sirnamed the Elder who wrote divers Treatises for instruction of Gramarians William White a Priest of Kent professing the Doctrine of Wickliffe for which he suffered Martyrdome by fire Alexander Carpenter who wrote a booke called Destructorium vitiorum against the Prelates of that time Peter Basset Esquire of the Privy Chamber to king Henry the Fifth whose life he wrote Iohn Pole a Priest who wrote the life of St. Walhorayle an English woman Also Thomâ—s Walden alias Netter who wrote divers Treatises against the Wickliffifts Peâ—er Clerke a Student in Oxford and a defender of Wickliffes doctrine for which he fled and was put to death beyond Sea Thomas Walsingham born in Norfolk a diligenâ— Historiographer Thomas Ringstead the younger an excellent Preacher who wrote divers Treatises Thomas Rudborn a Monke of Winchester and an Historiographer Peter Pâ—yne an earnest professor of Wickliffes doctrine for which he fled into â—â—beâ—â—â— Nicholas Vpton a Civilian who wrote of Heraldry of colours in Armory and of the duty of Chivalry Iohn Capgrâ—ve born in Kent an Augustine Frier who wrote many excellent Treatises particularly the Legend of English Saints Humphry Duke of Glocester Protector of the Realm well learned in Astrologie whereof he wrote a speciall Treatise intiâ—uâ—ed Tabula Directionum Iohn Whethamstead otherwise called Frâ—mentariuâ— Abbot of St. Albâ—ns who wrote divers Treatises and amongst others a booke of the Records of things happening whiles he was Abbot which book Holinshead had seen and in some passages of his time followed Roger Oâ—lâ—y accused of Treason for practising with the Lady Elâ—â—nor Cobham by sorcery to make the king away and therof condemned and dyed for it he wrote one Treatise intituled Contra â—â—lgi superstitiones and another De sua Innocentia Henry Walsingham a Carmelite Frier oâ— Norwich who wrote sundry Treatises in Divinity Lidgateâ— Monke of Bury who had travelled France and Italy to learne languages and wrote many workes in Poetry Thomas Beckington Bishop of Bath who wrote against the Law Salique of France Michael Trigurie born in Cornwâ—ll whom for his excellent learning king Henry the Fifth made Governor of the Universitie of Caâ—n in Normandy after he had conquered it Reynold Peacocke Bishop of Chichester who wrote many Treatises touching Christian Religion Robert Fleming who wrote a Dâ—ctionary in Greeke â—â—d Latine and a worke in verse of sundry kindes Nicholas Mâ—ntacute an Historiographer Iohn Stow a Monke of Norwich and Doctor of Divinity in Oxfâ—rd Nichâ—lâ—â— Buâ—geie born in a Town of Norfolke of that name who wrote an History called Adâ—â—â—tiâ—nes Chronicorum Robert â—alsâ—cke who wrote a booke De â—e Militâ—ri Thomas Dâ—â—dâ— a Carmelite Frier of Mâ—rleborough who wrote the life of Alphred king of the West-Saxons Robert Bâ—le â—irnamed the Elder Recorder of London who gathered a Chronicle of the Customs Laws Foundations Changes Offices Orders and publique Assemblies of the Citie of London with other matters touching the perfect discription of the same Citie he wrote other workes also touching the state of the same Citie and the Acts of King Edward the third THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FOURTH EDWARD Earle of March born at Roane in Normandy sonne and heire of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke slaine in the battell at Wakefield succâ—eded his Father in the Right but exceeded him in the possession of the Crown of England and that by virtue of an act of Parliament lately made wherein the said Duke of York not only was declared heire apparent to the Crown and appointed Protector of the King and Kingdome but it was further enacted that if King Henry or any in his behalfe should attempt the disanulling of this Act that then the said Duke or his heire should have the present Possession which because his friends attempted to doe therefore justly doth Edward Earle of March his sonne by virtue of this act take possession of the Crown and is Proclaimed king of England by the name of Edward the fourth through the City of London on the fifth day of March in the yeer 1460. But before he could have leasure to be Crowned he was forced once againe to try his fortune in the field by battell For King Henry
the Duke of Glocester his brother the L. Hastings his Chamberâ—â—â—â—â— who having married the Earle of VVarwickâ— sister yet coâ—tinued ever true to 〈◊〉 Edward and the Lord Scales brother to the Queen he departed into Liâ—colâ—shire and câ—mming to Lyn he found there an English Ship and two Hulâ—s of Holland ready to make sayle whereupon he with the forenamed Lords and about seven or 〈◊〉 hundred persons entred the Ship having no provision with him but only the apparell they wore and so bare of money that he was faine to reward the Master of 〈◊〉 Ship with one of his Garments and thus making course towards the Duke of 〈◊〉 Country they were presently chased by eight great Ships of Easterlings opâ—n Enemies both to England and France which drove him before a Towne in the Country called Alquemare belonging to the Duke of Burgoigne where by châ—nce the Lord Grunture Governour of that Country at that time was who defended them from the Easterlings and brought them to the Hâ—ge in Holland where they had all things ministred to them by order from the Duke of Burgoigne At this time upon news of the Earle of VVarwickâ— approach Queen Elizâ—beth foâ—saketh the Tower and secretly taketh sanctuary at VVestminster where in great pâ—nury forsaken of all her friends she was brought a bed of a sonne called Edward who like a poore mans childe was Christened the Godfathers being the Abbot and Pâ—yâ—r of Westminster and the Lady Scroope Godmother And now the Earle of Warwicke entring the Tower removes king Heâ—ry out of his hold of durance wheâ—e he had been almost nine years into his own lodging where he was served according to his Estate which the Earâ—e did more congratulate then tâ—e king himselfe Upon this sixth day of October king Henry accompanied with â—he Archbishop of Yorke the Pryor of S. Iohns the Bishop of London the Duke of Clâ—rence the Earle of Warwicke and other Noblemen apparelled in a long gown of â—lew Velvet was conducted through London â—o the Bishops Palace where he rested â—ill the thirteenth of â—hat moneth on which day he went in solemne procesâ—â—â—â—â—bout Paulâ— Church wearing his Imperiall Crown the Earle of Warâ—ick bearing up his trayne and the Earle oâ— Oxford the sword before him The next day in all usuall places about London king Edward was Proclaimed an Usurper 〈◊〉 all his partakers Traytors to God and the king whereof Iohn Lord Tipâ—ofâ— Earle of Worcester as a partaker with king Edward was made the first example Thiâ— Lord had been Lievtenant for King Edâ—ard in Ireland where having done something 〈◊〉 which he fled he was afterward found on the top of a high Tree in the Forresâ— of VVâ—â—bridge in the County of 〈◊〉 â—nd being there taken was brought to Loâ—doâ— Attainâ—ed and 〈…〉 the Tower hill and afâ—er buried at the Blackfryâ—rs About this time happenâ—◠〈…〉 to be related Sir Williâ—â— Hâ—â—kesford knightâ— one of 〈…〉 Jusâ—iâ—â—s â—t the Lâ—wâ— who dwelt at Annoâ—y in Dâ—voâ—sâ—ire a man of grea◠〈◊〉 and â—â—ving no soâ—ne â—he Lord Fitzâ—aâ—reâ— Siâ— Ioâ—â— Sâ—â—â—â—eger and Sir Williâ—◠〈◊〉 mâ—rried his dâ—ughteâ—â— and were his heiresâ— This mâ—n grew into such â— degâ—â—â— of Melancholyâ— thâ—t one 〈◊〉 he called to him the Keeper of hiâ— Parâ— châ—â—ging him 〈◊〉 nâ—gligence in suffering his Deere to be stoln and thereupon commâ—nded him â—hat if he met any man in his circuit in the night-time that would not stand or 〈◊〉 he shoâ—ld not sparâ— to kill him whatsoever he wereâ— The knight having thâ—â— laâ—d hiâ— foundâ—tion and meaning to end his dolefull dayes in â— certaine darke night seâ—â—â—â—ly conveyd himselfe out of his house â—nd walked alone in his Pâ—râ— The Keeper in hiâ— night-walk â—eâ—ring one stirring and comming towaâ—ds him asked who was there but no answer being made he willed him to standâ— which when he would not doe the Keeper shot and kâ—lled him and comming to see who he was foâ—â—d him to be hiâ— Master On the twentieth dâ—y of 〈◊〉 a Pâ—rliâ—ment is held at VVestmiâ—ster wherein King Edward and all his pâ—rtakâ—â—â—â—re â—ttainâ—ed of high Treason and alâ— their Lands and Goods seized on to King 〈◊〉 use Geâ—â—ge Plâ—â—tâ—geneâ— Duke of Clarence is by authority of this Parliament adjudged heire to Richard Duke of Yorke his father and that Dutchy setled upon him and his heires notwithstanding the Primogeniture of Edward upon him also waâ— entailed the Crown of England in case heires males of the body of King Heâ—ry fâ—iled Iasper Earle of Pembrooke and Iohn Earle of Oxford are fully restored â—o their Lands â—nd Honourâ— and VVaâ—wick and Clâ—rence are made Governours of the King and kingdomeâ— To this Parliament came the Mâ—rquesse Montacute eâ—cusing himselfe that â—or â—eare of deaâ—h he had taken King Edwards part which excuse was accepted Queâ—n Margaret iâ— sent for into France but by reason of contrary windes was kept back all that Winter About this time Iasper Earle of Pembrooke going into VVales to view his lands in Pembrookeshire found there the Lord Henry borne of Margaret the onely daughter and heire of Iohâ— the first Duke of Somâ—rset not being then full ten years of age kept in manner like a captive but honourably brought up by the Lady Herbert him he brings with him to Loâ—doâ— and pâ—esents him to King Henry whom when the Kiâ—g had a good while beheld he said to the Lords about him Loe this is he to whom both we and our adversaries leaving the possession of all things shall hereafter give place Which if it be true It shews a very Propheticall Spirit to have been in King Henry that could so long beforeâ— foretell a thing so unlikely to happen for this was he that was afterward King Hâ—â—ry the Seventh before whom at that time there were many lives in being of boâ—h the housâ—â— of Yorke and Lâ—ncaster Shortly after this by the Duke of Burgoignes means King Edward is furnished with eighteen tall ships two thousand Dutchmen and fifty thousand florens of gold and thus furnished he took to Sea and landed at Ravenspurre in Yorkeshire where he found but cold entertainment neverthelesse he made a wary march to Yorke where likewise he found no great expression of welcome so as he was forced to change his pretence swearing deeply and receiving the Sacrament upon it that he came not to disturbe King Henry but only to recover his own inheritance and for the more shew thereof wearing an Estrichâ— feather Prince Edwards livery which â—roposition seemed so â—easonable that many who resisted him before were as ready to assist him now and if he be blamed for breaking his Oath it must be considered It was Regâ—i causa to recover his Kingdome which perhaps was the Inheritance he meant when he took his Oath that he intended nothing but to recover his Inheritance and so he brake not his Oath neither From Yorke he marched towards Wakefiâ—ld and Sendall leaving the Castle of Pomfret upon his left handâ— where the Marquesse Montacute with his Army
and heire Sir Humfry Boâ—rchier sonne and heire to the Lord Berners and divers other knights and gentlemen On the Earls part were slaine the Earle himselfe the Marquâ—ssâ— Montacute and three and twenty knights of whom Sir William Tyrrell was one The Duke of Somerset and the Earle of Oxford fled into VVales to Iasper Earle of Pembroâ—ke The Duke of Exceter being strucken down and so wounded that he was left for dead amongst other the dead bodies because he was not kâ—own but comming to himselfe he got up and escaped to VVestminster and there took Sanctuary The dead bodies of the Earle and Marquesse were brought to London in a Coffin and by the space of three dayes lay open-faced in the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul and then buried with their Ancestours in the Priory of Bissam This Earle of VVarwick was Richard Nevill sonne and heire of Richard Nevill Earle of Salisbury who married the daughter of Richard Beauchamp the sixth Earle of Warwick and in her right was Earle of Warwick in his own of Saliâ—bury he was also Lord Monthermer great Chamberlaine and high Admirall of England Lord Warden of the North Marches towards Scotland and high Steward of the Dutchy of Laâ—caster he had issue two Daughters Isabell married to George Duke of Clarence and Annâ— â—â—rst married to Prince Edward king Henry the sixths Sonne and after to Richard Duke of Glocester Wee may here observe a Constellation of disastrous influences concurring all to the overthrow of this great Warwicke whereof if any one had been missing the wheele of his fortune had perhaps not turned For if the City of Yorke had not too credulously believed king Edwards Oath not to dâ—sturbe king Henry or if the Marquesse Moâ—tacute had stopped as he might his passage at Pomfret or if the Duke of Clarence had not at the very point of the battell at St. Albans deserted his party and joyned with king Edwardsâ— or if Quâ—en Margaret had not by tempest been kept from comming into Eâ—glaâ—d in time or if the Londoners had not been retrograde and deceived his expectation he had never perhaps been overthrown as he was But Fata viam invenient destiny will finde waies that were never thought of will make way where it findes none and that which is ordained in heaven shall be effected by means of which Earth can take no notice Queen Margaret when it was too late accompanied with Iohn Longstrother Prior of Saint Iohns and the Lord Wenlock with divers Knights and Esquires tooke shipping at Harflew the foure and twentieth of March but by tempest was kept back till the thirteenth of April and then with her sonne Prince Edward shee landed at Weymouth and from thence went to an Abby hard by called Ceern and then to Bewly in Hampshire whither there came unto her Edmund Duke of Somerset and Thomas Courtney Earle of Devonshire with divers others amongst whom it is resolved once more to try their fortune in the field but then the Queen would have had her sonne Prince Edward to be sent into France there to remaine in safety till the next battell were tryed but they being of a contrary minde and specially the Duke of Somerset shee at length consented though afterward she repented it From Bewly she with her sonne and the Earle of Somerset passeth on to Bristow intending with what power they could raise in Glocestershire to march into Wales to joyn with Iâ—sper Earle of Pembrooke who was there making preparation of more forces King Eâ—ward hearing of these things resolves to crosse this Conjunction and followes Queen Margaret with a great Power so close that neere Tewkesbury in Glocestershire he overtakes her forces who resolutely turn and make head against him where Somerset on the Queens part leading the Vaunt-guard performed the part of a valiant Commander but finding his souldiers throâ—gh wearines begin to faint and that the Lord Wenlock who had the conduct of the battaile on the Queens part moved no the rode unto him and upbrayding him with cowardise or treachery never staid but with his Pollaxe beat out his brains and now before he could bring in his men to the rescue their Vaward was routed and Iohn Earle of Devonshire with above three thousand of the Queens part were slaine The Queen her selfe Iohn Beaufort the Duke of Somersets brother the Prior of Saint Iohns Sir Gervis Clifton and divers others were taken prisoners all which except the Queen were the next day beheaded At which time Sir Richard Crofts presented to king Edward king Henries Son Edward whom he had taken prisoner to whom king Edward at first shewed no uncourteous countenance but demanding of him how he durst so presumptuously enter into his Realm with Arms and he answering though truly yet unseasonably To recover my Fathers Kingdome and Heritage King Edward with his hand thrust him from him or as some say strooke him with his Gantlet and then presently George Duke of Clarence Richard Duke of Glocester Thomas Grey Marquesse Dorset and William Lord Hastings standing by fell upon him in the placâ— and murdred him His body was homely interred with other ordinary Corpses in the Church of the Monastery of the Black-fryers in Tewkesbury After the Victory thus obtained king Edward repaired to the Abbey Church of Tewkesbury to give God thankes for his good successe and finding there a great number of his enemies that were fled thither to save themselves he gave them all free Pardon onely Edmuud Duke of Somerset 〈◊〉 Longstrother Pryor of Saint Iohns Sir Thomas Tressham Sir Gerviâ— Clifton and divers other Knights and Esquires who were apprehended there and brought before the Duke of Glocester sitting that day as Constable of England and the Duke of Norfolk as Marshall were all arraigned condemned and judged to Dye and accordingly upon the Tuesday being the seventh of May they were all and twelve other knights more on a Scaffold set up in the middle of the Town beheaded but not dismembredâ— and permitted to be buried The same day Queen Margaret was found in a poore house of Religion not farre from thence into which she was fled for safeguard of her life but she was after brought to London and there kept a Prisoner till her Father ransomed her with great summes of money This was the last pitcht battell that was fought in England in king Edward the fourths dayes which happened on the fourth of May being Saturday in the Eleventh yeere of his reigne and in the yeere of our Lord 1471. King Edward being assured that as long as any partakers of king Henry lived and were at liberty he should never be free from plots against his life sent Roger Vaughaâ— a Gentleman much reckoned of in his own Country to entrape Iasper Earle of Pembrooke who had escaped from the last encounter but he having notice of the plot before prevented it by striking off Vaughans head After these great Clouds were thus dispersed there arose a little Cloud which gave the
he had brought his souldiers onely to shew them the Country and returne as they came adding withall that to make it appeâ—â—e he was able without helpe of the English to subsist of himselfeâ— he utterly disclâ—â—med any benefit by that Truce untill three months after the English were reâ—â—â—ned to their own Country and so in a great snuffe returned home For the better Confirmation of what waâ— agreed upon between the two kings an 〈◊〉 is desired but before the same is eâ—â—ectuaâ—ed the French king sends to the Engâ—â—sh army an hundred Tonne of Gascoigne wine to be drunke out amongst the privâ—â—e â—ouldiers and therewithall free licence for Commanders and Gentlemen to recreate themselves in Amyeâ—s where they were lovingly entertained by the Burgers of the Town by the kings expresse command The place of enterview of these two 〈◊〉 is agreed on to be at Picquency a Town three miles distant from Amâ—eâ—s seated in â—â—ottome through which the river of Some runneth over which a strong bridge was buâ—â—t and in the midst thereof a graâ—e made overthwart with â—artes no wider 〈◊〉 than a man might well thrust in his arme covered with boardes overheadâ— to avoid the rainâ—foure of the Bed-chamber on both sides are appointed to search the roomâ— to prevent traps of instrumenâ—â— of treachery and being by them certified that â—ll as was cleere the kings advance themselves King Edward being come in sight of the place made a stand being told that the circumstance of comming fâ—râ—t to thâ— place was a matter of great disparagement in point of State but the French king â—oâ—e regarding substâ—nce then circumstance gave the king of England the advanâ—â—â—â— to come at hiâ— pleasure and went first to the barre appointed for conference 〈◊〉 theâ—e did attend king Edwards leasure He had in his Company Iohn Duke of 〈◊〉 with his brother the Cardinall and eight hundred mâ—n at Arms. King Edâ—â—â—â— hâ—d with him his brother the Duke of Clarence the Earle of Northumberland â—he Lords Chamberlaine and Chancellour and at his backe his whole Army in bâ—tâ—eâ—â— The kings lovingly salute each other and complements of courtesie reâ—ipro 〈…〉 which finished They with their Noblemen there present take all â—heir 〈◊〉 upon the holy Evangelists in all to their â—ower to observe the Articles o◠〈◊〉 agreâ—d on After which In private the French king imporâ—uâ—es king Edâ—â—â—â— that the Duke of Brittaine might be left out of these Articles but after much 〈◊〉 to that purpose king Edward gave his resolute answerâ— that if king Lewis 〈◊〉 the frendship of Englâ—nd he should not molest the Duke of Brittaineâ— for â—hat he was resolved at any time to come in person to relieve himâ— if he were distuâ—â—ed King Edward pretended the many kindnesse he had formeâ—ly recâ—ived of the Duke of Brittaine but it was conceived that the desire of compassing the Eaâ—les o◠〈◊〉 and Pembrooke now in the Duke of Brittaines Country were the greatest 〈◊〉 of his standing â—o â—irmely for him The money to be payd to king Edâ—â—rd 〈◊〉 the Articles is accordingly payd and thereupon the French Hostages are delivered and the Englisâ— Army reâ—â—res to Callice and from thencâ— is transported into 〈◊〉 and then the English Hostages are likewise delivered This Peace was 〈◊〉 â—o be made only by the holy Ghost because on the day of meeâ—ing a white Dove came and sate upon the king of Englands Tent though the Dukes of Glocester and Burgoigâ—e thought it was made by no good spirit King Edward being returned into England had his minde running still upon the dangeâ— that might grow from the Earle of Richmond he therefore dispatched D. Stillington and two other his Ambassadors to the Duke of Briâ—aine to send him over to him under this subtle pretence that he meant to match him in mariage with the Lady Cicillâ— his younger daughter and withall sent also no small store of Angels to speake for him which so prevailed with the Duke that he delivered the Earle oâ— Richmond to the Ambassadors who conducted him thence to Saint Maloâ— where whil'st they stayed for a winde the young Earle by the cunning plotting of Peter Landoiâ— the Dukes Treasurer more out of scorne that he was not gratified by the English Ambassadour to the proportion of his place than for any love to the Earle escapes into Sanctuary from whence neither prayers nor promises could get him cut Neverthelesse upon Peter Landois his promise he should be safely kept there the Ambassadors departed and returned home acquainted K. Edward with the Duke of Bâ—â—goigâ—â—s courtesie in delivering him and their own negligence in suffering him to escape onely making amends with the promise of Peter Landois which might be to K. Edward some contentment but was no satisfaction At Christmas following being the sixteenth yeere of his Reigne he created his eldest sonne Edward Prince of Wales Duke of Corâ—wall and Earle of Chester his second sonne he made Duke of Yorke giving the order of knighthood to the sonne and heire of the Earle of Liâ—colâ—e and many others He created also foure and twenty knights of the Bath whereof Brian Chiefe Justice and Littleton a Judge of the Common Pleas were two About this time there were two examples of severity seene not unworthy the relating if but onely to make us see how dangerous a thing it is Ludere cum sanctiâ— to speake words that may be taken as reflecting upon the king The first was of one Walter Walker a wealthy Citizen dwelling at the signe of the Crown in Cheapside This man one day when his childe cryed bid him be quiet and he would make him heire of the Crowne which words being subject to interpretation he was called in question about them arraigned condemned and put to death The other was of Thomas Burdet of Arrow in Warwickeshire Esquire It happened that K. Edward hunted in his Parke he being from home and there killed a white Buck whereof Mr. Burdeâ— made speciall account so as comming home and finding that Buck killed he wished it hornes and all in his belly that had counselled the king to kill it and because none counselled the King to kill it but himselfe it was thought those words were not spoken without a malignant reflecting upon the King and thereupon Burdet was arraigned and condemned drawne to Tiburne and there beheaded though Mâ—rkhâ—â— then Chiefe Justice chose rather to lose his place than assent to the Judgement And now began ambition to boyle in Richard Duke of Glocester whereof the first heate fell upon his brother the Duke of Clarence how to rid him out of the way to which end he seeks to raise Jealousies in King Edwards head against him telling him that some of Clareâ—ce his followers were Sorcereâ—s and Necromancers and had given forth speeches that one whose name begun with G. should disinherit his Children and get the Crown and for a colour of this suggestion one of the Duke of Clarâ—â—ce his servants who came with him out of
sonne the Earle of Richmond hâ—ve both of them Titles before mine and then I cleerly saw how I was deceived wâ—â—â—eupon I determined utterly to relinquish all such fantasticall imaginations concerning the obtayning the Crown my selfeâ— and found there could be no better way to settle it in a true establishment then that the Earle of Richmond very heire of the house of Lancaster should take to wife the Lady Elizabeth eldest Daughter to king Edward the very heir of the house of York that so the two Roses may be united in one now saith the Duke I have told you my very minde When the Duke had said this the Bishop was not a little glad for this was the marke he had himselfe aymed at and thereupon after some complements of extolling his device he said Since by your Graces incomparable wisdome this noble conjunction is now moved It is in the next place necessary to consider what friends we shall first make privy of this intention By my truth quoth the Duke we will begin with the Countesse of Richmond the Earles Mother who knoweth where he is either in captivity or at large in Brittaine And thus was the foundation laid of a league by these two great men by which the death of the two young Princes was fully revenged and it was not talkâ— of onely but presently put in execution for now is Reynold Bray imployed by the Bishop to his Mistresse the Dutchesse of Richmond Doctor Lewis the Dutchesses Phisitian was imployed by her to the Queen Elizabeth Hugh Conway and Thomâ—â— Râ—me were imployed to the Earle of Richmond to acquaint them but in most secret manner with the intended plot and to procure their promises to the propounded marriage which was no hard matter to make them all willing to their own wishes This done Instruments are imployed to draw in parties to the confederacy Bray by his credit drew in Sir Gyles Danbeâ—y Sir Iohn Cheyney Richard Guildford Thomas Râ—me and others Vrswick likewise drew in Hugh Conway Thomas Colepepper Thomas Roper with some others Doctor Lewis drew in Edward Courtney and his brother Peter Bishop of Exceter It is memorable that Thomas Conway being senâ— most part by Sea and Thomaâ— Râ—me most part by Land yet came to the Eaâ—le of Richmond in Brittaine within the space of little more then an houre upon whose information of the plot the Earle acquaints the Duke of Brittaine with it who though by Hutton King Richards Ambassadour he had by many great offers been sollicited to detaine him in prison yet he both readily promised and really performed both his advice and ayde to the Earles proceedings In this meane time Bishop Mortoâ— not without asking the Dukes leave though without obtaining it secretly in disguise gets him into his Isle of Ely and there having done the Earle good Offices by procuring of friends he thence passeth into Brittaine to him from whence he returned no more till afterward the Earle being king sent for him home and made him Archbishop of Canterbury But though all these things were carried closely and Oath taken by all for secresie yet came it to King Richards knowledge who notwithstanding dissembling it sends for the Duke of Buckingham to come unto him and he putting off his comming with pretended excuses is at last peremptorily sent for to come upon his Allegiance when he returned this resolute answer that he owed no Allegiance to such a perjur'd inhumane Butcher of his owne Flesh and Blood and so from that time preparation for Arms is made on both sides The Duke had gotten a good power of Welshmen and the Marquesse Dorset having gotten out of Sanctuary was labouring in Yorkeshire to raise forces the like did the two â—ourtneys in Devonshire and Cornwall and Guilford and Râ—me in Kent King Richâ—rd setting forward with 〈◊〉 forces the Duke of Buckingham doth the like intending at Glocester to have 〈◊〉 Severn and so to have joyned with the two Courtneys but such abundance oâ—â—aine at that time fell that the Severn was broken out and impossible to be passed 〈◊〉 which the Welshmeâ— seeing and taking it for an ill signe they secretly slâ—pt away so as the Duke leâ—t well neer alone without either Page or so much as a Footmâ—â— repaired to the house of one Humfry Bannister neere to Shreâ—sbury who having been raised by him and his father before him he thought himselfe safe under his roofe But Bannister upon Proclamation made by king Richard that whosoever could apprehend the Duke should have a thousand pound for his labour like an ungratefull and perfidious wretch discovered him to Iohn Milton High Sheriffe of 〈◊〉 who took him in a pilled black Cloak as hâ— was walking in an Orchard behinde the house and carried him to Shrewsbury where king Richard then lay â—nd there without Arraignment or Legall proceeding was in the Market place beheaded Whether Bannister received the Proclaimed reward from the hand of the King is uncertaine but certaine it is that he received the reward of a Villaine from the hand of Divine Justice for himselfe was afterward hanged for man-slaughter his eldest daughter was deflowred by one of his Carters or as some say strucken with a foule Leprosie his eldest Sonne in a desperate Lunacy murthered himselfe and was â—ound to have done so by the Coroners inquest and his younger Sonne in a small puddle was strangled and drowned Upon this disaster of the Duke of Buckingham his complices shifted for themselves sâ—me taking Sanctuary some keeping themselves in unknown places but many convayed themselves into Brittaine to the Earle of Richmondâ— of whom the Marquesse Dorset Iohn Lord Wells the Bishop of Exceter and his brother Sir Ioh◠〈◊〉 Sir Edward Woodvile brother to Queen Elizabeth Sir Willoughbyâ— Sir Giles Daâ—beney Sir Thomas Arundell Sir Iohn Cheyney and his two brethren Sir Williaâ— Bâ—rckly Sir William Brandon and his brother Thomas Sir Richard Edgecombe Hollowell and Poynings Captaines were the chiefe Whil'st these things are in doing king Richard receives intelligence from Hutton his Ambassadour leiger in Britaine that the Duke not onely refuseth to restaine the Earle of Richmond but intendeth also to give him assistance whereupon the king â—â—oke present order for preparing his Navy to stop the Earles landing in any Port of England Upon the twelveth day oâ— October in the yeer 1484. The Earle of Richmond with forty Ships and five thousand waged Brittain tooks to sea but that Evening by tempest of weather his whole Fleet was dispersed so as only the Ship wherein the Earle himselfe was with one little Barke was driven upon the Coast of Cornwâ—ll where discovering upon the shore great store of Armed Souldiers to resist his landing he hoysed sayle and returning toward France arrived in Normandy from whence sending Messengers to Charles the Eighth King of France he was by him not onely kindely invited to come to his Court but was ayded also with good sâ—mmes of money to beare his charges After this the
of the Duke of Clarence but that device had two maine imperfections One that the true Sonne of the Duke was forâ—h-comming and to be shewed openly for convincing the false the other that though the counterfeit had been the true yet he could have laid no claim to the Crown as long as any Daughters of King Edward the fourth were living Now therefore a device is found by which those imperfections were both of them amended for now a Counterfeit was set on foot who pretended to be Richard the younger Sonne of king Edward the fourth so that neither any other could be produced to convince him of being false nor any Daughters of King Edward could hinder his Right for claiming the Crown This device was first forged by Margaret Dutchesse of Burgundie a woman that could never be quiet in her minde as long as king Henry was quiet in his kingdome and by this device she hoped if not to put him cleane out of his seat yet foulely at least to disturbe him in it and this was the purpose of the Plâ—t but by what instrument it was acted by what abeâ—tours fomented and what issue the device had are worâ—hy all to be related The Dutchesse having formerly given out that Richard the younger Sonne of king Edward was not murthred but in compassion spared and sent secretly a way to seek his fortune and having after long search gotten at last a fit Boy to personate a Prince keeps him seretly a good time with her in which time she so throughly instructed him in all Circumstances and he afterward put them so gracefully in practice that even those who had seen and known the young Prince while he lived could hardly perceive but that this was he It is true though he were not King Edwards Sonne yet he was his Godsonne and might perhaps have in him some base blood of the house of Yorke This Perkin Warbeck for so was the youths name called Perkin as a diminutive of Peter when he so perfectly had learned his lesson that he was fit to come upon the Stage she sent him into Portingall that comming from a strange Country it might be thought he had been driven to wander from one Country to another for safeguard of his life at least that she of all other might not be suspected From Portingal she caused him to passe into Ireland where the house of Yorke was specially respected in regard of the great love which Richard Duke of Yorke Father of King Edward the fourth had wonne amongst them by reason whereof this Perkin as esteemed his Grand-childe was well entertained by them and held in great estimation He had not been long in Ireland when the French king sent for him for being at that time at variance with King Henry hee thought he might make good use of Perkin as a pretender against King Henry for the Crown Perkin being come to Paris was entertained in a Princely fashion and for his more honour had a guard assigned him over which the Lord Congreshall was Captaine He had not been long at Paris when there resorted to him Sir George Nevill bastard Sir Iohn Taylour Richard Robinson and about a hundred other English Amongst the rest one Stephen Fryon that had been King Henries Secretary for the French Tongue but discontented fled and became a chiefe Instrument in all Perkins proceedings But this float of Perkins lasted not long for as soon as Peace was concluded between the two Kings the King of France dismissed Perkin and would keep him no longer Then passed he secretly to his first foundresse the Lady Margaret who at his first comming made a shew of suspecting him to be a Counterfeit But causing him in great assemblies to be brought before her as though she had never seen him before and finding him to answer directly to all questions she put unto him she openly professed that she was now satisfied and thought him verily to be her true Nephew and thereupon assigned a guâ—rd of thirâ—y persons cloathed in Murrey and Blew and callâ—d him the White Rose of England Upon report hereof many in England were inclined to take his part and Sir Robert Clifford and Robert Bareley were sent into Flanders to acquaint the Dutchesse with the peoples respect to Perkin and indeed Sir Robert Clifford upon sight and conference with him wrote letters into England wherein he affirmed that he knew him to be true Sonne of king Edward by his face and other Lineaments of his body King Henry hearing of these things sent certaine espials into Flanders that should feigne themselves to have fled to Perkin and by that means the better search out who were of the Conspiracy with him Whose name being returned to the King he caused them â—o be apprehended and brought to his Presence the chiefe of whom were Iohn Râ—tcliffe Lord Fitzwater Sir Simon Montford and Sir Thomas Thâ—â—yâ—â— knights William Dawbeney Robert Ratcliffe Thomas Cressenor and Thomas Astwoâ—d also certaine Priests as William Richford D. of Divinity Thomas Boyns D. William Sutton William Worseley Dean of Pauls Robert Layborne and Richard Lesley of whom some hearing of it fled to Sanctuary oâ—hers were taken and condemed as Sir Simon Montford Robert Ratcliffe and William Dawbeney who were all three beheâ—ded The Lord Fitzwater pardoned of life was conveyed to Calice and there laid in hold where seeking to make escape by corrupting his Keeper hee lost his head Shortly after Sir Robert Clifford returning out oâ— Flanders not as some think sent a spye from the beginning but rather now at last either discerning the fraude or woâ— by rewards and submitted himselfe to the kings mercy discovering unto him as farre as he knew all that were either open or secret abettours of the Conspiracy amongst whom he accused Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlaine his accusation was this that in Conference between them Sir William had said that if he certainly knew that the young man named Perkin were the Sonne of king Edward the fourth he would never fight nor beare Armes against him These words being considered of by the Judges seemed to expresse a tickle hold of Loyalty for who could tell how soon he might be perswaded that he knew it and upon the matter was to be Loyall to king Henry but for want of better and withall it strook upon a string which had alwaies sounded harsh in king Henries ears as preferring the Title of Yorke before that of Lancaster Sir William being hereupon arraigned whether trusting to the greatnesse of his favours or the smalnes of his fault denied little of that wherewith he was charged and upon confession was adjudged to dye and accordingly on the sixteenth day of February was brought to the Tower-hill and there beheaded after whose death Giles Lord Dawbeny was made L. â—hamberlaine This was that Sir William Stanley who came in to rescue the Earle of Richmond when he was in danger of his life who set the Crowne upon his head and was the cause of
his being saluted King And could it enter into his breast to put him to death that had saved his life and done him so many great services besides But it may be said It was not the Earle of Richmond that did it but the King of England for certainly in many cases a King is not at liberty to shew mercy so much as a private man may Though there be that affirme the cause of his death was not words onely but reall acts as giving ayde to Perkin under-hand by money And yet it seemes there was some conflict in the minde of King Henry what he should doe in this case for he stayed six weekes after his Accusation before before he brought him to his Arraignment How-ever it was the Summer following the King went in Progresse to Latham to the Earle of Darby who had maâ—ied his mother and was brother to Sir William Stanley perhaps to congratulate his own safety perhaps to condole with him his brothers death but certainly to keepe the Earle from conceiving any sinister opinion of him For to thinke that Sir William's suing to be Earle of Chester an Honour appointed to the kings sonne or his great wealth for he left in his Castle at Holt in ready money forty thousand markes besideâ— Plate and Jewells were causes that procured or set forward his death are considerations very unworthy of so just a Prince against a Servant of so great deserving But in this meane while Perkin having gotten a Power of idle loose fellows took to Sea intending to lâ—nd in Kent where though he were repelled yet some of his Souldiers would needs venture to goe on Land of whom a hundred and sixty persons were taken Prisoners whereof five were Captaines Mortford Corbet Whitebolt Quâ—â—tyn and Gemyne These hundred and sixty persons were brought to London rayled in ropes like horses drawing in a Cart who upon their Araignement confessing their offence were executed some at London and some in Towns adjoyning to the sea-coast Perkin finding no entertainment in Kent sayled into Ireland and having stayed there a while and finding them also being a naked people to bee no competent assistants for him from thence he sayled into Scotland where he so moved the King of Scots with his fayre words and colourable pretexts made no doubt before by the Dutcesse of Burgoigne that hee received him in great state and caused him to bee called the Duke of Yorke and to perswade the World that hee thought him so indeede hee gave to him in marriage the Lady Katherine Gourdon daâ—ghter to Alexander Earle Huntley his own neer kinswoman and soone after in Perkins quarrell entred with a puissant Army into England making Proclamation that whosoever would come in and ayde the true Duke of Yorke should bee spared but none comming in he then used all kinde of cruelty and the whole County of Northuâ—berland was in a manner wasted whereat Perkin at his returne expressed much griefe saying It grieved him to the heart to see such havock made of his people To whom the King answered Alas Alas you take care for them who for any thing that appeares are none of yours for not one of the Countrey came in to his succour King Henry incensed with this bold attempt of the king of Scots called his High Court of Parliament acquainting them with the necessity hee had of a present warre to revenge this indignity offered him by the Scots and thereupon requiring their ayde by money had a subsidie of sixscore thousand pounds readily granted him and then in all haste a puissant Army is provided and under the conduct of the Lord Dawbeney sent into Scotland but before hee arrived there hee was suddenly called back by reason of a commotion begun at Cornwall for payment of the Subsidie lately granted which though it were not great yet they grudged to pay it The Ring-leaders of this commotion were Thomas Flammock a gentleman leâ—â—ned in the Lawes and Michael Ioseph a Smith who laying the blame of this exaction upon Iohn Morton Archbishop of Canterbury and Sir Reynold Bray as being chiefe of the Kings Councell exhorted the people to take armes and having aâ—sembled an Army they went to Taunton where they slew the Provost Peryâ— one of the Commissioners for the Subsidie and from thence came to Wells intending to goe to London where the King then lay who having revoked the Lord Dawbeney appointed Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey after the death of the Lord Dinham made Lord Treasurer of England to have an eye to the Scots and if they made invasion to resist them In the meane time Iames Twychet Lord Audley confederated himselfe with the Rebells of Cornwall and tooke upon him to bee their Leader who from Wâ—lls went to Salisbury and from thence to Winchester and so to Kent hoping there â—o have had great ayde but found none for the Earle of Kent the Lord of Aburgâ—â—â— Iohn Brook Lord Cobham Sir Edmond Poynings Syr Richard Guildford Sir Thâ—â—as Bourchier Iohn Peachy and William Scott were ready in Armes to resist them whereupon the Rebels brought their Army to Black-heath foure miles distant from Lâ—ndâ—n and there in a plaine on the top of a hill encamped themselves whereof when the King had knowledge hee presently sent Iohn Earle of Oxford Henry Bouâ—â—â—ier Earle of Essex Edmond de la Poole Earle of Suffolke Sir Riceap Thomas and Sir Hâ—â—fry Stanley to inviron the hill on all sides that so all hope of flight might hee takâ—n from them and then set forward himselfe and encamped in St. Georgeâ— fields where for encouragement he made divers Bannarets The next day he sent the Lord Dawbeney to set upon the Rebels early in the morning who first got the bridge at Debâ—ford Strand though strongly defended by the Rebels Archers whose arrowes were â—eported to bee a full cloath-yard in length but notwithstanding the Lord 〈◊〉 comming in with his Company and the Earles assayling them on every side they were soone overcome In which conflict were slaine of the Rebels above 〈◊〉 thousand taken prisoners a very great number many of whom the King pâ—â—doned but of the chiefe Authors none for the Lord Audley was drawne from Newgate to Tower-hill in a coate of his owne Armes paynted upon paper reversed and all torne and there on the foure and twentieth day of Iune was beheaded Thomas Flammock and Michael Ioseph were hanged drawn quartered and their heads and quarters pitched upon stakes set up in London and other places Of the Kings Army were slaine not above three hundred It is memorâ—ble with what comfort Ioseph the black-smith cheered up himselfe at his going to execution saying that yet he hoped by this that his name and memory should be everlasting so deere even to vulgar spirits is perpetuety of Name though joyned with infamy what is it then to Noble spirits when it is joyned with Glory In the meane time the king of Scots taking advantage of these troubles in England invaded the
refusing to pay it was committed to prison where hee stayed till Empson himselfe was committed in his place By these courses hee accumulated so great store of Treasure that he left at his death most of it in secret places under his own key and keeping at Richmond as is reported the summe of neer eighteen hundred thousand pounds sterling But though by this course he got great store of Treasure yet by it he lost the best treasure the peoples hearts but that he something qualified it by his last Testament commanding that Restitution should be made of all such moneys as had unjustly been levied by his Officers It seemes king Henry after the death of his Queene the Lady Elizabeth had an inclination to marry againe and hearing of the great beauty virtue of the young Queene of Naples the widow of Ferdinando the younger he sent three confident persons Francis Marsyn Iames Braybrooke and Iohn Stile to make two inquiries one of her person and conditions the other of her Estate Who returning him answer that they found her Beauty and Virtues to be great but her Estate to be onely a certaine Pension or Exhibition and not the kingdome of Naples as he expected he then gave over any further medling in that matter After this another Treaty of Mariage was propounded to the king betweene him and the Lady Margaret Dutchesse Dowager of Savoy onely daughter to Maximilian and Sister to the king of Castile a Lady wise and of great good fame In which businesse was imployed for his first piece the kings then Chaplain and after the great Prelate Thomas Woolsey It was in the end concluded with ample conditions for the king but with promise de Futuro onely Which mariage was protracted from time to time in respect of the Infirmity of the king which held him by â—its till he dyed He left Executours Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester Richard Fitz Iames Bishop of London Thomas Bishop of Durham Iohn Bishop of Rochester Thomas Duke of Norfolk Treasurer of England Edward Earl of Worcester and Lord Chamberlaine Iohn F. knight chiefe Justice of the Kings Bench and Robert R. knight chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas. A little before his death he had concluded a marriage in which negociation Foxe Bishop of Winchester was imployed between his younger Daughter the Lady Mary of the age of ten years and Charles king of Castile not much elder but though concluded yet not solemnized and she was afterward married to Lewis the French king Of his Taxations IN his third yeer there was by Parliament granted toward the maintaining an Army in Britaine that every man should pay the tenth penny of his Goods which Tax though at first withstood in Yorkeshire and Durham yet was afterwad levied to the uttermost In his seventh yeer towards his warres in France a Benevolence was by Parliament granted by which great summes of money were collected of the richer sort only In his eleventh yeer a Subsidie of sixscore thousand pounds was granted him by Parliament towards his waâ—s with Scotland which caused afterward the insurrection in Cornwall In his nineteenth yeer a Subsidie was granted him by Parliament In his one and twentieth yeer â—e raised great summes of money from offenders against Penall Statutes the greatest but the unjustest way for raising of money that every any king of England used and not content with this he required and had at the same time a Benevolence both from the Clergie and Laity To the Clergie was imployed Richard Fox then Bishop of Winchester who assembling the Clergie before him exhorted them to be liberall in their contribution but the Clergie being of two sorts rich and poore made each of them their severall excuses The rich and such as had great livings said they were at great charges in keeping hospitality and maintaining their families and therefore desired to be spaâ—ed The poorer sort alledged that their means were small and scarce able to finde them necessaries and therefore desired to be forborne But the Bishop answered them both with a pretty Dilemma saying to the rich It is true you live at great charges in hospitality in apparell and other demonstrations of your wealth and seeing you have store to spend in such order there is no reason but for your Princes service you should do it much more and therefore you must pay To the poorer sort he said though your livings be small yet your frugality is great and you spend not in house-keeping and apparell as other doe therefore be content for you shall pay Of his Lawes and Ordinances THIS King was the first that ordained a company of tall strong men naming them Yeomen of the Guard to be attending about the person of the king to whom he appointed a Livery by which to be known and a Câ—ptaine by whom to be chosen In his time the authority of the Star-chamber which subsisted before by the Common Lawes of the Realme was confirmed in certaine cases by Act of Parliament In his time were made these excellent generall Laws One that from thenceforth sines should be finall and conclude all strangers rights Another for admission of poore suitours In forma paâ—peris without paying Fee to Counsellour Atturney or Clerke Another that no person that did assist by Armes or otherwise the King for the time being should after be Impeached therefore or Attainted either by course of the Law or by Act of Parliament and that if any such Act of Attainder did happen to be made it should be void and of none effect Another for the Benevolence to make the summes which any had agreed to pay and were not brought in to be leviable by course of Law Another that Murtherers should be burnt on the Brawn of the left hand with the letter M. and Theeves with the letter T. so that if they offended the second time they should have no mercy but â—e put to death and this to â—each also to Clearkes Convict In his fifth yeer It was ordained by Parliament that the Major of London should have Conservation of the river of Thames from the bridge of Stanes to the waters of Yendalâ— and Mâ—d-way In his seventeenth Iohn Shaw Major of London caused his brethren the Aldermen to ride from the Guild-hall to the waters-side when he went to Westminster to be presented in the Exchequer â—e also caused the kitchins and other houses of office â—o be builded at the Guild-hall where since that time the Majors feast haâ—h been kept which before had been in the Grocers or Taylours-hall In his eighteenth yeer king Henry being himselfe a brother of the Taylours Company as divers kings before had been namely Richard the third Edward the fourth Henry the sixth Henry the fifth Henry the fourth and Richard the second also of Dukes 11. Earles 28. Lords 48. he now gave to them the Name and Title of Merchant Taylours as a name of worship to endure for ever Affaires of the Church in his time IN
Sonne two Abbots twelve Earles and seventeene Lords of Knights and Gentlemen very many in all about eight thousand and almost as many taken prisoners as Pauluâ— Iovius saith amongst whom was Sir William Scot Chancellour to the said King and Sir George Forman his Sergiant Porter the Lord Hume and the Earle Huntley got horses and escaped Neither was the Battaile without blood to the English for there was slaine at lest a thousand and that which in a Defeat was strange many also taken prisoners for many in pursuing the Scots went rashly so farreâ— that they knew not which way â—o returne and by Bands of Scots that had not fought that day were set upon and â—aken When the field was done the Lord Generall called to him certaine Lords and Gentlemen and made them Knights as Sir Edward Howard his Son the Lord Scroope Sir William Percy Sir Edward Gorge and others This Battaile was fought on Friday the ninth of September in the yeere 1513. called by some Bramston by some â—lodden Field King Iames heere slaine was the same that had maried the Lady Margaret eldest Daughter of King Henry the seaventh and sister to the present King Henry and might have enjoyed many happy dayes if he had kept himselfe firme to his alliance but being carried away with the inveterate spleen betweene the two Nations and propension to France he ended his life though honorably yet miserably under many wounds It is a very memorable but sâ—arce credable thing which from the mouth of a very credible person who saw it George Buchanan relates concerning this King that intending to make a warre with England a certaine old man of venerable aspect and clad in a long blew garment came unto him and leaning familiarly upon the chaire where the King sat said I am sent unto thee O King to give thee warning that thou proceed not in the warre thou art about for if thou doe it will be thy ruine and having so said he pressed thorow the company and vanished out of sight for by no inquiry it could be knowne what became of him But the King was too resolute to be frighted with Phantosmes and no warning could divert his Destinie which had not been Destiny if it could have been diverted The day after the Battaile his Body though disfigured with wounds was knowne by the Lord Dacres and others to be his and thereupon bowelled embalmed and wrapped in lead was brought to the Monastery of Sheene in Surrey and there interred but at the dissolution of that House was taken up and thrown into a waste roome amongst timber and stone which Iohn Stow saith he so saw and further relateth that the servants of Launcelot Young Glasier to Queene Elizabeth being at Sheene in new Glazing the windowes either upon a foolish pleasure or desire of the lead cut the head from the rest but smelling the sweet perfums of the Balms gave it to their Master who opening the lead found therin the head of a man retaining favour though the moisture were cleane dried up whose haire both of head and beard was red which afterward he caused to be buried at Saint Michaels Church in Woodstreet where he dwelled But notwithstanding this relation of Stow Iohn Lesly Bishop of Rosse affirmeth that it was held for certaine the Body thus found was the Body of the Lord Bouchard slaine in that Bâ—ttaile Buchanan saith of Alexander Elfinston who in countenance and statuâ—e was like the King and that King Iames was seene alive the same night at Kelso whence he passed to Hierusalem and there spent the rest of his dayes in holy contemplation but howsoever it was he was never seen any more in Scotland King Henry being now returned from Tourney into England and finding the great services done in his absence against the Scots on the day of the Purification of our Lady at Lambeth he created the Earle of Surrey Duke of Norfolke with an augmentation of the Armes of Scotland Sir Charles Brandon Viscount Lisle he created Duke of Suffolke the Lord Howard high Admirall hee made Earle of Surry Sir Charles Somerset Lord Herbert his chiefe Chamberlaine Earl of Worcester and shortly after Sir Edward Stanly he made Lord Monteagle and in March following Master Thomas Woolsey his Almoner was made Bishop of Lincolne Here before we goe further it will be fit â—o â—ay something of this man that he be not a rub afterward in the way of the Story He was borne at Ipswich in Suffolke the sonne of a Butcher sent to Oxford by reason of his pregnancy of wit so soone that taking there the first degree of Art he was called the Boy Batchelour proceeding in learning he was made Fellow of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford and afterward Schoolemaster of the Schoole there at which time the Marquesse Dorset committed three of his Sonnes to be Instructed by him and having a Benefice fallen in his gift sent for him one Christmas and bestowed it upon him whereof Woolsey going to take possession at his being there for what misdemeanour is not delivered he was by Sir Amyas Pawlet set by the heeles which afterward he remembred to Sir Iamâ—s his no small trouble for he made him attend his pleasure five or six yeeres all which time lying in the Middle-Temple where he re-edified the Gate-house next the street very sumptuously setting the Cardinals Armes upon it to appease him After this disgrace he went over-sea where he fell in acquaintance with Sir Iohn Naphant treasurer of Callice and by him was preferred to be King Henry the sevenths Chaplaine and now being by this meanes in the Kings eye he so diligently carried himselfe that he soone got into the Kings heart One time it happened the King had occasion to send a Messenger to the Emperour Maximilian about a businesse that required haste for which imployment no man was thought more fit then Woolsey whereupon the King called him gave him his Errand and bad him make all the speed he could Woolsey departed from the King at Richmond about noone and by the next morning was got to Dover and from thence by noone that day was come to Callice and by night was with the Emperour to whom declaring his Messageâ— and having a present dispatch he rode that night backe to Callice and the night following came to the Court at Richmond The next morning he presented himselfe before the King who blamed him for not being yet gone the maâ—ter requiring haste to whom Woolsey answered that he had beene with the Emperour and had dispatched the businesse and for proofe shewed the Emperours lines the King wondred much at his speed but then asked him if he met not his Pursuivant whom he sent after to advertise him of a speciall matter hee had forgotten whereto Woolsey answered May it please your Grace I met him yester-day upon the way but that businesse I had dispatched before taking the boldnesse so to doe without commission as knowing it to be of speciall consequence
for which boldnesse I humbly intreat â—our Graces pardon The King not onely pardoned him but bestowed presently upon him the Deanery of Lincolne and soone after made him his Almoner In this state King Henâ—y the eight found him with whom also he grew into such favour that he made him of his Councell and having won Tourney made him Bishop of that Citie and returning into England the Bishopricke of Lincolne falling void by the death of Doctor Smith made him Bishop of that Diocesse And thus far the story hath now brought him but soone after he was raised higher for Doctor Bambridge Archbishop of Yorke dying he was translated from Lincolne to that See and that he might not be inferiour to the Archbishop of Canterâ—ury he procured of the Pope to be made Cardinall and Legat a Latere and after by the King was made Lord Chancellour of England and being come to this height of dignity he so carried himselfe in Expences of Houshold in number of Retinve and in all circumstances of State that no Subject before or since hath in any degree come neere him And if we may say it he was the first Debaucher of King Henry for to the end he might have the managing of all matters himself he perswaded the King that he should not need trouble himselfe with frequenting the Councell Table as he did but take his pleasure and leave those things to his Councell whereof himselfe would alwaâ—es give him â—nie Information This was plausible Councell and no marvaile if it were embraced of a yong King coming from the mouth of so great a Prelate In this fifth yeer of the King the Citizens of London finding themselves grieved with the Inclosures of the common fields about Islington Hogsdon and Shâ—rdich and other places adjoyning went one morning and threw downe all the Hedges and filled up all the Ditches whereat though the Kings Councell were at first offended yet the Maior and City shewed them such reasoâ—s that they rested satisfied and the fields were never since hedged On the nineteenth of May this yeer Pope Iulius the second sent to King Henry a Cap of Maintenance and a Sword and being angry with the King of France transferred by Authority of the Lateran Councell the title of Christianissimo from him upon King Henry which with great solemnity was published the sunday following in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul but this solemnity must not passe without Revelling Maskes and Justs wherein the King and the Duke of Suffolke were defendants against all commers who having the Duke of Longuevyle and the Lord of Clermont to be spectâ—tours spread the fame of their Chivalrie into forreigne Nations And now the great love that had been long between King Henry and the Flemings began to abate upon this occasion King Henry the seventh had concluded a match between his daughter Mary and Charles Prince of Spaine but by reason of her young yeers and for want of assurance of Joynture the match was deferred during his time but now King Henry the eight seeing his sister of convenient yeers began to call upon it and signified so much to the Councell of Flanders but they whether having other ends or out of Spanish delayes put him off with excuses and at last sent him word plainly they could doe nothing in it that yeer The King of France had soone Intelligence how much King Henry distasted these Spanish dealings and meant to make some good use of it for the ends he began to propose to himselfe which were to get the Lady Mary for himselfe and thereby procure peace with England being now old and weary of the War And for this purpose he got the new Pope Leo the tenth to be his mediatour and both of them send Embassadours to King Henry the Pope to perswade him to have peace with France the French King to treat about a Marriage with the Lady Mary upon whose Embassages King Henry partly to satisfie the Pope and partly to advance his sister did not unwillingly hearken to the motions but whilst this was in working Pryor Iohn who knew nothing of these intentions began again to play his Praâ—ks and coming with his Gallyes on the coast of Sussex burnt Bhighthem-steed and took away the goods he found in the Village whereupon the Lord Admirall sent Sir Iohn Walloppe to sea with divers ships and eight hundred men who for one Village that Pryor Iohn burnt in England burnt one and twenty Villages and Townes in France to the great honour of himselfe and his countrey And now King Henry by advice of his Councell and specially of Woolsey Bishop of Lincolne concluded both the peace with France and the Marriage of his Sister the Lady Mary with the French King but yet it stuck a while upon some differences King Henry demanding Bulloigne and the King of France Tourney in conclusion these demands were waved and the principall conditions wereâ— first concerning the Ladies Joynture that she should have two and thirty thousand Crownes of yeerly revenues if she survived the King and then concerning ths peace that the French King should pay yeerly to King Henry for five yeers one hundred thousand Crownes and the peace to continue between them during their lives and a yeer after and bound reciprocally to assist each other with ten thousand foot if the warre were by land with six thousand if by sea All things thus concluded the Lady Mary was brought to Dover by King Henry and his Queen and on the second of October taking shippiâ—g was conducted by the Duke of Norfolke the Marquesse Dorset the Bishop of Durhamâ— the Earle of Surry the Lord De la ware the Loâ—d Berners the Lord Monteagle Sir Maurice Berkely Sir Iohn Pechye Sir William Sands Sir Bulleyneâ— Sir Iohn Carre and many other Knights and Ladies but being not past halfe way over the sea their ships by tempest were dispersed and the Lady with some jeoperdy landed at Bullen where Sir Christopher Garnish was faine to stand in the water and take her in his armes and so set her on shore and there the Duke of Vendosme with a Cardinall and many other great States received her From Bullen the eight of October she came to Abbevyle where the Dolphyn received her on the morrow being Saint Dennis day she came to Saint Dennis where the marriage between the King of France and her was solemâ—ized though some write it had been solemnized before at Abbevyle The fifth of November she was Crowned Queene of France at which time the Dolphyn held the Crowne over her head as being too massie for her to weare and the day following she was received into Paris in most magnificent manner In honour of whose Marriage and Coronation the Dolphyn had caused a solemne Justs to be proclaimed which should be kept in Paris the seventh of November Upon report of this Proclamation in England the Duke of Suffolke the Marquesse Dorset and his four Brothers the Lord Clinton Sir Edward Neâ—â—ll
but â—ow he means to be in earnest and therefore sends over the Duke of Suffolk with an Army the foure and twentieth of August attended with the Lord Montacute and his bâ—other Sir Arthur Poole the Lord Herbert sonne to the Earle of Worcesâ—er the Lord Ferrers the Lord Marney the Lord Sands the Lord Barkley the Lord â—owis and the Baron Curson Sir Richard Winkâ—â—eld Chauncellour of the Duchy of Lancaster Sir Iohn Vere Sir Edward Nevile Sir William Kingsâ—on Sir Richard Weston Sir Andrew Winsore Sir Robert Winkfield Sir Anthony Winkfield Sir Edward Guildford Sir Edw Grevile Sir Edw Chamberlaine Sir Thomas Lucy Sir Everard Digby Sir Adrian Foskew Sir Richard Cornwall Sir William Courtney Sir William Sidney Sir Henry Owin sand many other Knights and Gentlemen In the whole Army were six hundred Demylaunces two hundred Archers on Horsback three thousand Archers on fooâ— and five thousand Bilmen Also seventeen hundred taken out of the Garrisons of Hammes Guysnes and Callice in all ten thousand and five hnndred besides two thousand six hundred labourers and Pioners With this Army the Duke of Suffolk took the field his vauntguard was led by the Lord Sands Capâ—aine of the right wing was Sir William Kingston of the left Sir Everard Digby Captain of all the Horsmen was Sir Edward Guildford Marshall of Callice the Duke himselfe led the Battaile and Sir Richard Winkfield the Reareward The Dukes first enterprise was the winning of Bell Castle which the Lord Sands and the Lord Ferres assaulted and had it yeelded to them and then Sir VVilliam Skevington was placed Captaine in it At this time the Duke of Bourbon high Constable of France began to have his mind alienaâ—ed from the King of France and â—o draw him the more on the Duke of Suffolk sent Sir Iohn Russel afterward created Duke of Bedford to him who passing in disguised apparell so prevailed with him that he professed to take part with the Emperour and the King of England who having ten thousand Almans in his pay it was thought fit for encouragâ—ment of the English to proclaime in the Army the accesse of so powerfull an assistant and therupon the Duke of Suffolk removed to Ard and so forward into Picardie At Cordes between Terwyn and Saint Omers there came to him the Lord of Isilstâ—yn and with him of Spaniards Almans and others three thousand Foot-men and five hundred Horse With these forces the Duke marching on took first the rich Town of Anchor then the Castle of Bounguard and then by assault the Towne of Bray though two thousand good men of war were in it After this the Towres of Cappe and Roy Lihome and Davenker and then came before â—he Towne of Mount-Dedyer in which were a thousand foot and five hundred horse yet upon Sir William Skevingtons Batteries was yeelded to him From hence he removed to Roy where he rested a while with hiâ— whole Army and there on Alholland-day in the chiefe Church of Roy made Knights the Lord Herbert the Lord Powis Oliver Manners Arthur Poole Richard Sands Robert Ierningham Robert Salisbury Edward Beningfield Richard Corbet Thomas Wentworth William Storton Walter Mantel George Warram and Edward Seymour that was after Duke of Somerset The day after the Army removed to a place called Neele from thence to Veane and then â—o Beauford where the Duke made Iohn Dudley and Robert Vtreight Knights and from thence on the eighth of November to a place called Mount Saint Martin here the Welshmen began to murmure that they might not returne home the winter being so far spent but there was to the number of a thousand persons under the leading of Sir Iohn VValloppe who having no wages but what they could got by booties and were therefore called Adventurers and by some Kreekers and these had more desire to stay then the VVelshmen had to be gon for the great gaines they made by the spoyles of so many Townes that were taken The thirteenth of November the Duke removed to a place within two miles of Boghan Castle defended by great Marishes that lay before it but the frost being at that time so great that many lost their fingers and toes with cold and some died Sir Edward Guildford acquainted the Duke that he thought the marishes were hard enough frozen to beare great Ordnance whereupon the Duke bid him venture it then and goe on which he resolutely did and had the Castle presently delivered up to him In this meane time the King hearing in what state the Army stood had prepared six thousand men to be sent to the Duke for a reliefe under the leading of the Lord Montjoy but before they could be put in order to passe the Sea the Duke partly by extremity of the weather and partly by the murmuring of the Souldiers was constrained to breake up his Army and returne to Câ—llice In this meane time the Scots knowing that the strength of England was gone into France tooke boldnesse to invade the Marishes but then the Earle of Surrey Treasurer and high Admirall of England with six thousand men being sent against them tooke divers of their Castles and Holds and at Yedworth skirmishing with a great Garrison of Scots overthrew them and tooke and burned both the Towne and Castle And now the French King finding that the Scots did not worke any great trouble to the English whereby to keepe them from molesting of France and thinking it to be for want of the Duke of Albanies presence whom they accounted their Governour he therefore prepared a Navie of Ships to transpoâ—t him into Scotland but when the Duke of Albany heard that Sir William Fitz-williams was sent with a great Fleet to stop his passage he brought his Ships into the Haven of Brest and gave it out that he would not goe into Scotland that yeere which being told to the King of England he commanded that his Ships also should be laid up in Havens till the next spring And now see the cunning of the Scot for when he saw the Kings Ships discharged he then boldly tooke shipping himselfe and sailed into Scâ—tland whither being come he presently levied a great Army and approached the English Borders but when he heard the Earle of Surrey was coming against him with a mighty power he then sent a Herâ—uld to himâ— promising of his honour to give him Battaile and if he tooke him prisoner to give him good quarter To whom the Earle answered that he would not faile to abide his Battaile but if he tooke him prisoner the quarter he would give him should be to cut off hiâ— head and send it for a Present to his Master the King of England At this time to the Earle of Surrey being at Alnewicke came the Earles of Northumberland and VVestmerland the Lords Clifford Dacres Lumley Ogle and Darcye with many Knights Gentlemen and other Souldiers to the number of forty â—housand and from the Court came the Master of the Horse Sir Niâ—holas Carew Sir Francis Bryan
Margaret Dutchesse of Savoy aunt to the Emperour and the Lady Loyis Dutchesse of Angoulesme Mother to the French King met at Cambray to treat of a Peace between the Emperor the Pope and the Kings of England and France where were present Doctor Tunstall Bishop of London and Sir Thomas Moore then Chancelour of the Dutchie of Lancaster Commissioners for the King of England after long debating through the diligence of the said Ladies a Peace was concluded and was thereof called The Womans Peace and was indeed as fickle as women for it was soone broken and neither of the Princes trusted the other ere the more for it King Henry before this time had beene wholly ruled by the Cardinall and by the Clergie but now growing sensible of that errour he called his high Courâ— of Parliament in which the Commons complained sharply of their grievances against the Clergie specially in six things The first for that they exacted unreasonable summes of money as due fees for the probate of mens last Wils and Testaments in so much that Sir Henry Guildford Knight of the Garter and Comptroller of the Kings House declared openly that he and others being Executers to Sir William Compton payed for the proâ—ate of his Will to the Cardinall and the Archbishop of Canterbury a thousand markes The second the extreame exaction which spirituall men used in taking of corps or mortuaries The third that spirituall men became Farmours of great Granges and Farmes to the prejudice of Husbandmen and Graziers The fourth because many Abbots Pryors and other spirituall men kept Tan-houses and bought and sold wooll cloath and other wares as temporall Merchants The fifth because such Clergy men as had the best livings would take the uttermost of their right and yet live in the Court or in Noble mens or Bishops houses where they spent nothing The sixth because diverse ignorant men amongst them held ten or twelve Benifices to themselves severally and yet lived not upon any one of them but kept great schollers at small pension These things before this time might not be touched because the Bishops were Chancelours and had all the rule about the King but now the King looking better into â—he matter gave way to these complaints whereupon the Burgesses drew up three Bils one of the probate of Testaments another for Mortuaries and the third for Non-residence pluralities and taking of farmes by spirituall men The bill of Mortuaries passed first the House of Commons and was sent up to the Lords within two dayes after was sent up the Bill of probate of Testaments at which the Archbishop of Canterbury and aâ—l the Bishops much frowned but specially Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester who rose up and said my Lords you see what Bills come dayly from the Common House and all is to the destruction of the Church for Gods sake consider what a realme Bohemia was and when the Church went downe then fell the glory of that Kingdome Now with our Commons is nothing but downe with the Church and all this mee seemeth is for lacke of faith onely When these words were reported to the House of Commons they tooke the matter very hainously and thereupon sent their spâ—aker Thomas Audeley with thirty of the House to the King complayning what a dishonour to the King and to the whole Realme it was to say that they which were elected for the wisest men of all Shires should be charged to lack faith which was all one as to say they were Infidels and no Chrystians so as what Acts or Laws soever they made should be taken as Laws made by Paynims and Heathen and not worthy to be kept by Christian men And therfore humbly besought his Majesty to call the said Bishop of Rochester before him to give accompt of the words he had spoken Wherupon within few daies after the King sent for the Bishop and acquainted him with the Commons complaint against him who excused himselfe by saying he meant the doings of the Bohemians was for lack of faith and not the doings of the House of Commons of which excuse the King sent word to the House by Sir William Fitz-Williams Treasurer of his houshold but it pleased the Commons nothing at all After divers meetings between the Lords and the Commons about the Bils of probate of Testaments and Mortuaries the temporalty laid to the spiritualty their owne lawes and constitutions and the spiritualty defended them by prescription and usage to whom a Gentleman of Grays-Inne made this answer the usage hath ever been of theeves to robbe on shooters hill is it therefore lawfull whilst these Bils were in debate an Act was passed which released to the King all such summes of money as he had borrowed at the Loane in the fifteenth yeere of his Reigne which Bill at first was much opposed but the most part of the House being the Kings servants it was at last assented to which once knowne in the Country abroad made much murmering and the Parliament to be ill spoken of for every man counted it as a sure debt so as some made their Wils of the money and some turned it over in satisfaction to their creditours To qualifie which grievance the King granted a generall pardon for all offences certaine excepted and was a meanes also to have the three Bils passed one for probate of Testaments another for Mortuaries and the third against plurality of Benefices Non-residence buying and taking of farmes by spiritual persons though this last with some qualifying During this Parliament the King created Viscount Rochford Earl of VViltshire the Vicount Fitz-VVater Earle of Sussex and the Lord Hastings Earl of Huntington By this time the Lords of the upper House had drawne certaine Articles against the Cardinall and sent them downe to the House of Commons the chiefe wherof were these First that without the Kings assent he hath procured himselfe to be made a Legat by reason whereof he tooke away the right of all Bishops and spirituall persons Secondly that in all his writings which he wrote to Rome or to any foraign Prince he wrote Ego et Rex meus I and my King so preferring himselfe before the King Thirdly that without the Kings assent hee carried the great Seale of England with him into Flanders Fourthly that having the French-pox he presumed to come and breath upon the King Fifthly that he caused the Cardinals-hat to be put upon the Kings Coyne Sixthly that he would not suffer the Kings Clerke of the Market to sit at Saint Albanes Seventhly that he had sent infinite store of treasure to Rome for purchasing of his dignity These Articles were read in the House and if not otherwise proved yet confessed afterward under the Cardinals owne hand which added to the former Praemunire all his Lands and goods were seized on to the Kings use This Parliament being ended the King removed to Greenwich and there kept his Christmas with his Queene Katherine in great state for though this
the sixth yeer of his reigne which was the yeer before he died he fel sick of the Measels and being well recovered of them he fell after soon into the smal Pox of them also was so well recovered that the summer following he rode a progresse with a greater magnificence then ever he had done before having in his traine no fewer then four thousand horse In Ianuary following whether procured by sinister practise or growing upon him by naturall infirmity he fell into an indisposition of body which soon after grew to a cough of the Lungs Whereupon a rumour was spread abroad by some that a Nosegay had been given him at Newyeerstide which brought him into this slow but deadly consumption by others that it was done by a Glister how ever it was he was brought at last to so great extremity that his Physicians despared of his life and when Physicians could do him no good a Gentlewoman thought to be prepared for the purpose tooke him in hand and did him hurt for with her applications his legges swelled his pulse failed his skinne changed colour and many other symptomes of approaching death appeared The hour before his death he was overheard to pray thus by himselfe O Lord God deliver me out of this miserable and wretched life O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy chosens sake if it be thy will send me life and health that I maâ— truly serve thee O Lord God save thy chosen people of England and defend this Realme from Papistrie and maintaine thy true Religion that I and my People may praise thy holy Name for thy Sonne Jesus Christs sake So â—urning his face and seeing some by him he said I thought you had nor been so nigh Yes said Doctor Owens we heard you speak to your selfe then said the King I was praying to God O I am faint Lord have mercy upon me and receive my spirit and in so saying gave up the Ghost the sixth day of Iuly in the yeer 1553. and in the sixteenth yeer of his Age when he had reigned six yeers five moneths and nine dayes It is noted by some that he died the same moneth and the same day of the moneth that his father King Henry the eight had put Sir Thomas Moore to death His body was buried upon the ninth of August in the Chappell of Saint Peters Church in Westminster and laid neere to the body of King Henry the seventh his grandfather At his funerall which was on the tenth of August following his sister Queen Mary shewed this respect to him that though Doctor Day a Popish Bishop preached yet all the service with a communion was in English Men of note in his time THis Kings reigne being short and having but small warres had not many sword-men famous for any acts they did Gowne men there were some as Edward Holl a Councellour in the Law who wrote a notable Cronicle of the union of the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster William Hugh a Yorkeshireman who wrote a notable Treatice called The troubled mans medicine Thomas Sternehold borne in Southampton who turned into English Meeteâ— seven and thirty of Davids Psalmes The Interregnum betweene the death of King Edward and the proclaiming at London of Queene Mary KIng Edward being dead the Duke of Northumberland tooke upon him to sit at the Sterne and ordered all things at his pleasure so two dayes after he with others of the Councell sent to the Lord Major that he with six Aldermen and twelve principall Commons should repaire presently to the Court to whom when they came it was secretly signified that King Edward was dead and that by his last Will to which all the Nobility and Judges had given assent he had appointed the Lady Iane daughter to the Duke of Suffolke to succeede him his Letters Patents whereof were shewed them and therupon they were required to take their Oathes of Allegeance to the Lady Iane and to secure the City in her behalfe which whether dissemblingly or sincerely whether for love or fear yet they did and then departed The next day the Lady Iane in great state was brought to the Tower of London and there declared Queene and by edect with the sound of Trumpet proclaimed so through London at which time for some words seeming to be spoken against it one Gilbert Pot a Vintâ—ers servant was set in the Pilory and lost both his ears Before this time the Lady Mary having heard of her brothers death and of the Duke of Northumberlands designes removed from Hovesdon to her Mannour of Keninghall in Norfolke and under pretence of fearing infection having lately lost one of her houshold servants of the plague in one day she rode forty miles and from thence afterward to her Castle of Framingham in Suffolke where taking upon her the name of Queene there resorted to her the most part of all the Gentlemen both of Norfolke Suffolke offering their assistance but upon condition she would make no alteration in Religion to which she condiscended and thereupon soone after came to her the Earles of Oxford Bathe and Sussex the Lord Wentworth Thomas Wharton and Iohn Mordant Barrons eldest sonnes and of Knights Cornwallis Drury Walgrave Shelton Beningfield Ierningham Suliard Freston and many others The Lady Mary being thus assisted wrote her letters signed the ninth of Iuly to the Lords of the Councell wherein shee claimed the Crowne as of right belonging to her and required them to proclaime her Queene of England in the City of London as they tendred her displeasure To this letter of hers the Lords answered that for what they did they had good Warrant not onely by King Edwards last Will but by the Lawes of the land considering her Mothers divorce and her owne Illegitimation and therefore required her to submit her selfe to Queene Iane being now her Soveraigne This Letter was written from the Tower of London under the hands of these that follow Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury Thomâ—s Elye Chancellour William Marquesse of Winchester Iohn Earle of Bedford Henry Duke of Suffolke Francis Earle of Shrewsbury Iohn Duke of Northâ—mberland William Earle of Pembrooke Thomas Lord Darcey Lord Chamberlin Cobham Rich Huntington Cheyney Iohn Gates William Peter William Ceâ—ill Iohn Clerke Iohn Mason Edward North and Robert Bowes The quarell on both sides being thus begun by Letters is prosecuted by Armes and the Lords for their Generall make choyce of the Duke of Suffolke as a man most likely to be firme and sure in the imployment but the Queen his daughter cannot misse his presence and besides is not willing to hazard his person and thereupon she by intreaties and the Lords by perswasions prevaile with the Duke of Northumbâ—rland to undertake the charge who before his going having conference with the Lords let them know how sensible he was of the double danger he under-went in this enterprize both in respect of the Lady against whom he went and
in the time of King Edward had refused to signe a writing for disinheriting the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth a fact worthy at least of a kinde remembrance from the Lady Mary now Queene yet now for that at a quarter Sessions in Kent he gave charge upon the statutes of King Henry the eight and King Edward the sixth in derogation of the Primacy of the Church of Rome he was first committed to the Kings Bench then to the Counter and lastly to the Fleet where he grew so troubled in minde that he attempted with a Pen-knife to kill himselfe and being afterward recovered of that hurt and brought to the Queenes presence who gave him very comfortable words yet could never come to be quiet in his minde but in the end drowned himselfe in a River not halfe a mile from his house the River being so shallow that he was faine to lye groveling before he could dispatch himâ—elfe of life And now another sprinkling of mercy came from the Queene for the Marquesse of Northampton and Sir Henry Gates lately before condemned to dye were now pardoned and set at liberty The Lady Iane also was allowed the liberty of the Tower not without hope of life and liberty altogether if her father the Duke of Suffolke had not the second time been cause of her destruction About this time also a Synod was assembled for consulting about matters of Religion and the point specially of the reall presence in the Sacrament The Prolocutour was Doctor VVeston and of the Protestant side were Iohn Almer and Richard Cheyney both Bishops afterward in Queene Elizabeths time also Iohn Philpoâ— afterward burnt Iames Haddon and others After long disputation where reasons were not so much weighed as voyces numbred the Papall side as having most voyces carried it and thereupon was that Religion againe restored and the Masse commanded in all Churches to be celebrated after the ancient manner It was now the yeer 1553. when Queene Mary was come to the age of seven and thirty yeers and therefore high time now to thinke of marriage at least if she meant to have issue of her body but a hard maâ—ter it was to finde a husband in all points â—itting for her yet three at this time in common fame at least were taken into consideration one was the Lord Courtney Mâ—rquesse of Exceter a goodly Gentleman and of Royall blood but there was exception against him because inclining as was thought to Lutheranisme another was Cardinal â—oole of a dignity not much inferiour to Kings and by his Mother descended from Kings but there was exception against him also because foure and fifty yeers old as old a Batchelour as Queen Mary was a maid and so the lesse hope of issue betweene them but the third if he might be had was without exception and this was Phillip Prince of Spaine the Emperour Charles his eldest sonne with whom being a Spaniard she was the fitter matched as being by the Mother a Spaniard her selfe And now very oppertunely came in the beginning of Ian. Embassadors into England about it amongst others the Couâ—â— of Egmond Admirall of the Lâ—w Countryes and Iohn of Memorancy Lord of Curryers whose message was so kindely entertained that the marriage in short time was absolutely concluded though it seemed something strange to many that she should now be wife to the sonne who thirty yeers before should have been wife to the father But so it is Queenes are never old so long as they are within yeers of bearing children And indeede the match was concluded with conditions of farre more advantage to Queeâ—e Mary then they were to King Phillip as on the fourteenth of Ianuary Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancelour of England openly in the Presence Chamber at Westminster declared to all the Lords and Gentlemen there present for it was agreed that after the marâ—iage King Phillip should have the Title of all the Queenes Dominions and be assumed into fellowship of the government but yet with reservation to the Queene of all Priviledges and Customes of the Kingdome and free disposition of all Offices and Honours as likewise the Queene should be assumed into the fellowship of all the Kings Dominions and surviving him should have a Joynture of two hundred thousand Pounds a yeer Then for the issue betweene them if she had a Sonne that he should inherit the Low Countryes and Burgundy and King Phillips sonne Charles which he had by a former wife should inherit all his Dominions in Italie and Spaine but if his sonne Charles should fail without issue then the sonne he should have by Queene Mary should inherit his Kingdomes of Italie and Spaine also And the like good provision was also made for daughters But notwithstanding these great â—dvantageâ— of the maâ—ch yet such was the precipitant rashnesse of some that thinking themselves wiser then the Queene and the Councel they sought by all meanes to oppose the match giving out that it â—ended to bring England under the yoke of Spaine and to make the Countrey a slave to strangers This was the generall murmuring of people but the first that shewed himselfe in Armes was Sir Thomas Wyat of Kent who having communicated the matter with the Duke of Suffolke the Lady Ianes father with Peter Caroe a Knight of Devonshire and divers others intended onely to make secret provision but not to stirre till Prince Phillip should be come that so their cause of taking armes might have the better colour On the fifteenth of Ianuary Robert Dudley sonne to the Duke of Northumberland was arraigned at the Guildhall of high Treason who confessed the indictment and had judgement given by the Earle of Sussex to be drawen hanged bowelled and quartered But now in counsels communicated to many it is a hard matter to have counsell kept and Sir Peter Caroe finding that their plot was discovered fled privily into France where lurking for a time he was afterward taken at Bruxells and brought captive into England as likewise at the same time and place Sir Iohn Cheeke King Edwards Schoolmaster was taken who being drawne by terrours to embrace the Papall Religion with very griefe afterward of his errour pined away and dyed Sir Peter Caroe lived many yeers afâ—er and dyed in Ireland though it be falsely recorded they were both burnt for Religion in Iune of this yeer Wyatt hearing of Sir Peter Caroes flight and that all their purpose was discovered was driven before his time to enter into armes giving out for the cause that it was not to attempt any thing against the Queene but onely to remove ill Councellours and chiefly to repell Prince Phillip least by this mariage the Kingdome should come in subjection to the Spaniard With Wyatt were joyned Sir Henry Isley Sir George Harper Anthony and William Knevet and divers other Gentlemen of the County against him were the Lord Abuegaveny Sir Thomas Cheyney Lord Warden of the Ports Sir Sobert Southwell Sheriffe of Kent Sir
Nicholas Heath Archbishop of Yorke was made Lord Chancelour And now comes the time of Archbishop Cranmers execution who the yeere before had beene condemned and degraded by Commission from the Pope after which being by the subtiltie of some put in hope of life out of frailty he subscribed to a Recantation which yet did him no good for whether it were that Cardinall Poole would no longer be kept from being Archbishop which he would not be as long as he lived or that the Queen could â—ot be gotten to forget his being the chief instrument of her Mothers diâ—orce his exâ—cution was resolved to be the 14. of Febr. in the same place at Oxford where Ridley and Latimer five month before had bin before the execution Dâ—ct â—â—le preached who to make use of Cranmers Recantation told the people they doe well to harken to this learned mans confession who now at his death and with his death wold testifie which was the true religion never thinking that Cranmer wold haâ—e denied his former Recantation but Cranmer being brought to the stake contrary to expectation acknowledged that through frailty he had subscribed it praying God hartily to forgive it and now for a punishment that hand which had done it should first suffer and therewithall thrusting his right hand into the fire he there held it till it first and then his whole body was consumed onely which was no small miracle his heart remained whole and not once touched with the fire The same yeer also no fewer then 84. of both sexes were burnt for Religion and it was a cruelty very far extended that the bones of Bucer and Phâ—giâ—â— some time before dead and buried were taken up and publikely burnt in Cambridge No sooner was Cranmer dead but the very same day was Cardinall Poole made Archbishop of Canterbury In the fourth yeere of the Queene exemplar Justice was done upon a great person for the Lord Sturton a man much in the Queens faâ—our as being an earnest Papist was for a murther committed by him arraigned and condemned and he with foure of his servants carried to Salisbury was there in the Market-place hanged having this favour to be hanged in a silken halter his servants in places neere adjoyning to the place where the Murther was committed The foure and twentieth of Aprill Thomas Stafford second son to the Lord Stafford with other to the number of two thirty persons set on by the French King attempted to raise Sedition against the Queen for marrying with King Phillip and comming out of France arrived at Scarborough in Yorkeshire where they tooke the Castle but within two dayes were driven out by the Eaâ—le of VVestmerland and then taken and arraigned the eight and twentieth of May Stafford was beheaded on the Tower-hill and the next day three of his associates Strelley Bradford Proctor were drawn from the Tower to Tyburne and there executed The first of May Thomas Percy was first made Knight after Lord and the next day was created Earle of Northumberland to whom the Queene gave all the Lands that had bin his Ancestours At this time the Queene intangled her selfe contrary to her promise in her husbands quarrell sent a defiance to the French King by Clarentiâ—â— king at Armes and after on the Munday in Whitsonweeke by sound of trumpet proclaimed open warre against him in Cheapside and other places of the Citie and shortly after caused an Army of a thousand Horse and foure thousand fooâ— to be transported over to the aid of her husband King Phillip under the leading of the Earle of Pembrooke Captain Generall Sir Anthony Broâ—ne Viscount Mountague Lievtenant Generall the Lord Gray of VVilton Lord Marshall the Earle of Rutland Generall of the Horse the Earle of Lincolne Coronel of the Foot the Lord Roâ—ert Dudley Master of the Ordnance the Lord Thomas Howard the Lord De la VVare the Lord Bray the Lord Chandowes the â—orâ— Ambrose Dudley the Lord Henry Dudley with divers Knights and Gentâ—ement who joyning with King Phillips Forces they altogether â—et down before Sâ—int Quintâ—ns a town of the French Kings of great importance To the resâ—â—â— whereof the French King sent an Army under the leading of the Constable 〈◊〉 France which consisted of nine hundred men at armes with as many light 〈◊〉 eight hundred Reystres two and twenty Ensignes of Lancequeneâ—s and 〈◊〉 Ensigns of French footmen their purpose was not to give battell but to 〈◊〉 more succours into the Town which the Philippians perceiving encountred them and in the â—ight slew Iohn of Burbon Duk of Anghien the Viscount of Tâ—â—rain the Lo of Châ—denier with many gentlemen of account they took prisoners the Duk of Memorancy Constable of France the Duk of Montpensyer Duk Longuevile the Marshall of Saint Andrewes the Lord Lewis brother to the Duke of Mantova the Baron of Curton the Rhinegrave Colonell of the Almaynes Monsieur d'Obigny Monsieur de Biron and many others and then pursuing the victory under the government of the Earle of Pembrooke on the seven and twentieth of August they tooke the towne of Saint Qintyns in the assault whereof the Lord Henry Dudley yongest sonne to the Duke of Northumberland was with a peece of great Ordnance slaine and some other of account The saccage of the Town King Phillip gave to the English as by whose valour chiefly it was won The joy was not so great for this winning of Saint Qintyns but there will be greater sorrow presently for other losses Many of the Garrison of Callice had beene drawne from thence for this service of Saint Quintyns and no new supply sent which being perceived by the French King a Plot is laid how to surprize it which yet was not so secretly carried but that the Officers of Callice had intelligence thereof who thereupon signified it to the Councell of England requiring speedy succours without which against so great an Army as was raisd against them they should not be able to hold out But whether they gave no credit to their relations or whether they apprehended not the danger so imminent as indeed it was they neglected to send supplies till it was too late For the Duke of Guyse with no lesse speed then Policie tooke such a course that at one and the same time he set both upon Newnambridge and also Ricebanke the two maine Skonces for defence of the Towne and tooke them both and then fell presently to batter the Wals of the Castle it selfe and that with such violence of great Ordnance that the noyse was heard to Antâ—erpâ— being a hundred miles of But having made the wals assaultable the English used this stratagem they laid traines of Powder to blow them up when they should offer to enter but this stratagem succeeded not for the French in passing the Ditch had so wet their cloathes that dropping upon the traine the Powder would take no fire so all things seemed to concurre against the English and thereupon the Castle was taken also
spare her Father the Duke of Suffolkes life till his second offence gave her just provocation The goodnesse of her nature might be seene in the badnesse of her fortune who tooke nothing so much to heart as unkindnesse of friends the revolt of Callice and the absence of King Phillip being the two chiefe causes that brought her to her end Of her Death and Buriall THE conceit of her being with childe had kept Physitians to looke into the state of her body so as her distemper at first neglected brought her by degrees into a Dropsie to which was added a burning Feavour brought upon her by a double griefe one for the long absence of King Phillip who had now beene away a yeer and a halfe the other and perhaps the greater for the losse of Callice as she forbore not to say to some about her that if they looked into her Heart being dead they should finde Callice there She began to fall sicke in September and dyed at her Mannour of Saint Iames the seventeenth of Novembâ—r in the â—eer 1558. when she had reigned five yeers four moneths and eleven dayes Lived three and forty yeers Her Body was interred in a Chappell in the Minster of Saint Peters Church at Westminster without any Monument or other Remembrance Men of note in her time OF Men of Valour in her time there were many as may be seen in the Story of her Reâ—gne but to name some for example there was William Herbert Earle of Pembrooke the chiefe assistant of King Phillip in the winning of Saint Quintins there was William Lord Gray of VVilton Captain of Guysnes who though he yeelded the Town yet more out of tendernesse to his Souldiers then out of feare of his Enemies which he would never else have yeelded up and to speake of one of a meaner ranke there was Sir Anthony Ager who in defence of the Town of Callice lost his life but not till he made the Enemie turne their backes and flye Oâ— learned men also there were many as Iohn Rogers borne in Lancashire who Translated the Bible into English with Notes Richard Moryson Knight borne in Oxfordshire who wrote divers Treatises Robert Record a Doctor of Physicke who wrote a Booke of Arithmaticke Câ—â—bert Tunstall of a worshipfull Family in Lancashire though base borne whoâ—e Ancestours came into England with the Conquerour as his Barbour and â—herefore hath three Combs his Armes Bishop first of London and after of Dâ—â—ham who wrote divers learned Workes Richard Sampson Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield who wrote certaine Treaâ—â—ses Lucâ—s Shepheaâ—d borne aâ— Colechester in Essex an English Poet Iane Dudley daughter â—o Henry Gray Duke of Suffolke wrote divers excellent Treatises VVilliam Thomas a VVâ—lshman who wâ—ote the History of Italie and other things Iames Brookes and Iohn Standish both of them writers in defence of the Popes Doctrine VVilliam Peryn a black Fryer who wrote in defence of the Masse and also divers Sermons Henry Lord Stafford sonne to Edward Duke of Buckingham who amongst other things which he wrote Translated a Booke out of Latine into English intituled Differentiaâ— which Booke as some thinke was first compiled by Edward Foxe Bishop of Hereford Iohn Hopkins who translated divers of Davids Psalmes into English Meeter which are to be found amongst those appointed to be sung in the Church THE RAIGNE OF Queen Elizabeth QUeen Mary dying on Thursday the seventeenth of November in the Yeer 1558 her sister the Lady Elizabeth of the age of five and twenty yeers the onely surviving childe of King Henry the eighth by undoubted Right succeeded Her in the Crown which happened in a time of Parliament Nicholas Heath Arch-bishop of York and Lord Chancellor sent to the Knights and Burgesses in the Lower House to repair immediately to the Lords of the Upper House to whom he signified That Queen Mary was that morning dead and therefore required their Assents to joyn with the Lords in proclayming Queen Elizabeth which accordingly was done by the sound of Trumpet first at Westminster and after in the City of London The Queen was then at Haâ—fieldâ— from whence on Wednesday the three and twentieth of November she removed to the Lord North's house in the Charter-house where she stayed till Monday the eight and twentieth of November and then rode in her Chariot thorow London to the Tower where she continued till the fifth of December and then removed by water to Somerset-House in the Strand from whence she went to her Pallace at Westminster and from thence on the twelfth of Ianuary to the Tower and on the fourteenth of Ianuary to Westminster to her Coronationâ— where it is incredible what Pageants and Shews were made in the City as she passed On Sunday the five and twentieth of Ianuary she was Crowned in the Abbey Church at Westminster by Doctor Oglethorp Bishop of Carlile with all Solemnities and Ceremonies in such case accustomed At this time to honour her Coronation she conferred more Honour then in all her life after William Parre degraded by Queen Mary she made Marquesse of Northampton Edward Seymor whose father had been Attaynted she made Earl of Hertford Thomas Howard second son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk she made Viscount Bindon Sir Henry Carie her Cousin German she made Baron of Hunsdon and Sir Oliver St. Iohn she made Baron of Bletsho And now the Queen though she were her self very wise yet would not trust and it was a great point of wisedome that she would not trust to her own wisedome and therefore she chose Counsellors to assist her In which number she took Nicholas Heath Arch-bishop of York William Pawlet Marquesse of Winchester L. High Treasurer Henry Fitz Alan Earl of Arundell Francis Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Edward Stanley Earl of Derby Wil. Herbert E. of Pembroke Edw. L. Clinton L. Admirall and William L. Howard of Effingham Sir Thomas Cheyney Sir William Peter Sir Richard Sackvyle and Nicholas Wootton Dean of Canterbury all which had been Counsellors to Queen Mary and were of her Religion But then to make a counter-poyse of Counsellors of her own Religion she joyned with them William Parre Marquesse of Northampton Francis Russell Earl of Bedford Sir Thomas Parry Sir Edward Rogers Sir Ambrose Cave Sir Francis Knolles and Sir William Cecill late Secretary to King Edw. the sixth and a little after Sir Nicholas Bacon whom she made Keeper of the Great Seal And having thus provided for her State at home she seeks correspondence with Princes abroad To the Emperour Ferdinand she sent in Embassage Sir Tho. Chaloner to the King of Spain in the Low-Countreyes the Lord Cobham to the Princes of Germany Sir Henry Killigrew Sir Aemygill Wâ—ad to the Duke of Holst and another Ambassadour to the King of Denmark There were also Ambassadours sent to the Pope to the State of Venice and to the French King with whom at this time there was a Treaty of Peace holden at Cambray between the Kingdoms of France England and
taken by right of War and not to be dismissed till she had made satisfaction for assuming the Title of England and for the death of Darly her husband who was born one of the Queens Subjects In this diversity of opinions Queen Elisabeth out of her own judgement sent word by Middemore to the Regent of Scotland that he should come himself in person or else depute some fit persons to answer the complaints of the Queen of Scots against him and his confederates and render sufficient reasons wherefore they had deprived her otherwiseâ— she would forthwith dismisse her and with all the forces she could settle her in her Kingdom To this Summons Murray obeys and comes to York the place appointed for this Treaty accompanied with seven more of his intimate friends who stood Delegates for the Infant King namely Iames Earl of Morton Adâ—m Bishop of the Orkâ—neys Robert of Dunferm Patrick Lord of Lyndsey Iames Mac-gylly and Henry â—adinary and with these Lydington the Secretary and Geâ—rge Buchanan And the very same day came thither Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk Thomas Ratcliff Earl of Sussex and Sir Ralph Saedler a Privie-Councellour appointed Commissioners for Queen Elisabeth For the Queen of Scots who took it hainously that Queen Elisabeth would not hear the causâ— hâ—r self but refer hâ—r to Subjects being an absolute Prince and not tyâ—d to their procâ—edings there appeared Iohn Lesley Bishop of Ross William Lord Levyngâ—â—on Robert Lord Boyde Gaâ—â—â— of Kilwynnin Iohn Gâ—urdâ—n and Iames Cockâ—urn Being met Lydingtoâ— turning himself to the Scots in a wondrous liberty of Speech gave them this advice Maturely to consider what prejudice they should draw upon themselves by accusing thâ— Queen of Scots and calling her Reputation in question publikely before the English professed enemies of the Scottish Nation Likewise whaâ— account they shall be able to give hereof to the King when he shall grow to â—iper yâ—â—rs and shall see what an injury this was to the Kingdom his Mother and his own perâ—on Whereforâ— said he it seemeth requisite to forbear this businesse alâ—ogether unlesse the Queen of England will enter into a â—uâ—uall league of Offence and Defence against all those which under this pretencâ— shall go about â—o molest us Upon this Speech of his the Dâ—lâ—gates of the Queâ—n of Scots made Protestation That although it pleased the Quâ—â—n of Scots to have the cause between her and her disloyall Subjects dâ—â—â—ted befoâ—â— the English yet she being a free Prince and obnoxious to no earthly Prince whatsoever did not thereby yeeld her self subject to thâ— Jurisdiction and command of any person On the contrary the English proâ—estâ—d That they did in no wise admiâ— that Protestation in prâ—judice to the right which the Kings of England have anciently challenged as superiouâ— Lords of the Kingdom of Scoâ—land The day after the Queen of Scoâ—s Delegates sâ—t forth at large the injurious dealing of Morton Murray Marre Gleâ—car◠〈◊〉 and others against the Queen and how they had compelled hâ—r for fear of death to resign her Crown which therefore they said was of no â—orâ—â— Murray and his confederates make answâ—r That they had done nothing but by consent of the Peers in Parliament and thaâ— in prosâ—cuâ—ing oâ— Bothwell the author of the Kings murther whom the Queen protected and as for her resignation â—hat it was voluntarily and freely done All this the Queen of Scots Delegaâ—es answered and confuted affirming in particular That where there are 100 Earls Bishops and Barons more or lesse that have voices in the Parliament of Scotland there were not in that tumâ—ltous assembly they speak of above four Earls one Bishop an Abbot or two and six Barons wherefore their earnest request was that the Qâ—een of England would be â—â—nsible of these indignities offered her and take some course for a speedy rednesse After this some new Commissioners from Queen Elizabeth were added to the former to some of whom the Queen of Scots took exception unlesse the French and Spanish Embassadors might be taken in and her self admitted into the presence of the Queen and them publickly to defend her own innocency and that Murray might be detained and â—ited whom she affirmed she was able to prove to have been the chief Plotter of the murther of her husband Darley This was held to be a just demand by the Duke of Norfolk the Earls of Arundell Sussex Leicester and the Lord Clinton But Queen Elizabeth waxing somewhat angry openly said that the Queen of Scots should never want an Advocate as long as Norfolk lived It was seen here which is said that the heart of the King is inscrutable for how Queen Elizabeth stood affected in this case of the Queen of Scots no man could well discernâ— she detested the insolency of her Subjects in deposing her and yet gave no assistance to restore her After long agitation of this businesse and nothing concluded Murray a little before his return into Scotland slyly propounded the mariage of the Queen of Scots to the Duke of Norfolk which he with a modest answer rejected as a thing full of danger But withall Murray the more to alienate Queen Elizabeths mind from the Queen of Scots gave ouâ— that she had passed away to the Duke of Andyn her Right to the Crown of England and that the transaction was confirm'd at Rome he shewd Letters also which the Queen of Scots had written to some friends whom she trusted wherein she accused the Queen for not dealing with her according to promise and boasted of succours she expected from some others This last clause something troubled Queen Elizabeth neither could she conjecture from whence any such succour should come seeing both France with the Civill Wars and the King of Spain in the Low-countries had enoâ—gh to do at home But at last it brake out that one Robert Ridolph a Florentine under the habit of a Merchant in London was suborned by Pope â—ius the fifth to make a secret commotion of the Papists in England against the Queen which he performed indeed with a great deal of secrecy and much cunning whereupon the Queen of Scots was removed from Bolton a Castle of the Lord Scroops where all the neighbouring people were Papistsâ— to Tutbury more toward the heart of the Country under the custody of George Earl of Shrewsbury About this time the Guises in France and the Duke D'Alva in the Low-countries began to endeavour the utter extirpation of the Protestant Religion In France the Ministers of the Gospell are commanded within a limitted time to depart the Kingdom when Queen Elizabeth forgetting the â—icklenesse of the Protestants at New-haven once again takes upon her their protection supplyes them with two hundred thousand Crowns in money besides Munition in abundance and with all humanity receives the French that fled into England the rather for that they made solemn protestation they took not up Arms against their Prince but only stood upon their own defence In the Low-countries
all which the Duke made colourable answers but most of them being proved by sufficient testimony he asked upon occasion Whether the subjects of another Prince who is confederate and in league with the Queen are to be accounted the Queens enemiesâ— to which Catiline answered They were and that the Q. of England might wage War with any Duke of France yet hold firm Peace with the French King When it grew towards night the L. high Steward demanded of the Duke if he had any more to say for himself who answered I rely upon the equity of the Laws After this the Lords withdrawing a while and then returning the Lord Steward beginning at the lowermost asked them My Lord de la Ware Is Thomas Duke of Norfolk guilty of these crimes of High Treason for which he is called in question He rising up and laying his hand upon his breast answered guilty in like manner they answered all After this the Lord Steward with teares in his eyes pronounced sentence in forme as is used A few dayes after were Barnes and Mather executed who conspired with one Herle to make away certaine of the Councellors and to free the Duke but Herle revealed the businesse presently to whom Barnes when hee saw his Accuser brought forth smilingly said Herle thou wert but one houre before mee else I had beene in thy place for the accuser and thou in my roome to be hanged at the same time with them was hanged also Henry Rolfe for counterfeiting the Queens hand But though the Duke were now condemned yet the Queen was so tender of his case that it was foure Moneths after before he was executed at last on the second of June at eight of the clock in the morning he was brought to the Scaffold upon the Tower-Hill and there beheaded At this time and upon this occasion a Parliament was Assembled wherein amongst other Lawes it were Enacted that if any man shall go about to free any person imprisoned by the Queens expresse Commandementâ— for Treason or suspition of Treason and not yet Arraigned he shall lose all his goods for his life time and be imprisoned during the Queens pleasure if the said person have beene Arraigned the Rescuer shall forfeit his life if condemned he shall be guilty of Rebellion In the time of this Parliament the Queen created Walter Devereux Earl of Essex being before but Viscount Hereford because he was descended by his Great-grand-mothers from the Bourchiers and made the Lord Clinton who had large Revenues in Lincolnshire Earl of Lincoln Also she called forth Iohn Paulet of Basing the Marquesse of Winchester's son Henry Compton Henry Cheyney and Henry Morris for Barons by Summons Within ten dayes after the Dukes death William Lord De-la-ware Sir Ralph Sadler Thomas Wilson Doctor of the Laws and Thomas Brumley the Queens Solicitour were sent to the Queen of Scots to expostulate with her That shee had usurped the Title and Arms of the Kingdom of England and had not renounced the same according to the agreement of the Treaty at Edinburgh That shee had endeavoured the marriage of the Duke of Norfolke without acquainting the Queene and had used all forcible meanes to free him out of prison had raised the Rebellion in the North had relieved the Rebels both in Scotland and in the Low-Countries had implored Aids from the Pope the King of Spaine and others had conspired with certaine of the English to free her out of Prison and Declare her Queen of England Lastly that she had procured the Popes Bull against the Queen and suffered herself to be publikely named the Queen of England in Forreigne Countries All which accusations she either absolutely denyed or else fairly extenuated and though as she said she were a free Queen and not subject to any creature yet she was content and requested that she might make her personall answer at the next Parliament About this time the King of Spain by his Embassadour here complained to the Queen that the Rebels of the Netherlands were harboured and entertained in England contrary to the Articles of the League whereupon the Queen set forth a severe Proclamation That all the Dutch who could any wayes be suspected of Rebellion should presently depart the Realm which yet turned little to D'Alva's or the King of Spains benefit For hereupon Count Vander-Mark and other Dutch going out of England surprized the Brill first then Flushing and afterwards drew other Towns to Revolt and in a short time excluded the Duke D'Alva in a manner from the Sea And this errour to suffer the Protestant party to get possession of the Sea-towns hath been the cause they have been able to hold out even all this long time against the King of Spain And now many military men having little to do at home got them into the Netherlands some to Duke D'Alva but the far greater number to the Prince of Orenge The first of whom was Thomas Morgan who carryed three hundred English to Flushing then followed by his procurement nine Companies more under the conduct of Humphry Gilbert and afterward it became the Nursery of all our English Souldiers At this time Charls the French King setting his mind wholly at least seeming so upon the Low-Country War concluded a peace and entred into a league with Queen Elizabeth which was to remain firm not only during their two lives but between their successors also if the sâ—ccessor signifie to the surviver within a yeer that he accepteth it otherwise to be at liberty It was likewise agreed what aid by Sea or Land they should each of them afford to other upon occasion and for ratification of this League Edward Clinton Earl of Lincoln and Admirall of England was sent into France with whom went the Lord Dacres Rich Talbot Sands and others The French King likewise sent the Duke of Memorancy and Paul Foix iâ—to England with a great train that the Queen in the presence of them and the Embassador in Ordinary might sweare to the league which she did at Westminster the seaventeenth of May in the yeer 1572. The day after she made Memorancye Knight of the Garter Memorancye whilst he tarryed in England made intercession in his Kings name that what favour could be without danger might be shewed to the Queen of Scots and then made much a do again about the marriage with the Duke of Angiou but being hopelesse to make conclusion thereof by reason of the diversity of Religion he returned into France for now was great provision making ready for the mariage between Henry King of Navarre and the Lady Margeret the French Kings Sister to which solemnity with notable dissimulation the Queen of Navarre and the chief of all the Protestants were allured being born in hand that there should be a renovation of love and a perpetuall peace established The Earl of Leicester likewise and the Lord Burleigh were invited out of England and out of Germany the sons of the Prince Elector Palatine under
her self with all her Forces to compell them While Wilkes in Spain unfoldeth theâ—e matters Iohn of Austria sendeth to Queen Elizabeth in most grievous manner accusing the States for disobedience and making a large declaration of the causes for which he had taken up Armes again Thus Queen Elizabeth like a fortunate Princesse sate as an Honourable Arbitresse between the Spanish the French and the States insomuch that it was not untrue which one wrote That France and Spaine were Ballances in the Scale of Europe and England the Beame to turne them either way for they still got the better to whome she adhered About this time when the Judges sate at the Assizes in Oxford and one â—owland Iâ—nkes a Book-seller was questioned for speaking approbrious words against the Queen suddenly they were surprised with a pestilent favour whether rising from the noysome smell of the prisoners or from the dampe of the ground is uncertaine but all that were there present almost every one within forty hours died except Women and children and the Contagion went no further There died Robert Bell Lord chief Baron Robert D'Oylie Sir William Babington D'Olye Sheriffe of Oxford-shire Harcourt Weynman Phetiplace the most noted men in this Tract Barham the famous Lawyer almost all the Jurours and three hundred other more or lesse This yeer the title of the Lord Latimer which had flourished in the Familie of the Nevills ever since the dayes of King Henry the sixth was extinct in Iohn Nevill who died without issue male and left a faire estate to four daughters whereof the eldest marryed Henry Earl of Northumberland the second Thomas Cecill who was afterward Earl of Exceter the third Sir William Cornwallis and the fourth Sir Iohn Daverse In Ireland the O-Moores and O-Conors and others whose Ancestours the Earl of Sussex in Queen Maries dayes had for their rebellion deprived of their Patrimonie in Loyse and Ophâ—liâ— did now break forth into a new Rebellion under the conduct of Roriâ— Oge that is Roderick the younger set on fire the village of Naasse assault Lâ—chlin from whence being driven back by the valour of George Careâ— the Governour he was afterward slain Out of England at this time there went into the Low-countries Iohn North the Lord Norths eldest sonneâ— Iohn Norris second son to the Lord Norris Henry Cavendish and Thomas Morgan Colonells with many voluntaries to learn Militarie experience Thither also came Caesamire the Elector Palatines sonne with an Army of German Horse and foot at the Queenes charges upon theâ—e Don Iohn assisted by the Prince of Parma Mondragon and other the best Commanders of Spain confident of victorie flyeth furiously before they expected him yet after a long fight was forced to retreat but then turning again and thinking to breake through the Hedges and Brakes where the English and Scottish voluntaryes had placed themselves was again repulsed for the English and Scottish were so hot upon the matter that casting away their garments by reason of the hot weather they fought in their shirts which they made fast about them In this battell Nâ—â—â—â—â— fought most valiantly and had three horses sâ—ain under him as also 〈◊〉 the Scot Bingham and William Mâ—râ—ham Now for comfort â—o the afflicted Provinces there came at that â—â—me into the Netherlands the Count Swâ—â—zenberg from the Emperour Mâ—nsieâ—â— Beâ—â—â—â—â—re from the French King and from the Queen of England the Lord Cobham and Walâ—ingham with Commission to procure conditions of Peace but returned without doing any thing for that Don Iohn refused to admit the Proâ—estanâ— Religion and the Prince of Orange refused to return into Holland About this time Egrâ—mâ—â—d Râ—â—cliffe son to Henry Earl of Susseâ— by his second wife who had been a prime man in the rebellion of the North and served now under Don Iohn was accused by the English fugitives that he was sent under hand to kill Don Iohn which whether true or false he was thereupon taken and put to death The Spaniards have affirmed That Ratcliffe at his last end confessed voluntarily That he was freed out of the Tower of London and moved by Walsinghams large promises to do this Fact but the English that were present at his death deny that he confessed any such thing though the English Rebells did all they could to wrest this confession from him At this very time Don Iohn in the flower of his age died of the Pestilence or as some say of grief as being neglected by the King of Spain his brother a man of an insatiable Ambition who aymed first at the Kingdom of Tunis and after of England and who without the privity of the French King or King of Spain had made a league with the Guises for the defence of both Crowns Alanson although very busie about the Belgick War yet now began again to pursue the Marriage with Queen Elizabeth for renewing of which suit first was Bachervyle sent to the Queen and soon after Ramboulet from the French King and within a month after that Simier a neat Courtier and exquisitely learned in the Art of Love accompanied with a great number of the French Nobility whom the Queen at Richmond entertained in such loving manner that Leicester began to rage as if his hopes were now quite blasted Certainly a little before when Ashley a Lady of the Queens Bed-chamber mentioned the Earl of Leicester to her for husband she with an aâ—gry countenance replyed Dost thou think me so unlike my self and so forgetfull of Majestie as to prefer my servant whom I my self have advanced before the greatest Princes of the Christian world But it is now time to return to the Scottish Affairs The Earl of Morton Regent of Scotland though a man of great wisedome and valour yet was now so overcome of covetousnesse that he grew universally hated and thereupon with the joynt consent of the Nobility the Administration of the Common-wealth was translated to the King though he was yet but twelve yeers old and twelve of the chief Lords were appointed to attend him in Councell three of them by course for three months amongst whom the Earl of Morton for one that they might not seem to cast him quite off The King having taken upon him the Administration sent presently the Earl of Dumformelin to Queen Elizabeth acknowledging her great deserts towards him and requesting to have the Treaty of Edinburgh agreed on in the yeer 1559 to be confirmed for the more happy restraining the robbers about the borders and withall That his ancient Patrimony in England namely the Lands granted to his Grand-father Maâ—â—hew Earl of Lenox and the Countesse his Grand-mother might be delivered into his handsâ— who was the next Heir The Queen readily promised the former demands but stuck a little at the last concerning the Patrimony For she would not grant That Arbella the daughter of Charles the King of Scots Unkle Born in England was the next Heir to the Lands in England neither would she grant the
Steward Earle of Lenox the Kings grandfather and had denomination from Aubigny in France which title Charles the seaventh King of France had antiently conferred upon Iohn Steward of the Familie of Lenox who being constable of the Scottish Army in France vanquished the English in one battile and was slain by them in another and from that time the title belonged to the younger descent of that house This Esme Steward the King embraced with exceeding great love made him Lord Chamberlaine of Scotland and Captain of the Castle of Dumbriton and created him first Earle and then Duke of Lenox The feare from this man was because he was deuoted to the Guises and the Popish religion and that which encreased the feare from this man because he applied himselfe to Mortons adversaries and mediated to have Thomas Carre Lord of Fernishurst called home who of all men was most addicted to the Queen of Scots About this time Queen Elizabeth at the request of William Harbouâ—ne an Englishman procured a grant from the Turkish Emperour for the English merchants to exercise free traffick in all places of his dominions as well as Venetians Polanders and other neighbouring Nations whereupon they set up first the Companie of Turkie Merchants managing a most gainfull Trade at Constantinople Alexandoria Egypt Aleppo Cyprus and other parts of Asia bringing home Spices Perfumes unwrought Silks Tapistry Indico Corrants and the like This yeer died Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the Great Seal but who by vertue of an Act of Parliament alwayes exercised the Jurisdiction of Lord Chancellor a very fat man but singularly wise and a chief prop of the Queens Privy Councell In whose place succeeded Sir Thomas Bromley the Queens Solicitor with the Title of Lord Chancellor of England In Ireland at this time in the Province of Munster Iames Fitz Morris kindled a new fire of Rebellion for after his former submission upon his knees vowing all Obedience to the Queen he stole away into France and promised the French King if he would lend him assistance to make him King of Ireland But being by him slighted he went into Spain and made the like offer to the King there The King of Spain sent him to the Pope from whom by means of Nicholas Sanders an English Priest and Alan an Irishman both Doctors of Divinity he obtained a little money a Legats Authority for Sanders a consecrated Banner and Letters of Commendation to the Catholike King And returning from Spain with those Divines three Ships and a few men he landed at Smerwick Kerry a Demy Island in the West part of Ireland about the first day of Iuly where the place being first of all consecrated by the Priests he built a Fort and brought the Ships close under it but these were presently set upon and carryed away by Thomas Courtney and thereby the Spaniards deprived of their opportunity of coming thither by Sea But now Iohn and Iames brothers to the Earl of Desmond gathering together a small number of Irish joyn themselves presently with their kinsman Fitz Morris Yet the Spaniards seeing that but a very few Irish and those unarmed came unto them they began to distrust the estate they were in and to cry out That they were undone whom Fitz Morris heartened the best he could telling them that Supplyes were presently to come And going himself to get more company he passed thorow the Land of his Cosin William a Burgh who though he had been a Rebell before yet was now grown loyall so as there fell out a Skirmish between them in which Fitz Morris being strucken thorow with a Pike and shot into the head with a Leaden Bullet died in the place and most of his Company with him but withall two of William Burghs sons were in that Skirmish slain also when the Queen to comfort him for the losse of his sons adorned him with the Dignity of Baron of Castle Conell and rewarded him with a yeerly Pension besides which favours so overwhelmed him with joy that he lived but a short while after And now Sir William Drury the Deputy growing very sick appointed Sir Nicholas Malby then Governour of Connaght to be President of Munster and Generall of the Army at which time the Earl of Desmond who had all this while made a shew of Loyalty breaks openly ouâ— into Rebellion when now Drury the Deputy dying at Waterford and by his death Malbyes Authority ceasing Sir William Pelham is by the Counsell chosen Justice of Ireland with Authority of Vice-Roy untill such time as a Deputy were appointed and the Earl of Ormond is made President of Munster Pelham goeth into Munster and sendeth for the Earl of Desmond who refusing to come is thereupon proclaymed Traytor and an enemy to the State and this being published the Justice committed the following the War to the Earl of Ormond who slaying most of the Spaniards and adherents to Desmond compelleth him to send his wife to the Justice to beg his pardon The Lord Justice Pelham now certified that Arthur Lord Grey was landed with authority to be Deputy of Ireland at Munster delivereth the Army to George Bourâ—hier the son of Iohn second Earl of Bathe of that name and himself returneth to Dublin to deliver up the Province to his Successor The Lord Grey at his landing before he received the Sword hearing where the Rebells had their Randevouz marcheth towards them who presently betake themselves to Glandilough a grassie Valley and beset thick with Trees where they who dwell neer scarce know the winding out yet the Deputy taking one Câ—sbie an old man well acquainted with the place to be is leader entred into it where he lost divers of his men namely Peter Carew the younger George Moore Audeley and Cosbie himself thâ—t was his Leader A short time after there landed at Smerwick in Kerry under the command of San Ioseph an Italian about seven hundred Italian souldiers who fortifie the place and name it Fort del Or. Whereupon the Deputy sent a Trumpetter to the Fort to demand who they were what they had to do in Ireland and who sent them withall commanding them to depart immediately But they replyed That some of them were sent from his Holinesse other from the Catholike King upon whom the Pope had bestowed the Kingdome of Ireland for that Queen Elizabeth by reason of heresie hath forfeited the Right unto her and therefore what they had gotten they would maintain Upon this the Deputy prepares for Battery le ts flie his Ordnance four dayes together in which time the Spaniards once or twice make sallyes out to their own losse much but not an English-man slain but onely Iohn Cheek a couragious young Gentleman son to Sir Iohn Cheek a learned Knight And now San Ioseph who commanded the Fort a white-liver'd souldier terrified with the continuall Battery and having no hope of relief either from the King of Spain or Desmond contrary to the will of all his souldiers he set
out of zeal to the Romane Religion a little before he had taken up Arms with the Rebells and exhorting the Earl of Ormond his neighbour to do the like who drew his Linage from St. Thomas of Canterbury he used these wâ—rds to perswade him That if Saint Thomas of Canterbury had not dyed for the Church of ROME thou hadst never been Earl of Ormond for King HENRY the second to expiate the murther of THOMAS Bâ—CKET gave large Lands in Ormond to his Predecessors The beginning of the next Spring certain Scots together with Gowry plotted again to surprize the King pretending onely a care of Religion and to remove ill Councellors from him but the King having intelligence of their practise used means by Colonell Steward to have Gâ—â—ry taken and cast into prison whereupon Marre Glames Angus and other of the confederates flie into England and beseech the Queen to commiserate their estate who had incurred the Kings displeasure to do her and the Kingdom of England service The King on the other side accuseth them to the Queen of haynous crimes and requires to have them delivered up into his hands But Secretary Walsingham who bore great good will to these men sent Letters with a Command That they should be safely admitted into Linds Ferme otherwise called The holy Island where Huâ—sdon being Governouâ— there and great addicted to the King of Scots resisted Walsinghams Command alleadging he could not satisfie the Secretary in this point unlesse the Queen gave expresse Command Hereupon grew a Dispute Whether a Secretary of State might not transact a businesse of State without speciall Commission from the Prince How this Case was determined is uncertain but sure it is the Scots came not thither though some favour they had shewed them here in England In the mean time Gowry was tryed by his Peers at Sâ—eclyn where being accused of many Treasons though he gave colourable answers to them all yet was found guilty condemed and beheaded whose head his servants sewing to his body committed to the Grave About this time were practises plotted against Queen Elizabeth in behalf 〈◊〉 the Queen of Scots chiefly by Francis Throgmorton eldest son of Iohn â—â—â—â—gmorton Justice of Chester who came to be suspected by reason of â—etters sent to the Queen of Scots which were intercepted Upon his apâ—â—â—hension Thomas Lord Paget and Charles Arundel privately stole away 〈◊〉 France grievously complaining against Leicester and Walsingham for â—â—ienating the Queen from them and using such wiles that scarce any mâ—n was able to live in safety Henry Earl of Northumberland and Philip Earl of Arundel were confined to their houses his wife committed to the â—â—stody of Sir Thomas Shirley William Howard the Earls brother and Heâ—â—y Howard their Unkle brother to the Duke of Norfolk were examined about Letters from the Queen of Scots and many Statagems were set on foot dangerous to some particular persons but necessary as should 〈◊〉 for the Queens security Certain it is That now the malice of the Papists against the Queen brake forth more violently than ever before for in printed Books they stirred up the Queens own servants to â—ttempt the like upon her that Iudith did on Olephernes The Author of these Books could not be found but the suspition lay upon one Gâ—egory Martin sometime of Oxford and Carter a Statioâ—er who printed the Books suffered for it And whereas the Papists every where â—â—aduced the Queen for cruelty she desirous alwayes to leave a blessed â—â—membrance behinde her grew extremely offended with the Commissioners for Popish causes taxing them of too much cruelty insomuch that they were fain in a printed Declaration to cleer themselves protesting That they questioned no man for his Religion but onely for dangerous attempts against the Queen and Stateâ— and that Câ—â—pian himself was never so Racked but that he could presently walk up and down But all this gave not the Queen satisfaction but she commanded the Commissioners to forbear tortures and the Judges other â—uâ—ishments and not long after when seventy Priests were taken and some of them condemned and the rest in danger of the Law she caused them all to be Shipped away and sent out of England The chief of whom were Gaspar Heywood the great Epigrammatist's son the first â—esuite that ever set foot in England Iames Bâ—sgrave Iohn Hart and Edâ—â—â—d Rishton At this time Mendoza the Spanish Ambassadour was thrust out of England for joyning with Throgmorton in his Treason against the Queen whereupon Sir William Waad was sent to the King of Spain to satisfie him how ill Mendoza had discharged the Office of an Ambassadour here in England who when the King admitted him not to his Presence but in a slighting manner putting him off to his Councellors Waad taking it in great disdain boldly said That it was a declared Custome among Princes though in heat of War to give Ambassadours audience and thereupon stouâ—ly refused to â—â—clare his Ambassage and so returned into England unheard The greatest matters laid to Mendoza's charge were gottâ—n out of Throgmorton's Confession for when he was in danger to be apprehended he sent to Mendoza a box of Writings and when his Châ—sts were searched there were found two Scrowls one with the names of the Ports of England and in the other the names of the Nobility and Gentry in England that favoured the Romish Religion These when Thâ—ogmorton saw brought forth he said they were counterfeited and â—tood to it upon the very Rack but being brought to the Rack the second timeâ— he then confessed all That Morgan by Letters out of France had given him information that the Catholike Princes had decreed to invade England and with the help of the Duke of Guise to free the Q. of Scots and that nothing was now wanting but mony ayd in England and that for procuring of this Charls Paâ—eâ— under the counterfeit name of Mope was sent into Sussex where the Duke of Guise intended to land and that he had imported all this matter to Mendoza and intimated the names of the Ports and of the Noble-men that should assist But being arraigned at the Guild-hall he denyed all this again saying He had spoken so because he would not be Racked again Yet being condemned to die he flying to the Queens mercy confessed in a manner all he had before relatedâ— and then at the Gallows went about to deny it again So false to it self is the minde of man when it is divided between hope and fear and lies under the burden of a guilty conscience Sir William Wade being returned from Spain was employed to the Queen of Scots about a Treaty begun two years before To whom the distressed Queen sincerely professed That she devoted her service and her selfe to the Queen of England and made solemne promise That if the former Treaty might go on she would mediate with the King her Son to receive into favour the Earl of Angus and the other Scottish Lords and would charge
coming forth Then for Land-Service there were laid along the Southern Coast twenty thousand souldiers and two Armies besides of Trayned men were levyed over one of which consisting of a thousand Horse and two and twenty thousand Foot the Earl of Leicester commanded and pitched his Tents at Tilbury neer the Thames mouth Over the other appointed to Guard the Queens Person and consisting of four and twenty thousand Foot and two thousand Horse the Lord Hunsdon was Generall Arthur Lord Grey Sir Francis Knolles Sir Iohn Norris Sir Richard Bingham Sir Roger Williams and other Military men were chosen to make a Councell of War and consult how the Land-service should â—e ordered These declared amongst other things That the places which lay fittest for the enemies landing as Milford Haven Fâ—lmouth Plimouth Portland the Isle of Wight Portsmouth the Downs the Thames mouth Harwich Yarmouth Hull and such other should be fortified with Works and Garrisons the Trayned Souldiers of those Shires which lay neer the Sea Coast should defend those places and be ready at the Alarm to hinder the Enemy from Landing but if he did land then to spoyl the Countrey round about that he might finde no food and by continuall crying Arm Arm give the Enemy no rest but yet should not give Battell till good store of Commanders were come together At this time many fearing the Papists at home no lesse than the Spaâ—iards abroad perswaded the Queen to take off the heads of some of tâ—e greatest of them but she detesting such cruelty took order onely That some few of them should be committed to custody in Wisbych Castle And now all things on both sides prepared the Spanish Navy set forth out of the Groyne in May but was dispersed and driven back by weather The English Navy set forth somewhat later out of Plimouth bearing up towards the Coast of Spain but partly by occasion of contrary windes partly by advertisement that the Spaniards were gone back and upon some doubt also that they might passe by towards the Coast of England whilest they were seeking them afar off they returned to Plimouth At which time a confident though false advertisement came to the Admirall That the Spaniards could not possible come forward that yeer whereupon the Eâ—glish Navy was upon the point of disbâ—nding and many of the men were gone on shore when suddenly the invincible Armada for so it was called in a Spanish ostentation was discovered upon the Western Coast whereof the Lord Admirall being informed had much ado to get the Queens Navy out of the Haven the winde being contrary yet at length he haled it forth The next day the English beheld the Spanish Ships in height like to Castles sayling slowly along whom they suffered peaceably to passe by that they might have the benefit of the winde to follow after The one and twentieth day of Iuly the Admirall of England sent a Pinnace before called The Defiancâ— which by a great shot challenged the Spaniards to fight and by and by they fell to it Then Drake Hawkins and Forbisher let fly against the outmost Squadron which Recalde commanded making him glad to fly to their main Navy for succour The night followingâ— a mighty Biskayner of Oquenda's in which the King of Spain's Treasure was was by chance fired with Gun-powder but was timely quenched by other Ships sent to her succour one of which Ships was the Galleon of Don Pedro whom Sir Francis Drake took prisoner and sent him to Darthmouth The Biskayner it self the Treasure being taken out by the Spaniards they left behinde them which the English brought into the Haven at Weymouth The three and twentieth day of this Month they had a secoâ—d Fight in which most of the Spanish Shot flew over the English Ships and never hurt them Onely Cock an English-man being with his little Vessell in the midst of the enemies died valiantly The four and twentieth day they rested on both sides in which time the Lord Admirall ranked his whole Fleet iâ—to four Squadrons The first he ruled himself Drake the second Hawkins the third and Forbisher the fourth The five and twentieth day which was the Saint Iames day they fell to it the third time in which Fight the English had again the better so as after this time the Spaniards would no more turne upon the English but holding on their course dispatched a Messenger to the Prince of Parma Requiring him forthwith to joyne himself to the Kings Fleet and withall to send them Bullets The day following the Lord Admirall Knighted Thomas Howard the Lord Shefieldâ— Roger Townsend Iohn Hawkins and Martin Frobisher and holding a Councell of War they decreed not to set again upon the Enemy till they came to the streight of Calice where the Lord Henry Seymor and Sir William Winter waited for their coming And now so far were the English from being terrified with this invincible Navy that many of the Nobility and other of speciall note hired Ships at their own charges and came to the Admirall as the Earls of Oxford Northumberland Cumberland Thomas and Robert Cecill Henry Brook Sir Charls Blunt Sir Walter Raleigh Sir William Hatton Sir Robert Carie Sir Ambrose Willoughby Sir Thomas Gerard Sir Arthur Gorge and others The seaven and twentieth of July towards the Evening the Spaniards cast Anchour neer unto Calis and not far from them rode the English Admirall within shot of a great Ordnance to whom Seymor and Winter joyned themselveâ— so as by this time there were in the English Navy a hundred and forty Ships nimble and serviceable for Fighting or Sayling yet only Fifteen of them bore the stroke of the Battell And now againe the Spaniards sent Post after Post to the Prince of Parma to send them forty Flye-boates without which they were not able to skirmish with the English by reason of the greatnesse and unweldinesse of their Ships and importune him presently to put to Sea with his Army But he was unprepaâ—ed and his Flat-bottomed Boates were full of chinks and leaked and besides the Hollanders hovered before the Ports of Dunkerk and Newport in such sort that he durst not look forth The eight and twentieth day the Lord Admirall made ready eight of his worst Ships on the out-side dawbed with wild-fire Rozin and Brimstone within full of combustible matter and under the conduct of Young and Prowse sent them down with the winde in the silent time of the night towards the Spanish Fleet the which when the Spaniards saw approach them and the Sea as it were all on a light fire imagining withall that those Fire-ships might carry in them some murthering Engines they made â— hideous noise took up Anchours cutt Cables spread Sayles and betook themselves to their Oars but more to flight One of the Spanish Galleasses having lost her Rudder and floating up and down was held in fight by Annias Preston Thomas Gerard and Harvie who â—lew Captain Hugh Moncada cast the Souldiers over
the Queen for succour to whom upon certain conditions she granted an Army of four thousand men and some great Ordnance with which Sir Iohn Norris was sent into France whom yet the French King imployed not as was agreed to the great displeasure of the Queen But as for the Prince of Parma's coming into France hee was prevented by death when hee had governed the Netherlands under the Spaniard fourteen yeers a Prince of many excellent parts and whom Queen Elisabeth never mentioned but with honour And now Queen Elizabeth considering that the King of Spaines chiefe strength was in his Gold of America sends forth Sir Walter Ralegh with a Fleet of fifteene Ships to meete with the Spanish Fleet who passing by a Promontory of Spain received certain intelligence that the Spaâ—ish Fleet was not to come forth that yeare Whereupon dividing his Navy into two parts whereof the one he committed to Sir Iohn Burâ—â—â—ghs the other to Sir Martin Forbysher he waited other opportunities when soon after a mighty Caraque came in view called The Mother of God which from the Beake to the Sterne was a hundred threescore and five foot long built with seven Decks and carrying six hundred men besides rich Merchandize This great Vessell they took and in it to the â—â—lue of a hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling over and above what the Commanders and Sea-men pilfered This yeare the Queene going in Progresse passed through Oxford where she was entertained by the Schollers with Orations Stage-Plâ—yes and Disputations and by the Lord Buckhurst Chancellor of the University with a sumptuous Feast At her departure She made a Latine Oration wherein she vowed a vow and gave them counsell Her vow was That as she desired nothing so much as the prosperity and flourishing estate of her Kingdome so she as much wished to see the Universities and Schools of learning to flourish likewise Her Counsell was That they would serve God above all not following the curiosity of some wits but the Lawes of God and the Kingdome That they would not prevent the Lawes but follow them nor dispute whether better Lawes might be made but observe those which were already Enacted This year dyed Anthony Browne Viscount Montacute whom Queene Mary honored with this Title because his Grandmother was Daughter and one of the Heirs of Iohn Nevill Marquesse Montacute who though he were a great Roman Catholike yet the Queen finding him faithfull alwayes loved him and in his sicknesse went to visit him There dyed at this time also Henry Lord Scroope of Bolton Knight of the Garter and long time Governour of the Westerne Border toward Scotland At this time Henry Barrow and his Sectaries condemning the Church of England to be no Christian Church and derogating from the Queens Authority in matters Ecclesiasticall he the sayd Barrow as Ring-leader of the rest was put to death in terror to all such disturbers of the peace of the Church About this time by reason of the Queens correspondence with the Turk to the end her Subjects might have free Trading in his Territories It was maliciously given out by some that she had excited the Turke to a War against the Christians which caused the Queen to write to the Emperour shewing him the falsenesse of this report wherein she gave him full saâ—â—sfaction And now a constant report came into England That the King of France had already embraced or was ready to embrace the Romish Religion which so much troubled the Queene that she presently sent Thomas Wilkes into France with reasons if it were not too late to divert him from it But before Wilkes came the King indeed had openly professed the Romish Religion at the Church of Saint Denis in Paris of which his Conversion he declared the causes to Wilkes at large shewing the necessity of it unlesse he would suffer himselfe to be utterly thrust out of the Kingdome And the French AMBASSADOR signifying as much to the Queene in great perplexity She writ to him to this effect Alas what grief what anxiety of minde hath befallen me since I heard this news was it possible that worldly respects should make you lay aside Gods feare â—â—uld you thinke That He who had hitherto upheld and kept you would now at the last leave you It is a dangerous thing to doe evill that gâ—od may come thereof But I hope your minde may alter In the meane while I will pray for you and beg of God That the hands of Esau may not hinder the blessing of Jacob. To this the KING Answered That though he had done this in his owne Person out of necessity yet He would never be wanting to those of the Reformed Religion but would take them into his speciall care and Protection And now was Richard Hasket condemned and executed for Treasoâ— being sent from the English Fugitives beyond Sea to perswade Ferdinand Earle of Derby Sonne to Henry newly deceased to assume the Title of the Kingdome by right of Descent from Mary Daughter to Henry the Seventh and threatning him that unlesse he undertooke this enterprize and withall concealed him the Abettor he should shortly dye in most wretched manner But the Earle fearing a trap was layd for him revealed the matter yet the fellows threating proved not altogether vaine for the Earle within foure Moneths dyed a most horrible death This yeare Death had his tribute payd him from the Nobility for there dyed Henry Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex and three renowned Barons Arthur Grey of Wilton Henry Lord Cromwell and Henry Lord Wentworth besides Sir Christopher Carlile whose Warlike Prowesse at Sea and land deserves to be remembred In IRELAND at this time divers great men in Connaght Rebelled and Tuâ—logh Leynigh being dead Tir-Oen assumed to himselfe the title of O-Neale which in IRELAND is more esteemed than to be called EMPEROVR But upon a sudden dissembling his disconteâ—t hee submitted himselfe to the DEPVTY and promised all obedience Iâ— was now the yeare 1594 and the seven and thirtieth of Queen ELIZABETHâ— Raigne when the good correspondence betweene the King of Scots and Queen ELIZABETH gave the Papists small hope that ever he would prove an Instrument to restore the Catholike Religion Whereupon they began to bethinke themselves of some English Papist that might succeed the Queene but finding none of their owne Sect a fit person they fixed their thoughts upon the Earl of Essex who alwayes seemed a very moderate man and him they devised to have some right to the Crowne by Descent from Thomas of Woodstocke King EDVVARD the Thirds Sonne But the English Fugitives were for the Infanta of Spaine and desiring to set the King of Scots and the Earle of Essex at ods they set forth a Book which they Dedicated to Essex under the name of Doleman but was written indeed by Parsons Dolemans bitter Adversary Cardinall Allen and Francis Englefield The scope of which Booke was to exclude from Succession all persons whatsoever and how near soever Allied
were granted he would then perform all duties of a loyall subject In consulting about which Petitions another Truce was concluded till the first of April during which Truce Tir Oen dealt secretly with the King of Spain for Ayd to be sent him making neverthelesse a fair shew of willingnesse to obedience so far that by the procurement of Norris and Fenton a pardon was granted him the which he pretended to receive more joyfully than the Instrument whicd conferred the Earldome upon him yet all this was but dissimulation to win the time for his own ends In the midst of these Irish Affairs Albertus Arch-Duke of Austria and Cardinall whom the King of Spain had newly set over the Netherlands mustered together the Spanish Forces upon pretence of raising the Siege of La Fere in Picardie but upon a sudden turneth aside and besiegeth Calice and taking Newnham Fort the very first day became Master of the Haven The Queen informed hereof forthwith upon the very Sunday in time of Divine Service commandeth to leuy souldiers whom she committeth to the Earl of Essex but before they could be shipped certain News came That the Town and Fort were taken by the Spaniard Whereupon the Queens Army was dismissed and onely some money lent to the French King But a few dayes after a far greater and more select Army is raised in England wherein many of Noble Houses served as Voluntaries For the Queen to divert the King of Spain from invading her Borders thought it the best way to invade his Whereupon a Navy of a hundred and fifty Ships was made ready where were souldiers under pay 6360 Voluntaries of the Nobility and Gentry 1000 Marriners 6772 besides the Dutch-men who brought two and twenty ships Robert Earl of Essex and Charls Howard Lord Admirall of England were made Generalls with equall Authority but the Admirall to hold Prerogative at Sea Essex at Land To these for a Councell of War were joyned the Lord Thomas Howard Walter Raleigh Francis Vere George Carew and Conyers Clifford The whole Fleet was divided into four Squadrons the Admirall commanded the first Essex the second the Lord Thomas Howard the third and Raleigh the fourth The Officers of the Army were Francis Vere Serjeant Major Generall or Marshall Iohn Winkfield Quarter-Master Generall George Carew Master of the Ordnance Conyers Clifford Serjeant Major Colonells were Robeâ—t Earl of Sussex sir Christopher Blunt sir Thomas Gerrard sir Richard Winkefield William Winkefild was Commander of the Voâ—untaries and Anthony Ashley Secretary to the Councell of War was to Register their Acts and Consultations The Commission being drawn the Queen gave them private Instructions and withall a Prayer of her own making to be dâ—ily used in every Ship This Fâ—eet set forth from Plimouth at the beginning of Iune Nigh unâ—o Cabo S. Vincent they lighted upon an Irish Barque which told them That at Cales they were secure and that in the Haven there were at Anchor Gallies ships of Warâ— and a great many Merchants Vessells The twentieth of Iune they cast Anchor on the West side of the Island within two dayes they were agreed to set upon the Spanish ships whereat the Earl of Essex cast up his Cap for joy This businesse was alotâ—ed to the lesser ships because the Road was too shallow for the great The Gallyes quickly fled and creeping along the shore shifted away but the Spanish ships that lay at Anchor at Puntall turned their broad sides so as the English Fight with them lasted from break of day till noon at which time the Spaniards having their Gallons miserably torâ— and many of their men slain resolved to fire the the ships or run them ashore The Spanish Admirall being fifteen hundred Tun of Burthen was fired by a Moor and two other ships which lay next her took the fire and were lost likewise When this Sea-Fight was ended Essex landed eight hundred souldiers at Puntall a league from the Town of Cales when half a mile from the Town the Spanish Horse and Foot shewed themselves and presently gave back again but straightway cometh forth a greater number Then Essex commanded his Forces to make a fair Retreat and having enticed forth their enemies they turned upon them with such violence that they forced them back into the Town Then the Earl got up to a Bulwark newly raised neer the Gate where he spyed a passage into the Townâ— but so high from ground that they must leap a Spears length to get down Yet Evans the Earl of Sussex his Lievtenant Arthur Savage and other leaped down and the mean while Sir Francis Vere broke the Gate and rushed in and the rest with him In the Market place Iohn Winkfield was shot in the head and with stones from the tops of the houses divers were wounded amongst whom Samuel Bagnall received eight wounds and Arthur Savage was bloody all over which two were Knighted in the place The next day the Castle was yeelded upon condition That the Inhabitants might depart with the clothes on their backs the rest to be left for spoyl For five hundred and fourscore thousand Duckets the Castle was to be redeemed and for the payment forty of the chief Citizens to be sent Hostages into England Now Raleigh was commanded to fire the Merchants Ships lying at Port Reall when they promised two Millions of Duckets to redeem them but this the Admirall would not hear of saying He was sent to destroy Ships not to dismisse them upon Composition A world of Munition was found in the City and great store of money privately carried away every one shifting for himself It was thought by the wiser sort That the Spaniard could not be damnified lesse by this Expedition than twenty Millions of Duckets None of note was slain amongst the English but onely Winkfield who also slew a Spanish Captain and now at last threescore Military men were honored with Knight-hood After this having spoyled the whole Islandâ— and demolished the Fortsâ— they returned into England much against the will of Essex who would fain have bin attempting some other enterprise The Queen received them home with much affability giving many thanks to those of principall note but extolling the Earl of Essex and the Admirall above the rest And now bethinking her self of a fit man to be Governour of the Bryll which was given by the States as a Caution Town for money due she made choyce of Sir Francis Vere although Essex commended other to her for the place but another thing he took with great indignation That in his absence she had made Sir Robert Cecill Secretary whereas he had formerly with great instance commended Sir Thomas Bodley to herâ— And now the King of Spain to recover his honour lost at Cales setteth forth a Navy for England and Ireland with a great number of Irish Fugitivesâ— but being at Sea most of his ships were either run upon Rocks or cast away in storms so as this Expedition came to nothing But the
so as within a short time his fame was spread thorough the land by the name of the sleeping Preacher At length the King commanded him to be brought to the Court where his Majesty sate up the most part of a night to attend the event when at last Haidock making a shew to bee a sleepe began to Pray then taking a Text made his Division applying it to his purpose for in his Preaching his use was to Inveight against the Pope against the Crosse in Baptism and against the last Canons of the Church of England and having ended his Sermon seemed to continue sleeping His Majesty having well observed the manner of his cariage after a few days called the said Haidock before him and in Conference with him as he had indeed an admirable sagacity in discovering of Fictions made him confesse that all he did was but imposture and thereupon to fall upon his knees and aske forgivenesse which the King granted upon condition that in all places he should openly acknowledge his offence because many were brought into beliefe that his nightly preaching was either by inspiration or by vision We may not here think it unworthy the relating seeing King Iames thought it not unworthy the seeing thereby to observe the nature of the Lyon and made a solemne matter of it for on Munday the 3 of Iune taking with him the Duke of Lenox and diverse Earles and Lords he went to the Lyons Tower and caused two Lyons a male and a female to bee put forth and then a live Cock to bee cast before themâ— which they as being their naturall ennemy presently killed and sucked his bloud Then a live Lambe to bee put downe to them which the generous Lyons as having respect to its Innocency never offered to touch though the Lamb was so bold to go close unto them Then the King caused those Lyons to be taken away and another Lyon to be put forth and two Mastifs to be put into him who presently flew upon the Lyon and turned him upon his back and though the Lyon were superior to them in strength yet it seemes they were his matches in courage and so much superior as that they were the first assailants with whom otherwise perhaps the Lyon would not have offered to meddle On Friday the 4 of Ianuary in the Kings second yeare Charles Duke of Albany the Kings second son being then but 4 yeares old was created Duke of Yorke â—hich because it was done with extraordinary solemnity is not unworthy to haâ—e the manner of it here related First were appointed Knights of the Bathe the Duke of Albany himselfe then the Lord Willowby the Lord Chandois the Lord Câ—mpton the Lord Norris William Cecill sonne and heire to the Viscount Cranbourne Allan Percy brother to the E. of Northumberland Thomas Somerset second son to the Earle of Worcester Francis Manners brother to the Earle of Rutlâ—â—d Thomas Howard second son to the Earle of Suffolk and Iohn Harington son and heire to the Lord Harington the Earles of Oxford and Essex were Esquires to the Duke of Albany all the Knights tooke their lodging that night in the first Gate-house going to Kings street where they supped and had Bathes provided for them The next morning being Saturday they went out into the Parke in their Hermits weeds the Minstrels playing and the Heraulds going before them into the Court and so into the Chappel where every Knight with his Squires went to the Altar and there offered the Deane of the Chappell in a rich Cope holding the Bason After this they went up into their lodgings and â—here new attired themselves in robes of Crimsin Taffaty with hats and white feathers and so went back to the great Chamber where by the King they were girded with the sword and had gilt spurs put upon them This done they were solemnly served at dinner and after went again to the Chappell and there offered their swords The next day being Sunday and Twelfe day in robes of purple Sattinâ— with Doctors hoods on their shoulders and hats with white feathers they issued out of the Revestry with the Duke of Albany being then to be made Duke of York into the Hall where the King sate under the cloath of Estate and then the Heraulds going before the Knights of the Bath followed and then the Earle of Suffolk Lord Chamberlain came alone then followed Henry Howard Earle of North-Hampton and Charles Blunt Earle of Devonshire carrying the robes of Estate for the Duke of York after whom Wriothsley Earle of South-Hampton carried the Coronet George Clifford Earle of Cumberland the Golden Rod the Earle of Worcester the Cappe of Estate and the Earle of Nottingham bore the Duke of Albany in his Armes supported by the Earles of Dorset and Northumberland who all comming in this order before the King the Duke of Albany was after the Patent read Created Duke of York with the Robes and Coronet put on him and the Golden Rod delivered into his hand all which performed they went to dinner and the solemnity ended About this time on the fifteenth of Iune Thomas Dowglas a Scotch-man was committed to the Tower and had Irons put upon him being sent hither but three dayes before from the Count Palatine of the Rhyne His offence was that he had counterfetted the Kings Privy Seale to divers Princes of Germany One to the Archbishop of Cullen another to the Archbishop of Tryer another to the Duke of Cleve another to the Archbishop of Moguntia and a fifth to the Count Palatine of the Rhyneâ— whereof being examined and convicted he was drawn on a hurdle into Smithfield and there hanged and quartered And now was a second Parliament appointed to be held at Westminster on the nineteenth of March following when foure dayes before the day of sitting The King the Queen and Prince rode solemnly in great state thorough the City of London where in diverse places were erected Pageants Presents given Orations made and all demonstrations of love and observance and then the Parliament beginning the King made a long and loving Speech to the House wherein he signified the â—auses of his calling it but in the time when it should have proceeded there was suddenly discovered a Plot of Treason â—o damnable and foule that posteriâ—y will hardly thinke it true when they shall heare it the â—â—ot was to blow up with Gun-powder both Houses of Parliament at a time whâ—n the King Prince and all the Nobility should be sitting in the upper House and all the Knights and Burgesses in the Lower The principall contriver of this Plot was Robert Catesbie a Gentleman of great account in Northampton-shire descended from that Catesby who had been a speciall Counseller of King Richard the third to whose family the Divine Providence had now ordained to give a disastrous period This Catesby not able to performe the worke himselfe alone drawes in many to assist him as namely Thomas Percie Thomas Winter Iohn Grant Ambrose Rookwood Iohn
say by a â—â—â—â—oned Tansey sent him to eat some by a poysoned Glyster ministred unto 〈◊〉 but howsoever effected it wasâ— for which Fact Sir Iervis Elvis then Lieuâ—â—â—â—â—â— of the Tower and three or fouâ—e other of inferiour condition were put to death the Lady and Earle themselves were arraigned and condemned but â—horough the Kings great clemency had their lives spared but in such a sort spaâ—edâ— as was to them no lesse grievous than death it sâ—lf being never after suffered to see the Kings face nor to come neere his Court. This Favorite being thus out of favour there was place made for entertaining another for indeed King Iames was of so sociable and loving a nature that he could not be long well without an Alter idem a bosome friend with whom to communicate his Internos sensus and upon whose shoulders he might sometimes lay a burthen which he was not willing to beate himselfe and this new friend was Mr. George Villers a Gentleman of a good House but a younger brother but of so delicate a composure of body and withall of so excellent paâ—ts of mind as if nature had framed him of purpose to be a Kings Favorite And indeed never any man was partaker of the Royall Influence like to him made first a Knight and Gentleman of the Kings Bed-chamber soone after made a Viscount and Master of the Horse a while after erected Earle of Buckingham then Marquis of Buckingham and made Lord Admirall Lastly made Duke of Buckingham the greatest Title of Honour that a Subject is capable ofâ— and yet his Title not greater than his Power for all matters of Grace passed from the King by him and to grace him the more his Mother who after his Fathers death had marryed a younger sonne of the Lord Comptons was created Countesse of Buckingham his sister who had marryed a Gentleman of no exâ—raordinary Family had her husband made Earle of Denbigh his two brothers were made one of them Viscount Berbach the other Earle of Anglesey besides many other of his friends and kindred highly advanced For this Lord affected not an advancement that should bee only personall but rather bee in common to all his Family and was not of the disposition of some who like to great Oakes love to keep all that are neer them underwood though it be in truth both against Nature and Policy to stand alone when they would be lesse subject to the violence of windes if more stood together And though never any man had juster cause to be envyed than hee yet never any man was lesse envyed because though his Honours made him great yet they made him not swell but he retained the like temper of affable carriage after his advancement as he had done before But before all these favours were heaped upon him many other great pasâ—ages had intervened for first after the death of Thomas Earle of Dorset Robert Earle of Salisbury had beene Lord Treasurer and after him Thomas Earle of Suffolke But this Lord though of a most noble disposition yet as having had his trayning up another way seemed lesse ready in discharging the place and whether for this or for his Ladies taking too much upon her by his indulgence the staffe was soone after taken from him after whom there came in such a sequence of Treasures as no Age before had ever seeneâ— all wise and able men indeed but yet in whom the Office seemed an imployment rather to ennoble the Officer than to enrich the King For first Sir Henry Montague was taken from the Kings Bench and on the fourth of December 1620. made Lord Treasurer and presently upon it Earle of Manchester and before the yeere went about put off After whom Sir Lyonell Cranfield from Master of the Wards was made Lord Treasurer and shortly after Earle of Middlesex and then not only put off but fined to pay the King fifty thousand pounds After him Sir Iames Lee from chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench was made Lord Treasurer and soone after Earle of Marleborough and then having made a good returne of his Place pâ—â— iâ— off himselfe After him Sir Richard Wâ—ston from Chancelour of the Exâ—heâ—â—â—r was made Lord Treasurer and soone after Earle of Portland so as within the compasse of little more than foure yeares foure Treasurerâ— in a row were made fourâ— Earles enough to make a praescription for all Treasurers hereafter to clayme a Right of being made Earles which yet I speake not as derogating from those worthy men whose memories I reverence but as observing Fataqâ—e Fâ—rtunasque Virum so rare as that there was never any President of the like Also the five and twenteth of Iune 1612. the Lord Sâ—nquer a Nobleman of Scotland having in a private revenge suborned Robert Carlile to murther Iohn Tuâ—ner a Master of Fence thought by his greatnesse to have borne it out but thâ— King respecting nothing so much as Iustice would not suffer Nobility to be a shelter for villany but according to the Law on the nine and twenteth of Iune the said Lord Sanquer having been arraigned and condemned by the name of Robert Crâ—ightâ—â— Esquire was before Westminster Hall gate executed where he dyed very penitent About this time the King in speciall favour for the present Plantation of English Colonies in Virginia granted a Lottery to be held at the West end of Pauls whereof one Thomas Sharplys a Taylour of London had the chiefe Prize which was foure thousand Crownes in faire Plate At this time also the Corps of Mary late Queene of Scotland the Kings Mother was translated from Peterborough to St. Peters Church in Westminster and from thence was carryed to the Chappell Royall there where it was interred in a Royall Tombe which the King had erected for her About this time also Sir Robert Sherley third sonne of Sir Thomas Sherley of Sussex Knight who sixteene yeares past had betaken himselfe to travaile and had served diverse Christian Princes for the space of five yeares but chiefly Rodolphus the Roman Emperour who for his service made him an Earle of the Empire hee afterward went into Persia and served the Persian ten yeares who made him Generall of the Artillery and held him in so great account that hee gave him the Lady Teresia in marriage whose sister was one of the Queens of Persia after which the Persian imployed him to sundry Princes of Europe and seâ—t him in speciall Embassage into England to King Iames to whom he delivered his Letters and shewed his Commission all which signified the Persians great love and affection to his Majesty with franke offer of free Commerce to all his Highnesse Subjects thorough all the Persians Dominions After a yeares stay here in which time his Lady lay in of a sonne to whom the Queene was God-Mother and Prince Henry God-Father hee left the child here in England and then with his Lady departed into Persia. It was now the yeare 1612. and the tenth of King Iames his Raigne
persons under the Conduct of Captaine Nelsâ—n After which was sent another supply of threescore and ten persons and in the yeare 1609. a third supply came of five hundred persons under a Patent granted to Sir Thomas West Lord de la Ware but conducted thither by Sir Thomas Gates Gates Sir George Sommers and others In the yeare 1611. was a fourth supply of three hundred men under the conduct of Sir Thomas Gates In the yeare 2612. two other supplies were sent of forty men in each and now was the Lotterie spoken of before granted by the King for further supplies of this Plantation After this Master Samuel Argall being appoynted Governour in in the yeare 16â—8 the Lord De la Ware came thither with a supply of two hundred people but in his stay there dyed After this in the yeare 1620. were sent thither eleven Ships with twelve hundred and sixteene persons and now they founded themselves into Corporations In the yeare 1621. Sir Francis Wiat was sent thither Governour with thirteene hundred men women and children and now they founded Schooles and Courts of Iustice and the Plantation was extended a hundred and forty miles up on the River of both sides But now when the English were secure and thought of nothing but peace the Savages came suddenly upon them and slew them three hundrâ—d and seven and forty men women and children For râ—pairing of which losse the City of London sent presently over a supply of a hundred men This massacre happened by reason they had built their Plantations remote from one another in above thirty severall places which made them now upon consultation to reduce them all to five or six places whereby they may better assist each other since which time they have alwayes lived in good security And thuâ— much for Virginia Next was the Plantation of the Island called Barmudas so called of a Spanish ship called Bermudas which was there cast away carrying Hogs to the West Indies that swam a shoare and there increased The first Englishman that entred this Isle was one Henry May in the yeare 1591 but in the yeare 1610 Sir George Sâ—mers was sent thither who dying there in memory of his Name the Isles have ever since been called Somers Isles In the yeare 1612. One Mr. Moore landed there with 60 persons and then builded the chiefe Town there called S. Georges together with 8 to 9 Forts The same yeare a supply of 30 more persons was sent thither and the yeare after 60 more under one Mr. Bartlet with a shew to survey the land but with a purpose indeed to get from thence a great lump of Amber-greece and no lesse than 80 poâ—â—d weight that had been found taken up in the Island some yeares before and was there still reteined A while after this came a Ship called the Blessing with a hundred passengers and two dayes after came the Star with a 180 more and within 14 dayes after that again came thither the Margaret and two Frigates with 130 passengers So as now they began to divide the Counâ—â—y into Tribes and the Tribes into shares In the yeare 1616 Captain Daâ—â—el Tuckard was sent from Virginia to be Governour there and now it began indeed to be a Plantation for now they began to build them houses and now was sent from thence into England a Ship fraighted with 30000 weight of Tobacco valued there but at 2 s. 6 d. the pound though sold here oftentimes for Vâ—rinos at great rates In the yeare 1619â— Captain Nathaniel Butler was sent Governour with new supplies in whose time they build them a Church held Assizes for Criminall Causes twice a yeare and began to have Parliaments as in England and now in the Ship called the Magazin came diverse Gentlemen of good fashion with their wives and families so as now their number was no fewer then fifteen hundred people Dispersed twenty miles in length In the yeare 1622 came Governouâ— M. Iohn Bernard bringing with him a supply of a 140 persons but he and his wife dying presently upon their comming M. Iohn Harrison in the yeare 1623 was chosen Governour These Isles of Bermudas are in 32 degrees of Northern latitude So as they are distant from Virginia at least 500 leagues and from Egland above three thousand three hundred This Country is of a most healthfull Ayre abounding with all sorts of Fowles Birds and Fish and where great pieces of Amber-grâ—ce are oftentimes found which is valued there at no lesse than three pounds an ounce And thus much concerning the state of Bermudas till the yeare 1624. Next comes the Plantation of New England concerning which we must first know that King Iames in the yeare 1606 granted two Letters Patents for Plantations in Virginia one to the City of London another to the City of Bristow Exceter and Plimmouth with power to plant Colonies any where between the Degrees of 38 and 44 provided there should be at least a 100 miles distance between the two Colonies So as the first Colony was from the City of London and is that which is called Virginia The Second Colony was from Bristow and the other Towns and is that which is now called New England and is scituate between the Degrees of 41 and 45 the very meane betwixt the North Pole and the Line And now to speak a little of the Country there are on the Sea Coast 25 excellent good Harbours in some whereof there is Anchorage for 500 sayle of Ships of any burthen The Earth as fruitful and the Ayre as healthfull as any part of the World abounding with all sorts of Grain Fowles and Fish Many of such kinds as aâ—e to us unknown yet excellent meat Many Voyages had been made for the perfect discovery of the Countrey Many Attempts for setling a Plantation there Many Miscariages and Disasters in making the attempts but all at last came to this that in the yeare 1624 which is the limit of ouâ— Narration there was a Plantation setled though but a small one but a few yeares after by the sending forth of new supplyes encreased to so many thousands that if God continue to prosper it as he hath begun the New England in a few ages may prove as populous as the Old and the King of England likely to have as many and greater Crowns in the Indies than he had in His Realmes of Great Brittaine and Ireland But seeing of these and all other English Plantations in the Indies whereof there are many large discourses written by divers Authors It should be more than supperfluous to speake more of them in this place It is sufficient to have shewed that King Iames had the honour to have them setled in His time and under the Influence of His peaceable Government Of the Earles and Barons made by King JAMES IN former Kings Raignes the making of Earles and Barons was but rare and therefore they are fitly set down at the severall times of their making but in King
expresse his Character in a word which worthily might be matter for many volumes He was to his wife a most loyall husband to his children a most loving father to his servants a most bountifull Master to his Subjects a most just prince to all Princes neare him a most peaceable neighbour that more justly it may be said of him than of whom it was said Quaete tam laeta telerunt saecula a Prince afâ—eâ— Plato's owne heart for his learning and which is infinitly more worth after Gods owne heart for his Religiousnesse and Piety Oâ— his Death and buriall OF his death there were many scandalous rumours spread and some were so impudentâ— as to write that he was poysoned as the Duke of Richmond and the Marquis Hambleton had been before but King Iames being dead and his body opened there was found no signe at all of poyson his inward parts being all sound but that his Spleen was a little faulty which might bee cause enough to cast him into an Ague The Ordinary high way especially in old bodies to a naturall death Of this ague after a months anguishing notwithstanding all the remedies that could be applyed he departed this life aâ— Thâ—â—balds on the 27 of March in the yeare 1625 in the 59 yeare of his ageâ— when he had Raigned two and twenty years compleat His body for the greater Staâ—e was convayed by Torche light from Theobalds to Denmark house who having tested from the 23 of Aprill to the 7 of May it was carryed to Westminster and there interred in the Chappell Royall with great solemnity but with greater lamentation there being scarce any of the infinite multitude that was present of whom it might not be said Multa gemens largoque humectat flumine Vultum Of Men of note in his time MIlitary Men of Note in a time of Peace as the whole Raigne of King Iames was we have no reason to expect yet if we look amongst the Voluntaries that went to the Schoole of War in the Low-Countryes we shall find a payre of brothers that may stand in comparison with the greatest Souldiers in the most Martiall times S. Francis Vere who as another Hanniball who with his own eye could see more in the Martiall Discipline than common men can do with two and Sir Horatio Vere who as another Philopaemen contained in a very little body a very great both skill and courage But for Men of Note in Learning as being in the time of a most learned Prince there was never greater store of whom these for example In curiousnesse of Preaching there was Doctor Andrewes Bishop of Winchester who hath left to posterity a Century of such golden Sermons that shews he as well deserved the name of Chrysostome as he that had it In multiplicity of Reading there was Doctor Reynolds of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford who seemed as it were a living Library and one would have thaught his Memory to be a perfect Index of all the Books had ever beene written In knowledge of Law there was Sir Edward Cook Chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench who hath written such excellent Commentaries of the Law that he seemes as another Bartholus or Baldus amongst us In Elegancy of writing there was Sir Francis Bacon Viscount Saint Albans who besides his profounder Books of Novum Organum hath written the Reigne of K. Henry the 7 in so sweet a style that like Manna it pleaseth the tast of all palats In the skil of Antiquities there was William Camden King at Armes who hath set forth the Description of Brittaine and the life of Q. Eliz. in so lively colours that he seems to have brought Brittaine out of darknesse into light and to keep Q. Eliz. alive after her death And to speake it in a word the Trojan Horse was not fuller of Heroick Grecians than K. Iames His Raigne was full of men excellent in all kinds of Learning And here I desire the Reader leave to remember two of my own old acquaintance the one was Mr. Iohn Dunne who leaving Oxford lived at the Iâ—nâ—â— of Court not dissolute but very neat a great visiter of Ladies a great frequenâ—er of Playes a great writer of conceited Verses untill such time as King Iames taking notice of the pregnancy of his Wit was a meanes that he betooke him to the study of Divinityâ— and thereupon proceeding Doctour was made Deane of Paules and became so rare a Preacher that he was not only commended but even admired by all that heard him The other was Sir Woottonâ— mine old acquaintance also as having been fellow pupils and chamber fellows in Oxford divers yeares together This Gentlemen was imployed by K. Iames in Embassage â—o Venice and indeed the Kingdom afforded not a fitter man for maâ—ching the Capriciousnes of the Italian Wâ—â—s a man of so able dexterity with his Pen that he hath done himself much wrongâ— and the Kingdom more in leaving no more of his Writings behind him Of the English Plantation in the Indies that wâ—re iâ— King IAMES his time ANâ— now we are come to a time wherein we may very neare say as much of King Iames as was said of Agustus Caesar Super Garamantus Indos profert Imperium In this better that where Augustus did it by the violent way of Armes King Iames did it by the civill way of Plantations for in his dayes began the great plantation of the English in the Indies and must be acknowledged the proper effect of his peaceable Government The first Plantation of the English in the Indies was that which is now called Virginia in memorie of the Virgin Queen Elizabeth but called before Wingandacoa It was first discovered by Sir Walter Rawlegh in the yeare 1584 to whom the first Letters Patents were granted for making a Plantation there but yet no Colony was sent thither till the yeare 1606. It is a Countrie in America between the degrees of 34 and 45 of the North Latitude but that part of it which is planted by the English is under the Degrees of 37 38 and 39. It is no Island as many have imagined but a part of the Continent adjoyning to Florida The first and chiefe Towne made here by the English is called Iames Towne in honour of the Kings most Eexcellent Majesty It is a Countrie abounding with all sorts of Fish and Fowle so fruitfull that it yeelds thirtie and sometimes fortie Bushells of Corne upon an Acre and that which to us is more strange hath three harvests in a yeare the Corne being sowed ripe and reaped in little more than two moneths Manyâ— Plantations had beene attempted here before but came to nothing the first to any purpose was in the yeare 1607. under the conduct of Captaine Gosnoll Iohn Smith and Mr. Edw. Maria Winkfield who carried a Colonie thither of a hundred persons but of these many dying of sicknesse or slaine by the Savages a new supply came in the yeare 1608. of a hundred and twenty