The largest was Duke of Buckingham sent unto him by Patent into Spain and last of all Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports And so have we sommoned him at once with all these Titles which came to him in time heretofore and after These accumilations might no doubt astonish the Kitchen stuff conceipt of Sir A. W. Benefits imbroydered without the least vacancy or emptiness to any others workmanship The hearts of Princes once dilated with affection cannot be satiable in the exercise of any narrow bounty or little affection choice and love begets the Gift which act becomes fomented even to be in Love with their own giving and so to excesse And thus have we put together this great Man who was pieced up by degrees and time He had many kindred for his Family was ancient Heraldry might blaze as large fields of his Pedigree as need concern any subject to prove were a Man preferred to pensil his life which I take boldness but to touch with shadows These were dispersed by time into several Matches with the Gentry and what strange or new device was it in him to raise them that were neer in blood by Noble and worthy waies as he did He made his two Brothers Peers his Mother Sister Countesses the one by Patent the other by Mariage the rest of the kindred by his countenance got means to live like their Births being a race handsom and beautiful Imeâ—n the females descending of Villiers or Beaumont either matched with Peers or with the Sons and heirs of Earls or with Knights of plentiful condition for he did not much strengthen his subsistence in Court but stood there on his own feet the most of his Allies rather leaned on him than he sholdered up by any of them And thus much as a Preface to the History of him hereafter during this Kings raign wherein his actions are successively remembred But concerning his Mother made a Countess There are in England three sorts of honourable women by Creation Descent or Mariage 1. H. 8. created Ann Bullen Marchiones of Pembroke before he maried her So was Susan Widow the Sole Daughter of the Baron of Abergaveny created Baroness de le Spencer Cambden 63. 6. So also was the Lady Compton wife of Sir Thomas Compton brother to the Lord Compton made Countess of Buckingham with the see of twenty pound per annum 18. Iac. And also the Lady Finch a Widow created Viscountess of Maidstone 21. Iacobi 2. Noble women by descent or to whom dignities descend as heirs are said to be honourable by Tenure or those Heirs whose Ancestors were seized of an estate descendable to them in their titles of Dukedome Earldome or Baronies or Heirs to Ancestours summoned to the Parliament 3. And lastly Noble Women are these married to a Lord or Peer of the Realm though themselves but in the State of Gentry Knights Wives are not of the Nobility They are stiled Ladies by the courtesie of England but not in Courts of Judicature So much for Noble Women In the Kings return out of Scotland the people took occasion to complain in common and to petition in particular That the freedom of Servants and Laborers was extremely enslaved by their Masters pretended zeal and sanction against Idolizing as was pretended of such days as ancient custome from General Councils and the Church of England reformed even to that time had appointed to be kept Holy Whereby after the â—olemnizing of Divine service the Servants and Workmen were not usual to discompany from their accustomed moderate Pastimes such as the most rigid heretofore could not justly but admit The King not so over-affected to his own sports that the sense of the peoples sufferings might take advantage by his Example and so of Liberty in the like for much of his most serious affairs were shadowed from the vulgar nay from the observing Politicque by his own publick Pastimes But in truth it came to be a business of consequence to consider how the intemperate zeal of our then rigid Reformers to countenance their own design of deforming strook at higher powers through the peoples sides in many matters so in this also For at first these pure conceited Men quarrelled at the name of the Holy seventh day called then as of old Sunday which they would have named Sabbath and thereafter would have it observed levitically so strickt as not to gather sticks This being discussed in some Counties the people forbore their Recreations Then the Reformers took the like exceptions against the peoples lawful pleasures on Saints and Holy-daies and at last against all sports and publick Pastimes exercises innocent and harmless such were Leaping Dancing Running or any Mastery for the Gaol or Prize May-pole or Church-ale as debauched Idols In some of these Pastimes several Counties excelled and to entertain community with their Mirth the Court Progresses took delight to judge of their wagers in their journey to Scotland which the people observing took occasion to themselves to petition the King in his return for freedome and leave to be merry And thus by this means this Mans Monstrum Horrendum the Church-mans Maskarado was begotten and brought to allowance by command in print to justifie the people in their lawful pleasures though upon the Sunday after service This year died Edw. Talbot the 8. Earl of Shrewsbury without issue and therfore it descended upon George Talbot son of Iohn Talbot of Grafton Esq by Katherine his wife Daughter of Sir William Peters heir male of Sir Gilbert Talbot of Grafton second Son of Iohn Lord Talbot second Earls of Shrewsbury after the death of Gilbert and Edward Earls of Shrewsbury without issue male who was this next year 1618. admitted by King Iames the ninth Earl But this man dying also without issue the inheritance descended upon the children of Iohn Talbot brother to this George which Iohn dyed and left issue Iohn now the eleventh Earl 1652. He bears Gules a Lion rampant and a border engraled Or. Sir Walter Raleigh wearied with long imprisonment and having there spent his time well in the History of the World made his petition more passable to the King whose love to learning granted him now at last his Liberty and not long after gave him leave to wander after a design to the Western world where he had been in several Climates before The common World wondering at this mans wit who had a way to break Jests though to hazard his head again for in a jear he said That his whole History had not the like President Of a Kings chief Prisoner to purchase freedom and his bosome Favourite to have the Halter but in Scripture Mordecai and Haman meaning Himself and Somerset To which he was told that the King replyed He might dy in this deceipt which he did and Somerset saved But in truth he had a reaching and roving mind from his first rise and thereafter but a mean fortune which he meant now
Hist. gr Br. p. 76. Court Ch. King James pag. 12. The Kings want of moneys and the reason Expence of the Princess Elizabeths marriage L. Hay Master of the Wardrobe L. Harington 93294. l. Propositions of Retrenchments of Honoraries Houshold The King restrains his former bounties A Benevolence Hist. gr Br. p. 78. Hist. gr Br. p. 78. Sâ—ar-chamber Pawn of Jewels and customs Privy Sâ—als Mulct upon commodities To wait on the Kings service Ingross Trade and license By raising rates Customs to Farm Sale of Offices and Honors Earls Baronets By Coin and Bullion Exchange Coinage Farthings By Parliaments Merchants made friends King of Denmarks second Arrival Overburies death discovered Somersets arreignment The manner of arreigning Peers of this Realm Anno 1616. The Case pleaded The Countess arreigned and both of them condemned reprieved and after pardoned See the Preface Court and Charact. King James Hist. Gr. Brit. p. 83. Somerset's Letter to the King Cabala p. 1. Sir W. Elvish Sir Lewis Tresham Lady Arabella's marriage with Seymer Hist. Gr. Br. p. 90. The Case of the Kings right to Commendams Sir Fr Bacon The ' King Judges meet and examine their Letter Spain and France cross Mariage with Savoy K. James congratulates their Nuptials by Lord Hay Lord Hay his Birth and breding Ambassadour into France Hist. Gr. Brie p. 92. L. Ross sent into Spain Sir H. Rich Baron of Ken sington his birth and breding Court Ch p. 125. Lex terrae what Cancelaria what Authority in Judging Sir F. Bacon succeeds chancelour Co. ch pa. 126. Sir Th Lake hisstory Anno 1617. Bishop of Spalato comâ—s into Englanâ— flies back again and 〈◊〉 miserable Marquess D' Ancre murdered in France Q. Mother flies out of France The King's journey into Scotland Hist. Gr. Br. p. 104. The Kings Speech in the Parliament of Scotland First Article for the Kings Prerogative Five Articlâ—s proposed by the King Produces a Petition The King returns Simson released G Villiers â— Favourite Duke of Buckingham his story Deâ—cent Court Ch. K. James Villiers sudden great preâ—erments Court and Character of King James pa. 3 sorts of Noble women Occasion of the allhwance of harmless pastimes The death of Talbot E. of Shrewsbury Sir Walter Raleigh rsleased ouâ— of the Tower His voyage to Guiana French Ambassadour his Friend His Commission and Expedition Hist. gr Br. pa. 115. Tâ—ey return and he in custody of Stukely committed to the Tower and questioned at the K. Bench-Bar and â—xecuted Hist. gr Br. pâ— 216. Discourse coâ—câ—rning his Design Hist. gr Br. pa. 116. Anno 1618. Hist. Gr. Br. p. 117. 4 Earls created for mony A monstrouâ— murther in Cornwal Barnevelt his design fitted for Rebellion By faction of Arminianism The Prince of Orange his Opposite Dort Synod resolves against Armâ—nianism Of Synods and Councils their initiation Luthers story Zwinglius Exploded by the diet at Worms And at the Diet at Noremburgh Council at Trent resolvved upon Council of Trent began 1545. The effects of War from the Blazing-star Heresies increase Opinions prophetical Opposers of them Q. Ann dies Her character Hist. Gr. Br. p. 54. 129. Kirk of Scotland The K. letteâ—s to them Five Articles of Perth 1. Kneeling at the Sacrament 2. Private communion 3. Private Baptism 4. Confirmation of children 5. Festival daies Of Excommunication Of Bohemia and the occasion of the Palsgrave accepting that Crown Ferdinands undue practices to be Kiâ—g Protestant Princes â—eeâ— redress Emperour in arms also Their grievances Kings Election and Succâ—ssion distinguished Mathias dies Ferdinand succeeds Emperour Anno 1619. King Jameâ— how concerned Palsgrave elected King of Bohemia Arch-bishop Abbats Letter to Nauton and Crowned Embassadours sent from England to the Emperor Palsgrave proscribed War on both sides Spinola raises Forces in Flanders So does Oxford and â—ssâ—x in England Hist. gr Bâ— pa. 135. Their march and action in the expedition Convoid by Hen. of Nassaw Joyn with the Princes of the Union Anno 1620 The Emperours General Bucquoy Anholt for Bohemia Is defeated and flyes with the K. and Q The Prinâ—es submit to the Emperour Sir Henry Wootton Ambassador eâ—traordinary into Gâ—rmâ—ny Duke of Lovain 〈…〉 Community of Strasburgh and Ulme Duke of Wittenburgh And to the Duke of Bavaria Without success from any of them Resolves â—pon a Parliament and Match with Spain A Parliament called Hist. gr Br. pa. 150. Hist. Gr. Br. p 144. Buckingham made Mâ—rquâ—sse and Master of the Horse The Dignity of a Marquess Montague Viscount Mandevile L. Treasurâ—r Hist. Gr. Br. p. 152. his falsities Design against Pirates in the Mediterranean Sea Some of them offer submission Sir Robert Mansâ—l sent to surprize them K. Speech to the Parâ—iaâ— It seems so by ours lately not long lasting Hist. Gr. Br. will have it 60000. l. Anno 1621. Digby Extraordinary Ambassadour to the Emperor Sir Lionel Cranfield I Treasurer Co. and ch p. 87. Anno 1620. Petition against the multitude of titles of Honour Hist. Gr. Br. p 189. Petitions against Griâ—vances Hist. gr Br. pa. 135. The Kings Speech to the Lords Anno 1621. Co. Ch. p. 156. Hist. gr Br. pa. 158. Yelvertons Lâ—tteâ— to Buckingham Michel censured and Mompesson His character Co. Ch. p. 126. Hist. Gâ— Bâ— p. 159. Dr. Williams succeeds to be Lord keeper Co. ch pa. 139. Reign of K. Charlâ—s page 128. Dignity of the Earl Marshal of England L. Keeper his Character The King retires to New Maâ—ket in discontâ—nt Hist. gr Bâ— pa. 172. K. letter to the Speaker The Parliaments petition to the King The Kings Messâ—ge by Secretary Calvert The K. Letter to Secretary Calvert The Kings Letter to the Speaker The Parliam return thanks and petition The Parliaments Protestation Dissolved by Proclamation Oxford and Southampton committed Hist. Gr. Br. p. 190 191 192. A design for their Release Oxford supplicates Buâ—kingham Busie bodies severally humoured Hist. â—r Br. p 190 191 192. Of Libels The Kinghts Templers Massacre of the English in Virginia Digby sent to Spain to treat in the Match Hist. Gr. Br. p. 193. Arch-bishop Abbot kills his Keeper Ministers ordered in preaching Anno 1622. By 6 Articâ—es The misbehaviours of the Pulpit Catechising again commanded Hist. Gr. Br. p. 201. Papist and Puritan coupled Regians and Republicans page 202. A modest defence Calumnies against the K. Spanish match goes on Hist. Gr. Br. p. 203. Digby ordered by Letters how to proceâ—d Digby is faulty Second Letters peremptory Reign of K. Charls p 3 4. Digby made Earl of Bristol Hist. Gr. Br. p. 212. An Order of Religion bare â—ooted Princes joâ—â—ney to Spain General Pardon proclamed His entry in Triumph The Queen is visited The Complement Rich Presents to the Prince Triumphant Fire-Works Takes the Ring in presence of his Mistress Buckingham created Duke Hist. Gr. Br. p. 230. The Pope writes to the Prince His Answer Hist. Gr. Br. p. 234 Dispensation is come and Articles â—igned there Hist. Gr. Br. p. 236. and here Hist. Gr. Br. p. 238 239. 240. Anno 1623. Those Articles returned and signeâ—â— The Prince resolves his return The two Favorites quarrel Olivares character Buckingham comes away The Princes parting Presents Escurial Hunt a Stag by the way Their parting Complements The pillar of Parting Danger to be drowned The Strorm Mr. Clark returns to Madrid Bristol is to forbear the Espousals Prince lands October 5. A Parliament designed in February following Bristol hath Audience Duke of Richmond dies suddenly Hist. Gr. Br. p. 258. The K. speech in Parliament The L. Keepers short complement Hist. Gr. Br. p. 262. Buckinghams Dâ—claration to both Houses Hist. Gr. Br. p. 264. Parliaments advice The Kings Speech His Necessities Anno 1624. Council of War Spanish Ambassadour accuses the Duke of Treason Co. Câ— K. James p 150. Hist. Gr. Br. p. 278. The Truth of the Story See before pa. 74. Sea before anno 1571. Bristolâ—return Hist. Gr. Br. p. 272. Co. Ch. p. 163. Petition of both Houses against Papists The Kings Answer Hist. Gr. Br. P. 275. The Princes Mariage with France treated by the L. Kensington Madames Character France how affected His Resentment Count Soissons a Pretender to Madame Encounteâ—s a quarrel with Kensington Cabinet â—unto The Earl of Carsile comes over Commissioner and treat Hist. Gr. Br. p. 178. L. Treasurer Cranfield questioned in Parliament Co. â—ch p. 166. Hist. Gr. Br. p. 278. Mr. Prin c. Hist. Gr. Br. p. 279. The late Treasurers more useful than others better born Digression Apprentiship is no bondage Cruelty of the Dutch in Amboyna Parliament design for war and raise four Regiments Land in Holland and join with the P. of Orange against Spinola Who besieges Breda Maurice encamps at Mede Breda sometime the D. of Brabant Pleasant scituation Arch-duchess Governess of Flanders The condition strength of Breda Justin Nassaw Governor The siege begins 26. Aug. Provisions from several places Sally out of the Town ill success Prince of Poland comes to Spinola Spinola takes in Ousterholt Combating between each Camp Bryante against Count John of Nassaw Anno 1625. Bryante killed Steenhius hurt All retire Bouteville against Beauvoix Anno 1624. Design to surprize the Castle of Antwerp Misâ—eport of it at the Camp A second Design Enterprize by Boats to relieve Breda Spinola's prevention Design to draw neer Spinola Anno 1625. Anno 1624. With six Regiments and two Troops Hist. Gr. Br. p. 283. Spinola procures fresh Forces and makes double larger Trenches Anno 1625. Mansâ—â—'d desires passage to the Palatinate Breda's holy day P. Maurice dies Apr. 1625 P. Henry Generalissimo â— of Oxfords Enterprize upon Terhelda Marquess Hameltons sudden death Hist. Gr. Br. p. 285. K. James dies March 27. 1655. His sickness and disease Co. Ch. p. 174. Hist. Gr. Br. p. 287. Egglesham his scurrilous â—â—â—â—phlet Anno 1624. Hist. â—r Br. p. 287. See before of the Kings sickness and death Anno 1625. Boltons Lectures pa. 15 16 c. Advancement of Learning page 2.
of Ambassadours privilege 74 Massacre of Protestants in France 83 Episcopacy in Scotland continued â—â— Babâ—ngton's Treason â—14 Queen of Scots her Trial in England 115 sentenced and 〈◊〉 of Execution 121 Secretary Walsingham's Letter concerning the Execution of the Queen of Scotsâ—â—8 â—â—8 The Spanish Nâ—vies Design against England in the year 1588. 141 King James 6. sends Commissioners first and goes over himself to fetch his Queen from Denmark Concernments of France with the murther of Henry 3. 155 Hacket's horrible Tenets arreigned and executed 162 Ministers mad work 194 Digression how far forrein Titles precede in England 211 Digression concerning the power of Witches and Witchcraft 214 Earl Gowry's conspiracy against King James 225 Earl of Essex his Treason against Queen Elizabeth 233 Irish affairs under Lord Blunt Deputy of Ireland 242 English Commissioners in France dispute Precedency 243 These particular Passages of the Second Part may be read by themselves apart INtroduction to the Second Part page 2 Of Knights Batchelors 271 Of the Order of the Garter and Saint George his story 273 Of Earls and their Dignities 274 Of Barons and their Dignities 275 Knights of the Bath their Creation 276 Digression concerning Imperial Rule and Interest of Christian Princes 277 Of War and Conquest of Success their Consequences 281 Sir Walter Raleighs Treason 282 Of Presbyterians Doctrines 289 Conference at Hampton Court 293 Translation of the Bible and singing Psalms 308 Catechising commended 310 Of Parliaments their beginnings 312 King James first Speech in Parliament 319 The Powder Treason 323 The Oath of Supremacy and K. James his Apology to Forein Princes 329 Of Iesuits how to suppress them 331 Libel against the Lord Treasuer Salisbury and His answer 334 King James Speech and answer to the Arguments concerning the Union 338 Sprots Conspiracy with Gowry his arraignment and Execution 342 Lord Balmerino his treacherous Design 348 King James his second Speech in Parliament 353 Duke of Gelders his Descent and Death 361 Prince of Wales their Dignity 362 Of Chelsey Colledge 365 Of Masks and Comedies 366 Suttons Hospital founded 367 Of Vorstius and Arminius their Books and Doctrines 370 Prince Henries Sickness and Death 377 Treasurer Lord Salisbury his Life and Death 381 〈…〉 〈…〉 James 391 Earl of Northampton's Life and Death 393 Of Duels and Combats 394 Of Plantations in America 400 Of Barâ—nes Knights creation 402 King James wants discussed how to be relieved 404 Earl of Somerset his Countess arreigned 414 His Letter to K. James 420 The case of Commendams 424 Difference between the Chancery and Common Pleas and their Dignities 431 King James his Speech in Star-chamber 439 Sir Thomas Lake and his wives story 446 King James journey into Scotland 450 George Villiers a favourite his story 455 Sir Ralegh's Guiana Voyage and Execution 459 A monstrous Murther in Cornwall 463 Barnevelt's Treason and Execution 466 Of Synodes and Councils Synode of Dort 467 〈…〉 〈…〉 of Bohemia 478 Sir Wootton's Embassy into Germany 485 Marriages with forrein Princes unfortunate to England 487 Earl Marshalls of England their Dignities 505 Of Libells and Pasquils 526 Of Knights Templers 527 Preachers ordered their matter and manner 531 King of Spain's Letter to Oâ—vares and his Answer concâ—rning the Princes Match 539 Prince Charls journey into Spain his Treatments and return 542 Spanish Ambassadour accuses the Duke of Buckingham of Treason 562 Prince Charls Marriage with France treated and affected 566 Treasurer Cranfield put out of Office 573 Of Apprentices of London they are no bond-men discussed 574 Cruelty of Amboyna 576 Famous Siege of Breda 579 The INDEX to the second Part. A. QU Ann sent for out of Scotland her Design to seize the Prince p. 272 Her Death and Character 774 Ambassadour French and Spanish quarrel 320 Weston and Conway Ambassadours into Germany 482 Lord Haies Ambassadour into France 428 Lord Rosse Ambassy into Spain 429 Spanish Ambassadour accuses the Duke of Buckingham of Treason the story 562 Assembly of the Scots Kirk in spite of the King 321 475 Aid-money 363 Arminius and Vorstius their Heresies and story 370 Adamites Heresies 375 Abbot Arch-Bishops Arguments against the Nullity of Essex and his Countess answered 391 Kills his Keeper 530 Arreignment of the Earl of Somerset and Countess for impoysoning of Overbury 414 Arreigning of Peers discussed 414 Lady Arabella marries Seymer 423 Marquess D' Ancre murthered in France 549 Abbot Arch-Bishop his Letters concerning the King of Bohemia 481 Earl Arundel Lord Marshal their Dignities 505 Of Apprentices of London no Bond-men 574 Cruelty of the Dutch at Amboyna 576 B. BArons created 271 their Dignities 275 Beaton Arch-Bishop dies in France 271 Batchelour Knights manner of Creation 276 Bible new translated 308 Balmerino Secretary of Scotland his Treason and story pardoned he and his posterity ungratefull 348 Bishops of Scotland enlarge their power 350 Baronet Knights created and discussed 402 Benevolence and means of the Kings supplies discussed 407 Sir Francis Bacon made Lord Chancellour 437 his submission in Parliament and supplication 501 his Character 503 his Encomium of King James 594 Barnevelt in Holland his Treason and execution 465 Blazing Star their effects discussed 471 King and Queen of Bohemia defeated and fly into Holland 485 Breda that famous Siege 579 and lost 589 Briante Botevile and Beauvoir their several Duels and Combats 582 Bolton's contemplation on King James 594 C. KIng and Queen crowned 275 Corâ—nation-oath 276 Conference at Hampton-court to settle the Discipline of the Church 282 Catechizing commanded 310 Commotion of Commoners 312 Charls Prince created Duke of York 322 High Commission Court 352 356 Chelsey College founded and why 365 Contribution money 367 Car a Favourite and his Countess their story 376 arreigned for impoysoning Overbury 414 the case pleaded 416 condemned reprieved and pardoned 419 his Letter to the King 420 The case of Commendams the Kings right to them pleaded and passages thereupon 424 Lord Chancellour and Lord Cook difference the cause and case 431 the Kings Letters to the Chancellour his sickness and death 432 Common Pleas Court what 434 Chancery Court and power 435 Chancellour Sir Francis Bacon succeeds 437 Church of Scotlands proceedings 475 Cranfield Lord Treasurer 495 questioned in Parliament and put out 572 Calumnies answered 535 Combates at Breda 582 D. DIgression designs for Imperial rule in Christendoâ— 27â— King of Denmark his first arrival to visit the Queen his Sister 333 second arrival 413 E. Dorset Lord Treasurer dies 342 Of Duels 394 Dort Synode 467 Lord Digby Ambassadour to the Empire 495 returns accounts to the Parliament 509 sent into Spain to treat in the Match 524 ordered by Letters how to proceed 536 created Earl of Bristol 539 is to forbear the Espousals 555 takes leave of Spain 556 and is come home to the Parliament 563 Designs at the Siege of Breda 584 E. QUeen Elizabeth not willing to publish her Successour 261 Earls created 274 their Dignities 275 Excommunicatiou absurd in Scotland
Bothwels eager pursuit stumbled his Horse and in the fall bruises him into some perâ—â— that he took the readiest way to Dalkieth for that night and the next morrow dissolves his Troopâ— Arrol has tidings and does so too the Captains at â—ife take ship and faâ—l away And this gave end to his three â—quadrons and leasure to the King by his Ambassadour Lord Colvil to complain to Queen Elizabeth of her Ambassadour Zouch and her harbouring of Bothwel He writes plainly Though she had recommended his Person wise religious and honest yet his â—arriage was more like an Herauld than to be a Messenger in Commission of Peaâ—e between two neighbour Princes and therefore meeting with his pride and wilfulness he chose his own Emissary to carry this Errand whom he prays the Queen to credit He marvelled the more having received her many Princely promises and Letters not to countenance Bothwel nor his Receivers whilest some of her own Palaces had given him harbour being assisted with English Moneys to levy Scots and English in this his another very late treacherous Attempt To challenge her Princely Honour he did not nor could be confident of her priviâ—y therein yet considering her prudence and policies he was troubled to finde the insolency of her Subjects to hazard a breach with her nearest Kinsman and therefore leaving it to her self to resolve those doubts he put her in mind of his delivery of Orork the Irish Rebell to her and prays her not to put him in ballance with such a trayterous counterpoise least he be constrained to speak like the Poet Flectere si nequeo superos c. Thus much the letter said the Ambassadour in private assured her Majesty the particular prosecution against the Popish Lords to proscribe their persons and confiscate their Lands And to go through with the work against them and other Romists he craved a supply of monies The Queen had no excuse but to ballance her favour to Bothwell by the slow pursuit the King made against those Papists Henceforth she would cease and for effecting his purpose against them He should not want what was in her power to afford The first she really perâ—â—â—rmed and speedily proclamed against Bothwell and no assistance to him through her Borders which the King hartily resented And by his Ambassadors invites the Queen to the Baptism of the Prince his Son and others were sent of the same errand To the King of Denmark the Dukes of Brunswick and Megleburgh and to the general Estates Men enough to one Woman The King so far affected with the Queens Publication against Bothwell that the next Parliament the Scotish Papists are banished by plurality of voices Clergy and Commons whom the Nobles would have spared And Arguile is sent with forces against such as would not submit The Assembly of the Church coâ—nvene at Edenburgh and direct Commissioners of their own to represent to his Majesty at Sterlin the dangers of the State and to propound the remedies in eleven Articles They lay the ground from the late design of the Spaniard in eighty eight against the whole Island and his correspondence since with the Popish Lords argues his intention the same still and their continuance in Treasonable attempts ever since doth evidence their obstinacy to prosecute the Conspiracy Then the Church layes open how their counsel from time to time was neglected and the enemy incouraged and none greater favourites in Court than Papists naming principal families infected therewith And reckoâ—s up the Popish Lords neglect and scorn of the Act of Oblivion their disobedience not entring their persons to Ward The arriving of the late Spanish Bark at Montross shews that their Practises continue and their open Conventions assure themselves safety besides their preparations of Arms in the North parts And conclude that the cause not being removed the dangerous effects are like to follow The Remedies they propound in eight conclusions That the Popish Lords be forfeited the next Sessions of Parliament And no Papists elected shall sit That they shall be pursued their rents and lands annexed to the Crown without favour That seizure be made of several notorious persons named That none shall relieve them with any Supply or Intelligence That the people should put themselves into arms as a posture of Defence Somwhat was said against the Lord Hume but he appearing was absolved These remedies were well accepted of the King only misliking Subjects to arm without his Warrant And well he might reminding the last years insurrections at the peoples pleasure The King granting theirs offers some conditions for himself hy his Messinger Melvil That the Assembly should inhibit their Ministers irreverent speeches in Pulpit against his Majesty and Council under pain of deprivation And to censure Iohn Ross for his insolency therein The like against Hunter another of theirsâ— for his open consortship with the late Traytors he being a Minister of Religion against his King of the same faith to the great scandal of the Church The third was to admonâ—sh their Congregations against Bothwell his treasonable attempts or any other such insurrections against his Majesties person This last was enacted but Ross was only admonished to do so no more and Hunter was pretended to be deposed from his function but they juggled him in again The Parliament adjudged the three Earls and Achindown guilty of the Crimes of Treason their estates forfeited their Escocheons torn by the Herauld as their manner of degrading and excellent Statutes passed for the good of Country and Commons And now begins the Solemnity of Baptism for the Prince in August from England the Earl of Sussex the King of Denmark and Duke of Brunswick and Megleburgh with the free Estates of the Provinces had their Ambassadours there present from the French King came none The manner of Ceremony was thus handsom The Infant was brought into the Queens chamber of Presence laid in a Bed of State The Ambassadours came in and were presented with the Prince first from the Arms of the Countess of Mar to the Duke of Lennox who delivered him to the Earl of Sussex having the principal place of Dignity who bore him to the Chappel being followed with a Noble Train of Lords and Ladies Before them all the Lord Hume carried the Ducall Coronet the Lord Levingston bore the Towell the Lord Seaton the Fontall Bason and the Lord Simple the Laver. Over the English Ambassadour â— Rich Majesterial Canopie supported by four Lairds The Childs Train bore up by the Lords Sinclare and Urquart and a Guâ—rd or Lane on each side of the young Noblemen and Gentry of the Nation Being entred the Chappel the King already set and ariâ—â—ing from his Throne receives and salutes the Ambassadours and then the Infant was delivered again to Lenox who reached him to the Nurse and the Estates take their Seats Upon the Kings Right hand a Chair was placed for the French Ambassadour who was not
Ministers in prudence to make address to his Majesty and to understand his displeasure and also to offer on their parts terms of satisfaction and so modestly and mannerly to lay open the Grievances and to offer means of redress Somewhat they did not as they were advised or ought to have done The King tells them There could be no agreement till bounds of Marches are designed â—or reconcilement till Iurisdictions are distinguished Their preachings censured Councils of State They convocate General Assemblies without him or his Warrant and conclude as they please without his consent They meddle with all matters in their Synods Presbyteries and Sessions and under colour of scandals usurp that Notion to offend in all Besides he could sum up several sorts of their disorders which would take up time their own guilt should study means to amend otherwise things may become remediless neither to agree nor to last long without But to come to their points what could it be to kindle such fires and fears The Kings favour to the Popish Lords at Falkland and confirmed at Dunferlin His countenance to the Countess of Huntley whatâ— that She is invited to the Princess baptism The Education of the Princess to the Lady Levingston a Papist And to smooth all they condescended to say They were sorry for his Majesties displeasure The last he took up first That their abusive Sermons had given him in particular just cause To the Popish Lords what he granted was by General Convention and consent of Estates as needful for peace to the Realm The Lady Huntley was discreet and deserved more and that she is a Papist they are too blame that never taught her the Truth The Princess is intrusted to the Wisdome and Government of the Lord Levingston not to his Lady he to command she to conform Good God! their History of the Kirk stories many and many such Medlings which I forbear to mention By these and the like may be measured out their malice pride vanity and their cunning to colour all with conscience and zeal of Truth But it becomes dangerous Mr. David Blake Minister of St. Andrews rails in his Sermon against the King Council and Session of Estates and called the Queen of England by name an Atheist of no Religion Bowes the Ambassadour complains and Blake is cited before the Council Melvil meets him and makes it the common cause as a preparative against all to bring down the doctrine of Christ under the censure of the King and Councel And so far was it plotted with the Council of the Church that they desert the day of his Diet or appearing That it would be ill taken to question Ministers upon trifling delations When as the Enemies of Iesus Christ were spared and protected Telling the King who was descended to shew them Huntleys condition That both he and the rest should either satisfy the Church in every point or be pursued with Extremity and so no cause to complain of their oversight of Papists And though the Articles were framed and Printed satisfactory to all Yet they Publish That Papists were favoured the Ministers rebuked for siding against sin And that the Scepter of Christ was sought to be overthrown And if Master Blake should submit his doctrine to the triall of the Council the liberties of Church and spirrituall Government of Gods House be quite subverted And by all means a Declinator is designed to protest against such proceedings And in this fire of zeal in opposition to better Councell They answered that the cause of God concern'd them to withstand all future hazards It was trusted to Blake himself to present in presence of the King I know not whether prudentiall in me to suppresse it for fear of evil President But that it is a record Take it in the Breef That howbeit his innocent conscience maintained him sufficient against the Calumnies of whomsoever and that he was able and ready to defend his doctrine uttered in opening the words or application iâ— matter Yet seeing he was convened before the King and his Council to be judged for his doctrine and that his answering might be suspected a submission and so imputed a prejudice to the Churches liberties and to be taken as an acknowledgment of the Kings jurisdiction in matters spirituall He was constrained to decline that judicature First because the Lord Jesus Christ of whom we had the grace of his calling had given him his word for a rule to his Preaching And that he could not fall in reference of any Civill Law but so farr as he should be tryed to pass his instructions Which tryal belonged only to the Prophets and Pastors the spirits of the Prophets being subject to them alone c. Secondly in regard the liberties of the Church and discipline were confirmed by sundry Acts of Parliament and the Preachers office bearers thereof peaceably possessed therein perticularly in the indicature of the word He ought to be remitted to the Ecclesiastick Senate as the only compitent Iudges For which and other weighty consideracons inconveniences to Religion the State and Nation and to the King himself by the appearance of destraction and Alienation of his mind from the Ministery and the cause of God in their hands He for himself and in Name of the Commissioners of the generall Assembly who had sâ—bscribed this Declinator Besought that the Church of God might receive no diminution but rather manifest care to maintain the same The diet came and he required to make answer Said That albeit he might object against the Citation it being directed Super Inquirendis contrary to form yet he would take himself to the remedy of Law and to be remitted to his own Ordenary Being asked whom he meant He answered the Presbytery where the doctrine was taught The King told him the matters charged were civill and that the Summons had reference to the particular letter of the English Ambassadour He replyed that speeches in the Pulpit must be judged by the Church in prima instantia Being asked whether the King might not judg of facts of Treason as well as the Church did matters of Heresie That whether speeches in the Pulpit though but pretended Treasonable could not be judged by the King till the Church had remitted thereof But he answered That he was not come thither to resolve questions and so offered his Declinator The King not able to amend what was amiss meant to work it otherwise by remitting of further proceedings to Nov. 30. Mean while the Commissioners send copies of all transactions to the several Presbyteries requiring them for Corroboration to confirm the same by their subscriptions To commend their doing as the cause of God in publick fasts and Humilliation for the sins of the Nation by prayer and preaching The meaning thereby was to tell the stories to the people for maintenance of this their ill manners And which the King interpreted a direction to dangerous Mutenie and future
no third person admitted and a guard of Horse kept all men off from hearing Considering the former Message by Knowd what construction can this secrecie produce but great surmize of the height of Treason and yet though Essex was not arraigned for his Irish actions his latter in London sufficient let me relate what is testified in pursuance of this in the designes of Essex On Tyrones part it fell out That the very day that Essex returned to the Queen Tyrone told Sir William Warren at Armagh That within two or three Moneths he should see the greatest and strangest alteration that could be imagined and that himself hoped to have a large share in England And unto Bremingham he said That he had promised ere long to shew his face in England little to the publick good thereof Thomas Wood Confesses That the Lord Fitzâ—orris in Munster about the same time told him That Tyrone had written to the Earl of Desmond so called that the contract was That Essex should be King of England Tyrone Viceroy of Ireland and should assist him in England with 8000 Souldiers With which agrees the answer of Tyrone to Mac Roories letter That Essex had agreed to side with Tyrone and so be ayded by them all towards the Conquest of England The general opinion and discourse of the Rebells That Essex was theirs and they his and that he would never relinquish the sword of Ireland till he was Master of that in England Tyrone after the parley grew proud and secure into strange progresses visitations homages of his confederates as of a new spirit and courage Essex presently thereupon having retired thoughts became melancholly as of doubtfull ambition and secretly imparts himself only to the Earl of Southampton and Sir Christopher Blunt Resolving to go into England with 2. or 3000. choice of the Army to make good his landing at Milford Haven so gather power march to London and make his own conditions They diswade him from the hazard and odiousness of the design but rather to draw out 200. of the most resolute to make sure of the Court and so to follow the effect And accordingly over he comes his Company in a muze of his intents he publisht his pretext to them by the efficacie of his presence to draw the Queen to confirm his Articles with Tyrone But in great choler as to dispute or Revenge and without leave from England He leaves his command to a Lieutenant and lands with 100. Gentlemen his best confidents hastens to Court ere it was known to any but to his dear Uncle Sir William Knowles Controuler of the Queens Houshold to whom he writes Dear Uncle Receiving your last at my entring on shipboard I return you this accompt at my landing being resolved with all speed and our silence to appear in the face of my Enemies not trusting a farr off to my own Innocencie or to the Queens favour with whom they have got so much power At sight of him with amaze the Queen swore Gods death my Lord what do you here your presence hatefull without Tyrones head But he falling more to a dispute than any excuse she in disdain to be taught but what she pleased to do bid him he gone his boots stunck So was he commanded to his Chamber at Court for some daies thence to the Lord Keeper til neer Easter after then to his own house under custody of Sir Richard Barckley til the end of Trinity Term so by degrees of restraint to win him to repentance the Queen said that he was young enough to amend and make amends for all Yet to repress seditious libels dispersed in his Justification and to observe a form of justice ere she gave him libertie There were associates unto her privy Council some chosen persons of the Nobility and judges of the Law to examine his breaking of his instructions in Ireland his treating with Tyrone and leaving his Government coming over without leave nay expresly contrary to his command under her hand signet With limitation not to be charged with disloyalty nor to be questioned publickly in Starr Chamber which upon his most penitent letter he desired to be spared and to be heard at the Lord Keepers house The sentence was then no more than suspension from some of his Places for he called God to witness He made an utter divorce with the world and desired favour only for a preparative for his Nunc Dimittis the tears of his heart having quenched in him all humors of ambition Upon which in few daies his Keeper Barckly was taken from him with this admonition That he was not altogether discharged though left to the guard of his own discretion He had taken into his service as chief Secretary in Ireland and long before one Henry Cuff base by birth a great Scholar of a turbulent and mutinous spirit This fellow a Moneth after his Lords liberty practised with Sir Henry Nevil lately Lieger Ambassadour with the French King and now newly come from Bullen Insinuating as a secret That the breach of the treaty of Bullen was like to light upon him By Cuff it was first concluded that ancient principle of Conspiracie To prepare many and trust but to few and after the manner of Mines to make ready the powder place it firm and then give fire in the instant The first of Nobility was Wriothsly Earl of Southampton and some others of quality and with Profane policie to serve their turns with both factions Papist and Puritan Essex his outside to these professing Hypocriticall zeal and frequent Sermons To the other as to Blunt and Davis his inmost secrecies for Tolleration of Religion And thus he spent Michaelâ—as Term. Towards Christmass there passed a watch-word amongst his associates That he intended to stand upon his guard a double sence as of circumspection or force But in truth not to be cooped up with restraint The time of execution was Hilary Term when by invitation or business the Town would fill with his friends But in Candlemass Term they fell to consult at Drury House where Sir Charls Davers lodged a man obliged unto him for his pardon about the Murther of one Long. Sir Ferdinando Gorges Governour of Plymouth sent for by his letter not to fail before the second of February Sir Iohn Davis Surveyor of the Ordinance his former servant And Iohn Littleton a man of wit and valour Their consultation rest upon three parts The perusal of a List of confederates How to act Distribution of each mans action The List was 106. Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen of Essex own hand writing The action was in two Articles Possessing the Tower Surprizing the Q. Court In which was deliberated what course to hold with the City towards effecting the surprize or after The Tower would give reputation and security to the Action by means of Davis but most of the rest were jealous that whilst they built
an ordinary fate which often accompanies them to bear the burden of their masters mistakes which yet was but an experiment proper enough for the L. Chamberlain Rochester to put in practice whose creature he was But we may not forget our good Lord of Essex our digression most necessary to his story which was thus There was amongst other persons of Honour and quality in Court a young Lady of great birth and beauty Frances the Daughter of Thomas Howard Earl of Suffolk married in under-age unto the Earl of Essex now become a forward stripling she two and twenty and he three and twenty years of him common fame had an opinion grounded upon his own suspition of his insufficiency to content a Wife And the effects of this Narration with the sequel of his life and conversation with his second Wife is so notorious as might spare me and the Reader our several labours for any other convincing arguments But with the first when both were of years to expect the blessing of the Marriage-bed he was always observed to avoid the company of Ladies and so much to neglect his own that to wish a Maid into a mischief was to commend her to grumbling Essex as they stiled him and increased the jealousie of such men whose interests were to observe him that he preferred the occasion himself for a Separation and which indeed from publick fame begat private disputation amongst Civilians of the legality thereof wherein those Lawyers are boundless This Case followed the heels of a former Divorce fresh in memory between the Lord Rich and his fair Lady by mutual consent but because Mountjoy Earl of Devonshire married her whilest her Lord lived the King was so much displeased as it broke the Earl's heart for his Majesty told him that he had purchased a fair Wife with a foul Soul But this of Essex was a different Example when you seek to parallel them together And therefore we may with more charity to truth not admit such hasty credit as to believe that now the Kings delight was onely for the love of the Viscount who is supposed to be in love with the Countess of Essex and upon no other score to command the Bishops to sue out a Divorce from her Husband which in truth was done with ample Reasons and legal Geremontes And because the Nullity gave freedom to either and so the means of her after-marriage with Rochester the sad occasions of all the sequel mishaps I have with some diligence laboured out the truth precisely and punctually as it was acted and proceeded by Commission Delegative not easily now otherwise to be brought to light which the Historian passes over briefly as unwilling to spend time to set down truths when it makes not for his turn for this Author had been Essex his Man and turn'd away by his Lady Upon Petition of the Earl of Suffolk and his Daughter Frances to the King That whereas his Daughter Frances Countess of Essex had been married many years unto Robert Earl of Essex in hope of comfortable effects to them both that contrariwise by reason of certain latent and secret imperfections and impediments of the said Earl disabling him in the rights of Marriage and most unwillingly discovered to him by his Daughter which longer by him to conceal without remedy of Law and the practice of all Christian policy in like cases might prove very prejudicial And therefore prays To commit the cause of Nullity of Matrimony which she is forced to prosecute against the said Earl to some grave and worthy persons by Commission under the great Seal of England as is usâ—ally c. Which accordingly was granted unto four Bishops two Privy Counsell ours learned in the Law and unto four other Civil Lawyers with clause to proceed cum omni qua poterint celeritate expeditione summarie ac de plano sine strepitu ac figur a judicii sola rei facti veritate inspecta mera aequitate attenta And with this clause also Quorum vos praefati Rev. Patrem Cant. Archiepiscopum Reverend Patrem Lond. Episcopum Iul. Caesar. Mil. aut duos vestrum in ferenda sententia inâ—eresse volumus But for some Exceptions concerning the Quorum by the Commissioners in the words Sententia esse not interesse A second Commission was granted and adjoyned two Bishops more with this Quorum Quorum ex vobis praefat Reverend Patrem George Cant. Archiepisc. Ioh. Lond. Episc. Tho. Wint. Episc. Lancelot Eliens Episc. Richard Covent Lich. Episc. Ioh. Ross. Episcop Iul. Caesar. Mil. Tho. Parry Mil. in ferenda Sententia nos esse volumus Upon this the Countess procures Process against the Earl to answer her in a Cause of Nullity of Matrimony The Earl appears before the Commissioners by his Proctor and she gives in her Libell viz. That the Earl and the Lady six years since in January Anno Domini 1606. were married her age then thirteen and he fourteen and now she is two and twenty and he three and twenty years old That for three years since the Marriage and he then eighteen years old they both did co-habit as married folk in one bed naked and alone endeavouring to have carnal knowledg each of others body Notwithstanding the Earl neither did nor could ever know her carnally he being before and since possessed with perpetual incurable impediment and impotency at least in respect of her That the Lady was and is apt and fit without any defect and is yet a Virgin and carnally unknown by any man That the Earl hath confessed oftentimes to persons of great credit and his nearest Friends that he was never able carnally to know her though he had often attempted and â—sed his utmost endeavours And therefore prayeth the Commissioners upon due proof hereof to proneunce for the invalidity and nullity of the Marriage The Earl by his Proctor denies the said Contents Contestatio lit is negative His Answer is required by Oath by second Process where in open Court his Oath was administred with so great care and effectual words to minde him of all circumstance as the like hath been seldom observed The Earl viva voce confesseth the Marriage and circumstance as in the Libell and were not absent above three Moneths the one from the other in any of the said three years That for one whole year of the three he did attempt divers times carnally to know her but the other two years he lay in bed with her nightly but found no motion to copulation with her That in the first year she shewed willingness and readiness therito That he did never carnally know but did not finde any impediment in her self but was not able to penetrate or enjoy her And believeth that before and after the Marriage he found in himself ability to other women and hath sometime felt motion that way But being asked whether he found in himself a perpetual and incurable impediment
he had my Lord's head under his Girdle in respect of communication of secrets of State as he calls them himself secrets of Nature and therefore dealt violently with him to make him desist with menaces of discovery and the like hereupon grew two streams of hatred upon Overbury the one from the Lady in respect that he crossed her love and abused her Name which are Furies in women the other of a more deep nature from my Lord of Somerset himself who was afraid of Overbury's nature and if he did break from him and fly out he would winde into him and trouble his whole fortunes so as certainly it was resolved that Overbury must dy That was too weak and they were so far from giving way to it as they crossed it there rested but two ways of quarrel Assault and Poyson For that of Assault after some proposition and attempt they passed from it as a thing too open and subject to more variety of shame That of Poyson likewise was an hazardous thing and subject to many preventions and caution especially to such a working and jealous brain as Overbury had except he was first in their hands therefore the way was first to get him sent over Seas or into a Trap and lay him up and then they could not miss the mark and therefore in execution of this Plot it was concluded that his pride should be designed to some honourable imployment in forein parts and should under-hand by himself my Lord of Somerset be encouraged to refuse it and so upon contempt he should be laid Prisoner in the Tower and then they thought he should be close and Death should be his Bail Yet were they not at their end for they considered that if there were not a fit Lieutenant of the Tower for that purpose and likewise a fit Under-keeper of Overbury First they should meet with many impediments in the giving and exhibiting of the Poyson Secondly they should be exposed to note and observation that might discover them And thirdly Overbury in the mean time might write clamorous and furious Letters to his Friends and so all might be disappointed And therefore the next Link of the Chain was to displace the then Lieutenant Wade and to place Yelvis a principal abetter in the impoysonment to displace Carew that was under-keeper in Wade's time and to place Weston that was the Actor in the impoysonment And this was done in such a while that it may appear to be done as it were in a breath Then when they had this poor Gentleman in the Tower where he could not escape nor stir where he could not feed but by their hands where he could not speak or write but through their trunks then was the time to act the last Day of his Tragedy Then must Franklin the Purveyor of the Poyson in May 1613. procure five six seven several Poysons to be sure to hit his complexion then must Mistris Turner the lay-mistris of the Poysons advise what works at present and what at distance Then must Weston be the Tormentor and chace him with Poyson after Poyson Poyson in salt meats Poyson in sweet meats Poyson in Medicines and Vomits untill at last his body was almost come by use of Poysons to the state of Mithridates body by the use of Treacle and preservatives that the force of the Poysons was blunted upon him Weston confessing That when he was child for not dispatching that he had given him enough to poyson twenty men And because all this asked time impoysoning from March 9. to September 14. courses were taken by Somerset both to divert all the true means of Overbury's delivery and to entertain him with continual Letters partly with hopes and protestations for his delivery and partly with other fables and negotiations somewhat like some kinde of persons which keep in a Tale of fortune-telling when they have a fellonious intent to pick their Pockets and Purses Untill at last they hastened his destruction by an impoysoned Glyster which wrought into his intrails and soon dispatch him And this is the Narration of this Art which I have summarily recited Then comes his Countess to her Trial guilty of too much contrivance and practice though in Murder it be crime enough yet she confessed that which could not be proved and at her Trial she seemed drown'd in a deluge of grief being therein beholden to Nature that she could vent her self in tears seeing that sorrow which cannot bleed in the eys does often festor in the heart and so it appeared in her excess women can hardly do any thing without over-doing feminine passions must either not be full or overflow and indeed she could not utter one word in her own defence which begat relenting even in the Council that pleaded against her who otherwise take pride to force Arguments making their Tongues their Ware and Eloquence their Trade But her sorrowfull silence needed the less Rhetorick in them to urge her guilt or in her Judges to consult the weight of her crime These considerations moved the Lord Steward and Peers joyntly to move his Majesty for mercy and for the present procured their Reprieve back to the Tower but indeed she was dead whilest living being almost drown'd in despair to work out her Repenâ—ance for which cause principally her life and his were enlarged as conceiving it the worst of Iustice to kill both body and soul and after long imprisonment and true and hearty penance nine or ten years together and no doubt Repentance also they had liberty out of the Tower in Ianuary 1621. and confined to the Country and at last their Pardons were procured which in â—â—uth notwithstanding her great Family and deserving Friends was to my knowledg got but by inches four moneths before the Kings death which was Anno 1624. But in the whole Execution where so many suffered let the Prefacer to the Pamphlet of Fables The Court and Character of King Iames pick out a greater President in any History more remarkable for exquisite justice than this of the King wherein by the way he may be allowed his own even Conscience for justice and mercy both which no doubt hath found acceptance at God his Tribunal in his behalf and his Posterity in due time by our Saviours merit shall be gathered together in the mystery of man's Redemption And for the other Historian let his memory be blamed for recounting so many untruths and yet hypocritically closes with this Gloss Pardon says he the sharpness of these expressions for they are for the glory of God I could say more in this and other unfortunate stories of backward times but I delight not ambitious pains in an useless description of miseries I had rather shew you what Somerset could say for himself concerning his Land much more in doubt for his life it being a piece of charity to the distressed and to the memory of the deceased I shall not therefore conceal it and the length thereof
Wars upon the Duke of Savoy to recover the Marquisate of Saluses and this King of Spain under colour to aid the Duke his Brother in Law sent him Horse and foot of Spaniards But the peace concluded by exchange of Saluses with the Countries of Bresse and Gex the Spanish Auxilliaries being muzled in warm quarters at Carboniers Montemellion Savillau and Pignorell the best places of Savoy and Piedmont would not budge no! though the Duke begg'd of them to be gone but were absolutely commanded the contrary by Count Fuentes Viceroy of Millain and so staid until that valiant Duke in this danger very desperate cut all their throats Spain in policy to revenge pieces with France to disjoyn Savoy upon whom he had afterward many Treacherous Designs as that Plot upon his Castle of Nice the Key of his Counties when his Spanish Gallies lay at Villa Franca to have seized all Savoys Issue And as it was usual with Princes in Peace and Amitie to congratulate Nuptialls The Lord Hay was looked upon as the most proper for this Errand into France In some measure he had the Kings favour his affection not at all For Wise Kings know how to do the One and yet hide the Other so mysticall things are Courts this makes many men misjudge That the Kings friendships made every one a Favourite and by often changing their Persons was therefore held inconstant in his passions This Lord born a Gentleman in Scotland by his bearing of Cote Arms Argent three Escocheons Gules Supported two countrie Swains armed Plough Trails The crest a Dove volant proper His story was that his Ancestors at Plough with those Instruments their Geer slew Malton an High-land Rebel and discomfited his Train for which service had so much Land barren Rocks as a Pigeon cast off the fist flew over till she rested And all this great purchase could not keep him from seeking livelyhood in France where he was bred no other than a Gens d' Arms unto Henrie the fourth but quitted that service in hopes of better preferment of his own Sovereign And over he comes to meet the King at his entrance into England upon recommendation of the French Lieger in Scotland who continued so here and presented Haies upon former knowledge in France This and his other good parts being well accomplished hastened him higher in esteem than others of his Countrey whose neerer attendance had merited more But to boot he sought out a good Heir Gup my Ladie Dorothy sole Daughter to the Lord Dennie and to fit him forward after Knighthood he had honour and was made a Lord for reasonable riches his wife brought with her In grateful acknowledge of his first preferment he feasted the former Embassadour being lately returned extraordinary to this King wherein he exceeded the limits of an Entertainment which for that time was excused as a grateful Ceremony of a large Dinner The Scots were never very eminent with neighbour Nations what credit they had came by the French to keep ballance with Them and England the increase might heretofore be hoped for when the union of these Crowns should afford the means to set them forth And it wat prudential in the King to pick out one of his Own to splendour that Nation in our way of Peace and Courtship especially when all was done at the Masters cost For Haies was ever reasonable poor unless by repute of his first Match which was not much while her Father lived and by his last he had less the great spirit of Peircie Earl of Northumberland though a Prisoner then in the Tower disdaining the Mariage denied her a Groat to a beggerlie Scot as he called him This first Embassie was for no other end than to congratulate for certainly he had no Commission nor Credential to make scrutiny for matching our Prince with the other Sister she being then too young and overtures were then thought on with Spain and so it was advertised from Sir Dudley Charlton Ambassadour at the Hague that there was a fame spread of such as desire to weaken the Kings correspondence with that State That his Majestie was on neer terms of matching our Prince with Spain and by an Adviso out of Spain That this match had been there debated in the Inquisition and judged necessarie And in truth the Lord Ross was sent Ambassadour thither partly for that purpose at this time also upon the like errand to give joy to that King for the counter-match of his Son and had his Instructions to feel the pulse of that Court concerning the same for I waited on him neerer in his affairs than any of his Train and both these Ambassadours sent away at the same time It was remarkable how each of them strove for the prize to out-vy in the vanity of these Voyages the Baron to his utter undoing having no other helps but his own when the other had it from the Kings purse and in truth for this purpose to put down the English as in that great Feast at Essex-House and many his Masqueradoes afterwards at Court for he medled not with the Tilt as being no Swordman but in the other and such like he never scaped to act his part Amongst many others that accompanyed Haies Expedition was Sir Henrie Rich Knight of the Bath and Baron of Kensington afterwards Earl of Holland natural son to the then Earl of Warwick He took his initiation of expence from this journey and continued the practice afterwards to the weakning of his long time unsettled fortunes being forced through custom of the Court to follow the other in all his fashions and which infection by after-custome became his disease also and almost not over-mastering yet over-shadowing his natural eminent parts with which his inside was habited and perspicuous to such as afterwards knew him Thus much I had occasion to say heretofore to which hath been exception as if I undertook him besides the Text in a wanton pleasure of my own pen to blazon his memory with the foyl of his friend Truly it was not so by any unequal disparity to pride out the other For let me here take the freedom to speak more of him who from henceforth being received into publick and comming in by his own endeavours to the place of Cap. of the Band of Yeomen of the Guard to the Kings person a place of honour and profit and increasing with years and experience into some favour now and afterwards in high grace and esteem with the succeeding Sovereign was yet I must confess in the fate of State and Court circumvested now and then with some prejudice And it may be uneasy for a stranger not for me to research with due distinction into the Actions of his whole life succeeding not to enliven him by a line whom envy heretofore and now malice after his decease have endeavoured to blemish more than his own former felicity did or could any way corrupt If we deduce him from his
direct honesty to purchace large possessions And now the place of Secretary was joyned in two Principals Sir Ralph Winwood and him and so he continued with honourable esteem untill malice and revenge two violent passions over-ruling the weaker sex concerning his Wife and Daughter involved him into their quarrel the chief and onely cause of his ruine He had by his Wife Sons and Daughters his eldest married unto Baron Rosse in right of a Grand-mother the Son of Thomas Earl of Exeter by a former venter this Baron therefore and upon Lake's credit was sent Ambassadour Extraordinary into Spain Anno 1611. in a very gallant equipage with hopes of his own to continue Lieger to save charges of transmitting any other In his absence here fell out a a deadly feud 't is no matter for what between the Lady Lake and her Daughters Step-mother the Countess of Exeter which was particularly described in a Letter and sent from England to me at Madrid in Spain and because of my near relations in that Ambassie I shewed the same to my Lord Ambassadour A youthfull Widow this Countess had been and virtuous the relict of Sir Thomas Smith Clerk of the Council and Register of the Parliament and so she became Bed-fellow to this aged gouty diseased but noble Earl and that preferment had made her subject to envy and malice Home comes the Lord Rosse from his Ambassie when he fell into some neglect of his Wife and her kindred upon refusing to increase allowance to her senttlement of Jointure which was promised to be compleated at his Return Not long he stays in England but away he gets into Italy turn'd a professed Roman Catholick being cozened into that Religion here by his publick confident Gondamore In this his last absence never to return the Mother and Daughter accuse the Countess of former incontinency with the Lord Rosse whilest he was here and that therefore upon his Wifes discovery he was fled from hence and from her Marriage-bed with other devised Calumnies by several Designs and Contrivement to have impoysoned the Mother and Daughter This quarrel blazened at Court to the Kings ear who as privately as could be singly examines each party The Countess with tears and imprecations professes her innocency which to oppose the Mother and Daughter counterfeit her hand to a whole sheet of paper wherein they make her with much contrition to acknowledg her self guilty craves pardon for attempting to impoyson them and desires friendship for ever with them all The King gets fight of this as in favour to them and demands the time place and occasion when this should be writ They tell him that all the parties met in a Visit at Wimbleton the Earl of Exeter's house where in dispute of their differences she confessed her guilt desirous of absolution and friendship consents to set down all under her own hand which presently she writ at the Window in the upper end of the great Chamber at Wimbleton in presence of the Mother and Daughter the Lord Rosse and one Diego a Spaniard his conâ—iding Servant But now they being gone and at Rome the King forthwith sends Master Dendy one of his Serjeants at Arms sometime a Domestick of the Earl of Exeter an honest and worthy Gentleman post to Rome who speedily returns with Rosse and Diego's hands and other Testimonials That all the said accusation confession suspitions and Papers concerning the Countess were notorious false and scandalous and confirm it by receiving their Eucharist in assurance of her honour and his innocency Besides several Letters of her hand compared with this writing concluded it counterfeit Then the King tells the Mother and Daughter that this writing being denied by her their testimonies as parties would not prevail without additional witness They then adjoyn one Sarah Wharton their Chamberess who they affirm stood behinde the Hangings at the entrance of the Room and heard the Countess reade over what she had writ And to this she swears before the King But after a Hunting at New Park the King entertained at Wimbleton and in that Room he observes the great distance from the Window to the lower end and placing himself behinde the Hanging and so other Lords in turn they could not hear a loud voice from the Window besides the Hangings wanted two foot of the ground and might discover the Woman if hidden behinde The King saying Oaths cannot deceive my sight And the Hangings had not been removed that Room in thirty years before Nay more than all these the Mother and Daughter counterfeit a Confession in writing of one Luke Hotton that for fourty pounds the Countess should hire him to poyson them which man with wonderfull providence was found out and privately denies it to the King And thus prepared the King sends for Lake whom in truth he valued tells him the danger to imbarque himself in this quarrel advising him to leave them to the Law being ready for a Star-chamber business He humbly thanked his Majesty but could not refuse to be a Father and a Husband and so puts his Name with theirs in a Crossâ—Bill which at the Hearing took up five several Days the King sitting in Iudgmâ—nt But the former Testimonies and some private confessions of the Lady Rosse and Sarah Wharton which the King kept in secret made the Cause for some Days of Triall appear doubtfull to the Court untill the Kings discovery which coâ—cluded the Sentence pronounced upon several Censures Lake and his Lady fined ten thousand pounds to the King five thousand pounds to the Countess fifty pounds to Hutton Sarah Wharton to be whipt at a Carts-tail about the streets and to do Penance at St. Martin's Church The Lady Rosse for confessing the truth and Plot in the midst of the Trial was pardoned by the most voices from penal Sentence The King I remember compar'd their Crimes to the first Plot of the first sin in Paradise the Lady to the Serpent her Daughter to Eve and Sir Thomas to poor Adam whole love to his Wife the old sin of our Father had beguiled him I am sure he paid for all which as he told me cost him thirty thousand pounds the loss of his Master's favour and Offices of honour and gain but truly with much pity and compassion at Court he being held an honest man Discontent among the Roman Prelates put the Ach-bishop of Spalato Mark Antonio de Dominis to seek his peace against that Sea by sundry overtures unto several Princes in Italy and otherwhere Spanish and French at last he becomes tainted with some opinions heretical to them which either he believed or took up such Tenents for the present time to prepare him a fitter Prosâ—lyte hereafter and finding no safe footing from the fury of the Pope and Conclave he steals over into England and to please the King pretends Conversion by his Majesties Works of Controversie and quarrels with Bellarmine however it was though fit to bid him welcome and to
name and set the Lieutenant of the Tower is called and brings his Prisoner into the Court to the Bar the High Steward then declares to the People the cause why the King hath assembled those Lords and the Prisoner and perswades him to answer without fear freely and commands the Clerk of the Crown to reade the Indictment unto him and to ask him if he be guilty or not to which he usually answers Not guilty and to be tried by God and his Peers Then the Kings Attorney and Serjeants at Law give Evidence against him whereto when he hath given answer the Lieutenant of the Tower is commanded to return with the Prisoner from the Bar whilest the Lords do secretly confer in the Court together and then the Lords rise out of their places and consult among themselves and what they affirm shall be done upon their Honour without Oath And being so agreed or the greatest number they return and take their places again in Court and the High Steward demands of the youngest Lord first if he that is arreigned be guilty or not and so the next in order and the rest each one answering I or No. Then the Prisoner is sent for to the Bar to whom the High Steward recites the Verdict of the Peers and doth give Iudgment accordingly Stanford Pleas del Coronae lib. 3. Poult 188. The antiquity of this kinde of Trial by their opinion is grounded from Magna Charta but others take it to be more ancient though there inserted Henry 3. but was brought in by the Conquerour being answerable to the Norman and French Laws and agreeable with the Customes Feudal where almost all controversies arising between the Sovereign and his Vassals are tried per judicium parvum suorum And if a Peer upon his Arreignment of Treason do stand mute Iudgment shall be given upon his Indictment and yet shall not be pressed to death but saves the forfeiture of his Lands Statut. Westm. Edw. 4. Dier 205. But if upon Indictment of Felony he may be mute The reason of Magna Charta aforesaid is there expressed where he is indicted at the Kings Suit of Treason or Felony the words being Nec super eum ibimus we will not pass or sit in judgment upon him but by his Peers but if an Appeal of Murther or other Felony be sued by any common person against a Peer he shall be tried by common persons and not by Peers Stan. Pleas lib. 3. Brook Trial 142. But yet this Privilege hath some restraint For an Arch-bishop or Bishop though Lords of Parliament in such cases shall be tried by a Iury of Knights and other substantial persons upon their Oaths because Ecclesiasticks cannot pass in like cases upon Trial of other Peers for they are forbidden by the Common and Ecclesiastick Laws to be Iudges of Life and Death You see the great regard the Law hath to the word of a Peer heretofore upon his honour and yet how many ordinarily break their Oaths in common And thus premised we come to the case of Somerset and his Countess First therefore Sir Thomas Overbury for a time was known to have great interest and strait friendship with the Earl of Somerset both in his meaner fortunes and after in so much that he was in a kinde of oracle of direction unto him and if you will believe his own vaunt being indeed of an insolent and Thrasonical disposition he took upon him that the fortunes reputation and understanding of this Gentleman who is well known to have an able Teacher proceeded from his company and counsel and this friendship rested not onely in conversation and business at Court but likewise in communication of business of State for my Lord of Somerset exercising at that time by his Majesties special favour and trust the Office of Secretary did not forbear to acquaint Overbury with the Kings Packets and Dispatches from all parts of Spain France and the Low-countreys and this not by glympses or now and then rounding in the ear for a favour but in a settled manner Packets were sent sometimes opened by my Lord sometimes unbrokened unto Overbury who perused them copied them registred them made Table-talk of them as he thought good so the time was when Overbury knew more of the secrets of State than the Council-table did nay they were grown to such inwardness as they made a play of all the world besides themselves so as they had cyphers and Iurgons for the King and Queen and great men of the Realm things seldom used but either by Princes or their confederates or at the Court or at the least by such as practice and work against or at least upon Princes But as it is a Principle in Nature that the best things are in their corruption the worst and the sweetest Wine makes the sowrest Vineger so it fell out with them that this excess as I may say of friendship ended in mortal hatred on my Lord of Somerset's part It hath been said that Frost and Fraud ends foul and I may add a third and that is the frienâ—ship of ill men which is truly said to be conspiracy and not friendship for it happened that the Earl of Somerset fell into an unlawfull love towards that unfortunate Lady the Countess of Essex and to proceed to a Marriage with her this Marriage and purpose did Overbury mainly impugn under pretence to do the true part of a Friend for that he accounted her an unworthy woman but the truth is Overbury who to speak plainly had little that was solid for Religion or moral virtue but was wholly possest with ambition and vain-glory was loath to have any partners in the favour of my Lord of Somerset and especially not any of the House of Howards against whom he had professed hatred and opposition And that this is no sinister construction will appear when you shall hear that Overbury made his brags that he had won him the love of the Lady by his Letters and industry so far was he from cases of conscience in this point And certainly howsoever the tragical misery of that poor Gentleman Overbury might somewhat obliterate his faults yet because we are not upon point of civility but to discover the face of Truth for that it is material to the true understanding of the state of this cause Overbury was naught and corrupt in his commendation the Ballads must be mended for that point which paint him out other and partiality must be blamed which now a days favour him in malice to the memory of the ministers of these Times But to proceed when Overbury saw that he was like to be dispossessed of my Lords grace which he had possessed so long and by whose greatness he had promised himself to do wonders and being a man of an unbounded and impudent spirit he began not onely to disswade but to deter him from the love of that Lady and finding him fixed thought to finde a strong Remedy and supposing that