it Whereupon I made semblance as if I had been more willing to hear him than before hoping by that means to cause him to deliver his minde to some other that might be witness thereof with me wherein nevertheless I failed After all this on Saturday last being the sixth of February between the hours of five and six in the afternoon Parry came to my Chamber and desired to talk with me apart whereupon we drew our selves to a window And where I had told Parry before that a learned man whom I met by chance in the fields unto whom I proponed the question touching her Majesty had answered me that it was an enterprise most villanous and damnable willing me to discharge my self of it Parry then desired to know that learned mans name and what was become of him saying after a scornful manner No doubt he was a very wise man and you wiser in believing him and said further I hope you told him not that I had any thing from Rome Yes in truth said I. Whereunto Parry said I would you had not named me nor spoken of any thing I had from Rome And thereupon he earnestly perswaded me estsoons to depart beyond the Seas promising to procure me safe passage into Wales and from thence into Britain whereat we ended But I then resolved not to do so but to discharge my conscience and lay open this his most traiterous and abominable intention against her Majesty which I revealed in sort as is before set down Edmund Nevil After this confession of Edmund Nevil William Parry the 11th day of February last being examined in the Tower of London by the Lord Hunsdon Lord Governour of Barwick Sir Christopher Hatton knight Vicechamberlain to her Majesty and Sir Francis Walsingham Knight principal Secretary to her Majesty did voluntary and without any constraint by word of mouth make confession of his said Treason and after set it down in writing all with his own hand in his Lodging in the Tower and sent it to the Court the 13th of the same by the Lieutenant of the Tower The parts whereof concerning his manner of doing the same and the Treasons wherewith he was justly charged are here set down word for word as they are written and signed with his own hand and name the 11th of February 1584. The voluntary Confession of William Parry in writing all with his own hand The voluntary Confession of William Parry Doctor of the Laws now Prisoner in the Tower and accused of Treason by Edmund Nevil Esquire promised by him with all faith and humility to the Queens Majesty in discharge of his Conscience and Duty towards God and her Before the Lord Hunsdon Lord Governour of Barwick Sir Christopher Hatton Knight Vicechamberlain Sir Francis Walsingham Knight principal Secretary the 13th of February 1584. Parry IN the year 1570. I was sworn her Majesties servant from which time until the year 1580. I served honoured and loved her with as great readiness devotion and assurance as any poor subject in England In the end of that year and until Midsummer 1582. I had some trouble for the hurting of a Gentleman of the Temple In which action I was so disgraced and oppressed by two great men to whom I have of late been beholden that I never had contented thought since There began my misfortune and here followeth my woful fall In July after I laboured for licence to travail for three years which upon some consideration was easily obtained And so in August I went over with doubtful minde of return for that being suspected in Religion and not having received the Communion in twenty two years I began to mistrust my advancement in England In September I came to Paris where I was reconciled to the Church and advised to live without scandal the rather for that it was mistrusted by the English Catholiques that I had Intelligence with the greatest Councellour of England I staied not long there but removed to Lions a place of great Traffick where because it was the ordinary passage of our Nation to and fro between Paris and Rome I was also suspected To put all men out of doubt of me and for some other cause I went to Millain from whence as a place of some danger though I found favour there after I had cleared my conscience and justified my self in Religion before the Inquisitor I went to Venice There I came acquainted with father Benedicto Palmio a grave and a learned Jesuite By conference with him of the hard state of the Catholicks in England and by reading of the Book De persecutione Anglicana and other discourses of like argument 1 I conceived a possible mean to relieve the afflicted state of our Catholicks if the same might be well warranted in religion and conscience by the Pope or some learned Divines I asked his opinion he made it clear commended my devotion comforted me in it and after a while made me known to the Nuntio Campeggio there resident for his Holiness By his means I wrote to the Pope presented the service and sued for a Pasport to go to Rome and to return safely into France Answer came from Cardinal Como that I might come and should be welcome I misliked the warrant sued for a better which I was promised but it came not before my departure to Lions where I promised to stay some time for it And being indeed desirous to go to Rome and loth to go without countenance I desired Christofero de Salazar Secretary to the Catholick King in Venice who had some understanding by conference of my devotion to the afflicted Catholicks at home and abroad to commend me to the Duke di Nova Terra Governour of Millain and to the County of Olivaris Embi then Resident for the King his Master in Rome which he promised to do effectually for the one and did for the other And so I took my journey towards Lyons whither came for me an ample Passeport but somewhat too late that I might come and go in verbo Pontificis per omnes jurisdictones Ecclesiasticas absque impedimento I acquainted some good Fathers there of my necessity to depart towards Paris by promise and prayed their advises upon divers points wherein I was well satisfied And so assuring them that his Holiness should hear from me shortly it was undertaken that I should be excused for that time In October I came to Paris where upon better opinion conceived of me amongst my Catholick Country-men I found my credit well setled and such as mistrusted me before ready to trust and imbrace me And being one day at the Chamber of Thomas Morgan a Catholick Gentleman greatly beloved and trusted on that side amongst other Gentlemen talking but in very good sort of England I was desired by Morgan to go up with him to another Chamber where he brake with me and told me that it was hoped and looked for that I should do some service for God and his Church I answered him
far as it could yet with humble intreaty to forbear landing with our Army especially because they understood there was a Squadron of Hollanders amongst us who did not use to forbear Cruelty wherever they came and here it was that we met the Indian Fleet which in manner following unluckily escaped us The Lord General having sent some men of good Account into the Island to see there should be no Injury offered to the Portugals he having passed his word to the contrary those men advertised him of four Sail of Ships descried from the Shore and one of them greater than the rest seemed to be a Carreck My Lord received this News with great Joy and divided his Fleet into three Squadrons to be commanded by himself the Lord Thomas Howard and Sir Walter Rawleigh The next Ship to my Lord of the Queen's was the Rainbow wherein Sir William Monson went who received direction from my Lord to steer away South that Night and if he should meet with any Fleet to follow them carrying Lights or shooting off his Ordnances or making any other Sign that he could and if he met with no Ships to direct his Course the next day to the Island of St. Michael but promising that Night to send 12 Ships after him Sir William besought my Lord by the Pinnace that brought him this Direction that above all things he should have a care to dispatch a Squadron to the Road of Angra in the Tercera's For it was certain if they were Spaniards thither they would resort Whilst my Lord was thus contriving his Business and ordering his Squadrons a small Barque of his Fleet happened to come to him who assured him that those Ships discovered from the Land were of his own Fleet and that they came in immediately from them This made my Lord countermand his former Direction only Sir William Monson who was the next Ship to him and received the first Command could not be recalled back Within three hours of his Departure from my Lord which might be about 12 of the Clock he fell in company of a Fleet of 25 Sail which at the first he could not assure himself to be Spaniards because the day before that number of Ships was missing from our Fleet. Here he was in a Dilemma and great perplexity with himself for in making Signs as he was directed if the Ships proved English it were ridiculous and he would be exposed to scorn and to respite it untill morning were as dangerous if they were the Indian Fleet For then my Lord might be out of View or of the hearing of his Ordnance Therefore he resolved rather to put his Person than his Ship in Peril He commanded his Master to keep the Weather-Gage of the Fleet whatsoever should become of him and it blowing little Wind he betook himself to his Boat and rowed up with the Fleet demanding of whence they were They answered of Sevil in Spain and asked of whence he was He told them of England and that the Ship in sight was a Gallion of the Queen 's of England single and alone alleadging the Honor they would get by winning her his Drift being to draw and entice them into the Wake of our Fleet where they would be so entangled as they could not escape they returned him some Shot and ill Language but would not alter their Course to the Tercera's whither they were bound and where they arrived to our misfortune Sir William Monson returned aboard his Ship making Signs with Lights and Report with his Ordnance but all in vain For my Lord altering his Course as you have heard stood that Night to St. Michaels and passed by the North side of Tercera a farther way than if he had gone by the way of Augra where he had met the Indian Fleet. When day appeared and Sir William Monson was in hope to find the 12 Ships promised to be sent to him he might discern the Spanish Fleet two miles and a little more a Head him and a Stern him a Gallion and a Pinnace betwixt them which putting forth her Flaggs he knew to be the Earl of Southampton in the Garland The Pinnace was a Frigat of the Spanish Fleet who took the Garland and the Rainbow to be Gallions of theirs but seeing the Flag of the Garland she found her Error and sprang a loof thinkink to escape but the Earl pursued her with the loss of some Time when he should have followed the Fleet and therefore was desired to desist from that Chase by Sir William Monson who sent his Boat to him By a Shot from my Lord this Frigat was sunk and while his Men were rifling her Sir Francis Vere and Sir William Brook came up in their two Ships who the Spaniards would have made us believe were two Gallions of theirs and so much did my Lord signifie to Sir William Monson wishing him to stay their coming up for that there would be greater hope of those two Ships which there was no doubt but we were able to Master than of the Fleet for which we were too weak But after Sir William had made the two Ships to be the Queen's which he ever suspected them to be he began to pursue the Spanish Fleet afresh but by reason they were so far a Head of him and had so little way to sail they recovered the Road of Tercera but he and the rest of the Ships pursued them and himself led the way into the Harbor where he found sharp Resistance from the Castle but yet so battered the Ships that he might see the Masts of some shot by the Board and the men quit the Ships so that there wanted nothing but a Gale of Wind to enable him to cut the Cables of the Hawsers and to bring them off Wherefore he sent to the other 3 great Ships of ours to desire them to attempt the cutting their Cables but Sir Fra. Vere rather wished his coming off that they might take a Resolution what to do This must be rather imputed to want of Experience than Backwardness in him For Sir William sent him word that if he quitted the Harbor the Ships would tow near the Castle and as the Night drew on the Wind would freshen and come more off the Land which indeed proved so and we above a League from the Road in the morning We may say and that truly there was never that possibility to have undone the State of Spain as now For every Royal of Plate we had taken in this Fleet had been two to them by our converting it by War upon them None of the Captains could be blamed in this Business All is to be attributed to the want of Experience in my Lord and his flexible Nature to be over-ruled For the first hour he anchored at Flores and called a Council Sir William Monson advised him upon the reasons following after his Watering to run West spreading his Fleet North and South so far as the Eastern Wind that then blew would
de Moro holding it for a great indignity to have the Carreck taken out of the Port that was defended by a Castle and guarded with 11 Gallies and especially in his hearing of the Ordnance to Lisbon and in the view of thousands of People who beheld it some of them feeling it too by the loss of their Goods that were in her others grieving for the Death of their Friends that were slain but every man finding himself touched in Reputation The Names of the Carrecks and Eleven Gallies The St. Valentine a Carreck of one Thousand seven Hundred Tuns The Christopher the Admiral of Portugal wherein the Marquess de Sancta Cruz went The St. Lewis wherein Frederick Spinola went General of the Gallies of Spain The Forteleza Vice-Admiral to the Marquess The Trividad Vice-Admiral to Frederick Spinola burnt The Snis in which Sir William Monson was Prisoner 1591. The Occasion burnt and the Captain taken Prisoner The St. John Baptist The Lazear The Padillar The Philip. The St. John And the Viceroy not knowing how to clear himself so well as the laying it upon the Gentlemen he put on Board her the same Night they returned to their Lodging he caused the most part of them with their Captain to be apprehended imputing the loss of the Carreck to their Cowardise and Fear if not Treason and Connivance with the Enemy After some time of Imprisonment by mediation of Friends all the Gentlemen were released but the Captain who received secret Advice that the Viceroy intended his Death and that he should seek by Escape to prevent it Don Diego being thus perplexed practised with his Sister who finding means for his Escape out of a Window he fled into Italy where he lived in Exile from 1602. when this happened untill 1615. His Government in the Indies for which he had a Patent in Reversion was confiscate and he left hopeless ever to return into his Native Country much less to be restored to his Command an ill Welcome after so long and painful a Navigation Having thus spent thirteen years in Exile at the last he advised with Friends whose Councel he followed to repair into England there to enquire after some Commanders that had been at the taking of the Carreck by whose Certificate he might be cleared of Cowardise or Treason in the loss of her which would be a good Motive to restore him to his Government again In the Year 1515. he arrived in London and after some Enquiry found out Sir William Monson to whom he complained of his hard Mishap craving the Assistance of him and some others whom Sir William knew to be at the taking of the Carreck and desired him to testifie the manner of surprizing her which he alleadged was no more than one Gentleman was bound to afford another in such a case Sir William wondered to see him and especially upon such an Occasion For the present he entertained him with all Courtesie and the longer his stay was in England the Courtesies were the greater which Sir William did him Sir William procured him a true and effectual Certificate from himself Sir Francis Howard Captain Barlow and some others who were Witnesses of that Service and to give it the more Reputation he caused it to be inrolled in the Office of the Admiralty The Gentleman being well satisfied with his Entertainment and having what he desired returned to Flanders where he presented his Certificate to the Arch-Duke and the Infanta by whose means he got Assurance not only of the King's Favor but of Restitution likewise to his Government The poor Gentleman having been thus tossed by the Waves of Calamity from one Country to another and never finding rest Death that masters all men now cut him off short in the midst of his hopes as he was preparing his Journy for Spain and this was an end of an unfortunate gallant young Gentleman whose Deserts might justly have challenged a better reward if God had pleased to afford it him Sir William Monson to the Coast of Spain Anno 1602. Ships Commanders The Swiftsuer Sir Will. Monson The Mary Rose Capt. Trevers The Dreadnought Capt. Cawfield The Adventure Capt. Norris The Answer Capt. Brodgate The Quittance Capt. Browne The Lions Whelp Capt. May The Paragon A Merchant Capt. Jason A small Carvel Capt. Hooper THe Fleet of Sir Richard Lewson being happily returned with the fortune of a Carreck as you have heard and the Queen having now no Ships upon the Spanish Coast to impeach the Enemies preparations she feared the Fleet which was ready at the Groyne would give a Second Assault upon Ireland whereupon Sir William Monson who by this time was arrived at Plymouth was sent for in great haste by her Majesty to advise about and take on him the charge of the Fleet then at Plymouth After a long Conference with Sir William Monson in the presence of her Majesty her Lord Admiral Treasurer and Secretary it was Resolved That Sir William should repair to Plymouth and with all speed get forth those Ships and others that were there making ready His directions were to present himself before the Harbor of the Groyne being the place where the Spaniards made their Randevouz and if he found any likelihood of a design upon Ireland not to quit that Coast untill he saw the Issue but if he found Ireland secure and the Enemies preparations to be intended only for defence of their own Coasts then his instructions led him thence to the place where the Holland Fleet had order to attend and expect him and afterwards the whole carriage of the Action was referred to his discretion but with this caution that above all respects of other profit or advantage he attended the affair of Ireland The Wind this part of the Summer hung contrary and it was Six Weeks before he could clear the Coast during which time he lost his greatest hopes by the return of the Carrecks of the Indian Fleet which happened a full Month before his arrival He set Sail from Plymouth the last of August with a scant Wind which continued with foul Weather untill he recovered the Groyne choosing rather to keep the Sea then hazard the overthrow of the Voyage by his return He stayed at the Groyne until he understood that the Fleet which was suspected to be prepared for Ireland was gone to Lisbone to join with Don Diego de Borachero who all that Summer durst not budge forth for fear of our Fleet that made good the Coast thereabouts Sir William in his way to the Rock commanded his Carvel to repair to the Islands of Bayon as the likeliest place to procure Intelligence of the State of those parts as the Carvel drew near the Islands he discerned the Spanish Fleet consisting of Twenty Four Sail whose design was as she understood by a Boat she took to look out the English Fleet whose comming they daily expected upon the Coast and meeting Sir William with this news he held it a good Service to be
MEGALOPSYCHY BEING A Particular and Exact ACCOUNT Of the last XVII Years OF Q. Elizabeths Reign Both MILITARY and CIVIL The First written by Sir William Monson one of the Queens Admirals The Second written by Heywood Townsend Esq WHEREIN Is a True and Faithful Relation of all the Expeditions Attempts Designs Successes and Errors both of the English and Spanish Wars from the Year 1585 to the Queens death With a Full Account of the eminent Speeches and Debates c. in the said time To which is added Dr. Parry's Tryal in the Year 1584. All written at the time of the Actions by Persons eminently Acting therein LONDON Printed for W. Crooke and sold by W. Davis in Amen Corner M.DC.LXXXII A TRUE and EXACT ACCOUNT OF THE Wars with Spain In the REIGN of Q. ELIZABETH Of Famous Memory BEING The Particulars of what happened between the English and Spanish Fleets from the Years 1585 to 1602. SHEWING The Expeditions Attempts Fights Designs Escapes Successes Errors c. on both sides With the Names of Her Majesty's Ships and Commanders in every Fleet. Being a Patern and Warning to Future Ages Never Printed before Written by Sir William Monson who was a Captain in most and Admiral of several of those Fleets in the said Wars and Dedicated to his Son LONDON Printed for W. Crooke and sold by W. Davis in Amen Corner M.DC.LXXXII TO THE READER By way of Advertisement YOu have here put into your hands a Piece of English History of a time of great Actions You will hardly meet more Truth in any History than you will find in this All circumstances considered there could not in any thing be greater opportunities of Truth they being written by Persons of Eminent Characters and Considerable Actors in the same times These very Authors Wise and Heroick Actions make no inconsiderable part of the History it self The First is a Relation of the Military Transactions of the Nation for nigh Twenty Years beginning Anno Domini 1585 from which time to Queen Elizabeths death there was yearly set out a Fleet against the Spaniards with a full Account of all the Expeditions Stratagems Attempts Successes and Miscarriages that happened in that War on both sides wherein is shewed the Valour and Heroick Acts of those great Souldiers that were so plenty in that Age as Cumberland Suffolk Essex Sheffeild Drake Rawleigh Hawkins Forbisher Carlee Burroughs Bellingham Fenner Southwell Crosse Seymour Crosse Winter Beeston Palmer Barker Bostock Sackvile Goring Norris Williams Leicester York Greenvile Vavasor c. And Sir William Monson the Author of this who was Admiral in several of the said Expeditions against the Spaniards and also a Member in her last Parliaments The second part is the full and exact Account of the Four last Parliaments both Lords and Commons of Queen Elizabeth taken from the original Records of their Houses by Heywood Townsend Esquire a Member thereof with the particular Speech and Behaviour of the Wife and Learned Statesmen Lawyers c. which that time was fo fruitful of viz. Egerton Burleigh Buckhurst Cecill Walsingham Hatton Bacon Rawleigh Hobby Crooke Coke Moore Fortescue Pophan Yelverton Finch Maynard Spelman Wentworth Hobart Manwood Jones Digby Caesar Anderson Winch c. With other passages of History in those times that is runs contemporary with Sir William Monsons Relation both together being the Account of the Military and Civil State of Affairs of nigh 20 Years of the last part of Queen Elizabeths Reign being the most eminent time of Action in all her Government With Sir William Monsons Directions and Advice to his Son by way of Dedication to excuse it s not coming forth sooner may be to avoid such Offences which must necessarily be given by a faithful and exact Historian that writes of the present Age when the Parties are living that were Actors in it it may by this time be supposed that such Objections against its now coming forth may be over You have added at the end of this the Tryal Condemnation and Execution of Dr. Parry for a Conspiracy against the said Queen written also at the time of his Tryal and Execution So that what is here offered for thy use is nothing but what was written at the time of the Action or by the Persons who were Actors and of such Quality that it is quite out of all suspicion there should be the least Falshood in this it being never at all designed for the publick in the life-time of the Authors Therefore neither Profit nor Honour did the Authors expect although their exact and careful Accounts of Truth must be no small benefit to the curious Reader There is lately published a small Book of 1 s. 6 d. price called The Connexion being choice Collections of some principal matters in King James his Reign and passages betwixt this Book and Rushworth Nalson and the rest that begin at King Charles I. Sir WILLIAM MONSON TO HIS Son JOHN Dear Son THE Custom of Dedicating Books hath been ancient and they have been usually dedicated either to Great Persons for protection or remuneration or to Familiars out of friendship and affection or to Children in respect of nature and for admonition And to this end it is that to you I commend the reading of the Discourse following that so beholding the 18 years War by Sea which for want of years you could not then remember and comparing them with the 18 years of Peace in which you have lived you may consider three things First that after so many pains and perils God hath lent Life to your Father to further your Education Secondly what proportion his recompence and rewards have had to his Services Lastly what just cause you have to abandon the thoughts of such dangerous and uncertain courses and that you may follow the ensuing Precepts which I commend to your often perusal And in the first place I will put you in mind of the small Means and Fortune I shall leave that you may rate your Expences accordingly and yet as little as it is 't is great to me in respect I attained to it by my own endeavours and dangers and therefore no body can challenge Interest in it but my self though your Carriage may promise the best possibility Beware you presume not so much upon it as thereby to grow disobedient to your Parents for what you can pretend to is but the privilege of two years of age above your younger Brother and in such cases Fathers are like Judges that can and will distinguish of offences and deserts according to truth and will reward and punish as they shall see cause And because you shall know it is no rare or new thing for a man to dispose of his own I will lay before you a Precedent of your own House that so often as you think of it you may remember it with fear and prevent it with care The Great Grandfather of your Grandfather was a Knight by Title and John by name which name we desire
sprung upon her was forced to be cast off and the men with much difficulty recovered the Shore and saved their Lives The other being sent for England and tossed with contrary Winds was for want of Victuals forced into the Groyn where they rend'red themselves to the Enemies mercy The Spices were determined to be sent for England and a Ship appointed for that purpose with other Ships to guard her and Captain Monson was sent on Board her to the Islands of the Burlings with a Charge to see her dispatched for England But the other Ships not observing the Directions which were given them and the Night falling calm early in the Morning this scattered Ship was set upon by six Gallies and after a long and bloody Fight the Captain and the Principallest men being slain both Ship and Spices were taken but whether it was the respect they had to the Queen's Ship which was Admiral of that Fleet or Honor to my Lord that commanded it or Hope by good Usage of our men to receive the like again I know not but true it is that the ordinary men were treated with more Courtesie than they had been from the beginning of the Wars My Lord of Cumberland considering the Disasters that thus befell him and knowing the Spanish Fleet 's readiness to put out of Harbor but especially finding his Ship but ill of Sail it being the first Voyage she ever went to Sea he durst not abide the Coast of Spain but thought it more Discretion to return for England having as you have heard sent a Pinnace to my Lord Thomas with the Intelligence aforesaid A Voyage undertook by Sir Walter Rawleigh but himself returning left the Charge thereof to Sir Martin Forbisher Anno 1592. Ships Commanders by Sea Commander by Land The Garland Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir John Boroughs The Foresight with divers Merchants Ships Capt. Cross and others Sir Walter went not but Sir Martin Fobisher  SIR Walter Rawleigh who had tasted abundantly of the Queen's Love and found it now began to decline put himself upon a Voyage at Sea and drew unto him divers friends of great Quality and others thinking to have attempted some place in the West Indies and with this resolution he put out of Harbour but spending two or three days in fowl Weather Her Majesty was pleased to command his Return and to commit the Charge of the Ships to Sir Martin Forbisher who was sent down for that purpose but with an express Command not to follow the Design of the West Indies This suddain Alteration being known unto the rest of the Captains for the present made some Confusion as commonly it happens in all voluntary Actions Their General leaving them they thought themselves free in point of Reputation and at liberty to take what course they pleased Few of them therefore did submit themselves to the Command of Sir Martin Forbisher but chose rather each one to take his particular Fortune and Adventure at Sea Sir Martin with two or three other Ships repaired to the Coast of Spain where he took a Spaniard laden with Iron and a Portugal with Sugar He remained there not without some danger his Ship being ill of Sail and the Enemy having a Fleet at Sea Sir John Boroughs Captain Cross and another stood to the Islands where they met with as many Ships of my Lord of Cumberland's with whom they consorted After some time spent thereabouts they had sight of a Carreck which they chased but she recoverd the Island of Flores before they could approach her but the Carreck seeing the Islands could not defend her from the Strength and Force of the English chose rather after the men were got on Shore to fire her self than we the Enemy should reap Benefit by her The Purser of her was taken and by Threats compell'd to tell of another of their Company behind that had Order to fall with that Island and gave us such particular Advertisement that indeed she fell to be ours In the mean time Don Alonso de Bassan was furnishing at Lisbon 23 of those Gallions which the Year before he had when he took the Revenge he was directed with those Ships to go immediately to Flores to expect the coming of the Carrecks who had order to fall with that Island there to put on Shore divers Ordnance for strength'ning the Town and Castle Don Alonso breaking his Directions unadvisedly made his repair first to St. Michaels and there delivered his Ordnance before he arrived at Flores and in the mean time one of the Carrecks was burnt and the other taken as you have heard This he held to be such a Disreputation to him and especially for that it happened through his own Error and Default that he became much perplex'd and pursued the English 100 Leagues but in vain they being so far a Head The King of Spain being advertised of his two Carrecks mishap and the Error of Don Alonso though he had much favoured him before in respect of divers Actions he had been in with his Brother the Marquess of St. Cruz and for what he had lately performed by taking the Revenge Yet the King held it for such a Blemish to his Honor not to have his Instructions obeyed and observed that he did not only take from Don Alonso his Command but he lived and died too in Disgrace which in my Opinion he worthily deserved The Queens Adventure in this Voyage was only two Ships one of which and the least of them too was at the taking of the Carreck which title joyned with her Regal Authority she made such use of that the rest of the Adventures were fain to submit themselves to her Pleasure with whom she dealt but indifferently The Earl of Cumberland to the Coast of Spain Anno Dom. 1593. Ships Commanders The Lyon The Earl of Cumberland The Bonaventure and seven other Ships Capt. under him Capt. Monson Sir Edward Yorke THE Earl of Cumberland finding that many of his Voyages had miscarried through the Negligence or Unfaithfulness of those who were entrusted to lay in necessary Provisions and yet being incouraged by the good Success he had the last year obtained two of her Majesty's Ships and Victualled them himself together with seven others that did accompany them and arriving upon the Coast of Spain He took two French Ships of the League which did more than treble the Expence of his Voyage My Lord being one day severed from his Fleet it was his hap to meet with 12 Hulks at the same place where Captain Monson was taken the same day two years before He required that Respect from them that was due unto Her Majesties Ship which they peremptorily refused presuming upon the Strength of their 12 Ships against one only but they found themselves deceived For after two hours Fight he brought them to his Mercy and made them acknowledge their Error and not only so but they willingly discovered and delivered up to him a great quantity of Powder and
carry them alleadging that if the Indian Fleet came home that Year by computation of the last light Moon from which time their disimboguing in the Indies must be reckoned they could not be above 200 Leagues short of that Island and whensoever the Wind should chop up Westernly he bearing a slack Sail they would in a few days overtake him This Advice my Lord seemed to take but was diverted by divers Gentlemen who coming principally for Land Service found themselves tired by the tediousness of the Sea Certain it is if my Lord had followed his Advice within less than 40 hours he had made the Queen owner of that Fleet For by the Pilot's Card which was taken in the Frigat the Spanish Fleet was but 50 Leagues in traverse with that Eastern Wind when my Lord was at Flores which made my Lord wish the first time Sir William Monson repaired to him after the Escape of the Fleet that he had lost his Hand so he had been ruled by him Being met Aboard Sir Francis Vere we consulted what to do and resolved to acquaint my Lord with what had happened desiring his Presence with us to see if there were any possibility to attempt the Shipping or surprize the Island and so to possess the Treasure My Lord received this Advertisement just as he was ready with his Troops to have landed in St. Michaels but this Message diverted his Landing and made him presently cast about for the Islands of the Tercera's where we lay all this while expecting his coming In his Course from St. Michaels it was his hap to to take three Ships that departed the Havana the day after the Fleet Which three Ships did more than countervail the whole Voyage At my Lord's meeting with us at Tercera there was a Consultation how the Enemies Ships might be fetched off or destroyed as they lay but all men with one consent agreed the impossibility of it The attempting the Island was propounded but withstood for these reasons the difficulty in Landing the strength of the Island which was increased by fourteen or fifteen Hundred Souldiers in the Ships and our want of Victuals to abide by the Siege Seeing then we were frustrate of our Hopes at the Tercera we resolved upon landing in St. Michaels and arrived the day following at Punta Delgada the Chief City Here my Lord imbarqued his small Army in Boats with offer to Land and having thereby drawn the Enemies greatest Force thither to resist him suddainly he rowed to Villa Franca three or four Leagues distant from thence which not being defended by the Enemy he took The Ships had order to abide in the Road of Delgada for that my Lord made account to march thither by Land but being on Shore at Villa Franca he was informed that the March was impossible by reason of the high and craggy Mountains which diverted his purpose Victuals now grew short with us and my Lord General began discreetly to foresee the danger in abiding towards Winter upon these Coasts which could not afford him an Harbor only open Roads that were subject to Southern Winds and upon every Wind he must put to Sea for his safety He considered that if this should happen when his Troops were on Shore and he not able to reach the Land in a Fortnight or more which is a thing ordinary what a desperate case he should put himself into especially in so great a want of Victuals And so concluding that he had seen the end of all his Hopes by the Escape of the Fleet he imbarqued himself and Army though with some difficulty the Seas were now grown so high By this the one half of the Fleet that rid in Punta Delgada put room for Villa Franca and those that remained behind being thought by a Ship of Brazile to be the Spanish Fleet she came in amongst them and so was betrayed After her there followed a Carreck who had been served in the like manner but for the hasty and indiscreet weighing of a Hollander which made her run a Shore under the Castle when the Wind lessened Sir William Monson weighted with the Rainbow thinking to give an Attempt upon her notwithstanding the Castle which she perceiving as he drew near unto her she set her self on fire and burned down to the very Keel She was a Ship of 1400 Tuns Burden that the year before was not able to double the Cape of bona Esperansa in her Voyage to the East Indies but put into Brazile where she was laden with Sugars and afterwards thus destroyed The Spaniards who presumed more upon their Advantages than Valors thought themselves in too weak a Condition to follow us to the Islands and put their Fortunes upon a days Service but subtilly devised how to intercept us as we came Home when we had least Thought or Suspicion of them and their Fleet that was all this while in the Groyn and Ferrol not daring to put forwards while they knew ours to be upon the Coast their General the Adelantada came for England with a Resolution to land at Falmouth and fortifie it and afterwards with their Ships to keep the Sea and expect our coming home scattered Having thus cut off our Sea Forces and possessing the Harbor of Falmouth they thought with a second supply of 37 Levantisco's Ships which the Marquess Arumbullo commanded to have returned and gained a good footing in England These Designs of theirs were not foreseen by us For we came Home scattered as they made reckoning not 20 in number together We may say and that truly that God sought for us For the Adalantada being within a few Leagues of the Island of Silly he commanded all his Captains on Board him to receive his Directions but whilst they were in Consultation a violent Storm took them at East insomuch that the Captains could hardly recover their Ships but in no case were able to save their Boats the Storm continued so furious and happy was he that could recover home seeing their Design thus overthrown by loss of their Boats whereby their means of Landing was taken away Some who were willing to stay and receive the farther Commands of the General kept the Seas so long upon our Coast that in the end they were taken others put themselves into our Harbors for Refuge and Succor and it is certainly known that in this Voyage the Spaniards lost eighteen Ships the St. Luke and the St. Bartholomew being two and in the rank of his best Gallions We must ascribe this Success to God only For certainly the Enemies Designs were dangerous and not to be diverted by our Force but by his Will who would not suffer the Spaniards in any of their Attempts to set footing in England as we have done in all the Quarters of Spain Portugal the Islands and both the Indies The Lord Thomas Howard Admiral to the Downs from whence he returned in one Month Anno 1599. Ships Commanders The Elizabeth Jonas The Lord Thomas Howard The Ark
after we had entred into this Conspiracy In which space her Majesty and ten Princes in several Provinces might have been killed God bless her Majesty from him for before Almighty God I joy and am glad in my soul that it was his hap to discover me in time though there were no danger near And now to the manner of our meetings He came to me in the beginning of August and spake to me in this or like sort Cousin let us do somewhat sithens we can have nothing I offered to joyn with him and gladly heard him hoping because I knew him to be a Catholick that he would hit upon that I had in my head but it fell not out so He thought the delivery of the Queen of Scotland easie presuming upon his Credit and Kindred in the North I thought it dangerous to her and impossible to men of our fortunes He fell from that to the taking of Barwick I spake of Quinborough and the Navy rather to entertain him with discourse than that I cared for those motions my head being full of a greater matter 12 I told him that I had another manner of Enterprise more honourable and profitable to us and the Catholicks Common-wealth than all these if he would joyn in it with me as he presently vowed to do He pressed to know it I willed him to sleep upon the motion He did so and belike overtaken came to me the next morning to my Lodging in London offered to joyn with me and took his Oath upon a Bible to conceal and constantly to pursue the enterprise for the advancement of Religion which I also did and meant to perform the killing of the Queen was the matter The manner and place to be on Horsback with eight or ten horses when she should ride abroad about St. James or some other like place It was once thought fit in a Garden and that the escape would be easiest by water into Shepey or some other part but we resolved upon the first This continued as agreed upon many moneths until he heard of the death of Westmoreland whose Land and Dignity whereof he assured himself bred belike this Conscience in him to discover a Treason in February contrived and agreed upon in August If it cost him not an ambitious Head at last let him never trust me He brought a tall Gentleman whom he commended for an excellent Pistolier to me to Chanon-Row to make one in the match but I refused to deal with him being loth to lay my head upon so many hands Master Nevil hath I think forgotten that he did swear to to me at divers times that all the advancement she could give should serve but for her scourge if ever time and occasion should serve and that though he would not lay hand upon her in a corner his heart served him to strike off her Head in the field Now leaving him to himself this much to make an end I must confess of my self I did mean to try what might be done in Parliament to do my best to hinder all hard courses to have prayed hearing of the Queens Majesty to move her if I could to take compassion upon her Catholick Subjects and when all had failed to do as I intended If her Majesty by this course would have eased them though she had never preferred me I had with all comfort and patience born it 13 but if she had preferred me without ease or care of them the Enterprise had held Parry God preserve the Queen and encline her merciful heart to forgive me this desperate purpose and to take my Head with all my heart for her better satisfaction After which for the better manifesting of his Treasons on the 14th of February last there was a Letter written by him to her Majesty very voluntarily all of his own Hand without any motion made to him The tenor whereof for that which concerneth these his Traiterous dealings is as followeth A Letter written by Parry to Her Majesty YOur Majesty may see by my voluntary Confession the dangerous fruits of a discontented minde and how constantly I pursued my first conceived purpose in Venice for the relief of the afflicted Catholicks continued it in Lions and resolved in Paris to put it in adventure for the Restitution of England to the antient Obedience of the See Apostolick You may see withal how it is Commended Allowed and Warranted in Conscience Divinity and Policy by the Pope and some great Divines Though it be true or likely that most of our English Divines less practised in matters of this weight do utterly mislike and condemn it The Enterprise is prevented and Conspiracy discovered by an honourable Gentleman my Kinsman and late familiar Friend Master Edmund Nevil privy and by solemn Oath taken upon the Bible party to the matter whereof I am hardly glad but now sorry in my very Soul that ever I conceived or intended it how commendable or meritoritous soever I thought it God thank him and forgive me who would not now before God attempt it if I had liberty and opportunity to do it to gain your Kingdome I beseech Christ that my Death and Example may as well satisfie you Majesty and the world as it shall glad and content me The Queen of Scotland is your Prisoner let her be honourably entreated but yet surely guarded The French King is French you know it well enough you will finde him occupied when he should do you good he will not loose a Pilgrimage to save you a Crown I have no more to say at this time but that with my Heart and Soul I do now honour and love you am inwardly sorry for mine Offence and ready to make you amends by my Death and Patience Discharge me à culpâ but not à poenâ good Lady And so farewel most gracious and the best-natured and qualified Queen that ever lived in England From the Tower the 14th of February 1584. W. Parry After which to wit the 18th of February last past Parry in further acknowledging his wicked and intended Treasons wrote a Letter all of his own hand in like voluntary manner to the Lord Treasurer of England and the Earl of Leicester Lord Steward of her Majesties house the Tenour whereof is as followeth William Parry's Letter to the Lord Treasurer and the Earl of Leicester MY Lords now that the Conspiracy is discovered the Fault confessed my Conscience cleared and Minde prepared patiently to suffer the Pains due for so heinous a Crime I hope it shall not offend you if crying Miserere with the poor Publican I leave to despair with cursed Cain My Case is rare and strange and for any thing I can remember singular A natural Subject solemnly to vow the Death of his natural Queen so born so known and so taken by all men for the Relief of the afflicted Catholicks and Restitution of Religion The Matter first conceived in Venice the Service in general words presented to the Pope continued and undertaken in
unto God wherefore I will not lay my Blood upon the Jury but do minde to confess the Indictment It containeth but the parts that have been openly read I pray you tell me Whereunto it was answered that the Indictment contained the parts he had heard read and no other whereupon the Clerk of the Crown said unto Parry Parry thou must answer directly to the Indictment whether thou be guilty or not Then said Parry I do confess that I am guilty of all that is therein contained And further too I desire not life but desire to die Unto which the Clerk of the Crown said If you confess it you must confess it in manner and form as it is comprised in the Indictment Whereunto he said I do confess it in manner and form as the same is set down and all the circumstances thereof Then the Confession being Recorded the Queens learned Council being ready to pray Judgment upon the same Confession Master Vice-chamberlain said These matters contained in this Indictment and confessed by this man are of great importance they touch the Person of the Queens most excellent Majesty in the highest degree the very state and well-doing of the whole Common-wealth and the truth of Gods Word established in these her Majesties Dominions and the open demonstration of that capital envy of the man of Rome that hath set himself against God and all godliness all good Princes and good Government and against good men Wherefore I pray you for the satisfaction of this great Multitude let the whole matter appear that every one may see that the matter of it self is as bad as the Indictment purporteth and as he hath Confessed Whereto in respect that the Justice of the Realm hath been of late very impudently slandered all yielded as a thing necessary to satisfie the world in particular of that which was but summarily comprised in the Indictment though in the Law his Confession served sufficiently to have proceeded thereupon unto Judgment Whereupon the Lords and others the Commissioners her Majesties learned Councel and Parry himself agreed that Parry's Confession taken the 11th and 13th of February 1584. before the Lord of Hunsdon Master Vice-chamberlain and Master Secretary and Cardinal de Como his Letters and Parry's Letters to the Lord Treasurer and Lord Steward should be openly read And Parry for the better satisfying of the people and standers by offered to read them himself but being told that the Order was the Clerk of the Crown should read them it was so resolved of all parts And then Master Vice-chamberlain caused to be shewed to Parry his said Confession the Cardinals Letter and his own Letter aforesaid which after he had particularly viewed every leaf thereof he confessed and said openly they were the same Then said Master Vice-chamberlain Before we proceed to shew what he hath Confessed what say you said he to Parry is that which you have Confessed here true and did you Confess it freely and willingly of your self or was then any extort means used to draw it from you Surely said Parry I made that Confession freely without any constraint and that is all true and more too for there is no Treason that hath been sithens the first year of the Queen any way touching Religion saving receipt of Agnus Dei and perswading of others wherein I have not much dealt but I have offended in it And I have also delivered mine opinion in writing who ought to be Successor to the Crown which he said to be Treason also Then his Confession of the eleventh and thirteenth of February all of his own hand writing and before particularly set down was openly and distinctly read by the Clerk of the Crown And that done the Cardinal di Como his Letter in Italian was delivered unto Parry's hand by the direction of Master Vicechamberlain which Parry there perused and openly affirmed to be wholly of the Cardinals own hand writing and the Seal to be his own also and to be with a Cardinals Hat on it And himself did openly read it in Italian as before is set down And the words bearing sence as it were written to a Bishop or to a man of such degree it was demanded of him by Master Vice-Chamberlain Whether he had not taken the degree of a Bishop He said No But said at first those terms were proper to the Degree he had taken And after said that the Cardinal did vouchsafe as of a favour to write so to him Then the Copy of that Letter in English as before is also set down was in like manner openly read by the Clerk of the Crown which Parry then acknowledged to be truely translated And thereupon was shewed unto Parry his Letter of the 18th of February written to the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Steward which he confessed to be all of his own Hand-writing and was as before is set down These matters being read openly for manifestation of the matter Parry prayed leave to speak Whereto Master Vice-chamberlain said If you will say any thing for the better opening to the world of those your foul and horrible Facts speak on but if you mean to make any excuse of that which you have confessed which else would have been and do stand proved against you for my part I will not sit to hear you Then her Majesties Attourney-General stood up and said It appeareth before you my Lords that this man hath been Indicted and Arraigned of several most hainous and horrible Treasons and hath confessed them which is before you of Record wherefore there resteth no more to be done but for the Court to give Judgment accordingly which here I require in the behalf of the Queens Majesty Then said Parry I pray you hear me for discharging of my Conscience I will not go about to excuse my self nor to seek to save my Life I care not for it you have my Confession of record that is enough for my Life And I mean to utter more for which I were worthy to die And said I pray you hear me in that I am to speak to discharge my Conscience Then said Master Vice-Chamberlain Parry then do thy Duty according to Conscience and utter all that thou canst say concerning those thy most wicked Facts Then said Parry My cause is rare singular and unnatural conceived at Venice presented in general words to the Pope undertaken at Paris commended and allowed of by his Holiness and was to have been executed in England if it had not been prevented Yea I have committed many Treasons for I have committed Treason in being reconciled and Treason in taking Absolution There hath been no Treason sithens the first year of the Queens Reign touching Religion but that I am guilty of except for receiving of Agnus Dei and perswading as I have said And yet never intended to kill Queen Elizabeth I appeal to her own knowledge and to my Lord Treasurers and Master Secretaries Then said my L
d Hunsdon Hast thou acknowledged it so often and so plainly in writing under thy hand and here of record and now when thou shouldest have thy judgment according to that which thou hast Confessed thy self guilty of doest thou go back again and deny the effect of all How can we believe that thou now sayest Then said Master Vice-chamberlain This is absurd Thou hast not onely Confessed generally that thou wert guilty according to the Indictment which summarily and yet in express words doth contain that thou hadst Traiterously compassed and intended the death and destruction of her Majesty but thou also saidst particularly that thou wert guilty of every of the Treasons contained therein whereof the same was one in plain and express letter set down and read unto thee Yea thou saidst that thou wert guilty of more Treasons too besides these And didst thou not upon thy examination voluntarily confess how thou wast moved first thereunto by mislike of thy state after thy departure out of the Realm And that thou didst mislike her Majesty for that she had done nothing for thee How by wicked Papists and Popish Books thou wert perswaded that it was lawful to kill her Majesty How thou wert by reconciliation become one of that wicked sort that held her Majesty for neither lawful Queen nor Christian And that it was meritorious to kill her And didst thou not signifie that thy purpose to the Pope by Lettersand receivedst Letters from the Cardinal how he allowed of thine intent and excited thee to perform it and thereupon didst receive Absolution And didst thou not conceive it promise it vow it swear it and receive the Sacrament that thou wouldst do it And didst not thou thereupon affirm that thy Vows were in Heaven and thy Letters and Promises on Earth to binde thee to do it And that whatsoever her Majesty would have done for thee could not have removed thee from that intention or purpose unless she would have desisted from dealing as she hath done with the Catholicks as thou callest them All this thou hast plainly Confessed And I protest before this great Assembly thou hast Confessed it more plainly and in better sort than my memory will serve me to utter And saist thou now that thou never meant'st it Ah said Parry your Honours know how my Confession upon mine Examination was extorted The both the Lord Hunsdon and Master Vice-Chamberlain affirmed that there was no Torture or threatning words offered him But Parry then said that they told him that if he would not confess willingly he should have torture whereunto their Honours answered that they used not any speech or word of torture to him You said said Parry that you would proceed with rigour against me if I would not confess it of my self But their Honours expresly affirmed that they used no such words But I will tell thee said Master Vice-chamberlain what we said I spake these words If you will willingly utter the truth of your self it may do you good and I wish you to do so If you will not we must then proceed in ordinary course to take your Examination Whereunto you answered that you would tell the truth of your self Was not this true Which then he yielded unto And hereunto her Majesties Attourney-General put Parry in remembrance what Speeches he used to the Lieutenant of the Tower the Queens Majesties Serjeant at Law Master Gaudie and the same Attourney on Saturday the twentieth of February last at the Tower upon that he was by them then examined by Order from the Lords which was that he acknowledg'd he was most mildly and favourably dealt with in all his Examinations which he also at the Bar then acknowledg'd to be true Then Master Vice-chamberlain said that it was wonder to see the magnanimity of her Majesty which after that thou hadst opened those Trayterous Practices in sort as thou hast laid it down in thy Confession was nevertheless such and so far from all fear as that she would not so much as acquaint any one of her Highness Privy-Council with it to his knowledge no not until after this thine Enterprise discovered and made manifest And besides that which thou hast set down under thine own hand thou didst confess that thou hadst prepared two Scottish Daggers fit for such a purpose and those being disposed away by thee thou didst say that another would serve thy turn And withal Parry didst thou not also confess before us how wonderfully thou wert appaled and perplexed upon a sudden at the presence of her Majesty at Hampton-Court this last Summer saying that thou didst think thou then sawest in her the very likeness and image of King Henry the Seventh And that therewith and upon some Speeches used by her Majesty thou didst turn about and weep bitterly to thy self And yet didst call to minde that thy Vows were in Heaven thy Letters and Promises on Earth and that therefore thou didst say with thy self that there was no remedy but to do it Didst thou not confess this The which he acknowledged Then said the Lord Hunsdon Sayest thou now that thou didst never mean to kill the Queen Didst thou not confess that when thou didst utter this practice of treachery to her Majesty that thou didst cover it with all the skill thou hadst and that it was done by thee rather to get credit and access thereby than for any regard thou hadst of her Person But in truth thou didst it that thereby thou mightest have better opportunity to perform thy wicked Enterprise And wouldest thou have run into such fear as thou didst confess that thou wert in when thou didst utter it if thou hadst never meant it What reason canst thou shew for thy self With that he cryed out in a furious manner I never meant to kill her I will lay my Blood upon Queen Elizabeth and you before God and the World And thereupon fell into a rage and evil words with the Queens Majesties Attourney-General Then said the Lord Hunsdon This is but thy Popish Pride and Ostentation which thou wouldst have to be told to thy fellows of that Faction to make them believe that thou diest for Popery when thou diest for most horrible and dangerous Treasons against her Majesty and thy whole Country For thy laying of thy Bloud it must lye on thine own Head as a just Reward of thy wickedness The Laws of the Realm most justly condemn thee to die out of thine own mouth for the conspiring the Destruction both of her Majesty and of us all Therefore thy Bloud be upon thee neither her Majesty nor we at any time sought it thy self hast spilt it Then he was asked What he could say why Judgment of Death ought not to be awarded against him Whereto he said he did see that he must die because he was not settled What meanest thou by that said Master Vice-Chamberlain Said he Look into your Study and into your new Books and you shall finde what
seemed to glory greatly in the Profession of his pretensed Catholick Religion The whole course and action of his Life sheweth plainly how profanely and irreligiously he did always bear himself He vaunted that for these two and twenty years past he had been a Catholick and during all that time never received the Communion Yet before he travelled beyond the Seas at three several times within the compass of those two and twenty years he did voluntarily take the Oath of Obedience to the Queens Majesty set down in the Statute made in the first year of her Highness Reign by which amongst other things he did testifie and declare in his Conscience that no Forreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction Power Preeminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm and therefore did utterly renounce and forsake all Forreign Jurisdictions Powers and Authorities and did promise to bear Faith and true Allegeance to the Queens Highness her Heirs and lawful Successors With what Conscience or Religion he took that Oath so often if he were then a Papist indeed as sithence the discovery of his Treasons he pretended let his best friends the Papists themselves judge But perhaps it may be said that he repented those his Offences past that since those three Oaths so taken by him he was twice reconciled to the Pope and so his Conscience cleared and he become a new man and which is more that in the time to his last Travel he cast away all his former lewd manners that he changed his degree and habit and bought or begged the grave Title of a Doctor of Law for which he was well qualified with a little Grammar-School Latine that he had Plenary Indulgence and Remission of all his Sins in consideration of his undertaking of so holy an Enterprise as to kill Queen Elizabeth a sacred anointed Queen his Natural and Soveraign Lady That he promised to the Pope and vowed to God to perform it that he confirmed the same by receiving the Sacrament at the Jesuits at one Altar with his two Beaupeers the Cardinals of Vendosme and Narbonne And that since his last return into England he did take his Oath upon the Bible to execute it These Reasons may seem to bear some weight indeed amongst his Friends the Jesuits and other Papists of State who have special Skill in matters of such importance But now lately in the beginning of this Parliament in November last he did eftsoons solemnly in publick place take the Oath before mentioned of obedience to her Majesty How that may stand with his reconciliations to the Pope and with his Promises Vows and Oath to kill the Queen it is a thing can hardly be warranted unless it be by some special priviledge of the Popes omnipotency But let him have the glory he desired to live and die a Papist He deserved it it is fit for him his death was correspondent to the course of his life which was disloyal perjured and Traiterous towards her Majesty and false and perfidious towards the Pope himself and his Catholicks if they will believe his solemn protestations which he made at his Arraignment and Execution that he never meant nor intended any hurt to her Highness Person For if that be true where are then his Vows which he said were in Heaven his Letter and Promise upon Earth Why hath he stollen out of the Popes shop so large an Indulgence and plenary Remission of all his Sins and meant to perform nothing that he promised Why was his Devotion and Zeal so highly commended Why was he so specially prayed for and remembred at the Altar All these great favours were then bestowed upon him without cause or desert for he deceived the Pope he deceived the Cardinals and Jesuites with a false semblance and pretence to do that thing which he never meant But the matter is clear the Conspiracy and his traiterous intent is too plain and evident it is the Lord that revealed it in time and prevented their malice there lacked no will or readiness in him to execute that horrible fact It is the Lord that hath preserved her Majesty from all the wicked Practices and Conspiracies of that Hellish Rabble it is he that hath most gratiously deliver'd her from the hands of this Traiterous miscreant The Lord is her onely defence in whom she hath always trusted A Prayer for all Kings Princes Countries and People which do profess the Gospel and especially for our Soveraign Lady Queen Elizabeth used in Her Majesties Chappel and meet to be used of all persons within Her Majesties Dominions O Lord God of hosts most loving and merciful Father whose power no creature is able to resist who of thy great goodness hast promised to grant the petitions of such as ask in thy Sons Name We most humbly beseech thee to save and defend all Princes Magistrates Kingdoms Countries and People which have received and do profess thy holy Word and Gospel and namely this Realm of England and thy servant Elizabeth our Queen whom thou hast hitherto wonderfully preserved from manifold Perils and sundry Dangers and of late revealed and frustrated the Traiterous Practices and Conspiracies of divers against her for the which and all other thy great goodness towards us we give thee most humble and hearty thanks beseeching thee in the Name of thy dear Son Iesus Christ and for his sake still to preserve and continue her unto us and to give her long life and many years to rule over this Land O Heavenly Father the practices of our Enemies and the Enemies of thy word and truth against her and us are manifest and known thee Turn them O Lord if it be thy blessed Will or overthrow and confound them for thy Names sake Suffer them not to prevail Take them O Lord in their crafty Willness that they have invented and let them fall into the Pit which they have digged for others Permit them not ungodly to triumph over us Discomfort them discomfort them O Lord which trust in their own multitude and please themselves in their subtile devices and wicked Conspiracies O loving Father we have not deserved the least of these thy Mercies which we crave For we have sinned and grievously offended thee we are not worthy to be called thy Sons We have not been so thankful unto thee as we should for thy unspeakable benefits powred upon us We have abused this long time of Peace and Prosperity We have not obeyed thy Word We have had it in Mouth but not in heart in outward appearance but not in deed We have lived carelesly We have not known the time of our visitation we have deserved utter destruction But thou O Lord art merciful and ready to forgive therefore we come to thy Throne of Grace confessing and acknowledging thee to be our only refuge in all times of peril and danger And by the means of thy Son we most heartily pray thee to forgive us our