volumus vobiscum habere colloquium tractatum as are the Words of the Writ Against which it cannot be objected that it was not to a Summons to Parliament consisting of the Commons as well as the Lords for by the Close Roll of that year it is apparent that the Sheriffs of the Counties had particular Writs directed to them to cause two Knights for each Shire as also Citizens and Burgesses for the Cities and Burroughs to be elected personally to attend the King at that time ad consulendum consentiendum pro se comitatibus illis hiis quae Comites Barones proceres de Regno nostro ordinabunt And though those Writs of Summons do not mention the certain place where they were appointed to meet Tho. de Walsingham tells us that it was at London John King of Scots being at that time also there present and that it was then resolved forasmuch as the King of France had deceitfully bereft King Edward of the Territory of Gascoine he should recover it by the Sword In pursuance of which resolution not only the persons so Summoned but many other eminent Men received command to fit themselves with Horse and Arms and to attend the King at Portsmouth upon the first of September next ensuing thence to sail with him into those parts Whereupon the English Army took Shipping accordingly towards the end of that month But thenceforth I cannot discern that there hath been any neglect in Registring the Summons of each particular person to the ensuing Parliaments of that Kings time nor of his Successors as may be seen from our Publick Records whereunto upon occasion I have exactly referred in my Discourse of the respective persons so summoned This is all that I shall say by way of Preface to the following Work other than to desire it may be observed that I have rankt every Family in this Second Tome according to the date of that Summons to Parliament which they first had as will likewise appear within a Parenthesis under each particular Title though for their greater Honor I do commonly ascend much higher in my Historical Discourse of their Ancestors Also that I have placed those in the Third Tome according to the priority of their Creations or Summons for some there are who since the time that Patents of Creation began had their rise from special Writs of Summons as all from 22 E. 1. till 11 R. 2. had And Lastly as to the Marriages and Issue of those who have been our Contemporaries in this Age I must crave pardon if I have not been so punctual in my Report of them as I my self desired to be and perhaps may be expected having by reason of the great neglect in Registring them of late times been constrain'd to receive information from those who 't is like may therein have been guilty as well of some mistakes as omissions Which if the Reader do observe I intreat he will Correct with his pen. ERRATA sic Corrigenda PAg. 7. b. l. 14. 30 H. 3. p. 8. b. l. 29. Câ—mpâ—on p. 9. a. l. 28 31. 〈◊〉 p. â—0 b. l. 6. Moreton Ib. l. 53. Folâ—inghâ—m p. 14. b. l. 34. 3 E. 2. p. 15. b. l. 53. 4 E. 2. p. 17. a. l. ult of that p. 20. b. l. 20. Grindâ—n p. 30. a. l. 43 37. b. b. 25. 〈◊〉 Letimer p. 30. â— â— 1. Kotherâ—â—n p 33. a. l. 40. 〈◊〉 lb. l. 48. 15 Aâ—g p. 36. a. l. 57. with the. Ib. l. 47. Siryvelin p. 38. b. l. 10. Margaret four p. 47. b. l. 68. honore p. 55. a. l. 42. once more made p. 59. b. l. 10. Fynâ—mere p. 60. b. l. 58. at Fâ—don p. 62. b. l. 57. Hâ—seley p. 63. a. l. 28. Hâ—starg p. 70. b. l. 9. Taâ—râ—gge p. 76. b. l. 61. of the place p. 79. a. l. 32. from the mouth p. 80. a. l. 9. she should p. 83. b. l. 14. in that Expedition p. 89. b. l. 53. Muriel p. 94. 2. l. 30. Kirksâ—all Ib. l. 45. Iohâ— Ib. l. 57 a. the Earl of Kâ—nt Tho. Holâ—nd p. 103. a. l. 25 Mâ—â—mien p. 111. b. l. 2. Altaâ—riâ—a p. 129. a. l. 64. King Henry p. 148. â— l. 4. of her Inheritance p. 159. a. l. 66. Heir male â—p 168. a. l. 35. which 〈◊〉 p. 213. a. l. 14. Sister p. 214. a. l. 41 Service book p. 216. b. l 45. of his p. 231. a. l. 43. Nucels p. 247. a. l. 55. Wiâ—all p. 289. a. l. 37. have p. 295. a. l. 40. Scotland p 301. a. l. 2. 14 H. 8. p. 309. a. l. 4. Vero. p. 311. l. 48. Iane. p. 384. b. l. 68. daughter to p. 390 a. l. 13. Lettice Ib. l. 41 to Riâ—â—rd 397. b. l. 30. Mothers Sisters p. 400. b. l. 43 she p. 402. a. l. 21. Leydeyerd-Tregoce p. 405. l. 69. the long Reign of Queen Eliz. p 407. a. l. 65. John Earl p. 408. a. l. 3 3. four p. 414. a. l. 39. whose Son Clarles by reason p 421. b. l. 30. asserting p. 423. b. l. 52. Tuycâ—â—enâ—â—m p. 424. b. l. 43. 13 Car. â— p. 432. a. l. 19. Frances Ib. b. l. 52. Tâ—râ—onel p. 433. b. 60. Fathers death p. 438. a. l. 1. â—aconâ—â— p. 440. a. l. 32. his doom Ib. l. 40. disposition Ib. b. l. 53. Rents p. 454 b. l. 35. Will. Milward p. 459. b. l. 10. Wiâ—kâ—â—w p. 460. l. 50 Aldâ—rsâ—y p. 465. a. l. 54 Brokesby p. 467. b. l. 20 Dothill p. 479. b. l. 20. Hâ—mo p. 481. a. l. 63. 〈◊〉 Page 432. b. l. 54. Strafford p. 449. a. l. 31. seaven Sons Daniel p. 459. b. l. 43. which Banaster p. 470 b. l. 30. Sir Iames Altham p. 479. a. l. 62. eight â—ons Ib. l. 64. three other viz. Francis Arthur and Arthur p. 480. a. l. 5. leaving issue Iohn his son and heir Ibid. l. 53. And having by Inheritance a real right to the Titles of Earl of Corboil and Lord of Thorigny and Granville in Normandy was six days after by his said Majesties Declaration under his Royal Signet allowed and permitteâ— to use the Name Stilâ— and Dignity of Earl of Corboil Lord of Thorigny and Granville in as full and ample manner as his Ancestors formerly had done before that Dukedome was lost from the Crown of England p. 482. a. l. 18. and shortly after made Lord Chancellor of England Ib. l. 23. dele but by neither of these any issue Ib. l. 25. by which Frances he hath issue p. 482. b. l. 6. l. 10. Iames Scot Fitz-Roy THE BARONAGE OF ENGLAND The Second TOME Poinz 23 Edw. 1. AS in the first Volume of this Work it was impossible for me to rank the Noble Families touching which I have there discoursed in their due places of precedency for the reasons I have given in my Preface thereto So must I crave pardon if in this any Exceptions shall be taken to my fixing those of whom I am to speak so exactly as some may expect
descended to him and it so clog'd with Debts that for the disengaging thereof he Married the said Frances his Grand-Daughter and Heir to Humble Ward the only Son of William Ward a Wealthy Goldsmith in London Jeweller to the late Queen of which Humble I shall speak farther in due place And departing this Life 23 Iunii an 1643. was buried in St. Edmund's Church at Dudley since pull'd down in the time of the late troubles by reason of its nearness to the Castle ¶ Having now done with this Line of the Barons of Dudley I come to Iohn the second Son to Iohn Lord Dudley This Iohn by Elizabeth his Wife one of the two Daughters and Coheirs of Iohn Bramshot Esq Lord of the Mannors of Eatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Wiht as also of the Mannor of Brâ—mshot in Com. Suth had Issue Edmund his Son and Heir which Edmund upon her Death 12 Oct. 14 H. 7. was found to be thirty six years of Age. And having been trained up to the Study of the Laws in Grays-Inne as it seems by his Arms then set up and still remaining in a Window of the Chappel there became so great a proficient therein as that though then but young in 1 Henr. 7. he was made choice of to be one of the Privy Council to that prudent Prince proper prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polyd. Virg. In 19 H. 7. being then Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament he should have been made Sergeant at Law upon the 13th of November But for what reason appears not he did Petition that he might be discharg'd from assuming that Dâ—gree Whereupon the King directed his Precept to William Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal Commanding his forbearance to make out any Writ for his Call and in 22 H. 7. he obtain'd the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastitings in Com. Suss. This Edmund wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer Son to a Sive-maker in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugal disposition did first project the taking advantage against such as had transgressed the penal Laws by exacting from them the forfeitures according to those Statutes Or whether the King perceiving so fair a gap open to rake vast sums of money from his subjects finding those persons to be fit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses for filling his Coffers 't is hard to say But certain it is that these were they whom he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hateful business into good Language as the Lord Verulam saith And merited so well in that imployment as that he obtain'd a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Edward Grey Viscount L'isle whom he made his Wife and by her had issue divers Children But after King Henry had long made use of the services of him and Empson to that end he exposed them to such advantages as the discontented people had any colour to take against them for their manifold Extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their Estates Besides this having also packt-Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any Verdict which serv'd for their purpose they at length had their just reward for those oppressions For King Henry the Eighth in the first year of his Reign being desirous of popularity did by his Proclamation divulge that whosoever had received Injury by the Injustice of any should upon complaint to him have redress Which liberty did so incourage the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing would then satisfie but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Whereupon this Edmund being arraign'd at Guild-Hall in London upon Munday next after the xv m e of St. Iohn Bapt. 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumb. Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of St. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Sir Charles Somerset Knight Lord Herbert Stephen Iennings then Mayor of the City of London Sir Iohn Fineaux Knight Sir Robert Rede Knight Sir William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humphrey Coningesby Sir Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevil Sir Thomas Lovel Knight Sir Edward Poynings Kt. Sir Henry Marney Knight Sir Thomas Englefeild Knight and Sir Thomas Drury Knight Justices to inquire c. upon an Indictment of divers high Treasons and thereupon convicted he was on Wednesday next preceeding the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his Head smitten off on Tower Hill with Empson who had been-tryed at Northampton for the Peoples satisfaction upon the 28th of Aug. 2 H. 8. by virtue of the Kings Special Precept to that purpose leaving Issue three Sons Iohn Andrew and Ierome and a Daughter Married to William Lord Stourton Which Andrew being afterwards a Knight and in that Conspiracy upon the Death of King Edward the Sixth for raising the Lady Iane Gray to the Royal Throne had with others sentence of Death in 1 Mariae for the same Of these Iohn the Elder scarce of eight years of Age at his Fathers Death had to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esq of the Body to the King Who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained a special Act for the Repeal of the said Edmunds Attainder and restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree so that he might enjoy all his Fathers Lands Being therefore thus young many years passed before he appeared in any publick Employment so that till 15 H. 8. I have not seen any farther mention of him but then it appears that he was Knighted by Charles Brandon Duke of Suff. General of those forces sent into France against the Duke of Bourbon Also that in 19 H. 8. he accompanied Cardinal Woolsey into France who then went Ambassador thither and that in 26 H. 8 being the Kings Servant he was made Master of the Armory in the Tower of London for life with the Wages of xiid. per diem for his Groom in that Office Moreover that in 31 H. 8. he was Master of the Horse to the Lady Anne of Cleve then landed in this Realm in order to her Marriage with King Henry And in 32 H. 8. in those triumphal Justs held at Westm. upon the first of May and several days after was the first and principal of the Challenges against all Comers his Horse being trapt with white Velvet After which about two years by reason of his Descent on
a Castle in those places or within those Precincts each to assist other for the demolishing it And for the better observance of this Accord they engaged themselves each to other by Oath in the presence of the Bishop of Lincoâ—n That if either of them should recede therefrom and not make satisfaction within fifteen days upon request that the Bishops of Lincoln and Chester should do justice upon them as Faith-breakers Moreover it appears that this Earl granted unto Robert Earl of Leicester and his Heirs the Lordship of Cerneley and all the Woods adjacent thereto adjoyning to his Forest of Leicester as well those of his Fee as his own proper Woods excepting his Park at Barow to hold and enjoy the same as Forest in as ample manner as he held the Forest of Leicester of the King So also whatsoever he had in the City of Leicester both in Demesn and of his Fee And as the Earl of Leicester and he did thus capitulate as hath been observed so most certain it is that King Stephen himself at length came to a good accord with him and received him into no little favor and trust for by his special Charter it appears that he bestowed on him the Castle and City of Lincoln to enjoy until he should be restored to his Lands in Normandy and Castles there And thereupon gave him leave to fortifie one of the Towers in Lincoln Castle and to have the command thereof until he should deliver unto him the Castle of Tikhill in Yorkshire Which being done then the King to have the City and Castle of Lincoln again excepting the Earls own Tower which his Mother had fortified as also the Constableship of that Castle and of the whole County which belonged to him by Hereditary right as are the words of the Charter Moreover besides all this the King then granted to him the Castle of Belvoir with the whole Barony thereto belonging and all the Land of William de Albini Lord of Belvoir of whomsoever he held it and likewise Graham with the Soke And though the Heirs of Graham should come to an Agreement with the King yet the Barony to remain to this Earl the King giving them exchange for it By this Charter also the King granted to him and his Heirs Newcastle in Staffordshire with all the Appurtenances the Soke of Roeley in Leicestershire Torkesey in Lincolnshire the Town of Derby with the Appurtenances Mansfield in Com. Nott. with the Appurtenances Stonely in Warwickshire with the Appurtenances the Wapentake of Oswarbeck in Nottinghamshire and all the Lands of Roger de Busly with the whole Honor of Blithe as it is set forth Likewise all the Lands of Roger de Poictou from Northampton to Scotland excepting that which belongeth to Roger de Montebegon in Lincolnshire Likewise all the Lands betwixt the Rivers of Ribble and Merse in Lancashire and the Land which he had in Demesne in the Mannor of Grimesby in Com. Linc. As also the Lands which the Earl of Glocester had in Demesne within that Mannor of Grimesby And lastly for the special respect that the King bore unto him he not only restored to Adelais de Condie all her Lands viz. Hornecastre in Lincolnshire when the Castle should be demolished but all his own other Lands Yet notwithstanding all hath been said this Earl was so real an honorer of Henry Duke of Normandy that he often adventured his life and fortune on his behalf And that the said Duke did highly esteem of him this memorable Charter which he Sealed at the Devizes in Wiltshire will abundantly manifest whereby heâ—granted unto him all his Inheritance in Normandy and England as freely as any of his Ancestors held the same viz. The Castles of Uire and Barbifleet with such Liberty that through the whole Precinct thereof he might take his forfeits as also the Wood of Fosses and Alebec and that for which â—e was Sheriff of Abrincis and in S. James whereof he had made him Earl Likewise whatsoever he had in Abrinchem he thereby gave unto him excepting the Bishoprick and the Abbacy of Mount S. Michael and what belonged unto them Moreover all the Honor id est the Barony of Earl Roger de Poictou wheresoever it lay and all the Honor of Blithe wheresoever in England As also the whole Honor of Eye which Robert Malet his Mothers Vncle did ever enjoy Furthermore he gave him Stafford and the whole County of Stafford and whatsoever he had of Inheritance there except the Fees of the Bishop of Chester of Earl Robert de Ferrers of Hugh de Mortimer and of Gervase Paganell and excepting also his Forest of Canoâ— which he retained in his own hand Likewise he gave unto him the Fee of Alan de Lincolne his Mothers Vncle and the Fee of Ernise de Burun as his own Inheritance and the Fees of Hugh de Scotiney Robert de Chalz Raphe Fitz-Oats Norman de Verdun and Robert de Staford wheresoever any of them lay Besides all these he gave to him and his Heirs Thirty pound Lands in Grimesby as also Nottingham Castle with the Borough and whatsoever he had in Nottingham And all the Fee of William Peverell wheresoever it lay excepting Higham unless he could acquit himself of his wickedness and treason by a fair tryal in Court Moreover if Ingelram de Albemarle would not take his part nor Earl Simon he gave Higham to this Earl Ranulph in case he would accept thereof as also Torchesey and Oswardebeck Wapentake Derby with all its Appurtenances Mansfield with the Soke Roeley with the Soke and Stanley near Coventrey with the Soke promising him farther that so soon as he should be in power he should have a tryal for Belvoir Besides all this he gave unto Six of his Barons whom he should chuse One hundred pound Land per annum to each viz Of that which should happen to be gained from his enemies And to all their Parents that Inheritance which was in his power and what was not at present he promised to do them right in whensoever he should be able Vnto which Charter these were Witnesses viz. William the Chancellor Reginald Earl of Cornwall Roger Earl of Hereford Patrick Earl of Salisbury Umfrey de Buhun Sewer ... Fitz-Gilbert Richard de Humet Constable Warin Fitz-Gerold Robert de Curcey Sewer Manasser Bisseâ— Sewer Philip de Columbers And on thâ— part of Earl Ranulph William Earl of Lincolne Hugh Wac G. Castell de Fines Simon Fitz-William Thurstan de Montfert Geffrey de Costentine William de Verdun Richard Boteler Roger Wac and Simon Fitz-Osbert This Earl gave to William Earl of Lincoln his Brother by the Mother the Lordship of Watteley to hold by the Service of two Knights Fees Having now done with his Secular Actions I come lastly to his Works of Piety which were great and many He was the devout Founder of a Monastery for Cistercian Monks in a place called Radmore
Fourth Son to King Henry the Second having taken her to Wife as hath been said in the year 1166 her Father Earl Conan then living succeeded in these Earldoms Which Conan thereupon granted to King Henry to the use of his said Son Geffrey the whole Dutchy of Britanny excepting the County of Guincamp descended to him from Earl Stephen his Grandfather This Geffrey received the Honor of Knighthood at the hands of King Henry his Father at Woodstock in the year 1178. 24 Hen. 2. But of him there is not much more memorable in regard he died when he was but Twenty eight years of age being then unhappily killed at Paris by the stroke of an Horse in a Tourneament held there upon the 14. Kal. of Sept. Whereupon he was buried in the Church of Nostredame within the Quire of the Canons there leaving issue by the same Constance two Daughters as also a Son born after his death viz. Upon Easter day the Fourth Kalender of April ensuing An. scil 1187. whose name was called Arthur The name of one of the Daughters was Eleanor le Bret. Which Eleanor departing this life in the Castle of Bristol 4 Id. Aug. An. 1241. 25 Hen. 3. was first buried in the Church of S. Iames at Bristol but afterwards by the Kings appointment translated to the Monastery of Nuns at Ambresbury The name of the other Daughter appeareth not Unto this Earldom of Richmund did belong no less then Cxl Knights Fees After the death of this Geffrey Constance his Widow was given in marriage to Ranulph Earl of Chester as hath been before exprest with whom he enjoyed both these Honors of Britanny and Richmund But she forsaking him as hath been said Arthur her Son having been honored with Knighthood by Philip King of France in An. 1199. the year following did homage to King Iohn for this Earldom of Britanny it being of the Fee of the Dutchy of Normandy Notwithstanding which King Iohn detained from him all his Lands in Normandy Turon Anjou and Poictou whereupon the King of France taking occasion to quarrel with King Iohn required restitution of them to Arthur but without success insomuch as War ensuing betwixt them the French had the worst After which King Iohn sent for his Nephew Arthur to Faleise and flattering him with fair words promised him great Honors if he would desert the King of France and adhere faithfully to him as his leig-Leig-Lord and Uncle But Arthur who knew himself to be the Son of King Iohns elder Brother viz. Geffrey Duke of Britanny and Richmund beforementioned answered him with indignation requiring That he would make restitution to him of the Kingdom of England and all other the Lands which King Richard his Uncle had in Possession upon the day of his death Vowing That if he did not do it speedily he should not be at Peace Which expressions so much awakened King Iohn that he forthwith commanded his Nephew Arthur should be sent to Roan and there straitly imprisoned in the new Tower where he had not long been but for fear lest the great Men of England should adhere to him as being the next and rightful Heir to the Crown he caused him to be murthered by the hands of Peter de Mauley one of his Esquires unto whom for the reward of that wicked service he gave the Heir of the Barony of Mulgreve to Wife As to the manner of his death it is said That passing from one Ship to another to go into England as a prisoner a Marriner laid a Plank in such a sort that as soon as he trode upon it he fell into the Sea and was drowned Having thus given an account of this Earldoms Succession from Alan the first to Conan the last of the ancient Earls whose sole Daughter and Heir Constance first took to Husband Geffrey Fourth Soâ— to King Henry the Second As also of the Murther of Arthur her only Son who had no issue and that she afterwards married to Ranulph Earl of Chester who in her right enjoyed it I shall now observe that this Constance being at length divorced from Earl Ranulph by reason of Adultery married lastly to Guy de Toarche and had issue by him a Daughter called Alice who after the death of her Parents remaining in Ward to the King of France was by that King given in marriage to Sir Peter Maâ—clere a Knight of his with Britanny and what else was of her Inheritance Not long after which King Ioâ—n being highly discontented towards those of his Barons who had extorted from him the two notable Charters of their Liberties called Magna Carta and Carta de Ferestâ— which bear date 15 Iunii in Seventeenth of His Reign upon his recess from London with purpose to raise what strength he could for the redeeming himself out of their power by his Letteâ—s directed to this Peter bearing date at Warham in Com. Dors. 12 Aug. next ensuing in which he calls him Earl of Britanny did signifie That in case he would come into England he would restore unto him the Honor of Richmund with its Appurtenances as appertaining to his said Earldom of Britany and thereupon required him to hasten over with all possible speed well furnished with Horse and Arms as also to bring with him what power he could raise for his aid and to do his homage with what service otherwise he ought to perform Whereupon he came and had Livery of all the Lands pertaining to that Honor in right of his said Wife And not long after that viz in 3 Hen. 3. agreed That the King should thenceforth have of the Knights Fees belonging thereto Thirty on the South of Humâ—er such as he should chuse After which that King became so cordial to him as that in 14 of His Reign he did by his Letters Patents declare That so long as the Wars with the French should continue he would assist him giving him by those his Letters the title of Duke of Britanny and Earl of Richmund with Four hundred Knights and One hundred Servants on Horsback of which number One hundred to be of his own Knights as also that he would give him pay for Three hundred Knights and an Hundred Servants more and for performance thereof obliged himself by Oath Richard Earl of Cornwal with some other eminent persons doing the like as undertakers for him therein Nevertheless though the King then gave him the Appellation of Earl of 〈◊〉 he had not the compleat fruition of that Barony Ranulph Earl of Chester retaining the Lands thereof in his hands until by a special Precept to the Bishop of Chichester then Lord Chancellor and Stephen de Segrave afterwards Justice of England command was given that Livery should forthwith be made to him thereof After which viz. the next ensuing year he
of Land at his Lordship of Thornbury in Gloucestershire And that in 10 Hen. 8. by the Covenants betwixt him and Margaret Countess of Salisbury for the Marriage of Henry his Son and Heir with Vrsula Poole Daughter of that Countess by Sir Richard Poole Kt. her Husband it appears that the Mannors of Somerton Chedsey â—oneyate Yarlington and Shipton in Com. Somerset as also the Mannors of Stokenham Yalmeton Pyworthy Woneford and Clifte S. Mary with the appurtenances two hundred Messuages three hundred Cottages two thousand Acres of Land one thousand Acres of Meadow two thousand Acres of pasture five hundred Acres of Wood and fifty pounds in Rent in Stokenham Yalmeton Pyworthy Woueford and Clift S. Mary in Comitat. Devon were setled by the said Margaret upon them the said Henry and Vrsula and the Heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten But after this about two years viz. in 12 Henr. 8. though he liked not of that profuse expence which was occasioned cheifly by Cardinal Wolsey at that magnificent Enterview of King Henry the eighth and Francis the first of France betwixt 〈◊〉 and â—rdres he sitted himself in a greater splendor than any other Noble man and being prepared for the journey before the King was ready went to see some of his Lands in Kent Where finding his Tenants somewhat clamorous against Charles Knevet his Steward there for exacting upon them he discharged him of his imployment Which peice of Justice so farr irritated Knevet as that he became principally instrumental in his ruine For growing about this time viz. 13 Hen. 8. eminent for his high Blood and ample Revenue he drew on himself a dangerous suspition of aspiring higher which jealousie was fomented by the Cardinal who dissafected him for some words he had cast forth yet could not have overthrown him had not some indiscretion of his own concurred As for Knevet he watched his opportunity and finding that the Duke began to be weakned in two of his cheif Friends and Allies viz. Henry Earl of Northumberland whose Daughter he had married and Thomas Earl of Surry who had married his Daughter viz. Northumberland for claiming certain Wards which after close commitment he was forced to relinquish and Surry for drawing his Daggar at the Cardinal on some occasion being sent away upon an honorable imployment upon private discourse with the Cardinal discovered to him sundry particulars of this Dukes life viz. that he had said if King Henry died without issue how he would punish the Cardinal Moreover that he had treated with one Hopkins a Carthusian Monk of Hinton touching some prediction about the succession of the Crown Likewise the Hopkins should say to the Earl of Westmoriand this Dukes Son in law that if ought but good came to the King the Duke of Buckingham was next in Blood to the Crown the K. having then no issue Also that he told Knevet if he had been committed to the Tower whereof he was in some danger by occasion of Sir Wilâ—iam Bulmer he would have so wrought that the principal doers thereof should have had no great cause of rejoycing for he would have plaid the part which his Father intended to have put in practise at Salisbury against K. Richard the third who made earnest sute to have come into the Kings presence which had he obtained he would have stab'd him with his Dagger and that in speaking these words he maliciously laid hold on his Dagger swearing that if he were so evil used he would do his best to accomplish his purpose Likewise that being in speech with George Lord Bergavenny he should say that if the King died he would have the rule of the Realm in spight of whosoever said the contrary And swore that if the Lord Bergavenny revealed this he would fight with him These were the principal things charged against him But upon his Indictment and Trial by his Peers he denied all alledging that what he was charged with was false conspired and forged Whereupon Knevet and others being produced against him and deposing to what was alledged in the Articles he had sentence of death pronounced against him by the Duke of Norfolk then High Steward Whereunto he replied thus My Lord of Norfolk you have said as a Traitor should be said to but I was never any I nothing maligne you for what you have done to me but the Eternal God forgive you my Death I shall never sue to the King for life though he be a gracious Prince and more grace may come from him than I desire And so I desire you and all my fellows to pray for me Whereupon he was Beheaded on Tower-hill 17 Maii anno 1521 13 Hen. 8. Nevertheless the Tragedy ended not so for though the Lord Bergavenny after a few months imprisonment was through the Kings favor enlarged yet Hopkins after a serious repentance that he had been Author of so much mischeif died of Greif Being thus put to death he was buried in the Church of the Friers-Augustines near Broadstreet in the City of London leaving issue by Alianore his Wife Daughter to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland one Son called Henry and three Daughters viz. Eliz. married to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk Katherine to Ralph Nevill Earl of Westmorland and Mary to George Nevill Lord Bergavenny Which Elianore by her Testament bearing date 24 Iunii ann 1528 20 Hen. 8. appointed her Heart to be buried in the Church of the Gray-Friers within the City of London before the Image of S. Francis and her body in the Church of the Whit-Friers at Bristol if she should happen to decease in those parts But after execution thus done upon this Duke viz. in the Parliament begun 15 Apr. 14 Hen. 8. though there then passed an Act for his Attainder yet there was likewise an Act for the restitution in blood of Henry his eldest Son but not to his Honors and Lands Nevertheless the King out of his special grace and favor by his Letters Patents bearing date 25 Sept. in the same fourteenth year did grant to the same Henry and Vrsula his Wife Daughter of Sir Richard Pole Knight by Margaret his Wife Daughter to George Duke of Clarence the Mannors of Norton in the Moores Tillington Eyton Church-Eyton Wood-Eyton Dorlastone Forbrigge Bradwelle Dâ—dyngton Pakynton Blyminhull Holdych near New-Castle Tentynshull and Barlaston in Com. Staff with the Advowsons of the Churches to the same belonging As also the Mannors Tenements and Rents of Menlefeâ—id and Crystelton in Câ—m Cestr. with the Advowsons of the Churches thereunto belonging Likewise all the Lands Tenements Rents and Services in Briggenoâ—th in Com. Salop. with all and singular the Castles Lordships Mannors and Lands in the same County of 〈◊〉 and South-Wales together with the 〈◊〉 of Hay Hope Aston-â—â—gers 〈◊〉 Parke Myniterley Mannor 〈◊〉 Bâ—rgh Worthyn-Mannor 〈…〉
de Breause of the Castle and Town of Haverford part of the Lands Hereditarily descending to them from Walter Mareschal sometime Earl of Pembroke Brother of Eve their Mother By which Eleanor he left issue Humphrey de Bohun the Seventh who succeeded his Grandfather in these Earldoms of Hereford and Essex Another Wife he had called Ioan Daughter of Robert de Quency as is manifest by that Grant of King Henry the Third to Humphrey Earl of Hereford his Father in 50 Hen. 3. before recited but whether she was his first Wife or not I cannot determine This Humphrey the Grandson in 2 Edw. 1. had the Castle and Town of Haverford which were of his Inheritance then restored to him as also Livery of all his other Lands the next ensuing year doing his homage upon the death of his Grandfather And in 10 Edw. 1. being appointed to make his abode in the Parts of Brecknock deputed Iohn de Bohun his Uncle to attend the King for performance of the Office of Constable of England in his absence In 14 Edw. 1. he was with the Kings Army in Wales and had thereupon Scutage of his Tenants But in 20 Edw. 1. being convicted of some misdemeanor before the King and his Council his Royalties for his Lands in Brecknock were seised on and committed to Roger de Burghul In 25 Edw. 1. he was sent into Holland with Iohn Son to the Earl of Holland who had married the Daughter of King Edward when he went to challenge the Inheritance of his Father about that time slain In the same year it was that the King caling a Parliament at Salisbury required this Earl and some others to go into Gascoigne To whom they answered that if he did go himself in person they would attend him But the King threatning them with high words that he would compell them to goe without him they put themselves in Arms. Which being discerned that business was prosecuted no farther In that year likewise he was one of those who boldly prohibited the Lord Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer to levy that Tax upon the People of the eighth peny then granted to the King in the Parliament held at S. Edmunds-bury and incited the Londoners to stand with them for recovery of their Liberties The same year command being given to this Earl and some others to provide themselves with Horse and Armes to attend the King into Flanders not obeying he was discharged from his Office of Constable of England Also the King being then beyond Sea Edward his Son left Custos Regni in his absence sending unto him and to the Earl-Marshal to repair to his Parliament at London on the tenth of October they came with five hundred Horse and a multitude of Foot-Souldiers but would not adventure within the City Walls unless their own men might keep the Gates Nor consent to any thing then proposed except the King did confirm the Great Charter with some Articles thereunto added as also the Charter of the Forest and grant that no Ayd should thenceforth be exacted from the Clergy or Laity but by consent of the Lords as also that they themselves and all theirs who had refused to go into Flanders with him should be pardoned All which was yeilded to and performance made accordingly Moreover in that year he was with the K. in Scotland when he obtained that great Victory near Roxborough but upon their return to Carlisle got leave to come home At or about this time it was that he passed the Mountains of Scotland with Thomas Earl of Lancaster and beseiged the Castle of Rindromi in Marre which they took This Earl married Maud Daughter of William de Fienles and endowed her at the same time by the consent of Humphrey E. of Hereford his Grandfather with the third part of all his Lands Moreover Queen Alianore in consideration of this marriage with that her Kinswoman obliged her self to pay unto him a thousand pounds of Silver And besides all this the King to manifest his kindness to her thereupon granted them the Castle and Mannor of Haye in the Marches of Wales He departed this life at Plessy in ann 1298. 26 Edw. 1. and lieth buried with his Wife in the Chapel of our Lady at Walden in Esser To whom succeeded Humphrey de Bohun the eighth his Son and Heir who in 27 Edw. 1. doing his Homage had livery of his Fathers Lands In 30 Edw. 1. this Earl by a formal conveyance gave and granted unto the King the inheritance of all his Lands and Lordships in this Realm as also of his Earldomes of Hereford and Essex and Constableship of England After which viz. in 32 Edward 1. he was in Scotland in his service And the same year attended Prince Edward beyond Sea having Livery out of the Kings Wardrobe for his expences But upon his marriage of Elizabeth the Kings Daughter about that time the King regranted to him all his Lands Castels Lordships c. wheresoever both in England or Wales as also the right of this his Earldom of Hereford with the Constableship of England which he thereupon entailed upon the issue of his Body lawfully begotten and for want of such issue from and after the death of himself and his said Wife covenanted that the Lordship of Plessets in Essex with the Hamlets of High-Estrey and Great-Waâ—tham with the appurtenances as also the Mannors of Walden Quendon Depedene and Shenfeld in Essex Stakes and Fobbing in Hertfordshire Enfeld in Middlesex Kynebauton in Huntendonshire and the Constableship of England should wholly remain to the King and his Heirs for ever Moreover that the Mannors of Agmondesham in Buckinghamshire Wolesey in Wiltshire Sutham and Whitenhurst in Gloucestershire the Castle and Mannor of Huntinton in Herefordshire the Castles of Brecknock Haye and Caldecote in Nether-Went within the Marches of Wales together with all his Lands in Newton within the same Marches should remain to his right Heirs In 34 E. 1. the K. granted to this Earl being then in Scotland in his service and to Elizabeth his Wife in tail the whole Territory of Anandale in Scotland but for want of issue betwixt them to remain to the King and his Heirs This Earl in 35 Edw. 1. being with the King in his Scotish Warrs departed thence without leave for which offence at the instance of Q. Margaret he obtained his pardon In 1 Edw. 2. he entred into a solemn agreement by Covenant under his Seal with Henry Earl of Lincoln Iohn Earl Warren and Surry Aymere de Valence Earl of Pembrokâ— Robert de Clifford and some other Barons to defend the Kings person and the rights of his Crown and to redress what was amiss as by a special Instrument bearing date at
precept to be at Bristol on the Octaves of the same Feast in like sort accoutred In consideration of which services the King at the request of the said Earl of Gloucester respited the payment of certain moneys due by him to the Exchequer untill a farther time And in 42 Hen. 3. had the like summons to be at Chester upon Munday next after the feast of S. Iohn Baptist. Moreover in 44 H. 3. he had another summons to be at Shrewsbury so provided as abovesaid upon the like accompt and in 47 Hen. 3. to attend the King at Hereford to restrain the insolencies of the Welch who had made incursions on the Marches thereabouts This is that William who wedded Isabel the Daughter of William Mauduit of Hanslape in Com. Buck. Chamberlain to the King in his Exchequer by inheritance Sister and Heir to William Mauduit Earl of Warwick Which Isabel had in Frank-marriage all her Fathers Lands in Ledecumve with proviso that if they did not amount to the value of twenty pounds per annum it should be made up elsewhere This William de Beauchamp gave to the Abby of Bordsley certain Lands in Bivinton in Com. Warr. and by his Testament bearing date at Wauberge upon the Morrow after the Epiphany Anno 1268. 53 Henr. 3. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Church of the Friers-Minors at Worcester appointing that at his Funeral a Horse compleatly Harnâ—ssed with all military Caparisons should proceed before his Corps which usage hath continued in the solemnizing of funerals for great persons till our times To a Priest to sing Mass daily in his Chapel without the City of Worcester near unto that house of Friers he gave for the health of his Soul and for the Souls of Isabel his Wife Isabel de Mortimer and all the faithful 〈◊〉 all his Rent of the Fee of 〈…〉 in Wiche and Wincâ—ester with 〈…〉 what should be too short out of his 〈…〉 per goods To Walter his Son signed with the Cross for a pilgrimage to the Holy-Land on the behalf of the Testator his Father 〈◊〉 Isabel his Mother he gave two hundred Marks 〈◊〉 Ioane his Daughter a Canopy sometime belongiâ—â— to S. Wolstan and a Book of 〈◊〉 which he id est the Testator had lent them To Isabel his Daughter a Silver Cup. To 〈◊〉 his Dâ—ughter towards her Marriage all the money 〈◊〉 to him from his Son William and forty 〈◊〉 more with the Land which he bought in 〈◊〉 to enjoy till she should be married and no longer To 〈◊〉 his Daughter an hundred marks for her Marriage portion To William his 〈…〉 Cup and Hornes of St. Hugh and to the Countess his Wife a Ring with a Ruby it 〈◊〉 To Sir 〈◊〉 De Mortimer a Ring to Sir 〈◊〉 de Suley a Ring To the Frier-Minors of Worcester forty shillings To the Friers-Minors of Gloucester one mark To the the Friers-Carmelites there one mark To the Hospital of S. Wâ—lstan at Worcester one mark To the Hospital of S. Oswald there ten shillings To the Canons of Doddeford one mark To the Church and Nunns of Cokehili and Isabel his Wife ten marks To the Church and Nunns of Westwood one mark To the Church and Nunns without Wâ—â—cester one mark To every Anchorite in Worcester and the parts adjacent four shillings To the Church of Salewarâ— in Com. Wigâ—rn a House and Garden near the Parsonage to to finde a Lamp continually burning therein to the Honor of God the Blessed â—irgin S. Katherine and S. 〈◊〉 Of which Testament he constituted these his Executors viz. William his Eldest Son Earl of Warwick Sir Roger Mortimer Sir Bartholomew de Sudley with the Abbots of Evesham and great Malverne It seemes he lived not long after for I finde that his Son and Heir viz. William de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick did his Homage in the Chapel of Bredon for the Lands he held of him 2 Non. Mâ—ii Anâ—â— 1269. Which was within four Months after the date of this Testament And now before I proceed I shall observe two things first that the Lady 〈◊〉 Wife to this last mentioned William de 〈◊〉 who by the death of her Brother William Mauduit Earl of 〈◊〉 became Heir of this great Earldom was not only Foundress of the Nunnery at Cokehill before mentioned but betooke herself to a Religious life there as may plainly be inferred from that Legacy wherein she is joyned with those Nunns And secondly that this William the Testator though his Lady was then living and that they both together survived William de Mauduit her Brother to whom she was sole Heir above a twelve Month never had the title of Earl but that William de Beauchamp their Son and Heir enjoyed that Honor whilst they lived as is evident from these two passages in the Testament of William the Father viz. Item Willielmo primogenito meo Cornua Ciphum Seâ—nt Huwe filiae meae Comitissae uxori suae unum Annulum cum lapide de Rubie And afterwards Caetera autem bona mea commisi ordinationi dispositioni dilectorum Executorum Testament mei D. Rogâ—ri de Mortuomari Willieimi primogeniti mei Comitis Warewici In the first whereof he calls his Sons Wife Countess and in the second plainly stiles him Earl Which title he not only used in that Instrument of Agreement made betwixt him and Alice the Widow of William Mauduit the last Earl in 52 Henr. 3. whereof I have elsewhere spoke but hath the same title attributed to him by the Kings precept dated 9 Martii next ensuing the Earl his Uncles death his Father and Mother being then both alive By which precept it is also evident that he was in good esteem with the King forasmuch as it thereby appears that the King pardoned his releif viz. one hundred pounds and did likewise acquit him of ninety five pounds Which summe William de Mauduit the last Earl owed to a Jew in London This this William de Beauchamp might justly bear the title of Earl by right from his Mother she being Heir-general to William Mauduit who last enjoyed that Honor considering the custom of those elder times as Mr. Selden in his Titles of Honor hath observed I shall not stand here to argue but whether he ought to have so done before his Mothers decease had it not been by the Kings special favor I make a question All therefore that I shall say thereto is to shew some probable reason why that title was attributed to him during her time which is from what I finde delivered by Leland out of an old Chronicle of the Gests of England written in French but with some Mistake The words are these The old Lord Beauchamp of Helmeley sent three or four of his Sons to the Battle of Evesham to help King Henry the third and Prince Edward against Simon Montford and the Barons whereupon the eldest had Bellomonts Heir
his Ladies sake slew the Duke in justing Whereupon the Empress took his Livery viz. the Bear from one of his Knights shoulders and for great favor to him set it on her own shoulder But he having notice thereof made one of Pearl and Precious Stones which being presented to her she received with great respect Here also it was That the Emperor Sigismund gave him his Sword to bear and offered him the Heart of S. George the Englishmens tutelary Saint to bring over into this Realm but hearing the Emperor say That he would come in person into England he restored it to him again saying That the delivery thereof with his own hand would be much more acceptable Nor was it long after ere the Emperor did come over accordingly and being then installed Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter offered the holy Heart at Windsor which was there kept in great esteem Upon whose passage hither and return he was sumptuously entertained at Calais by this Earl then Captain there whose comportment was such that the Emperor told King Henry That no Christian Prince had such another Knight for wisdom nurture and manhood adding That if all courtesie were loâ—t yet might it be found again in him Insomuch as ever after by the same Emperors Authority he was called The Father of Courtesie In his return from Calais at that time he took at Sea two great Carricks In 4 Hen. 5. his Commission for Captain of Calais and Governor of the Marches of â—icardy was again renewed In the same year he was one of the cheif Commanders at the Siege of Caen in Normandy the King himself being there with a great Army In 5 Hen. 5. being still in France he was constituted one of the Kings Commissioners to Treat with William Lord of Mounteney Captain of the Castle of 〈◊〉 in Normandy touching the render thereof And was likewise soon after impowred to take the Castle of Tury in Normandy into his charge upon the render thereof and to receive to favor all such persons of the Countrey adjacent who would submit to the Authority of King Henry So likewise all those in the Castle of Belesm and parts thereabouts In the same year he attended Thomas Duke of Clarencâ— General of the Kings Army into France where he farther manifested his valor in divers places For having taken Dampfront he first entred Caen and set the Kings Arms on the Walls with the Dukes crying A Clarence a Clarence Then he laid siege to Candebeke on the River of Seâ—â—e blocked up the City of Roan both by Land and Water and afterwards won Mount S. Michael with divers other strong Towns as a reward for which signal services the King created him Earl of Sumarie At the Siege of Roan his Tent stood betwixt the Kings Pavilion and S. Katherines and S. Katherines being won he was appointed to keep Port Martevâ—â— In 6 Hen. 5. he was sent to besiege the Castle of Nully le Uesque And in 7 Hen. 5. he was again sent into France attended with a thousand Men at Arms to treat concerning a Marriage with the Lady Katherine Daughter to the King of France and King Henry But to obstruct his passage the Dolphin sent the Earls of Uandome and Lymosin who with Five thousand Men at Arms gave him Battle wherein they themselves were both â—lain one of them by Earl Richards own hands and two thousand of their Men slain and taken In which Ambassie he sped so well that all things were concluded for the Kings Marriage of that Lady whom he wedded 3 Iunii in the Eighth of his Reign and that he should enjoy the Realm of France entirely after the death of the then King Whereupon Siege being laid to those places that rebelliously opposed this Agreement of which the strong Castle of 〈◊〉 was one This noble Earl gained it with great honor after fourteen weeks and four days opposition The next ensuing year viz. The last of that victorious Henries Reign he was sent with Iohn Duke of Bedford the Kings Brother and other noble persons to raise the Siege which the Daulphin had laid to a City of the Duke of Burgundies of whose approach the Duke hearing left it But shortly after King Henry departed this life having appointed by his Will that this Earl should have the tutelage of young Henry his Son then an Infant till the sixteenth year of his age whereof the Parliament approving he accordingly had it In the first year of whose Reign he was by Indenture bearing date 10 Iulii retained to serve as Captain of â—alaâ—s from the fourth of February preceding for the space of two years having for the custody thereof Two hundred and sixty Men himself accounted who with his Lieutenant and the Marshal of the Town were only to be horsed and all the rest to serve on foot Likewise to have Two hundred Archers besides ten Men at Arms and ten Archers belonging to the Treasurer of Calais to be at his command in all things tending to the safeguard of that place For which service he was to receive six shillings eight pence per diem for himself two shillings for his Lieutenant twelve pence for his Marshal for every of his Foot-Soldiers eight pence and for his Archers sixpence After which Philip Duke of Burgundy besieging Calais he was by the valor of this Earl assisted by Humphrey Duke of Glocester and Humphrey Earl of Stafford forced to flee Nay so conspicuous was his fidelity wisdom and circumspection as the words of the Patent do import for which respect the custody of the Kings Royal Person was by the advice of the Dukes of Bedford and Glocester his Uncles and all the Lords of the Council committed to him as well for the security thereof as for his education in learning and vertue that upon the death of the Duke of Bedford then Regent of France he was discharged of that burthen and care so relating to the Kings person and instead thereof constituted Lieutenant General of the whole Realm of France and Dutchy of Normandy Whereupon with his Lady and Son taking shipping for passage over and discerning great danger by a hideous Tempest he caused himself with both of them to be bound to the main Mast of the Ship to the intent that if they had perished and were after found yet by his Coat of Arms discovering who he was they might have been buried together the state and luster of whose equipage in that journey may in some sort be discerned by his Painters Bill which I have here from the original transcribed having with him a peculiar Officer at Arms called Warwick Herald who had a Grant from him of an Annuity of ten marks sterling per annum These be the parcels that William Seyburgh
Porter of the Castle to betray it into his hands one Robert Veel the Viscount's Engineer being likewise an active person in that design giving Bond to Maurice King in the summe of an hundred pounds that so soon as the work should be accomplished he should be made keeper of Wotton Park with the Fee of five Marks per annum during his life But this Plot being discovered by Maurict King so much perplexed the Viscount L'isle that he forthwith sent this Lord Berkley a Challenge requiring him of Knighthood and Manhood to appoint a day and to meet him half way to try their quarrel and title to eschew the shedding of Christian Blood or to bring the same day the utmost of his power This Letter of Challenge under the hand of that Viscount was sent 19 Martii 10 Ed. 4. he being then not fully twenty two years of age having sued out his Livery upon the fourteenth of Iuly before and his Wife then with Child of her first-born Unto which the Lord Berkley returned this answer in Writing viz. that he would not bring the tenth man he could make and bid him to meet on the morrow at Nybley-Green by eight or nine of the Clock which standeth saith he on the Borders of the Livelode that thou keepest untruly from me Whereupon they accordingly met and the Viscount L'isle's Vizor being up he was slain by an Arrow shot through his head After which the very same day the Lord Berkley advanced to Wotton and rifling the House took thence many Writings and Evidences of the said Viscounts own Lands with a sute of Arras Hangings wherein his Armes and the Armes of the Lady Ioane his Mother Daughter and Coheir to Thomas Chedder were wrought and brought them to Berkley Castle To this Skirmish came divers from Bristoll Thornbury the Forest of Deane and other places to the number of about a thousand which exceeded what the Viscount brought But the business did not so end for the Widdow of the Viscount L'isle brought her appeal against this William Lord Berkley and against Maurice and Thomas his two Brethren for thus killing her Husband with an Arrow through his Head and a Dagger in his left Side as she alleadged Whereupon in the Parliament of 12 Ed. 4. upon Petitions on all parts it was enacted that for the appeasing of these variances c. thus moved and of long time continued the said Lord Berkley should quietly enjoy the Mannor and Borrough of Wotton under Edge with the Mannors of Simondshall and Arlingham paying to the said Margaret the Viscountess an hundred pounds yearly at St. Peters Church in Gloucester at four usual Feasts in the year After which she the said Viscountess married Henry Bodrugan of Bodrugan in Cornwall Nor did this yet determine the Controversie for Sir Edward Grey Knight second Son to Elizabeth Lady Ferrers Daughter to the Lady Isabel this Lord William's Mother who by marriage with Elizabeth eldest Sister and Coheir of the said Thomas Talbot Viscount L'isle was in her right created Baron L'isle 14 Martii 15 Edw. 4. and afterwards Viscount L'isle by King Richard the third Margaret her other Sister and Coheir being dead without issue began new sutes for those Lands which at length through the mediation of Thomas Marquess Dorset elder Brothers Son to the said Lord Grey as also friend and kinsman to this Lord William were determined by agreement 25 Feb. 21 Edw 4. in manner following viz. that the Lands so claimed should remain to this Lord William then Viscount Berkley and to the Heirs male of his Body with remainder to the said Lord L'isle and Elizabeth his Wife and to the Heirs of her the said Elizabeth for ever And that the said Viscount Berkley should grant an Annuity of twenty pounds per annum to them and to the Heirs of the said Elizabeth issuing out of those Lands but to cease upon the death of Margaret Vicountess L'isle and then to be an hundred pounds per annum But from this Agreement they afterwards fell off And in 1 Hen. 7. he had a Grant of the Office of Marshall of England to himself and the Heirs male of his Body in as ample manner as Iohn Duke of Norfolk held it This Lord William at length Marquess Berkley as hath been already shewed gave certain Lands to the Nunns of Walling-Wells in Com. Nott. in respect whereof they granted to accept of him and his Heirs for ever as one of their Founders He was also a benefactor to the Monks of Worcester for which cause they made him partaker of all their Prayers and Almes To the Friers Austines in London he gave an hundred pounds in money in consideration whereof they were to say two Masses presently and for ever at the Altar of our Lady and St. Iames where the Body of Iane Countess of Notingham his former Wife lay buried between those Altars He had three Wives first Elizabeth Daughter of Reginald West Lord La Warre from whom he was divorsed by Iohn Carpenter Bishop of Worcester before he had any issue by her Secondly Iane Widdow of Sir William Willoughby Knight Daughter of Sir Thomas Strangways Knight by whom he had issue Thomas and Katherine who both died young and were buried in the Chappel of Berkley-Church with their Grandfather the Lord Iames. Which Iane e died on St. Matthias day 1 R. 3. and was buried in the Friers-Austines in London betwixt the Altars of our Lady and St. Iames. Thirdly Anne Daughter of Iohn Fienes Lord Dacres of the South who surviving him after married to Sir Thomas Brandon Knight and died 10 Sept. 13 Hen. 7. without any issue But long before her death doubting that he should have no Children and taking occasion to except against his Brother Maurice for not marrying with a person of honorable parentage by an Indenture bearing date 10 Dec. 3 Hen. 7. he covenanted to assure the Castle and mannor of Berkley together with the Mannors of Hamme Appuâ—rugge Hurst Slymbridge and Cowley for want of issue of his own Body unto King Henry the seventh and the Heirs male of his Body and for default of such issue to his own right Heirs Likewise the Mannors of Came Alkington Hinton and Portbury to the use of himself and Anne his then Wife and the Heirs of his Body and for want of such to the King ut supra in lieu whereof the King gave him leave to convey twenty five of his other Lordships to whom he pleased By this assurance he setled for want of issue of his own Body upon that King and the Heirs Male of his Body his Castle of Berkley twelve Mannors and three Advousons all in the County of Gloucester two Mannors in the County of Somerset four in the County of Warwick eight in the County of Leicester six
Templars his Mannor of Bradwell with the Church as also forty Acres of Land in that Town with certain Meadows at Cotismore and a Mill at Filknich And to him succeeded Gerard his Son and Heir who for the health of his Soul and the Souls of Amice his Wife Daughter of Hanelade de Bidun and Iohn his Son gave to those Monks of Hartford half a Yard-land in Piriton as also a Croft called Grascroft in Ichentone and two Yard-land in Hicleford To which Iohn Hugh his Son and Heir who died issuless succeeding this Barony of Limesi came to be divided betwixt Hugh de Odingsells Grandson to that Hugh de Odingsells a Fleming who married Basilia and David de Emdsey a Scot Son of David Husband of Alianore Daughters to the before-mentioned Gerard. Braose THat William de Braose who first setled here in England was by Extraction a French man is evident from that Charter which he made to the Monks of St. Florence at Salmure now vulgarly called Somars in France of the Church of St. Gervase and Prochase at Braose with the Tithes and Toll of his Mills there as also of Timber for their Buildings Fuel for their Fire Paunage for their Swine in his Woods Fishing throughout all his Waters and one Carucate of Land with certain Meadows in that Lordship Likewise of the Church of Cortelles with one Carucate of Land and a Mill there and at Sâ—ocete of whatsoever was of his own Demesne Moreover of what he had in Demesne out of the Church at Seurei By which Charter he also added of his Possessions in England the Churches of St. Peter at Sâ—lâ— of St Nicholas at Brembre of St. Nicholas at Shoreham and St. Peter at Uipount all in Sussex with the Tithes and Rents thereunto belonging Likewise the Church of Scapelei and one Plow-land with the Oxen and Catell belonging thereto as also free Pasturage in his Plains and Customs in his Forests and Waters as well in England as Normandy Which Charter bears date in the Church of St. George at Bauquervill the third day preceding the Purification of our Lady in the tenth year of William the Conquerors Reign Whereupon the Monks at Salmure sent over part of their Covent to Sele and made it a Cell to that their Monastery That his Lands in England were of no small extent is evident from the General Survey where it appears that he then had the Lordships of Sudcote in Berkshire Essage in Wiltshire Tadorne and Bocheham in Surrey half a Hide of Land in Neteham-Hundred in Hantshire in Dorsetshire twelve Lordships and in Sussex no less then forty one which for brevities sake I omit to name To this William succeeded Philip de Braose his only Son who in 9 Will. Rufi was one of those that adhered to the King against Robert Curthose Duke of Normandy and in 4 Hen. 1. came to an agreement with the Abbot of Fescamp at Salisbury in the presence of the King and Queen concerning some claim made by the said Abbot to certain Lands in Staynings in Sussex which was a Cell to Fescamp but being afterwards rebellious to King Henry he was disherited of his Lands in 10 Hen. 1. As to his works of Piety I find that he gave to the Abby of Lewes in Sussex four of his Salt-works in Brembre To the Monks of Salmure the Prebend of Geffrey de Brembre and upon his going to Hierusalem confirmed the Grants made by William his Father to the Abby of St. Florence at Salmure This Philip by Berta his Wife Daughter of Milo Earl Hereford and one of the three Sisters and Coheirs to William Earl of Hereford of whose Inheritance he had all the Lands of Brecknock Ower-Went and Gowher left issue two Sons viz. William and Philip. Which William succeeded in all that great Estate of his Father and Mother That which I first find memorable of him is that in 3 Hen. 2. he gave to the King a thousand marks of Silver for his part of the Honor of Barstaple in Devonshire the right he had thereto being as I conceive from Iobel de Toteneis whom he calls his Grandfather but I rather think he means his Great-Grandfather id est Father to the Wife of William de Braose his Grandfather it being evident from what hath been said that his Mother's Father was Milo Earl of Hereford For after the death of William the Conqueror King William Rufus expelled this Iohel de Toteneis though for what Offence I find not and gave his Lands unto Roger de Novant In 10 Hen. 2. this William de Braose was one of the Witnesses to that Recognition then made by the King touching the peoples Liberties And in 19 20 and 21 Hen. 2. underwent the Sheriflalty of Herefordshire In 24 H. 2. the King being then at Marleburg gave unto him the whole Kingdom of Limeric in Ireland for the service of sixty Knights Fees to be held of the same King and of Iohn his younger Son It is reported of this William that harboring some evil purposes towards the Welch under colour of friendship he did about this time invite Sitsylt ap Dysnwald and Geffrey his Son with a great number of the most Worshipful men of Gwent-land to a Feast at the Castle of Bergavenny which Castle he had received of them by composition and that they doubting no harm being come thither he brought in a Company of Armed men upon them and murthered them all and having so done went forthwith to Sitsylt's House not far from thence slew Cadwaladar his Son before his Mothers face and destroyed the House Moreover it is farther said of him that detaining certain Lands which had been given to the Chappel of St. Nicholas at Aberhooni it so happened that the Priest serving there whose name was Hugh saw in a Vision a Reverend Person assisting him and heard him speak these words Go tell thy Lord William de Braose who presumeth to hold these Possessions which were antiently given to this Chappel in pure Almes this saying Hoc aufert â—â—iscus quod non accipit Christus dabis impio militi quod non vis dare Sacerdoti and that thereupon the Priest went to the Archdeacon of Landu and relating what he had seen and heard the Archdeacon told him they were the words of St. Augustine and shewed him where adding that the detinue of Tithes should be improsperous In 33 Hen. 2. as one of the Barons of Devonshire upon levying the Scutage of Galweie he paid twenty eight pounds in regard he was not then with the King in his Army there And in 1 Ric. 1. was put to a new composition with that King for his part of the Honor of Berstaple giving four hundred seventy seven pounds six shillings and eight pence
he came to his Estate with Walter Bishop of Durham Henry Earl of Northumberland and others in that Treaty for Peace betwixt the King and his Adversaries the Scots In 4. Hen. 4. he was one of those who on the behalf of the Lord Grey of Ruthyn undertook for the raising of ten thousand Marks for his ransom the same Lord Grey being then a prisoner in Wales In the same year upon the 29 th of September he was constituted Lord Treasurer of England in which office he continued until 15 April 7 Hen. 4. And in 6 Hen. 4. in consideration of his good and acceptable service to the King obtained a Grant of an hundred Marks per Annum to be paid during his life out of the Exchequer In 13. Hen. 4. being one of the King's Council and in such esteem that his residence near the Court was thought necessary he had the Town of Chyngilford in Essex assigned unto him for lodging of his Servants and Horses In this year it was that he exhibited his complaint in Parliament against Robert Tirwhit one of the Justices of the King's Bench for withholding from him and his Tenants of his Mannor of Melton-Roos in Com. Linc. certain Common of Pasture and Turbary in â—rawdy in the same County and with laying wait for him with five hundred men Whereupon Sir Robert Tirwhit confessing his fault in the presence of the King and craving pardon for the same offered to stand to the order of two Lords of the kindred of this William Lord Ross and such as he should chuse Whereunto the King assenting he made choice of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Richard Lord Grey then Lord Chamberlain of the King's houshold who having heard the proofs of what was alledged did ordain and award touching the same Common of Pasture and Turbary that both parties should stand to the Ordinance and Arbitrement of Sir William Gascoine Knight then chief Justice of the King's Bench who at the costs of both parties should come to the same place of Common at such reasonable time as it might like this William Lord Ross to assign And that at the same time the said Robert Tirwhit should bring two Tuns of Gascoigne Wine to Melton-Roos and afterwards upon some other day to be assigned by this William Lord Ross should also bring to the same place two fat Oxen and twelve fat Sheep to be spent on a Dinner amongst them who should then come thither And moreover that he the said Robert Tirwhit should then cause to come thither all the Knights Esquires and Yeomen of his party and in the presence of this Lord Ross and all other that there should be to rehearse all the words which he had spoken to the King in the same Parliament and specially that he should say to this William Lord Ross. My Lord Roos I know well that you being of such Birth Estate and Might that if you had liked you might have comen to the foresaid Law-day in such a way that I had been of no might to have made any party but that it like you to come in such a case having consideration to your degree and of all that by sinister information I having doubt of harm of my body in mine intent for Salvation of my self did assemble those persons that here be and others moe not for to do any harm ne offence to you my Lord the Roos and that I will here excuse me as ye will devise that forasmuch as I am a Iustice that more than a common man should have had me more discreetly and peacefully I know well that I have failed and offended you my Lord the Roos whereof I beseech you of grace and mercy and offer you five hundred Marks to be paid at your will And they farther ordained that this being done this Lord Ross should say At reverence of the King who hath shewed himself to be a good and righteous Lord I will take nothing of the said Robert but the foresaid nine Oxen and Sheep for the dinner of them that have been here present And furthermore that this William Lord Ross in the presence of all persons then there being should openly forgive him the said Robert and all other that in the array abovesaid were assembled their offences and trespasses except only four persons viz. Sir Richard Haunsard Knight William Keble Roger Warneston and Roger Keble Son of the same William Which four persons they ordained that the said Robert Tirwhit should bring at the appointment of the Lord Ross to his Castle of Belvoir there to acknowledge their offences and submit themselves to the same Lord Ross praying him of grace and mercy And this submission being thus made the Lord Ross to do so to them as that they should hold themselves well satisfied with his favour and grace This William Lord Ross was summoned to all the Parliaments from 18 Ric. 2. till 1 Hen. 5. inclusive And by his Testament dated 22 February An. 1412. 14 Hen. 4. bequeathed his Body to sepulture in the Cathedral Church of Canterbury near unto the Chapel ordained for the Chantry of Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury in case he should depart this life in London or thereabouts But if he should dye within the Diocess of Lincoln then his Body to be buried in the Priory of Belvoir and if in the Diocess of York then in the Priory of Kievaulx By which Testament he also bequeathed four hundred pounds for the finding of ten honest Chaplains to pray for his Soul and for the Souls of his Father Mother Brethren and Sisters as also for the Souls of all his Friends and Good-doers but specially for the Soul of his brother Thomas for the space of eight years within his Chapel in Belvoir-Castle to the end that one of them should every day celebrate a Mass with Note and for that time to be accounted as Dean amongst them and all the other nine subject and obedient to him To the Lady Beatrice his Mother he gave a gilt Cup with a cover and a white knop on it and dying at Belvoir the first of September Anno 1414. 2 Hen 5. was buried in the midst of the Quire of that Priory leaving Issue by Margaret his Wife daughter of Sir Iohn Arundell Knight five Sons viz. Iohn William Thomas Robert and Richard and three Daughters viz. Alice Margaret and Elizabeth Which Margaret surviving him had her Dowry assigned in February next following and dyed not till 3 Iulii 17 Hen. 6. This Iohn Lord Ross Son and Heir to the last mentioned William in 4 Hen. 5. was retained to serve the King in that Expedition which he was then to make in person into the Realm of France with ten men at Arms himself accounted for one the rest Esquires as also with thirty Arches and to take Shipping at Southampton on the first day of May being then scarce eighteen years of age as
Livery of his Lands Margerie his Mother surviving who had for her Dowrie an Assignation of the Mannors of Driffeld and Faxfleâ—e with their respective Members and two parts of the Mannor of Ecclesaâ—e in Com. Ebor. Also of the Mannors of Paulyns Crâ—ye in Com. Cantii Fisâ—yde in Com. Essex the Advowson of the Church of Boudon in Com. Leic. the third part of the Mannor of North Muskham in Com. Nott. the third part of the Mannor of Carleton in Kesteven and Mannor of Bernoldby in Com. Linc. Likewise of ten Marks yearly Rent payable out of divers Lands in North Dalton and Twenty Pounds yearly Rent out of the Fee-farm of Kingston super Hull But I return to Henry This Henry in 22 R. 2. being then a Knight married Philippa Daughter to Guy Son of Sir Guy de Brien Knight and one of the Cousins and Heirs to the same Sir Guy and in 6 H. 4. obtain'd a Grant from the King of the Mannors of Threske and Haâ—yngham in Com. Ebor. part of the Possessions of Thomas Moubray Earlâ—Marshal and Notingh attainted to hold for term of his Life all this being in his Father's Life-time In 7 H. 4. he was employed in that Embâ—ssie to Isabell Queen of Denmarke and Eric King of Denmarke to treat concerning the Dowrie of Philippa the Daughter of King Henry then married to that King of Denmarke and for a League betwixt both Crowns In 8 H. 4. he buried the before-specified Philippa his Wife Daughter of Sir Guy Brien she departing this Life 19 Nov. Anno 1406. 8 H. 4. being then seised in her Demesn as of Fee in the Mannors of Somerton Erle Kingesdon Dunhed Stoke Shokerwyk and Batheneston in Com. Somerset and of the Mannors of Cheltesfeild Est-Hall Asche and Faukeham in Kent leaving Elizabeth the Wife of Robert Lovel her Sister and Heir xxiv years of age In 11 H. 4. this Henry Lord Scroope was made Treasurer of the King's Exchequer and the next ensuing year married to his second Wife the Lady Ioane Dutchess of Yoâ—ke one of the Sisters and Heirs of Edmund Holand Earl of Kent whereupon he had an Assignation of her Purparty of the Lands of her Inheritance In which year also the King considering his great Abilities as also the necessity of his Presence in Parliament and Councils assign'd unto him for the time of his stay at Westminster or London the Towns of Hamstede and Hendon in Com. Midd. for Lodging and Entertainment of his Servants and Horses Nor had he less esteem from King Henry the Fifth as it seems for in the first year of his Reign he constituted him one of his Embassadors to treat of Peace with the French But this great Trust he shamefully abused for being a Person in whom the King had so great a confidence that nothing of Private or Publick Concernment was done without him his gravity of Countenance modesty in his Deportment and Religious Discourse being always such that whatsoever he advised was held as an Oracle upon this his Solemn Embassy into France which none was thought so fit to manage as himself he treated privily with the King's Enemies being in his Heart totally theirs and conspired the King's Destruction upon promise of Reward from the French His Confederates in this Design being Richard Earl of Cambridge Brother to the Duke of Yorke and Sir Thomas Grey a Northern Knight But before this mischievous Plot could be effected which was to have kill'd the King and all his Brethren ere he went to Sea five Ships being ready at 〈◊〉 to waft the King over into France it was discovered Whereupon he had a speedy Trial for it at Suthampton and being found guilty there lost his Head His Arraignment and Conviction was 5 Aug. 3 H. 5. before Thomas Duke of Clarence and other his Peers and the Lordships whereof he died seised these viz. Masham with its Members Coverham Buâ—ton Constable Clifton Aynderby with the Stepyll Hunâ—on Garston and Bellerby Silton Upsale and Driffelâ— all in Com. Ebor. leaving no Issue Whereupon those of Masham Clifton Watlâ—wes Thirne Nostrefeld Burton Constable Huntone Garstâ—ne Bellerby Coverham Aynderby with the Stepyll Berningeham and Newesome were by the King bestow'd on Henry Lord Fitz-Hugh to hold for his Life This last-mention'd Henry had Summons to Parliament from 8 H. 4. to 2 H. 5. To whom succeeded Sir Iohn Scroope Knight his Brother and next Heir Which Iohn upon the death of Stephen his Brother Archdeacon of Richmund in 2 H. 6. doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands And immediately thereupon by the Assent of the Lords in Parliament obtain'd a Grant from the King of the whole Farms and Rents of all those Lordships which came to the Crown by the Attainder of Henry Lord Scroope his Brother to hold for four years This Sir Iohn Scroope wrote himself of Massham and Upsale where he had two eminent Seats and in 4 H. 6. was first Summon'd to Parliament In 6 H. 6. having obtain'd Licence from the King he travelled beyond-Sea And in 9 H. 6. was one of the Embassadors sent to treat with others from Scotland touching Satisfaction for such Injuries as had been committed by the Subjects of either Realm against each other contrary to the Tenor of the Truce formerly made betwixt both Kings Whereupon he grew into such esteem with the King as that the next ensuing year 26 Febr. he was advanc'd to that Great Office of Treasurer of the King's Exchequer After which I have not seen any more of him till 29 H. 6. that by his Testament bearing date 1 Iulii he bequeath'd his Body to be buried in a new Tomb made for himself and the Lady Elizabeth his Wife in the Chappel of St. Stephen commonly call'd Scropes-Chappel within the Cathedral Church of St. Peter at Yorke appointing That at his Funeral his Corps should be carried by his Sons and Servants being then at his House to the same Chappel twenty four Poor Men cloathed in White Gowns and Hoods each of them having a new Set of Wooden Beads proceeding before it and that those Poor Men should stand sit or kneel in the Isle before the entrance to that Chappel saying their Prayers as well at the Dirige as at the Mass each of them for his pains having Sixpence He also willed That his Corps thus brought into that Chappel should be laid upon that Tomb and covered with a Black Woollen Cloth with a large Cross of White Linen upon it as also That two fair Candlesticks of Silver gilt with his Arms upon them which he lately had given to the High-Altar should be placed upon his Tomb each of them having a Taper of four Pounds weight in Wax burning for the whole time of his Exequies To the Altar in St. Maries Abby at Yorke he
Com. Ebor. Likewise of the moytie of the Mannors of Somerton Feryngeford and Herdwyke in Com. Oxon. part of the Barony of Arsyk by the Service of keeping Dovor-Castle leaving Iohn his Son and Heir then xxiv years of age who soon after doing his Homage had Livery of his Inheritance and in 25 E. 1. had Summons to the Parliament then held at Westminster In 27 E. 1. this Iohn was in the Wars of Scotland but in 5 E. 2. died Whereupon Margaret his Widow one of the Daughters and Coheirs to William de Odingsells of Maxstoke in Com. Warr. had assign'd for her Dowrie the Mannors of Cogges in Com. Oxon. and the fourth part of the Mannor of Duston in Com. Northampt. To whom succeeded Iohn his Son and Heir who in 15 E. 2. making proof of his Age had Livery of his Lands and in 1 E. 3. was in the Wars of Scotland In 4 E. 3. this Iohn obtain'd a Charter for Free-warren in his Lordships of Shobinton East-Claydon and Botil-Cleydon in Com. Buck. Cogges Herdwyke Stanlake Feryngâ—ord and Somerton in Com. Oxon. Wynterburne in Com. Berks Duston in Com. Northampt. Upton Stillingflete Moreby Drynhous Sculcotes and Ketelwell in Com. Ebor. In 6 E. 3. upon some difference betwixt him and William le Zouche a great Baron of that time which was heard before the King and Council there falling high Words betwixt them he drew his Knife at the Lord Zouche in the King's Presence whereupon both of them were committed to Prison and being brought forth to their Answers the Lord Zouch was released and he remanded to Custody all his Lands being seised on to the King's use for this great Misdemeanour but afterwards upon his submission was restored to Favour And in 9 E. 3. went into Scotland upon the King's Service being of the Retinue with Henry Earl of Lancaster In 15 E. 3. he was in that Expedition then made into Flanders And the next ensuing year receiv'd Command to be at Portsmouth upon the first of March with twenty Men at Arms and twenty Archers to attend the King in a Voyage-Royal into France In 18 E. 3. he was again in the Wars of France So also in 19 E. 3. In 20 E. 3. being in Flanders in the King's Service he obtain'd Licence to fortifie his Houses of Rotherfeild Grey in Com. Oxon. and Sculcotes in Com. Ebor. with Embattelled Walls of Lime and Stone In 21 E. 3. there being a Tournament held at Eltham in Kent amongst other Accoutrements prepared for that Military Exercise this Iohn had a Hood of White Cloth given him by the King embroidered with Dancing-men in Blue Habits buttoned before with large Pearls And in the same year was again in the Wars of France being then of the Retinue to William de Clinton Earl of Huntendon In 26 E. 3. he was one of the Commissioners in the Counties of Oxon. and Berks. for arraying and arming all Men of ability within those Shires and leading them against the King's Enemies an Invasion being then threatned from the French In 27 E. 3. he was Steward of the King's Houshold and in 28 E. 3. had a Charter for Free-warren granted to him within all his Demesn-Lands of his Lordships of Cornewell and Kengham In 29 E. 3. he was again in the Wars of France and had Summons to Parliament from 1 E. 3. until that 29 year inclusive This Iohn had two Wives the first Katherine Daughter and Coheir to Brian Fitz-Alan of Bedall in Com. Ebor. Secondly Avice Daughter and Coheir to Iohn Lord Marmion and died 1 Oct. 33 E. 3. being then seised of the Mannors of Quenton in Com. Glouc. Rotherfeld with the Advowson of the Church Cogges Herdewyke the moytie of the Mannor of Feryngford with the Advowson of the Church as also of the moytie of the Mannor of Somerton with the Advowson of the Church all in Com. Oxon. of the Mannors of Wyntringham in Com. Linc. Duston in Com. Northampt. Claydon and Shobinton in Com. Buck. Upton Stillingflete Dringbouse Linton in Cravene and the moytie of the Mannors of Ketelwell Bedale Ascham and Baynton in Com. Ebor. And in the Right of Avice his Wife of the Mannor of Berewyke in Sussex He was also seised of the Mannor of Weâ—ord in Com. Staff and joyntly with the same Avice his Wife and Iohn Marmion his Son by her of the Mannors of Scoulcotes Westanfeld Estanfelde Carethorpe Manfelde and Bourgh juxta Katerigg in Com. Ebor. leaving Issue Iohn his Son and Heir by his first Wife then forty years of age and a Daughter called Mâ—nde first married to Iohn the Son of Iohn de Botetourt of Weoley in Com. Wigorn. Knight and afterwards to Thomas de Harecourt Which Avice had assign'd for her Dowrie the Mannors of Cogges and Herdewyke and the moytie of the Mannor of Feryngeford in Com. Oxon. the Mannor of Weford in Com. Staff the Mannor of Dringhouse and the moytie of the Mannor of Ketelwell in Com. Ebor. Shortly after which Iohn his Son and Heir doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands By his second Wife Avice he had Issue two Sons viz. Iohn before-mentioned and Robert who both of them assumed their Mothers Sir-name of Marmion Of these Iohn died without Issue and Robert had onely one Daughter called Elizabeth by Lora his Wife one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Herbert de S. Quintin who became the Wife of Sir Henry Fitz-Hugh Knight But I return to Iohn Son and Heir to the before-mentioned Iohn by his first Wife This Iohn in 35 E. 3. upon the Marriage of Iohn his Son and Heir unto Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir Michael de Poynings then setled upon him and his Heirs to be begotten on the said Elizabeth his Mannors of Sbobynton in Com. Buck. and Somerton in Com. Oxon. and likewise a Rent of Sixty Pounds per annum out of this Lordship of Rotherfeld Which Iohn the Son was in that Expedition made into France in 40 E. 3. He had also a younger Son call'd Robert for whom he purchas'd the Mannor of Wynelescote and setled it upon him and the Heirs-male of his Body Who dying without Issue-male in 41 E. 3. that Mannor devolved to Iohn his elder Brother All that I have farther observ'd of him is That he had Summons to Parliament from 31 E. 3. until 47 of that King's Reign inclusive And That upon the fourth of June 49 E. 3. he died being seised of the Mannor of Duston in Com. Northampt. of the Mannor of Stanlake with the moytie of the Mannors of Rotherfeld and Arâ—â—k in Com. Oxon. of the Mannors of East-Claydon and Shobindon in Com. Buck. Bedale Uptone Stillinflete and
Com. Cornub. Lydfoard in Com. Devon Cosham in Com. Wiltes Newport in Com. Essex UUallingford UUatiyngton and Bensington in Com. Berks. Knaresburgh Routhclyff and Aldburgh in Com. Ebor. As also was made Governor of Nottingham-Castle And likewise of the Castles of Carlisle and Scarborough But this his return and these new Favours rais'd the Peoples discontents in general to such a pitch that the Nobles making advantage thereof resolv'd to take him by force from the King and to that end made choice of Thomas Earl of Lancaster for their General in that adventure Whereupon that Earl backt by such Power sent certain Messengers to the King then at York requiring the delivery of this Piers unto them or else to banish him the Realm Whereunto not yielding and going forthwith from thence to Newcastle upon â—ine they followed him Whereof the King having advertisement he hasted to Tinemouth and so by Shipping to to Scardeburgh the strongest Castle on the Yorkshire Coast being founded on a Rock and for the most part environ'd with the Sea-water commanding the Soldiers there to Victual it presently and protect him whilst he himself went into the parts of UUarwickshire The Lords therefore being inform'd of all this seised upon those his Horses and other Goods which he had left at Newcastle causing them to be apprized and put into safe custody and made all speed after him to Scardeburgh that they could And being come thither began to lay siege thereto But finding no opposition by the Country the Earl of Lancaster draw off the greatest part of his Forces to the end they might not be too burthensome to the parts near adjacent and left the Earles of Pembroke and UUarren to take it by assault Who in a short time so wearied out those Guards which were within it by their frequent Allarms that Piers seeing no remedy yielded b himself promising c to stand to the Judgment of the Barons but with desire of liberty to speak with the King Whereunto the Earl of Pembroke inclining prevail'd with the other Lords that he should the Lord Perci also by a special Instrument in Writing signed in the King's Presence undertaking to preserve him securely against any harm for a certain time upon forfeiture of Life and Limb Lands and Tenements and all he had and so carried g him towards Wallingford But when he was on his way at h Dadington in Orfordshire about four Miles beyond Banbury having left the charge of him with his own servants himself and his Lady lodging in an adjacent Town the Earl of UUarwick in the night time came with divers Armed Men and took him thence to UUarwick Castle Where he kept him till the coming of the Earles of Lancaster Hereford and Arundel and then upon Consultation Whether they should carry him to the King or put him to death a sober person standing by told them That it would be a great folly having been at such a charge and trouble to eatch him to bazard the losing him again saying That it were much better that he should suffer death than that the Realm should be any whit disturb'd by a War Assenting therefore to this Advice they took him out of Prison and brought him to an ascent called Black-low about a Mile North-East from UUarwick and there by the hands of a Welsh-man beheaded him as a publick Traytor to the Kingdom that Prophecie being thereby fulfill'd viz. That he should feel the sharpness of the Teeth of the Black Dog of Arden for so he usually in scorn did call the Earl of UUarwick Being thus put to death the Fryers-Preachers carried his Body to Oxford where being kept for more than the space of two years and thence convey'd to Langele alias Kings Langele near St. Albans in Com. Hertf. it was with great Solemnity interred upon the second of Ianuary An. 1314. in the Church of the Friers-Preachers there newly Founded by that King to Pray for his Soul the king himself being present at his Funeral as also the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of London UUinchester UUorcester Bathe and UUelles Fourteen Abbots with a Multitude of the Religious and Friers-Mendicants Likewise the Earls of Norfolk and Pembroke and of Barons H. le Despenser Henry de Beanmont Bartholomew de Badlesmere Hugh le Despenser the Son Iohn de Handlo with about Fifty Knights Also of Officers the Lord Chancelor the Lord Treasurer the Treasurer of the Wardrobe Sir William Inge one of the Justices of the Common-pleas Sir I. Gisourz Major of London and I. Abel Eschaetor South of Trent But the King took his death so to heart that he desired he might be once revenged thereof This is all that I have to say of him other then that he left Margaret his Wife surviving who Married afterwards to Hugh de Audley junio And one only Daughter called Ioane which Ieane by special Covenants betwixt the King and Thomas de Multon Lord of Egremuâ—â— was to espouse Iohn the son and heir of the said Thomas so soon as they should attain to Marriagable years the Portion which the King agreed to give her being a Thousand Marks Sterling But her Father's purpose was to have Married her unto Thomas the son and heir of Iohn Lord Wake the King therefore by reasons that Wake Married himself otherwise without his License compell'd him to pay so much Money unto the before-specified Thomas de Multon in satisfaction of his Covenant so made as aforesaid Cromwell 1 Edw. 2. OF this Family there is notable mention in our publick Records before of any of them became Barons of this Realm In 17 Ioh. Raphe de Cromwell having adhered to the Rebellious Barons of that age gave a Fine of Sixty Marks and a Palfrey to make his peace And delivering up his eldest Daughter in Hostage had restitution of his Lands which had been seised for that transgression After which viz. in 3 Hen. 3. he was constituted a Justice-Itinerant in the Counties of Lincoln Nottingham and Derby To him succeeded another Raphe who Married Margaret one of the sisters and coheirs to Roger de Someri Baron of Dudley and in 2. E. 1. upon partition of the Lands and Knights Fees which were of their Inheritance had an assignation of her purpartie In 14 Edw. 1. this Raphe having been in that Expedition then made into Wales obtain'd Scutage of all his Tenants by Military service in the Counties of Warw. Leicester Buckingham Glocester Nottingham and Derby And in 22 E. 1. received command to attend the King at Portsmouth upon the first day of September well accoutred with Horse and Armes thence to Saile with him into Gascoigne After which viz. in 25 E. 1. he was
to the Government he forcibly took Robert Tresilian out of Sanctuary at Westminster whereunto he had fled to seure himself In 15 R. 2. he was again put in Commission with Iohn Duke of Lancaster and others to treat of Peace with the French But in that Parliament of 21 R. 2. he was one of those who being impeach'd of Treason by the King had Judgment pronounc'd against him Nevertheless obtained Pardon at that time being sent prisoner to the Isle of Iersey In this Parliament saith Thomas Walsingham continued at Salisbury the Lord Cobham a very old Man just and upright was condemn'd for no other reason but for being one of those who in 10 R. 2. was one whom the great Lords then powerful deputed to enquire into the miscarriages in Government and soon after together with the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Iohn Lovel and Iohn Devereux was sent to the King to require the delivery of Michael de la Pole Robert de Vere Duke of Ireland and others by whom he had been seduced to the hurt of the whole Realm He was a great Benefactor to the Fabrick of Rochester-Bridge and having been summon'd to Parliament from 1 R. 2. to 8 Hen. 4. inclusive departed this life 10 Ian. 9 Hen. 4. being then seised of the Mannors of Chussebury and Bynkâ—all in Com. Wiltes Also of the Mannors of Cobham Cowlyng Bekkeâ—e Pole Stone Bromhei and Hundred of Shamele in Com. Cantii leaving Ioane his Grand-daughter viz. daughter of Ioane his daughter by Sir Iohn de la â—ole Knight his next heir Thirty yeares of age â—ormerly Married to Sir Gerard Bâ—aybroke Knight but at that time Wife of Sir Nicholas Hawberk Knight which Iâ—ane afterwards Married to Sir Iohn Old-castle Knight This last mention'd Iohn had a younger brother called Thomas who by his Testament bearing date 13 Kal. Ian. 41 Ed. 3. bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Parish-Church of St. Mary Magâ—alen at Coâ—â—ham and gave to the Chantry-Priests there One hundred shillings To his brother Iohn Lord Cobham he gave an Horse and to his other brother Reginald then Rector of the Church of Coâ—lyng another Horse A word now of Sir Iohn Oldcastle who thus Married the Neice and Heir to the last Lord Cobham and by reason thereof assum'd the Title of Lord Cobham This Sir Iohn Oldcastle was Sheriff of Herefordshire in 8 Hen. 4. and had summons to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm in 11 12 14 of that King's Reign So likewise in 1 Hen. 4. and in the same 12 th year of King Hen. 4. was sent beyond Sea with the Earl of Arundel and a considerable Force to aide the Duke of Burgundy against the French But in 1 Hen. 5. being tainted in his Religion by those pretended Holy Zealots then called Lollâ—â—ds he became one of the chief of that Sect which at that time gave no little disturbance to the peace of the Church for which he was cited to appear before the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Whereupon betaking himself to his Castle at Couâ—â—ng he was shortly after apprehended and brought before that Archbishop and others in the Cathedral of Sâ— Paul and there by reason of his obstinacie in those dangerous Tenets received the Sentence of an Heretick Under the Cloak of this Sanctity it was that he and his party design'd to Murther the King upon Twelf-night then keeping his Christmass at Eltham and to destroy the Monasteries of Westminster and St. Alâ—ans as also the Cathedral of St. Paul in London with all the Houses of Friers in that City to which end about Fourscore of his party were found in Armes in the night time expecting no less than Twenty five thousand the next day to appear with them in St. Giles Fields Which pernicious purpose being seasonably prevented divers of them suffered death at that time But this Oldcastle escaping luk'd privily for a time in sundry places and endeavoured to raise new Commotions Wherein failing of that success he expected in An. 1417. 5 Hen. 5. the King being then in his Wars of France he incited the Scots to an Invasion of this Realm Which through the vigilancy of Iohn Duke of Bedford the King's brother and his Liâ—utenant here in his Absence was happily prevented And at length being taken in Wales within the Territory of the Lord Powys was brought to his Trial. Where having Judgment of Death pronounc'd against him viz. to be Drawn Hang'd and Burnt on the Gallows and accordingly brought to the place of Execution he desired Sir Thomas Erpingham that in case he saw him risen again the third day after that then he would be a means to procure favour for the rest of his Sect. ¶ I now come to Reginald de Cobham Son of Iohn de Cobham by Ioane his Wife daughter of 〈◊〉 de Nevill In 2 Edw. 3. this Reginald was sent by the King into Brabant upon business of great importâ—â—ce having Three hundred pounds assign'd unto him for his charges in that journey And in 3 Edw. 3. attended him in his Expedition then made into France In 11 Edw. 3. he was in the Battel of Cagant against the French And in recompence of his service and great expences in his last imployment beyond Sea had an Assignation of One hundred pounds out of the Fifteenth and Tenth at that time granted to the King in Parliament In the same year he was also at Uironfosse in France in the Rereward of the English Army then drawn up for Battel In 11 Edw. 3. being in that Expedition made into Flanders was sent back into England by King Edward upon a special occasion with direction to make a speedy return And meriting highly for his service in divers parts was in 13 E. 3. advanced to the dignity of a Banneret having for his better support thereof the Mills situate under the Castle at Oxford and the Meadow called Ring's-mede adjoyning for terme of life given to him Besides this he had the Mannor of â—ippenham in Com. Buck. granted to him also for life And in farther remuneration of those his servicesâ— obtain'd the sum of Fifty pounds being an Arrear of the Ferme of that Town them due In 14 Edw. 3. he procured a Charter for Free-warren in all the Demesn-lands within his Lordships of Orkesdenne Shorham Eyâ—esforde â—hedingstane Hevere Penherst Couden Leghte Edenbregge Aldinton Thornham Wethling Cherring Lenham Nevegate Halgesco Frendesbury and Stoke in Com. Cantii Grensted and Hertfeld in Sussex and Lingefeld in Com. Surr. In this year being again in the King's service in Flanders he was by reason of his great wisdom and fidelity sent to the Pope upon a special Embassie About this time also of whilst King Edward by the help of the
in those parts and in 9 H. 5. had the Kings Licence to travail Moreover in 1 H. 6. he was again reteined by Indenture to serve in the Wars of France with three Knights thirty six Men at Arms and two hundred and forty Archers at which time he was associated with Thomas de Poynings to conduct four hundred Men at Arms and twelve hundred Archers unto Iohn Duke of Bedford the Kings Unkle then Regent there And in 2 H. 6 accompanied him at the takeing of Yvrie as also in that great Battle of Uernoil where the English obtained a signal Victory The next ensuing year also discovery being then made that a Gascoign of the Garrison of Alanzon had compacted with the French to betray that place unto them he was sent with Sir Iohn Falstolfe for the prevention thereof whereupon when Charles de Villiers came early in the Morning with two hundred Horse and three hundred foot he slew and took the greatest part of them Soon after this likewise he was with the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk at the Siege of Monns in Champaigne which was then won with other Towns and Castles to the number of thirty six And in 7 H. 6. accompanied the great Cardinal Beaufort in his journey to Bohemia In 10 H. 6 he Besieged the Castle of St. Selerine then bearing the Title of Earl of Uandosme and Beaumont Lord Willoughby of Monblay and Beaumesguil as appears by a safe conduct to him made from Iohn Duke of Beford at that time Regent of France And in 11 H. 6. was sent by the same Duke to recover St. Ualeries which after a short Siege was rendred About that time also he gave Battle to the French in Burgundy where being Victorious he took Loviers in his passage thence And upon that Insurrection of the Normâ—ns marching with the Earl of Aruudel vanquisht them having thenthe command of six thousand Archers and thirteen hundred Horse In 12 H. 6. upon the death of Ioane Dutchess of Yorke Widdow of Sir Henry Bromflet Knight he being then in the Wars of France and doing his Homage had Livery of the Lands which she held in Dower from William Lord Willoughby his Father whose Wife she formerly had been and in 13 H. 6. besides of his own Retinue twenty Men at Arms and sixty Archers with which by Indenture he covenanted to serve the King he commanded all those which were reteined by Sir Bertine Entervesall Knight and joyned with the Lords Talbot and Seales in taking the Towns of St. Dennis and Pontois After the Duke of Bedfords death Edmund Duke of Somerset and Richard Duke of Yorke being made Generals of the English Forces in those parts the French recovering strength he was sent to Paris for the defence of that City which through the assistance from the Duke of Burgundy was Besieged Whereupon having no supply he was constrained to render it after it had been fifteen years in the possession of the English and thence marcht to Râ—an In 20 H. 6. he gave Battle to the French near Amiens and being victorious returned with great Booty to Roan In which year he was made Master of the Kings Hart-Hounds and sent by Richard Duke of Yorke then Regent of France into Anjou where he made great spoil This Robert Lord Willoughby took to Wife Maud the Cosin and Co-heir to Raphe Lord Cromwell and having been summoned to Parliament from 12 H. 4. to 29 H. 6. departed this life upon the Festival of St. Iames the Apostle 30 H. 6. being then seised of the Mannor of Plesley in Com. Derb. and of the Mannors of Hoggesthorpe Wylughby Eresby Ingoldmels Spillesby Hundelby Tofte juxta Boston Heptoft-Hall Stepyng magna and Hamby in Com. Linc. leaving Ioane the Wife of Sir Richard Welles Knight his Daughter and Heir twenty seven years of age Having thus finisht my discourse of this valiant and expert Souldier I shall take leave to add what an old Poet hath said of this Noble Family and especially of him O Holy St. George O very Champion O undefyled and most holy Knight O gemme of Chivalry O very Emeraud stone O Load-star of Loyalty O Diamond most qwyght O Saphir of sadness O Ruby of most right O very Carbuncle O thow Mantase of Ynde Graunt me thy helpe thy comfort for to find I meane to be mediator unto thy great Captain Which is the King of the celestial Paradyse So that I may my Heart and Will constrayne Of mine old Ancestors to follow the gyse And things of rirght ever to enterprise God for to serve the King ever in like case My time to spend in Fayth Peace Truth and Grace For with the Conquest prov'd by old Evidence Sir John de Willughby the valiant Chivalier Did here inhabite this is sooth sentence Whâ—se Arms was Azure an Hermite sable cleere His life in rest continued many a year Holy St. George grant me to do the same Encrease of Honor devoid of sin and shame Of his Descent and of his Worthiness The Armes of Israel his very habitude De nostre Dame saving the difference With Armes of Honor Veâ—enge the Pyakill By Grace Hardines Strength and Mirakyll A Bugle was sâ—ain by myne old ancestry Whose Head powdred Hermyn bears yet memory In later days one Willughby a true Knight Was in Barbary and made discomforture There of the King and took him through his might Whose name was Cane of whom he made rekevyn And with his ransome he did himself enewyn To build Barbican without Creplegate Through help of St. George he was so fortunate Of my old ancestors by helpe of Goddes might By reason of Marriage and lineal Descent A Sarasyn King discumfyt was in Fight Whose Head my Crest shall ever be present Holy St. George with faythfull true intent Exalt myne Honor devoyd all enmmytie To follow the old in Truth and Loyaltie In Agincourt with King Henry the fifte Ld. Robert de Willughby did Acts of grete Honour Six against one but with his Deeds swift He wan the Gre a Mayde was called therefore The Mayd of England in France for evermore Holy St. George bâ— meane that he may stye To syng the Sanctus with the Hierarchy Now holy St. George myne only avower In whom I trust for my protection O very Chevalier of the stourished Flower By whose Hands thy Sword and Shield hast wone Be mediator that she may to her Sone Cause me to heare Râ—x splendens songen on hye Before the Trinitye when that I shall dye A word now of Maud the last Wife of this Robâ—rt Lord Willughby who surviving him had thereupon the Kings Precept to the Sheriff of Lincolnshire for assignation of her Dowrie This Maud afterwards became the Wife of Sir Thomas Nevill Knight a younger Son to Richard Earl of
find that he was Sheriff of the Counties of Buckingham and Bedford in Edw. 3 and held the Mannors of Whichnovre Sirescote Ridware Netherton and Coulee all in Com. Staff of the Earl of Lancaster then Lord of the Honor of â—uâ—bury by these memorable services which I have thought fit here to express at large from an antient Roll in Parchment written in the time of King Henry the Seventh it being a Translation then put into English from the like Roll in French made in the time of King Edward the Third viz. By two small fees that is to say when other Tenants pay for Reliefe one whole Knight's fee One hundred shillings he the said Sir Philip shall pay but Fifty shillings and when Escuage is assessed throghe owtt the lande or to Ayde for to make th' eldest sonne of the Lord Knyght on for to marry the eldest daughter of the Lord the said Sir Philip shall pay bott the motye of it that other shall paye Nevertheless the said Sir Philip shall fynde meyntienge and susteigne one Bacon flyke hanging in his Halle at Whichenore redy arrayede all times of the yere bott in Lent to be given to everyche mane or womane married after the day and the yere of their mariage be passed and to be gyden to everyche mane of Religion Archbishop Bishop Prior or other Religious and to everyche Preest after the year and day of their profession finished or of their dignity reseyved in forme followyng whensoever that ony suche byforenamed wyle come for to enquire fo the Baconne in there own persone or by any other for them they shall come to the Baillyfe or to the Porter of the Lordship of Whichenovre and shall say to them in the manere as ensewethe Bayliffe or Porter I doo you to knowe that I am come for my self or if he be come for any other shewing for whome demaunde one Bacon flyke hanging in the Halle of the Lord of Whichenovre after the forme thereunto belongyng After which relacioun the 〈◊〉 or Porter shall assign a day to him upon promyse by his feyâ—â—e to retourne and with him to bryng tweyne of his neighbours And in the meyn tyme the said Bailliffe shall take with him tweyne of the Freeholders of the Lordship of Whichenovre and they three shall go to the Manoir of Rudlowe belongynge to Robert Knyghtleye and there shall somon the forseid Knyghtley or his Baillyffe commanding him to be redy at Whichenovre the day appoynted at pryme of the day withe his â—aryage that is to say a Horse and a Sadylle a Sakke and a Pryke for to convey and carye the said Baconne and Corne a â—ourney owtt of the Countee of Stafford at hys costages And then the sayd Baillyffe shall with the sayd Freeholders somone all the Tenaunts of the said Manoir to be ready at the day appoynted at Whichenovre for to doo and perform the services which they owe to the Baconne And at the day assign'd all such as owe services to the Baconne shall be ready at the Gatte of the Manoir off Whichenovre frome the Sonne-rysinge to None attendyng and awatyng for the comyng of hym that fetcheth the Baconne And when he is comyn there shall be delivered to him and hys felowys Chapeletts and to all those whiche shall be there to do their services deue to the Baconne And they shall lede the seid Demandant wythe Trompes and Tabours and other maner of Mynstralseye to the Halle-dore where he shall fynde the Lord of Wychenovre or his Steward redy to deliver the Baconne in this manere He shall enguere of hym whiche demandeth the Baconne yf he have brought tweyn of hys Neghbors with hym Whiche must answere They be here ready And then the Steward shall cause thies two Neighbours to swere yf the seyd Demandaunt be a weddyt man or have be a man weddyt and yf sythe his Marriage one yere and a day be passed And yf he be a freeman or a villeyn And yf hys seid neghbours make Othe that he hath for hym all thies three poynts rehersed then shall the Baconne be take downe and broghte to the Halle-dore and shall there be layd upon one halfe a Quarter of Wheatte and upon one other of Rye And he that demandeth the Baconne shall kneel upon his knee and shall hold his right hande upon a booke which booke shall be layde above the Baconne and the Corne and shall make Othe in this manere Here ye Sir Philippe de Somervile Lord of Whichenovre mayntener and gyver of this Baconne That I A. â—ithe I Wedded B. my Wife and sythe I hadd hyr in my kepyng and at my wylle by a yere and a day after our Mariage I wold not have chaunged for none other farer ne fowler rycher ne pourer ne for none other descended of gretter lynage slepyng ne wakyng at noo tyme. And yf the seyd B. were sole and I sole I wolde take her to be my Wyfe before alle the wymen of the worlde of what condiciones soever they be good or evylle as helpe me God and hys Seyntys and this fleshe and all fleshes And hys neighbors shall make Othe that they trust veraly he hath said truly And yff it be founde by hys neighbours before-named that he be a Free-man there shall be delyvered to him half a Quarter of Wheate and a Cheese And yf he be a villeyll he shall have half a Quarter of Rye wythoutte Cheese And then shall Knyghtley the Lord of Rudlowe bâ— called for to carrye all thies thynges to fore rehersed And the said Corne shall be layd upon one horse and the Baconne above ytt and he to whom the Baconne apperteigneth shall ascend upon his Horse and shall take the Cheese before hym yf he have a Horse And yf he have none the Lord of Wichenoure shall cause him have one Horse and Sadyll to such time as he be passed hys Lordshippe and so shalle they departe the Manoir of Whichenovre with the Corne and the Baconne tofore hym that hath wonne itt with Trompets Tabouretts and other manoir of Mynstraice And all the Free-Tenants of Whichenovre shall conduct hym to be passed the Lordship of Whychenovre And then shall all they retorne except hym to whom apperteigneth to make the carryage and â—ourney wythowtt the Countye of Stafford at the Costys of hys Lord of Whychenovre And yff the sayd Robert Knightley do not cause the Baconn and Corne to be conveyed as is rehersed the Lord of Whychenovre shall do it be carryed and shall dystreigne the sayd Robert Knyghtley for his defaulte for one hundred shyâ—â—ings in his Manoir of Rudlowe and shale kepe the distres so takyn irreplevisable Moreover the said Sir Philippe holdeth of his Lorde th' Earl the Manoir of Briddeshalle by thies services that att such tyme that hys sayd Lorde holdeth hys Chrystemes at Tutbury the seyd Sir Phelippe shall come to Tutbury upon Chrystemaâ—â—e Evyn and shall be â—odged yn the Town of Tutbury by the Marshall
affections would not give credit to it until in the presence of some Witnesses besides himself and a publick Notary he had regularly taken her to Wife But here I must go back a little This Walter Earl of Essex thus deceased by his Testament bearing date 14 Iunii An. 1567. 18 Eliz. bearing then the Title of Earl of Essex and Ewe Earl Marshal of Ireland Viscount Hereford and Bourchier Lord Ferrers of Chartley Bourchier and Lovaine and Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter bequeath'd his body to be buried in the next convenient place where he should happen to depart this life And having married Lettice daughter to Sir Francis Knolles Knight of the Garter left issue by her two sons viz. Robert and Walter and two daughters viz. Penelope first wedded to Robert Lord Rich and afterwards to Charles Blount Earl of Devon And Dorothy first married to Sir Thomas Perrot Knight and afterwards to Henry Earl of Northumberland I come now to Robert the succeeding Earl son and heir to the last Walter In An. 1585. 28 Eliz. this Robert having been first brought to Court by Robert Earl of Leicester who married his Mother amongst divers other persons of great note he accompanied that Earl into the Netherlands who was then constituted General of the English Auxiliaries there and in 30 Eliz. 23 Dec. was made Master of the Horse to that Queen In 34 Eliz. upon overture made to Q. Eliz. by the King of France that in case she would send over Four thousand English soldiers into Normandy with two moneths pay upon the gaining of Roan and Haver du grace then held out by the Rebels they should be put into her hands he thereupon went q over with those soldiers and landing at Diepe marcht to Roan But being come before that City going too near the Walls his Brother Walter was there killed with a Musket Bullet That which I find in the next place most memorable of him is that being constituted Earl Marshal of England in 39 Eliz. upon the 11 th of Ianuary the same year he took his place in Parliament according to the dignity of that office and that upon the 19 th of March next ensuing he was made Master of the Ordnance Moreover that upon preparation of that Navy designed against the Spaniard for diverting his attempt upon Ireland the English then joyning with the Dutch he was constituted one of the Generals in that Fleet and commanded the second of those four Squadrons which were imployed for that service as also that they came before Gadez upon the 20 th of Iune As to the particulars performed in this Naval Expedition I shall not here stand to give instance of them but think fit to take notice that before the return of the Fleet there hapned no small discontents betwixt this Earl and Sir Walter Raleigh Commander of the third Squadron By reason of which the Design failed so that the Fleet came back to England about the end of October And here also it will not be improper to observe that during his absence from the Court of England Sir Robert Cecill whom the Queen had made one of her Principal Secretaries of State the preceding year notwithstanding his opposing it in regard he was his rival in wisdome and a friend to Raleigh was made Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster which he took very ill Again the advancing of Charles Howard Ld. Admiral to the Title of Earl of Nottingham with such an Eulogie in the Preamble of his Patent as he esteemed an Eclipse to his own merits in the Action of Gadez did not a little perplex him Nevertheless in An. 1599. 41 Eliz. he was constituted Deputy of Ireland with more ample power than heretofore unto any and an Army of Thirteen hundred Horse and Sixteen thousand Foot appointed for him Whereupon about the end of March he went thither and made the Earl of Southampton General of the Horse It is reported by our chief Historian of that time that he advanced against some petty-Rebels in Munster without the Queen's knowledge neglecting the Chief Where the fault was is hard to say But sure enough it is that he was not prosperous in that Expedition which afflicted his mind not a little And to add to his grief the Queen farther advanc'd Sir Robert Cecill by making him Master of the Wards which office she had promised to this Earl Upon notice therefore given to the Queen how prejudicial his services had been to her in that Realme whereas she had press'd him to march into Ulster against Tir Oen he laid the fault on the Irish Counsellors promising to haste thither But contrary thereunto he went into Offaly near Duâ—â—n against O Conoros and O Moilos then risen up whom he easily subdued And finding his Army much wasted required a farther supply of Men. Which being sent he signifâ—ed that he could do no more that year than with Fifteen hundred Foot and Three hundred Horse to march to the skirts of Ulster Where Tir Oen desiring a Treaty with him he yielded thereto and made Truce with him for six weeks viz. until the Calends of May but with condition of breach upon fourteen dayes warning Whereof when the Queen had knowledge and that having had so great an Army so much time and money were spent fruitlesly she grew highly incensed and wrote sharply to him signifying her sense thereof in each particular Which gave him such discontent and specially because Cecill was made Master of the Wards that he resolv'd forthwith to return into England with a select number of his men and to reduce his Adversaries by force But whether the Queen had private intimation thereof or that she really feared some dâ—â—â—gn from the Spaniard certain it is that she thereupon raised great Forces and made the Earl of Notingham her General of them Arriving therefore in this Realme some of his chiefest friends accompanying him with six persons only he went to the Queen then at Nonsuch who received him graciously though not with that countenance she had used to do being much offended with him not only for making Truce with Tir Oen by unsafe and dishonorable Articles but coming thence without her leave In so much as she committed him not to prison but to the House of the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal which he took very heavily and thereupon retired himself totally to Divine Meditations and writing Letters to his Friends Having continued thus in custody about six moneths by the advice of his well-wishers he quitted himself of Gilli Meric and Cuff his Secretary as persons who instilled evil conceipts into him and deported himself with such piety patience modesty and meekness as was joyful to his friends but not pleasing to
Elysabeth espoused unto the Vicount Fitz Walter 's Son and Heyr and the Lady Dorothie then being not marryed but lefte for her ryght good substance to marry her wyth Thus far the Tablet Touching some of his Children before I do further go on with my discourse of the succeeding Dukes I shall heretake notice And in the first place that the Lord Edward his second Son in 7 H. 7. was in that Expedition made into Flanders on the behalf of Maximilian the Emperour against the French which proved fruitles Also that in 1 H. 8. being then a Knight he was made the King's Standard-Bearer within the Realm of England and elsewhere 20 Maii. And in 4 H. 8. 19 Martii constituted Admiral of England Wales Ireland Normandy Gascoine and Aquitane At which time he convoy'd the Marquess Dorset into Spain in aid of the Emperour Ferdinand against the French and having with his Fleet cleared the Seas from Enemies landed at a little Bay in Britanny whence marching seven miles into the Country he burnt some Towns and brought away rich spoils Likewise putting his men on Shore at Conquet and divers other places where the French were still worsted they sought a Parley in which they desired that the English would leave off this cruel warring upon them which tended only to the burning of Villages and ransacking the poor But he replyed that he was not to take his directions from them Adding that it was the part of brave Gentlemen to defend their Country and not shamefully to sue for mercy After which and a Banquet in his Ship he dismis'd them and return'd home The French in the mean while making great preparations by Sea King Henry thought fit to reinforce his Fleet adding twenty more Ships under the command of this his Admiral and twenty five more under the command of the choicest of those gallant men that attended him These chancing to meet with thirty nine sail coming out of Brest in Britanny fought with them In which Fight two great Ships one of the English Commanded by Sir Thomas Knevet wherein were seven hundred men the other of the French under Primaugot a Briton grapling hapned to be on Fire and utterly consum'd not a man saved He was also sent out against Sir Andrew Barton a Scot who being a great Pirate rob'd the Merchants of England at every Haven's mouth and at length after a sharp fight took him so wounded that he lived not But about the beginning of the year 1513. 5 H. 8. King Henry intending a farther War with France thought fit to clear the Seas from the French and to that end sent his Fleet composed of forty two Sail besides lesser Barques against them The French therefore having advertisement of this design got one Pregent a Knight of Rodes with four Gallies to pass the Straits and come into Britanny where divers good Ships were appointed to their aid but till he came directed that they should keep within the Haven of Brest and not encounter with the English who lay at Anchor in sight of them The English therefore resolving to attempt them in the midst of their defences at length entred the Haven where the French Fleet lay under the defence of many Plat-forms raised on the land besides Fire-ships Being thus prepared this Lord Admiral advertised the King thereof advising him to come in person to have the glory of the Action But the King in stead of coming wrote sharply to him with command to do his duty Whereof he grew so apprehensive that he hazarded his own person too rashly first sending out his boats to make a shew of landing Whereupon the French flockt to the Shore to the number of ten thousand the English in those Boates being not above fifteen-hundred and landing over against Brest burnt the Country in sight of the Castle thinking not fit to do any more till victuals came But soon after six Galleys of the Enemiâ—s and two Foists under Pregent putting in near Conquet a little below Brest notice thereof being given to this our Admiral attended with four choice Captains he resolved to board them and entring into one of those two Galleys which the English had only at that time there did board that Galley in which Pregent was with his Sword and Target one Carroz a Spanish Cavalier and seventeen English attending him commanding that his own Galley should be grapled to the Enemies But whether the French he wed in sunder the Cable or the Marriners let it slâ—p for fear of the Ordinance the English Galley â—â—ll off so that this noble person was left in the hands of his enemies Of whom there could no other account be given by his own men than that when he was past all hope of recovering his Galley he took his Whistle from his neck and threw it into the Sea His loss being therefore known and the French Admiral sent to to signiâ—y what was become of him Pregent answered that they had none but one Marriner who told him that a certain person whom they bore over-board with their Pikes was their Admiral This is all I can say of him other than that he was a Knight of the most noble order of the Garter and that he married Alice Sister to Henry Lovel Lord Morley Widow of Sir William Parker Knight Of his third Son the Lord Edmund it appears that at Flodden-field 5 H. 8. he and the Lord Thomas Howard his elder Brother led the Vantguard and that at first he was in some distress through the singular valour of the Earls of Lenox and Argylâ— but that the Lord Dacres coming to his succour and one Heron the fight was renewed This Lord Edmund was at that time also a Knight and Marshal of the Host. It is affirmed by some of our Historians that being got upon the Hill side with his wing the Lord Hume with those two Earls of Lenox and Argyle encountred him so fiercely that with their Spears on foot they beat down and broke that whole Band of the English so that he was in a manner left alone and fell'd to the ground Also that had not the Bastard Heron come to his rescue he had been slain but he bringing with him a strong Troop of Horse which during his banishment from England and Scotland he had cunningly train'd up in Robberies by his means he escaped again to the English Vantguard And in 12 H. 8. upon that famous enterview betwixt King Henry the eight and Francis the first of France whereat all â—eats of Arms were performed for the space of thirty days betwixt Ardres and Guisnes he was one of the Challengers on the part of the English To his first Wife this Lord Edmund married Ioyce Daughter to Sir Richard Culpeper of Hollingburn in Kent Knight by
of the said Edward And the next day following was created Duke of Somerset and to the heirs male of his body by the before-specified Anne As also upon the seventeenth of February Earl Marshal of England for life Moreover upon the 12 th of March following he had a Patent for that great Office of Protector and Governor of the King and Realmes And upon the third of November next ensuing a special grant that he should sit alone and be placed at all times as well in the King's presence in Parliament as in his absence upon the midst of the Bench or stool standing next on the right hand the King 's Seat-royal in his Parliament Chamber Shortly after which he was sent into Scotland with Ten thousand foot and Six thousand horse besides Thirteen hundred Pioneers and Artificers and fifteen Brass pieces of Ordnance and on the third of September made an hostile entrance into that Realme the design thereof being to procure a Marriage betwixt King Edward and the young Queen But the Scots refusing the offer gave Battel to the English at Muscâ—eborough where they receiv'd a mighty overthrow In 2 E. 6. by another Patent bearing date 24 Dec. he was again constituted Protector both of the King's person and the whole Realme during his minority Thus have we beheld his Rise Now follows the story of his fall but before I proceed to speak of that I shall take notice of the Character which an eminent Historian gives of him He was a man saith he little esteemed either for Wisdome Personage or Courage in Armes but being in favour with King Henry and by him much imployed was alwayes observed to be both Faithful and Fortunate as well in giving advise as in managing a charge About five years before being Warden of the Marches against Scotland the Invasion of James the Fifth was by his direction encountered and broken at Selome-Mosse where divers of the Scotish Nobility were taken prisoners The next year after he and the Earl of Warwick with an handful of men to speak of fired Lieth and Edenborough and returnâ—d by a leisurely march forty four miles through the body of Scotland The year next ensuing he invaded the Scotish borders wasted Tividale and the Marches and deformed the Country with 〈◊〉 and spoile The year then next following being appointed to view the Fortifications upon the 〈◊〉 of Calais he not only did that but with the hardy approach of Seven thousand Englishmen raised an Army of One and twenty thouâ—â—â—â— French encamped over the River before Boâ—ome 〈◊〉 their Ordnance Carriage Treasure and Tents with the loss only of one man and returning from thence by Land to Guisnes won in his way within 〈◊〉 and rescue of Arde the Castle of Outing commonly called the Red-pile The year next ensuing this he invaded and spoiled Picardy began the Forts of Newhaven 〈◊〉 and Buâ—â—â—ngberge and so well applyed his endeavors that in a few weeks and 〈◊〉 his departure they were made tenable Vpon thâ—se and other the like successes his succeeding 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 esteemed alwayes rather new 〈…〉 his only presence was reputed a a sufficient surety for an Army And yet did he never rise hereby either in haughtiness in himself or contempt of others but remained courteous and affable choosing a course least subject to envy betwixt stiff stubborness and filthy flattery never aspiring higher than to be the second person in State But after all this Honor Greatness and prosperous success in those his high imployments comes now the Tragick part of his life which was short and woful to be spoke of his absolute ruine being both projected and perfected as all our Historians do agree by the subtile artifices of Iohn Vicount L'isle afterwards Earl of Warwick and Duke of Northumberland to make way for his own ambitious and aspiring designs Which when he had so far accomplisht as in all humane probability he fully expected to have reapt the benefit whereat he aimed the like fatal destruction and no less sudden fell deservedly on himself as in its proper place is already sheâ—â—d And now to the matter in the words of my Author This Duke had a Brother called Thomas Lord Seymour of Sudley Lord High Admiral of England of whom I shall more particularly speak by and by Which Thomas was a person of great courage Courtly in fashion in Personage stately in voice magnificent but somewhat empty of Matter Both of them being so well affected to the King that the one might well be term'd his Sword the other his Target The Duke greatest in favour with the People the Lord Sudly most respected by the Nobility both highly esteemed by the King both fortunate alike in their advancements both ruin'd alike by their own vanity and folly Whilst these two Brethren held in amity they were like two Armes the one defending the other and both of them the King But many things did move together to dissolve their love and bring them to ruine first their contrary dispositions the one being tractable and milde the other stiff and impatient of a Superior whereby they lived but in cunning concord as Brothers glued together but not united in grain Much secret envy was borne against them for that their new lustre did dim the light of men honoured with antient Nobility They were openly minded as hasty and soon moved so uncircumspect and easie to be ruin'd By these the knot not only of Love but of Nature between them was dissolv'd so much the more pity for that the first cause proceeded from the pride the haughty hate the unquiet vanity of a Mannish or rather of a Develish woman For the Lord Sudley had taken to wife Katherine Parre Queen Dowager to King Henry the Eighth a woman adorn'd with many excellent virtues especially humility the beauty of all other The Duke had taken to wife Anne Stanhope a woman for many imperfections intolerable but for pride monstrous She was exceeding both subtile and violent in accomplishing her ends for which she spurned over all respects both of Conscience and Shame This woman did bear such invincible hate first against the Queen Dowager for light causes and womens quarrels especially for that she had precedency of place before her being wife to the greatest Peer in the Land next to the Lord Sudley for her sake that albeit the Q. Dowager dyed by Child-birth yet would not her malice either die or decrease but continually she rub'd into the Duke's dull capacity That the Lord Sudley dissenting from him in opinion of Religion sought nothing more than to take away his life as well in regard of the common cause of Religion as thereby haply to attain his place Many other things she boldly feigned being assured of easie belief in her heedless hearers alwayes fearful and suspicious as of feeble spirit but then more than ever by reason of some late opposition against him Her perswasions she cunningly
my power as it is Godds to make your Magestye to lyve ever young and prosperous God knowyth I woolde If it hadde bene or were in my power to make yow so ryche as ye myght enrych alle men God helpe me as I wolde do hit If it had bene or were in my power to make your Magesty so puyssant as alle the world sholde be compellyd to obey yow Christ he knowyth I wolde for so am I of alle othyr most bounde for your Magestye hath bene the most bountiful Prynce to me that ever was Kyng to his subject ye and more like a dere Father your Magestye not offendyd then a Master Such hath bene your most grave and Godly counsayle towards me at sundry tymes In that I have offendid I ax yow mercy should I now for such exceeding goodness benygnyte libâ—ralitie and bounty be your Traytor nay then the greatest paynes were too little for me Should any faâ—cyon or any affeccyon to any point make me a Traytor to your Magestie then alle the Devylls in Hell confound me and the Vengeance of God light upon me yf I sholde once have thought yt most gracious Soverayn Lord. To my remembrance I never spake with the Chancelour of the Augmentacyons and Throgmorton togethyr at one tyme but yf I dyde I am sure I spake never of any such matyer And your Grace knowyth what manner of man Throgmorton hath evyr bene towards yowr Grace and yowr procedyngs And what Mr. Chancelour hath bene towards me God and he best knowyth I will ne can accuse hym What I have bene towards hym your Magestye right welle knowyth I wolde in Christe I had obeyed your often most gracious grave Counsayles and Advertysements then hit had not bene with me as now hit is Yet our Lord yf hit be his wylle can do with me as he dyd with Susan who was falsly accused unto the whyche God I have only commytted my Sowle my Body and Goods at your Magestyes pleasure in whose mercye and pyetie I do holly repose me for othyr hope then in God and your Magestye I have not Sir as to your Common Welthe I have aftyr my mytte power and knowledge travayled therein havyng had no respect to persons yowr Magestyâ— only except and my dewtye to the same but that I have done any Injustice or wrong wyllfully I trust God shall bere my Wytnes and the World not able justly to accuse me And yet I have not done my dewtye in alle thynges as I was bounden wherefore I aske mercy Yf I have herde of any Combynacyons Convencyons or such as were Offenders of your Laws I have though not as I sholde have done for the most part revealed them and also causyd them to be puâ—yshed not of Males as God shall judge me Nevertheles Sir I have medelyd in so many matyers under your Highnes that I am not able to answer thâ—m all But one thyng I am well assured of that willingly and wyttingly I have not had wille to offend your Highness but hard it is for me or any other medelyng as I have done to live under yowr Grace and yowr Laws but we must daylie offend and where I have offendyd I most humbly aske mercy and pardon at your Graces wyll and pleasure Amongst othyr thynges most Gracyous Soverayn Mr. Comptroller shewed me that yowr Grace shewed hym that within this fourteen dayes ye commyâ—ted a matyer of grete secresye which I did revele coâ—trary to yowr expectation Sir I do remember well the matyer which I nevyr revelyd to any creture but this I dyd Syr After your Grace had openyd the matyer fyrst to me in yowr Chamber and declared yowr lamentable fate declaryng thâ— thynges which yowr Highnes myslykd in the Quene at whych time I shewyd your Grace that she often desyred to speke wyth me but I durst not and ye sayd why sholde I not allegyng that I might do much good in goyng to her and to be playn wyth her in declaryng my mynde I thereupon takyng oportunitye not being a lyttil greivyd spake privylie with her Lord Chamberlayn for the whych I aske your Grace mercy desyring hym not naming yowr Grace to hym to fynde some meane that the Quene might be induced to order your Grace plesantly in her behavyour towards you thynking thereby for to have had some faultes amendyd to your Magestyes content And after that by generalle wordes the sayd Lord Chamberlayne and other of the Queens Counsayle being with me in my Chamber at Westminster for Lycens for the departure of the strange Maydens I then required them to counsayl their Maystres to use all pleasantnes to your Highnes the whych things undoubtedly weren both spokyn before your Magestye told the secrete Matyer unto me only of purpose that she myght have by love inducyd to such plesant and honorable facyons as myght have bene to yowr Graces comforte whych above all things as God knoweth I dyd most câ—vyt and desire But that I openyd my mouth to any creature aftyr your Magestye committyd the Secresye thereof to me othyr then only to my Lord Admyral whych I dyde by your Graces Commandement which was upon Sunday last in the mornyng whom I then fownd as wylling and glad to seke remedye for your comfort and consolacyon and saw by hym that he did as much lament Yowr Hyghnes fate as ever dyd man and was wonderfully grevyd to see Yowr Highnes so troubelyd wyshing gretely Your comfort for the attayning whereof he sayd Your Honour Salvyd he would spend the best bloud in bys helye and yf I wolde not do the lyke ye and wyllingly dye for Your comfort I wolde I were in Hell and I woolde I sholde receive a thousand Dethis Sir This is all that I have done in that matyer and yf I have offendyd Your Magestie therein prostrate at Yowr Hyghnes fete I most lowly aske mercy and pardon of Your Highness Sir this was also layd unto my chardge at myne Examination that I had retayned contrary to Your Laws Sir what Exposycioun may be made upon Retaynowrs I know not but thys wyll I say that yf ever I retayned any man but such only as were my Houshold servants but ageynst my will God confound me But most Gracyous Soverayn I have bene so callyd on and Sewyd to by them that sayd they were my Frendes that constrayned thereto I retayned their children and frendys not as Retayners for their Fathers and Parents did promyse me to fynde them and so took I them not as Retayners to my grete chardge and for none evyll as God best knowyth interpret to the contrary who wylle most humbly besechyng Your Magestye off Pardon yf I have offendyd therein Sir I acknowledge my self to have bene a most miserable and wrechyd sinner and that I have not towards God and Your Highnes behavyd my self as I ought and sholde have done for the whych myne offence to God whyles I lyve I shall continually kall for his mercy And for myne offencys to
Duke of Richmund sister and heir to Esme Duke of Richmund Which Richard having couragiously given battel to the Rebels in Ireland at Carickfergus and subdued them and behaved himself with exemplary valour in the late perillous Sea-fight with the Dutch His Royal Highness the Duke of York being then Admiral was by reason of these his faithful Services created a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Butler of Weston in the County of Huntingdon by Letters-patent bearing date at Westminster upon the Twenty sevenâ—h day of August in the Twenty fifth year of his Majesties Reign And surviving that wife mâ—â—â—ried ... daughter of Iohn Ferrers 〈◊〉 Tamworth-Castle in the County of â—arwick Esquire And thirdly Iohn He had also â—â—o daughters viz. the Lady Elizabeth maâ—â—ied to Philip Earl of Chesterfeild and Mâ—ry to William Lord Cavendish son and heâ— to William Earl of Devonshire But I â—eturn to Thomas Earl of Ossory the eldest sâ—â— This Thomas having been by His Majesties Writ of Summons bearing date 14 Sept. â— 18 Car. 2 â— called to the Parliament then sittâ—ng at Westminster by the Title of Lord Buâ—â—r of Moore-Parke took his place there aâ—ordingly upon the 18 th day of September â—ext ensuing In September An. 1672. he was elected Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and upon the 17 th day of May An. 1673. was made Rere-Admiral of the Blew-Squadron of His Majesties Fleet in order to that great Sea-fight against the Dutch which hapned shortly after He married the Lady Amelia of Nassau daughter to Lewes de Nassaw Lord Beverwaert son to the Illustrious Maurice late Prince of Orange and Count of Nassau and by her hath had issue three Sons Iames and Charles another Iames dying young and four daughters now living Elizabeth married to William Earl of Derby Amelia Henrietta and Catherine two others viz. Mary and Henrietta deceasing in their Childhood Hyde Earl of Clarendon 12 Car. â— SHortly afterwards Sir Edward Hyde Knight descended from an antient Family of that name in Cheshire was in like sort advanced to sundry Titles of Honor. Having been trayn'd up to the Study of the Laws in that Honourable Society of the Middle-Temple London and manifesting his fidelity to the late King Charles of blessed memory in an eminent measure he was first made Chancellor of his Exchequer and one of His Privy-Council After the expulsion of our present Soveraign attending him in Forrein parts he was sent Embassador into Spain made his Secretary of State and lastly Lord Chancellor In all which imployments he deported himself with such prudence judgment and integrity as that soon after His Majesties Happy Restauration he was by Letters-patent bearing date upon the Third day of November in the Twelfth year of His Reign raised to the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Hyde of Hindon in com Wilts and to the heâ—â—s male of his body also upon the Twentieth of April next ensuing to the dignity of Vicount Cornbury in com Oxon. and Earl of Clarendon Which office of Lord Chancellor he held until towards the end of August An. 1667. that the Great Seal was taken from him and committed to the Custody of Sir Orlando Bridgman Knight and Baronet Whereupon he retired into France and departing this life in the City of Râ—an in Normandy 19 Dec. An. 1674. was buried on the North side of the Capella Regum in the Collegiate-Church of St. Peter at Westminster He married Frances daughter and at length sole heir to Sir Thomas Aylesbury Knight and Baronet sometime one of the Masters of the Requests and by her had issue four sons Henry commonly called Lord Cornberie Laurence now Master of the Robes to His Majesty Edward who died unmarried and Iames As also two daughters the Lady Anne married to his Royal Highness Iames Duke of York and the Lady Frances to ... Which Henry now Earl of Clarendon first took to wife Theodosia one of the daughters of Arthur late Lord Capell by whom he had issue one only son called Edward Secondly Flower daughter and sole heir to William Backhouse of Swallowfeild in com Berks. Esq widow of Sir William Backhouse Baronet Grandson to Rowland Backhouse sometime Alderman of London by whom as yet he hath no issue Annesley Earl of Anglesey 13 Car. 2. AMongst the rest of those eminent persons whom our present Soveraign for the greater splendor of His Royal Coronation advanced unto sundry degrees and Titles of Honor was Sir Arthur Annesley Baronet Lord Mount-Norris and Vicount Valencia in Ireland son of Sir Francis Annesley Baronet Lord Mount-Norris and Vicount Valencia Vice-Treasurer and Secretary in that Realm to King Charles the First of blessed Memory Paternally descended from the antient and worshipful family of Annesley in the County of Notingham and by the Mother from that of Philips of Picton-Castle in Pembrokshire Which Sir Arthur in the late most perillous times having served His Majesty that now is to the no little hazard of life and Fortune with great integrity was by Letters-patent bearing date upon the twentieth day of April in the Thirteenth year of His reign created a Baron of this Kingdom by the Title of Lord Annesley of Newport Paynell in com Buck. as also raised to the dignity of an English Earl by the Title of Earl of Anglesey and to the heirs male of his body Since which time by reason of his singular prudence and fidelity he hath had that great Office of Lord Privy-Seale conferred upon him which he still enjoyeth He married Elizabeth one of the two daughters and coheirs of Sir Iames Altham Knight son and heir to Sir Iames Altham Knight sometime Baron of the King's Exchequer by whom he hath had issue seven sons viz. Iames commonly called Lord Annesley Altham Richard Arthur and Charles two other both named Arthur dying in their childhood And six daughters 1. Dorothy married to Richard Earl of â—iroen in Ireland 2. Elizabeth to Alexander Mac-Donald second son to the Earl of Antrim 3. Frances first to Iohn Wyndham of Felbrigge in com Norf. Esquire and afterwards to Sir Iohn Tompson of Haversham in com Buck. Baronet 4. Philips to Charles Lord Mohun 5. Anne and 6. Bridget who died young Which Iames Lord Annesley having wedded Elizabeth daughter to Iohn Earl of â—utland hath issue by her two sons Iames and Iohn and two daughters Frances who died in her Infancy and Elizabeth Grenevil Earl of Bathe 13 Car. 2. THat this Family is not only of very great Antiquity but famous for divers Martial exploits is evident from sundry Authorities Harmo dentatus the common Ancestor thereof who was Earl of Corboil as also Lord of Thorigny and Graneville in Normandy being lineally descended from the Warlike Rollo sometime Duke of that large Territory Which Hamon had issue two sons Robert surnamed Fitz-Hamon Earl of Corboil Lord of Thorigny and Graneville who left no issue male as
intermixed with Teares affirming that she would depart from him as willinger to hear both of his disgraces and dangers than either to see the one or participate of the other The Duke therefore imbracing this womans cousel yeilded himself both to advise and devise for the destruction of his Brother The Earl of Warwick had his finger in the business and drew others also to give either furtherance or way to her violent desires being well content she should have her mind so as the Duke might thereby incur Infamy and Hate Hereupon the Lord Sudley was Arrested and sent to the Tower and in very short time after condemn'd by Act of Parliament and within few dayes after his condemnation a Warrant was sent under the hand of this his Brother the Duke whereby his Head was delivered to the Axe His own fierce courage hastning his death because equally balanced betwixtâ—â—â—oubt and diâ—dain he was desirous rather to die at once then to linger long upon curtesie and in fear The Accusations against him contained much â—rivolous matter The Act of Parliament expresseth the causes of his Attainder to be the attempting to get the person of the King into his custody and Governing the Realme Also making much provision of Money and Victuall and endeavouring to marry the Lady Elizabeth the King's Sister Likewise for perswading the King in his tender age to take upon him the rule and order of himself But he was never call'd to answer so that the Protestations which he made at the point of his death and the open carriage of his life did clear him in the opinion of many Hereupon a general hatred arose in the People towards the Protector for being thus instrumental in the death of his Brother whereby it was observed that with his left hand he had cut off his right many of the Nobility crying out upon him for a Blood-sucker and a Murtherer and that it was not fit the King should be under the Protection of such a ravenous Wolfe Besides all this many well disposed mindes conceived a very hard opinion of him for causing a Church near Strand-Bridge and two Bishops Houses to be pull'd down to make a â—eat for his new Building called Somerset-house in digging the foundation whereof the Bones of many who had been there buried were cast up and carried into the Fields And because the stones of that Church and those Houses were not sufficient for that work the Steeple and most part of the Church of St. Iohn of Hierusalem near Smithfield were mined and overthrown with Powder and the stones carried thereto So likewise the Cloister on the North-side of St. Pauls Cathedral and the Charnel-house on the South-side thereof with the Chapel the Tombes and Monuments therein being all beaten-down the Bones of the dead carried into Finsbury-fields and the stones converted to this Building and it was confidently affirm'd that for the same purpose he intended to have pull'd down St. Margarets Church at Westminster but that the standing thereof was preserved by his fall The Earl of Warwick therefore spying this fit opportunity drew to him no less than Eighteen of the Privy-Councel to joyn with him against this Protector Whereupon they withdrew from the Court and fell to secret Consultations walking in the streets of the City with many servants in new Liveries Which so startled the Protector that he sent Secretary Petee to them in the King's name to understand the causes of such their assembling and to declare unto them that he would thank them for hating him in case they did it in love to the King intreating them for the King's sake if not for his safety that they would forbear open shew of Hostility and resort unto him peaceably that they might commune together as Friends But in the mean time he Armed Five-hundred men part the Kings and part his own rampier'd the Court-gates caused many men to be raised both by Letters and Proclamation to aid the King and the more to increase the present terror remov'd the King by night from Hampton-Court to Windâ—ore with a Company more resembling an Army then a Train Hereupon the Lords at London took possession of the Tower sent for the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City to Ely House where the Earl of Warwick lodg'd and there presenting themselves secretly Armed caused the Lord Rich then Lord Chancellor to make a Speech to them Wherein first laying open to them the Imperfections of the Protector as want of Eloquence Personage Learning or good Wit and that nevertheless he was so peevishly opiniative and proud that he would neither ask nor hear the advice of any but was absolutely ruled by that obstinate and imperious woman his wife whose ambitious and mischievous will so guided him in the most weighty Affaires of the Realm that though he was Counselled by others what was best he would do quite contrary lest he should seem to need their advice In general he said he was guilty of Bribery and Extortion and that he had laid his hands upon the King's Jewells and Treasure left by his Father which were known to be of an inestimable value and had given forth that King Henry died so poor as that had he lived one quarter of a year longer he had been utterly shamed Moreover that he had upon pretence of necessity made Sales and Exchanges of the King's Lands as also of Offices and Preferments nothing regarding the worthiness of the person erected a Mint at Dureâ—me Place for his own private advantage made sale of Colledges and Chanteries Levied Subsidies under colour of War imbezelled the Kings Treasure extorted Money by Loanes yet left the King's Soldiers and Servants unpaid buried much Treasure in his sumptous Buildings Adding his unnatural endeavors for the death of his Brother and his practises to dispatch such of the Nobility as were like to oppose his mischievous drifts Also his endeavor to win the Common people by strained Curtesies and Looseness of life And to make the French King his Friend by betraying unto him the King's Forts beyond the Seas Likewise that he intended to procure a resignation of the King's Sisters Rights and others who were intitled to the Crown and entail the same upon his own issue Urging the Citizens upon all these confiderations to joyn with the Lords of the Council to take him away And the next day the Lords at London dispatch'd a Letter to the Lords at Windsore wherein they charged him with many disorders both in his private Actions and manner of Government requiring that he would disperse the Forces that he had raised withdraw himself from the King and be content to be ordered by Justice and Reason Hereupon the King fearing farther mischief dissolv'd all his Companies excepting his Guard And the Protector sent Secretary Petâ—e once more to the Lords at London to perswade them that for the Publick good all either private grudges or unkindnesses might be laid aside but neither did he return nor was
there any Answer return'd from them After this he wrote two Letters one in his own name to the Earl of Warwick the other in the name of those Lords at Windsore to the Lords at London in both which he so weakly complain'd expostulated intreated and yeilded under their Hand as it was sufficient to have breathed courage into any Enemy once declared against him Hereupon the Lords at London forthwith publisht a Proclamation under the hands of Seventeen of them wherein they charged the causes of all the calamities and losses which had lately before hapned and had cost the lives of many thousands of the King 's good Subjects Likewise the loss of divers Pieces beyond Sea which had been won by the great Adventure of the late King's Person and consumption of his Treasure to have been through the evil Government of this Protector and desired and in the King's Name prohibited all subjects from farther giving obedience to any of his precepts Soon after the publishing whereof they directed three Letters to Windsore one to the King himself another to this Protector and a third to the Houshold Which Letter to the Protector was guilded with many smooth words fair promises and full of hope But the other two fouly setting forth his Obstinacie Avarice Ambition his rash engagements into Wars in the Kings unsetled age and estate his negligences deceits and all other insufficiencies before-mentioned Wherewith Sir Robert Wingfeild Captain of the Guard being sent to Windsore he so well perswaded the King both of the Loyal affection of the Lords towards him and of their moderate desires against the Protector then present that he was remov'd from the King's person and a Guard set upon him till the next day when the Lords at London were appointed to be there Who came accordingly but the Earl of Warwick not with them though all moved from him Which Lords coming before the King repeated their former complaints advising him to beware of such as were both Powerful Ambitious Mischeivous and Rich Affirming that it would be better security unto him that this Power should be committed to many who cannot so readily knit together in Will or in Action as when the whole managery resideth in one Whereupon this Duke being no longer called Protector was put into their hands and commited to custody in Beauchamp's Tower within that Castle and the next day brought to London where he rode through Holburne betwixt the Earls of Southampton and Huntington followed by Lords and Gentlemen to the number of Three hundred all mounted on horsback and at Sopher-lane being received by the Lord Mayor Sheriffs Recorder and divers Knights of note with their Attendants bearing Halberts was convey'd to the Tower Where having breath'd a small time certain Lords of the Council were sent to him who after a short Preface in such termes as hate and dissimulation could temper together remembring how great the Amity had formerly been between them and of what continuance Then acknowledging what Offices and Services he had done for the Common-wealth yet enterlacing some errors and defects wherewith they seem'd to reproach him they presented to him certain Articles as from the rest of the Privy-Council desiring his pâ—â—sent Answer whether he would acknowledge them to be true or stand upon his Justification Which Articles were these 1. That he took upon him the Office of Protector upon express condition that he should do nothing in the Kings Affairs but by assent of the late King's Executors 〈◊〉 the greatest part of them 2. That contrary to this condition he did hinder Iustice and subvert Laws of his own authority as well by Letters as by other command 3. That he caused divers persons Arrested and Imprisoned for Treason Murther Manslaughter and Felony to be discharged against the Laws and Statutes of the Realm 4. That he appointed Lieutenants for Armies and other Officers for the weighty Affairs of the King under his own writing and seale 5. That he communed with Embassadors of other Realmes alone of the weighty Matters of the Realme 6. That he would taunt and reprove divers of the King 's most honorable Counsellors for declaring their advice in the King 's weighty Affairs against his opinion sometimes telling them that they were not worthy to sit in Councill and sometimes that he needed not to open weighty matters to them and that if they were not agreeable to his opinion he would discharge them 7. That against Law he held a Court of Requests in his House and did enforce divers to answer there for their Freehold and Goods and did determine of the same 8. That being no Officer without the advice of the Councill or most part of them he did dispose of the King's guift for Money grant Leases and Wards gave Bishopricks and made sale of the King's Lands 9. That he commanded Alchimye and multiplication to be practised thereby to abase the Kings coyne 10. That divers times be openly said that the Nobility and Gentry were the only cause of Dearth whereupon the people rose to reform matters of themselves 11. That against the mind of the whole Council be caused Proclamation to be made concerning Inclosures whereupon the people made divers Insurrections and destroyed many of the Kings Subjects 12. That he sent forth a Commission with Articles annexed concerning Inclosures common High-ways Cottages and such like matters giving the Commissioners authority to hear and determine those causes whereby the Laws and Statutes of the Realm were subverted and much Rebellion raised 13. That he suffered Rebels to assemble and lye armed in Camp against the Nobility and Gentry of the Realm without speedy repressing of them 14. That he did comfort and encourage divers Rebells by giving them money and promissing them Fees Rewards and Services 15. That he caused a Proclamation to be made against Law and in favor of the Rebels that none of them should be vexed or sued by any for their offences in their Rebellion 16. That in time of Rebellion he said that he liked well the actions of the Rebels and that the Avarice of Gentlemen gave occasion for the people to rise and that it was better for them to die than to perish for want 17. That he said the Lords of the Parliament were loath to reform Inclosures and other things therefore the people had good cause to reform them themselves 18. That after Declaration of the defaults of Baloine and the pieces there by such as did survive them he would never amend the same 19. That he would not suffer the Kings pieces of Newhaven and Blackness to be furnished with Men and provision albeit he was advertised of the defaults and advised thereto by the Kings Council whereby the French King was emboldned to attempt upon them 20. That he would neither give authority nor suffer Noblemen and Gentlemen to suppress Rebels in time convenients but wrote to them to speak the Rebels fair and use them gently 21. That upon the fifth of October