presence of all the Lords of the Privy Councell and other Peeres of the Realme at Westminster Created Duke of Yorke with all usuall and accustomed solemnities Count Gundamore being sent over Ambassadour from the King of Spaine to treate of a Match betwixt the young Prince and the Infanta of Spaine who confidently affirmed there was no other way to regaine the Palatinate and to settle a perpetual Peace in England but by this Match King James having a naturall inclination to peace gives great attention and by advice of the Privy Councell the Prince on the 17 of Feb. 1622. is sent disguised with the Duke of Buckingham attended by Endimion Porter of the Bed-Chamber and Richard Greenham Master of the Horse to the Duke who were met at Dover by Sir Francis Cottington Secretary to the Prince who being Imbarqued Land at Boloigne and so post to Paris where staying one day he had a transient View of that excellent Lady the Princes Henerettae Maria at a Mask which The Great Disposer of all things had preserved for him On the 7th of March he arrives at Madrid and alighted at the Earle of Bristolls house then extraordinary Ambassadour whose suddaine arrivall startled Bristoll who was altogether a stranger to the Journey The next Morning notice was given to Count Olivares the Spanish favourite and by him Communicated to King Philip of the arrivall of the Duke of Buckingham who in private informed the King of the Princes hazardous adventure to have a sight of the Infanta which accordingly was afterwards performed with a great deale of seeming affection But the crafty Spaniard could by no means be drawne to admit the restitution of the Palatinate but would reserve it as a Gratuity to be freely bestowed after the Marriage Much time was spent and Articles were drawn on both sides ready to signe when on the suddaine Pope Gregory dies who was to give his dispensation for the Match application is made to Pope Vrban which protracted much time the Prince being sensible of delay desires leave to returne with many Complements takes his farewell of the King and Infanta and with much danger arrives the fist of October at Porchmouth the next day posts to London where he was received with unspeakable joy of the people and soone after hasts to Royston where the King then resided to whom he gave an ample and large account of the whole proceedings the King communicates it to the Councell who concluded to acquaint a Parliament with it and forthwith a Parliament was summoned to meet in February following Which being met he declared the necessity of a mutuall compliance betwixt a King and his Parliament urging it with the parallel of Christ and his Church the husband the wife and so falls upon the businesse giving a short account of his Sons going to Spaine with Buckingham to attend him and his endeavours therein for the peace and welfare of Christendom and desires their advice and assistance for the good of the Common-wealth Religion his Son his Children of the Palatinate how that his Estate and welfare consisted with theirs and that he was free to follow their advice and concluded with serious and Christian Protestations that never wayfaring man in the burning desarts more desired water to quench his thirst then he thirsted and longed for the happy successe of this Parliament The House after debate desired a further account of the particulars which accordingly was performed by the Duke of Buckingham and the Prince Buckingham having satisfied the curiosity of a searching Parliament was by them greatly esteemed and looked upon as the preserver of the Nation The Parliament after nature Consideration advise the King to break off the Treaty and to proclaim open warre the King being naturally of a peacefull disposition was very timorous of it and urges his great want of money to maintaine it the Exchequer being much drained by his Sons Journey into Spaine Ambassadours the maintenance of his Children abroad who eate no other bread but by him besides he was loath to shew his Teeth and could not bite he is willing to dissolve the Treaties but if he should begin a warre God onely knows when it will end but he would ingage his Son for the Recovery of the Palatinate and in his old age will if need require assist in person promising the disposall of the moneys to a Committee of Parliament Forthwith a Councell of War is chosen who order 6000 men to be sent immediately into the Low Countryes in order to their passage into Germany Buckingham is accused of treason by the Spanish Ambassadour but nothing came of it The Prince growing in yeares and in the favour of the people the Treaty with Spaine being null'd some overtures are made for a Match with the Princes Henneretta Maria the youngest sister of the French King King James breaks it to his Privy Councell which joyntly applaud it a Parliament being summoned and the businesse propounded it was entertained by them with an unanimous consent and proposed that an Ambassadour be forth with sent to negotiate in behalfe of the Match the Earle of Holland is with all Expedition sent to feele the pulse of the French King in whom he found a ready inclination so that he could easily guesse at the event having advertised his Majesty of it instantly the Earle of Carlile is sent as an additionall Ambassadour to the Earle of Holland the French King sends Marquesse D'Effait for England in the quality of an Ambassadour the Noble Instruments plyed their businesse so close that on the tenth of November 1624. Articles on both sides were signed there wanted nothing for the Compleating the Match but a dispensation from Rome for which the King of France sollicited In the Interim King James being molested with a tertian Ague which drave him into a Feaver delivers up his soule to God the 27 of March 1625. at Theobalds leaving his three Kingdomes to his Son Various rumours past among the people concerning a plaister which the Duke of Buckingham caused to be laid to the Kings wrists but his Physitians Sir Matthew Lister Dr Chambers and others being examined cleared the Duke of that scandall He was accounted and called Great Britaines Solomon by some Courtiers a Generall Scholler and made all his Studies and Learning subservient to that of Divinity He was a perfect hater of Arminianisme the Semipelagians and of the Calvinisticall Presbyterian humour which severall times attempted to break forth in his Raigue but he by his wisdome supprest an excellent Oratour and by some charg'd with Epicurisme A man studious of peace The sad Newes of King James his death came to Whitehall just when Bishop Laud was in his Sermon which made him to breake off in compliance with the sadnesse of the Congregation His Son Charles was immediately proclaimed at the Court Gate King of Great Britaine France and Ireland who presently dispatcheth aviso's of his Fathers death to all Confederate Princes and States
THE LIFE AND RAIGNE OF King CHARLES From his Birth to his Death Faithfully and Impartially performed By Lambert Wood Gent. LONDON Printed for Simon Miller at the Star in St Pauls Church-yard near the West end 1659. Carolus REX Angliae TO THE READER COURTEOUS READER HEre is presented to thy View the Life and Raigne of King Charls from his Birth to his Death together with all the transactions both Military and Civil during his Raign by which thou maist plainly see the degrees and steps which occasioned the fall and untimely end of that great though unfortunate Prince I was the rather encouraged hereunto by the sad complaint of Prince Henry eldest Brother to the Late King which was That the English Nation being inferiour to none for praise-worthy Atchievements yet were surpast by all in remitting their praise-worthy Actions to posterity In the Compiling this History I have kept close to the naked truth without the least reflection upon any Party or Interest and that in as few words as is imaginable not omitting any thing considerable or worthy the Readers taking notice of His whole Raign was full of mutations and changes For it is with times as it is with wayes some are more rough and steep others more smooth and level or rather may they be compared to the sea which is now calm and smooth and presently boysterous waves and surgies are only prevalent the truth of both are evident and fresh in the memory of many of the different Raigns of King James and King Charles the first being subtilly indulgent to his own ease had entayled an empty Exchequer upon the latter which in humane probability was the occasion of the sad breaches and differences that happened betwixt him and his Subjects There is a naturall desire in all mankind since the fall to know good and evil and it is as naturall to most men to pry into the secrets of Princes and the more Princes endeavour to conceal their thoughts the more the people labour to divine them and when people are most in the dark they fain to themselves the clearest light and take the presumption to censure rashly the intentions of Princes as when the Thunderbolt fell on Sejanus his head the vulgar and most ignorant of the people boasted they fore-saw the tempest Therefore it is best to Take St Paul's advice not to judge any thing till the time come I have omitted affected words and height of Rhetorick neither being so essentially necessary for a History which is chiefly intended for surviving Ages Thus requesting thee gentle Reader to accept of the poor endeavour of him who is Thy Friend LAMBERT WOOD. King Charles his Life and Death Courteous Reader These Books following are Printed or sold by Simon Miller at the Star in St Pauls Church-yard Small Folio THe Civil Warres of Spain in the Reign of Charles the fifth Emperour of Germany and King of that Nation wherein our late unhappy differences are paralleled in many particulars A general History of Scotland from the year 767. to the death of King James containing the principal Revolutions and Transactions of Church and State with Political observations and reflections upon the same by David Hume of Godscroft The History of this Iron Age. Doctor Lightfoot his Harmony on the New Testament Mr. Paul Baine on the Ephesians In Quarte large Barklay his Argenis Translated by Sir Robert le Grise Knight by his Late Majesties special Command Quarto small Abraham's Faith or the good old Religion proving the Doctrine of the Church of England to be the only true faith of Gods Elect By J Nicholson Minister of the Gospel The Anatomy of Mortality By George Stroad Aynsworth on the Canticles Paul Bain his Diocesans Trial. Gralle against Appolonius A Treatise of Civil Policy being a clear decision of 43 Queries concerning prerogative right and priviledge in reference to the supreme Prince and the people By Samuel Rutherford professor of Divinity of St Andrews in Scotland Politick and Military observations of Civil and Military Government containing the birth encrease decay of Monarchies the carriage of Princes and Magistrates Mr Pinchin his meritorious price of mans redemption cleared Astrology Theologized shewing what nature and influence the Starres and Planets have over men and how the same may be diverted and avoided The Harmony of Confessions Camdens Remains Large Octavo Florus Anglicus with the Lively Effigies of all the Kings and Queens since the Conquest cut in Brass The Reconciler of the Bible wherein above two thousand seeming Contradictions are fully and plainly Reconciled Evidences for Heaven containing infallible signs and real demonstrations for assurance of salvation published by Edm. Calamy Minister of Aldermanbury Lond. The Life and Reign of King Charles from his birth to his death By Lambert Wood. A view of the Jewish Religion with their Rites Customes and Ceremonies Small Octave Ed. Waterhouse Esq his Discourse of Piety and Charity A view and defence of the Reformation of the Church of England very usefull in these times Mr Peter du Moulin his Antidote against Popery published on purpose to prevent the delusions of the Priests and Jesuites who are now very busie amongst us Herberts Devotions or a Companion for a Christian containing Meditations and Prayers usefull upon all occasions Mr. Knowles his Rudiment of the Hebrew Tongue A Book of Scheams or Figures of Heaven ready set for every four minutes of times and very usefull for all Astrologers Florus Anglicus or an exact History of England from the Reign of William the Cōnqueror to the death of the Late King Lingua or the Combate of the Tongue and the five Senses for superiority a serious Comedy The Spirits Touch-stone being a clear discovery how a man may certainly know whether he be truly taught by the Spirit of God or not The poor mans Physitian and Chyrurgion The Idol of Clowns The Christian Moderator in 3 parts The Golden-fleece or a Discourse of the cloathing of England Dr. Sibbs his Meditations Doctor Smith's practice of Physick The Grammar Warre Posselius Apothegmes Fasciculus Florum Crashaw's Visions Helvicus Colloquies The Christian Souldier his combate with the three arch-enemies of mankind the world the flesh and the devil Vigerius precipes Idiotismus Hensius de Crepundiae The History of Russia or the Government of the Emperour of Muscovia with the manner and fashions of the people of that Country Drexeliu's School of Patience Viginti Quat The New Testament The third part of the Bible Plays The Ball Chawbut Martyr'd Souldier THE LIFE RAIGNE of KING CHARLES from his Birth to his Death CHARLES the second Son of King James was borne at Dumferling in Scotland the 19 of November 1600. who during his Infancy was of a very weak and sickly temper but arriving to riper yeares proved to be of a very healthfull Constitution Whilst he abode in Scotland was created Duke of Albany Marquesse of Ormond Count Ross and Lord of Ardmannoth and was the sixt of January 1604. in
like was never in England seene before for State and Magnificence and afterward were Royally entertained by the Lord Mayor of London with a stately Feast and Banquet 1634. The English Coast was much perplext with Pirates of severall Nations and the Kings Dominion in the narrow Seas evidently usurped by the Dutch and defended by Grotius in his book Entituled Mare Liberum which was exactly Answered by the Learned Selden in his Book Entituled Mare Clausum The Exchequer at that time was very much drained The King having tyed himselfe up by granting the Petition of Right could not tax or levy money without consent of Parliament and how to expect it from them with whom he had parted so fouly he could not imagine He declares his Intentions to his Attorney Noy together with the Necessity of raysing money but desires it to be done Legally who after much study and paines finds out an ancient president of raising a Tax for setting forth a Navy in case of danger without a Parliament The King was very glad of it Writs were Instantly Issued out to the Sea-port Townes to raise money for a certaine number of Ships well provided for the safety of the Nation they complained that it equally concern'd the whole Nation upon which a Tax was laid throughout the whole Kingdome every one endeavoured to excuse it and some alledged it was against the Petition of Right it being done out of Parliament which begat a great quarrell Great Contest happened in Ireland this yeare between the Protestants and Papists which occasioned the Lord Strafford then Lord Deputy to summon a Parliament for the raysing of moneys for the payment of the Army and the Kings Revenue which was managed with so much wisdome and prudence by the Lord Deputy that he obtained his desire There was likewise a Synod called wherein the Articles of 1615 were repealed and the 39 Articles of the Church of England established in their room they did likewise unanimously declare their consent and agreement with the Church of England in the profession of the same Christian faith The Scots were now Hatching mischievous designes against the King which they colour'd with specious pretences as The Kings endeavouring to Intrench on their Liberties and after some time were so Insolent as to charge the King with favouring of Papists in a desperate Libell which by the care and diligence of the Lords of the Councell was supprest the Author was discovered to be one Hagge and the principall abettor the Lord Bellamore who being found Guilty received the sentence of death but upon his application to the Kings mercy was pardoned The 29 of September by the procurement of the Earle of Arundell one Robert Parr aged 160 was brought to London one of the wonders of this last age In November following the Prince Elector came to London to tender his respect to his Uncle and to solicite touching his restitution and not long after came his second Brother Prince Robert On the 28 of December 1635. was borne the Kings second Daughter and was the second of January baptized Elizabeth March the sixth William Juxson Lord Bishop of London was made Lord Treasurer a man of great Piety and Integrity At this time if ever might England be said to be in a happy condition the Church the most Glorious and splendid that ever was since the Apostles times the Civill Government managed by a King who for piety and morality was not Inferiour to any in the Christian world Incompassed about with peace on all sides what mortall would ever have imagined that this bright Sun-shine of Felicity should be so soone Eclipsed William Land Lord Archbishop of Canterbury taking notice of the carelesse observance of the Ecclesiasticall Canons which he strictly put in practice in his solemne Visitation and in his zeale gave order for the Removing of the Communion Table to the East end of the Church upon an ascent and to be rayled In to prevent profanation which gave great distast to the puritan party who charg'd him with Innovation 1636. In July set forth the Kings Royall Fleete to scowre the Seas of Pirates and to prevent the Intrenching of the Hollander in Fishing upon our Coasts which was effected but by their humble Request the King Indulgently Granted them Liberty In September the Earle of Arundell was sent Extraordinary Ambassadour attended by a Noble Traine to the Emperour to solicite in behalfe of the Prince Elector who being wearied with delayes return'd in a discontent The unhappy Controversie of Ship-money began now to be disputed The Writs for raysing Ship-money having been formerly Issued out divers refused to pay among the rest Mr. Hamden of Buckingham-shire by wilfull default refused and desired it might be argued in Law which occasioned the King to write a Letter to Sir John Brampston Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench Sir John Finsh Lord Chiefe Justice of the Court of Common Pleas Sir Humphry Davenport Baron of the Exchequer and to the rest of The Judges of the severall Courts to know their opinion who joyntly and severally gave their opinion that it was Lawfull upon which Processe is immediately Issued out against Mr. Hamden who demurr'd and desired the Judges opinion which was argued in the Exchequer the Major part was for the King onely Judge Crooke and Judge Hutton seemed to favour the other party but Judgement was past by the Barons against Hamden On the 17 of March 1636. was borne Anne the Kings third Daughter In June following Mr. Prin Dr Bastwick and Mr. Burton three violent and restlesse spirited men were sentenc'd in the High Commission Court for seditious and scandalous Libells by them made and disperst against the Bishops and their Ecclesiastical Government which sentence was by some accounted harsh and severe The King knowing the necessity of a mutuall Compliance in matters of Religion and understanding his Fathers Intention in composing a Liturgy for the Church of Scotland Orders the Bishop of Canterbury the Bishop of Ely together with diverse other Bishops of both Nations to revise and correct as they should think meete the Service Compiled in his Fathers life time which very little differ'd from that of England orders it to be sent to the Councell in Scotland to be made use of When on the 23 of July 1637 the Dean of Edenborough began to read the Book in St Giles Church a suddain uproar began by the women and baser sort of people The Bishop appointed to preach goes into the Pulpit hoping to convince them of their Irreverend Carriage which nothing prevailed for they were the more Insolent flinging stones stooles and what ever else came next to hand so that he hardly escaped with life Diverse other Churches were likewise Infested with the like fury and madnesse but by the Industry of the Archbishop of St Andrews Lord Chancelour and other Magistrates the tumult was appeased some were afterward apprehended and endeavours made to finde out the first beginner But it rested
was laid aside Money being provided on the 14 of September the Commissioners set forward for the Isle of Wight forty dayes was the time limited his Majesty desir'd that the first day on which nothing was performed but visits might not be reckoned for one of the forty The next day the Personall Treaty began and it may very well be call'd Personall for was it ever knowne that a King of England argued and disputed alone with able men selected out of the Parliament they personally to argue pro and con with a King His Majesty being seated in a Chair of State those his assistants by him were silent His Majesty desir'd a Copy of the Heads that they came to treat upon the Commissioners answered they were the same with those at Hampton Court His Majesty replyed some of those Heads concern'd Scotland the Commissioners said they came to treat onely of those that concern'd England and Ireland The King desir'd the Scots might be Included to which the Commissioners answered they had no Instructions to permit it his Majesty further desired that what papers he might put in during the Treaty might be no way obliging till such time as all was agreed The Commissioners Insisted on the first Article which was that his Majesty should recall all his Declarations to which he brought many pressing arguments professing he was in a very great straight to yeild would leave a blot and staine upon himselfe and those that assisted him and to breake off the Treaty upon that would be very prejudiciall to him and the whole Kingdome desiring some expedient might be found out The next day the Commissioners gave weighty reasons to his Majesty which mov'd him to signe it with this proviso that if the whole was not concluded this concession of his should not be taken advantage of The second Proposition wholly related to the settlement of the Church which being very long took some time In it he scrupled at two things first at his own taking the Covenant the second against pluralities much wondring that this should be put on him when the Parliament had granted more pluralities to some men then ever he did to any after much serious consideration the King gave in a Paper wherein he agreed First to settle the Directory secondly to passe an Act to confirme the Assembly thirdly that Presbyterian Government be setled for three yeares in the Interim a consultation be had what Government shall be setled at the expiration of the three yeares provided he and his party may have Liberty to use the old forme he liked not the sale of Bishops Lands for ninety nine years and utterly refused to take the Covenant Further adding that when he came to London he should be willing to passe any thing that his two Houses should advise to As to the Proposition for taking away all Honours since 1642. his Majesty is consenting that all persons on whom Honours have been confer'd since May 21. 1642. shall be uncapable of sitting in the House without the consent of both Houses of Parliament Concerning Delinquents his Majesty consents that all persons that have had any hand in the plotting contrary designes or assisting the Rebellion of Ireland shall expect no pardon For Delinquents his Majesty desires they may compound moderately for their Estates and further for the quiet and settlement of the Kingdome his Majesty is willing that all those Delinquents whom the Parliament shall not thinke fit be not admitted to Councell or Court without the consent of both Houses The Commissioners being bound up to receive a positive answer durst not accept of that Divers meetings and arguings were on both sides for and against at last on the 21 of October the King put in a Paper containing the Heads of those things that he requir'd which were 1. That he be put in a condition of freedome Honour and safety and have the faith of the two Houses therefore 2. That he may be restored to his Lands and Revenues 3. That he may have compensation for the Court of Wards and such other of his revenue as he shall part withall 4. An Act of Oblivion and Indempnity be past Which Propositions the Commissioners communicate to the Lords who upon debate finde them to be so reasonable as to consent to them all They likewise Informe the House of his Majesties answer to Religion and the Covenant which the House Vote not satisfactory and will by no meanes permit him the use of the Common prayer but for the Covenant they are content to suspend it but order the Commissioners to proceed on the rest The Lords Vote that they approve of his Majestie suspension of Episcopacy for three yeares provided it take no place afterward but by consent of Parliament The Lords and Commons Vote their Commissioners returne from the Treaty excepting the Earle of Northumberland Mr Perepoint and Mr Hollis The Commons debated of his Majesties Propositions and Vote that they agree 1. That he be in Honour freedome and safety according to the Laws 2. That he have his revenue as before excepting the Dedications of such Forts and Garrisons as were of old accustom'd to be allow'd maintenance 3. That he have compensation for the Court of Wards 4. That an Act of Oblivion be past All which they communicate to the Lords The King having Granted the Parliament to dispose of all Great Offices for ten yeares they Vote it satisfactory Lieutenant Generall Cromwell enters Scotland and puts out strict Proclamation for the Civill deportment of his Army He no sooner enters the Kingdome but Monroe and others dispairing of successe disband the new Levies and returne malancholly to Edenborough The Lieutenant Generall was with many of the Officers of the Army Nobly feasted by the Nobility and Gentry of that Nation at Edenborough The Scots send Commissioners to London to the Parliament to shew their Just dislike of the late Levies On the 9th of October he had Carlile deliver'd up to him who immediately appointed Sir Arthur Haslerig to be Governour Endeavours were made for the betraying of Pendennis Castle but it was timely prevented Lanerick the Governour of Barwick sent desiring Conditions for the delivering of the Town which was accordingly consented to The Lieutenant Generall with the Army returne out of Scotland not without much thanks from the Generality of the Nobility The Committee of York Petition the Lieutenant Generall to take care of the siege of Pomfret who accordingly sent a sharp summons to the Governour to which the Governour sent a Reply which in effect was a deniall Major Generall Skippon Reports to the House the great danger they were in by reason of the great concourse of Malignants and disaffected persons into the City together with the plots tending to assassinate many of the Members and of his Inability to assist them without a Guard requiring if they thinke it convenient that some of the Army come to Guard them upon which the House appointed a time to consider of