suspition could not as yet detect any person of name or quality which troubled him so much the more But when hee perceiued indeede that this misty vapour was not quiâ—e vaniâ—hed nor the impression put out of the mad braines of the common people and vnderstood how Sr. Robert Clâ—fford was priuily fled into Flanders he resolued on a conspiracy against him and thought it expedient both for the saueguard of himselfe and his Realme whose reciprocall good or hurt were dependants one vpon another to prouide some remedy for the repressing of this abusing fraud and deceit and suppressing the insolency if it should extend to force and rebellion Wherefore hee disperâ—ed seuerall companies both of horse and foot to defend the sea coasts that no man might passe or repasse vnapprehended who had not license or safe conduct for his iourny busines and affaires Then hee sent downe the Lieutenants and lustices into their seuerall countries to detaine the people in obedience and muster the forces of the same as occasion should serue Which order obserued he vnderhand authorized wise and discreet Espiâ—lls into all the cities of the Low-Countries to discouer of what Prouince progeny parentage and estate this misnamed Richard was descended and propagated promising princely rewards to such persons as could relate the truth and as a man may say enucleate the secret Besides hee wrote louing letters to certaine trusty friends concerning the same who to doe their Prince and Countrey seruice dispersed themselues into seuerall townes and cities both of France and Burgundy where they were certified and assured by the testimony of many honest persons amongst whom some of especiall wit and behauiour repaired to the towne of Tourney that this fained Duke was of meane parentage and truly named Peter Warbeck which was principally confirmed by one Nathaniâ—l Osbeck of his owne kinred who as it should seeme in hope of reward tooke vpon him more then the rest and exprobrated him for so countersetting with this taunt out of the Poet Sed malè dissimulat quis enim celauerit ignem Lumine qui semper proditur ipse suo And alas howeuer he is now transhaped into a princely garb and fashion we of Peter named him Perkin for his effeminatenesse and childisnnesse With this newes and man the inquisitours returned into England and made a true report vnto his Maiesty of all that euer they knew and heard both concerning the assumpted presumption and impudency of the counterfet as also the proceedings and purposes of all the conspiratours which was seconded by the faithful letters of especial persons who had larger commission to make their commorance the longer out of England when the King was thus satisfied and as he supposed to all seeming reasonable vnderstanding had openly and apparantly manifested it heresolued to haue it further published and declared by open proclamations and sound of trumpet both in the Realmes of England and Ireland and in the courts of forraine Princes for which purpose he sent ouer diuers Embassadours to many Countries especially to Philip Arch-Duke of Burgoine and his Councellours as a place which neerest concerned him This Embasie was the charge and commission of Sr. Ed. Poinings a most valiant Gentleman and William Warrham Doctor of the lawes a man of great modesty learning and grauity The generall poynts of their commission had large fields to walke in but the principall matters to be enforced had these limitations FIrst to declare that the young man resident amongst them with the Lady Margaret was descended of a base and obscure parentage hauing falsly and vntruly vsurped the name of Richard Duke of Yorke who long before was murthered in the Tower with his brother the Prince by the commandement of King Richard their vncle as many men liuing can testifie Secondly that from the probability of the matter and enforcement of reason there was no likelihood that King Richard dispossessing the Prince both of his life and Kingdom would leaue the other brother stil to affright him and trouble him in his gouernment Thirdly that Queene Elizabeth their mother was therefore attainted in Parliament for surrendring her daughters into the Tyrants custody and committing them into his hands who she knew had already murthered their brethren Fourthly to desire the Arch-Duke and the principall Lords of his Councell not to giue any credit to such illusions nor suffer themselues to bee any more blinded or seduced with impostures or shadowing appearances of truth Last of all to remember how King Henry had some few yeeres since succoured and releeued Maximilian their principall Lord almost oppressed and ouercome with the forraine hostility of the French King and intestine rebellion of his owne subiects and therefore it must be vnprincely and a poynt of great ingratitude either directly or indirectly to abett or maintaine any traytour or trayterous practises against him or the peace and tranquility of his Kingdome With these instructions the Embassadours failed into Flanders and were gently receiued and honourably welcommed by the Arch-Duke and his Councell as appeared by the solemnity of their audience and quicke dispatch of their businesse wherein Doctor William Warrham in a well penned oration declared the Kings minde as before you heard and by the way touched the malice of Lady Margaret saying with the Poet Tantaenè animis coele stibus irae And vnder a kinde of reprehension rebuked her inficious disposition against a Prince of so great worth and deseruing that neuer wronged her nor entertained a preiudiciall motiue to inflict either her or hers with any malignant iniury wherin she only might be compared to a weak breath which spitting against a forcible winde had it returned bâ—cke againe into her face adding withall somewhat vehemently that in her olde age contrary to the nature of all births shee had brought forth two such detestable monsters that is to say Lambert before disputed vpon and now this Peter that the like was neuer heard of And whereas in the conception of children women were commonly deliuered in eight or nine moneths as nature did require she could not be released in eight or nine yeeres nay the youngest was fifteen yeeres old before her threnes were passed and they iustified to be shewed openly and this was not sufficient neither but they must bee at least extracted of Princes and able to giue Kings battell in the open field whereupon hee might well conclude with that ancient Poet Sedres excellens est contra reptiles bestias Remedia mortalibus deorum prebuisse aliquem Quae viperas ignem superant Sed nullus contra mulierem remedia inuenit adhuc Malam huiusmodi sumus hominibus malum This oration so effectually deliuered and in the publique assembly audaciously maintained did not so much trouble and vex the Duches as affâ—ight and dishearten poore Perkin who in a manner exanimated lest his fraud and pestilentiall enterprizes should not onely bee discouered but discouraged began to be somewhat appaled and by
a fearefull countenance seemed to discountenance both his honor and the action had not the Duches taken the cause in hand with a more vndaunted courage and like a true Virago raised her spirits to a higher pitch of reuenge thus resuscitating her darling and answering the Doctor MY Lords Embassadors of England For the dignity of princelines commandeth no lesse awfull regard of Maiesty combineth me to such obseruation Besides I am no way offended with your persons but your message wherin I know the Oratour hath much transcended his bounds but speaking for his fee and doing another mans errand he is the more pardonable and therefore as neere as I can reâ—ember I will answer succinctly to euery point deliuered First whereas you impeach the miraculous and wonderfull preseruation of this Prince In which yet my credit and knowledge of the truth shall be of sufficiency to answer all other obiections and intercedings I cannot blame you nor him that set you on worke For he well knowes that sonnes â—re to bee preferred before daughters and ashamed of the â—reachery of his ancestours he would put off the blame by a tricke of policy in laying as great faults on the shoulders of his aduersary I meane my brother Richard whose tyranny and obdurate heart hath onely wrought this relenting in me that say do what England can I will be now the Protectrix of this euery way distressed Prince and so to conclude this poynt assure your King Permanet in voto mens mea firma suo Secondly whereas you inferre the improbability and vnlikelihood of sauing the Prince being in a Tyrants custody and determining to murther the King himselfe I answer in a word I am of your minde if euer he had come into his hands But it is well knowne that the Cardinall himselfe was deceiued and the childe conuayed away in despight of the maleuolent practises of so cruell an Homicide Yet say it had not beene so I hope eldest brothers daughters are preferred before a yonger brothers claime and hee had fiue Princesses besides my Nephew Warwicke to wrastle wiâ—hall before he could goe out of the lists with his owne triumphs Therefore it was not the feare of him that did accelerate his murther as you suppose but his resolution to bee King in despight of Heauen and Hell Thirdly concerning the dispossessing of the Queene their mother by your Parliament I am ashamed of your asseueration that euer man and such a man whom as you say the Heauens protected should bee attainted of inhumanity to thinke a woman might not bee affrighted with a Tyrant when hee himselfe ranne into euery corner from his reaches But say there had beene a fault perpetrated through the timidity of her sex and tendernesse of her widdow-hood would any man marry the daughter and hate or distresse the poore mother in whose behalfe I may well say with Ariadne to Theseus Sinon ego causasalutis Noâ— tamen est cur tu fis mihi causa necis And therefore if there were no more then to reuenge her quarrell I will bee an enemy to Lancaster while I liue and am no further mooued with your vnseasonable oratory then afraid of his menaces Fourthly whereas you would insinuate with our Nobles and trusty friends to desist from my allegiance and aâ—â—sting my Nephew in his lawfull claime you thinke belike we are as perfidious as your selues that seeme glad of Treason and turmoiles vpon the very sound of innouation yea the least aduantage or disaduantage will cause you leaue your Prince in the midst of his enemies Fiftly concerning your exprobration of Maximilian for ingratitude and not coadiuting your King in his petty reuenges vpon France First his great dessignes are not to be compared to your triuiall businesse and hauing matters of high consequence else-where he could not leaue them to attend your weaker importunities Secondly he well knew it was but a folly to assist you in any businesse of France for as fasâ— as you got it one way you would loose it another so that you cannot now show any Town or Fort either of King Edwards conquests or Henry the fifts enterprises except Calice which lying so neere you you cannot for shame but defend And thirdly in my conscience he tooke pitty of you knowing you had a warre at home to attend and so were not able to prosecute both encounters at once goe back therefore and tell your politike Prince that whereas words are but womens weapons to his imagination we determine to arme our selues and this Prince by Gods assistance and my power shall bid him base in his owne Kingdome with speare and shield and make an equall combat the decider of both their Titles Last of all concerning your inuectiue against women alas I smile at your schollership and am ashamed at your poore discretion in adapting some poeticall inuention out of fury or despight to your present purposes when both the same man and all others of the same condition are as forward to commend as dispraise vs For to answere your worne out and threed bare Tragedian hearke what our Diuine Petrarch affirmeth Huius mens terrenarâ—m nescia curarum Coelestibus desiderâ—s ardet in cuius aspectu si quid vnquam veri est diuini specâ—â—en decoris effulget cuius mores consummata honestatis exempâ—â—â— sunt cuius nec vox necoculorum vigor mortale aliquid nec incessuâ—â—â—minem represent at With which words she arose and carried away Perkin with such state and maiestie that Sir Edward Poinings though he were euery way inuincible for his courage and a knowne man for wonderfull and seuerall exploits yet seemed amazed at her Heroicall speech and delicat manner of obstinacy Notwithstanding the Embâ—ssadors and Councell of Estate often met and after long debating the matter somewhat to pacifie the King of England for many reciprocall gratuities and benefits receiued they concluded that the Arch-duke should neither aide nor assist Perkin nor his complices in any cause or quarrell whatsoeuer against the maiesty of England Only if the Duches continued in her obduratnesse and would not desist from her feminine rages and terrible prosecutions they were not to oppose against her nor was it in their power to let or withstand it For she was an absolute gouernour in her owne territories and the seignories and lands assigned for her dower were of sufficiency to suffulciat her enterprises without their contradiction or restraint When this answere was giuen they returned againe into England with a true relation of all occurrences as they chanced and circumstances impending whereupon King Henry both politike and charitable for of all other things he desired if it were possible to auoid effusion of blood and hazzardous danger of battaile supposing that was the last remedy of curing diseased Common-wealths as Surgeons doe to festered sores contriued another worke which although it was branded by some with the character of traiterous intelligences yet it serued his turne for
Earle of Surrey was so enraged at the bragging and ouer-daring Prince that he followed him at the heeles and in reuenge of many mischiefes perpetrated by him in such audacious manner he entred Scotland defaced the Castle of Cundrestins deuasted the Tower Hedonhaâ—â— vndermined the Tower of Edington ouerthrew the Pile of Fulden and sent Norey King of Armes to the Captaine of Haiton Castle the strongest fortification betweene Barwick and Edinborough to deliuer the same which he absolutely denied vntill the worthy Generall set himselfe downe before it made his approches and cast vp a strong rampart or battery for the expugnation preuailing so farre that at last it was surrendred their liues onely saued who were no soooner departed according to the conditions but our Generall quite ouerthrew and demolished the same The King of Scots was within a mile of the siedge and yet durst not reskue the same only by way of ostentation he sent Marchemount and another Herrald to the Earle of Surrey with a kind of defiance and challenge either to encounter with him Army to Army or body to body conditionally that if the victory fall to his maiesty the Earle should deliuer and surrender for his ransome the Townâ— of Barwicke with the fish-garthes of the same if the Earle againe were Victor the King would pay 1000. pound sterling for his redemption The noble Generall welcommed these Herralds and like a couragious yet vnderstanding Captaine quickly answered all the points of their commission First he was ready to abide the battaile in the plaine field and would if he pleased for the same purpose lay open the trenches and make the passages so easie that victory should haue comfort of comming amongst them Secondly he thought himselfe much honoured that so noble a Prince and great a King would vouchsafe to descend to so low a dregree of contention as a priuate duello with him for which he would not onely repute him heroike and magnanimous but setting his loyalty to his Prince aside performe all good offices which belonged to the sweet contract of a perpetuall amity if it were possible betweene them Thirdly for the towne of Barwicke it was none of his but the King his masters which hee would not so much as coniâ—cture vpon without his consent and aduice as he himselfe might well iudge in the affaires of Princes what was to bee done Fourthly hee thought his owne life worth all the townes of the world and so would gladly hazard himselfe yea was proud as hee said before that so great a Maiesty would parallel him in such a kinde onely he desired pardon for a little vaine-glory that if hee conquered the King hee would release him freely if the King vanquished him hee would either yeeld him his life or pay such a tribute and competency as is befitting the state and degree of an Earle to all which he was the rather induced because he was confident that Causa iubet melior superos sperare secundos But it should seeme these affronts were meere flourishes For neither battell nor combat nor any enterprize worth the recording was put in practise although the English forces had layen long in the Countrey to the same purpose wherupon the Lord Generall loth to spend his time so inconsiderately and somewhat wearied with the distemperature of the Climate and vnseasonablenesse of 〈◊〉 weather the Countrey affoording nothing but mists and foggs at this time of the yeere raised his camp and retired to Barwicke But when the truth was further enlarged the King commauded him so to doe by his letters of priuate intelligence For now came a time in which the windowes of heauen seemed to open and the God of mercy thought to recompence his patience and goodnesse with a quiet end of his troubles and happy successe in his enterprizes which fell out vpon this occasion Ferdinando King of Spaine and Elizabeth his wife hauing a purpose to marry their daughter Lady Katherine to Arthur Prince of Wales and very loth that any content on betweene the King of Scots whom he much fauoured and the King of England whom he highly respected should be as it were a wall of partition betweene their proiected amity and royall affinity especially that either probability of an interest or counterfet deuice of the issue-male from the house of Yorke should cast any blockes or hinderances in the way of these pretences he most prouidently sent one Peter Hialos a man of great learning experience and prudency as an Embassadour to Iames King of Scots by way of mediation to contract a league of peace and absolute amity betweene the King of England and him who proceeded with such faire conditions and preuailed so well in his proposed message that hee perceiued a glimmering sun-shine of this peace a farre off but that there were certaine thickning clowds of mischeefe and disturbance which by some effectuall heat from the King of Englands breath must bee remooued and dissipated and therefore hee wrote to King Henry that if it would please him to send some worthy man to be his associate in this enterprize he perswaded himselfe that an honest oratory would quickly conclude the profitable articles of amity For the Poet had assured him and hee found by some experience that Addidit inualidae rebus facundia causae And for an entrance into 〈◊〉 same he assured the King that there was gâ—â—at likelihood to lay downe the bloudy colours of defiance and flourish the pleasant ensignes of tranquility For the King of Scots had already protested hee was onely emulous of King Henries vertues and not maligned or despighted his person and for Perkins title he made it a matter of conscience and charity For he knewe him the right heire if he were the right creature and the Cleargy warranted the actions as meritorious The better sort disclaimed all tyrannous prosecutions For except their obedience to the King they spent and consumed their estates and onely returned with teares and lamentations for the loâ—se of 〈◊〉 friends The inferiour sort imputed all to the superiour commands and as for the formidable effects and bloudy issue of warre it was only the chance and fortune of encounters the action of fury and the vengeance or curse appropriate to dissentions according to that worthy author of excellent sentences and proprositions Sed mentibus vnum Hoc solamen erat quod votiturba nefandi Conscia quae patrum iâ—gulos quae pector a fratrum Sperabat gaudet monstris mentisque tumustu Atque omen scelerum subitos putat esse furores Whereupon King Henry boasting of the character of Prince of peace so that he might not be branded with ignominy of basenesse pusillanimity and dishonour quickly consented to such agreement and for the same purpose sent Richard Fox Bishop of Durrham who stilllay in the baÌ„ttered Castle of Norrham as his cheefe Commissioner who accordingly associated himselfe with Peter Hialos at the towne of Iedworth in Scotland whither the
restraint of his liberty and stomaching his former disgraces indignities would endure no longer but studied euery hower how to escape not yet knowing what to do when he did escape to which purpose by faire promises and false perswasions he corrupted his keepers Strangwaies Blewet Astwood and long Roger seruants of Sir Iohn Digby Lieutenant of the Tower to slay their said Master and set both Perkin and the true Earle of Warwicke at large and so to make their fortunes as they could either by domestike or forraine friends to which when the innocent Prince condiscended as glad any way to enioy his libertie and to be freed of his imprisonment for you see birds kept in golden cages beat and flutter vp and downe as scorning their enclosure to get out into their natiue Country the region of the aire mischiefe and misfortune which plaies the tyrant with many men all their liues long neuer affordeth one day or breathing time to giue them a taste of any pleasure or contentment discouered the whole conspiracy to the King and his Councell not leauing out any circumstance which might either exasperate his rage or pull forward death and destruction to the delinquents Whereupon without further disputing the matter Perkin Warbeck Iohn a Water sometimes Maior of Corck and his sonne were the 16. of Nouember arraigned and condemned at Westminster of high Treason and the 23. hanged at Tyburn Perkin mounted on a scaffold reading his confession and contrary to all expectation aâ—king the King and Country forgiuenesse and dying penitently with great remorce of conscience and compunction of spirit Et sic â—inis Priami Not long after Edward Earle of Warwick who had beene the 21. of Nouember arraigned at Westminster before the Earle of Oxford high Constable of England for the present was vpon the 28. 1429. beheaded at the Tower Hill For he quietly confessed the enditement concerning his consent and willingnesse to obtaine his libertie though it were by violating the law in that kinde and breaking of prison whose simplicity I rather lament then condemne the offence For it was a dangerous time for any Plantaginet to liue in and I may well cry out Omne tulit secum Caesaris ira malum But the King was indeed glad of this occasion and fortune gaue vertue the check because as he had imprisoned him without a cause he knew not what to doe with him without a fault yet some report that the principall reason of accelerating his death was a speech of Ferdinando's king of Spaine who should sweare that the mariage betweene Lady Katherine his daughter and Prince Arthur of Wales should neuer be consummated as long as any Earle of Warwick liued For the very name and title was not only formidable to other Nations but superstitions to the wauâ—ring and vnconstant English whereupon the King was the gladder to take hold of this opportunitie where in the conuiction of Law had cast this stumbling-block of treason in his walke and race to a longer life and yet was there nothing done but by orderly proceedings and iustifiable courses more then when the silly Prince submitted to his mercy he thought it the greatest point of mercy to looke to himselfe and so for the benefit of his posteritie and the sedation of all troubles both present and to come struck off his head and with him the head of all diuision and dissention FINIS True Histories to be preferred before all prophane and deuised relâ—tions The house of Lancaster began the first wrong Rebellion in Ireland naturall Sparâ—ago Sebastian Mortimer Treason did neuer long prosper Margaret Duches of Burgundy chiefest enemy of Henry the seuenth The Lord Louel and Stafford rebell against Henry the seuenth No Saâ—ctâ—ary for Traitors â— new Earle of Warwick The end of diuelish deuices our destruction Lambert Earle of Wâ—rwicke saâ—â—eth into Ireland The Earle of Kildare a sauorer of this counterfet Margaret Duches of Burgundy entertaineth this quarrell Eurip. Mâ—dâ—â— Articles agreed vpon by the Councell to prâ—uent the warre The Earle of Warwicke shewne in publike Iohn de la Pooles sonne Duke of Susâ— folke by a sister of Edward the fourth Now Earle of Lincolne taketh part with Lambert The Earle of Lincolâ—e and Lord Louel goe into Ireland to Lambert The King raiâ—eth an Armie The Lord Marâ— quesse Dorceâ— sent to the Tower Eurip. Bacchâ— Mâ—rtinus Swart Lambert with his Armie commeth into England Lucan lib. 1. The King with his army is ready to the encounter Lucan lib. 2. The Earle of Lincolne commeth forward to Newarck to meet the King Stoke field The armies ioyne The King obtaineth the victory against the Rebells Lucan lib. 9. The Duches of Burgundy is rather enraged then daâ—nâ—ed with the newes Euriâ— Medea The Duches of Burgundy raiseth new troubles Another Richard the fourth Peter Warbâ—ck instructed by the Duches hâ—w to demeane himselfe Perkins Oration to the Irish Lords The French King sendeth for Perkin Lucan Lib. 7. Perkin welcommed to Lady Margaret Eurip. Hippolitus Coronatus England strangely possessed with the humor of Perkin Sr. Robert Clifford sent to Perkin Lucan lib 6. The King prepareth for Peâ—kin Paâ—â—â— Helâ—â—â— Embasie to the Arch-Duke Eurip. Andromache The Duches answer to Doctor Warrham oranâ—tion Oâ—id Epist. Petrâ—rck dâ— contemptu mu ndi dial 3. The Embassador returne into England Quid. de arte amandi lib. 3. Eurip. Iphigenia in aulide A riot 〈◊〉 the Esterlings Sir William Stanley accused Eurip. Herefuâ—â—â—â— Sir William Stanley beheaded Eurip Heraclida Libel â—rs hanged Speciall Commissioners sent into Ireland Lucan lib. 5. The North of Ireland Sueuorum morâ—scu Politianâ— The Earle of Kildare accused by Sr. Edward Poinings The King progresse intercepted vpon report of Perkins lanâ—ding 〈◊〉 lib. 9. Perkin commeth to Kent Eurip. Hecuba Perkins company defeated he driuen backe to seâ— Ouid. 6 6. â—aâ—torum Perkin resolueth for Ireland and so into Scotland Perkins Oration to the King of Scots The King of Scots resolueth to assist Perkin Ouid. Epist. Helena Paridi The King of Scoss prouideth Perkin of a wife The Ladies answer Perkin marieth the Ladie Katherin Gourdon daughter to the Earle Huntley The Scots inuade England in the behalfe of Perkin â—ucan lib. 2. Perkin lamenteth the English slaughters The Kings aâ—â—â—swer Lucan lib. 3. Perkins answer Eurip. Helena They prepare in England against Perkin Arebellionin the west diuerteth the army out of Scotland â—â—mock and Ioseph Captains of the Rebâ—lls Men in authority Eurip. Hâ—raâ—lida The Armies in England raised Lord Audley Captaine of the Rebels Black-Heathâ—ield London Lucan lib. 1. The Rebels â—uercome Lord Audeley executed Lib. 8. Lib. 9. The King of Scots prepareth against England King of Scots besiegeth Norham Castle The Earle of Surrey raiseth the siege Lucan lib. 7. The Earle of Surrey entreth Scotland The King of Scots offreth a priuate combate to the Earle of Surrey The King of Spaine would marry his daughter to Prince Arthur An Embassador to the King of Scots from Spaine Lucan lib. 7. An Embâ—ssador from Englâ—nd to Scotland The King of Scots will not deliuer Perkin Eurip suppliceâ— Perkin discharged out of Scotland Perkin retorneâ—h into Ireland Perkin ecâ—meth into England Perkin besiedgeth Excester Perkin discomfited leaueth Excester and departeth to Taunton The Lord Dawbney generall of the Kings forceâ— The King commeth forward with his Army The Duke of Buckingham Eurip. supplâ—ce◠〈…〉 Perkin desperat of all reliefe taketh Sauctuary Eurip. suppliceâ— The Lord Daubney sent after Perkin The Army of Perkin submitteth to the King without fighting The King râ—turneth to Exâ—ester Perkins Wife taken Eurip. Hecuba Perkin submittet to the King Lady Margaret much troubled with this discomfortable newes Perkin deceiueth his keepers anâ—â— escapeth Perkin commeth to the Prior of Shene Perkin once againe 〈◊〉 but ignominiously vsed 〈◊〉 lib. 5. Perkins confession Lib. 3. de pontâ— Perkin committed to the Tower Li. 4. de 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Perkin corrupting his keepers to escape out of the Tower is takâ—n and hanged at Tiburn The Earle of Warwicke beheaded
brother Prince Edward in the Tower who as it were resuscitated from death to life or rather reserued by miracle must be at last a scourge to the vsurping house of Lanâ—aster which as it began with the bloud of that innocent Richard the second must now bee reuenged with the destruction of the Conqueror himselfe Nor was this barely alledged to her friends and followers but exornated with certaine illustrations of example and precept First concerniug the wonder and deliuerance of the Prince shee alledged the example of Ioas kept from the rage of Athalia and after aduanced to the throne of Iudâ— Then for the businesse of the warre and reueng shee proclaimed her selfe another Tomyris who ouercame the Persians and in recompence of her sonnes death and crafâ—ie in education pregnant in languages skilfull of behauiour extraordinary and of manners audatious called Peter Warbeck a Fleming and yet in scorne nicknamed both by his Country men and English Perkin according to the Dutch phrase who character cowardly and timerous yonglings in that manner His linnage and bringing vp he shall show you heereafter in his publike confession His actions and proceedings till then or if you will fatall ruine I will vndertake and as farre as my abilitie may extend or the dangerous businesse in hand requier delineat vnto you desiring all estates whatsoeuer to behold the attributes of God in this History as his power wisedome prouidence iustice mercy and what else belongeth to the humbling of mortall men or pulling on their knees the proudest presumption and security but especially confounding the inuentions of men and pollicies of Sathan as laughing all to scorne that submit not to his greatnesse and vnmatchable power according to our Lucan lib. 2 Iamque irae patuere dâ—ûm manifestaque bellâ— Signa dedit mundus legesque fadera rerum Praescia monstrifero vertit natura tumultu Indixitque nefas First a mighty Prince was not only terrified with an Idol and puppet as it were made of straw and painted cloth but threatned to be shouldred aside out of his firmnesse and throne of Maiestie secondly when the wheele was â—urned about God derided the Deuill and brought this mountaine of pride downe with a vengeance seeing the noble Kings innocency patience and humility Thirdly he taught all abominable and diabolicall practises a new lesson condemning both the actors and contriuers as freneticall and foolish Fourthly he enstructed the best of men to consider they were but men subiect to the inconueniences of life mutabilitie of the World counterchangeablenesse of times and inconstancy of people Last of all to make vs know that all actions grounded on irreligious foundationâ— and wicked conuentions must needs faile in the end for rather then punishments shall not follow sinnes God will scourge one wicked man with another as you saw how all the Monarches of the Earth were dissolued and the Kingdomes of the Gentiles brought to ruine and desolation But now to our Story After the Duches of Burgundy had fastned on this Anâ—hor hold for her reuenges she caused the yong man to trauell into many Countries to learne as many languages whereby he was so perfect in the English that she reioiced to thinke in what a well manured ground she had sowed the feeds of her hopes by which occasion the basenesse of his stock and birth was so obscured that few or none discoue red the same or durst detect the secrecie Thus she kept him a certaine space priuily with her selfe and vsed such diligencie and instruction concerning the house of Yorke the affaires of England and the lignage descent and order of her family that by that time he came to repeat his lesson she veâ—ily belieued he was the same she had supposedly contriued he quite forgot that euer his first originall came out of the Dâ—nghill For without any difficulty or signe of subornation such a â—orcible impression haâ—h the hope of honour and preferment according to that common Honores mutant moves he kept such a princely countenance and counterfeted a maiesticall roialty that all others firmely approued he was extracted out of the blood of Plantaginet and obserued him accordingly she againe grew proud of nothing so much as the wonderment of her owne handyworke and that out of so little â— cloud she should raise such a tempest of trouble and distraction but ouâ— Ouid endoctrined her Flumina magna vides paruis de fontibuâ— orta and she knew she was a woman fit to be such a workemistris Whereupon taking an opportunity of the Kings warres 〈◊〉 France she sent for her yongling out of Portugall and priuatly conueid him into Ireland with sure and forcible instructions how to inueigle and incite this rusticall people to admit of him who besides their naturall inclination to rebellion and disorder would now be glad of this new occasion and businesse to reuenge the slaughter of their Countrymen And although it might seeme to reasonable men and vnderstanding apprehensions that the vnhappy proceedings of Lambert and his counterfet assoicat the Priest I meane might haue beene a sufficient warning vnto them for euer being taken againe in the net of such abuses or entangled with the snare of collusion yet did he so demeane himselfe that he made these doubts the very ground of his acceptation For once againe insinuating with the houses of the Geraldines and Butlers he plaied the Orator with them and as we say captare beneuolentiam thus perswaded them to giue credit and affiance to his false and wonderfull demonstrations as though he had beene the very sonne of King Edward indeed MY worthy Lords and gratious freends said he For the generality of my businesse I hope you are not vnacquainted with many instances of distressed Princes flying to one another for refuge and succor when an ouerdaring hand of a more mightier enemy hath suppressed them or cunning insinnuation spred abroad a mantell of more forcible reasons to admit of his title in preuailing rather then to looke after the weakned estate of his wronged and abused Competitor For so Ieroboam and Hadad the Edomite were entertained in the Court of Pharao meerely from charitable commiseration against Salomon who had yet formerly married a daughter of Pharao and amongst our selues the sonnes of that valiant Edmond Ironside fled from 〈◊〉 into Hungary and were there protected yea aduanced in marriage for the further and better recouering their inheriâ—ances But what need I goe further then the vsurper now regnant who in despight of my Father and Vncle of Glocester was entertained by the Duke of Brittaine and the French King and as it were secured from all Treasons and corruption or if you will pollecy of searchers to bring him to destruction wherein questionlesse those Princes as they obtained a perpetuall renowne for so noble and glorious a charity so did they repute nothing so meritoriou◠〈◊〉 the extention of fauor and a helping-hand to the perfecting such a worke from princely compassion
Earle of Lincolne that being brought vnto him hee might discouer the secrets of this mischeefe and the viperous brood of false-hearted subiects but the souldiers would not permit it lest the sauing of his life might by such detection endanger diuers others as good as himselfe and so killed him by way of anticipation After this victory the King would needes solemnize a thanksgiuing to God in the open field as well to aâ—cyd ingratitude as to giue good example and when it was vrged he might better defer it till he came to some religious place or house of deuotion he more religious assured them that God was euery where and neither the place nor the manner graced the sacrifice and the intentiuenesse of the heart and true meaning of the soule which he had learned of the Poet and so alledged these verses out of Lucan Estque Deisedes vbiterra pontus aer Et coelum virtus superos quid quaerimus vltra Iupiter est quodcunque vides quodcunque moueris This the Bishops present durst neither deny nor would willingly approoue for feare of any diminution in their settled ceremonies and glorious Cathedralls but at this time the Kings ardency preuailed and he kneeled downe on the bare ground in the open fields and rendred thankes and praises to God Afterward hee gaue order for the funeralls of the dead shedding teares himselfe in commiseration of so many worthy men slaine for such an vniustifiable businesse the people yet vnmooued and the souldiers not so much as daunted though they saw the bleeding carkasses and wounded bodies according to the saying Exemploque carens nulli cognitus aeuo Luctus erat mortem populos deflere potentis Then he proceeded to the casting vp a new accounts of mercy and forgiuenesse proclaiming pardon to all that would penitently admit of the same and to his eternall fame not onely gaue Lambert and the Priest their liues but commanded that no man should abuse them with contumely and reproach as perceiuing the one for his yeeres vncapable of the apprehension of treason or flagicious circumstances concerning the same the other for his orders profession to be a priuiledged person yet most heroikly and wisely he told him that he which rolleth a stone vp a hill may peraduenture haue it fall vpon his own head and he that looketh too high in a dangerous entrenched ground may fall into the ditch Notwithstanding for his pennance he was committed to perpetuall imprisonment but Lambert admitted into the palace and from place to place came at last to bee one of his Maiesties Faulkoners Last of all he looked ioyfully on his owne company and in remuneration of their loyalty and noble seruices spred the mantle of honour ouer diuers and imparted seuerall rewards to the rest according to their places of eminency This battell was fought on a Saturday the sixteenth of Iune 1489. and in the end of the second yeere of Henry the seuenth And thus was all this high enterprize of Lady Margaret represented to a ball blown out of a box of sope and water which when it comes to a swelling fulnesse at last hursts in peeces of it selfe of which when she was aduertized and had cause sufficient of exclamation and repining against her misfortune and disastrous preuention of her malice yet was she so farre from relaxation or pacifying her hate that it rather exasperated the same and made her more forward to contriue more â—ellish proiects as we shall see by and by so that I may well exclaime Orabiosamulier Quà m sit manisesta phrenesis Yea she set vp such a loome out of her pestilent inuention that a man would thinke it impossible for a woman to contriue or prosecute but that the old Poet hath so long agoe told vs Praeterea nos sumus mulieres Ad bona quidem ineptissimae Malorum vero omnium effectrices sapientissâ—mae Yet for the time she deplored the miscarrying of the matter but was not ashamed to confesse that she cared not by what meanes King Henry might be debased After this great mischeefe like a peece of Ordnance ouercharged was thus broken in the fulnesse and that with little trouble tumult and expences compared to many other warres The King as you heard returned thankes to the Decider of all controuersies and presently sent word to London of his prosperity and aduenture seeming sorry for nothing but the death of the Earle of Lincolne assuring the Duke of Bedford and Earle of Shrewsbury that he delighted in his humours and had a determination to haue saued his life adding yet this by the way that hee was amazed at nothing more then the audaciousnes of the man that durst so meanly accompanied set vpon such a great puissâ—nt an army Therfore it must needs be that he presumed on further suppliment or some breakings out amongst themselues But seeing it hath pleased God that we haue not onely escaped this threatning storme of commotion and disturbance but also choaked with the dust of their owne dissention the interiour diuisions and conspiracies of the Kingdome Let vs my Lords I pray you be somewhat considerate touching tumultuous and discontented persons that they may be orderly satisfied in their honest demands and discreâ—tly preuented from vnlawfull â—onuenticles or associated asâ—emblies of vnquiemesse and murmuring against our gouernment vnder colour of hunting faires markets horâ—â—-races weddings and such like Let vs also haue a care of our ports harbours and hauens to preuent wanderers and trauellers who from the excuses of deuotion to visit Rome and curiosity to explore forren countries doe many time deceiue our trust with indirect and preposterous businesse In this triumphant prosperity he returned to London and was as well welcommed to the people as contented in himselfe and so ran forward in the race of all mundane felicitie and maiesticall happinesse But neither his owne wisdome the vigilancy of the Officers the fidelity of his Nobles the policy of his Councellours the loyalty of his subiects nor the whole regard of the Common wealth could turne the frame of heauen about nor preuent his destiny concerning following mischeefes Nam fato prudentia minor That is to say could put a scarlet cloth ouer the sting of that serpent Enuy to pull it out of the heart no not out of the mouth no not out of the hands of the Duches of Burgundy but she must be tampering with the edge tooles of diuellish despight and beating on the annile of malicious calumniation or if you will conspiracy hoping at one time or other to hammer out such a worke of disturbance that neither the King should be able to quench the flames nor the Subiect daring to disable the enterprize Whereupon to preuent all claimes exceptions and meanes of distrust Some foure yeeres after she set vp another I doll of defiance personating Richard Plantaginet second sonne to King Edward the fourth and Duke of Yorke supposed to be murthered with his