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
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
vpon euery offender and had rather draw some men to a sweet obedience from their penetencie and newnesse of life then cut off other-some by the strong hand of execution and thus in other cases of State it many times chanceth that euen accessaries are condemned when the principals go free yea in the highest degree of Treason which is displaying of colours and taking vp Armes against a Prince it is sometimes better taken in action then in coÌ„sultation yet is there no presuming on fauor in any of these cases nor taking hands with example to trace in the by paths of any indirect courses But as mischiefes according to Euripides seldome come alone and vndâ— vndam sequitur so presently vpon the neck of this followed a strange and wonderfull trouble through the insurrection of one Lambert Siminel taking vpon him the person of Edward Earle of Warwicke sonne of George Duke of Clarence newly come into the hands of the King and committed to the Tower This Lambert was induced or if ye wil seduced to this enterprise by the diuel himpostures of Richard Simond a Priest who was so hasty in his accounts and forward in his reckoningâ— that he presently proiected that if Lambert could be King he should be an Arch-bishop at least O manifest a phrenesis whereby the way you may obserue that neuer enterprise was atchieued to the dissipation of Monarchies and translation of Kingdomes neuer mischiefe set on foot nor wickednesse put on the wings of preuailing but from the contriuance and coadiutement of a Priest such men as professed the Religion of thoâ—e times as in Histories may appeare But if you descend into Europe and come lower amongst our selues I dare say that from the conquest to this hower all exorbitant actions dangerous attempts terrible enforcements neuer heard of Projects and monstrous commotions to the effusion of Christian blood and weakning the glory of our kingdome haue beene atchieved and furthered by the meanes of Popish Priests and Iesuites and the damnable Doctrines and instructions of their associates meere hypocrites both in life and Doctrine yea that monstrous terror of Christendome the family of Ottaman and religion of Mahomet was blowne so big as you see it in the furnace of Sergius a counterfeit Monke and now set on the Throne of imperiousnesse through his supportation and assistance in composing the Alcaron When this our Priest Richard Simond or Versepelles Sinon well perceiued and vnderstood the gentle condition and pregnancy of this Lambert he wrought most cunningly vpon him and thought him a fit instrument to hammer out the diuelish plots he proiected whereby questionlesse you may apprehend the cunning and malice of Sathan who can entangle men with such strange illusions and all in the end to destroy them and bring them to confusion How else can any reasonable man apprehend that a Scholler and Priest should be so infatuated as to make a silly fellow take vpon him the person of a Prince laid long before in his graue and murthered by the tyrannie of an vnnaturall Vncle Yet did this nouice goe forward with these strange disguises like a ceeled doue flying into the hawkes feisure by her own wilfulnesse and blindnesse and as if the Poet should cry out Medeae faciunt ad scelus omne manus So was he led by the hands of this Priest who was now set vpon nothing but wickednesse and at the last plunged into the Sea of turmoiles But the chiefe originall of this disturbance arose from a certaine fame and report that King Edwards children were not dead but secretly conueied into some other Country as Edward surnamed the Outlaw had in former times beene into Hungary and that Edward Earle of Warwicks should be shortly put to death O simple men and oh vaine multitude that are caried away with euery winde belieue vnconstant reports rely on foolish prophesies and runne along with vncertaine rumors which makes me remember one of and so changed Lamberts name into Edward Earle of Warwicke all things seruing as well to this as the other the ioy whereof brought him into such an extasie that he quite forgot the vnion of the houses and how the King had married the eldest brothers daughter which must needs be a bar to Warwicks claime when wise men came to discusse of the matter but resolued in the errour of his illusion he strongly coniâ—ctured that any of the house of Yorke were of sufficiency to pull downe the strength of the Lancastrian Faâ—ily Besides he knew that actio nulla laudata nisi peracta and therfore some thing must bee done to set the people on worke though it were with throwing firebrands of diuision and falsity amongst them euen to the dazling of their eyes with smoake and casting the sparks about their eares wherupon both craftily and audaciously he put his businesse to the triall and sailed with his pupill ouer into Ireland where his Grand-father and Ancestors had gotten such loue and respect that euen the name of Mortimer and Yorke was sanctified and religious amongst them For barbarous nations are strong obseruers of ceremonies customes and whatsoeuer hath taken root and impression amongst them will hardly be remoued or extinguished as it is too lamentably apparant at this houre where the imposturing of Priests hath got the vpper hand of all religion and piety and to sweare by Oneales hand is of more efficacy then to call God and Heauen to witnesse Heere he smoothly made relation of his owne and the Princes fortunes and escape to certaine of the Nobility especially of Geraldines whom hee knew euery way transpoâ—ted against the present gouernment enlarging his discourse with his miraculous preseruation when without law or other enforcement he should haue been cruelly put to death by the Vsurper and brought in question for neuer-â—eard-of treason all which by Gods prouidence and his assistance was iudiciously preuented and hee had from a meere commiseration of a Princes estate aduentured himselfe in that manner and to such a place where he supposed true-hearted honour was resident and care of religion and humanity maintained Whereupon Th. Geralâ—ine Lord Chancellour of the Kingdome defrauded by this illusion vnder colour of succouring the distressed and performing a worke of charity receiued him into his castle and adding all the ceremonies of reuerence and honor to his very person assured him of ayd comfort and supportation To this you must suppose was an answer ready and such an one deliuered with so smooth and attractiue a demeanour that though hee had not beene such as hee protested yet hee would haue sworne him of â—igh birth and extraordinary bringing vp which caused him to assemble together all his affinity and friends to whom he related the matter as it chanced with intimation of the glory of the enterprize and the good seruice to God and the Church for establishing a Prince deiected in his throne who was the â—rue and onely Plantaginet left to spring vp into
of their obedience Then proceeded he to some exemplary punishment of diuers refractary Cornish-men whom their owne companies accused as Delinquents and the Maiestie of the gouernment would not endure without correction But all this was nothing in comparision of that which followed For his horsemen prosecuted the chase so diligently and honestly that they pursued the Lady Katherine Gourden wife to this Perkin euen to Michaels Mount who notwithstanding had she not been betraied by some of her owne followers might haue escaped For transhaping her selfe into one of her seruants habits she had gone quite away to her ships But that some pittying the distresse of the King and turmoiles of the Kingdome and perceiuing the end of the warre and pacification of these troubles to depend vpon her surprising would by no meanes giue way vnto new disturbances but tooke her and presented her to the Kings Commissioners what should I say when shee herselfe said nothing but perceiuing them Gentlemen of worth with Hipsiphile to Iason she cried out Sivâ—s nobilitas generosaque nominatangunt I know you will vse me like your selues and vnderstand I am a Prince euery way so they gaue her leaue to adorne her selfe and brought her like a bondâ—woman and captiue to the King who wondering at her beawtie and attractiue behauiour lifted vp his hands to Heauen in her behalfe to see so great a worth betraied to fanaticall hopes and freneticall deceit thanking God for himselfe that he had such a Trophe of his endurances and victories in his hands nor was the Emperour Aurelius more proud of Zenobia then he reioiced in this aduenture some say he fantasied her Person himselfe and kept her neere vnto him as his choisest delight yea so doted on her perfections that he forgat all other things then the contentment which he receiued by her insomuch that many dared to libell against him with that saying of Deianira to Hercules Quem nunquam Iuno seriesque immensa laborum fregerit huic Iolen imposuisse iugum Some report he durst not let her marry for feare of ambitious tumors in such as could attaine to such a fortune Some confirme that she was of that greatnesse of spirit that she scorned all others in regard of her selfe both by the priuiledge of her birth-right and the possibility of her greatnesse Howsoeuer he intreated her most honorably and amiably such a power hath beauty and comlinesse euer in distresse and sent her to the Queene so maiestically attended as if she had beene a Queene indeed In the meane while my Lord Dawbney imploied himselfe and his company so effectually that enuironing the sanctuary wherein Perkin was with two companies of light horse who were vigilant cautelous strong and couragious and so lay in the aduantage â—f watching the place that Perkin could no way escape but the King was not satisfied with thiâ— protraction and therefore loth to loose him or giue him liberty to runne with the blinde mole into further cauerns of the earth to cast vp heaps and little hills of commotion and affrighting his estate and yet daring not to infringe the priuiledge of these holy places such a hand had superstition and the Popes fulmination got ouer all the Princes of Europe he went more politikely to worke and sent diuers persons of account to perswade his submission and render himselfe wholly into the Kings hands who not only promised him pardon of life but comfort of liberty yea honourable maintenance vpon the easie conditions of desisting to perturb the Common-wealth any further and disclaiming so iniuriously to pretend any title to the Diadem When Perkin saw to what streights his Barke was driuen and that he must either split on the rocks of despaire or retire back againe into the troublesome Ocean of despight according to the nature of cowardly and irresolute men he chose the worst part to saue his life and submit to the Kings acceptation not remembring because he was neuer acquainted with the secrets of maiesty that he which hath beene once a Prince must neuer looke for a setled quietnesse in a priuat estate because he is still subiect to the Conquerors pleasure but an ignominious life then which an honourable death is tenne thousand times better which made the noble Hecuba as a worthy patterne to al vnfortunate Princes thus answere the proudest conquerors themselues Porrigam collum cordatè intrepidè Liberam vero me vt libera moriar Per deos queso dimittentes occidite Apud manes enim Serua vocari Regina cum sim pudet me But as I said he now only recounted the difficult passages of his former trauailes the dangers escaped the deceit pretended the perill imminent and the misfortune too-too apparant as being in no securitie in the place he was fled vnto nor hauing any confidence in the persons he had chosen For though he knew there was a reuerence appropriate to sanctuaries yet kings if they pleased vvill be tied neither to law nor Religion but performe what they list or vnder colour of their owne security say they are compelled vnto Therefore without any further aggrauation relying on the Kings Pardon and those honourable conditions propounded he voluntarily resigned himselfe and came to his maiesty as a messenger of glad tidings that now all warres troubles and commotions were by this meanes ended and determined The King not much wondred at him for he only found him superficially instructed of a naturall wit of reasonable qualities wel languaged and indifferent apprehension but farre from that highnesse of spirit or heroick disposition to deserue the character of a Prince or lay claime to a Diadem yet loth with any boisterous strength to handle a bruized arme or draw the feltow into a new selfe-loue or good opinion of himselfe hee passed ouer his examination the slightlier and brought him immediately to London being met all the way with great coâ—courses of people who both came to gratifie him and his auspicious successe and to see Perkin like some strange meteor or monster or if you will because wee will deale more cleanlier with him like a triumphant spectacle to mooue amazement delight and contentment according to that saying of our Poet Nocte pluit tota redeunt spectacula manè But when they began to capitulate that being a stranger and an alien borne hee durst not onely abuse so many Princes and Common-wealths with lies fictions and abominable deceit but euen bid battell to Kings and Princes yea bring Kings and Princes into the field for his assistance they fell from wondring at him to raile and abuse him both with checkes and opprobrious taunts yea diuers dared to put in practise many vndecencies both of rage and indignation had not the reuerence of his Maiesties presence diuerted their inconsideration and commanded no further rumour gazing vpon him or violent threatnings against him To conclude the King brought him quietly to London and for all he had giuen him life and affoorded him a kinde of