discovered his anger against the Lords who had forced his consent to their Banishment which he made appear upon this occasion The younger Spencer having got a few Ships together robbed and pillaged the Merchants of England and all other Nations in the Narrow Seas upon which they Petitioned that a Fleet might be set out to seize and Execute him as a Pyrate and notorious Thief the King smiled seeming to rejoyce thereat and instead of punishing him pardoned them both recalled them from Banishment to despight the Barons and raised them to higher Honour and Offices than before The Lords inraged hereat especially since the Spencers affronted them openly upon all occasions they resolved on revenge and to that purpose immediately raise a strong Army and take the Field and the King with the two Spencers and some other of the Nobles did the like and many sharp encounters passed between them the Lords forgetting they undutifully fought against their Soveraign and the King that his Cruelty had compelled them to take Arms In the end when many of the Barons and thousands of their adherents were slain they fled and were pursued by the King who took the Earls of Lancaster Hereford and many other Lords two and twenty of whom were beheaded in diverse parts of the Realm to the great terror of the People This success made the Spencers yet more insolent so that now they made their Will a Law in all things and presuming that all would be done they desired they persuaded the King to call a Parliament at York in which he created his eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales and Duke of Aquitan Old Hugh Spencer was made Earl of Winchester and Sir Andrew Harkly who was very active against the Lords Earl of Carlisle he likewise exacted the sixth penny of all Mens Estates in England Wales and Ireland whereat the People grievously complained alledging that they were quite impoverished by Famine and Dearth but especially by reason of the disorders in the Government The Scots having notice that K. Edward resolved to revenge the wrongs committed against his Subjects under Robert Bruce their usurping King to divert him invaded Ireland with strong Force but the King being forewarned had sufficiently provided against their landing so that most of them were slain and the rest forced to fly to their Ships and return shamefully home The King now thinking himself invincible marches with a brave Army into Scotland where the Scots being well-armed and many thousands in number pretended to give him Battel when they intended nothing less for as Edward approached they withdrew into the Woods Forrests and Mountains whereby the English Army were soon extreamly distressed by Storms Rain Frost Snow and Hail and likewise with want of Provisions which caused great Mortality so that without performing any thing Honourable he began to retire which the Scots perceiving they pursued him with all cruelty and violence and falling upon his Army forced the King to save himself by flight and leave behind him his Treasure Ordinance and Provisions This disaster happened by the treachery of Sir Andrew Harkley who having privately received Money of the Scots designed to betray the King for which Treason he after lost his Head The Queen being sensible of the malice of the Spencers against her who estranged the King from her Company and Bed and lamenting the late slaughter of many of the Nobility and the continued misery of the Nation she with her Son Prince Edward fled into France to her Brother King Charles where she was at first received with great joy and Promises of assistance the Barons likewise by Letters assuring her of their Service to her self and Son But the Spencers by unvaluable Presents to K. Charles and his Courtiers soon took him off that instead of assistance he reproved his Sister for leaving her Husband the Pope being likewise obliged by the same means required the French King upon pain of his Curse to send the Queen and Prince to Edward and she hardly escaped being betray'd by her own Brother but privately getting into the Empire by means of Sir Robert Artois her kinsman she was joyfully entertained by the Lord Beaumont and his Brother who accompanied her and her Son with three hundred Knights and Gentlemen and landed in England at which the Barons rejoycing soon joyned with her increasing hourly so that the King hastened to Wales to raise Forces leaving the Government of London to Walter Stapleton L. Treasurer and Bishop of Exeter a great Favourite of the Spencers and an Enemy to the Queen and therefore generally hated by the Citizens who abhorring his proud and insolent Government caused his head to be struck off at the Standard in Cheapside without any Legal Tryal and then violently rushing into the Tower slew all they found there keeping that and the City for the Queen and Prince K. Edward upon this revolt chang'd his purpose and posting to Bristow fortified the Town and Castle Sir Hugh Spencer the Father and Son being with him and the Earl of Arundel was made Governour resolving to defend it with all their might but soon after the City was besieged and taken by the Queen and Lords and the Earl of Arundel and Spencer the Father taken Prisoners but the King and Young Spencer being besieged in the Castle not trusting to the strength thereof got out privately in the Night and put themselves in a small Fisherboat but every day for a whole week when the Boat went to Sea it was driven back again near the Castle which the L. Beaumont observing he with a small Vessel chased the Boat and took her wherein he found the King and young Spencer whom they so much desired and brought them to the Queen who presenting them before the besieged in the Castle they presently surrendred Old Spencer the Earl of Winchester and the Earl of Arundel whose Daughter was married to the younger Spencer were beheaded and the King being in an honourable restraint the Queen Prince and Barons with a strong Army marched toward London carrying young Spencer in Triumph before whom several Fidlers and Pipers sung danced and play'd scornfully upon Reeds through every Town and Village as they past where being come he was bound to the top of an high Ladder and his Heart and Privy-members being burnt his Head was set on London Bridge After which the Queen nobly treated and rewarded Sir John of Heynault the Lord Beaumont and their followers who departed home and were there received with great honour The Queen and young Prince to redress all disorders assembled a Parliament in which the King by general consent was deposed and committed to Killingworth Castle with honourable atttendance and Prince Edward his Son Crowned King not long after Edward was removed to Cors-Castle where he was barbarously murdered by his Keepers who through a Horn thrust a burning Spit into his Fundament after he had reigned almost nineteen years and in the forty first of his Age 1307. EDWARD the
send you perseverance that you may always succeed as you have prosperously begun you have Nobly acquitted your self and worthily deserve the Government of a Kingdom bestowed upon you for your Valour King Edward perceiving that after this Victory the French King made no Preparations to resist him marched toward Callice burning and destroying all before him and begirt it with a close Siege which after it had continued a whole year the French King with an Army of 200000 men came to the relief thereof which not being able to effect the Passages thereto being so well fortified by K. Ed◠〈…〉 went back again leaving the poor Townsme◠〈◊〉 mercy of King Edward During this Sieg◠〈◊〉 King of Scotland invaded England with an Army of 50000 men by the procurement of the French King but the Queen with 12000 stout Souldiers fought with him routed his Army took King David Prisoner and several other Persons of Honour killing divers more and above 15000 Scots After this Victory the Queen attended with a Troop of handsom Ladies and Gentlewomen whose Husbands or Kinsmen had long lain at the Siege of Callice sailed thither and were entertained by the King and his whole Army with great joy the Town being despairing of Relief begged the Kings mercy which he denied unless six of the chiefest Citizens came out to him in their Shirts barefoot and bareheaded with Halters about their Necks to be disposed of at the Kings pleasure which hard condition some of them undertook to perform presenting the King with the Keys of the Town and Castle which Edward receiving commanded them to be all presently hanged but his Commanders interposed strongly on their behalf which yet could not prevail the King threatning to make them examples for the wrongs done to the English Nation at Sea at length the Queen with Prayers and Tears on her Knees procured their Pardon The King having got possession of this important Town returned to England and was received at London with great Triumph and by the Popes means a Truce was concluded with the French for two years which being expired Edward sent a strong Army under the Conduct of his Son the Black Prince into Gascoyn destroying all in their march But King John who succeeded his Father Philip resolved to stop this Current and the Black Prince having only 10000 men with him John raised a vast Army and accompanied with his young Son Philip and the Flower of the Nobility of France made all speed toward Prince Edward who was at Poicters ready to receive him The Fight was very bloody but the English Archers galling the French Horse with their Arrows soon disordered their Army and notwithstanding the utmost conduct of the valiant K. John they were put to the rout the King and his Son being taken Prisoners who being brought before the Prince he bowed to the King and giving him comfortable words feasted him and his Son Philip very nobly and lodged him in his own Bed With this Prize the Black Prince returned into England and was joyfully received by all In this Fight were taken seventeen Earls above fifty Lords and a multitude of Knights and Gentlemen of Quality so that every Souldier who had least had two Prisoners all which with the Spoil of the Field the Prince freely gave the Souldiers and every man had Gold and Silver in abundance costly Armour and other valuable things being left on the ground as worth nothing King John lived some time at the Savoy and after at Windsor being as kindly treated by the King as he could desire and after four years Imprisonment a Peace was concluded whereby it was agreed That King John should pay 500000 l. Ransom of Sterling Money and several Countries were freely resigned to the English by John and the French King never to assist any King of Scotland against England About which time David King of Scotland who had been a Prisoner in England ten years for a Ransom of 100000 l and giving his Oath never again to bear Arms against England was released About two years after three Kings came at once to visit King Edward John King of France David King of Scots and the King of Cyprus The next year the Black Prince went into Normandy and was made Governour of the English Conquests who assisted Peter King of Castile and restored him to his Crown of which he was dispossessed by his Bastard brother Henry but soon after Henry with fresh Forces suddenly fell upon King Peter seised him and put him to death By reason of Peter's Death the English Soldiers under the Black Prince despairing of receiving their Pay and being in great necessity daily petitioned the Prince for Relief who finding no other means to supply them imposed several Taxes upon the Inhabitants of Aquitain who finding their Privileges invaded complained thereof to the French King who summoned the Prince to appear before him at Paris contrary to the express Articles of Peace lately concluded and presently proclaimed War against England and the Prince not being in a Posture of Defence all those Countries Towns and Forts daily revolted to the French so that King Edward who had been Victorious forty years lost all those Provinces almost in one The French provided a Navy likewise wherewith they commanded the Narrow Seas But John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster going over to Callice with a brave Army soon made the Frenchmen feel his Fury and recovered many Towns but after John's departure another Army commanded by Sir Robert Knowls and the Lord Fitzwater by reason of some Quarrel between the Commanders was defeated by the French King and 1000 English slain whereby all the Garrisons were again delivered up to the French The King much disturbed at these Misfortunes called a Parliament wherein the Temporalty freely gave him a Subsidy of 15000 l. but the Clergy denied him any Supply whereupon he removed them from all Honours and Offices and placed more grateful Subjects in their room The French King had now besieged Rochel almost a year for whose Relief a Fleet was sent under the Earl of Pembroke but he was fought with by Henry the Bastard of Castile and the Earl with 160 more taken Prisoners the rest with much terrour and difficulty escaped to England Upon the News of this Defeat several other Towns and Provinces revolted to the French King After this John of Gaunt landed with strong Forces at Callice and joyning with the Duke of Brittain ravaged the Country till they came to Bourdeaux where the Black Prince lay very sick and John was made Governour of those Provinces Prince Edward died soon after and was buried at Canterbury the King himself not living long after dying in the Fifty first year of his Reign and the Sixty fifth of his Age 1377. and was buried at Westminster RICHARD the SECOND King of England c. A Sun-shine Morn oft brings a Showry Day A Calm at Sea sometimes foretells a Storm All is not Gold that appears bright and gay A
Earl Guy who lived in the Year of Christ 929. This King Ethelstane by the insinuation of his Cup-bearer became incensed against his Brother as if he had contrived Treason against him who therefore ordered him to be put into a small Vessel without Tackle or Oars and so be exposed to the mercy of the Sea wherewith the young Prince was so overwhelm'd with Sorrow that he threw himself headlong into the Sea whose Ghost the King endeavoured to appease by a voluntary Penance of seven years and building two Monasteries Neither did the treacherous Cup-bearer escape Vengeance for on a Festival-day as he was busie in waiting one of his Feet slipping he recovered himself by the help of the other and thereupon pleasantly said You may see now how one Brother can help another This Speech suddenly recalled to the Kings Mind the Death of his Innocent Brother whereupon he caused the Cup-bearer who was the Procurer thereof to be immediately executed Edmund the fifth Son of King Edward succeeded and after him Edred his sixth Son Then Edwy or Edwin the eldest Son of Edmund was Crowned at Kingston upon Thames who was of a lascivious temper for it is related That on the very Day of his Coronation he suddenly left his Nobility and went into a private Room to debauch a great Lady his near Kinswoman whose Husband he soon after slew St. Dunstan who was present and then Abbot of Glastenbury followed the King into his Chamber and leading him out by the Hand accused him before Odo Archbishop of Canterbury by whom he was severely reproved and forbid the Company of that woman The King was hereat enraged against Dunstan and banished him out of the Land and became so great an Enemy to the Order of Monks that he expelled many of them out of their Monasteries and put married Priests in their Places The People having a great Opinion of the Holiness of Dunstan and being offended at the Kings severity toward him and other Irregularities they turned their Affections to Edgar his Brother and removing Edwin from his Princely Dignity Edgar was made King in his stead for very grief whereof he soon wasted away and died in 959. Edgar was called the Peaceable He maintained the Kingdom in great Glory and Prosperity His Navy Royal is said to consist of three thousand six hundred Ships with which he every Summer sailed round his Land to secure the Sea from Pyrats He caused Ludwall Prince of Wales to pay him three hundred Wolves yearly in stead of a former Tribute in Money whereby England and Wales which were formerly very much over-run were now so freed that there was scarce a Wolf to be found alive He was very severe upon his Judges if he found them guilty of Bribery and Partiality riding the Circuit himself every Year for that purpose Yet among all these Vertues he is said to be very Voluptuous especially toward Women not sparing the very Nuns which sounded so ill that Dunstan took the boldness to reprove him for it and coming into his Presence the King in Courtesie rose from his Royal Throne to take him by the Hand and seat him by him But Dunstan refusing the King his Hand with a stern Countenance and contracted Brow spake thus to him You that have not been afraid to corrupt a Virgin dedicated to Christ how can you presume to touch the Consecrated Hands of a Bishop You have defiled the Spouse of your Maker and do you now think by your flattering Service to pacifie the Friend of the Bridegroom No Sir do not mistake your self for I will be no Friend to him who hath Christ for his Enemy The King thunder-struck with these dreadful Words and touched with remorse of Conscience fell down at the Feet of Dunstan who raising him up began to aggravate his Crime and finding the K. pliable to his Instruction he enjoyned him the following Penance for satisfaction That he should wear no Crown for the space of seven years That he should fast twice a Week That he should distribute his Treasure lest him by his Ancestors liberally to the Poor That he should build a Monast for Nuns at Shaftsbury that since he had robbed God of one Virgin by his Transgression so he should restore to him many again for the time to come Likewise That he should expel Clerks or Priests of evil Life meaning those who were married out of the Churches and place Monks in their room All this Edgar performed and the seven years being past Dunstan saith the Historian calling the Nobility with the Bishops Abbots and Clergy together he before all the People set the Crown upon the Kings Head at Bath in the thirteenth year of his Reign Dunstan who it seems rul'd all having hither to hindred it The Nun here mentioned was Wilfrid a D's Daughter by whom he had a Daughter called Editha He had a Son likewise by Elfrida the Earl of Devonshire's Daughter which Dunstan being now grown good natured Christned The words of the Historian are these The Child also which was gotten of the Harlot he Baptized in the Holy Fountain of Regeneration and giving him the Name of Edward adopted him to be the Kings Son There are abundance of ridiculous Miracles related of this Dunstan One among many others was That a Vision appearing to him required him to take up the Body of Editha the Bastard and Canonize her fol a Saint a her Tomb being accordingly opened in the Church of Wilton where she was buried her whole Body saith the Monkish Historian was consumed to Dust save onley her Thumb her Belly c. whereof she her self shewed the meaning declaring That her Thumb remained intire because she so often used to cross her self therewith and the other Parts did signifie the extraordinary Abstinence and Chastity With such stuff were the People then abused and persuaded to worship for Saints the dead Carcases of those that were many times of very profligate Lives while on Earth In King Edgar's Reign there was a great Famine wherein Ethelwald Bishop of Winchester sold away all the Church-Plate and Vessels of Gold and Silver to relieve the Poor saying There was no reason that the senseless Temples of God should abound in Riches and the lively Temples of the Holy-Ghost to be in want of them After the Death of Edgar there was great Division many of the Nobility being for Etheldred the true and only legitimate Heir of Edgar but the other Nobles and the Clergy especially Dunstan fearing the Married Clergy should again prevail he with several other Bishops meeting together and carrying the Cross before Edward brought him to the Lords and by many Perswasions prevailed with them to accept him for their King He was accounted a just meek Prince and very charitable to the Poor Yet enjoyed he the Crown but a short space for in the fourth Year of his Reign as he was Hunting near Corf Castle where his Brother Etheldred and Queen Elfrida his Mother resided while
all possible haste to England accompanied with divers Norman Gentlemen and arriving at Southampton was received by the villainous Earl Godwin with much pretended Kindness and Friendship who made as if he would bring him to London but being come to Gilford in Surrey Godwin commanded his Men to kill all Alfred's Company and then carrying him to the Isle of Ely ordered his Eyes to be put out Then opening his Body they took out his Bowels and fastning one end of his Guts to a Stake they drove him round it with Iron Darts and Needles till all his Bowels came clear away Thus died innocent Alured or Alfred the true Heir to the Crown by the Treachery of Godwin to the great disgust of the English Nobility who vowed Revenge This Harold called Harefoot for his great swiftness did not long enjoy his usurped Dominion for after four years he died After which Hardiknute the Son of Canutus and Queen Emma who was by his Father made King of Denmark is now by the States of the Land both Danes and English invited over hither to take upon him the Government He was a great Oppressor of the English by heavy Taxes which so enraged them that two of his Collectors were slain at Worcester for which their City was burnt and their Bishop Alfred expelled his Office till with Moâ—◠〈◊〉 had purchased his Peace Though this King 〈◊〉 it cry vicious yet it is said he was more kind to Edward his Half-brother and made Earl Godwin purge himself for the Death of Prince Alfred though it is thought his bountiful Gifts to the King prevailed much more for clearing him than his Innocence One Present especially is very remarkable that is A Ship whose Stern was of Gold and fourscore Soldiers all richly habited within her on their Heads they all wore gilt Burgonets and on their Bodies a triple-gilt Habergeon about their Wastes Swords girt richly gilt a Danish Battel-ax on their left Shoulders a Target with gilt Bosses on their left Hand a Dart in their right and upon their Arms Bracelets of Gold of great Value After two years Reign Hardiknute died in the midst of his drunken Debaucheries and in him ended the Danish Race in England three Kings onely of that Nation reigning here This third Conquest was but of a short continuance yet were the Danes very insolent toward the English during that time for if an Englishman and a Dane met at a Bridge or at a Door the Englishman must stand still till the Dane past by and if he did not then bow down very low to the Dane he was certainly beaten and abused Yea it is related That while the English were drinking the Danes would stab them or cut their Throats to prevent which when the Englishman drank he desired his next Companion to be his Surety or Pledge from whence it is said the Custom of Pledging one another did first arise For these and abundant greater Insolencies after the Death of Hardiknute the Danes were utterly driven out of Engand and never again returned THE GOVERNâ—â—NT of the SAXONS RESTOR'D EDward called the Confessor succeeded next in 1042. who was an absolute Englishman and the youngest Son of Etheldred and Queen Emma being invited from Normandy by all the English Nobility who disdained the Danish Subjection and was entertained with great Joy He first remitted that heavy Danish Tax of Forty thousand pound a year called Dane-gilt imposed by his Father and paid forty years by all but the Clergy who were exempted Because the Kings reposed more confidence in the Prayers of the Holy Church than in the Power of Armies It is reported Edward forgave that Tax upon this occasion A great Sum of that Treasure being brought into his Chamber and laid in a heap he being called to see it was at first sight much affrighted protesting he saw the Devil dancing with great Joy upon the same and therefore commanded it should be again restored to his Subjects and released them from it for ever after He married Editha Earl Godwin's Daughter but never had any Conjugal Society with her though she was a Lady accomplished with all excellent Endowments both of Mind and Body so that this old Verse was written on her Sicut Spina Rosam Genuit Goduinus Editham From prickled Stalk as sweetest Rose So Edith fair from Godwin grows Edward himself confessed upon his Death bed That openly she was his Wife but in secret Embracings as his own Sister But whether it were Infirmity or Chastity it seems he was willing to have her accused of Incontinency whereof if she were guilty he could not be innocent it being a great Injury to put his Wives Virtue to so Tyrannical a trial After this some Differences arose between him and Earl Godwin and Forces were raised on both sides but by the Intercession of the Nobility an Agreement was made Yet Godwin escaped not Divine Vengeance for being charged by the King for the Murder of Alfred he wished if he were guilty he might never swallow down a bit of Bread again which hapned accordingly for the first bit of Bread he put into his Mouth choaked him as he sate with the King at Table A dreadful Instance of Gods Severity against Perjury This King is blamed for his Cruelty to his Mother in forcing her to pass over nine burning Plow-shares bare-foot and blind fold for a Trial of her Continency which yet she performed without the least damage He is said to be the first King that cured the Disease called the Kings-Evil It is related That this King lying on his Bed one Afternoon with the Curtains drawn a pilfering Courtier coming into his Chamber and finding the Kings Casket open which Hugoline his Chamberlain had forgot to shut he took out as much Money as he could well carry and went away But finding such Success he came a second and a third time still carrying off more At which the King who had observed all called to him to be gone with all speed since he had enough if he could be contented For said he if Hugoline should come and catch thee thou wilt go nigh to lose all thou hast got and mayst get a Halter into the Bargain The Fellow was no sooner gone but Hugoline came in and finding the Casket open and a great deal of Money taken out he was much incensed But the King bid him not be moved For said he he that hath it hath more need of it than we When this King Edward was hastning out of Normandy with a great Army to recover England from the Danes being ready to give Battel his Captains assured him of Victory and that they would not leave one Dane alive God forbid said Edward that the Kingdom should be recovered for me who am but one Man by the death of so many thousands better it is that I should live a private and unbloody Life than to be a King by such a Slaughter and Butchery This King having no Issue of his own
in a short time from the Holy Land to England where he was joyfully received both by the Peers and People and soon after Crowned King in the One and thirtieth year of his Age at which 500 Great Horses were let loose for any to take that would in honour of so Martial a Prince After the Battel aforementioned wherein Simon Montford Earl of Leicester his Son Henry and many other Lords were stain and the Lady Eleanor his Daughter was banished but kindly received by Philip the Hardy of France thereby to gain the Good-will of many English Lords who being discontented with the last Kings Government were not well pleased with his Son who constantly assisted his Father against them Philip being likewise sensible of the Courage of King Edward to prevent his own danger he secretly incited Lluellin Prince of Wales to rebell promising him likewise the Lady Eleanor in Marriage But Edward having private notice of this Contract and that the Lady was coming over to Wales he intercepted her at Sea and kept her Prisoner upon which Lluellin took the Field with many thousand Men but mean and thievish Fellows On the other side King Edward resolving to make himself terrible to the Welch raised a very formidable Army but Lluellin being sensible or his inability to resist and out of his extreme Love to the Lady submitted himself to the King and made many solemn Oaths of his Fidelity to the King against France and all others whereupon Edward who was inclinable to Mercy freely granted him his Pardon his Favour and his beloved Lady so that all was ended without a drop of Blood But a few years after David his Brother of a mutinous Temper and yet one much in favour with the King persuaded Lluellin to put himself again into Arms and many sharp Conflicts passed between him and Sir Roger Mortimer but at length they were both taken and their Heads sent to the King who caused them to be set upon the Tower of London Yet were the Welchmen so perversely bent to ruine themselves that within a few Months after they twice rebelled but were soon subdued by many terrible Slaughters and severe Executions And because they maintained their Wars more by hiding and shifting among vast Woods and Forests the King caused all the Woods to be cut and burnt down by which means they were reduced to more Civility and applied themselves to Arts and Trades like other Men. In his eighteenth year Alexander King of Scots fell from his Horse and broke his Neck leaving no Issue behind him He had three Sisters the eldest married to John Baliol Lord of Galloway the second to Robert Bruce Lord of Valley Andrew and the third to John Hastings Lord Abergaveny in England These three contended for the Crown losing many Men on all sides and the Country much ruined whereupon King Edward as their Sovereign Lord went into Scotland to compose those Differences and in the end they were all contented to refer themselves to his Judgment by an Instrument under their Hands and Seals Whereupon King Edward chose Twenty Englishmen and as many Scots of good Understanding and Discretion who consulted thereof and upon their Determination he declared John Baliol who had married the eldest Sister to be King who thereupon received the Crown from King Edward and did him Homage for the same And now the French King wrongfully invading the English Territories in Gascoign and Guyen the King to supply his Necessities seised upon all the Plate Jewels and Treasure of the Churches and Religious Houses within the Kingdom being advised thereto by William March Lord Treasurer who alledged That it were better this money should be stirring and according to the Name Currant and go abroad to the Use of the People than to lie rusting in Chests without any Use or Advantage whatsoever The King likewise compelled the Clergy to give one half years Revenue of all their Ecclesiastical Dignities which when they scrupled at affirming That by a Canon lately made at the Council of Lions they were excused from all Temporal Supplies he told them plainly Since you refuse to help me I will also refuse to help you If you deny to pay Tribute to me as your Prince I will deny to protect you as my Subjects And therefore if you be spoiled robbed or murdered expect no Succour nor Defence from me nor mine But to get some Amends they humbly petitioned the King to repeal the Statute of Mortmain or the Will of a Dead Mans Hand which forbad all Persons to give any Houses or Lands to the Church either at their Deaths or before without leave from the King But he resolving never to gratifie them in any thing replied That it was not in his Power without the Consent of a Parliament to make void any Law whatsoever So that they were forced to be contented though with much inward Vexation Having thus fleec'd the Clergy he laid a new Tax upon Wooll and Hides exported out of the Kingdom and required the tenth part of every Mans Estate to be paid him to maintain his Wars He caused the Clergy to bring into his Treasury all such Sums of Money as they had promised to pay the Pope for the War against the Turks and took up 100000 Quarters of Wheat which he sent to his Armies in Normandy where they fought with doubtful Success sometimes winning and then again losing In his Twenty fifth year 1296. John Baliol King of Scots by the secret incitement of the French King and some others about him sent a proud Defiance to King Edward and a Renunciation of his Fealty and Homage and with a tumultuous Army entred the Northern Borders cruelly destroying all with Fire and Sword Whereupon Edward upbraiding him with his many Favours and Honours received from him resolved to revenge his Ingratitude and with strong Forces marched thither taking the Castle of Berwick with the Slaughter of 25000 Scots He likewise won Dunbar Edinburgh and all other Places of Strength The King of Scots observing no Safety in Resistance humbly submitted himself to the King and surrendred the Kingdom into his Hands who with a strong Guard sent him Prisoner to the Tower of London but with large allowance of Liberty and Attendance and then committed the Government of Scotland to John Warren Earl of Sussex Sir Hugh Cressingham High Treasurer and Wistiam Earnly Lord Chief Justice of that Kingdom Having so happily performed this he then turned his Arms to France who to divert him animated the Scots again to rebell but King Edward resolving not to leave the French if possible without fighting continued still in Normandy sending Orders to the Earl of Northumberland and others to suppress that Rebellion which they did with a very bloody slaughter Upon which the French King perceiving himself disappointed would not venture to engage the English Army but sent honourable Propositions of Peace which were accepted by the King and a general Peace was proclaimed After his return
THIRD King of England c. IN Peace and War I still Triumphant stood Fortune for me seemed to fix her Wheel I did revenge my Fathers Death and Blood And forced France my valiant Arm to feel I warr'd on Scotland with victorious Steel The slaughtring Sword and Fire did all devour A Kingdom so divided needs must reel Betwixt the Bruces and the Baliols Power Thus every day my Grandeur mounted higher With Black Prince Edward my victorious Son Vnto the top of Honour we aspire By glorious Victories and great Actions done But all my Triumphs Fortunes Force and Strength Old Age and Death to Nothing brought at length AT the Age of Fifteen years Edward the Third was Crowned King his deposed Father being then alive He was chiefly counselled in his younger years by Queen Isabel his Mother Edmond Earl of Kent and Sir Roger Mortimer which Knight to ingratiate himself with the Queen was a chief Instrument in the Murder of the late King In his second year the Scots proclaimed War against England whereupon King Edward with an Army of fifty four thousand Men and attended with Sir John Heynault the L. Beamont and five hundred Lords and Gentlemen marched into Scotland where he pursued his lurking Enemies who fled into Woods Mountains and Hills and thereby tired the English Army so that he returned without any memorable Action and then married Philip the Daughter of William Earl of Heynault and calling a Parliament at Northampton the two Spencers and Walter Stapleton were attainted of High Treason at which time by the advice of the Queen and Mortimer a dishonourable Peace was made with the Scots whereby that King was discharged from doing homage to Edward and the great Charter called Ragman whereby the late King of Scotland and all his Nobility under their Hands and Scals did acknowledge their Subjection to the Kings of England was delivered up and the Kings Sister Jane was married to David Son and Heir to K. R. Bruce Roger Mortimer was now made Earl of March which did much discontent the Nobility especially after they saw that by his power with the King and Familiarity with the Queen he had trecherously procured the Earl of Kent the Kings Uncle to be beheaded but by Divine Vengeance Mortimer himself was charged by the State with these Trayterous Articles 1 That he had wickedly procured the murther of the late King 2. That by false and malicious accusations he had caused the King to cut off the Head of his Vncle who was Noble Religious Valiant and a main Pillar of the Commonwealth 3. That he had too familiarly conversed with the Queen Mother to her just reproach and the Kings dishonour 4. That for a Bribe of twenty thousand pound he had procured the release of the Scots Homage Lastly That he had cheated the King of his Jewels and Treasure converting them to his own use For these horrid Treasons he was condemned and Executed in the same manner as young Spencer and Q. Isabel was committed to a strong Castle where she continued above thirty years after and then died In his fifth year Philip the French King sent to require King Edward to do Homage for the Dutchy of Guyen which he unwillingly performed his Lords being therewith offended alledging That in the Right of Queen Isabel his Mother the Crown of France belonged to him and that he therefore ought not to have acknowledged any Fealty at all The King then sent to David King of Scotland to restore the Castle of Berwick and do him Homage for the Kingdom but David stoutly answered That his Father won that Castle by Conquest and he would hold it by the Sword and That his Father never acknowledged any Subjection and if any had been due yet King Edward had released him from it The King being of a great Spirit was resolved to revenge these Affronts by conquering both Scotland and France and to that end he presently sent an Army against the Scots and over-run the better part of that Country without resistance taking Berwick and Crowning Edward Baliol King of Scotland to whom he committed the Government of Berwick Castle and two years after he again marched into Scotland and setled this new King on his Throne receiving his Homage and restored several English Lords to their Estates which by the Peace with King Bruce they were deprived of David the deposed King fled into France and after two years by the assistance of the French King landed some Forces in Scotland but King Edward soon encountred and routed them and then returned victoriously into England In his tenth year Philip the French King gave the Earldom of Artois away by Sentence from Robert Artois to Maud Countess of Burgundy and Aunt to this Robert which so incensed him that he said By me Philip was made King and by me he shall be again deposed For these Words he was proclaimed a Traytor to the Crown throughout all France so that to save his Life he fled into England where for his former Service to Queen Isabel and her Son when in France he was honourably received and entertained by King Edward who knew him to be a wise and valiant Man and therefore made him Earl of Richmond and loved him so entirely that he never undertook any Matter of Consequence without his Advice This Noble Knight continually informed the King of his Right to the Crown of France by his Mother Queen Isabel and that with such convincing Reasons and Persuasions that Edward began now in earnest to contrive the attaining thereof negotiating privately with the Earl of Heynault his Wives Father and Brother-in-Law to the French King and with Sir John of Heynault Lord Beaumont his Brother and several other Princes and States of Germany who encouraged and assisted him therein creating him Vicar-General of the Empire by which he had Power to command the Nobility and Commons of those Countries to aid him in his Enterprise Whilst these things were secretly consulting in England Philip of France little suspected he was to fight for his Crown with the English and therefore at the Importunity of Pope Benedict the Eleventh he had prepared a greater Army for the Holy Land than ever any Christian Prince did before him which were provided with all Necessaries for three years and the Government of his Kingdom he committed to his eldest Son John Duke of Normandy Being just ready to depart he had News of the Pretensions and Preparations of the English and therefore thought it more necessary to defend his Kingdom at home than to go upon such a frivolous Errand abroad In the mean time King Edward having by many Politick Devices drained his Subjects Purses insomuch that for want of Money a fat Ox was sold for a Noble a fat Sheep for Six pence six Pigeons for a Penny and a Quarter of Wheat for Two shillings he with his Queen sailed to Antwerp where he concluded the Methods of the War with the Princes of Germany and
then returning into England raised a strong Army of 27000 fighting Men which he landed in France about Autumn The French King having an Army of 60000 Soldiers and accompanied with the Kings of Bohemia Navar and Scotland with Five Dukes Twenty six Earls and above 4000 Lords and Knights entred the Field where he found Edward prepared for Battel but by the Mediation of the Countess of Heynault King Philip's Sister and Mother to King Edward's Wife a Cessation was concluded and King Edward with his Nobles and Soldiers returned to England Yet four years after Edward again met with the Princes of Germany at Brussels who desired the Flemings to joyn with them but they refused unless Edward would entitle himself King of France and Quarter the Arms of France with those of England and lastly would as King of France release them from a Bond of Two Millions of Florens whereby they were obliged not to make War with the King of France King Edward soon yielded to all their Desires whereupon they obliged themselves by a solemn Contract in Writing under their Hands and Seals to assist him to the utmost In the mean time the French Kings Navy landed some thousands of Men at Southampton burning the Town and Villages thereabouts Upon his return the King called a Parliament who raised so great a Tax that the People turned their Prayers into Curses He likewise borrowed great Sums of his richest Subjects and of London 20000 Marks He coined abundance of Gold and Silver Money wherein he quartered the Arms of France and intitled himself King of England and France Having raised an Army of 10000 stout Soldiers he imbarqued them in 200 Ships and sailing toward Sluce he fortunately met with the French Fleet whereon were 40000 Men of divers Nations whom the King fell upon with his whole Navy and after a fierce and bloody Fight very few of the French escaped being all either sunk or taken This Loss was so very considerable that they were afraid to discover it to the French King lest it should too much discompose him and therefore they contrived his Jester should do it who often repeating in his hearing Cowardly Englishmen Faint-hearted Englishmen Dastardly Englishmen The King observing him asked him why Because said he they had not the courage to leap into the Sea as our brave Frenchmen did whereby the King began to have some knowledge of this grand disaster Edward received but small Loss so that the next day he landed at Gaunt and soon after besieged Tournay but by the importunity of the aforesaid Countess of Heynault a second Truce was concluded for one year In King Edward's absence the Scots disliking their King Edward Baliol because he would not engage against the English and calling in David Bruce they invade Northumberland destroying all before them and laying close Siege to Newcastle but at Midnight 200 resolute Men issued out and secretly entred into the Earl of Murray's Tent seising him and killing many to the great terrour of the Scots Camp whereupon David finding stout Resistance raised the Siege and marched to Durham which he took plundred and burnt slaying all the Inhabitants and then sate down before Roxborough Castle defended by the beautiful Countess of Salisbury and her Brother Sir William Mountague who being continually assaulted expected no Help but from the King and to give him notice of their Extremity the valiant Knight himself mounted on a swift Horse rid full speed through thousands of his Enemies sending word to King David as he rid along That in a short time he should again hear of him Upon which the Scots pushed on the Siege with all vigour yet could not carry it and therefore suddenly raised it and returned home King Edward arriving there that very day was much discomposed that he had missed them yet by the Mediation of several Honourable Personages a Truce was concluded for two years The King after the Scots were gone disarmed himself and with ten or twelve Persons of Quality entred the Castle where he was soon inflamed with the Love of the fair Countess but her Vertue resisted all Temptations so that he departed from her in Discontent The King then made a Royal Feast for all his Nobility and Forreigners that came thereto wherein were acted several Martial Sports in one of which the Lord Beaumont a Noble Knight was unfortunately slain After this the King called a Paliament at Westminster wherein he created his eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales and a Tax was raised for the Wars in France for which the King confirmed Magna Charta Charta de Foresta and several other Statutes The next year the King for encouraging Virtue and Valour instituted the Order of the Knights of the Garter at Windsor and then sent an Army into France under the Command of the Earl of Darby John the French Kings eldest Son having closely besieged the Castle of Aguilâ—on in Gascoin with near 100000 men King Edward with his Son eight Earls fifteen Barons and many Gentlemen of Quality with an Army of 14000 men by the advice of the Lord Harcourt a banished Nobleman of France landed in Normandy and took the strong Town of Harflew plundering divers others whereby every Common Soldier was made a Gentleman with the Spoil and his Army increasing he took the City of Caen and abundance of other Towns and Castles the English pursuing their good Fortune so far that they were on a sudden encompassed with 100000 French on the one side and a River on the other yet passing on the Sand at low Water he at last got clear with the slaughter of a very great multitude of French and marching toward Cressy the French King was there resolved to try the fortune of a Field Battel and the English after Prayers to God for sucess with great Courage prepared for fight the King had given the Vanguard to his Son Edward who for his Valour was called the Black Prince the Second Battalion was led by the Earl of Northampton and the third by the King himself The Signal of Battel being given both parties furiously ingaged wherein the Black Prince was very hard put to it and sent to his Father for succor who stood on a Windmil hard by to observe the Fight but the King refused him any aid saying Let them send no more to me whatever happens while my Son is alive but let him either conquer or dye since if it please God he escape I am resolved the honour of this day shall be only his when the Prince heard this he was forced to put out his utmost Courage and Vigor whereby he obtained a glorious Victory the greatest part of the French Army lying dead before them so that in two days wherein the Fight continued there were slain of the French 11 Princes 80 Barons 1200 Knights and above 30000 Common Soldiers the French King himself hardly escaping by flight After the Battel King Edward kissing and imbracing his Son said Fair Son God
bad Mind doth a handsom Shape deform So I who was by Blood Descent and Form The perfect Image of a Gallant Prince Because my Vices I did not reform No Faith 's in Face or Shape I did evince My Royal Name and Power a Mock was made My Subjects madly in Rebellion rose Mischief on Mischief still did me invade Oppos'd Depos'd Expos'd Inclos'd in Woes With doubtful Fortune I in Trouble Reign'd At length by Murder Death and Rest I gain'd KIng Edward the Third in his last Sickness created his Nephew Richard Son to the Black Prince deceased Prince of Wales Earl of Chester and Duke of Cornwal committing the Regency of the Kingdom to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster After his Death Richard the Second of that Name of Eleven years old was Crowned King of England In the whole Course of his evil Government he slighted his Nobility and taxed his Subjects severely to throw it away prodigally upon his ill-deserving Favourites despising the Advice of the Wise and hearkning to the Follies of his young debauched Companions In his first year Charles King of France presuming on his Minority being assisted by the King of Castile landed in England burning the Towns of Plymouth Dartmouth Portsmouth Rye and others on the Sea and would have proceeded further had they not been encountred by the Earls of Cambridge Buckingham and others who beat them back to their Ships At the same time a valiant Scot named Alexander Ramsey at the instigation of the French King with only forty men desperately scaled the Walls of Berwick Castle and finding the Captain and Guards sleeping they took it without blows designing to have taken the Town too but the Inhabitants from the great noise in the Castle suspecting mischief cut down the Stairs of the Drawbridge on the Townside so that when the Scots let it fall the Chains broke and the Bridge fell into the Castle Ditch whereby the Scots not being able to get out were made Prisoners by their own Victory They then endeavoured to fortify the Castle but it was soon besieged and taken by K. Richard's Forces who gave quarter to none but only Ramsey their Captain Soon after the French again landed in England doing great mischief at Dover Winchelsey Hastings and Gravesend where they got much Booty To prevent and revenge these injuries a Parliament was called at Westminster wherein four Pence was laid upon every person above fourteen years old the levying whereof caused a dangerous Rebellion under Jack Straw Wat Tyler John Wall a Factious Priest and others who stiled themselves The Kings Men and the Servants of the Commonweal of England declaring that all Men ought to be equal in Dignity and Estate as being all the Sons of Adam they marched through several Countreys to London the mean sort of People joyning with them so that they became very formidable committing all manner of Insolencies and making bold demands of the King and the Lord Mayor which so incensed the Mayor that he struck Tyler off his Horse with his Sword where he was killed immediately upon which the Rebels who were above 20000 soon disperst no less than fifteen hundred being Executed for the same with several cruel Deaths and Torments in divers parts of the Realm And thus in an instant vanished this great cloud which threatned the destruction of King and Kingdom In his tenth year the King forsaking the advice of his gravest and most experienced Nobility was perswaded to commit many illegal and disorderly Actions by the Counsel of Michael de la Pool his Chancellor Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford Alexander Archbishop of York and Robert Tresillian Lord Chief Justice who without cause exasperated him against the Duke of Glocester his Uncle and the Earls of Warwick and Arundel whom they intended to surprise at Supper if Nicholas Exton Lord Mayor of London would have assisted them But failing herein they resolved to impeach them in Parliament but they being jealous of the Kings intent came thither strongly guarded while they were on their way in a Wood near the Court the King asked the Opinion of several about him what he should do in the case at length he merrily demanded of one Sir Hugh Liun who had been a good Souldier in his days but was now distracted what he would advise him to do Issue out quoth Sir Hugh and let us set upon them and kill every Mothers Son and when thou hast so done by Gods Eyes thou hast killed all the faithful Friends thou hast in England But K. Richard doubting the success of any violent course that Design was defeated and the King demanding a great Tax of four fifteens is not only denied but several misdemeanors of his Government are declared to him and at length Michael de la Pool his favourite is by the Lords found guilty of many offences Condemned Fined and Imprisoned and Commissioners were appointed to examine the Crimes of all the Kings Officers the King taking an Oath not to recal that Commission without consent of Parliament and it was enacted That all those who should perswade the King to infringe the same should for the second offence suffer as Traytors to the King and Kingdom Notwithstanding which this Parliament was no sooner ended but Pool Vere Tresillian and others perswaded him contrary to this Solemn Oath to assemble the Judges at Nottingham where they pronounced the Duke of Gloucester and the thirteen Commissioners and divers others to be guilty of High Treason for compelling the King to ratify the Commission under his Great Seal which Judgment they confirmed under their Hands as agreeable to the Laws of the Kingdom The Truce with France being ended that King sent 1000 Persons of Quality into Scotland who joyning with their Army of 30000 they therewith invaded England committing many violences but hearing King Richard was marching toward them they turned into the craggy Mountains of Wales doing much mischief to the Inhabitants and in the mean time K. Richard entred Scotland with 68000 men burning and destroying Edinborough St. Johnstons Sterling Dundee with many other places and then returned home The Scots and French returning found little or no sustenance by reason of the late ruins so that the Frenchmen were forced to return home without Horses Arms or Money but the Admiral and several Grandees were kept as Pledges by the Scots till the French King had satisfied the losses and damages which they had sustained meerly for his sake upon whose account they entred into this War whereupon he was forced to send what Money they demanded to redeem his Commanders The French King vowing Revenge against the English for these Disgraces prepared a very great Army which he designed to transport into England in a Navy of no less than 1200 Ships Against whom King Richard soon raised vast Forces consisting in above 100000 Men. But all these mighty Preparations soon came to nothing for the French Soldiers in their March toward the Ships committed such horrid
infringe this Agreement that then the Duke of York should have present possession of the Crown the Duke having thus got the Government of the Kings Person and Dominions sent Letters to Scotland in the Kings name to the Queen and several of the Lords with her to appear with all speed before the King but they not only refused his Command but marched boldly toward London with an Army of eighteen thousand English and Scots but at Wakefeild the Duke of York met the Queen and perswaded her to submit which not prevailing another bloudy battel was fought wherein the Duke was worsted himself his younger Son Edward and three thousand of his men being slain and the rest fled The Queen having taken the Earl of Salisbury beheaded him and divers others whose heads she caused to be set upon the walls of York in despight of that party which was fully revenged in a short time upon the King Queen and Prince and a great number more of the Lancastrian faction The Earl of March now Duke of York hearing of this overthrow though his Army were only three thousand men fell upon Jasper Earl of Pembroke the Kings half brother Owen Tudor his Father and their Confederates which he soon routed killing four thousand of them and taking Owen Tudor Father in Law to King Henry and divers others Prisoners who were immediately beheaded But the Queens Army about the same time having encountred the Duke of Norfolk and his forces made them fly and leave K. Henry behind whereat the Queen was extream joyful and insolent but hearing of the success of the young Duke of York she retired into the North raising an Army of 60000 Men she met the Dukes Army of forty nine thousand at a place called Towton where after a cruel fight wherein thirty six thousand Englishmen were slain the Duke obtained an absolute Victory The King Queen and Prince Edward their only Son fled to Scotland and were kindly received by that King delivering to him the Town and Castle of Berwick but the Duke rid Triumphantly to York from whose walls he took the heads of his Father and Friends and set up those of the Earl of Devonshire and others in their stead King Henry hopeless of succour sufficient from Scotland sent his Queen and Son to Reyner her Father and the French King for aid he himself remaining in Scotland patiently expecting the event of his future state And here we may properly end his Reign as being after this only the Tennis-ball of Fortune for though he were sometimes put in hope of having his Kingdom established yet he was inthron'd and dethroned in so short a time that it seemed rather like the acting of a Tragedy than of matters really performed He reigned 38 and lived 49 years EDWARD the FOURTH King of England c. I York's Great Heir by the strange Chance of War Was Crown'd Vncrown'd and then again Inthron'd I wholly crush'd the House of Lancaster Whilst woful England under Misery groan'd Fathers and Mothers Childless made did grieve These bloody Bickerings lasting threescore Years E're they to Peace and Quiet did arrive Wherein were slain above an hundred Peers But Age and Time all Earthly things destroys Through Terrors Horrors Mischief and Debate By Truth by Treason by Hopes Fears and Joy I got I kept I left I lost the State Thus as the Powers Divine do smile or frown Glories or Troubles wait upon a Crown EDward Duke of York having thus overthrown King Henry and his Queen and executed many of his chief Opposers returned triumphantly to London where he was joyfully received and Crowned June 19. 1461. and a Parliament being called Aubrey Vere Earl of Oxford and his Son with some other Counsellors of King Henry being attainted of Treason were beheaded And to strengthen himself King Edward created his eldest Brother George Duke of Clarence and Richard he made Duke of Glocester and several others were advanced to Honour and the Duke of Somerset Sir Ralph Pierce with other inveterate Enemies of King Edward finding no hope of success submitted and received Pardon In the mean time Q. Margaret coming from France with her Son and going into Scotland many Scots joyned with her and marching with her Husband to Berwick Castle raised considerable Forces in Northumberland and Durham Somerset and Piercie treacherously going to her but being encountred by John Nevil Lord Montague they were soon routed and fled onely Sir Ralph Pierce died valiantly fighting and pursuing his Victory he utterly overthrew King Henry's Army the Duke of Somerset with seven other Lords being taken and Beheaded Henry fled back to Scotland Edwards Army went forward and recovered divers Castles and Forts in Northumberland and among others Bamborough commanded by Sir Ralph Grey who had formerly sworn Alâ—egiance to K. Edward whom they Beheaded after he had been degraded of his Knighthood by hewing off his Spurs tearing in pieces his Coat of Arms and breaking his Sword over his Head In his third year K. Henry travelling toward London in disguise was taken in the North and being brought to King Edward was committed close Prisoner to the Tower And now the King designing to marry sent his most intimate Favourite Richard Nevil the Valiant Earl of Warwick and Brother to the L. Montacute to propose a match with the Lady Bona the French Kings Daughter which was soon agreed to and concluded In which time K. Edward hunting in Wickwood Forrest and coming to the Mannor of Grafton set his Eyes on Elizabeth the Widdow of Sir John Gray who was slain as he fought for King Henry at St. Albans and counting her very warmly to satisfy his pleasures was modestly and constantly denied which inflamed him the more as having seldom met with refusals upon such an account what therefore he could not obtain unlawfully he resolved to gain by Marriage and accordingly without any further delay or advice made her his Wife she having assured him That as she accounted her self too mean to be his Wife so she thought he self too good to be his Harlot King Edwards Mother would fain have dissuaded him from it alledging among many other reasons that her Widdowhood was a sufficient cause why he should not dishonour himself with Bigamy in his first Marriage to which he merrily reply'd She is indeed a Widdow and hath Children and by Gods blessed Lady I am a Batchelor and have some too and each have good proof that neither of us are like to be barren and therefore pray Madam be contented for I hope I shall get a young Prince that shall please you very well and as for the Bigamy or Widdowhood let the Priest charge me with it when I come to take Orders for I have heard it is forbidden to a Priest but never yet thought in was so to a Prince But however pleasing this Marriage was to the King yet it proved very unsatisfactory to his Subjects and unfortunate to himself for the Earl of Warwick having News
thereof was extreamly displeased at so great an affront and secretly contrived mischief against him to whom the Duke of Clarence who had been disobliged by his Brother joyned himself and married Warwick's Daughter and soon after with other great Lords and Confederates they raised a Rebellion in York-shire and were so strong that at Banbury King Edwards Forces were overthrown and 5000 of them slain the Lord Rivers the Queens Father and the Lord Strafford being beheaded Yet King Edward preparing another great Army marched toward the Rebels but many of the Nobility endeavouring to procure a Peace obtained a Parley during which King Edward being less watchful of himself was seized in his Bed by the treacherous Earl of Warwick and secretly sent Prisoner to Middleham Castle in York-shire to be there kept Prisoner by his own Brother the Archbishop of York who likewise joined with Clarence and Warwick against him from whom either accidentally or willingly he soon after made his escape and at last came safe to London where by the procurement of the Lords the King the Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Clarence met upon security given in Westminster Hall where Warwick used such high Language to the King upbraiding him for his Ingratitude that all parted in high discontent and soon after at the Battel of Loosecoats the Rebels were beaten by King Edward throwing off their Coats for haste to make their escape in which fight were slain 10000 men The Earl of Warwick and Duke of Clarence hearing of this misfortune fled in despair with their Ladies and other Gentlewomen to Callice but were denied entrance by the Governour though the Dutchess of Clarence was then in Labour and delivered on Shipboard whereupon they went to Deip in France and were kindly entertained by that King where divers others repairing to them they consulted to restore King Henry and Prince Edward Henry's Son married the Earl of Warwicks second Daughter whereat the Duke of Clarence was much concerned and resolved to submit to his Brother upon the first opportunity All things being in readiness Warwick and his Confederates imbark for London and land at Dartmouth where his Forces soon increased very much and he then made Proclamation in all places for all men to come to his aid against the Duke of York who falsely and traiterously called himself King In the mean time Edward levied a strong Army wherewith he marched toward the Rebels but being informed of the general love of the People to Warwick and hearing me then loud shouts of King Henry King Henry a Warwick a Warwick he suspected the fidelity of his own Forces and with 800 of his best Friends left his Army and fled in the Night to Lincolnshire and from thence to Holland to the Duke of Burgundy As soon as it was known that Edward was gone the Earl of Warwick câ—me to London and taking Henry out of the Tower carried him triumphantly through the City to Pauls and from thence to the Bishops Pallace where he kept his Court. Then a Parliament being called Edward and his Adherents were attainted of High Treason and their Estates confiscate to the King the Duke of Clarence is declared Heir of the Dukedom of York and the Crown is intailed upon Henry and his Heirs and in default of his issue to the Duke of Clarence and his In a short time Edward by the assistance of the Duke of Burgundy lands in England with small Forces and few joyning with him he declared he came not to challenge the Crown but only his inheritance of the Dutchy of York upon which the People flock't in to him and at last the Lords told him They durst not joyn with him unless he would stile himself King which he did accordingly and the Earl of Warwick with other Nobles coming against him with a strong Army got into Coventry they suspecting the Duke of Clarence who joining accordingly with King Edward they defied the Earl of Warwick who durst not venture without the Walls King Edwar'd hereupon leaves Coventry and marches toward London where he was again joyfully received and King Henry was again committed to the Tower and was soon after followed by the Earl of Warwick who at Barnet was slain with his Brother the Marquess and 10000 men slain After this Queen Margaret landeth from France and some Nobles joyning with her the two Armys met at Teuksbury in Glocestershire where King Edward again remained Victor killing 3000 of his Adversaries and the Queen and her Son Edward were taken Prisoners the Prince being then cruelly murdered by Richard Duke of Glocester and soon after King Henry was found dead in the Tower being wickedly stabbed by the same bloody Richard After this King Edward makes his claim to France and to gain it craved aid of his Subjects by way of Benevolence and among others a covetous Widdow gave him twenty pounds which the King who was there present unknown to her observing not only gave her Thanks but came and kissed her telling her That she should have a kiss from a King for her Money whereat the old Woman was so transported that she told him a Kings kiss was worth more Money and thereupon gave him twenty pound more The King having got an Army together sailed to France but the French King fearing his power chose rather to buy his Peace of the Kings Courtiers which he did accordingly with great Sums of Money paid yearly to the English Nobility Among others he sent two thousand Crowns to the Lord Hastings Lord Chamberlain the Messenger desiring a Receipt for his own security which the Lord Chamberlain scrupling at said Sir What you desire is very reasonable but the Gift comes from the good Will of your King and not from my Request If you please to give it put into the Pocket of my Sleeve and no other Acquittance shall you have of me for it shall never be said that the Lord Chamberlain of England was a Pensioner to the King of France neither shall my Acquittances be ever found in the Chamber of Accounts in France After this the Lord Chamberlain was more esteemed by the French and had his Money paid without a Receipt About this time the Duke of Clarence being sent to the Tower for High Treason was drowned in a Butt of Malmsey and soon after King Edward himself died after he hid lived 40 years and reigned twenty two 1483. He was a very compleat Person exceeding Valiant but too wanton he used to say he had three Mistresses of different Qualities one of them the Fairest another the Merriest and a third the Holiest Harlot alive whom he could never send for to his Bed but she was always at Prayers with her Beads EDWARD the FIFTH King of England c. IF Birth or Beauty Innocence or Youth Could Pity raise within a Tyâ—ants Heart Then surely Richard would have found it Truth And not have acted such a bloody Part. What Glory then to be of Royal Race What Joy is there in
Beauty Strength or Wit What is Command great Honour and high Place When Treason lurks where Majesty doth sit Vnhappy I had too much Proof of this Nipt in my Eud and blasted in my Bloom Depriv'd by Murder of all Kingly Bliss And in Three Kingdoms could not find a Tomb. By Treason thus my Greatness did decay Ere the Fruit grew the Tree was cut away KIng Edward left behind him two Sons Edward of the Age of thirteen years who unfortunately succeeded him and Richard Duke of York two year younger with five Daughters and one onely Brother Richard Duke of Glocester who being of an ambitiouâ— and bloody Nature took the Opportunity of the younâ— Kâ—ngs Minority to raise himself upon the Ruins of his Brothers Family At the death of the King Prince Edward kept his Court at Ludlow in Wales to restrain the Welch from Mischief and Anthony Earl of Rivers the Queens Brother and Uncle to the Prince was by King Edward made Protector of his Person all Places of Honour and Profit being disposed of by the Queen and him which Richard did much disdain and therefore often consulted with the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Hastings about removing the young King from them who contrived to take him into their Custody thereby to have the Honour and Benefit thereoâ— The Queen with her Brother and the Lord Grey he Son and her other Friends were now marching 〈◊〉 London with strong Forces in order to Crown the King and the Duke of Glocester knowing the Business muâ— be done before that was performed persuaded tâ—â— Queen by Letters to dismiss the Soldiers lest such â— great Army should cause suspicion of some ill Desigâ— and suddenly seising the King at Stonystratford the waited upon him toward London committing the Eaâ—â— Rivers Lord Grey Sir Thomas Vaughan and some others to Pomfret Castle in Yorkshire where they were soon after beheaded without any Trial upon the same day that the Lord Hastings who had conspired with Richard against them was beheaded by his Order in the Tower as you read hereafter Then Richard and his Confederates removed all the other Officers and Servants from about him declaring that those Noblemen who suffered had resolved to destroy all the Lords of King Edward's Blood The Queen hearing of the fatal Murder of her Brother Son and Friends repented her disbanding the Soldiers by Richard's cunning Persuasions and fearing the Event she with her five Daughters and her youngest Son Richard Duke of York took Sanctuary at Westminster The young King also mourned extremely at the miserable Slaughter of his Friends but the two Dukes of Glocester and Buckingham endeavoured to comfort him expressing their Loyalty by a thousand Protestations and bringing the King toward London he was met by the Lord Mayor and above 500 grave Citizens before whom Richard behaved himself with so much reverence and submission to the King that he persuaded them as well as the Council of State to declare him Protector of the King and Kingdom which was the great thing he aimed at but not having the Duke of York in his Hands he grievously complained against the Queen for detaining him as a Prisoner and hindring him from keeping company with his Brother which he enforced with so many plausible Reasons that the Council sent and commanded her to deliver him up which she unwillingly did kissing and weeping bitterly over him praying God to deliver him from all danger and telling the Archbishop of York who was sent for him That she would require that poor and innocent Child at his Hands When the lovely Youth was put into the Protector 's Hands he before the whole Assembly took him in his Arms kissing hugging and embracing him and often solemnly protesting upon his Soul That nothing in the World except the King himself was so dear to him as that young Child though he then designed to sacrifice them both to his cursed Ambition And bringing the young Duke to the King who was extremely pleased with his Company he conveyed them through London with great Pomp and State to the Tower upon pretence of Security in these troublous Times whenas there were no Troubles but what were occasioned by himself and his wicked Accomplices Having thus betrayed these poor innocent Lambs into his Slaughter house Richard then contrives how he might most commodiously Butcher them At first he doubted whether he should reveal his Design to the Duke of Buckingham but upon promising his Daughter to Buckingham's Son and the Earldom of Hartford as a Dowry he soon gained him and bestowing on him a great Sum of the Kings Money he soon persuaded him to assist him But because the Lord Hastings whom the Protector for former Friendship had newly made Lord Chamberlain had been always true to Edward the Fourth and was hearty for the Service of the young King they despaired of gaining him and therefore resolved to dispatch him Hereupon he called a great Council of the Lords in the Tower proposing to them the speedy Coronation of the King though it was least intended by him and then grew very pleasant with the Lords and told Dr. Morton Bishop of Ely whom he loved not That he heard he had fine Strawberries in his Garden in Holbourn intreating him to send for some which he willingly did being very glad the Protector was so kind to him Upon a sudden Richard rises from the Board desiring the Lords to proceed in the Matters before them and that he would go out and return again presently which he did within an Hour after And being set in his Chair he bent his Brows bit his Lips wrung his Fists and looked fiercely on the Ground The Lord being much disturbed at this Alteration sate all silenâ— for some time expecting what he would say at length he demanded What they deserved who had wickedly plotted to destroy him being Vncle and Protector to the King The Lords being absolutely innocent sate like Men amazed not one of them uttering a Word at length the Lord Hastings who was most familiar with him replied Those that have transgressed the Law deserve the severest punishment thereof To which all the Lords assented Then quoth the Protector That Sorceress meaning the Queen and that Strumpet Shore 's Wife have conspired together to take away my Life by Witchcraft and to confirm it do but see how my Left-arm is already wasted and consumed and therewith plucked up his Sleeve and confidently shewed his naked Arm though all present knew certainly that his Arm had been never otherwise from his Mothers Womb Neither could they be so foolish to believe that the Queen and Shore's Wife should joyn together above all Women since she was King Edward's Concubine besides the Queen was known to be Mild Virtuous and Religious The Lord Hastings who since Edward's Death had taken Shore's Wife for his Concubine and having left her that Morning in his own Bed endeavoured to appease his Rage against her and said My Lord If
on him as his Guard She then caused it to be published in England that her Nephew Richard was alive and expected the assistance of all his loving Subjects to restore him to his Kingdom as being the undoubted Heir Male of the House of York these reports wrought much both upon the Gentry and Common People so that many resolved to assist him and sent Sir Robert Clifford secretly into Flanders to enquire whether he were really such as was pretended who by the Subtilty of the Dutchess and the Ingenuity of the Lad was really perswaded that he was King Edward the Fourth's youngest Son of which sending an account into England his Friends and Partakers daily increased This Design extreamly disturbed King Henry who therefore strongly fortified all places upon the Sea coast and likewise sent divers Spies to the Dutchess of Burgundy who under pretence of joyning with her discovered what Persons in England intended to joyn with Perkin upon whose information and after Legal Tryals the chiefest of them were executed as Traytors In the mean time an Insurrection happened in Lond n against the Easterlings the Apprentices of London breaking up their Warehouses at the Stillyard and doing much mischief but they were soon disperst by the Lord Mayor and afterward all pardoned by the King And now Sir Robert Clifford upon his repentance and the Intercession of his Friends was pardoned by King Henry who coming over discovered all the Contrivances of the Lady Margaret and Perkin with the rest of the Conspirators but named onely Sir William Stanley at which the King admired because he was much beloved by him and had received great rewards who upon clear Conviction was beheaded In the mean time Perkin being furnished with Ships by the Lady Margaret manned with abundance of Villains and Outlaws who landing in Kent were beaten back with great loss and 160 taken Prisoners who where executed in divers places Having such ill success he lands next in Ireland and goes from thence to Scotland where he was entertained by that King though he knew he was a Counterfeit who assisting him they marched into Northumberland and almost utterly destroy'd it Upon this King Henry calls a Parliament who laying a severe Tax on the People the Cornishmen rebel and march toward London but at Blackheath King Henry got an absolute Victory with the slaughter of 2000 Rebels And then turning his Arms toward the Scots they fled before him so that he entred Scotland without resistance destroying many considerable Towns and Forts the Scotch King not daring to relieve them though he with his Army were sometimes not a mile distant Upon this followed a Truce for some years upon condition that Perkin should be banished out of Scotland who sailed from thence into Cornwal where the Cornishmen though so lately defeated yet being desperate joyned with him and Besieged Exeter very closely but at length left it and sat down before Taunton but the King marching toward him with a Formidable Army Perkin with his chief Captains fled and took Sanctuary at Beauly near Southampton several of the rest were taken and executed and the Rable pardoned and Perkin being Besieged in his Monastry yielded himself and was brought to the King who pardoned him only he was set in the Stocks upon an high Scaffold in Cheapside a whole day with a Paper pinned at his back declaring his ignoble descent and Pedigree and was then committed Prisoner to the Tower where practicing with Edward the young Earl of Warwick and others to raise disturbances he was by Law condemned and executed for High Treason together with young Warwick who was extreamly pitied by all for his innocence King Henry soon after sending an Ambassage to Philip Duke of Burgundy by Warham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Doctor in the end of his Speech gave this severe remark on the Dutchess That after she was threescore years old she had brought forth two Monsters Lambert and Perkin and those not in the ninth and tenth Month as Women usually do but in the hundred and fourscore Month for they were both above fifteen years of age when she brought them abroad as it were out of her Belly neither were they Crisoms or Infants but such lusty lads that as soon as ever they were born they were able to make War with a Mighty King These troubles being over his eldest Son Prince Arthur of fifteen years old was married to the Lady Katharine daughter to Ferdinando King of Spain and the next year James the Fourth King of Scots married the Lady Margaret eldest Daughter to King Henry but these joys were soon over for Prince Arthur died within five Months after he was married And now King Henry resolving to humble his People took advantage of the breach of the Penal Laws imploying Sir Richard Empson and Edmond Dudleâ— therein who being attended with a Band of Cheats and Informers ruined abundance of People in many Countreys in England so that no man thought himself secure of any thing he enjoyed In his twenty first year the King and Queen of Castile being driven by storm into England were entertained by the King with all kind of magnificence and the next year King Henry grew sick and infirm and perceiving his time was short he deprived those Caterpillars of their power who during his Sickness Plagued the People more than ever he likewise pardoned all Offences and restored great summs to those who had been robbed by those wretched Cormorants being extream penitent for the wrongs and injuries he had committed upon his Subjects and having reigned twenty three years and lived fifty two he died and was buried in a sumptuous Chappel built with great cost by himself at Westminster in the year 1508. HENRY the EIGHTH King of England c. TO both the Royal Houses I was Heir Of Two that long contended I One made This Nation rent and almost in despair I did revive setling Commerce and Trade I banish'd RomishVsurpations vain In France I Bulloign Tyrwin Tournay waâ— The Stile of Faiths Defender I did gain Six Wives I had three Anns two Kates one Jane In my Expences Royal beyond measure Striving in Noble Actions to exceed Accounting Honour as my greatest Treasure Yet various Fancies did my Frailty feed I made I marr'd I did and I undid Till all my Greatness in a Grave was hid HEnry the onely surviving Son of Henry the Seventh succeeded his Father at Eighteen years of Age 1509. And having a Dispensation from the Pope he married the Lady Katherine his Brother Prince Arthur's Widow To oblige his People he made open Proclamation That he would hear the Complaints against Empson and Dudley and finding they had committed notorious Rapines on his Subjects he caused them to be beheaded at Tower-hill and their Confederates were Pilloried in several Places of the Kingdom At this time the French King Lewis the Twelfth made War with the Pope whereupon Henry offered himself a Mediator but was rejected by the French King and
into England he restored the Citizens of London their Charter which for some misdemeanors had remained forfeited in his Hands twelve years And then presently marches with a stout Army into Scotland the Rebels being again in Arms under the Conduct of a Valiant Commander called William Wallace who had routed Earl Warren's Forces taking an advantage against them as they passed over a Bridge near Sterling Castle Hugh Cressingham and many English being slain the Scots fleaing off his Skin and cutting it in pieces divided it among them The King proceeding toward Scotland called a Parliament at York and there summoned the Scots to appear at a Day appointed which they not regarding he marched forward with vast Forces and coming near the Enemy as he was putting his Foot in the Stirrup his Horse starting at the sudden shout of the Scots Army threw him down and striking with his Heels broke two of the Kings Ribbs however he proceeded to Battel and the Scots by the encouragement of Captain Wallace fought valiantly but were at length defeated with the loss of seventy thousand Scots at a place called Fawkirk after which he took several strong places and then returned into England where in a Parliament holden at London and Stamford he confirmed Magna Charta and Charta de Foresta and it was enacted That no Tax nor Subsidy should be laid upon the Kingdom without consent of the King Peers and People and for the better satisfaction of the Parliament he lest these words out of his Grants Salvo Jure Coron e nostrae saving the right of our Crown Upon the earnest request of the Pope K. Edward now inlarged John Baliol who travelled into France and there remained and soon after the Scots were again in Arms so that he entred the third time into Scotland with strong Forces where none durst abide him in the Field the Lords and Gentry of the Castle having fortified themselves so strongly in Sterling Castle that they thought it impregnable while he was employ'd in the Siege he was advised not to endanger his Person so much whom he answered in the words of David A thousand shall fall on my side and ten thousand at my Right hand but it shall not come near me yet doubting the Siege would be long he used this Policy he ordered two Galleries to be set up in view of the Castle and then by sound of Trumpet proclaimed his free pardon to the Besieged if they surrendred within the space of three days but othewise he denounced hanging too them all without respect of Persons or Quality the Besieged trusting more to the Kings mercy than their own defence delivered up the Castle and themselves King Edward then taking fresh Oaths of the Justices Mayors and Governours of Castles and Towns and having setled the Kingdom returned into England bringing with him as the Trophies of his Victory the Crown Scepter and Cloth of State He burnt their Records abrogated their Laws altered their form of Divine Service and transplanted their most learned men to Oxford he brought their Marble Chair wherein their Kings were Crowned to Westminster whereon this Prophetical Verse was graven Ni fallat fatum Scoti quocunque locatum Invenient Lapidem regnare tenentur ibidem Unless Old Prophets fail and Wizards Wits be blind The Scots shall surely Reign where they this Stone shall find Which was judg'd to be verified by the coming in of K. James After his return from Scotland the King made a general inquiry into the Misdemeanors and Oppressions of his Officers of all sorts whose number and offences were so many that the Fines laid on them filled his Exchequer and inabled him to pay off all his old debts At this time the Bishop of Chester complained grievously against Prince Edward that by the lewd advice of Pierce Gaveston he broke into his Park and destroyed his Game for which the Prince was committed to Prison and Gaveston banished not to return upon pain of death In his thirty third year a General Peace was proclaimed between England and Scotland and Robert Bruce with other Noblemen voluntarily swore Allegiance to K. Edward yet within less than a year after Bruce and his Confederates privately procured a Dispensation from Pope Boniface with an Injunction That he should not meddle with the Scots they being a Free Nation and immediately appertaining to the Roman Chappel and that therefore the City of Jerusalem could not but defend her Citizens and help those that did trust in the Lord like Mount Sion and therefore enjoined Edward not to lay any claim to the Soveraignty thereof the King having read it with a great Oath said I will not hold my peace for Sion nor Jerusalem 's sake so long as I have breath in my Body but will prosecute my Right which is known to all the World to be just and defend it to the Death But the Scots threatned him that if he would not desist the Pope would proceed further to which the King with a disdainful smile answered Have you done Homage to me as to the Chief Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland and do you now think to frighten me with Threats and Lyes as if I were not able to maintain my Right Let me hear no more of this for if I do I swear by the Lord I will destroy all Scotland from Sea to Sea To which the Scots answered that in defence of Justice and their Countreys Rights they would spend their last Blood Yet Edward to keep fair with the Pope sent the Earl of Lincoln to Rome to justify his proceedings but the Pope continued resolute whereupon in a Parliament holden at Lincoln a full defence was made for the King though with this Protestation that the thing did not exhibit the Tryal of Cause but only gave the Pope an Account thereof to satisfy his Conscience the Barons unanimously declaring That their Kings Rights were not to be try'd before any Tribunal under Heaven they resolving to defend the Independency of the Crown of England with all their might against all Persons whatsoever to which Declaration an hundred of the Peers Subscribed their Names These high Resolutions made the Pope decline his pretensions leaving the Scots to themselves over whom Edward constituted the valiant Lord Segrave to be Custos whom yet the Scots soon after in a Skirmish discomfited and took Prisoner but he was rescued with all his Company by Sir Robert Neville without the loss of one Man on his Part. After which the King marched thither with a great Army but the Scots fled to the Woods and Mountains and the King returned to London whither not long after Captain Wallace a Knights Son being betrayed was sent Prisoner and executed for High Treason and his Quarters set up in divers parts of Scotland Then Robert Bruce appeared with Forces but was routed and forced into the utmost Isles of Scotland yet afterwards recruiting he did much mischief against whom King Edward marching fell sick at Carlisle commanding his
fell upon the Scots at Shrewsbury before they could joyn their Confederates whom he routed as he did likewise Hotspur and Worcester killing thirty six with his own Hand The Earl of Worcester was taken and beheaded and several of the principal Confederates were hanged and quartered and their Heads set upon London bridge Prince Henry likewise went into Wales against Owen Glendour who was suddenly forsaken by his Army and hiding himself in the Woods being encompassed by the Princes Forces was miserably starved to death Henry Hotspur was slain in the Field but his Father the Earl of Northumberland came voluntarily and submitted himself to the King protesting himself innocent of these Treasons which though the King did not in the least credit yet he gave him good Words and suffered him to depart at pleasure because he had Berwick Castle and other strong Places in his Possession These Troubles being ended Lewis Duke of Orleance Brother to the French King sent a vain-glorious Challenge to King Henry requiring him with an hundred stout English to fight with him and the like number of French for Honours sake at a Place appointed But the King discreetly answered That his former warlike Actions sufficiently cleared him from the infamous Title of Coward That Kings ought not to be so careless of their Kingdoms or prodigal of the Blood of their Subjects whom God had committed to their Charge as to fight for any Cause unless for the Defence of the True Religion their own Rights or to secure their Realms from Foreign Enemies and revenge their Peoples Wrongs That a Sovereign Prince by the Laws of Arms and Honour was not obliged to any Challenge in the Field except against one equal to him in Dignity Yet that he would be always ready to repress any Violence or Wrong which the Duke should rashly or unadvisedly attempt against him or his People The haughty Duke having received this mild Answer grew inraged and immediately sate down with a great Army before the Town of Vergie in Guyen which he besieged three Months giving many fierce Assaults and receiving such stout Repulses that despairing of Success he was compelled to raise his Siege and return disgracefully into France The Duke of Burgundy likewise judging that King Henry durst not leave the Kingdom to make War abroad desired leave of the French King to attempt the regaining of Callice and to that end raised great Strength but the French Kings Council being informed of King Henry's vast Preparations to defeat them commanded Burgundy to desist which he imputed to the Pride of the Duke of Orleance lest he should gain more Honour than himself No sooner was Henry freed from this Danger but another presently succeeded contrived by Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland Richard Scroop Archbishop of York Thomas Mowbray Earl-Marshal the Lords Hastings Faulconbridge Bardolf and others but the Conspiracy being privately revealed he unexpectedly marched with an Army into the North and surprised all the Lords except Northumberland and Bardolf whom he immediately beheaded Northumberland fled into France and from thence came back a while after into Scotland where he was promised Aid against the King but Prince Henry being sent thither burnt and destroyed all before him taking in the Castles of Berwick and Anwick and forcing the Scots to beg for Truce which was granted them for a few Months onely But three years after Northumberland and Bardolf animating the Scots to a new War entred Northumberland and did much mischief Whereupon King Henry raised Forces to suppress them but before his coming they were routed by Sir Ralph Rooksby Sheriff of the County and the two Lords with divers others being taken they cut off their Heads and sent them for Presents to the King After which till his Death which hapned in two years he enjoyed Peace and Quietness and then died at London of an Apoplexy having reigned Thirteen years and five months and lived Fifty six 1412. and was buried at Canterbury In his Admonition to his Son at his Death he spake thus As long as Englishmen have Wealth and Riches so long shalt thou have Obedience from them but when they are Poor they are still ready for Commotion and Rebellion HENRY the FIFTH King of England c. FRom the Lancastrian Line successively I Englands Glorious Golden Garland got I mixed Justice still with Clemency Much Blood I shed yet Blood-shed loved not Time may my Bones and Sepulchre destroy But Time can never blast my endless Fame Oblivion my great Acts can ne'er annoy Or make Forgetfulness forget my Name In France a Game at Tennis I did play With roaring Rackets thundring Guns and Drums And what I play'd for still I brought away The Spoils triumphantly transporting home Yet at the last grim Death my Life assail'd And as I liv'd I di'd lov'd and bewail'd WHilst Henry the Fifth was Prince he accompanied with several rude debauched Persons with whom he committed many extravagant Actions but after the Death of his Father being Crowned King he became a new Man banishing all those his loose Companions from his Presence and Court and electing grave discreet Counsellors and Officers in all Places for Administration of the Government and Courts of Justice He applied himself to reform all kind of Abuses and especially the Pride Covetousness and other Enormities of the Clergy enjoyning them to apply themselves to Prayer Preaching and Hospitality He executed the Laws with moderation upon his People and to prevent any Irruptions of the Scots and Welch he built divers Forts and Castles on the Frontiers Garrison'd with some thousands of stout Soldiers In his first year he ordered the Body of King Richard the Second to be removed with great Pomp and Solemnity from Langley to Westminster and buried it with Queen Ann his first Wife In his second year he called a Parliament at Leicester in which he was earnestly petitioned to suppress the Religious Houses throughout the Kingdom as being now onely the Nurseries of Idleness Gluttony Letchery and Pride the Revenues whereof were reckoned to be worth 20000 l. a year which would then maintain 15 Earls 1500 Knights and above 6000 Soldiers besides an Allowance to a great number of Alms-houses To divert this dangerous Motion the fat Abbots and Priors the idle Monks wanton Fryars and whining Nuns joyntly beseeched the Archbishop of Canterbury to be their Friend who in a Learned Oration discovered the Kings Right to the Crown of France proposing an easie Method for attaining thereto and lastly as a more prevailing Argument he offered the King as a free Gift from the Clergy an incredible Sum of Money for furthering him therein This Proposal laid all those Petitions asleep being approved of both by King Nobles and People and nothing was discoursed of but Englands recovering of France To which purpose the Duke of Exeter the Kings Uncle the Archbishop of Dublin the Lord Gray High Admiral and the Bishop of Norwich attended with 500 Horse were sent Ambassadors to the
the Queen and she have so done The Protector furiously interrupting him Thou Traytor said he dost thou tell me of If 's and And ' s I tell thee they have done it And therewith struck his Hand very hard upon the Table upon which the Room was presently filled with Soldiers one of whom at his entrance struck at the Lord Stanley's Head with an Halbert who to save his Life fell under the Board though not without much loss of Blood The Protector himself seised upon the Lord Hastings and accusing him of Treason in general without any Trial or Answer caused him to be beheaded upon a Log on the Green in the Tower Which Execution hapned the same day and hour that the afore-mentioned Lords suffered without Trial at Pomfret by the Advice and Consent of this very Lord Hastings After this the Protector committed the Archbishop of York the Bishop of Ely and the Lord Stanley to Prison and presently putting himself and Buckingham into ragged Clothes he sent for several eminent Citizens to whom he declared with great passion That the Lord Hastings and his Confederates had conspired to take away his Life this Morning at the Council had he not timely prevented it by the sudden Execution of him and seising the rest Within two hours after the Lord Hastings's his death a long Proclamation written fairly in Parchment under the Great Seal was read in divers parts of the City by an Herald at Arms with great Solemnity whereby it appeared to be contrived and written some days before Richard having thus dispatcht those that he thought stood in his way he caused Dr. Shaw a wicked Priest in a Sermon at Paul's Cross the Sunday after to display the Honourable Birth of the Protector with his Virtues and Valour and to defame King Edward for his Wantonness with Shore's Wife and others and stigmatized his Children for Bastards as being before his Marriage contracted to Elizabeth Lucy He likewise charged the Protectors own Mother with Incontinency when King Edward and the Duke of Clarence were born and that none of her Children were Legitimate but Richard whom he extolled to the Skies for his Goodness and Virtues at which time Richard appeared among the People the Doctor expecting they should have shouted and cried God save King Richard but every one stood silent and astonished to observe how unworthily and villainously things were managed to make the Protector King The next day the Duke of Buckingham endeavoured by the same Arguments to persuade the Londoners at Guildhall to acknowledge Richard for the true and undoubted Heir of the Crown which they then did not assent to yet the next day they were forced against their Wills at Baynards Castle to accept of him for their lawful King praying him to undergo that Burden for their Security which he often hypocritically refused yet at last with a pretended unwillingness accepted And here ended the short Reign and soon after the Life of this young innocent Prince having enjoyed it onely two Months and 13 days being murdered by his barbarous Uncle in the 13th year of his Age 1483. RICHARD the THIRD King of England c. A Moition that never is content Which Angels threw from Heaven unto Hell That for a Plague upon mankind is sent Ambitiously made me Aspire Rebel Ambition that damn'd Necromantick spell Made me clime high with shame to tumble down By Blood and Murther I did all expel Whose Right or Might debar'd me from the Crown My smiles my Gifts my favour or my frown Were mischievous in blood I took delight By cruel Tyranny I sought renown Till Heaven's just Judge me justly did requite By Blood I go by Blood I lost the Throne Alive detested Dead bewailed of none RIchard being crowned King used all means possible to ingratiate himself with the people and tâ—ough he heard that the Lord Strang Son to the Lord Stanley was raising forces in the North for the relief of his Father the Lord Stanley who was wrongfully imprisoned by Richard he took no notice thereof but instead of punishing him set him at liberty and made him Steward of his House he likewise inlarged the Arch Bishop of York but committed Morton Bishop of Ely as a Prisoner to the Duke of Buckingham which was afterward the cause of Richards destruction as well as his own he conferred great honours upon several creating his only Son Edward Prince of Wales John Howard was made Duke of Norfolk his Son Thomas Earl of Surrey the Lord William Barkley was made Earl of Nottingham and Francis Lovel viscount Lovel having firmly settled himself as he imagined he sent Ambassadors to the French King to conclude a Peace with him who so much abhorred his detestable cruelties that he would neither see nor give audience to their Message This affront and several others so tormented him that he thought he should never be acknowledged nor honoured as King whilst the young Princes lived as though such horrible murders could ever gain him love or reputation among the People Having with his confederate the Devil contrived this execrable villany he took his progress toward Glocester as if he intended to honour the place of his Title and Dignity vainly imagining that if this heinous fact were committed in his absence he should be thought innocent thereof and first he attempted to perswade Sir Robert Brachenbury whom he made Lieutenant of the Tower to perpetrate this cursed act which he generously refusing Richard swore and stormed like a fury but remembring there was a needy profligate fellow belonging to the Tower named James Tirrel he by Letters earnestly perswades him to commit this hellish murder with promises of great reward who quickly assenting thereto demands by Richards Letters the keys of the Tower to be delivered to him by the Lieutenant and then next night he sends Miles Forrest and John Dighton two Imps of Hell into the innocent Childrens Chamber who smothered them both in their beds and buried them at the stairs foot from whence they were removed and privately buried in some unknown place The news of the death of the two young Princes raised a lamentable consternation in the minds of the Nobility and People only the Tyrant and his favourites gloried in this admired peace of policy whereby they thought Richard had now securely setled himself and his posterity in the Kingdom but soon after Edward his only Child died to his great grief and trouble And now returning to London from his progress he called a Parliament and made divers good Laws and by his executing them with mercy his liberality to the poor and his courtesy to all persons he endeavoured to insinuate himself into the favour and affections of all which it seems had effect upon some for several Gentlemen of divers Counties in England offering him a Benevolence of a good sum of money he refused it saying I had rather have your hearts than your money which considering his savage nature it may be doubted in