a spredding tree of royalty and therefore hee requested their loyalty and resolued courages to take his part that the right heire of the crowne might bee restored to England and themselues eternized to heereafter memory for so meritorious a worke Little needed a spur saith our Prouerb to a forward horse all that saw him beleeued it and such as heard onely the report according to the Poet errorem vocis vt omen amo Clapt their hands for ioy that they should bee employed in an enterprize of such wonder and important greatnesse whereupon money horse armour men and all things else were promised which might be aduantagious to such a businesse But alas Ireland was too weake and of themselues they did onely discouer their malice curbed yet with insufficiency giuing the King notice how their wills exceeded their power and that they were ready to entertaine euerie opportunitie to doe any mischeefe Therefore they sent ouer into England acquainting many discontented persons with the businesse but most principally as to the life of their actions they submitted to Margaret Duches of Burgundy sister of King Edward the fourth for her directions This was a woman of a wonderfull composure so adorned with princely qualities and setled in Maiesticall authoritie as you shall heare heereafter that she was admired of all Europe and beloued in her owne countrey Onely as stinking flies lying secretly in boxes of sweet oyntments putrifie the same did an innated malice and virulent hatred to the Lancastrian Family corrupt her other vertues and as it were thrust vp her princely enduments into a meere bog poole of dirt and filthinesse For although shee knew the bloud of Yorke extinguished and that the Earle of Warwicke was in King Henries possession as taken forth together with the Lady Elizabeth now his wife out of the castle of Sherrington in Yorke-shire vnder the custodie of Sr. Robert Willoughby Yet insatiate in her hate and so consequently in her reuenge Nam ingentes parturit ira minas She admitted of euerie motion of disturbance and inuented meanes of her owne to set in combustion the whole sâ—ate of England vnder a hopefull pretence to see the King ouerthrowne and supplanted Thus did she pile vp together the fire of this disturbance and countenanced the matter more with her greatnesse and power then all the other complices besides but if you aske me how she continued in this authority being a widow amongst strangers and enemie to so great a Prince as the King of England I will answer in a word and measure out the cheefe and principall cord that bound her royaltie together Charles Duke of Burgoine hauing married this Lady Margaret daughter to Richard Duke of Yorke and sister to Edward the fourth had yet no issue by her but left one sole daughter behinde him named Mary which hee had by his first wife the daughter of the Duke of Bourbon this was married to Maximilian sonne to Frederick the Emperour by whom he had two Princes Philip and Margaret which children after the death of the Lady Mary their mother this Lady Margaret Duches Dowager so entirely beloued so tenderly brought vp so motherly nourished and so carefully preserued that she was highly reputed of and esteemed for the same To which when she added a politique ordring her affaires both for the maintenance of their honour and administration of Iustice in the Common-wealth so that I may say with the ancient Poet Saepenumero iam per subtiliores sermones iui ad contentiones veni maiores quam conueniat genus foemineum perscrutari c. The whole bodie of the gouerment willingly consented to be apparrelled and adorned after her fashion so that like an absolute Prince indeed she proceeded both in the gouernment for their benefit and the illustration of her owne greatnesse In this Orb of reputation thus moouing herselfe she still shined like a full planet from whose influence could proceede nothing but sweet presages till stepping aside into a contrary motion of despight and rankor against the King as an enemie to knowledge and her owne conscience she countenanced this ridiculous yet vnhappy coniuration which by her meanes grew apace like broad and stinking burs vnprofitable in themselues and spoiling all the grasse about them vntill at last they were by a politique hand of preuention pull'd vp by the roots and cast vnder foot into the dirt For when King Henry was certefied of all these tumults and comminations and knew the deepnesse and fulnesse of the channell in which the tottered barke of this rebellion steered he verily supposed the best point of wisdome was principiâ—s obstare and so attempted with all care and vigilancy to turne the rage of those troubles another way or else to preuent them from flowing ouer the banks of his enclosures and although the collusion fraud of the inuention vexed him more then the matter or substance of such a rebellion yet hee moderated his anger and with Ianus looked both waies smiling with one face at the ridiculousnesse and deceit of the proiect and marking warily with another all the meanes to redact the confused Chaos of this molestation to better order and vniformity desiring onely at Gods hands to preuent effusion of bloud which must needes bee spilt in any settled warre and contracted army Besides in well ordred battells the euent was disputable and many times punishments were ordained as well to reduce good men ad correctionem and amendment as to bring bad men to ruinam and destruction And therfore if it were possible he would rebate the insolency by other meanes and diuert it from handy blowes and bloudy contentions whereupon he called his Councell together at the Charter-house besides his royal mannour of Richmond and there consulted how to pacifie this sudden tumult and conspiracy without any further disturbance or open defiance This motion of the Kings so tempered with grauity mercy and commiseration was so well accepted of the whole company that they presently applauded his high wisdome and religious care and put in practise whatsoeuer seemed conuenient for their intended affaires They first began with a generall pardon published to all offenders that were content to receiue the same and remain obedient to the Maiestie of England For although at this very instant Sr. Th. Broughton who had obscured the Lord Louell a great season from the King was in a manner ready to giue him battell with many friendly coadiutors and a well-settled army yet did the King thinke it policie to desist from a forcible ouerrunning them because as desperate of life or pardon considering their former treasons and abuses they would hardly be reclaimed in their rages but now fight for their liues and liberties Againe in shewing exemplarie Iustice vpon them once subiect to accusation or condemnation he must needes proceed against many yea such whose offences in standing out could admit of no pardon and therefore as I sayd he gently proclaimed the
Earle of Lincolne that being brought vnto him hee might discouer the secrets of this mischeefe and the viperous brood of false-hearted subiects but the souldiers would not permit it lest the sauing of his life might by such detection endanger diuers others as good as himselfe and so killed him by way of anticipation After this victory the King would needes solemnize a thanksgiuing to God in the open field as well to aâ—cyd ingratitude as to giue good example and when it was vrged he might better defer it till he came to some religious place or house of deuotion he more religious assured them that God was euery where and neither the place nor the manner graced the sacrifice and the intentiuenesse of the heart and true meaning of the soule which he had learned of the Poet and so alledged these verses out of Lucan Estque Deisedes vbiterra pontus aer Et coelum virtus superos quid quaerimus vltra Iupiter est quodcunque vides quodcunque moueris This the Bishops present durst neither deny nor would willingly approoue for feare of any diminution in their settled ceremonies and glorious Cathedralls but at this time the Kings ardency preuailed and he kneeled downe on the bare ground in the open fields and rendred thankes and praises to God Afterward hee gaue order for the funeralls of the dead shedding teares himselfe in commiseration of so many worthy men slaine for such an vniustifiable businesse the people yet vnmooued and the souldiers not so much as daunted though they saw the bleeding carkasses and wounded bodies according to the saying Exemploque carens nulli cognitus aeuo Luctus erat mortem populos deflere potentis Then he proceeded to the casting vp a new accounts of mercy and forgiuenesse proclaiming pardon to all that would penitently admit of the same and to his eternall fame not onely gaue Lambert and the Priest their liues but commanded that no man should abuse them with contumely and reproach as perceiuing the one for his yeeres vncapable of the apprehension of treason or flagicious circumstances concerning the same the other for his orders profession to be a priuiledged person yet most heroikly and wisely he told him that he which rolleth a stone vp a hill may peraduenture haue it fall vpon his own head and he that looketh too high in a dangerous entrenched ground may fall into the ditch Notwithstanding for his pennance he was committed to perpetuall imprisonment but Lambert admitted into the palace and from place to place came at last to bee one of his Maiesties Faulkoners Last of all he looked ioyfully on his owne company and in remuneration of their loyalty and noble seruices spred the mantle of honour ouer diuers and imparted seuerall rewards to the rest according to their places of eminency This battell was fought on a Saturday the sixteenth of Iune 1489. and in the end of the second yeere of Henry the seuenth And thus was all this high enterprize of Lady Margaret represented to a ball blown out of a box of sope and water which when it comes to a swelling fulnesse at last hursts in peeces of it selfe of which when she was aduertized and had cause sufficient of exclamation and repining against her misfortune and disastrous preuention of her malice yet was she so farre from relaxation or pacifying her hate that it rather exasperated the same and made her more forward to contriue more â—ellish proiects as we shall see by and by so that I may well exclaime Orabiosamulier Quà m sit manisesta phrenesis Yea she set vp such a loome out of her pestilent inuention that a man would thinke it impossible for a woman to contriue or prosecute but that the old Poet hath so long agoe told vs Praeterea nos sumus mulieres Ad bona quidem ineptissimae Malorum vero omnium effectrices sapientissâ—mae Yet for the time she deplored the miscarrying of the matter but was not ashamed to confesse that she cared not by what meanes King Henry might be debased After this great mischeefe like a peece of Ordnance ouercharged was thus broken in the fulnesse and that with little trouble tumult and expences compared to many other warres The King as you heard returned thankes to the Decider of all controuersies and presently sent word to London of his prosperity and aduenture seeming sorry for nothing but the death of the Earle of Lincolne assuring the Duke of Bedford and Earle of Shrewsbury that he delighted in his humours and had a determination to haue saued his life adding yet this by the way that hee was amazed at nothing more then the audaciousnes of the man that durst so meanly accompanied set vpon such a great puissâ—nt an army Therfore it must needs be that he presumed on further suppliment or some breakings out amongst themselues But seeing it hath pleased God that we haue not onely escaped this threatning storme of commotion and disturbance but also choaked with the dust of their owne dissention the interiour diuisions and conspiracies of the Kingdome Let vs my Lords I pray you be somewhat considerate touching tumultuous and discontented persons that they may be orderly satisfied in their honest demands and discreâ—tly preuented from vnlawfull â—onuenticles or associated asâ—emblies of vnquiemesse and murmuring against our gouernment vnder colour of hunting faires markets horâ—â—-races weddings and such like Let vs also haue a care of our ports harbours and hauens to preuent wanderers and trauellers who from the excuses of deuotion to visit Rome and curiosity to explore forren countries doe many time deceiue our trust with indirect and preposterous businesse In this triumphant prosperity he returned to London and was as well welcommed to the people as contented in himselfe and so ran forward in the race of all mundane felicitie and maiesticall happinesse But neither his owne wisdome the vigilancy of the Officers the fidelity of his Nobles the policy of his Councellours the loyalty of his subiects nor the whole regard of the Common wealth could turne the frame of heauen about nor preuent his destiny concerning following mischeefes Nam fato prudentia minor That is to say could put a scarlet cloth ouer the sting of that serpent Enuy to pull it out of the heart no not out of the mouth no not out of the hands of the Duches of Burgundy but she must be tampering with the edge tooles of diuellish despight and beating on the annile of malicious calumniation or if you will conspiracy hoping at one time or other to hammer out such a worke of disturbance that neither the King should be able to quench the flames nor the Subiect daring to disable the enterprize Whereupon to preuent all claimes exceptions and meanes of distrust Some foure yeeres after she set vp another I doll of defiance personating Richard Plantaginet second sonne to King Edward the fourth and Duke of Yorke supposed to be murthered with his brother Prince Edward
in the Tower who as it were resuscitated from death to life or rather reserued by miracle must be at last a scourge to the vsurping house of Lanâ—aster which as it began with the bloud of that innocent Richard the second must now bee reuenged with the destruction of the Conqueror himselfe Nor was this barely alledged to her friends and followers but exornated with certaine illustrations of example and precept First concerniug the wonder and deliuerance of the Prince shee alledged the example of Ioas kept from the rage of Athalia and after aduanced to the throne of Iudâ— Then for the businesse of the warre and reueng shee proclaimed her selfe another Tomyris who ouercame the Persians and in recompence of her sonnes death and crafâ—ie in education pregnant in languages skilfull of behauiour extraordinary and of manners audatious called Peter Warbeck a Fleming and yet in scorne nicknamed both by his Country men and English Perkin according to the Dutch phrase who character cowardly and timerous yonglings in that manner His linnage and bringing vp he shall show you heereafter in his publike confession His actions and proceedings till then or if you will fatall ruine I will vndertake and as farre as my abilitie may extend or the dangerous businesse in hand requier delineat vnto you desiring all estates whatsoeuer to behold the attributes of God in this History as his power wisedome prouidence iustice mercy and what else belongeth to the humbling of mortall men or pulling on their knees the proudest presumption and security but especially confounding the inuentions of men and pollicies of Sathan as laughing all to scorne that submit not to his greatnesse and vnmatchable power according to our Lucan lib. 2 Iamque irae patuere dâ—ûm manifestaque bellâ— Signa dedit mundus legesque fadera rerum Praescia monstrifero vertit natura tumultu Indixitque nefas First a mighty Prince was not only terrified with an Idol and puppet as it were made of straw and painted cloth but threatned to be shouldred aside out of his firmnesse and throne of Maiestie secondly when the wheele was â—urned about God derided the Deuill and brought this mountaine of pride downe with a vengeance seeing the noble Kings innocency patience and humility Thirdly he taught all abominable and diabolicall practises a new lesson condemning both the actors and contriuers as freneticall and foolish Fourthly he enstructed the best of men to consider they were but men subiect to the inconueniences of life mutabilitie of the World counterchangeablenesse of times and inconstancy of people Last of all to make vs know that all actions grounded on irreligious foundationâ— and wicked conuentions must needs faile in the end for rather then punishments shall not follow sinnes God will scourge one wicked man with another as you saw how all the Monarches of the Earth were dissolued and the Kingdomes of the Gentiles brought to ruine and desolation But now to our Story After the Duches of Burgundy had fastned on this Anâ—hor hold for her reuenges she caused the yong man to trauell into many Countries to learne as many languages whereby he was so perfect in the English that she reioiced to thinke in what a well manured ground she had sowed the feeds of her hopes by which occasion the basenesse of his stock and birth was so obscured that few or none discoue red the same or durst detect the secrecie Thus she kept him a certaine space priuily with her selfe and vsed such diligencie and instruction concerning the house of Yorke the affaires of England and the lignage descent and order of her family that by that time he came to repeat his lesson she veâ—ily belieued he was the same she had supposedly contriued he quite forgot that euer his first originall came out of the Dâ—nghill For without any difficulty or signe of subornation such a â—orcible impression haâ—h the hope of honour and preferment according to that common Honores mutant moves he kept such a princely countenance and counterfeted a maiesticall roialty that all others firmely approued he was extracted out of the blood of Plantaginet and obserued him accordingly she againe grew proud of nothing so much as the wonderment of her owne handyworke and that out of so little â— cloud she should raise such a tempest of trouble and distraction but ouâ— Ouid endoctrined her Flumina magna vides paruis de fontibuâ— orta and she knew she was a woman fit to be such a workemistris Whereupon taking an opportunity of the Kings warres 〈◊〉 France she sent for her yongling out of Portugall and priuatly conueid him into Ireland with sure and forcible instructions how to inueigle and incite this rusticall people to admit of him who besides their naturall inclination to rebellion and disorder would now be glad of this new occasion and businesse to reuenge the slaughter of their Countrymen And although it might seeme to reasonable men and vnderstanding apprehensions that the vnhappy proceedings of Lambert and his counterfet assoicat the Priest I meane might haue beene a sufficient warning vnto them for euer being taken againe in the net of such abuses or entangled with the snare of collusion yet did he so demeane himselfe that he made these doubts the very ground of his acceptation For once againe insinuating with the houses of the Geraldines and Butlers he plaied the Orator with them and as we say captare beneuolentiam thus perswaded them to giue credit and affiance to his false and wonderfull demonstrations as though he had beene the very sonne of King Edward indeed MY worthy Lords and gratious freends said he For the generality of my businesse I hope you are not vnacquainted with many instances of distressed Princes flying to one another for refuge and succor when an ouerdaring hand of a more mightier enemy hath suppressed them or cunning insinnuation spred abroad a mantell of more forcible reasons to admit of his title in preuailing rather then to looke after the weakned estate of his wronged and abused Competitor For so Ieroboam and Hadad the Edomite were entertained in the Court of Pharao meerely from charitable commiseration against Salomon who had yet formerly married a daughter of Pharao and amongst our selues the sonnes of that valiant Edmond Ironside fled from 〈◊〉 into Hungary and were there protected yea aduanced in marriage for the further and better recouering their inheriâ—ances But what need I goe further then the vsurper now regnant who in despight of my Father and Vncle of Glocester was entertained by the Duke of Brittaine and the French King and as it were secured from all Treasons and corruption or if you will pollecy of searchers to bring him to destruction wherein questionlesse those Princes as they obtained a perpetuall renowne for so noble and glorious a charity so did they repute nothing so meritoriou◠〈◊〉 the extention of fauor and a helping-hand to the perfecting such a worke from princely compassion
marches to the ioy and fulnesse of contertment both of the towne and Countrey But when the King was aduâ—rtized of their returning to Taunton he hasted thither But first he welcommed Edward Duke of Buckingham a young noble and well regarded Prince in whose company came along an hundred Knights and Esquires of speciall name and credit in their countries amongst whom Sir Alexander Bainham Sir Mâ—urice Barckley Sir Robert Fame Sir Iohn Gmise Sir Robert Points Sir Henry Vernon Sir Iohn Mortymer Sir Thomas Tremaile Sir Edward Sutton Sir Amias Paulet Sir Iohn Bickwell Sir Iohn Sapcotes Sir Hugh Lutterâ—l and Sir Francis Cheny were principall O what a glorious thing it is to see a Noble man either stand by the chaire of thâ— Prince as a Court starre and Supportation that at last the King may aske what shall be done to the man hee meanes to honor or mooue in his own orb that is the loue and credit of his Country firme to the State and gracefull in all his actions and proceedings still hauing a care to the gouernment of the people and an eye to the dignity of the Common-wealth so shall his fame be extended abroad and his renowne enlarged at home which makes me remember the description of Capaneus in that ancient Euripides who may be a President to all young Noblemen yeal wish with mine heart that such as are not too presumptuous on their owne gifts of nature and education would take the booke in hand and make vse both of precept and example for the illustration of their Honours and administration of their liues the Poet is somewhat large and more pleasant in the Greeke then the Latine He thus beginneth Cappaneus hic est cui facult as viuendi erat abundans Minimè verò diuitijs insolens erat magnitudineÌ„ verò animi Non maiorem habebat quam pauper vir Fugiens splendido victu quicunque intumesceret minis Sufficientia vili pendens Non enim in pastu ventris Virtutem esse mediocria verò sufficere dicebat c. But to our story againe When the King approached the towne of Tawnton whether out of policie not to hazard the whole army at once or out of suspicion of some reuolters in his company or humbly considering there might be a turning of Fortunes wheele as still Rota fortunae in Gyro in the encounters of a battell or harping vpon some stratagem and enterprize as prouidently forecasting both the worst and best which might chance Hee sent before him Robert Lord Brooke the Steward of his house Giles Lord Daubney and Sr. Rice app Thomas to giue the onset and beginne the battell that hee with the rest as a strong Ambuscado and releefe might come to the reskue if they were wearied and deâ—atigated But little needed this policy or procrastination For poore Perkin desperate of his fortunes and quite exanimated to encounter with the Kingsforces in so warlike a manner and fearefull a preparation contrary to all the motiues of a true Roman Honour and without knowledge of his army about midnight accompanied with sixty horse departed in wonderfull celerity to a Sanctuary towne besides Southampton called Beâ—dly where he Iohn Heron Thomas a Water and others registred themselues as persons priuiledged O what a God art thou that canst one way humble settled Princes with the very shadowes of perill and danger making them confesse their frailty and ticklish estate of mortality by the seuerall encumbrances and mischeefes to which they are subiect and another way confound the mightiest proiects and annihilate their enterprizes turning all actions and mountaines of pride sedition conspiracies and ambition to powder and dust and then blowing it away like smoake and vapour and another way protect the right of the innocent and distressed sending remedy and comfort when they least thinke of it or know to helpe and aduance themselues and another way whip with the rods of vengeance the freneticall and vaine multitude who know nothing but rudenesse and clamorous outcries nor practize any thing but vndecencies and outragiousness so that we may well say O Iupiter cur nam miserâ—s sapere dicunt Homines ex te enim pendemus Agimvsque ea qua tu volueris O nihili homines Qui arcum extendentes tanquam vltra articulum Et iure vitque mala patientes multa Amicis non quidem creditis sed ipsis rerum euentibus c. When King Henry knew that Perkin was fled and departed from his camp he sent the Lord Daubney with fiue hundred horse to intercept him but he was lodged before they came although most of his company were surprized and taken who as miserable caitiffs and poore wretched delinquents were presented to his Maiesty But when the residue of this fearefull and staggering army could neither vnderstand what was become of their Generall nor see their accustomed Penons and Ancients nor their quarters so well ordred as was the manner of Souldiers nor their companies so cheerefull and well heartned they knew not what to say or to doe some supposing he was fraudulently slaine some suspecting he was traiterously fled some reporting the manifestation of his deceit some wondering at the strangenesse of his proceedings in that he had so myraculously begun and presumptuously prosecuted such a dangerous worke some exclaiming vpon the simplicity of the matter that built vpon no better grounds then vaine hopes and presumptuous titles some cursing themselues that they had so farre engaged their loialties against their Soueraigne Lord and King some continuing in their rancorous malice sware nothing but reuenge and obstinacy and some neuer to be reclaimed euen when their forces failed cried out to goe forward rayling at the misfortune of their businesse that they must now faile when they were ready to pull downe the Towne wals with their hands Yet when they were assured of his cowardly flight and base pusillanimity the common feare common mischiefe and common danger made them cast away their armour and submit to the King to whom though they came with affrighted countenances and venemous hearts sad lookes and little repentance curses in their soules and promises of faith loyaltie and obedience out of their mouthes yet did the King entertaine them with all cheerefulnesse and acceptable comfort as the greatest benefit which God could at that time bestow vpon him nor disputing of their hypocrisie nor determining by more narrow searches or artificiall incantations to try out the depth and search the bottome of their resolutions Thus as a conquerour without manslaughter and effusion of blood he roade triumphantly into the Citie of Excester and knowing Praemium and Poena to be the mastering curbes of all the things in the World not only praised and applauded the Citizens but opened the Treasure house of reward and honour amongst them giuing some presents aduancing others to the order of knighthood granting many petitions according to the worthy condition of a Prince and the full corroboration
of the world and times For the Maiestie of Kings will not be tied vp with the slender bindings of rebellion nor taught any lesson against their wils either of fauouring or disfauouring whom they please As for personall faults Alas Princes Prelates Officers Maiestrates and all sorts of men will runne the race of mortality and if it were possible to remoue offenders at pleasure the persons may be changed but the imperfections continue Let them therefore alone a Gods name for they must stand or fall to the estate of their liues which he hath appointed only this I will be bold to say I would haue no man for any priuate respect runne in the outragious races of sinnes himselfe or defend any wickednesse in others beare with great men in their vices flatter or temporize for profit or preferment yeeld vnto base or degenerating actions either for feare or fauour or in a word doe any thing contrary to Gods word wherein as in a glasse men may perspicuously behold the way of life and death and the infallible positions which in the affirmatiue and negatiue conclude all things either by precept or interdiction Eurip. Orest. Paruis enim res magnas quomodò caperet quis laboribus stultum etiam velle conarihaec quando enim excanduerit populus ad iram prolapsus similis est igni ad extinguendum vehementi si vero pedetentim quis ei concitato quidem cedens obsecundârit tempus cautè obseruans cum autem emiserit flatus forsan exhalauerit THE TRVE AND wonderfull History of PERKIN VVARBECK THE contentions betweene the houses of Yorke and Lancaster are the subiects of many discourses and therefore I will insist the lesse either vpon Genealogies Titles Vsurpations Warres Factions Encounters Reuenges Battails Slaughters or other accidentall outrages which for 90. yeares filled the wrinckles of the face of our Common-wealth of England with the blood and sweat of tenne Kings and Princes of the race roiall 60 Dukes and Earles 1000 Lords and Knights and 150000 Soldiers and people Only I must make a little commorance and abiding in the wretched and ragged house of enuie and malice gouerned and ouerseene by a woman who was so opposite and aduerse to the Lancastrian family that for all King Henry the seuenth had obtained the Crowne by a strong hand and as we say diuinitùs praemunitus yea debarred all Titles or fuming shadowes of Titles by consummating that mariage with the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter of Edward the fourth she yet contriued all the waies of his ouerthrow and inuit â fortunâ entertained euery occasion which might adde fuell to the fier of her inueterate hate and blood-thirstie humor of reuenge as if she had beene borne like certaine Antipathies in nature which cannot endure any neighbour-hood or commixture such as the Eugh and Palme the Figge and Vine the strings of Wolues and Sheep which makes me remember the story of Eteocles and Pollinices the sonnes of Oedipus whose hate was so great in their liues that after death the bones being burnt togeather the flame of the sacrifice deuided asunder This was Margaret Dutches of Burgundy sister of Edward the fourth and a sworne aduersary to cast the red Rose of England into the black pit of confusion who perceiuing her first hopes frustrated and annihilated concerning the progression of Lamberts enterprises studied night and day vpon further and further instigations yea houered ouer opportunitie like a hawke for her pray to torment and trouble the peace of England embracing euery strange and prestigious illusion and not caring with what pullies of ridiculous and impossible actions her malice and reuenges were woond vp so they might be hurried downe againe vpon the head of the King whom she cursed on her knees and hated euen beyond the tendernesse of her sex many of her owne friends for his sake Therefore to weary his patience a little more she set vp another puppet like the former one Peter Warbeck a Fleming to act a part of wonder on the Stage of dangerous Innouation and take vpon him the Title of Richard the fourth Prince of England and white Rose of the same But before I play the Midwife or if you will Phisitian with her to deliuer her wombe of this monstrous birth of Peter Warbeck whom she taught the cunning and audacious impudency of personating Richard Duke of Yorke murthered with his brother in the Tower by Richard the third some eight yeare before I thinke it not impertinent to our purpose in hand to tell you what this Lambert was and wherein he seemed cosened with the whorish smiles of an adulterate fortune by the only meanes and coadiutement of this Dutches of Burgundy The first and second yeares of Henry the seuenth swelled to so great a height of ioy blessednesse and contentment from the rivulets of King Richards slaughter the corroboration of his estate the amity of the Nobles the mariage with the eldest daughter of Yorke the birth of Prince Arthur the league and amitie of forraine Princes and the applause of all his subiects that the diuine prouidence thought it meet to temper and allay the excesse of the same with some mixtures of feares and displeasure lest mortalitie might presume too farre and man triumph that his owne arme of flesh had contriued his establishment So that the Lord Louel Humphrey and Thomas Stafford with Sir Thomas Broughton and diuers others attempted a dangerous rebellion and drew into the field a great Army against the King whom to preuent the Duke of Bedford with such forces as could be raised on a soddain made hast to an encounter but his fortune was so good that with a successefull Oratory not striking a stroake he preuailed to dissipate those threatning and thickning clouds of disturbance For after he had intimated the hainousnes of their transgression nature of their offences which were capital Treasons with al inferred the Kings great mercy which was willing to pardon their rashnesse and pitiful ouersights so they would desist and retire peaceably into their Countries the whole company surceased and quietly deposed their Armes whereupon the Lord Louel fled and the Staffords tooke Sanctuary in a Village called Culnaham two miles from Abington but because the Iudges of the law alledged that the Townes of refuge among the Iewes were ordained for other purposes and that Ioab was killed holding by the hornes of the Altar and the places of priuiledges in England were neuer meant to suborne Traitors Humphrey Stafford was taken by force from the Towne and sent to the Tower from whence they brought him to Tyborne and there put him to execution His yonger Brother Thomas was notwithstanding remitted as a man whom consanguinitie and brother-hood had rather deceiued then wilfulnesse and malice against the King abused O blessed wisedome that can so temper Iustice with the consideration of mens frailties and other maleuolent circumstances to keep her a while from contracting a brow of reuenge
wals of Troy and feined inuention shadowed with the pretence of verity and truth preuailed with their credulitie that they adhibited the more faith and indubitate trust vnto it supposing verily he had been preserued by the wil and prouidence of God and so committed to the trust and custody of some faithfull friend either by King Edward or his mother when she was in Sanctuary relying also on this impossibility that any Tyrant would so rebell against God as infring the orders of holy Church and take him perforce from thence as yet the story manifesteth was to be done euen by the Cardinall himselfe By this time the same of this iuggled miracle was not only blowne ouer Flanders and the Territories adiacent but so rumored in England by reason the present gouernment suppressed all publique reports libels and writings that in the very whispering Nam fraudibus euentum deder at fortuna It was more forcible then if it had been published by lâ—cence and authority Thus haue I seene a fire smoothered and enclosed in some secret place neâ—er to bee quiet till it were vented out and when it came to eruption made the more forcible and outragious noyse For it was heere receiued as an infallible truth and not onely beleeued of the better sort but entertained of the common people who being more liberall of audacious behauiour and lesse fearefull to offend God began to confirme it with oathes as a matter of truth which others but barely affirmed as a report of vncertainty Thus began trouble vpon trouble and as the Spring putteth forth the buds and blossomes like the messenger of Summer and pleasant times to ensue So did this fantasticall fable thus diuulged prognosticate following calamity â—nd consequent desolation For after it was knowne with what honour he had beene entertained in Flanders and reuerenced in other places of Europe there began sedition on euery side in England and no man was sure of his friend the times grew to such distraction Some that were fled to Sanctuaries for great and hainous offences perpetrated discharged themselues and went beyond the seas vnto him Some that had confined themselues to priuiledged places for debts and accounts began to shew themselues vnder his support and combination then being safest when the State is vnsafest Some euen of the better sort through rashnesse and â—emerity because they would bee counted factious and stirring drew apace vnto him Some out of the nature of inconstancy or rather impression of melancholy neuer to be remooued from the opinion they haue once entertained beleeued verily that this Perkin was the indubitate sonne of Edward the fourth Some through simplicity and easinesse of apprehension without examining the probability and likelihood of the matter yeelded to any thing which was told them Some temporizers to curry fauor in the change of Princes perswaded and solicited other to their opinions that so bringing many coadiutors they might not onely be reputed of strength and reputation in their countries but the better welcommed and entertained with the preuailer Some through indignation and enuy murmuring at their slender aduancement or grudging they were not more condignely rewarded for their former paines and aduentures in his Maiesties businesse resorted to this new Prince in hope of better acceptation And some ouerwearied with eâ—se and placability of idlenesse greeuing to see the world stand at a stay with desire of change ran headlong into this fury madnesseâ— and seditious conspiracy O tempora ô mores ô flagitiosa voluntas But for all this rumour of this twice borne Duke Richard of Yorke and that England was diuided and drawne into parts taking and seuerall factions so that the minds of men were vexed either with the hope of gaine or preferment or feare of losse and confusion Yet was the King and his Councell not much disturbed or affrighted more then their maruell and modest anger at so many persons seeming in their right wits to be seduced either in the contriuing such a manifest and notorious lie or assenting and preparing themselues to countenance the same without feare of God or men not once forecasting the dangerous penalty of treasons contempts conspiracies and practises against their naturall Prince and so sufficient a Gouernour For it was not onely a pernicious fable and fiction strange and maruellous but prodigious and vnnaturall to resussitate a maâ— from the dead and with impudent asseueration to set it forth and palliate it with the vesture and garment of a professed verity But in such cases be Kings ueuer so wise nor matters so triuiall and vnlikely there is no sitting still nor giuing way to the businesse especially there is no rebating an enemy with proclamations writings and prohibitions who commeth forward with the clamors of war well settled prepâ—ration of offence Therfore his Maiesty thought it the best course to looke about him and both by force and policy to preuent the mischeefe impending and threatned For hee perceiued how already the fire of rebellion had taken hold of some of the principall houses of England whom hee knew had vnderhand already sent messengers vnto Lady Margaret to vnderstand when Richard Duke of Yorke would come conueniently into England that they might be ready to help and succour him euen at his first arriuall This businesse encreased to a fulnesse and ripenesse about the eighth yeere of his Maiesties raigne insomuch that the confederates by common assent agreement posted ouer Sr. Robert Clifford Knight and William Barley into Flanders to be the better assured of all particulars who were not only gladly accepted and louingly welcommed of the Duches with full intimation of the truth and wonderfull deliuery of strangenesse of the story Nec grauide lachrymas continuere genae But brought to the sight and sweet entertainment of Perkin who played the counterfet so exactly that his words resembled for cible incantations according to that of the Poet Vna per at hereos exit voxilla recelsus Vâ—rbaque ad inuâ—tum praefert cogentia numen â— For all men praised his vertues and qualities with a resolued beleeâ—e of his princelinesse and Sr. Robert Clifford swore directly that he was extracted of the bloud royall and the very sonne of King Edward the fourth Whereupon hee wrote letters of confidence credit to his associates in England that as the Queene of Saba told Salomon she did not beleeue the halfe of that which was reported till shee had seene it with her eyes So he could not bee perswaded to so much as rumour had preferred till he had ouerveiwed him in person But when these letters were receiued in England the conspiratours caused them to be openly published and diuulged in many places with full credence that it was true and not fained which was spoken by the Duke of Yorke and therefore they neede not be afraid to be drawne to such a commotion and parts taking all yet was carried so orderly and couertly that the King more then vncertaine
circuit of patience but answered this our Captaine somewhat like himselfe that he was as loyall to the King as he as seruiceable as he as louing to his countrey and crowne of England as hee and so defied him to his face which added only fuell to the former fire that the vndaunted Souldier apprehended and attached him of high treason which seemed an vnsufferable peece of businesse and had it not beene within Dublin or some principall place vnder the English command an Herculean and intricate Labour But thus is this great Earle vnder arrest and without any more adoe carried into England to answer the matter But when he came before the King and Councell to bee examined of treason and matters laid to his charge eyther his innocencie was a Perseus shield against this Gorgons head of calumniation or his wit and delicate iudgement brought him out of the labyrinth of those troubles or the times affordâ—d not such seueritie and proceedings or the King had other matters to thinke vpon or indeed it was no pollecie to rub these new soares with rude hands according to the rule Horrent admotas vulnera cruda manus For hee was quietly dismissed thanked rewarded and of Deputie made Lieutenant and so sent backe againe vpon the engaging of his hononr to withstand the landing of Perkin if euer he came into Ireland By this occasion the King was without feare of battaile and determined his progresse about Midsommer to visit his mother lying at Latham in Lancashire still wife to the earle of Derbie But as he was preparing his iourney newes came of Perkins landing in England which a while diuerted him and enforced his retardance from his first determination For in truth when the Duches of Burgundie had notice of all the Kings proceedings both in England and Ireland and that the principall offenders were condemned and executed and confederats dissipated and ouerwatched shee found too late her owne slacknesse and the first misfortune of the King of France his retractions from assisting the Prince For whether I name Peter or Perkin or Warbeck or Prince or Richard Duke of Yorke or Richard the fourth all is one man and all had one end And questionlesse if at his first repairing into Ireland hee had made for England while that rumour had possessed the people and the looking after nouelty busied them with strange and impossible hope while euery one stood amazed to gaze after wonders while the conspiracy was in growth and had diuers factious Nobles to forme it to a larger birth while the souldiers desired to bee doing and men grew weary of ease and quietnesse The businesse might haue plunged the Kingdome and successe tooke a flight with strong wings indeede whereby you may perceiue the sweetnesse and benefit of expedition in all dangerous businesse and resemble vniustifiable actions to theeuish bargaines which either must bee made away in the darke or hastned apace in the proudest market place according to the saying Praceps facit omne timendum Victor in nulla non creditur esse Carina Notwithstanding our great Duches remained vndaunted and in a manner of scorne to depend vpon others promises she aduentured on her owne power and determined to put him vnder the wings of Fortune let her ouershade him as she pleased so gathering his forces together and furnishing her ships with a sufficient company and some valiant Captaines shee sent him to sea and onely prayed to the wrathfull Nemesis as authour of her reuenge for successe and thriuing in so glorious an attempt Heere were of all nations and conditions of men Bankrupts Sanctuary-men Theeues Robbers Vagabonds and diuers others who affecting liberty rapine and spoile desisted from honest labor to be the seruants of dishonest rebellion His fortune as we now prophanely abuse that terme draue him on the coast of Kent before Deale-Castle where being becalmed he cast anchour sending diuers on shore to certifie the Inhabitants of this arriuall preparation purposes and well â— furnished army and to put them in minde of their ancient liberties priuiledges and vndaunted courages which haue giuen battell to Kings and made their owne peace with Conquerors But alas this oratory flew like a shaft without a head and they had learnt other lessons of stability and loyalty as finding the sweetnesse of peace and happinesse of gouernment Notwithwanding they called a Councell and I beleeue if they had beene fully resolued that hee was the true Prince indeed they would haue entertained the motion For some of their fingers itched to be doing but suspicious of his originall and former weaknesse and wisely apprehending how shame and reuenge dogged treason and rebellion at the heeles they concluded to continue firme and faithfull to the State and so with a kinde of policy to allure them to land they sent diuers to Perkin with flattering hopes of their assistance while they were indeede mustering of forces to surprize them as fast as they should land which when Perkin perceiued he imagined that all could not be well or consorting to his expectation For in this point his wit and experience serued him to vnderstand thus much that common people and multitudes stirred to sedition vse no solid councells or settled discourses but come flocking with their fulnesse and forwardnesse to assist their friends and follow their pretences according to Euripides description of a confused company and rebellious army In infinito enim exercitâ— Incoercita turba nauticaque licentia Violentior igne malus vero qui mali nihil agit Whereupon hee durst not land himselfe and was sorry so many of his company were on shore but seeing there was no remedy he sent others if neede were to releue them or bring them backe againe to his ships When the Kentishmen beheld such a rabble of strangers and dissolute persons and wisely foresaw that there was no no man of honor or eminence to giue credit to the attempt they presently coniectured that they came rather to spoile and forage the coasts then to releeue a distressed Prince in his right and so running the right way indeed stood firmly for their Countrey and set vpon them as they were stragling vp and downe in the villages enforcing the better sort and better armed backe againe to their boats and surprizing such as could not maiutaine the quarrell and had presumed too farre from the maine battell of whom they tooke 160. prisoners yea the principall Captaines themselues while they laboured to perswade the retreat and to gather them together after some martiall forme of resistance viz. Moumford Corbet Whight Bets Quintine or Geuge who were all brought to Sr. Iohn Pechy high Sheriffe and so raled in ropes like horses drawing in a cart sent vp to London and there executed in diuers places adioyning to the City whereby Perkin had matter of disconsolation for the time and time enough to saile backe againe into Flanders to entertaine better aduice and more company The King as
you heard vnderstanding of this attempt left his progresse and came to London where assured of this good successe he sent Sr. Richard Guilford into Kent to thank the Sheriffe and the people for their loyalty obedience and valiant circumspection which had so quickly dissipated his enemies and quieted the Countrey giuing present order to his Nauy to scowre the narrow seas to the Prouince to keep the coasts to the Watches to fire the Beacons to the Captaines to prepare their Souldiers and to all sorts to attend their seuerall charges according to the ancient and laudable custome of the Kingdome When Perkin and his Captaines were arriued in Flanders and found how their former delaies had beene a great obstacle and hindrance to their proceedings they resolued to remedy the same in their following courses and by the contrary celerity and speedinesse to wipe away the blots of their weaknesse and faint proceedings as if they had learned of our Poet Sic agitur censura sic exempla parantur Cum ludex alios quod monet ipse facit Notwithstanding because they were now resolued that the King taking notice of this on-set and attempt would fortifie the Coasts and be in a readinesse with well prepared forces they determined to saile into Ireland there to augment their company and corroborate their pretences which accordingly was effected and the entertainment yeilded him a little comfort and satisfaction but because he well knew the Irish were weake and vnarmed and so vnable to preuaile against the strength of England and still out of countenance and quickly daunted when they were drawne from their bogs and woods to solid battailes and strong charges contrary to their flight skirmishes and running encounters they thought it more meete and expedient to passe into Scotland Gens semper inuisa Britannis and there make triall of a new friendship casting vp a forward account of their happinesse in this manner First they were assured of the naturall and generall hatred betweene the Nations which vpon very small occasions and probable opportunite would burst out into flames of despight Next they proiected that the nature of the businesse would allure them to his assistance vpon hope of vaine-glory and a reputation of so charitable a worke as to help a Prince in distresse Thirdly they relied on this hope that if no other cause would be inductiue to his supportation yet the desire of spoile would quickly incite them to warre against so plentifull a Country Fourthly they perswaded themselues that the Scots had a good opinion of the house of Yorke euer since the cruelty of the Lord Clifford against Rutland for which they vtterly abandoned Henry the sixt and the Queene And last of all they concluded to promise them the surrendring of Barwick and to enlarge their territories if he preuailed by their assistance which was a sure motiue to draw them into any action whatsoeuer whereupon he departed from Corck and landed on the West of Scotland from whence he prepared himselfe to go to the King with some solemnitie wherein his instructions preuailed with his fortune because for the most part the masse of people are guided by showes and ceremonies rather then matter of substance and truth and so he trauelled to Edinbourgh whose Citizens vnaccustomed to such glorious showes began already to commiserate his fortune and distresse yea the King himselfe assembled his Lords and Courtiers as their manner then was to entertaine him and giue him audience which when Perkin perceiued to fall out to his good liking and hearts desire he thus framed his speech vnto him or if you will reduced his instructions to a manner of attracting Oratory MOst mighty and renouned King Iudicis officium est vt res ita tempora rerum quaerere and therefore I come not to you altogether like a cast away or banquerout to recouer my estate by a cosening agreement with my creditours for a trifle when there may be sufficient to pay the principall nor like a run-away from a hard-hearted Master or if you will to take my liberty the better to cast of the yoake of honest and ciuill obedience where there is a duty and necessity of seruice imposed but as a stranger subiect to shipwrack and the hassardous endurances of a tempest I am enforced to your refuge as much enduced with your Princely delight in deeds of charitie and hospitality as my owne wants or recouery I might adde your famous actions renowne and heroicke commiseration of a dis-esteemed Prince but Pudor est vlteriora loqui And although I may confesse my selfe to resemble the man in the Gospell that fell amongst theeues whom diuers looking vpon passed by without reliefe yet at last he found one Samaritan to pay the cost and defray the charges of the Surgerie so haue I done a worthy aunt friend and noble kinswoman to acknowledge her afflicted Nephew who hath helped me accordingly so that I make no question that from the example of a woman your Princely commiseration and powerfull coadiutement shall open their larger embraces considering that you aboue all other Princes haue beene made acquainted with the distractions of our family and from time to time know how the house of Yorke hath beene dilacerated and torne in peeces by the cruell hand of Tyrants and home-bred Wolues which whether it were the permission of God or the secrets of his diuine Iustice I will not now dispute vpon Only I must be bold to say that when my father obtained the Crowne and reuenged his fathers wrongs and death there were signes of Gods fauour and assistance in the faire issue prepared and sweet fruit of such a flourishing tree namely two sonnes and fiue daughters who were simply committed to the tutelage and protectorship of an vnnaturall Vncle who proued a tyrant and destroier of our blood and progeny so that I may well cry out as Ariadne to Theseus Mitius inueni quam te genus omne serarum Notwithstanding Most mighty King how euer my Princely Brother miscarried as swallowed vp in the iawes of cruelty and slaughter It should seeme the murtherers were affrighted at that they had done already and desisted from a full prosecution of the Tyrants command or confounded with compunction of spirit spared me and secretly conueied me out of the hands of such an homicide and blood sucker for so I hope without offence I may rightly tearme him and although by this meanes and the supportation of high borne Buckingham he obtained the Diadem yet did God follow him with the swiftest pace of wrath and anger and at last I must needs say scourged him with rods of vengeance indeed for he presently lost his sonne and his friend and coadiutor lost himselfe what afterwards chanced vnto me as my strange deliuerance my bringing vp in Tornay vnder certaine supposed parents of honest reputation my trauailes into forraine Countries my aduentures abroad my endurances at home with such like it would be to tedious to
relate and therefore I desist to put you now to further wonder and amasement at the same because I haue them as it were registred in a scedule which at your Princely pleasure you may ouer-looke with the Duches and Councels of Burgundies hands to confirme the same so that I confesse when the King of France sent for me out of Ireland I was in a manner secure of my estate and thought vpon no further assurance then his gratious apprehension of my indâ—bitate claime But it should seeme most gratious King that you are reserued for the glory of this businesse and euerlasting memory of so remarkeable an action wherein I submit my selfe ships and people to your guidance and direction Oh doe not then annihilate my confidence nor reiect my demands For next to the high controuler of mens actions I haue put my selfe vnder the shadow of your supportation and altogether rely on the vnity of your willingnesse and power to beare me through the difficulties of this passage When he had made an end and giuen them cause of some amasement at his yeares and tendernesse of experience to deliuer yet his minde so freely and with some illustration of words and readines of gesture the King without any further scruple or diffidence cheered him telling him plainly he would assist him and what-euer he was or intended to be he should not repent him of his comming thither so concluding with a speech of Medeas to Iason Hinc amor hinc timor est ipsum timâ—r auget amorem he gaue order for his entertainment accordingly whereby he had time with his wearied people to repose himselfe and the King occasion to thinke of many matters yet rather for custome then to be diuerted from his resolutions he called his Councell and disputed the matter with them they again as it happened to Rheoboam and shall be withall the Princes in the World grew to contradiction and deuided themseelues some standing for their Countrie some for their priuate affection some to please the Prince and some to enioy a good opinion of polecie and wisedome The grauer sort and of greatest experience disannulled all the former intimation of the Prince with the impossibility of the businesse as if he were but a bare assumer of titles indeed The quieter sort and such as had smarted with the dissentions betweene England and Scotland disclaimed any further warrâ— and were weary with that which had passed The yonger sort apprehended it as a worthy enterprise and though it had but colour of commiseration yet considering he was befriended from the Emperour King of the Romains and the whole state of the Low-Countries it could not choose but help them with many friends There was another sort who confessing the pouerty of their Countrie concluded that by this meanes by forraging spoiling aâ—d getting good booties in England much wealth might inrich them without losse or hindrance of their owne and so cared not how the warre began nor how long it continued The last sort consisted of such who because they would haue their credit enlarged from an opinion of States-men and high reaching capacities argued as we say on both sides pro contra and from a kind of Enthymema raised profit and emolument to the Kingdome out of their sophistry That if the Duke were assisted and preuailed Scotland was sure to confirme their owne conditions If he were countenanced though not preuailing the King of England would accord to any offers or demands rather then King Ieames should take part with his aduersarie and so strange a competitor Whereupon it was resolued that without further diffidence or drawing the Duches of Burgundies businesse in question the King should entertaine the Prince who presently honored him accordingly and caused him to be proclaimed the Duke of Yorke shewing him all the fauours the Countrie could afford and affording him such entertainement as they imagined was both befitting his person and condition He againe as if that spes bona dat vires cheered himselfe and assumed a new kind of behauiour both tempered with grauity and yet commended for cheerefull and well becomming so that by the way of solace and inuitation to pleasure and delight he hauked and hunted yea the Ladies of the Country graced the Court and came with all conueniencie and befitting their estates to the Citie For vnderstanding so great a Prince in possibilitie to be one of the mightiest Kings of Europe not full eighteene yeares of age yong wise and in the compleate strength of beauty was resident amongst them they conceiued matters beyond the Moone and thought themselues happy if he would fancy or fasten vpon any of them What should I say although with the Poet Tarda solet magnis rebus inesse fides Yet heere was no mistrust nor any way giuen to feare and displeasure but as the time businesse and place afforded shewes masques and sundry deuises inuited him to his contentment and the present ouercomming all pensiuenesse so he courted with some danced with others iested with the rest and was acceptable to all till at last the King giuing way to the motion he fancied the Lady Katherine Gourdon daughter to Alexander Earle of Huntle nigh kinswoman to the Crowne and because she should not thinke him barren of education nor heart bound to his ambitious designes he tooke an opportunitie thus to discouer his loue vnto her and good opinion of her Lady said he and the first of Ladies that euer vsurped my libertie or taught my tongue to pronounce the accent of affection or liking If I proceed not so passionate as your sex expects or you may imagin is the custome of Courtiers I pray you impute it to the multiplicity of my businesse and greatnes of my affaires besides it is not seemly with Princes to betray their high spirits into the hands of deceit and ouerworkiâ—g fancy yea foppishnes either of words or gesture yet concerning your person I can say with Paris to Helena Si tu Venisses pariter certamen in illud in dubium Veneris Palma futura fuit and touching my good will If I liue I will make you as great in the World as my selfe and desire no more but that you keep you within the limits of loue and obedience that our children may be our owne and the Common-wealth reioice they bee not mocked or deceiued with extraâ—eall enheritors What I am you now see and their is no boasting in distresse what I may be I must put it to the triall and submit to the diuine prouidence If you dare now aduenture on the aduersity I sweare to make you partaker of the prosperity yea lay my Crowne at your feet that you shall play with me as Apame did with Darius to command and I obey Take me now then into your embraces and I will adore and reuerence your vertues as you commiserate my misfortunes Oh giue me leaue to say no more lest I be transported to vndecencies be now conformable