small Summe of money from the Londoners by threats and violence And then turning to the Nobility he asked a Subsidy of them in vain and he found his Church-men as backward with whom he could do little or nothing Then enterprizing an Expedition to the holy Land to free the King of France he called an Assembly of his Bishops and Peers from whom when he could not obtain one mite of money being like a mad man he drove them all out of the Chamber The Bishop of Ely for that injury was excepted against by him At last some help was afforded him whereupon he was forced to confirm solemnly Magna Charta but that money which he had appointed for the holy Warre was quickly wasted partly by gifts partly by banquetting and other frauds invented for his own destruction Also he had upon a vain hope redeemed the Kingdomes of Sicily for his son Edmund paying a great summe of money to the Pope In the interim the Welsh vexed with great injuries fall away from the Prince and to suppresse these and reduce them to obedience he stood in need of a new supply of money which at last by neat devices and inventions he wrung from them In the mean while Richard Earl of Cornwall the Kings brother at the suit of the Princes of Germany is chosen King of the Romans but shortly when he grew insolent with importunate oppressions and revenges he was put out of the place and returned for England a poor Emperour who went out a rich Earl But Henry that he might make up that money which the Pope had wiped him of by a vain boast of the Kingdom of Sicily he asks once more a Subsidy from his Nobles who refusing stifly and the King pressing for it they fall to odds afterwards calling a new Parliament which the Lords had procured for the safety of the Kingdom he was compelled by Oath and his Son also to confirm it At which time it was Enacted that the Kings Brother with the men of Poictiers that remained in England should presently depart the Kingdom But a contagious pestilence arising either naturally or by some venom these strangers scattered when they departed Many of the Nobility died whereupon many were put to death out of bare suspicion some are cast into prison and some are banished Nor did less evils for this afflict the English for they that had the charge of correcting the errors of others did with all cruelty weed up the miserable English that now so many Lords as there were so many Tyrants there were and the servants were grown like their Masters And that they might stirre up the envy of the subjects against the King they cast all the fault upon him which he endeavoured to free himself from by his publick Writ but all in vain when he was compelled in a solemn Parliament to give that power he had given to twenty four chosen men before to the Earls Montfort and of Glocester and to Spencer taking an Oath to confirm it unto them In the mean while Richard King of the Romans being landed in England Henry growing bolder by the return of his Brother though he were poor first demands a discharge of his Oath from the Pope then he opposed himself against the insolency of the Nobility He flies to help from the French King who is chosen Umpire between Henry and his Nobles to end the controversie but when he did nothing they break forth on all sides into open Warre The Count of Leicester drives forth the Earl of Glocester and storms his Castle and laid a great fine upon the Citizens Then he took the Fort at Worcester and afterwards the Isle of Ely and the Castle of Windsor But the King fearing least he should come so farre as London thought it concerned him to make peace with him They agreed at last on these conditions That all the Castles should be delivered up to the Lords and all strangers at a day appointed should forthwith depart the Kingdom only those excepted who had a Licence given them to stay But the King calling a new Parliament he drew some of the Nobility especially his own sonnes to his party to whom John Comminus Bayly Robert Bruse and others from Scotland joyn'd themselves with these being not a little confirmed he denounceth Warre against the Earls of Leicester and Glocester who did not at all excuse themselves who seeing the King daily increase in Forces levying a sudden but farre less Army oppose the King and here fraud supplied the parts of vertue for setting their Banners behinde without Souldiers they made a shew of a greater Army than they had And fortune helped a good cause for the Kings Forces being dispersed the greatest part of them was oppressed and slain the rest saved themselves by flight But the King the Prince and Earl of Cornwall and his Sonne Henry and all the Scotch Nobility fell into the enemies hands There had been an end of the King and his fortune least a contention arising between the Earls of Leicester and Glocester had given cause to a hot contest and afterwards to a sharp Warre where Leicester being too weak yet fell valiantly with wonderfull glory By the same fortune Simon and Guide Montforts the Sonnes of the Earl of Leicester were banished one into Italy the other into France where afterwards they gave their name to most illustrious families Also their Mother a gallant woman being gone a little before into France ended her life in a Nunnery A new contention being risen amongst the Nobles they sound the Trumpet to Battell again also the Welsh who had helped Earl Monifort are remanded to be slain But peace being confirmed on all sides this trouble abated without blood Rest now obtained at home Edward Prince of Wales at the request of the French King goes forth toward the Warre in Palestina but Richard once King of the Romans died in the mean time whom Henry himself followed shortly after whilst he studied to repair the losses he sustained by Warre EDWARD the first King of England Anno 1272. WHen Henry died Edward staied in Palestina being intent about the holy Warre where he underwent a grievous danger having received three wounds from his adversary with a poisoned weapon But he was cured by the wonderfull piety of his wife who with her mouth in time sucked out the venom from the wounds In his way being made more certain of his Fathers death he came at last over-land into his Country and was inaugurated King At the beginning of his Reign he used the Nobility well but he to abate the insolence of the Clergy commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer and he afflicted them by other means and so drew upon him their envy The Welsh whose custom it was on all occasions to make new Commotions now afresh under their Leader Lionel rise up against Edward and rage with wonderfull pride but this tempest soon vanished for Eleoner the Daughter of Simon Monifort
successfull fight or else helped by the Forces of Edward brought almost the whole Nation under him whilst David a young King trifled the time away in France and so doing Homage to the King of England he held it as from him in Chief In the said time the Isle of Man is Conquered by William Montacute Earl of Salisbury who therefore was honoured with the Title of King of Man Edward now come to age by the Instigation of Robert Atrebas who was fled out of France into England intends a Warre with France making a Confederacy with the Dukes and Earls of Gelderland Gulic Cleave and the Hanse Towns and of Brabant The French also foreseeing this Tempest made friendship with the Bishop of Leige John King of Bobemia the Earl of Lutzenburg the Palatine Albertus Otho of the House of Austrich and Amesius Earl of Genoa Wherefore Edward sail'd into Flanders bearing the Title of the King of France those of Flanders being the cause of it and then he entred the Borders of France Philip also invaded Aquitan and though the Armies of both Kings were in sight one of the other and ready to fall on yet they both departed without fighting Edward in the mean while to see to his business at home returned for England leaving William Montacute and the Earl of Suffolk to take care of the Warre both of them behaved themselves valiantly yet were taken and brought to Paris But Edward supposing it was in vain to stay at the report of this news provided for his return for France and finding a strong Navy of King Philips in the Haven of Sluse he collecting a great Fleet set upon the French and utterly destroyed their Navy killing then 30000 French with those that were drowned and came to their ends other waies Then he laid siege to Tourney which Town was so well defended by the Duke of Burgundy and the Earl of Armeniac that his whole Army being dispersed he lost about 4000 men Edward was much enraged with this loss and challenged Philip to fight a Duel with him but the business came not so farre because it was taken up Yet the befieging of Turney was no whit neglected and Philip did what he could to free the City but Robert King of Sicily interceding and especially Joan Valois Philips sister there is a cessation made for two years In the interim the Scots that were enemies to Bayly's Government calling their King David out of France they make Warre upon Edward and invading Northumberland with a strong Army they miserably destroy all by fire and sword sparing no sex nor condition But at the sudden approach of William Montaente they are afflicted with some loss and being frighted at the coming of Edward sounding a retreat they returned for Scotland but Edward following their Armies overtook them and wearying them with some light skirmishes he forced them to a cessation for two years John Earl Montfort whilst he strives to make good his Title to Britany is taken by King Philip but his Wife seeking help from King Edward easily procured it Mary the Kings Daughter being espoused to the Earls Son the care of that expedition was first committed to Gualter Mani a valiant Gentleman and then to Robert Atrebas In the mean time Baily being driven out of his Kingdom of Scotland and by Edward made Governour of Barwick tels Edward that the Scots had not kept their Covenants whereupon Edward moves suddenly with an Army against the Scots but there was nothing done but the cessation of Arms renewed In the interim Robert Atrebas with Gualter Mani and some other Nobles after a great tempest and Sea-fight arrived at a Town of Britain which is commonly called Vannes and going on Land set on the City that was a Garrison in a Hostile manner and suddenly became Masters of it but by the desperate violence of some of the Nobility the French wan it again and wounded Robert whereof he died shortly after in England But Edward himself moving into Britany laid a new siege to the Vannes and John Duke of Normandy coming suddenly they both make themselves ready for Battell but by the intercession of Pope Clement the sixt Truce was made for some few moneths yet it lasted not who was the cause of it is uncertain they again prepare for their Arms by which means Henry of Lancaster subdued many Towns in Guyan and in other Provinces and then he removed to Burdeaux for his Winter Quarters Philip that he might not lose his Countrey by sloth levying a great Army regained Miremontium a Franc Town and Engolesm But when Lancaster was too weak for the great Army of Philip Edward came to his assistance with more Forces bringing with him his Sonne Prince of Wales that was yet in his Nonage for he was scarce 15 years old that he might be trained up in the Warres who presently took many Towns and then he marched toward Picardy and Pontium and he either vanquished or destroyed all places in the way Then he passed over Somes a wonderfull example of his Valour the enemy looking on and he discomfited Gondemar more by fear than force In the mean time Philip stay'd with his Army at the Temple of St Germans and being enraged with so great a loss of his men sets Edward a day to sight with him in Battell he had pitched his Camp at Cressen expecting with his Ensignes Philip his enemy The Armies both meet and the Trumpets sound to Battell wherein appeared the wonderfull courage of Edwards both Father and Sonne that day the English got the Victory and the French were routed and ruined the King hardly escaped himself and there were found slain about 30000 men the chief whereof were John King of Bohemia Charles Alencon and other chief Nobles 1500. Another loss fell after this Victory upon the Archbishop of Roan who lost about 7000 Souldiers Nor was this the end of their Victories for it went successively in England against the Scots in the Kings absence their King David with the greatest Noble men were taken prisoners and 15000 Souldiers were slain in the fight and the rest were dispersed Nor did the General Thomas Dagovort fight with less good fortune in Britanie for the Countess of Montfort the principal of the French Nobility being taken and killed Edward being more high by so many and great Victories neglecting Amiens and the Town of Abbas he laid siege to Calais that was of great moment and most convenient for the English affairs whilst Lancaster over-ran all Guyan vanquished those of Xanton and Poictiers and being loaded with the spoil he returned to Burdeaux In the mean while Philip going about to relieve those of Calais drew near with his Forces and when he had in vain provoked Edward to Battell having done nothing he returns toward Paris So they of Calais being out of hopes of relief began to treat for Conditions and it was agreed upon on both sides that six of the principall Citizens should come with
nothing on but their shirts with Halters about their necks and submit themselves to King Edward all the rest to have free pardon These though they did most humbly upon their knees crave for pardon yet were condemned to be hanged but at the Queens request they were set at liberty and sent away with money to defray their charges as they went The King and Queen enter the City in Triumph they command the old inhabitants to leave the City and kept the place stocked with English families The French strive to regain by craft what they had lost by Valour for Godfry Charnus the Governour of St Odomar had corrupted with money Almeric Papiensis which Edward had made Captain of Calais to deliver up the City but the matter being disclosed Almeric is called for into England who coming and confessing his fault at last he obtained pardon but upon that condition that he should deceive the French of their expectation and deliver them up to the hands of the English At the time appointed came Charnus and brought the Gold with him he had promised but he was circumvented by Edwards Forces yet he stoutly defended himself and made work enough for Edward and his Sonne both that were present untill all were slain that he brought with him and he with a Cavalier of Ribomantium who had twice dismounted Edward but at last was vanquished by him was taken prisoner But the business succeeded more happily for the English got the Castle of Gnyan by bribing the Governour and so plaid the French the same trick Philip the French King now died leaving his Sonne John Heir of the Kingdom also Humbert Prince of Dauphine died who left the same successour and from that time the first born of the French King is called the Dolphine But when the Treaties of Peace began succeeded not Edward Prince of Wales is sent again into France who over-running Aquitan Septimania Tolonse Narbon Bourges heavy with the spoil came back to Bourdeaux Edward no less on the other part vexed France with new Forces also he set Lancaster to assist the King of Navarre who also Conquered many Castles and Cities wherefore the French man raising what force he could first laies hold on Normandy and recovered many Towns there and had won all the Province unlesse he had been diverted by the insolency of Edward Prince of Wales who came against him but when Edward was too weak for the French Army he soon retreated to Bourdeaux The French followed him and forced him to fight not willing to forbear the hopes he had of the Victory although Legates came from the Pope and submissively desired peace But the Prince of Wales scorning the base conditions sent him by the French namely That he should yield himself and his Army to the mercy of the French made himself ready to fight and making choice of some places that were Vineyards and over-grown with briars that he might avoid the violence of the Horse there he planted his Bow-men who easily troubled the Horsemen that came improvidently to offend them and so began the Battell and following their success they dispersed and routed all the French Army presently King John himself with his younger Sonne Philip and an innumerable Nobility of France were taken prisoners seven thousand were slain amongst whom were many chief Noble men The rest with three Sons of the King escaped by flight The King of France though he were captivated was used with all respect by Prince Edward and when he had wintred with him at Bourdeaux at the beginning of the spring he is brought into England and is entertained richly by King Edward who being content with one Captive King he released David King of Scotland at the request of Queen Joan sister to Edward when he had lived in England eleven years first paying his Ransom that he had promised But by the intercession of some Cardinals there was a Treaty of Peace between both Kings And John being now weary of his stay in England easily yielded to those conditions which Edward propounded But his eldest Sonne the Dolphin Prince and the Counsel of France were not content with them saying they were heavy and unjust Whereupon Edward impatient of delays attempts to make good by Arms that he could not obtain in Peace He leaving the charge of the Kingdom to his younger Sonne Thomas with 1100 Ships and the Flowr of the Nobility of England sails to Calais where he divided his Army into three parts The first Body he trusted with the Prince of Wales the second to Lancaster the third he kept for himself Then over-running Picardy he wan many Towns till he sat down with his Army before the Wals of Paris waiting in vain for the coming of the Dolphin wherefore he retreated toward Lions But in the way he was overtaken with so great a tempest in the year 1360 that being mightily frighted he made a vow to make peace with the French and not long after it was confirmed at Lyons In which conditions the French King was also included with his Sonne and is released from his Captivity and great part of France with a vast summe of Money is granted to Edward but the French King the next year the cause why is not certain came for England and after he had languished long he died there Edward about this time instituted the Order of Knights of the Garter with great solemnity The fame of the Prince of Wales was now spread through the world wherefore if any were oppressed with injury or wronged by their enemies they fled to him for to be their Protector and to revenge their wrongs Amongst the rest Peter King of Castile was restored again to his Kingdom who returned him very small thanks for his labour for Peter refused to pay the Souldiers their wages they deserved The Prince got nothing by it but grief of minde and body if you set aside the fame and glory he acquired of his great vertue The Souldiers in the interim being enraged for lack of their Pay that they might not want necessary provision over-run all the Territories round about and commit rapine in all places where they came whereupon the inhabitants complain to the King of France therefore the French King sets the Prince a day to give an account of this insolence He denied to come unless he came armed with 60000 Souldiers so this controversie brake forth into open Warre and they on both sides take by force many Towns and abundance of men are slain the English for the most part having the best of it conquering the Towns of Burdeaux and Belloperch where they took the Mother of the Duke of Borbon and the Queen of France About this time Philippa Queen of England died yet her death put no stop to the English proceedings in France For the Earl of Pembroke falling upon the people of Aniou wan many Towns and when he endeavoured to take and spoil the French Navy by the industry of the Earl of
Sant-Paul he was frustrated and so he returned for Callis plundering all in the way In the mean time the men of Angiers and Bourges wasted the borders of the Prince of Wales which when he endeavoured to oppose receiving news of Lemoges taken making hast thither he wan it again killing all every where but observing the Valour of three Centurions who by their Gallantry checked his Conquering sword for their sakes he spared the City and the Lives of all the inhabitants that were left David King of Scots died in the mean time leaving no heir besides his Cousin Robert Stuart who succeeded him and was Crowned at Scone Robert Canolns was now sent into France with a great Army behaved himself more boldly than fortunately for he was circumvented by Bertrand Gesquinus and lost the greatest part of his men Edward Prince of Wales the most famous for his Valour and Chivalry died at Burdeaux about this time and Gualter Mani a valiant Captain died at London Also the Earl of Pembroke who had married his Daughter being now Governour of Guyan when he was going to his charge of Government was taken by the Spaniards and carried into Spain All those possessions which the Prince of Wales had won followed and were recovered again by Charles the fifth King of France so that the chance of Warre now began manifestly to alter Edward indeed went thither with mighty forces but by a contrary Tempest he lost his labour and Lancaster was carefull of his business but did nothing prevail Edward when he had lost together with his hopes he conceived of his Sonne Edward all the fruits almost of his travell in France fell into so great grief of minde and body that he died about ten moneths after the Prince of Wales when he had reigned fifty years He was the most valiant of all the Kings a comely person excellent for the gifts of his body and minde living as one may say after his death having had a Wife and a Sonne that were incomparable RICHARD the second King of England and France Anno 1378. RIchard sirnamed of Burdeaux the Sonne of Edward the Black Prince of Wales appointed to succeed by Edward his Grandfather came to the Crown after his death not yet being past eleven years of age Wherefore he had Governours assigned to him John Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Earl of Cambridge his Uncles by his Fathers side The Scotch and French taking occasion to win from him by reason of his Nonage provide Armies for invasion The French Conquer the City Rye and being encouraged by their success they fall upon the Isle of Wight and spoil all with fire and sword wresting from the Inhabitants great summes of Money and so spoiling all the Frontiers of England they are enriched with a vast prey The Scotch take the Castle of Barwick but by the Valour of the people of Northumberland and Nottingham the Fort is recovered and all the Scots killed Also Hugh Calverley Governour of Callis burn'd 26 Ships of France in the Harbour of Bononia casting fire amongst them So John Philpot Citizen of London preparing a Fleet at his own charge took all the Ships of Mercerus a notable Rover who plaid the Pirate on the borders of England and rob'd all the English Merchants Ships When he returned in stead of a reward he is accused of high Treason because he had fitted his Navy without the Kings knowledge he defended his cause so well that he not only excused what he did but is famous for it unto this day The King said That publick actions may be privately traduced yet they may not be publickly examined since Authority would in such a case commit a fault and in place of an errour raise a tumult and since the loss is generall and common every one affords weapons for revenge and though it were against reason to exceed the Commission yet it cannot be held a criminal matter to engage for it with hazard of ones life With good and bad fortune they laboured much on both sides The Scotch waste with fire Rupisburg but the Earl of Northumberland entring Scotland spoil'd the Territories of Merchia with sword and flame likewise The Northern English attempting to invade Scotland also are unhappily slain And afterwards the Duke of Lancaster with Buckingham Warwick Stafford and others the chief of the Nobility arrive in Britain with a great Fleet thinking to lay siege to St Malos but finding the Garrison too strong they return home again The Scotch in the mean while setting scaling ladders to the Castle of Barwick overcame it in the night and killed Robert Baynton Governour of it But the Earl of Northumberland coming suddenly with an Army regain'd the Castle after he had beleaguerd it two daies William Montacute the Kings Embassadour at Callis was successfull in his business both by Sea and Land But John Clark was as unfortunate though he behaved himself valiantly being conquered and taken by the enemy both he and his Ships And so here and elsewhere they strove with doubtfull fortune In the mean while Thomas Cartonius is accused for Treason by John Ansler that he had for money given up to the French the Castle of St Saviour Cartonius denying the fact is challenged by Ansler to fight a Duel with him wherein Carton though he were farre stronger in Limbs and force than Ansler is killed by him At the beginning of the fourth year of King Richard's Raign the Earl of Buckingham was sent with others and a small Army into France to assist the Duke of Brittain but the French King dying about that time Peace was confirmed between the new King and the Duke But the Spanish and the French Galleys did wonderfully spoil the Sea-Towns of England at that time and many Towns were either plunder'd or consumed by fire so laden with the prey they returned home The Kentish men by reason of the deadly burden of Tributes grew mad and are enraged with an implacable hatred against the Nobility taking all occasions they could finde for the basest dregs of men commonly being uncapable of honour themselves which they cannot sustain are envious against those that are They report that Wat Tyler was the Author of it who killed the Collector of Tribute that behaved himself arrogantly with his own staff that he took from him To whom other seditious fellows and whole Provinces joyned themselves This tumultuary Faction increased mightily came to London with his Army and kils first of all Richard Lyon a London Doctor with an Ax. And putting his Head on the top of his Spear carries it for a Trophie of his valour Then all of them the next day runne to Lancaster-Hall and set it on fire they take away the rich Hangings and throw them into the Thames carefully looking to it that no man should keep any thing for himself and when one covetous fellow had hid a silver Cup in his bosome they take the man and threw him into the fire alive with the Cup.
anothers Land The union and rest of the Kingdome being thus established for a time suddenly there arose a new faction of the Conspirators It was known to all what the intention was but what hopes they had was unknown to none because it was fortified but with small forces and was unprosperously suppressed those being punished that refused to submit At last all care is converted to the recovering of those Provinces in France that belonged to the English large Tributes and Imposts being granted to the King For though the French had promised restitution of them yet he would not yeeld them up but by force of arms yet it was deferred untill the King being of riper years should stand upon his own Right and should governe the whole matter himself In the mean while those fields that were fenced in for Parks by his Ancestors he laid them open and restored them for husbandry and to the common good But when he was grown up he recalled again those grants and what he gratified the people with in his minority he revoked turning those fields for his pleasure into Parks again And not content with this injury he alienated the hearts of his Subjects from him by many more unlawfull acts He abolished the old Seal and made a new one and so extorted a great summe of money from his Subjects Also he greatly drained them under a pretence of a warre with France and managing the matter slothfully he returned without a victory bringing with him out of France many of Poictou that what reward they had not desired in France he might pay them in England whereby the best men were discharged of their Offices and these vagabonds and strangers were possessed of them The King being now of ripe years took to wife Eleonor the daughter of Raymound Earl of Province whereby there grew no profit to his affairs but rather by reason of a thredbare and beggarly Family and her Kindred coming from all parts as Crows to the prey he suffered great detriment which yet were highly esteemed by him the people much murmuring at it But whilst the King thus goes about to overthrow his Subjects Rights which they labour to preserve all the Nobility being offended at the promotion of strangers they enter into a conspiracy The Ringleader whereof was Richard Marshall who durst freely tell the King of his injustice and required satisfaction But the King to punish their arrogancy muster'd a great Army of strangers and withall cals a Parliament which is an Assembly of several Orders The Nobility refuse to be present unlesse he would command the Bishop of Winchester Peter de Rupibus of Poictou and all his gang to forsake the Court threatning withall that unlesse satisfaction were made unto them they would depose the King and all strangers that were his Adherents and would choose another King the King therefore commands all that were upon Knights service and the Nobility to be present to fight for him which they all refuse to do whereupon he confiscated all their goods and distributed them amongst those of Poictou and their persons to be banished wheresoever they could be found By which threats they being frighted or corrupted by rewards the chief of them fall off whereby the rest were weakned and flie into Wales to the Prince of that Countrey Lionel drawn to hold part with them to whom Hugh Burgies came escaping out of a Castle where he was unjustly imprisoned The King follows those fugitives into Wales but came back with disgrace doing nothing But Richard Marshall when he would not return into the Kings favour being drawn cunningly into Ireland to look to his Estate and there being accused of Treason was killed though the King strove to remove the envy of that deed from himself A Parliament being called some men that had care of the Commonwealth were those that perswaded the King to leave off war and to make Peace with his Nobility the King hearkned to their councel and recalling the Nobles out of Wales he treats with them whereby they are restored to their former dignities and strangers that possessed their places were removed from all places and a great penalty laid upon them yet some of them as Fortune is inconstant were re-admitted into the Kings favour The King then feigning that all favour was for his own Subjects extorted a great Summe of money from them which yet he distributed amongst the poor kindred of the Queen and her Father a poor Prince And having promised before to exclude all strangers from favour and alwayes to take counsell of his Subjects he began now to esteem them more with which indignity the Nobility offended enter upon a new conspiracy to which as the Leader and Chief Richard the Kings brother had given his Name who being so bold as to tell the King of his faults to his teeth doth forcibly dehort him from such fallacies The King was much incensed with this and seeing the inclination of the Londoners toward the Conspiratours calling a Parliament and publishing the Conditions he treats with them for Peace But before it was come so far the Earl of Cornwall the Kings brother was drawn off to the contrary part whereby the Nobility urged their matters more faintly and so the Treaty could come to no conclusion The King now free from all impediments tyrannizeth more over the Nobles the chief of the Conspiratours were banished or turned out of their places Nor did he lesse oppresse the Clergy putting strangers into Church-Offices at the Popes request dispossessing the Nations and laying heavy Taxes upon them so that all hated him Henry purposing to make a new expedition for France asks Subsidies from his Parliament which being denied he was forced to borrow otherwhere Nor yet did he spend it successefully after a years delay and having done nothing well concluding a disgracefull peace with the French But returning for England he tyrannized over the Jews and wrested a great Summe of money from them which he yet consumed with unseasonable gifts very indiscreetly And so his Exchequer being consumed and Subsidies denied him from the Parliament gave him occasion of new oppressions and so drawing the means of the Church to himself was a cause of great differences between him and the Pope But the King being inconstant laid down the Bucklers and yeelded to the Pope who recovering his goods in England did againe pole the poor people of the Kingdome with continual sucking To this may be added that there was a daily conflux out of France and other parts into England of this new Family having some relation to the King this or that way whose wants must be magnificently supplied to the great detriment of the Commonwealth The King grew still poorer by it and so applied himself to rapines and extortions and sold such furniture as belonged to the Crowne wresting all the moneys he could to pay those he stood indebted to Then when he could no longer do it by such inconvenient wayes he obtained a
conquering divers Cities and Castles he was forward to retreat To this it fell out that the Yorkshire men raising a great power of the common people and setting upon the Scots were unhappily beaten and killed by them The King removing his siege from Barwick following the Scots that were laden with the prey and the spoil but he was frustrated of his end they having marched another way The next year entring Scotland because the Enemy had wasted all before his coming by reason of hunger and want was compelled to return back again But the Scotch following him and coming suddenly upon him he suffered a great losse and hardly escaped himself and so finding himself too weak for the Enemy he begged a Truce for two years But he was vexed with farre greater troubles than these at home For Gaveston being dead the younger Spencer succeeded in the Kings Grace and Favour who after he had obtained the Government of the Commonwealth in as high a manner as Gaveston had he could not choose but fall under the same malice of the Nobility But the cover of this envy was too unjust that it could be hid by a publick contest some other occasion must be sought for They all with one consent ask of the King that he would keep entire the Conditions formerly granted threatning him with a revolt and so they raise great Forces for War but the Prelates interposing they made Peace on both parts But shortly after a Parliament being called the King complains openly of the wrong they had done him and of Gavestons death But the Nobility say they had committed no sinne in so doing but growing remorse by the admonitions of the Queen and the Earl of Glocester they ask pardon of the King upon their knees They easily obtain'd it which was granted to them under the Kings Broad-Seal Now all the dissention seemed to be laid asleep but as fire raked up in ashes is kindled by any little winde sometimes into a great flame so there needed but a small blast to produce the former troubles The first occasion of defection was given because the wife of the Earl of Leicester with which he had a long time lived quietly was taken from him with the Counties of Lincoln and Salisbury by Richard Sanmartin a very deformed man who said he had conjugal custom with her before which thing she openly confessed when she was demanded concerning it Another occasion was given when at Whitsontide a certain woman riding ridiculously on horsback in fools habit did go into the Court and upbraid the King with his ingratitude toward his faithfull Ministers A third when a certain Knight that had a packet of the Kings was intercepted wherein was written a desire to the King of Scots to cut off the Earl of Lancaster whereupon not a few fell from the King to that Earl A fourth when a certain mad man John Poudras counterfeiting himself to be King Edward and feared not to say that Edward they mistook for their King was falsly supposed to be so which madnesse he paid dearly for by the torture he was put to But the greatest of all was that a certain Baron William Brevisius who had spent the greatest part of his Estate in riot and whoring would needs sell the rest by Port-sale which Humphrey Bobun gaping after asking leave of the King did transact with William for them Also both the Roger Mortimers being ignorant of other Competitours cheapned the Bargain and Spencer had obtained immediate leave from the King to buy them and was preferred before any other It is a wonder what hatred he drew upon himself by this matter Now all the Nobility came together and entred a conspiracy crying out that the Spencers both Father and Sonne were Traitors Corrupters of the King and Plagues to the Commonwealth and at last they fell to their Arms. They come in haste to London with their Army and with leave granted they enter the City and make their complaints to the King which he yeelded to by the Intercession of many Lastly The Spencers were banished but shortly after when the Archbishop of Canterbury contended in a Common-Councel of a London Senate that that banishment was unjust the Spencers are called home again the King being no wayes unwilling to it This drove the Nobility on but another mischief moved the King For the Queen taking her Progresse toward Canterbury whenas she would have diverted towards the Lord of Baldesmire she was dishonourably shut out and was forced to turn away to some other place Of which matter she complained to the King and it made him extream angry who now doth think of nothing but revenge for that injury collecting suddenly a Band of Souldiers he assaulted that Castle which when he had overcome the Governour of it Thomas Culpeper was hanged and Baldesmire with his wife and children was cast into Prison and all his goods Confiscate And the Kings Blood being now hot he proceeded farther and resolved to make Warre upon the Nobles but they finding that his Army increased part returned to their Obedience and part fell to their Arms But their Army being either slipt away or vanquished some were killed in the fight the rest were taken amongst whom was the Earl of Lancaster who was beheaded before his own Castle the rest were either hanged or beheaded that England was never more sorrowfully wet with Noble Blood Now the last and worst mischief of all hanged over his head for the King of France for the Possessions that Edward had in France required Homage from him for them but Edward refusing he enter'd his Provinces with an Army At length Queen Isabella Edwards wife was sent to intreat him not to waste his Countrey she went willingly partly to performe the Kings Commands partly to complain to her Brother For Edward by the Instigation of Spencer was no little estranged from her and had offended her with great contempt Roger Mortimer went with her with whom the Queen held unlawfull Familiarity which when the King understood he sent to the French King some that should desire him to send home the Queen with the Prince her Sonne But she not returning is banished out of all the Kings Dominions and Garisons made to drive her off if she came against the Kings Will. But she flying to the Earl of Hannonia Matrimony being contracted between Prince Edward and the Earls Sonne she procured a good Army from him John the Earls Brother being Generall Setting sail they land about Harwich to whom immediately Henry Earl of Lancaster and other Nobles joyned themselves The King receiving news of it was wonderfully frighted he left London without stay the City being addicted to the Queen and purposing to flie into Lundy Island by a Tempest he was driven into Wales In the mean while the Londoners that they might shew their loves to the Queen cut off the Heads of Gualter Stapleton Treasurer of England most cruelly because he was addicted to the King and some
from Heaven For hiring a Cellar under the Parliament-House be laid in a vast deal of Gun-pouder which he purposed to set fire to and so to blow up at once all the Parliament-House together with the King the Prince and all the Nobility but the matter was discovered by the importunate care of the Conspirators who gave warning of the danger to the Lord Mounteagle Sonne to the Lord Morlay a Member of the Parliament and one that they loved very well In this Vault there were found terrible Instruments of this damned wickedness that a man would wonder at which were presently taken away Then the Conspirators were executed Catesbey with his companions John and Christopher Wright and Thomas Pierce flying to his Arms was killed with a shot others were taken and executed Amongst whom was Everard Digbey who was unwillingly drawn into this Conspiracy for otherwise he was a man of excellent parts And thus that hainous wickedness that had troubled the devils themselves was purged away In Northampton and Warwickshire new tumults arose first by Fines then by John Reignold that led them but this faction was soon allayed and the Authors were punished In the mean time Frederick Count Elector Palatine came to London to marry Elizabeth King James his Daughter The Marriage was solemnized with wonderfull pomp but all these joyes were over-shadowed with clouds of sorrow for on the sixth day of November 1612 Prince Henry departed this life Various reports were spread abroad by the vulgar as if indirect means had been used but his Physicians gave it under their hands that he died of a violent malignant Feaver Charles the Kings second Son succeeds him in the Principality of Wales About this time that Gallant and Noble Spirit Sr Walter Rawlrigh after fourteen yeares imprisonment made addresses to the King to get leave to visit the New-found-World in America to which he gave him liberty and a Commission under the great Seal to set forth Ships and Men for that Service his Reputation and Merit caused many Gentlemen of quality to venture their Estates and Persons on the Design Many considerable adventures were performed though with great difficulty but more especially that of the taking and burning St Thomes Information being sent to Gendimer who was Embassadour here in England never rested assaulting the King with importunity for reparation Rawleigh no sooner comes a shore at Plimouth but he had secret information and did endeavour to get from thence in a Bark for Rotchell but being apprehended by Sr Lewis Stukly he is brought to London and committed to the Tower Gondimer that looked upon him as a man that had not only high abilities but animosity to do his Master mischief being one of those scourges that Queen Elizabeth had made use of to afflict the Spaniards Having now gotten him in the Trap he laid his Bâ—its about the King In October he was brought to the Kings Bench-barre at Westminster before the Lord Chief-Justice where the Records of his arraignment at Winchester were opened and he demanded why the judgement should not be put in execution Ralwrigh replied that Judgement was void by the Kingâ— Commission for his late expedition The Lord Chief-Justice replied the opinion of the Court was to the contrary He required time to prepare for death but it was answered the appointed time was the next morning Accordingly on the morrow he lost his Head on a Scafford in the Palace-yard The Earl of Buckingham as great in Title as favour was now grown a Marquess and lying in the Kings bosom every man paid tribute to his smile Worcester and Nottingham are taken off for him to be Master of the Horse and Admirall of England Queen Anne about that time fell sick and died She was a Queen to be had in everlasting memory for her Noble Vertues The King also fell sick but by Gods affistance he recovered The Palsegrave in the mean time who had married Elizabeth by the prompting forward of some of the German Princes was chosen King of Bohemia The Emperour was wonderfully enraged at this Election and proclaimed Warre against him driving him first out of Bohemia and afterwards out of all Germany who in Holland the common refuge for all wretched people found a bountifull and safe entertainment But James that he might help his Sonne in Law made a motion for a Marriage of his Son Charles and the Spaniards Daughter Charles is sent into Spain through France by Land where he saw upon his journey Mary Daughter to Henry the fourth He was received in Spain in outward appearance magnificently but a dissention arising between the Duke of Buckingham and Count Olivares the principall Don of the Spanish Court the Treaty for the Marriage was drawn out at langth but Charles being impatient of delays was called home again by his Father and arrived safe in England and afterwards he married Mary whom he had affectionately beheld in France What remains to be spoken of King James is either scarce worth recording or not so consonant to the truth He died at last of a disease of the Spleen though there were false reports spread abroad that he was poysoned when he had reigned twenty two years and was fifty nine years of age in the year 1625. He was a true Platonick Prince a Husband worthy of his Wife an honest Father to his Children a good King to his Subjects because he was a Prince he was the Most Learned and he was the Best Prince by reason of his Learning When this King reigned the English Plantations were setled in the Indies as in Virginy which Country Sr Walter Rawleigh first discovered and in the Barmudoes whither an infinite multitude of inhabitants presently resorted building publick and private houses and made a Commonwealth The same was done by others in New-England to the great comfort of such as were distressed and fled thither CHARLES the first King of Great-Brittany France and Ireland Anno 1625. CHARLES the first succeeded his Father being twenty five yeares of age The first design he had was to marry Henrietta Mary Daughter to Henry the fourth King of France as he purposed before who landed in England the 22 day of April and was received magnificently Then a Navy was prepared against the Spaniard for all friendship was grown stale between these two Kings by reason of the breach of the Marriage and the business of the Palatinate he joyned with the Ships of Holland and sent away toward Spain and first assaulting Cades and not prevailing they set up sail to Sea and spoyling all the Spanish Vessels they met they return for England Now a Covenant was made between the English and the United Provinces and they resolved with joynt Forces to tire out the Spaxiard but Charles whose Exchequer was empted by reason of his great Expence of his Spanish Voyage and setting forth of his Navy was forced to call a Parliament but Buckingham the Kings chief Minister of State and most dear unto him had
unequall than that was The Parliament in the mean time when they found nothing done by the Commissioners they had sent to the King resolve to execute their former commands they command the Lieutenants of Counties to perform what they formerly had enjoyned them and presently to raise such an Army who willingly went about it hoping from troubles to finde occasion to do their business yet some looking deeper into it refused to raise Arms without the Kings Order Also the Houses purposed to remove Pennington that was come back again because they found him more enclined to the King than to the Parliament but he denied to yield to them unless the King should force him to it The King trusting to his fidelity refused to discharge him and to receive Warwick whom they would substitute But the Lower House the Upper House being against it who held it unfit to proceed without the Kings consent pressed the business and confirmed the first Election and being exasperated by the Kings inclination resolved seriously for to make a Warre of it All the provision of Hull or other Garrisons they commanded to be brought to London fearing least the King should at some time possess himself of the Town and Ammunition But they to whose trust these things were committed would not deliver them without command from the King They valued not all their threats and commands to have the Governour of the Town delivered up unto them In the mean time the Sommersetshire men detesting the obstinacy of the Parliament by example of the Men of Kent presented an humble Petition to the Parliament but they offended with their boldness command it to be burned by the Hangman to deterre the Sommersetshire men from profering any more such Petitions who were charged to come in no greater multitudes than was requisite The King also desired to sail into Ireland with a sufficient Army to tame the Rebels But the Houses fearing least he should allure the Rebels to joyn with him and being strengthened with their Forces should return for England denied him his request and preferred their own fears before the relief of so many miserable men He in the mean time deposed the Earl of Essex from being Chamberlain and Leicester from being Deputy of Ireland and the Earl of Holland for their disobedience But the Houses on the contrary forbid all of them to do any such thing without their prohibition on penalty of their lives also they confirmed Warwicks Authority And that they might fortifie the mindes of all men the more and exasperate them against the King they spread a report that there was a great provision made by him for Warre against the Commonwealth and the Laws saying that all the subjects were therefore freed from their Oaths The King holds forth the contrary in his Declarations And when some Lincolnshire men came to him in Troops and offered to defend the Kings Cause he forbad them stifly and to manifest to all his love of Peace he commanded them all to go home again upon the condition that they should return to assist him when they were called He detained only 500 Foot and 50 Horse for his Life-Guard Many of the Nobility were drawn by this lenity of the King to revolt to him The Lord Keeper of the Great Seal that had done him so many injuries asking pardon of the King was friendly received by him This was the cause that many others fell away so that in the Upper House there remained not above fifteen and they the most bitter against him These with new representations concerning the Education of his Children the Offices of the Kingdom and such like questions wearied the Kings minde But they prevailed nothing for those Captains and Souldiers that were mustered against the Rebels in Ireland leaving their Colours freely fled to the King at York Whereupon the King augmented his Life-Guard to 1200 Foot and 200 Horse all descended of Noble Families and for the greater Honour to them he made the Prince of Wales their Captain These being required to manifest their fidelity did all swear unanimously to defend the Kings Cause but all the Nobility offered willingly to rais◠severally 200 Foot in Arms if occas 〈…〉 By which constancy of the subject and by a small summe of money he received out of Holland the King began to be cheered with new hopes Then he appointed the Yorkshire men to meet him at a certain place on the 13th day of June not farre from York who accordingly came with about 60000. The King with his Sonne some Lords 600 Horse and a considerable party of Foot met them there and with a premeditated Speech he declared his good intention toward Religion the Parliament and to defend his own Rights and Kingly Dignity Also he made an Apology for the good of his Souldiers that were present then he shewed unto them the Acts of Parliament Lastly he promised good pay if any man would assist him because he desired to use the help of his subjects rather than strangers This Speech was received by some with great applause others made their humble Petition that the King would hold a good correspondency with his Parliament and desired that he would send those Lords back to the Parliament who had revolted from them But the Earl of Lindsey the Kings Chamberlane and Lovel foreseeing the dissention might rise from this Petition suppressed this faction at the beginning Where 〈…〉 they were displeased and divers men went away from the King But the King accompanied with twenty thousand men came to York and commanded them all to return to their houses The Parliament was not ignorant of this business they accuse the said Lords of Treason because they had hindred the subjects from Petitioning freely for relief of their grievances not remembring what example they had given by refusing the Petitions of the Men of Kent and Sommersetshire and not only so but had severely punished them for offering their Petitions Then they raised an Army of 10000 Foot and 2000 Horse and send them towards York hoping they would increase by others coming to them And they borrowed a sufficient summe of Money from the Londoners who strove who should bring most of their silver and guilt Plate and whatsoever pretious things they had hoping of great advantage they should receive by it But the Kings misfortune began when 20000 pounds were detain'd by the Exchange being published at London which the Queen had borrowed with the Crown Jewels laid to pawn this was a mighty stop to the Kings proceedings The Houses increased the more who some in vain being angry at it endeavoured to raise a great Army The King also who had with advice made delaies and spun out the time could no longer wink at these preparations for Warre but by Letters by Policy by open Warre he did press the business uncessantly and with great impatience And he politiquely attempts to take Hull having obtain'd the consent of some of the Garrison But Hotham who
espoused to Lionel whilst she came out of France by Sea to her Husband was taken in the way whom he was forced to redeem at a great ransom promising also to Edward continual Homage and granting his Brother David to the English who was highly esteemed by Edward But Lionels obedience lasted not above three years for his Wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new rebellions Also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him fell off presently to his Brother and so with joynt Forces they enter England and did some mischief to Edward both wonderfully inflamed by a false Prophesie of Merlin whereby the Crown of Brutus was promised to Lionel But the Battell being set Lionel was killed by a private Souldier and his Head was brought to the King who caused it to be fastned on a pole and to be Crowned with joy and set up on the Tower of London The lot of David was like to his Brothers who being taken in Wales was drawn with a Horse to the place of execution and there beheaded and his Head set by his Brothers and his four quarters were sent to the four principall Cities of England So Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welsh and the death of Alphonsus his first born who was killed in the same Battell But a greater cloud hung over his head from Scotland For Alexander the third King of Scotland whilst he rode the Great Horse fell with him and so died leaving his Daughter Margaret to inherit but she shortly after her Father died also leaving the Kingdom to ten Corrivals who strove for it Edward was chosen Umpire by them all to search their Titles but he reduced all their pretences to two especially namely John Bayly and Robert Bruse who with equal right affected the Kingdom whilst the matter sticks between them Edward sets on Bruse promising to him the Kingdom of Scotland for ever so he would do him Homage for it But Bruse refused it preferring his Countries Liberty before his own Honour but Baily yielded to those conditions and so gained the Kingdom of Scotland but the ill will of all his Country men Envy against him increased for refusing justice upon the death of the Earl of Fife who was slain for Baily exempted Albermeth that slew him from punishment whereupon Baily was cited to appear before Edwards Tribunal was forced to plead his cause He was angry for this disgrace and returns to his Kingdom and afterwards denied Homage to Edward and proclaimed Warre making a Covenant with the French King Hence arose the cause of a most bloody Warre between the two Nations which lasted for 300 years only some feigned cessations passing between Armies are Mustered on both sides and the English giving the first onset on the Scotch slew abundance of them and won many Cities and Castles by which loss Brusius was constrained to beg for Peace which was granted but he himself was carried Captive into England and being afterwards set at liberty he ended his daies in France expecting in vain the restitution of his goods And so Edward returned for England leaving after him John Varamius Earl of Sussex his Embassador and Hugh Chrysingamius his Treasurer to take care of the Scotch business But a little after this the Scotch when the King was gone into France making head against the Kings Ministers having William Valla for their Captain they killed Hugh Chrysingamius and with him 6000 English But the King came back for England commanded that his Court should be held at York and presently levying an Army he assaulted the Scotch afresh at Fonkirk and though he himself were dismounted from his Horse that was frighted with the hollow of the enemy and was dangerously wounded two ribs being broken in his body yet he made a great slaughter amongst them 40000 Horse and Foot of them being slain Only Vallas with a small handfull of men escaped by flight from the fury of the enemy All the Noble mens goods are made forfeit to the English and they were all made Tributaries and to swear the third time to be true to King Edward But the false Scot kept his word but a very short time for Brusius the Son of Robert being made King in a Turbulent manner new commotions arise for he fearing the power of John Cuminus caused him wickedly to be murdered in the Temple of Dumfrise When Edward heard this he was wonderfully incensed Presently having raised a gallant Army he marcheth into Scotland not meaning to cease till he had brought down the usurper of that Kingdom The Earl of Pembreke who was marched before with his Brigade lighting suddenly on Bruse destroyed all his men from whose hands the King himself hardly escaped he led a dishonourable llfe in Caves Dens and Crags of Mountains seeking his fortune in other matters His Brothers falling into the power of the enemy were put to extream tortures as Traytors The King fierce with the madness of Revenge spared no mans life but slew all he met withall The Earl of Athol also though he were of the Kings blood was sent to London and hanged there so and by such like waies were the followers of Bruse punished Yet Bruse though he wanted almost any to follow him did not give out but collecting a handfull of souldiers he sets upon the Earl of Pembroke suddenly and put him to the worst with great loss and slaughter and he drove the Earl of Glocester into the Castle of Ayrs and besieged him there untill Edward coming to his relief he was forced to fly to his old sculking holes In the mean time a new Warre breaks forth with the French King Philip the Fair by a controversie between the subjects of either King and arising from pretended injury for Kings that envy one the other do easily break into open hatred The King of England also was justly angry and sought all occasions of wrong greedily by reason that Henry his Cousin Son to Richard the Emperour was killed by the Earl Montfrots Son at which wickedness the French connived In a fight at Sea first a great destruction was brought upon the French at the entrance of the River Sion and elsewhere And Edward when a day was appointed for him as a stipendiary to plead his cause before King Philip he refused to appear and the Homage he did willingly before he now refused to do whereupon a great Army being raised Philip enters upon the Territories of Edward in France by force of Arms. The King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Brabant and others to which was joyned â—he help that came from Adolphus of Nassaw the Roman Emperour who had promised it presently marched against the King of France but finding the French divided into parts and defrauded of the assistance promised them by the Emperour when he had held his Winter Quarters at Gaunt not without murmuring of the Citizens and great want amongst his Souldiers at the beginning
others also Nor did the Queen do lesse at Bristol killing Hugh Father to Spencer who was ninety years old causing him to be dragged to Execution pulling his heart out alive Then she sent part of her Army to finde out the King Henry Earl of Lancaster being the chief and Rice Paulinus a Welshman who because he knew every passage of the Countrey exactly he lead the Earl to the Monastery of Neth where the King hid himself where presently both he with Spencer Robert Baldoch and Simon Redyng is delivered into the hands of his Enemies and is left to the Custody of the Earl of Leicester who entertained him with all respect as it was fit a captive King should be But Edmund Earl of Arundel John Daniel and Thomas Micheldem are beheaded at the request of Mortimer But Spencer who was now Earl of Glocester is now with Simon Redyng drawn to Execution and being first hanged they were afterwards beheaded and quartered and their Heads set up on London Bridge the quarters were sent to the chief Cities but Baldoch was famished to death in prison Then a Parliament is called wherein they consulted to depose the King and to Crown the Prince his Sonne Edward But he being farre more Religious than his Mother would not accept the Crown unlesse his Father would resign it willingly Some are sent to perswade this miserable King and the unhappy man did yeeld easily to it A day is set for the delivering up his Title and Edward cloathed in black comes into the Chamber where they were gathered together that should receive his Abdication but he scarce saw the provision made for his renunciation but he sunk down half dead in a swound and with much ado being refreshed by the Earl of Leicester and the Bishop of Winchester he came to himself But when he heard the cause of the Assembly he answered That as it was displeasing to him that his Subjects were so much offended at him so he was well pleased that they had made his Son Edward King in his stead and so the Solemnities being rightly performed the business was at last accomplished Then an allowance being granted to Edward he remained in the Custody of the Earl of Leicester and was well used Also so great a stipend was granted to the Queen-Mother that there was scarce any thing left for the King and Queen Nor was the furious woman yet pleased but went about to infringe the Liberty her Husband enjoyed with the Earl of Leicester and by the counsel of Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford power is granted to two Knights Thomas Gorney and John Matrevers to carry the King to some other place They hewed him filthily cutting his hair most ridiculously and his heard also that he might not be known at last they brought him to Barclay-Castle After he had lost his Kingdom they consult concerning his Life First They thought by unwholsome food to destroy him then by filthy stinks of carcases and lastly by poyson but neither prevailed Then the Letters of the Bishop of Hereford the most wicked Counsellour were sent to his Keepers by which he checks them heavily for dealing so well with him that was not fit to be so kindly used adding in the end Doe not fear to kill Edward 't is good which was interpreted by them as they pleased who thereupon fell upon the miserable King in his Bed and strive with the Blankets to strangle him Nor were they content with this but they thrust a hot Iron into his Fundament and so burned his Bowels a most hideous Example of Cruelty and destroyed him in a dolefull manner But these Parricides when they looked for a Reward for their Villany they received a just Reward of it For being called in question for their Lives they were banished Afterwards Gorney lost his Head Matrevers after a long banishment at last died miserably This King was of an excellent Stature of Body wonderfull strong but too much given to drunkenness and so not secret of his Counsels he was immoderate toward those he loved For Love if it be with Moderation is a most noble affection of the soul and if that be wanting it is the worst passion of all the rest He was more unhappy than unfortunate He exceeded all in Chastity for he left no Bastards behinde him In Moderation for he used no unjust wayes to pole his Subjects of their Moneys As his Subjects hated him in his life time so his memory was dear unto them after his Death EDWARD the third King of England and France Anno 1328. HIs Father being deposed Edward was saluted King sirnamed Windsor not yet having passed his fifteenth year and therefore he had Governours that should Rule the Kingdome in his Name But the chief Power remain'd in the Queen and Mortimer either the Nobility winking at it or allowing it The first care was to fall upon the Scotch for Robert Bruise despising the young King entred the Borders of England with his Army whereupon an Army is raised joyning those of the hanse Towns which the Queen brought with her But when divers people hardly could be held together in respect of the diversity of their Manners there grew in a short time a great discord between both Nations so nothing succeeding well they came back again and afterwards the English consented to base Conditions of Peace A Marriage being contracted between David Prince of Scotland and Joan Sister to Edward Also Edward Married his Wife that was promised him Philippa the Earl of Hannonia's Daughter being yet in their Nonage Then the Souldiers of Hannonia who caused the Discord are sent home And Edmund Earl of Kent accused of Treason because he had endeavoured to restore the Kingdom to his Brother Edward was condemned and lost his Head But the great Revenues of the Queen which she had drawn to her self by a Grant of Parliament were restrained to a thousand per annum and she was imprisoned in a Castle and Mortimer being convicted of Adultery with her and being taken in the act was presently hanged In the mean while Philip the Fair King of France died and the Kingdom was devolved to his Sonnes Henry Lewis and Charls the Fair who all reigned in their turns but Charls dying without an Heir-male lawfull Succession failed in him Edward who was of kinne by the Sister of Charles who was the Daughter to Philip the Fair supposing that the Kingdom fell by descent to him found Philip Valesius Brother to Philip the Fair to be his enemy for women by the common rule of France are excluded by the Salique Law Wherefore Philip was prefer'd before Edward and the King of England was forced to do him Homage for the Lands he possessed in France But these things gave cause afterwards for a grievous Warre and a sharp Contention In the mean time Edward Baily Son to John affecting the Kingdom of Scotland descending from his Ancestors Robert Bruse being now dead made Warre upon the Scots and by a
Right held but weakly for he made it up by good turns granting a General Pardon of all the wrongs had been done unto him but those that were guilty of the death of the Duke of Glocester he brought to a shamefull end abhorring so great wickednesse But after that the Fame of Richard being deposed was divulged in France King Charls was purposed to revenge his Sonne in Laws wrongs and to re-establish him in the Throne But when it was certainly understood that he was dead all that business came to nothing Also those of Aquitan and other places rising about the rumour of the death of their Duke were pacified by Messengers sent to them in time When he had got the Kingdom by troubles it could not be but that he must hold it with troubles also For John Earl of Exceter with John Montacnte Thomas Earl of Kent his Nephew Hugh Spencer and others conspired to invite Henry to Oxford under pretence of Running a Tilt thinking to kill him treacherously at this exercise But the matter was discovered and became void Thee what by fraud they could not do they attempt to do by open Warre carrying about with them a certain counterfeit Richard for he was not yet slain and they labour to restore him as one that was miserably wronged but their Forces running from them either by fear or distrust the Authours of it were taken and cruelly put to death The Welsh also about that time as their custome was make new Commations but the King came opportunely with his Army and easily dispersed them punishing the chief of them Whilst these things were in motion George Dumbar fled into England to the Earl of Northumberland craving assistance against David the Sonne of the King of Scotland for he had Divorced the Daughter of this George that was betrothed to him and had married another Wife not restoring the Dowry of the former Wherefore both of them making a Sally into Scotland fought first on equal terms with the Adversaries but at last they routed them and came back loaded with great spoil In the mean while Thomas Earl of Worcester knowing that the King was taken up with the Commotions in Wales joyning to himself Henry Earl of Stafford his Cousin by his Brothers side with an Army and the Scotch to boot who naturally hated the English beyond measure makes Warre against the King But the King least by delayes the mischief might encrease leaving Wales came in time to oppose them When both Armies were now ready they fell to it fiercely and fought long on equal terms untill such time as the perfidious Welsh came to assist Thomas and began the Battel afresh Yet Henry Father and Sonne gave wonderfull testimony of their invincible Courages running Thomas of Worcester through with a Lance and killing him whereupon they vanquished the Enemy that was now in such fair hopes and glorying of the Victory Henry Piercy the King took Prisoner and causeth his Head to be cut off Anno 1401. Also the Earl of Northumberland who was one of the partakers to save his Life fled to George of Dumbar Earl of Marsh who was now restored to his Estate in Scotland After this Conquest Prince Henry makes an inrode against the perfidious Welsh and easily put an end to a mutinous Warre subduing the Rebels banishing Owen the Ring-leader a very valiant man but seditious who was so brought to great want and ended his life miserably In the mean while the French came to help the Rebel Welsh with thirty Ships their Leader was James Borbon Earl of Marsh they set Sail but by a Tempest were brought upon some other Coast of England and they got into Cornwall upon which occasion they posfessed themselves of Plymouth Haven and coming on Land they ruine all places they meet with fire and Sword But storms suddenly arising twelve of their Ships were drown'd so they began to think how to return back and hastily giving warning to the rest laden with their prey they came again to France But Thomas the Sonne of King Henry with his Navy brought together depopulated the Frontiers of France and taking many Merchants-men sufficiently requited this Injury But the Kings of France and England being full of troubles at home and so thinking lesse of revenge made a Truce for some Moneths The King untill that time being a Batchelour took to Wife Joan that was formerly married to Duke Montfort and espoused her Daughter Blanch to the Sonne of the Duke of Bavaria At that time William Plunton a valiant warlike Knight conspired against the King with the Friends of Mowbray who as we said lived banished at Venice To these the men of Northumberland and lastly the Scotch united themselves The King being certain of this matter comes presently with an Army and easily defeated them Plunton and some of his Followers with Richard Scroop Archbishop of York who was said to have had a finger in this Rebellion was taken prisoner Plunton by the generall vote lost his Head for his insolence and afterwards the rest were put to death being convicted of this wickedness The King to extinguish Rebellion quite sent his Sonne Henry Prince of Wales against the Scots who were coming on to assist Plunton but they when they had heard that the Conspiracy was detected and the Authours of it executed were not come from their places But Henry that he might not lose his labour enters Scotland and wastes it miserably with fire and Sword and struck a wonderfull terrour upon the Scots so loading himself with the spoil and booty he returns back to his Father to London who was vexed to the purpose with new Commotions daily rising one out of another upon every occasion And now again some body had rais'd a Rumour amongst the People that Richard was yet alive whereupon the common people that alwayes gape after novelties being moved had made dangerous troubles if their faction had not been wisely and timely suppressed Also the Earl of Northumberland making a Covenant with George Earl of Marsh and raising some thousands of Scotch and English he enter'd the Borders of England and prey 's in an hostile manner on the Territories of Yorkshire The King went against them and overthrew all their Forces routing them in a tumultuary battel Some of the principal who fell into the Kings power were brought to York and executed there In the mean while Edmund Earl of Kent to suppress the French Pirats was set to Sea with a gallant Navy but not lighting upon the Pirats being hot with desire to fight he sought for them in the very Haven at the Temple of Brioâ— and when he could not fight at Sea he entred the City by Land but the Earl himself was killed by an unhappy blow with a stone yet his souldiers took the Town rifled it and burnt it and killing most of the inhabitants they returned again for England Also the English at the same time the Earl of Arundel being in chief did do their
had bred him to sufficiently in her Palace he gives him in Marriage Katharine the Daughter of the Earl of Huntley and sent him toward the Borders of England with a great Army to do what he could in hopes to attain some of the Subjects to him either by fear or affection but all proved in vain Henry being wonderfully offended by reason of the Scots invasion musters an Army and marches against the Scots under the Command of Danby but he was called back again to suppress a Rebellion that rose in Cornwall by reason of Tribute to be paid The Cornish the Lord Lieutenant Audley being their Leader march for London but when they came thither they were vanquished and scattered by the Royalists two thousand of them being slain and many taken the greatest part of them were pardon'd except the Ring-leaders for Audley was ignominiously drawn to Execution and lost his head and others that put the people forward as Thomas Flammok Michael Sonne to Joseph a Blacksmith were hanged up The Scot takes occasion hereby during these Tumults to go forward on his enterprise and spoils the Frontiers of England again and then besieged the Castle of Durrham but the Earl of Surrey collecting an Army of 20000 Men and with a great Navy not only raised the siege but pursued the Enemies into Scotland ruin'd many of their Forts and Castles and when they would not stand to fight with him he returned to Barwick By the Mediation of the King of Spain truce was made between England and Scotland for some years but on this condition that Perkin Warbech must leave Scotland He when he was gone from thence hearing that new Tumults were up in Cornwall came thither with a few Souldiers out of Ireland whether he had transported himself and his Family and what by fair words what by pretences he drew some of the Inhabitants to his side and so mustering about three thousand Souldiers he beleaguer'd Exceter but when he heard of the Kings March he forsook his Army and fled to the Altar The King in the mean time being now certain of his flight caused diligent search to be made for him his Wife Katharine a very beautifull woman and of a most noble Family was taken and delivered up to the King who by reason of her Beauty and Descent assigned to her a yearly Revenue Then Henry punished the Rebels but he laid only a small Penance on them and so set them at liberty Peter when he had long staid in Sanctuary and found no place of safety at last yeelded up himself voluntarily and was sent Prisoner to the Tower In the interim Sebastian Gabat a Citizen of Genoa but born at Bristow procuring from Henry one or two Ships sailed to new Countreys in the West and after two years returned again into England Peter who we said was cast into Prison made his escape shortly after and went to Richmond he was taken again and made a publick shame and once more imprisoned in the Tower but when he began a new Conspiracy with the Earl of Warwick whose name Lambert had taken and with some other familiar Friends of the Lieutenant of the Tower he was drawn to Execution and was hanged together with two of the Lieutenants Servants Also Warwick that he might give no more cause for new troubles was beheaded after a short time This was the eldest Sonne of the Duke of Clarence and the last male off-spring of the Family of the Plautaganets who was put in prison from his very childehood a thing beyond the knowledge and memory of man Hence arose a new sedition and of the same kinde For Patrick an Augustin Frier counterfeiting a new Earl of Warwick of one of his Scholars stirred up the people to Rebellion in his Pulpit but he and his Scholar were taken The young man was hanged Patrick was cast into perpetual imprisonment such was the reverence they gave at that time to holy Orders that they would never put to death any of them though they were guilty of high Treason Marriages were made about this time between Katharin the King of Spains Daughter and Arthur Prince of Wales and between Henries Daughter and James King of Scotland From this last Marriage proceeded at length Mary Stuart Mother to King James who was Father to Charles and the Kingdoms were united Arthur five moneths after his Marriage died in Wales But Henry that he might not be defrauded of the Dowry and Friendship of the King of Spain married Katharin by the Popes Indulgence to Henry his second Sonne who was unwilling to it Edmund Pool Earl of Suffolk Sonne to Elizabeth Sister to Edward the fourth being offended with the King at that time for some private injury conspired against him in Flanders The matter being discovered and the Conspiratours taken he only escaped to Philip Arch duke of Austria But Philip by the death of Ferdinand King of Spain having got the Kingdom in the name of his Wife Joan who was the Kings Daughter Sister to Katharine which as was said was married to Arthur Prince of Wales took his journey thither and by a contrary Tempest was brought into England King Henry went to meet him with all honour and obtained from him the Earl of Suffolk upon the Condition that no violence should be offered to his Life Henry cast him into Prison and spared his Life but after he lost his Head in the Raign of Henry the eighth Henry being now in the height of his glory had procured his Subjects fidelity and respect from his Neighbours He was very happy had he not about the end of his Raign and Life been so greedy after the goods and wealth of his Subjects He was long sick of the Gout and afterwards he fell into an Asthma also in the 52 year of his Life and the 23 year of his Raign he died in the year 1508. HENRY the eighth King of England France and Ireland Anno 1508. HENRY the Eighth having got the Kingdom at the beginning he behaved himself with great Obedience Prudence and Justice Marrying Katharine his Brothers Wife which his Father had betrothed He chose the wisest Counsellours and he executed the cursed Ministers of his Fathers exaction He spent then the first year of his Raign in Tilting and other Recreations But at the request of the King of Spain the Queens Father an expedition was undertaken into Spain against the Moors but before the English came there was a Peace made with the Moors and so it was but lost labour and nothing being done only the Captain receiving honours from the King returned again for England Edward Poining a Knight was sent with 1500 Bowmen to Charls Prince of Spain to assist him against the Duke of Gelderland he succeeded prosperously and loaded with rewards he came back again In the mean time a Scotch pirate one Barton who was wonderfull bold and valiant did great mischief about the Coasts of England the Admiral of the Sea was sent out after him after
a doubtfull and a notable fight he was conquered and slain but his followers were pardoned A great Example of the Kings Mercy In the mean time Warre grew between the French King and the Pope Henry admonished the French man to desist and when he could not prevail with him he proclaimed Warre against him and made a Confederacy with Maximilian the Emperour and with Ferdinand King of Spain The Spaniard had intreated Henry to send an Army into Biscay and joyning his Forces with his that he should make the French work from that part Whereupon presently Thomas Gray Marquess of Dorset is sent thither with other Nobility and 10000 Souldiers he when he came thither did not long wait for the Spaniards assistance For the Duke of Alba took in the mean time by Force the Kingdom of Navarre from the French endeavouring the profit of his own King But the English that they might not seem to do nothing in Guyan subduing some Towns that were not considerable fell into that necessity of provision the Spaniard affording them none that many of them died miserably for hunger contracting also diseases by such unusual diet and the rest break forth into open Rebellion The Lord Howard who had the disposing of all affairs whilst the Marquess was sick hardly escaped from being slain Wherefore he was forced to provide Ships and to bring these sactious people home again Edward Howard Admiral at Sea did wonderfully depopulate Britanny by fire and sword and vanquished the Forces of the Britans in Battel though they farre exceeded those he had and so with his Ships laden with the spoil he sailed towards the Isle of Wight whilst Henry at London recreated himself with Tiltings and other courtly delights In the mean time in France in the Brittish Sea there was almost an equal fight for loss between the English and the French Ships and the Victory was doubtfull After this the English set upon the French Ships very indiscreetly in the very Haven with a great losse to themselves and their Admiral whereby they were forced to sound a retreat and be gone Whereupon the French began to wax more insolent to do mischief on the Coasts of England and to burn some Cities untill by the vigilancy of Howard who was put into the others place they were kept in Henry was resolved to make a Warre indeed with France and sent George Talbot before with the principal Nobility and 8000 Souldiers only to Callis then he sent Charles Sommerset and other Lords with 6000 Souldiers he himself being to come after them When the Admirals met they fell upon Tarvenne with joynt Forces Henry shortly after came to them with 9000 Souldiers and with a great number of Pioneers Also Maximilian the Emperour which was a rare example took Pay under King Henry Yet though he served under the English he was received as an Emperour should be and for the honour of his Majesty Then the French Horse purposing to relieve the City with provision were repulsed by the English the Duke of Longovil being taken and 240 more whereupon a wonderfull fear and despair fell upon the Townsmen so the English pressing them sore they were forced to surrender The Souldiers had leave to depart with their Arms the Wals were laid level with the ground the City excepting the chief Church and the Palace were consumed with fire Then he marched to Tourney and beleaguer'd the City they refusing to yeeld he quickly became Master of it causing the Citizens to take an Oath of fidelity And when he provoked the French to fight and could not make them accept of it because the Winter was now hard by he made Poyning Governour of it and returned himself for England In the mean while the Scotch at the instigation of the French fell upon the English Frontiers Their General was the Lord Humes who with seven or eight thousand men wasted the Borders But Edward Bulmer suddenly came upon him and took all the booty from him he himself hardly escaped six hundred of his men being slain and four hundred taken But James with an Army of sixty thousand men entred the skirts of England who was met by the Earl of Surrey Henry his Deputy in those parts at Bramston with six and twenty thousand men and joyning Battle the English wan the day by their great valour and the Scots lost it by their great confidence James himself with two Earls three Bishops and eight thousand Souldiers was slain no fewer was taken nor was this Victory wan by the English without losse of bloud it was fought in the year 1513. Henry coming out of France made the Earl of Surrey because he had so well managed his business Duke of Norfolk and other Lords who had done good service received Honours as they deserved He gave also to Thomas Wolsey the Bishoprick of Lincoln This man to be often named by us came from a poor parentage to great Honour and at last was made a Cardinal and governed the Commonwealth of England very wisely Pope Julius the second at this time gave to Hâ—â—ry great Honour sending unto him a Cap of Maintenance a Sword and the Title Of the most Christian King which Grace Henry received with Tiltings and other pompous Shews wherein he himself did alwayes bear the principal part In the interim Mary the Kings Sister was espoused to the Prince of Spain but because the Embassadours of Spain made delayes she was betrothed to the French desiring it and having had their fill of Warre But before the matter was published John the Admiral of the French first ruined one Village in England and John Wallop in revenge of this injury burnt one and twenty in France But at last a League was made and they ceased from Warre The French man lived not above three moneths after his Marriage and the lascivious old man being dead Mary by Henries consent was married to the Duke of Suffolk Wolsey about this time was honoured with a Cardinals-Cap and is created by the King Chancellour of England And Cardinal Campeius was sent to Henry to desire assistance to make Warre against the Turk but he lost his labour for that cheat of raising money was grown stale But Matthias the Cardinal being sent by the Emperour Maximilian for the same purpose prevailed at the request of Wolsey At that time Henry was in great danger of his life For as he went a Hawking the Pole broke that he leaped over the Ditches withall and he was almost smoothered in mire and dirt but his Lâ—ckey drew him out in time and saved his life In the mean while a Sedition grew at London between the Citizens and strangers not without blood-shed which was qualified by the death of the Ring-leaders and pardon to the rest Tourney at this time upon Conditions and under colour of Matrimony between the Dolphin and Mary King Henries Daughter is delivered up to the French and Hostages being given a League is confirmed between them Maximilian being dead
Ministers of the Barbarians Pansanius and Cunaus to procure a supply out of the Popes Treasury yet it is supposed that the King knew nothing of it promising if she prevailed that the Catholicks in Ireland should have greater liberty in their Religion But Rosset denied that any such assistance could be granted to any unless to a Catholick Prince as they term it but if the King would abjure the Reformed Religion and cleave to the Church of Rome he promised all assistance but he hating such a sacriledge nothing was done Rosset for this business was in great danger for the English who after they had renounced the Roman Religion hated his name more than the Plague or death it self when they saw that his followers had more freedom and were not ignorant of Rosset who was the Author of it they make a tumultuous head against him that they might tear in pieces this hurtfull instrument of so hatefull superstition but he hardly escaping in disguised apparell hid himself amongst the friends of the Queen Mother Mary de Medicis who at that time was in England and afterwards he escaped all danger by the assistance of John Justinian the Venetian Embassadour and Embarking himself he sailed into Flanders but when he came to Rome Pope Vrban the eighth rewarded his good service with a Cardinals Cap. The Irish in the interim were broke forth into a new Rebellion and the Parliament used all means to finde a remedy for such a mischief And the King being not at quiet caused the Liturgy to be new printed which he imposed upon all the Churches in England and forbad all Ceremonies to be used otherwise than they were in Queen Elizabeths daies In the mean while that no new cause of divisions might be wanting seven Romish Priests are cast into prison and are condemned by the Parliament to suffer death but the French Embassadour pitied their miserable condition and sued to the King for their pardon the King answered he could grant nothing in that business without consent from his Parliament Then it was motioned to the Parliament who presently yielded to it The King when he knew this thought by an importunate anticipation to gain the thanks of that business to himself and of his own accord commands the Priests to be freed from the prison The Parliament was angry at the Kings over-forwardness and changed their former Decree of freedom into a Sentence of condemnation The King he began to urge their discharge and to stand upon it resolving never to leave the business untill the Parliament were met in a full number and should give their finall determination They of their own accord cause one or two of these Monks to be put to death It is wonderfull how great good will of the people they procured to themselves by this deed especially when by their publick Writings they began to infringe the Kings Authority using such sweet words to the people that might win their good liking of it The King in the House of Peers complains of the insolence of the Lower House and by a sharp Speech inveighed against their stubborness saying that he neither could nor would wink at so great affronts Others again complain against the Kings too great Power and desire remedies The King in the mean time strove to put out some from their places of publick employment and to put in others amongst the rest he put out Montjoy from his Lieutenants place of the Tower and put in another that stood fast to his part The Lower House interprets this business as if the King strove to draw all the power of Government to himself and accused this new Lieutenant before the Upper House for a factious person and who was before condemned by the Judges to dye and therefore a man unfit for so weighty an imployment They added farther that this matter could not be without danger for he having the command of the Tower might destroy all the City of London The Upper House answered That unless they would put their sickle into another mans Corn it were wickedness in them to hinder the King in that matter for it was an ancient and received prerogative of the Kings openly refusing their consent Nor was it long ere a multitude of Servants which they call Apprentices and a rabble of other people came to the Hall door crying out and thundring that unless they would remove out of that place the Lieutenant of the Tower who was a Papist a factious a wicked and unworthy man they would turn all upside down and they prevailed by this means so far that both the King and the Lords were forced to consent Nor was this furious multitude of the people content with this but they made a fresh onset to abolish the Government of Bishops and would have them all to be forwarnd the Parliament House for that they were addicted as they pretended to the Church of Rome and to force them to it they runne like furies into Westminster Abbey that was venerable for it's Antiquity and they fall in their rage upon the sacred Garments Organs Sepulchres and spoil all that was either comely for its Ancientness pretious for cost or to be valued for curious Workmanship they hardly spared the Bones and Ashes of the dead their impure purity had hurried them so farre Then they runne to the Kings Court crying urging and thundring out the same things The King had them all go about their business threatning them with severe punishment that refused and least the next day they should terrifie him with greater multitudes he fortified himself with a stronger Guard The Parliament either fearing themselves or because they would not be inferiour to the King require a strong Guard of Souldiers to defend them the Earl of Essex might be the Captain of it The King neither granted nor denied it Then they attempted a new business and that was not usual appointing an extraordinary Assembly in the City that should manage all weighty and great occurrences and this they did without the Kings leave or knowledge And to weaken his Majesty the more or rather to satisfie the insolence of the people they cast twelve Bishops into prison because they went about to maintain their priviledge by the publick Charter That business much troubled the King and all those that loved the publick quiet above all things but they that hoped to finde some good for themselves out of these tossings and tumults did laugh in their sleeves fomenting the troubles and turning every stone untill such time as the Earl of Bristol and his sonne were involved in the same danger Strafford the year before lost his Head to satisfie the people who was a man of a commendable and most approved understanding William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of England followed him But now they touched his bowels for they began to accuse the Queens Majesty as if she had privately caused the troubles in Ireland and had secretly moved that people that are
triumph at London and in other places it may be it was done because the Kings Power was now ended The Queen in the mean time imbarqued at Dover and with true tears took her last farewell fore-seeing that this departure of hers was an omen of a most sad Divorce The Parliament in the interim asked the Kings consent upon some Governours of the Kingdom they had chosen But the King who was now sensible of his errours began to draw back and to delay the business They impatient of all delayes send Commissioners to him to let him understand That the Parliament must flie to their Arms and defend their Authority by force unlesse the King would presently grant their just Petitions as they said And when the King resolved to remove farther from London they entreated him not to do it but rather if he would not he should let his Sonne live at London The King not wondring a little at this Petition answered That he was by these Propositions much amazed but what to answer he knew not He would have them lay their hands on their hearts and would search whether of the two gave the cause now of mischiefs that would arise from a Civil Warre As for his Sonne he would as a Father provide for him and that neither of them would go from London unless they were afraid of the Insolency of some people there And that he desired to procure Peace by all means not caring who took up Arms for he would rest on Gods providence So their Messengers were dismissed But the Parliament supposing they were not now to demur command all the Lieutenants of the Counties by their Edicts to flie to their Arms and to compell all their Subjects that were fit to bear Arms to repair to their Colours And forthwith they unpoured all those Officers the King had made and made new ones by their own Authority The most excellent and the wisest men were of opinion that all that provision of the Parliament would dissolve into smoke The London Counsel also thought themselves wronged by this unusual and unheard of boldness in the Parliament for by this means they were stript of all their Authority They complain of it to the King but what should he do whose hands were already bound and he did not strive to unbinde them Then they put up their humble Petitions to the Parliament to which the principal Citizens of London subscribed their hands But when they waited for an Answer as it was requisite the principal of the Subscribers were punished So all things grew worse and worse The King in the mean time who was not ignorant of the Parliament Attempts called all his Nobility to him that he might put a stop to the Parliament proceedings The Parliament to lull the King asleep with fair words used all devices and when this would not do they over-weigh him with complaints and crimes As that he had hearkned to a change in Religion and given cause for the uprears in Ireland especially they that were most powerfull with him secretly bespotting the Queen They added That the Instruments of the Pope of the Kings of Spain and France were resolved to restore the King to his former Authority and other things that served to justifie their own proceedings and to make the King faulty The King published his Declarations labouring to remove these aspersions from him and to decline the hatred of them yet prevailed nothing for the Parliament by a new Declararation did both support and augmented the former Articles complaining that the greatest injury was done to themselves by the Kings forsaking them The King in the mean time takes his journey for York together with the Prince the Palsgrave the Duke of Richmond and some other of the Nobility being resolved to be deluded no farther but to oppose Force against Force and the Right he could not maintain by yielding to maintain by Arms. The Parliament did not sit still but fortified the chief Towns with Ammunition and Souldiers especially Hull a City of greatest concernment Also the Earl of Warwick was sent with thirty men of Warre to guard the English Coasts and they call Vice-Admiral Pennington back again by speedy Messengers who had transported the Queen into Holland and under pretence of subduing Rebellion they gather a mighty mass of money Charles in the mean time to overthrow their Commands prohibits what they would have by Edicts to the contrary but they disobeying the King did their work by frighting him with threats which was a great grief to moderate men The King when he was come to York was received with the highest affection of his Subjects and before them all he removeth all that envy of Popery that was charged upon him But the Parliament who were not well pleased with the Yorkshire men for this sent Letters to the King inserting fair speeches to pacifie his anger They write a counterfeit Letter in the name of Elizabeth Countess Palatine as written by her wherein they did foully defame the States of Holland for her ill entertainment amongst them To avoid the hatred of this business Joachimus the States Embassadour complained to the Parliament of the falsity of that report because his Masters Honours were much shadowed by it whose splendor and benevolence toward strangers was sufficiently known to all the world and he prevailed so farre that these counterfeit Letters were publickly burnt A Rumour also as false as the former was scattered abroad that a great Fleet was made ready for King Charles in the Denmark Havens and thus each on both sides strive to draw reputation and authority to their party They had long enough banded in words they must now come to blows Ere long they break forth into open Warre The King cals all the Knights of the Garter and all others that by the band of Nobility held from the Crown to come to him to York The Parliament contrarily made it death for any of them to go to the King yet of the Lower House twenty Members revolt to the King making more reckoning of the Kings commands than of the Parliaments In the mean time there followed an humble Petition of the men of Kent to the Parliament wherein they humbly desired That nothing should be done without the Kings consent That the Liturgy might not be altered That the Bishops might be restored That they would not suffer the Fundamentall Laws of the Land to be antiquated without the Kings permission nor Arms to be raised without his command That some good means might be found out to make an agreement c. But the Parliament not only denied to answer them but they severely punish him that brought the Petition and the Earl of Bristol that received it casting both of them into Prison to cut off for the future all way for such requests their fellows not a little raging at it and saying openly that that liberty was unjustly taken away whenas they had listned to other Petitions that were farre more