Christian Faith Though some there be that âay All theâe were but false Criminations charged upon him by Monkes that did not love him But though we believe not these things of him yet to suffer his kingdome to stand Interdicted so many yeares together upon so small occasion as he did was certainely no good signe of Religion in him Yet one Act he did wherein he shewed a respect to Religion by the honour he did to a Religious man For Hugh Bishop of Lincolne lying very sicke he not onely went to visit him but being dead was one of the three Kings the other two were William King of Scotlandâ and the King of Southwales that carryed his Herse upon their shoulders till they delivered it to the Peeres and the Peeres afterward to the Arch-bishops and Bishops to carry it inâo the Quire Workes of piety done by him or by others in his time YEt did this King leave more Workes of Piety behinde him then all his Subjects that were in his time For he Founded the Abbey of Bowley in the New Forest in Hampshire also an Abbey of blacke Monkes in the City of Winchester and the Monastery of Farendân and the Monastery of Hales Owen in Shropshire he reedified âodstoâ and Wrâxell and enlarged the Chappell of Knarisborough Now for his Subjects onely Richard Prior of Berâmonâsey builded an House against the wall of the said house of Berâonâsey called the Almary or Hospitall of Converts and Children in honour of Saint Thomas In this Kings time Saint Mary Overeyes in Southwââke was begun to be builded and the Stone Bridge over the Thames was by the Merchants of London finished Also Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury Founded a Monastery at West Derham in Norfolke which upon the dissolution came to the family of the Derhams who hold it to this day Of his Lawes and Ordinances IN this Kings time five and thirty of the most substantiall Citizens of London were chosen out and called the Counsell of the City and the King gave the City liberty to alter their Major and Sheriffes every yeare which before continued during life He caused the Lawes of England to be executed in Ireland and money to be Coyned there according to the weight of English money Of his Wives and Children KING Iohn lived to have three Wives His first was Alice Daughter of Hubert Earle of Morton who left him a Widower without issue His second was Isabell Daughter and Heire of Robert Earle of Glâcâster by whom no issue neither divorced from her by reason of Consanguiniây in the third degree His third Wife was Isabel Daughter and Heire of Aymer Earle of Angoulesâe Affianced before to Hugh le Brun Earle of March By this Wife he had two Sonnes Henry and Richard and three Daughters Ioane Eleanor and Isabell Henry succeeded him in the kingdome Richard was Earle of Cornwall and Crowned King of the Romans and had issue Henry and Iohn that dyed without issue also Edward Earle of Cornwall and others Ioane his eldest Daughter marryed to Alexander the second King of Scots dyed without issue Eleanor the second Daughter marryed to Simon Earle of Leycester had issue Henry Simon Almaricke Guy Richard and Eleanor Henry slaine without issue Simon Earle of Bigorre and ancestour to a Family of the Mountfords in France Almaricke first a Priest after a knight Guy Earle of Angleria in Italy and Progenitour of the Mountfords in Thuscany and of the Earles of the Campo Bacchi in the kingdome of Richardâ remaining privily in England and changing his name from Mountford to Wellesborne was ancestour of the Wellesburnes in England Eleanor borne in England brought up in France marryed into Wales to Prince Lewin aâ Griffith Isabel his youngest Daughter marryed to the Emperour Fredericke the second had issue Henry appointed to be King of Sicilie and Margaret Wife of Albret Lantgrave of Thurine She dyed in Childbed after she had beene Empresse sixe yeares He had also two naturall Sonnes Geoffrey Fits Roy and Richard that marryed the Daughter and Heire of Fulbert de Dover who built Childham Castle had issue by her of whom some Families of good account are descended Also one base Daughter named Ioane marryed to Lewin Prince of Wales Of his Personage and Conditions HE was of Stature indifferent tall and something fat of a sowre and angry countenance and concerning his conditions it may be said that his Nature and his Fortune did not well agree For naturally hâ loved his eâse yet his Fortune was to be ever in Action He won more of his Enemies by surprises then by Battels which shewes he had more of Lightning in him then of Thunder He was never so true of his word as when he threatned because he meant alwayes as cruelly as he spake not alwayes as gratiously and he that would have knowne what it was he never meant to performe must have looked upon his promises He was neither fit for Prosperity nor Adversity For Prosperity made him insolent and Adversity dejected a meane Fortune would have suited best with him He was all that he was by Fits Sometimes doing nothing without deliberationâ and sometimes doing all upon a sudden Sometimes very Religious and sometimes scarce a Christian. His insatiablenesse of money was not so much as that no man knew what he did with it gotten with much noyse but spent in silence He was but intemperate in his best temper but when distempered with sicknesse most of all as appeared at his last when being in a Feaver he would needs be eating of raw Peaches and drinking of sweete Ale If we looke upon his workes we must needes thinke him a worthy Prince but if upon his Actions nothing lesse For his Workes of Piety were very many as hath beene shewed before but as for his Actions he neither came to the Crowne by Justice nor held it with Honour nor left it in Peace Yet having had many good parts in him and especially having his Royall posterity continued to this day we can doe no lesse then honour his memory Casualties that happened in his time ONe Casualty we might count dysastrous if it had not had relation to our selves for Hugh de Bones comming to aide King Iohn with threescore thousand out of Britany and Flanders by misfortune at Sea were all Drowned to whom the King had granted Norfolk and Suffolk for the people he brought with him to Inhabit In this Kings time were great thunders and lightnings and showers with hailstones as big as Goose-Egges Fishes of strange shape were taken in England armed with helmets and shields and were like unto armed knights saving that they were farre greater in proportion About Maidestone in Kent a certaine Monster was found strucken with the Lightning which Monster had a head like an Asse a belly like a man and all other parts farre differing from any other Creature Of his death and buriall VVHen Prince Lewis of France was come into England and was received by the Lords and by
VERA EFFIGIES EXCELLENTISSIMI PRINCIPIS CAROLI MAG BRITAN FRAN. HIBERNIAE HAEREDIS Viuat ô Viuat Princeps CAROLINUS et Orbi Imperet inÌumeris decorans sua sêcla Triumphis Flourish braue Prince out shine thy Glorious Name Triumphant Laurels ever Crowne thy Fame CAROLUS inter Reges ut Lilium inter Flores VEROLAM LINCOâââ LONDON YORK A ROMAN A SAXON A DANE A NOââââ CHRONICLE OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND From the Time of the ROMANS Goverment unto the Raigne of our Soveraigne LORD KING CHARLES Containing all Passages of State Church With all other Observations proper for a CHRONICLE Faithfully Collected out of Authours Ancient and Moderne digested into a new Method By Sr R. Baker Knight LONDON Printed for Daniel Frere and are to be sold at his Shop at the Red Bull in Little Brittaine 1643. To the High and Mighty Prince CHARLES Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornewall Eldest Sonne of our Soveraigne Lord CHARLES King of Great Britaine France and IRELAND SIR THE Dedication of Chronicles hath in all times been thought worthy of the greatest Princes Gulielmus Gemiticensis writ a Chronicle of the Dukes of Normandy and Dedicated it to William the Conquerour Thomas Walsingham writ a Chronicle of the Kings of England and Dedicated it to King Henry the sixth And of late time Sir Francis Bacon Viscount Saint Albans and Lord Chancellour of England writ a History of the Reigne of King Henry the seventh and Dedicated it to Your Royall Grand-Father of blessed memory King Iames For indeed as nothing makes Princes more Illustrious then Learning So no Learning makes them more Judicious then History Other Learning may fill their mindes with knowledge This onely with Judgement And seeing it is Judgement that must sit as President over all their Actions it is fit that History should sit as President over all their Studies History gives an Antedate to Time and brings Experience without gray haires Other Knowledges make You but see Quod antepedes est History is the true perspective Glasse that will make You see things afarre off And though it make not men to become Prophets yet it makes their conjectures to be little lesse then Oraclesâ But most Illustrious Prince there accrues to your Highnesse by this Chronicle a greater benefit then all this For if it were an Excitation of great force to vertue to have it said Et Pater Aeneas Avunculus excitet Hector of how great Force must it needes be when You shall reade the Noble Acts of so many your worthy Progenitors Some Eternized for their valourous Atchievements in Warre Some for their prudent government in Peace Some Renowned for Mercy some for Justice And although the Example of your Royall Father be not amongst them yet it may be sufficient that while you have the Acts of others upon Record you have his under View by which he seemes to say unto you Disce Puer virtutem exme verumque laborem Fortunam ex aliis And if in any of your Progenitors there appeare as it were Maculae in Orbe Lunae will it not invite you to a higher Orbe that Your Actions may shine with the clearer Beames and then how happy will the eyes be that shall see you sitting in your Throne For my selfe I should account it happinesse enough that I have lived to see the dayes of your Illustrious Father if it were not a great unhappines to see them overcast with clouds yet when these clouds shal be dispel'd will it not make him shine with the greater Splendor And this as old as I am I doubt not to live my selfe to see and having once seene it shal then willingly say my Nunc Dimittis and lâave the joy of your glorious times for another Age In the meane time prostrating my self humbly at your feet and wishing to your Highnesse as Dâiphobus did to Aeneas I Decus I Nostrum Melioribus utere Fatis Your most humble and most devoted Servant RICHARD BAKER An Epistle to the READER THis Booke I suppose will no sooner come abroad but the question will be asked why any man would take so superfluous a Labour to write that which hath been written by so many by some so copiously by some so elegantly that nothing can be added To which Objection I confesse my selfe unable to make a better Answer then by President For when many excellent men had written the Story of the Roman Emperours both accurately and eloquently yet Suetonius Tranquillus comming after them wanted not his part of Commendation For though he added nothing in the matter or substance yet be altered much in the forme and disposition distinguishing that into Classes and Chapters which the former had delivered in one continued Narration as being both lesse tedious to the Reader like a way marked out by Miles and more plainly Informing where Distinction tooke away confusion Besides many have Written the Reignes of our English Kings copiously indeed but so superfluously that much may justly be pared away Some againe Elegantly indeed but so succinctly that much as justly may be added And this if I have endevoured to doe I cannot be blamed If done it I deserve acceptance Againe where many have written the Reignes of some of our Kings excellently as in the way of History yet I may say they have not done it so well in the way of Chronicle For whilst they insist wholly upon matters of State they wholly omit meaner Accidents which yet are Materials as proper for a Chronicle as the other For my selfe if in some places I be found to set downe whole passages as they are already set downe by others and may seeme rather to transcribe then to write yet this I suppose may be excused as being all of one common stocke and no matter from whence the water comes so it come cleane to the Readers use Lastly for the Worke it selfe I dare be bold to say that it hath beene Collected out of Authours both Ancient and Moderne with so great care and diligence that if all other Chronicles should be lost yet this onely would be sufficient to informe Posterity of all passages memorable or worthy to be knowne which of any other generall Chronicle cannot perhaps be said RICHARD BAKER A CATALOGVE OF VVRITERS BOTH ANCIENT AND MODERNE Out of whom this CHRONICLE hath beene Collected 1 GIldas Britannicus surnamed the Wise was the first writer of our English Nation who amongst other his Workes writ a Treatise De Excidio Britanniae He was borne in the year 493. and dyed in the yeare 580. 2 Nennius a Monke of Bangor writ the Story of Britaine and lived about the yeare 620. 3 Venerable Bede a Saxon and a Priest writ the Ecclesiasticall Story of the English Nation from the comming in of Julius Caesar to the yeare 733. about which time he dyed 4 Ethelwardus a writer next to Bede the most ancient writ a generall Chronicle from the Creation to the end of King Edgar 5 Radulphus de Diceto
King claimed the Investiture of Bishops to be his right and forbad Appeales and Intercourse to Rome for no Appeales had ever beene used till Anselme in this Kings Reigne appealed to the Pope upon whose complaint the Pope was about to Excommunicate the King but having a little before Excommunicated the Emperour Henry the fourth the first Christian Prince with Soveraigne authorâty that was ever Excommunicate by any Pope he forbore at that time to doe it lest by making Excommunication common he should make it be slighted At this time great contention arose betweene the King and the Arch-Bishop Anselme and Ansâlme not yeelding to the King in any point prejudiciall to the Popes authority nor the King yeelding to Anselme in any point prejudiciall to his owne Prerogative which were points indeed Incompatible the contention continued long and hot and the hotter because there were at that time two Popes on foote at once one elected by the Conclave called Urbanus the second another set up by the Emperour called Clement the third for Anselme held with Urban the King with Clement and thus not agreeing in a third it was impossible they should agree between themselves and this contention though palliated with pretentions somtimes of one side sometimes of another yet brake out againe and was renewed both in this Kings time and in the times of many Kings after Anselme often threathing his going to Rome the King told him plainely he would not thrust him out of the Realme but if he would goe without his leave he would then keepe him out during his pleasure and besides he should carry nothing out of the Realme wiâh him yet Anselme ventured it and the King performed it for William Warlewast was sent to rifle him in his passage at Sea of all he had neither was he suffered to returne as long as the King lived during all which time the King tooke the profits of his Archbishoprick to his owne use It may not be amisse to shew a passage here concerning the first cause of contention betweene the King and Anselme which some say was this The King required a thousand Markes of him for having preferred him to that See which Anselme refused to give as judging it no lesse Simony to give after the preferment then before but yet afterward offering five hundred pounds the King refused to accept it as being worth he said five times as much whereupon Anselme told him Your Grace may have me and all that is mine to serve your turne in a friendly manner but in the way of servitude and bondage you shall never have me nor mine Which words so angred the King that they could never after be reconciled In this Kings Reigne Pope Urbane exhorted all Christian Princes to joyne together for recovery of Ierusalem and the Holy Land and by the solliciting of Peter an Hermite there assembled for that enterprise under the conduct of Godefry of Bulloigne to the number of three hundred thousand men amongst whom was Robert Duke of Normandy who so valiantly carried himselfe in the action that after Ierusalem was won the Kingdome of it as some write was offered to him but he looking more after the Kingdome of England and therefore refusing it It is observed he never prospered all his life after In this Kings Reigne although he had no command in Ireland yet their Bishop of Dublin was sent over to Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury to be Consecrated by him and the Citizens of Waterford also desiring to have a Bishop procured Murcherdach King of Ireland to write to Anselme to give his consent Also in this Kings dayes the Pope forbad the marriage of Priests Workes of piety of this King or by other in his time THis King gave to the Monkes of Southwarke the Church of Saint Saviour of Beâmondsey and Bermondsey it selfe he also Founded at Yorke the Hospitall of Saint Leonards He gave the Church of Saint Peter in the City of Bathe to be a Bishops See Hugh Earle of Chester in this Kings dayes builded the Abbey of Chester Oswald Bishop of Salisbury Founded the Cathedrall Church of Salisbury Remigius Bishop of Dorchester to the end his Bishoprick might be removed to Lincolne beganne to build the Cathedrall Church of Lincolne and Lanfrank Arch-Bishop of Canterbury builded two Hospitals without the City the one of Saint Iohn the other at Harbaldowne repaired Christs Church and caused five and twenty Manors to be restored to that See which had unjustly beene withholden He repaired also the Abbey of Saint Albans and the Church of Rochester where for foure secular Priests he placed to the number of fifty Monkes In the sixth yeare of this Kings Reigne William Warren the first Earle of Surrey and Gundred his wife Founded the Abbey of Lewis in Sussex and Warren Earle of Shrewsbury built two Abbeys one in the Suburbs of Shrewsbury the other at Wenlock In his twelfth yeare Robert Losaunge Bishop of Thetford removed his See from Thetford to Norwich and founded there a faire Monastery His buildings and Structures THis King enlarged the Tower of London and compassed it with new wals he also built the great Hall at Westminster being 270. foote in length and 74. in breadth but thinking it too little he intended to have built another Hall which should have stretched from the Thames to the Kings streete He repaired the City and Castle of Carlile which had beene wasted by the Danes two hundred yeares before and because it had but few Inhabitants he brought a Colony thither out of the Southerne parts He finished New-Castle upon Tyne and many other Castles he erected or repaired upon the borders of Scotland many also upon the frontires and within the very breast of Wales Casualties happening in his Reigne IN the fourth yeare of his Reigne on Saint Lukes day above six hundred houses in London were throwne downe with tempest and the roofe of Saint Mary Bow Church in Cheape was so raised that in the fall six of the beames being 27. foote long were driven so deepe into the ground the streets being not then paved with stone that not above foure foote remained in sight and yet stood in such ranke and order as the workmen had placed them upon the Church Also in this Kings Reigne all the Lands in Kent sometimes belonging to Earle Godwin were by breaking in of the Sea covered with Sands and are called Godwins Sands to this day In his eleventh yeare at a Towne called Finchamstead in the County of Barkshire a Well cast out bloud as before it had done water and after by the space of fifteene dayes great flames of fire were seene in sundry places and at sundry times Of his Personage and Condition HE was but meane of stature thick and square bodied his belly swelling somewhat round his face was red his haiâe deepe yellow whereof he was called Rufus his forehead foure square like a window his eyes spotted and not one like another his speech unpleasant and not easily
she had done who wondring at it saying to her How could she think the King should like to kisse that mouth which had kissed such filthy ulcerous people she answered she had a greater King to kisse who she knew would like her never the worse for it By this Queen Matild King Henry according to some Writers had foure children but as the received opinâon is onely two a sonne named William and a daughter called Mawde of whom the sonne at foureteene yeares old had fealty sworne to him by the Nobility of Shrewsbury at seventeene married the daughter of Fâlke Earle of Anjou and at eighteene was unfortunately drowned as hath beene shewed The daughter lived to be an Empresse and afterwards a Dutchesse but could never come to be a Queene though borne to a Kingdome as shall be shewed hereafter She survived her second husband seventeene yeares living a Widow and at Râan in Normandy died and was buried there in the Abbey of Bec though there be â Tradition that she was buried at Reading in the Abbey there beside her Father but ât appeares to have beene a custome in those dayes for great personages to have their Monuments erected in divers places After the death of this Queene Matild who died at Westminster in the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne King Henry married Adeâza the daughter of Godfry Duke of Lorraine who though she were a beautiful and accomplisht Lady yet had he never any issâe by her When she was to be Crowned Ralph Arch-bishop of Canterbury who was to doe the office came to King Henry sitting Crowned in his chaire of State asking him who had set the Crowne upon his head the King answering he had now forgotten it was so long since Well said the Arch-bishop whosoever did it did me wrong to whom it belonged and as long as you hold it thus I will doe no office at this Coronation Then saith the King doe what you thinke good whereupon the Arch-bishop tooke the Crowne off from the Kings head and after at the peoples intreaty set it on againe and then proceeded to Crowne the Queene By Concubines King Henry had many children it is said seven sonnes and as many daughters of whom some perished in the great Ship-wrack of the rest two of the sonnes Reynold and Robert were made Earles Reynold of Cornwall Robert of Glocester and was a great assister of his sister Mawde in her troubles with King Stephen who after many acts of valour performed by him in the twelfth yeare of King Stephen died and was buried at Bristow The daughters were all married to Princes and Noble men of England and France from whom are descended many worthy Families particularly one of those daughters by Anâe Cââbet was married to Fits-herbert Lord Chamberlaine to the Kingâ from which Fits-âerbert our Family absit iâvidia verbo is by Females descended passing by the naâes of Cummin Chenduit Brimpton Stokes Foxcote Dyneley and so to Bâker Of his Incontinency OF this enough hath beene said in saying he had so many children baselyâ begotten but if comparison be madâ betweene his brother âufus and him it may be said that howsoever they might be equall in loosenesse of life yet in that loosenesse William Rufus was the baser and King Henry the more Noble for King Henry had certaine selected Concubines to whom he kept hâmselfe constant where King William tooke onely such as he found constant to the pleasure but not to the persons His course for establishing the succession in Mawde and her issue HE married his onely daughter Mawde being but sixe yeares old to the Emperour Henây the fourth but he leaving her a Widow without issueâ he married her againe to Gââffrey Plantagenet sonne to Fulke Duke of Anjoâ not the greatest Prince that was a Suitour for her but the fittest Prince for King Henries turne for Anjou was neighbouring upon Normandy a great security to it if a friend and as great a danger if an enemy And having thus placed her in marriâââ hâ now considers how to establish her succession in the Crowne of Englandâ whereuâon he cals his Nobility together and amongst them Dâvid King oâ Scots and causeth them to give their Oaths of Allegeance to her and her issue and aâ thinking âe could never maâe her succession âure enough he causeth his Lords the yeare ââter againe to takâ the like Oath and after that a third time also as conceiving that being doubled and trebled it would make the tye of Allegeance the stronger wherein nothing pleased him so much as that Stephen Earle of âloiâ was the first man that tooke the Oath because he was knowne to be at least knownâ he might be a Pretender But the King should have considered that Regâiâ and therefore no Oath though never so often iterated sufficient to warrant loyalty in persons so deeply interessed as Stephen was yet providence could doe no more and the King was well satisfied with it especially when hee saw his daughter a mother of two sonnes for this though it gave him not assuâance yet it gaâe him assured hope to have the Crowne perpetuated in his Posteâity Of Ireland in his time THe King of England as yet had nothing to doe with Ireland the ãâã was governed by its owne Kings and the people of both Nationsâ ãâã they were neâghbours yet divided by a rough Sea but little ââquaiâted but now beganne entercourse to be more frequented and Murcâââdââh chââfe King of the Irish bore such awfull respect to King Henry that he would doe nothing but by his counsell and with his good liking Whom King Henry used as his Vicegerent in his absence HE was absent sometimes in Normandy three or foure yeares together during which times he committed commonly the care of the Realme to Roger Bishop of âalisbury a politick Prelate and one as fit to be the second in government as King Henry to be the first His persâââge aâd conditions HE was a person tall and strong âââad breasted his limbes well kniâ and fully furnished with âlesh his face well fâshioned his colour cleare his eyes large and faire his eye-browes large and thick his hairâ black and âomewhat thinââ towards his forehead his countenance pleasanâ specially when hâ was disposed to mirth A private man vilified and thought to have but little in him but come to the Crowne never any man shewed more excellent abilities so true is the saying Magistratus indicat virum His naturall affection in a direct line was strong in an oblique but weake for no man ever loved children more noâ a brother lâââe Though a King in act yet he alwayes acâed not a King but in baâââls someââmâs the part of a common Souldier though with more then common valouââs at a baâtell in France where he so farre hazarded himselfe that though he lost not his life yet he lost his bloud Of his death and buriall A Discontent of minde upon some differences between him and his sonne in law the Earle
Peace then wonne it for to recover Newcastle out of his hands he was faine to let King David hold Cumberland and his Sonne Henry the Earledome of Huntington as their Inheritance for which the Father would not for his as being engaged but the Sonne for his as being free did Homage to King Stephen No sooner was this trouble over but he was presently under another for being faine somewhat ill at easeâ it was bruited abroad that he was dead which âo distracted mens mindes that every one thought it wisdome to shift for himselfe and the Great Lords made a contrary use of Castles to that which King Stephen intended when he gave liberty to build them for the King intended them for his owne defence against his Enemies and they made use of them in their owne defence against the King for now Hugh Bigât Earle of Norfolke possesseth himselfe of Nârwich Baldwyn Rivers of Oxford and Robert Quesquârius of other Castles In these difficulties King Stephen though he could not in person be in all places at oncâ yet in care he wasâ and there most where was most danger imploying others against the rest Against Baldwyn he went himselfe whom driven before out of Oxford and gotten to the Isle of Wight the King foââowed and drove him also from thence aud at last into Exile And now England afforded him once againe to take a little breath but then Normandy presently begins with him afresh For now Gâoffrey Plââtagenet Duke of Anjou in right of Maude his Wife enters upon his Townes there and âeeâes to get possession of the Country when King Stephen passeth over with an Army and arâests his proceeding and after some small defeates of his Enemies brings the matter at last to a pecuniary Composition He to pay the Duke five thousand Markes a yeare and the Duke to relinquish his claime to Normandy This done he returnes into England where new Commotions are attending himâ For the Lords in his absence resenting his breach of Promises upon which they had aâmitted him to the Crowne make use every one of their Castles and stand upon their Guard The Lord Talbot held Hereford Earle Robert Maâds Brother Bristow William Lovell the Castle of Cary Paganell the Castle of Ludlâw William Mounâ the Castle of Dunster Robert Nicholor of Lincolne the Castle of Warham Eustace the Sonne of Iohn the Castle of Melton William the Sonne of Alan the Castle of Shrewsbury and withall David King of Scots never regarding his former agreement enters Northumberland with an Army committing so great cruelty in ravishing of Maydes murthering of Infants slaughtering of Priests even at the Altar that never any barbarous Nation committed greater Thus the kingdome from the one end to the other was in Combustion that if the King had had as many hands as Briareus there would have beene worke enough for them all Yet all this dismayed not the King but as having learned this Lesson Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito growes the more in confidence the lesse he was in assurance and as if danger were the fuell of Courage the more erected in himselfe the lesse he was upheld by others and so venturing what his Rebels at home would doe in his absence he passeth himselfe in person against David King of Scots as being the most dangerous and therefore the first to be repressed but finding it hard to draw him to a Battell and impossible without a battell to doe any good upon him he leaves the care of that quarrell to Thurstine Arch-bishop of Yorke and returnes himselfe home if it may be called home where he scarce had a safe place to put his head in But though many Lords were Rebellious against him yet some there were stucke firmely to him by whose Assistance and his owne industry partly by inticements partly by inforcements he reduced most of them to Obedience and all of them to Submission when in the meane time Thurstine Arch-bishop of Yorke and in his sicknesse Ralph Bishop of Durham assisted with William Earle of Aumerle William Piperell of Nottingham and Hubert de Lacy fought a memorable Battell against David King of Scots wherein though King David himselfe and his Sonne Henry performed wonderfull Acts of Prowesse yet the English got the Victory with the slaughter of eleven thousand Scots in the Fight besides many other slaine in the flight where of the English none of account were slaine but onely a Brother of Hubert Lacyes and some small number of Common Souldiers This Victory infinitely pleased and comforted King Stephen who not long after to make an absolute suppression of the Scots passeth againe with an Army and inforceth King David to demand a Peace delivering his Sonne Henry into King Stephens hands for a pledge and comming homeward by the way he besieged Ludlow one of Rebels nests where Prince Henry of Scotland had beene taken Prisoner if King Stephen in his owne person had not rescued him After this once againe the King got a little breathing time but it was but to prepare him for greater Encounters For now Maud the Empresse her selfe in person comes into play in whom the Oath before taken was to have its tryall for till now though never so really intended yet it could not actually be performed for how could they receive her for Queene who came not in place to be received but now that she came in person now was the time of tryall how the Oath would worke and worke it did indeed with many and that strongly For Maude comming into England with Robert Earle of Glocester her Brother was most joyfully received at Arundell Castle by William de Aubigny who had marryed Adeliza the Queene Dowager of the late King Henry and had the said Castle and County assigned her for her Dower King Stephen having intelligence hereof commeth to Arundell Castell wiâh an Army and besiegeth it but either diverted by ill counsell or else finding the Castle to be inexpugnable he left the siege and suffered the Empresse to passe to Bristow The King hearing that Raâulph Earle of Chester Sonne in law to Robert Earle of Glocester had possest himselfe of the City of Lincolne thither he goeth with an Army and besiegeth it thither also came the said Earle of Chester and Robert Earle of Glocester to raise his siege at which time a most fierce battell was fought betweene them upon Candlemas day wherein it is memorable what wonders of valour King Stephen performed For when all his men about him were either fled or slaine yet he kept the field himselfe alone no man daring to come neare him Horrentibus inimicis incomparabilem ictuum ejus immanitatem saith Hoveden yet over-mastered at last by multitude he was taken prisoner and brought to Maude the Empresse who sent him to be kept in safe custody in the Castle of Brisâow where he remained till All-hollantide after And now the Empresse having gotten King Stephen into her hands she takes her journey to London
Geoffrey of Monmouth Bishop of Saint Asaph in Wales Also Hugo Carthusianus a Burgundian but made Bishop of Lincolne here in England THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SECOND KING Stephen being dead Henry Duke of Anjou by his Father Geoffry Plantagenet succeeded him in the Kingdome of England by agreement whom he preceded by right as being Sonne and Heire of Mawde sole daughter and Heire of King Henry the first and was crowned at Westminster by Theâbald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury on the seventeenth of December in the yeare 1155. and was now a greater Prince then any of his Ancestours had beene before and indeed the Kingdome of England the Dukedome of Normandy and the Dukedome of Anjou in his owne right and in the right of his wife Queen Eleanor the Duchy of âuyen and the Earldome of Poictou bâing all united in his person made him a Dominion of a larger extent then any King Christian had at that time He was borne at Ments in Normandy in the yeare 1132. a great joy to his Father Geoffry Duke of Anjou a greater to his Mother Mawde the Empresse but so great to his Grandfather King Henry the first that it seemed to make amends for his sonne William whom unfortunately he had lost before by Shipwrack The yeares of his childhood were spent at home under the care of his Parents at nine yeares old or there abouts he was brought by his Unkle Robert Earle of Glocester into England and placed at Bristow where under the tuition of one Matthew his Schoolemaster to instruct him in learning he remained foure yeares after which time he was sent into Scotland to his great Unkle David King of Scots with whom he remained about two yeares initiated by him in the Principles of State but chiefely of his owne estate and being now about fifteene yeares of age was by him Knighted and though scarce yet ripe for Armes yet as a fruit gathered before its time was mellowed under the discipline of his Unkle Robert one of the best Souldiers of that time And now the Duke his Father not able any longer to endure his absence sent with great instance to have him sent over to him for satisfying of whose longing Earle Robert provided him of passage and conducted him himselfe to the Sea side where he tooke his last farewell of him Being come into Anjou his Father perhaps over-joyed with his presence not long after died leaving him in present possession of that Dukedome being now about nineteene yeares of age when shortly after he married Eleanor late the wife of Lewis King of France but now divorced A yeare or two after he came againe into England where after some velitations with King Stephen they were at last reconciled and his succession to the Crowne of England ratified by Act of Parliament Not long after he went againe into France and presently fell to besiege a Castle which was detained from him by the French King in the time of which siege newes was brought him of King Stephens death which one would have thought should have made him hasten his journey into England yet he resolved not to stirre till he had wonne the Caste which resolution of his being knowne to the Defendants they surrendred the Castle but yet no sooner but that it was sixe weekes after before he came into England when he was now about the age of three and twenty yeares His first Acts after he came to the Crowne He beganne his Raigne as Solomon would have begunne it if he had beene in his place for first he made choyce of wise and discreet men to be his Consellours then he banished out of the Realme all strangers and especially Flemmings with whom the Kingdome swarmed as of whom King Stephen had made use in his warres amongst whom was William of Ypres lately before made Earle of Kent Castles which by King Stephens allowance had beene built he caused to be demolished of which there were said to be eleven hundred and fifteene as being rather Nurseries of rebellion to the subject then of any safety to the Prince He appointed the most able men of that profession to reforme abuses of the Lawes which disorder of the wars had brought in He banished many Lords who against their Oath had assisted King Stephen against him as thinking that men oncâ perjured would never be faithfull and to the end he might be the lesse pressing upon the people with Taxations he resumed all such Lands belonging to the Crown which had any way beene aliened or usurped as thinking it better to displease a few then many and many other things he did which in a disjoynted State were no lesse profitable and expedient then requisite and necessary His Troubles during his Raigne HE had no Competitors nor Pretenders with him for the Crowne and therfore his troubles at first were not in Capite strooke not at the roote as K. Stephens did but were onely some certaine niblings at inferiour parts till at last he brought them himselfe into his own bowels For what was the trouble in his first yeare with the Welsh but as an exercise rather to keep him in motion then that it needed to disquiet his rest for though they were mutinous for a time while they looked upon their owne Bucklers their Woods and Mountainous passages yet as soone as K. Henry did but shew his sword amongst them they were soone reduced to obedience for the present and to a greater awfulnesse for the future It is true Henry Earle of Essex that bore the Kings Standard was so assaulted by the Welsh that he let the Standard fall to the ground which encouraged the Welsh and put the English in some feare as supposing the King had beene slaine but this was soone frustrated to the Welsh and punished afterward in the Eaâle by condemning him to be shorne a Monke and put into the Abbey of Reading and had his lands seised into the Kings hands And what was his trouble with Malcolme King of Scots but a worke of his owne beginning for if he would have suffered him to enjoy that which was justly his owne Cumberland and Huntingtonshire by the grant of King Stephen and Northumberland by the gift of his Mother Maude the Empresse he might have staied quietly at home and needed not at all to have stirâed his foote but he could not endure there should be such parings off from the body of his Kingdome and therefore went with an Army into the North where he wonne not but tooke Northumberland from him with the City of Carlâill and the Castles of Newcastle and Bamberg and meerely out of gratefulnesse in remembrance of the many coârtesies done him before by David King of Scots he left him the County of Huntingâon but yet with condition to owe fealây and to doe homage to him for it And what was his trouble with his brother Geoffrey but a Bird of his owne hatching For his Father Geoffrey Duke of Anjou had three sonnes Henry
with Philip now after the decease of Lewis King of France who willing to make use of their assistance before the streame of filiall awfulnesse should returne into the naturall Channell takes them along with him and besiegeth the City of Ments in which King Henry at that time was himselfe in person who apprehending the danger and then resenting the mischiefe of falling into his enemies hands gets him secretly out of the City leaving it to defend it selfe till he should returne with greater forces but hearing afterward that the Towne was taken he fell into so great a distraction of minde that it made him break out into these blasphemous words I shall never hereafter love God any more that hath suffered a City so deare unto me to be taken from me but he quickly recollected himselfe and repented him that he had spoken the words Indeed Ments was the City in which he was borne that to have this City taken from him was as much as to have his Birth-right taken from him and to say the truth after he had lost this City he scarce seemed to be alive not onely because he shortly after died but because the state of Majesty which had all his life accompanied him after this forsooke him for now he was faine to begge peace of his enemies who often before had begged it of him now he was glad to yeeld to conditions which no force before could have wrested from him It is memorable and worth observing that when these two Kings had meeting betweene Turwyn and Arras for reconcilement of differences there suddenly happened a Thunderbolt to light just betweene them with so terrible a cracke that it forced them for that time to breake off their conference and afterward at another meeting the like accident of Thunder happened againe which so amazed King Henry that he had fallen off his horse if he had not beene supported by those about him which could be nothing but drops let fall of the Divine anger and manifest presages of his future dysasters And thus this great Princes troubles which beganne in little ones and were continued in great ones ended at last in so great a trouble that it ended his life and left him an example of desolation notwithstanding all his greatnesse forsaken of his friends forsaken of his wife forsaken of his children and if he were not himselfe when he blasphemed for the losse of Ments forsaken of himselfe which might be exemplar in this King if it were not the common Epilogue of all greatnesse Of his Acquest of Ireland RObert Fits-stephen was the first of all Englishmen after the Conquest that entred Ireland the first day of May in the yeare 1170. with 390. men and there took Werford in the behalfe of Deruntius sonne of Marcherdach called Mac Murg King of Leymster In September following Richard Earle of Chepstow surnamed Strong-bow sayled into Ireland with twelve hundred men where he tooke Waterford and Dublin and married Eeve the daughter of Deruntius as he was promised From these beginnings King Henry being then at rest from all Hostile Armes both at home and abroad takes into his consideration the Kingdome of Ireland as a Kingdome which oftentimes afforded assistance to the French and therefore purposing with himselfe by all meanes to subdue it he provides a mighty Army and in the Winter season saileth thither taking Shipping at Pembroke and landing neare to Waterford where entring into consultation what course was fittest to be taken in the enterprise suddenly of their owne accord the Princes of the Countrey came in and submitted themselves unto him onely Râdârick King of Connacht stood out who being the greatest thought to make himselfe the onely King of that Nation but King Henry forbearing him for the present who kept himselfe in his fastnesses of Bogges and Woods and was not to be followed in the Winter season takes his journey to Dublin the chiefe City of the Countrey and there calling the Princes and Bishops of the Nation together requires their consent to have him and his heires to be their King which they affirming they could not doe without the Popes authority to whom at their first conversion to the Christian Religion they had submitted themselves the King sent presently to Adrian the then Pope an English man requiring his assent which upon divers good considerations he granted and hereupon the King built him a stately Palace in the City of Dublin and having thus without bloud possest himselfe of the Kingdome the Spring following he returnes joyfully into England About foure yeares after Rodorick also sends his Chancellour to King Henry to offer his submission with a tribute to be paid of every tenne beasts one sufficient After this in the one and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne he sent his sonne Iohn to be the Governour there His Taxations and wayes for raising of money TAxations in his time was chiefely once when he tooke Escuage of Englishmen towards his warres in France which amounted to 12400. pounds but confiscations were many because many Rebellions and every Rebellion was as good as a Mine Also vacancies of Bishopricks and Abbeys kept in his hands sometimes many at once no time without some He resumed also all Lands which had either beene sold or given from the Crowne by his Predecessours but a principall cause that made him plentifull in money was his Parcimony as when he was injoyned for a Penance to build three Abbeys he performed it by changing Secular Priests into Regular Chanons onely to spare cost And it was not the least cause of alienating his sonnes from him that he allowed them not maintenance answerable to their calling And it could be nothing but Parcimony while he lived which brought it to passe that when he died there were found in his Coffers nine hundred thousand pounds besides Plate and Jewels Lawes and Ordinances in his time IN the beginning of his Raign he refined and reformed the Lawes of the Realm making them more tolerable more profitable to his people then they were before In the one and twentieth year of his Raign he divided his whole kingdom into six several Circuits appointing in every Circuit three Judges who twice every year should ride together to heare and determine Causes between man and man as it is at this day though altered in the number of the Judges and in the Shires of Circuit In this Kings dayes the number of Jewes all England over was great yet wheresoever they dwelt they might not bury any of their dead any where but in London which being a great inconvenience to bring dead bodies oftentimes from farre remote places the King gave them liberty of buriall in the severall places where they lived It was in this Kings dayes also ordained that Clergy-men offending in hunting the Kings Deere should be punishable by the Civill Magistrate according to the Lawes of the Land which order was afterward taken with them for any offence whatsoever they committed Though it be
Prince Lewis of France who at his first hearing of King Iohns death thought himselfe then sure of injoying the Kingdome quietly and that he should need to feare no more opposition now that he heares of the new Kings Crowning and that so solemnly and with so unanimous a consent he begins to thinke himselfe in worse case then before and to grow jealous of the English Lords that had adhered to him what they would doe in this new world And indeed a conflict was already growne in their minds which of the two Obligations should be the greater either that of their Oath to Prince Lewis or that of their Allegeance to King Henry They could not but think it extreme ungratfulnes to forsake Prince Lewis whom they had themselves invited to come and they could not but thinke it extreme undutifulnesse to stand out in opposition against K. Henry their naturall Soveraigne and that which added no small weight to this scale was a discovery lately made by the Viscount Melun a French Lord at the time of his death who confessed as a matter of conscience that Prince Lewis had ãâã if once he got thâ kingdome utterly to extirpate all the English Nobility and to admit ãâã but Fâânch to any place of dignity But whether any of these reasons or any other ãâã their motives certaine it is that many of them of whoâ were principâââ the Earles of Arândâll Warren Salisbury and William the eldest sonne of the Protectour shrunke from Prince Lewis and went to King Henry as thinking no Obligation so great as Allegeance and many againe continued constant to Prince Lewis as thinking no Obligation so great as an Oath And now Prince Lewisâ to cast the Dice of Fortune before his enemies though they had gotteâ them a Head should gather to a head and draw more forââs together staying âimselfâ a Londoâ ãâ¦ã his Lieuâenantâ with an Army of twenty thousand to take in as many Townes as they could and many they tooke with small opposition but comming to Lincolne where though they had the Towne it selfe yet the Castle stood oâââ and âad beene defended by a Noble Lady a whole yeare before they found such resistance that their proceeding was there arrested for thither came presently Wiââiaâ the Proâectâur with hâs sonnâ William the Bishops of Winchester âalisâury and ââester tâe âarles of âalisbury Ferrers and Albemarle William de Albinet William de Cantilupe Falcasius Thomas Basset Robert Viponâ Brenâ de Lisâe Geââfrey Lacie and many other Barons with all the power of the young King who with wonderfull violence assault the City at which time it was propounded by the French to sally forth and give them battell but conceiving their Army to be greater then indeed it was for the English had set double Ensignes to every Company which made a shew of twice as many as they were they forbare that course and kept them selves within the Towne by which meanes being cooped up and straitned iâ place so as they couââ ãâã make use of their Forces as otherwise they might theâ were in conclusion ãâ¦ã and all the principall men of the English that had adhered to Prince ãâã â were taken prisoners as namely Saââ Earle oâ Winchester Henry de âohun ãâã of Hereford Gilbert de Gant lately made Earle of Lincolne by Prince Lewis ãâã Fiâââwater Richard Mount-fiââhet William Mawbrây William Beauchamp Williââ Maudeâ Oliver Harcourt Roger de Cressy William de Colvilâ William de Roâ Robert de Ropeââây âalph Chenduiâ Barons besides foure hundred knights or men at Armes Onely the Earle of Perch their Generall being compassed about and willed to render himselfe swore he would never become prisoner to any English and thereupon was runne thorow the sight of his Helmet into the braines and instantly died This was a maine blow to Prânce Lââis and thâ last of his battels in England and because the City was very rich in Merchandise the English in derision called it Lewis Faire But Prince Lewis was not yet discouraged for he had sent to King Philip his Father to send him new supplies out of France and new supplies were indeed sent but Hubert de Buâgh Governour of Dâver being as vigilant as he was valiant watched their comming and in a Sea-fight defeated them all of whom but few escaped and now this blow at Sea was so much greater then that at Land that where that made him onely doubt this made him despaire at leasâ made him malleable and fit to be wrought upon by composition whereupon it was at last concluded that Prince Lewis should have fifteene thousand Markes for the charges he had beene at and abjure his claime to any interest in the kingdome and withall to worke his Father for restitution of such Provinces in France as appertained to this Crowne and that when himselfe should be King he should resigne them in a peaceable manner On the other part King Henry takes his Oath and for him the Legat Guallo and the Protectour to restore unto the Barons of the Realme and other his subjects all their Rights and Priviledges for which the discord beganne betweene the late King and his people After this Prince Lewis is honourably attended to Dover and departs out of England about Michaelmas above two yeares after his first arrivall And now the kingdome is come to unity within it selfe one King and one people and for a yeare or two there was little to be done onely some few there were whom the corruption of the times had engendred and who being borne in a storme could not live in a calme of whom the principall were the Earle of Lisleâ and Hugh de Bayliâlâ who bustling about got possession of some Castles with what intention all men knew but with what hope of effecting their intention no man could imagine for being but a handfull of men to the body of the Realme they were easily suppressed and either brought to acknowledge their faults or else punished for not acknowledging them It was now the fourth yeare of King Henries Raigne at which time William Earle of Pembroke Protectour of the Realme died and was buried in the new Temple at London in whose place came the Bishop of Winchester and now was the King the second time Crowned and had granted him by Parliamentâ for Eâcâage two Markes of silver of every knights Fee for the affaires of the kingdome and recovery of his Transmarine Dominions which is now designed and Mallâon de Savery the Poictoâin with William Long-sword Earle of Salisbury sent over to try the affections of that people whom they finde for the most part inclinable to the obedience of this Crowne but the King of France being required peaceably to deliver them made answer that having gotten them by the sword by the sword he would hold them But now the King being come to some yeares of understanding was in a Parliament holden at London put in minde by the Archbishop of Canterbury of the Oath he had taken for confirmation
of the Liberties of the kingdome which though oppugned by some and spâcially by William Brewer and Hubert de Burgh whom the King had now made his chiefe Justiciar as having beene an Act of constraint yet the King then againe ratified and twelve knights or other Legat men of every Shire by Writs were charged to examine what the Lawes and Liberties were which the kingdome injoyed under his Grandfather and that they should returne them by a certaine day and here the King by Parliament resumeth into his hands such Alienations as had beene made by his Ancestors of any Crowne Land The next yeare after another Parliament is held at Westminster wherein is required the fiftieth part of all the movables both of the Clergy and Laity for the recovery of those parts in France with-held from the Crowne by Lewis now King contrary to his Oath and promise made here in England at his departure which though it concerned the Honour and Dignity of the kingdome and the estates of most of the Nobility yet would it not be yeelded to but upon confirmation of their Liberties which in the end was obtained in the same words and forme as King Iohn had granted them in the two Charters before and twelve knights are chosen in every Shire to dispart the old Forests from the new and the new to be laid open and ploughed and improvedâ to the great comfort and benfit of the subject and two yeares they were accordingly injoyed Of his Acts after he came to be of age IT was now the tenth yeare of King Henries Raigne and being about nineteene yeares of age he claimed to take the government of the kingdome into his own hands and no longer to be under a Protectour and now will presently appeare the difference betweene a Prince that is ruled by good Counsell and a Prince that will doe all of himselfe and take no advise For the ten yeares hee was ruled by a Protectour were all passed as it were in a calme without noyse or clamour but as soone as he tooke upon him the government himselfe there grew presently stormes and tumults no quietnesse either to the subject or himselfe nothing but grievances all the long time of his Raigne For at the Parliament now holden at Oxford as soone as he was Crowned againe he presently cancels and annuls the Charter of the Forests as granted in his Nonage and therefore he not bound to observe it and then not using any longer the Seale which the Protectour had used he makes a new and causeth a Proclamation to be made that whosoever would enjoy any benefit of Grants under his Seale should come and have them signed by his new Seale by which course he drew much mony from many and this was the first grievance Shortly after he commits the keeping of Barkehamstead Castle to one Walleran a Duâchman which Castle belonged to his Brother Richard Earle of Cornewall but when Earle Richard required to have the possessionâ as oâ right he ought it was then plotted by Hubeât Burgh Chiefe Justice and the Kings chiefe Counsellor to commit him to prison which the Earle understanding oâ at least suspecting flies presântly to Mârleborough where he finds William Earle Marshall his vowed friend with whom he hasâens to Stamford and there meeâes with the Earles of Chester Glocester Warren Hereford Ferrers Warwicke and diverâ other Barons who all confederate together and send to the King âhat unlesse he restore the Castle to his brother and âo them the Liberties of Forests which he had lately cancelled at Oxford they would seeke to recover them by the sword Here upon King Henry to pacifiâ his brotherâ not onely renders the Castle to himâ but gives him besides all that his Mother had in Dower and also great possessions which the Earle of Britaine and thâ Earle of Bâleigne lately deceasedâ had in England but to the Petition of the Lords he makes a dilatory answerâ and this was another grievance Not long after King Henry is perswaded by Hugh âe Brun Earle of March who had married his Mother to make a journey into France for recovery of his right thereâ but the Earle perswaded it for ends of his owne which to have discovered had beene no way to comââââe themââe must therefore âay some colours upon his worke and it was colour enoughâ that the action would be of great benefit to the King if it might succeedâ and the likelihood of succeeding was most apparent by reason of the great inclinaâion of the people to King Henry and their great aversnesse from King Lewis Upon these colours King Henry undertaking the action raiseth great summes of money from the Clergyâ and from the Londoners for redemption of their Libertiesâ and takes the âhird part of all the goods of the Iewesâ but when he returned home a yeare after without having done any thing but spent his treasure and his timeâ and that which was moâe worth then both these the lives of many Noble men and others this was another grievance And now King Henry bringing many Pââctââins over with him who had served him in his warresâ he was to reward them âere which he could not doe but by displacing and spoyle of his Officers First therefore he calleth Ralph Bretton Treasurer of his Chamber to account and grievously Fânes him for defrauding him in his Office Then likewise is Hubert de Burgh Chiefe Justiciar and his Chiefe Counsellour called to account for such Treasure as passed his Office who being further charged with crimes of Treason flies to the Church of Merton for sanctuary from whence when the King commanded him to be drawne out by violence the Bishop of London hearing of it commanded him to be returned back to sanctuary upon paine of Excommunication but the King commanding him to be kept from sustenance hunger at last enforced him to render himselfe to the Kings mercy all his goods which were very great confiscate Also Walter Bishop of Carlile is thrust out of his Office of Treasure and William Rodon knight from his place of Maâshall of the Kings house and all the chiefe Counsellours Bishops Earles and Barons of the kingdome are removed as distrustedâ and onely strangers preferred to their roomes of which course Peter de Rupibus a Poictouin Bishop of Winchester and one Peter de Rivalis the Kings speciall Favorite were said to be the Authors and this was another grievance The King was now about eight or nine and twenty yeares old and a Consultation was had for a fit wife for him There was propounded a sister of Alexander King of Scots but it was not thought fit the King should marry the younger sister when Hubert de Burgh had married the elder he therefore takes one of his owne choosing and marries Eleanor daughter to Raymond Earle of Province by which match he neither had Portion by his Wife nor strength of Alliance by friends or if any were it was all made vaine by distance onely he had by her
differences in the Country But now the King of Spaine pretends a title to Aquitaine and to take him off King Henry sends to treate of a marriage betweene Prince Edward and his Sister Eleanor which being accepted by the King of Spaine the Marriage is solemnized at Burgos where the King of Spaine knights the Prince and quits his claime to Aquitaine for him and his Successours for ever and King Henry invests the Prince and his Wife in it and gives unto him besides Ireland Wales Bristow Stamford and Grantham and from hence it came that ever after this the Kings eldest Sonne was immediately upon his Birth Prince of Wales and Earle of Chester After this King Henry prepares to returne home and well he might having spent in this and his former Journeyes into those parts the summe of seven and twenty hundred thousand pounds More then all the Lands if they had beene sold were worth which when the King was told he desired there might be no words made of it for his credite And now being to returne he is desirous with the King of Frances leave to passe thorow France and comming to Paris with a thousand Horse where he stayed eight dayes is there most Royally Feasted by the King of France and he as royally Feasts the King of France againe But it is the Londoners and the Iewes that are like to pay for all For comming home about Christmas when the Londoners presented him with a hundred pounds in money and afterwards with two hundred pounds in Plate it was so sleighted and so ill taken that a hole was presently found in their coate for an escape of a Prisoner which cost them three thousand Markes Yet was not this enough but he takes good Fleeces from the Iews and then lets them out to Farme to his Brother Richard for a great summe of money and he to make what more of them he could Yet after all this he complaines of his Debts which he saith are at least three hundred thousand Markes which must needes be the heavyer to him because he had diminished his ownâ meanes by the allowance of fifteene thousand Markes per annum to his Sonne the Prince The onely hope is in the Parliament but a Parliament being called they fall presently upon their old Grievances complaining upon the King for breach of Charters and renuing their Claime to have the Chiefe Justiciar the Chancellour and Treasurer to be chosen by themselves so nothing was done for the King at this time and the Parliament being prorogued till Michaelmas after as little then by reason many of the Peeres came not as not being summoned according to the tenour of Magna Charta And now while the King was using meanes to winde himselfe out of Debt there happened occasions to put him further in For now Thomas Earle of Savoy the Queenes Brother being at warre with the City of Thuryn must be supplyed with money towards it by the King of England Now the Elect Bishop of Toledo the King of Spaines Brother comes into England and must be sumptuously Feasted and have great gifts presented him Now Eleanor the Princes Wife arrives with a multitude of Spaniards and must all be entertained at the Kings charge and have no small presents given them at their departure Now comes Rustandus from the Pope with power to Collect the Tenth of the Clergy for the Popes use and the Kings and to absolve him from his Oath of the Holy warre so he would come to destroy Manfred Sonne to the Emperour Fredericke now in possession of the kingdome of Sicilie and Apulia And this man likewise hath great gifts bestowed upon him besides a rich Prebend in Yorke But the Pope by too much seeking his profit loseth credit and all for the Clergy sleights him and will give him nothing and when he would have borrowed of the Earle of Cornwall five hundred Markes the Earle answered he liked not to lend his money to one upon whom he could not Distraine But King Henries greatest charge was his purchasing a kingdome for his Sonne Edmund for now comes the Bishop of Bânonia from the Pope with a Ring of Investiture to Prince Edmund in the kingdome of Sicilie which he pretends to be at his disposing and King Henry takes it in so good earnest that after this he cals his Sonne Edmund by no other name then King of Sicilie But all this was done by the Pope but to angle away King Henries money as indeed upon this hope he had drawne the King into the engagement of a hundred and fifty thousand Markes for to draw the King on it was given out that the Pope had deleâted all Manfreds Forces and was thereby in possession of the kingdome when the truth was that Manfred had defeated the Popes Forces and was thereby himselfe established in the kingdome The yeare 1275. the King keepes his Christmas at Winchester where new Grievances arise The Merchants of Gascogny having their Wines taken from them by the Kings Officers without satisfaction complaine to their Lord the Prince he to his Father and his Father having beene informed before-hand by his Officers that their clamour was unjust as relying upon the Princes favour he falls into a great rage with the Prince and breakes out into these words See! now my Blood and my owne Bowels impugne me but afterwards pacified he gives order the injuries should be redressed And now the Princes Followers themselves come to be a Grievance who relying upon their Master commit many outrages and spoyle and wrong men at their pleasure and the Prince himselfe is not altogether free of whom it is said that meeting a young man travailing by the way he caused one of his eares to be cut off and one of his eyes to be put out and many such prankes plaid by him and his Followers in Wales made the Welsh breake out into open Rebellion which the Prince would faine have suppressed but there was no money to be had towards the doing it And now the King fals to shifts he comes into the Chequer himselfe and there layes penalties upon Sheriffes that returne not their moneys in due time then he fals upon measures of Wine and Ale upon Bushels and Weights and something he gets but London is his best Cheqâer and every yeare commonly he hath one quarrell or other to the Londoners and they are sure to pay And now fals out an accident seeming of great honour but certainely of no profit to the kingdome Richard Earle of Cornwall the Kings Brother is Elected King of the Romans for although Alphonsus King of Spaine the great Mathematician were his Competitour yet Earle Richards money wrought more then his Learning and the Arch-bishop of Câllen comes over to fetch him and Crowned he is at Aquisgrane This Earle of Cornwall is reported able to dispend a hundred Markes a day âor ten yeares besides his Revenues in England But now as a man that payes deare for an Office lookes that his
a Plaine neare Evâsham to encounter him and noting the manner of the approach of the Princes Army said âo those about him These men come bravely on they learne it not of themselves but of me and seeing himselfe likely to be beâet and overlaid with multitude he advised his friends Hugh Spenser Ralph Basset and others to shift for themselves which when they refused to doe then saith he let us commend our soules to God for our bodies are theirs and so undertaking the maine weight of the battell perished under itâ and with him are slaine his sonne Henry eleven Barons with many thousands of common Souldiers And thus ended Montford the great Earle of Leycester highly honoured in his life and more highly should have beene after his death if the people might have had their will who talkt of Miracles enough to have made him a Saint And now is King Henry by this victory of his sonne at liberty who together repaire to Winchester where a Parliament is convoked and all who adhered to the Earle Montford are disinherited and their estates conferred on others at the Kings pleasure the Londoners also have their Liberties taken from them But though the death of Montford gave a great wound to the party of the Barons yet it was not mortall at least not mortal presently for there remained reliques that kept it alive a good while after Simon and Guy de Montford sons of the Earle of Leycester and other of the Barons take and defend the I le of Ely the Castle of Killingworth held out halfe a yeare till their victuals failed and then yeelded upon conditions to have their lives and goods saved and many others there were resolute and desperate persons strongly knit and fastned together though now shortly upon dissolving For after the Parliament at Westminster the King with an Army going against them and being at Northampton Simon and Guy de Montford submit themselves to him but when the Earle of Glocester opposed the restoring them to their estates they were faine to flie the kingdome and make their fortunes in other Countries as indeed they did the younger in Italy the elder in France where they were Propatours of two great Families Their mother was banisht shortly after the battell of Evesham a Lady of eminent note as being the daughter and sister of a King and yet of more note for her patient bearing of adversity or rather for her making a benefit of adversity for by this meanes she betooke her selfe to the veile of piety and died a Nunne at Montarges in France Three yeares after this the disinherited Barons held out till at length conditions of render are propounded but here the Councell are divided in opinion Mortimer and others stated in the possessions of the disinherited are against restoration alleadging it were injustice to take from them the rewards of their service Glocester and the twelve ordained to deale for the peace of the State are earnest for restoration alleadging it were hard measure to grant them their lives not their livelihoods but not prevailing in great discontentment Glocester retires from Court sends messengers to warne the King to remove strangers from his counsell and observe the Provisions at Oxford as he promised at Evesham otherwise that he should not marvell if himselfe did what he thought fit Hereupon Iohn de Warren Earle of Surrey and William de Valentia are sent to the Earle of Glocester who though they could not perswade him to submit to the King yet thus much they got of him under his hand and seale that he would never beare Armes against the King or his sonne Edward but onely defend himselfe and pursue Roger Mortimer and his other enemies And now a Parliament is convoked at Bury wherein many demands are made by the King and the Legat and all for money from the Clergy but all denied that nothing but denials are done in this Parliament After this the Legat imployes Solicitours to perswade the disinherited Lords which held the I le of Ely to returne to the faith and unity of the Church and to the peace of the King according to the forme propounded at Coventry to which the Lords make answer that they never opposed the unity of the Churchâ but the âvarice of Church-men that were put in authority and that they never opposed the King but for the good of the kingdome and then required that the Provisions of Oxford might be observed and pledges be given them for their security Hereupon the yeare after the King prepares a mighty Army and Prince Edward with bridges entring the I le of Ely shuts them up so that he constraines them at last to yeeld also the Earle of Glocester comming to London with an Army is by the Legat once againe perswaded to render himselfe to the King and upon forfeiture of twelve thousand Markes if ever he should raise any commotion againe is reconciled Now remaines Lewilin and the Welsh to be chastened for aiding of Simon Montford but the King going against them with an Army they give him two and thirty thousand pounds Sterling and so make their peace And here was an end of the first warres betweene the Kings of England and their Barons The next yeare after the Popes Legat Ottobon signes with the Croysado both the Kings sonnes Edward and Edmund the Earle of Glocester and divers Noble men induced to undertake the Holy warre by the sollicitation of him and the King of France who nothwithstanding his former calamities endured in that action would once again adventure it and because Prince Edward wanted meanes to furnish himselfe out the King of France lends him thirty thousand Markes upon a morgage of Gascoyne And now whilst this preparation is in hand King Henry labours to establish the peace of the kingdome and to reforme the excesses which the warre had bred and the same yeare assembles his last Parliament at Marleborough where the Statutes of that title were enacted Neare two yeeres it seemes to have beene after the undertaking the Crosse before Prince Edward set forth but then taking his wife Eleanor with him though young with childe he set forward and in the voyage when many of his people seemed desirous to leave himâ and returne home he is said to have strucken his breast and sworne that if all his followers forsooke him he would yet enter Acon or Ptolemais though but onely with his horse-keeper Fowin Shortly after Richard King of the Romans died and the yeare following King Henry Of his Taxations and wayes for raising of money NEver sonne was more like a Father in any thing then King Henry was like his Father King Iohn in this point for raising of money for he trode directly in all his steps if he added not something of his owne King Iohn had great Subsidies granted him by Parliament for any great action he undertooke so had King Henry King Iohn resumed the lands aliened from the Crowne so did King Henry King Iohn
the King himselfe was present he was adjudged to have his Lands confiscate and to be deprived of his title of Earle yet after all this was restored to his estate againe and suffered to live in quiet He was more desirous of money then of honour for else he would never have sold his Right to the two great Dukedomes of Normandy and Anjou to the King of France for a Summe of money Yet he was more desirous of honour then of quietnesse for else he would never have contended so long with his Barons about their Charter of Liberty which was upon the matter but a point of Honour His most eminent vertue and that which made him the more eminent as being rare in Princes was his Continency for there is nothing read either of any baâe children he had or of any Concubine he kept Of his Death and Buriall THough he had lived a troublesome life yet he dyed a quiet death for he had âetled Peace in his kingdome and in his Conscience For being at Saint Edmundsbury and finding himselfe not well at ease he made the more hast to London where calling before him his Lords and specially Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester he exhorted them to be true and faithfull to his Sonne Prince Edward who was at that time farre from home and therefore had the more need of their care which consisted chiefly in their agreement one with another And then his sicknesse encreasing he yeelded up his Soule to God on the sixteenth day of November in the yeare 1272. when he had lived threescore and five yeares Raigned five and fifty and was buryed at Westminster which he had newly Builded Of Men of note in his time OF Martial men famous in his time there were many but three specially who obscured the rest The first was William Marshall Earle of Pembroke memorable for the great care he had of King Henry in his minority and more memorable for the little care that Destiny had of his Posterity for leaving five Sonnes behind him they all lived to be Earles successively yet all dyed without issue So as the great name and numerous Family of the Marshals came wholly to be extinct in that Generation The second was Richard de Clare Earle of Glocester who in a Battaile against Baldwyn de Gisnes a valiant Fleming imployed by King Henry himselfe alone encountred twelve of his Enemies and having his Horse slaine under him he pitcht one of them by the legge out of the saddle and leapt into it himselfe and continued the fight without giving ground till his Army came to rescue him An Act that may seeme fitter to be placed amongst the Fictions of knights Errant then in a true Narration The third was Simon Montford a man of so audacious a spirit that he gave King Henry the lye to his face and that in presence of all his Lords and of whom it seemes the King stood in no small feare for passing one time upon the Thames and suddenly taken with a terrible storme of Thunder and Lightning he commanded to be set ashore at the next Staires which happened to be at Durham House where Montford then lay who comming downe to meet the King and perceiving him somewhat frighted with the Thunder said unto him Your Majâsty need not feare the Thunder the danger is now past No Montford said the King I feare not the Thunder so much as I doe thee Of men famous for Sanctity of life there were likewise many in his time but three more eminent then the rest Edmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury Richard Bishop of Chichester and Thomas Arch-deacon of Hereford All three either Canonized or at least thought worthy to be Canonized for Saints To these may be added Robert Grosshead Bishop of Lincolne who Translated the Testaments of the twelve Patriarchs out of Greeke into Latine which through envy of the Jewes never came to the knowledge of Saint Hierome wherein are many Prophesies of our Saviour Christ. Of men famous for learning there were likewise many in his time of whom some left workes behinde them for testimonies of their knowledge in divers kindes as Alexander Hales a Fryer Minor who wrote many Treatises in Divinity Ralpâ Coggeshall who wrote the Appendix to the Chronicle of Ralph Niger Randulph Earle of Chester the third and last of that name who compiled a Booke of the Lawes of England Henry Bracton who wrote the Booke commonly called by his name De Consuetudinibus Anglicanis and besides these Hugh Kirkestead Richard of Ely Peter Henham Iohn Gyles and Nicholas Fernham excellent Physitians Richard surnamed Theologus and Robert Bacon two notable Divines Stephen Langthon Richard Fisaker Simon Stokes Iohn of Kent William Shirwood Michael Blaunpaine Iohn Godard Vincent of Coventry Albericke Veer Richard Wich Iohn Basing Roger Waltham William Seningham and others THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FIRST Surnamed of WINCHESTER Of his comming to the Crowne AS soone as King Henry was dead and buryed the great Lords of the Land caused his eldest Sonne Prince Edward to be proclaimed King and assembling at the New Temple in London they there tooke order for the quiet Governing of the kingdome till he should come home For at this time he was absent in the Holy Land and had beene there above a yeare when his Father dyed But we cannot bring him home without telling what he did and what he suffered in all that time and in his returne for at his first comming thither he rescued the great City of Acon from being âurrendred to the Souldan after which out of envy to his Valour one Anzazim a desperate Saracen who had often beene employed to him from their Generall being one time upon pretence of some secret message admitted alone into his Chamber with a poysoned knife gave him three wounds in the Body two in the Arme and one neare the arme-pit which were thought to be mortall and had perhaps beene mortall if out of unspeakeable love the Lady Eleanor his Wife had not suckt out the poyson of his wounds with her mouth and thereby effected a cure which otherwise had beene incurable and it is no wonder that love should doe wonders which is it selfe a wonder And now being disappointed of Aides that were promised to be sent him and leaving Garrisons in fit places for defence of the Country he with his Wife Eleanor takes his journey homewards and first passing by Sicilie was there most kindly received by Charles King of that Island where he first heard of his Fathers death which he tooke more heavily farre then he had taken the death of his young Sonne Henry whereof he had heard a little before at which when King Charles marvailed he answered that other Sonnes might be had but ânother Father could never be had From hence he passeth through Italy where much honour is done him both by the Pope and other Princes and then descends into Burgoigne where by the Earle of Chalboun a stout man
of Aâmesbury in Wiltshire at the instance of Queene Eleanor her Grandmother who lived there Elizabeth their seventh daughter was first married to Iohn Earle of Holland Zeland and Lord of Freezeland he dying within two yeares she was afterward married to Humphrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex Lord of Breknok and High Constable of England by whom she had issue sonnes and daughters Beatrice and Blanch their eighth and ninth daughters died young and unmarried King Edwards second Wife was Margaret eldest daughter of Philip King of France called the Hardy and sister to Philip called the Faire at eighteene yeares old she was married to King Edward being above threescore yet at the unequall yeares she had issue by him two sonnes and a daughter their eldest sonne was borne at a little Village in Yorkshire called Brotherton and was thereof called Thomas of Brotherton he was created Earle of Norfolke and Earle Marshall of England after Roger Bigod who died without issue Their second sonne Edmund was borne at Woodstocke in Oxfordshire and of the place was so called he was created Earle of Kent and married Margaret daughter of Iohn and sister of sole Heire of Thomas Lord Wakes of Lydell in the County of Northampton by whom he had issue two sonnes and one daughter his sonnes Edmund and Iohn died without issue his daughter Ioane for her beauty called the Faire maid of Kent was married first to William Montacute Earle of Salisbury and from him divorced was re-married to Sir Thomas Holland in her Right Earle of Kent and by her Father of Thomas and Iohn Holland Duke of Surrey and Earle of Huntington and lastly she was the Wife of Edward of Woodstocke the blacke Prince of Wales and by him Mother of King Richard the second This Earle Edmund was beheaded at Winchester in the fourth yeare of King Edward his Nephew Eleanor the daughter of King Edward by his second Wife Margaret died in her childhood Of his personage and conditions HE was tall of stature higher then ordinary men by head and shoulders and thereof called Longshanke of a swarthy complection strong of body but leane of a comely favour his eyes in his anger sparkling like fire the haire of his head black and curled Concerning his conditions as he was in warre peacefull so in Peace he was warlike delighting specially in that kinde of hunting which is to kill Stagges or other wilde beasts with Speares In continencie of life he was equall to his Father in acts of valour farre beyond him He had in him the two wisdomes not often found in any single both together seldome or never An ability of judgement in himselfe and a readinesse to heare the judgement of others He seemed to be a great observer of opportunity a great point of wisdome in any in Princes greatest and that he could beare an injury long without seeking to revenge it as appeared by his carriage towards the Earle Roger Bigod whom when he saw his time he called to account for an affront he had offered him diâers yeares before He was not easily provoked into passion but once in passion not easily appeased as was seene by his dealing with the Scots towards whom he shewed at first patience and at last severity If he be censured for his many Taxations he may be justified by his well bestowing them for never Prince laid out his money to more honour of himselfe or good of his kingdome His greatest unfortunatenesse was in his greatest blessing for of foure sonnes which he had by his Wife Queen Eleanor three of them died in his owne life time who were worthy to have out-lived him and the fourth out-lived him who was worthy never to have beene borne Of his death and buriall IN his last expedition into Scotland being at Carlile he fell sicke and lying in his death-bed he sent for his sonne Edward to whom besides many admonitions to Piety he commanded three things specially that he should carry his bones about with him through Scotland till he had subdued it that he should send his heart into the Holy Land with sevenscore knights to that warre and the two and thirty thousand pounds he had provided for that purpose and that he should never recall Gaveston from banishment and soon after of a dysentery or Bloudy-Flix he died at Borough upon the Sands the seventh of Iuly in the yeare 1307. when he had Raigned foure and thirty yeares and seven moneths lived threescore and eight yeares Being dead his Corps was brought to Waltham Abbey and there kept the space of sixteene weekes and after on Simon and Iudes day buried at Westminster Men of Note in his time OF Martiall men there were many these specially Iohn Earle of Warren who opposed the Kings Inquisition by Quo Warranto and Roger Bigod who gave the King an affront to his face Of learned men also many specially these Iohn Breton bishop of Hereford who compiled a book of the Lawes of England called lâ Breton Thomas Spot a Chronographer Iohn Eversden a writer of Annals and of this Kings Raigne Gregory Cairugent a Monke of Glocester and a writer also of Annals Iohn Peckham a Franciscan Frier made Arch-bishop of Canterbury who writ many excellent workes Iohn Read an Historiographer Thomas Bungey a Frier Minor an excellent Mathematician Roger Bacon a Franciscan Frier an excellent Philosopher and Mathematician Robert Kilwarby Arch-bishop of Canterbury and after made a Cardinall also Ralph Baldock Bishop of London who writ a Chronicle of England in the Latine tongue but above them all though of another Countrey Thomas Aquinas borne of a Noble Family whose workes are too famous to be spoken of who going to the Councell holden at Lyons by Pope Gregory the tenth died by the way THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE SECOND Of his Acts before and at his Coronation EDward of Carnarvan eldest Sonne of King Edward the first succeeded him in the kingdome and never did Prince come to a Crowne with more applause of Nobility and People and there was good cause for it For he had beene trained up in all good courses for Piety and Learning he had seene the Government of his Father from whose Example he could not but have learned many good Lessons he had been initiated in the wayes of State having beene left Governour of the Realme and presiding in Parliament in his Fathers absence and he was now three and twenty yeares old a fit age for bearing the weight of a Scepter and yet for all these advantages there wanted not feares of him in the mindes of many who could not but remember what prankes he had played not long before how he had broken the Bishop of Chesters Parke and in most disorderly manner had killed his Deere for which both himselfe had beene committed to Prison and his Friend Pierce Gaveston banished the Realme and if he did such things being but Prince what might not be feared of him comming to be King For seldome doth
of the Scots which came to the rescue thereof at Hallidowne-hill utterly defeated where were slaine seven Earles ninety knights and Bannerets foure hundred Esquires and about two and thirty thousand common Souldiers as our Writers report as theirs but foureteene thousand and with this effusion of bloud is Baylioll returned to his miserable kingdome and to hold good correspondence with the King of England hereafter doth him Homage for his Realme of Scotland and the Ilands adjacent But though he had a kingdome yet he had not quietnesse for many of the Scots aided by the French made warre upon him divers yeares after during all which time King David with his wife remained in France If any man marvell why King Edward would aide Bailioll against King David who had married his sister he may consider that Alliances how neare soever weigh but light in the Scales of State About this time the I le of Man is conquered by William Montacute Earle of Sâlisbury for which service King Edward gave him the Title of King of Man Of his Acts after he came of age ANd now Robert of Arthois banished out of France comes into England whom King Edward makes Earle of Richmond and of his Counsell This Robert perswades King Edward to make warre upon France to which Crowne he said he had more right then he that held it with whose perswasions King Edward is at last resolved to undertake the enterprise and to furnish himselfe of Noble Chiefetaines he at one time in a Parliament at Westminster the eighth yeare of his Raign creates sixe Earles Henry of Lancaster he made Earle Dârby William Montacute he made Earle of Salisbury Hugh Audeley Earle of Glocester William Clinton Earle of Huntington and Robert Clifford or Ufford Earle of Suffolke also twenty knights of whom Thomas de la Moore who writ the life of the Kings Father was one withall he enters League of amity with many Princes abroad with the Dukes and Eârles of Gelders Iulyers Cleves Heynault and Brabant and with the Arch-bishop of Colen and Valeran his brother as on the other side the King of France got to take his part the Bishop of Liege Iohn King of Bohemia Earle of Luxemburg Henry Count Palatine Aubert Bishop of Mets Otho Duke of Austria Ame Earle of Geneva with many other Princes and Captaines out of Germany Spaine and other Countries King Edward thus resolved in himselfe and furnished with friends abroad goes over into Flanders with his Queene and children makes his residence at Antwerp where by perswasion of the Flemings he takes upon him the Stile Title and Armes of the King of France for by this they accounted themselves disobliged of the Bond of twenty hundred thousand crownes which they had entred into never to beare Armes against the King of France and hereupon the League was established betweene them and King Edward And now King Edward for a beginning to put his claime in execution sets upon Cambray and enters France by the way of Vermandois and Thierach on the other side King Philip seiseth on the Dutchy of Guienne and sends thither the Conte d' Eu Constable of France with the Earles of Foix and Armigniack At last both Armies came so neare together that a fight was appointed the Friday after but upon better consideration the English thought it no discretion to give battell to an Army so much greater then their owne if they could avoid it and the French thought it as little discretion for them to hazard the person of their Prince within his owne kingdome and perhaps were not a little moved with the warning given them by Robert King of Sicilie a great Astronomer that he fore-saw by the Starres some great misfortune to threaten the French if they should that day fight with the Engliâh King Edward being present and thus both Armies having their severall reasons to decline the battell they parted without doing any thing onely an accident happened scarce worth remembring yet must be remembred A Hare starting out before the head of the French Army caused a great shout to be made whereupon they who saw not the Hare but onely heard the shout supposing it to be the onset to the battell disposed themselves to fight and foureteene Gentlemen for encouragements sake as the custome is were knighted called afterward in merriment knights of the Hare But now King Edward must a little looke home and therefore leaving the Queen in Brabant he passeth himselfe into England about Candlemas having beene in Brabant about a yeare and landing at the Tower about midnight and finding ât unguarded was so much displeased that he presently sends for the Major of âondon commanding him to bring before him the Chancellour and Treasurer with Sir Iohn Saint Paul Michael Watch Philp Thorpe Henry Stratford Clergy men who it seemes were Officers for his Receipts and Iohn Sconer Justice of the Bench all which except the Chancellour were apprehended and committed to prison as were afterward in like manner divers Officers of Justice and Accomptants upon inquiry made of their unjust proceeding During the Kings abode in England William Montacute Earle of Salisbury and Robert Ufford Earle of Suffolke leât in Flanders to oppose the French having performed divers great eâploits were aâ last in an encounter about Lisâe so overlaid by multitude as they were both taken and sent prisoners to Paris Besides about this time two accidents happened that were thought would be great rubs in King Edwards proceeding one that his Wives Father William Earle of Haynâult dying and leaving his sonne to succeed this son left his brother King Edward and fell to take part with the King of France the other that the Duke of Normandy thinking himselfe as strong as ever William Duââ of Normandy was that conquered England he saw no reason but he might conquer it as well as that William and thereupon makes preparation by Sea and Land to attempt the enterprise but these were but vapours that never came to be winds at least brought no stormes for Iohn Earle of Haynault had quickly enough of the King of France and was soone after reconciled to his brother King Edward and the Duke of Normandy went no further then preparations for indeed King Edwââd prosecuted his courses against France with such heate that all the neighbouring Princes seeing a fire kindled so neare their owne borders were glad to looke âo themselves at home But now to impeach the King of Englands returne into Fraâceâ King Philip had provided a mighty Navie in the Haven of Sluce consisting of twâ hundred saile of Ships besides many Gallies and two thousand armed men in thâ Port ready to encounter him upon his landing whereof King Edward being adveâtised prepares the like number of Ships and sets out to Sea upon Midsommer Eve is mâ the morrow after with a Navy likewise from the North parts conducted by Sir ââbert Morley and encounters his enemy who lay to intercept him with such force and courage and such
his foure and thirtieth yeare of the King of France three millions of crownes of Gold In his twelveth yeare he had taken from the Priors Aliens their houses lands and tenements for the maintenance of his French warres which he kept twenty yeares in his ãâã and then restored them againe In his six and thirtieth year was greater twenty sixe shillings eight pence for transportation of every sacke of Wooll for three yeareâ In the five and fortieth yeare of his Raigne in a Parliament at Westminster the âlergy granted him fifty thousand pounds to be paid the same yeare and the Laiây as much which was levâed by setting a certaine rate of five pounds fifteene shillings upon every Parish which were found in the 37â Shires to be eight thousand and sixe hundred and so came in the whole to fifty thousand one hundred eighty one pounds and eight pence but the 181. li. was abated to the Shires of Suffolkâ and Devonshire in regard of their poverty In his eight and fortieth yeare in a Parliament is granted him a tenth of the Clergy a fifteenth of the Laity In his fiftiâh year a Subsidy of a new nature was demanded by the young Prince Richard whom being buâ eleven years of age the Duke of Lancaster had brought into the Parliament of purpose to make the demand to have two tenths to be paid in one yeare or twelve pence in the pound of all Merchandises sold for one yeare and one pound of silver for every knights Fee and of every Fire-house one penny but instead of this Subsidy after much altercation there was granted another of as new a nature as this that every person man and woman within the kingdome above the age of foureteene yeares should pay foure pence those who lived of Almes onely excepted the Clergy to pay twelve pence of every Parson Beneficed and of all other religious persons foure pence a mighty aide and such as was never granted to any King of England before Of his Lawes and Ordinances HE instituted the Order of the Garter upon what cause is not certaine the common opinion is that a Garter of his owne queene or as some say of the Lady Ioane Countesse of Salisbury slipping off in a Dance King Edward stooped and tooke it up whereat some of his Lords that were present smiling as at an amorous action he seriously said it should not be long ere Soveraigne honour should be done to that Garter whereupon he afterward added the French Morto Honi soit qui maly pense therein checking his Lords sinister suspition Some conjecture that he instituted the Order of the Garter for that in a battell wherein he was victorious he had given the word Garter for the word or signe and some againe are of opinion that the institution of this Order is more ancient and begunne by King Richard the first but that this King Edward adorned it and brought it into splendour The number of the knights of this Order is twenty sixe whereof the King himselfe is alwayes one and president and their Feast yearely celebrated at Windsor on Saint Georges day the Tutelar Saint of that Order The lawes of the Order are many whereof there is a booke of purpose In the five and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne he was earnestly Petitioned by a Parliament then holen that the great Charter of Liberties and the Charter of Forests might be duly observed and that the great Officers of the kingdome should as in former times be elected by Parliament to which Petition though the King at first stood stiffe upon his owne Election and Prerogative yet at last in regard to have his present turne served as himselfe after confessed he yeelded that such Officers should receive an Oath in Parliament to doe justice to all men in their Offices and thereupon a Statute was made and confirmed with the Kings Seale both for that and many other Grants of his to his Subjectsâ which notwithstanding were for the most part shortly after revoked This King also causeth all Pleas ãâã were before in Frenâh to be made in English that the Subject might understand the course of the Law Also in his time an Act was passed for Purveyours that nothing should be taken up but for ready money upon strict punishment In the next Parliâment holden the seven and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne certaine Sâmpâuary Lawes were ordained both for apparell and diet appointing every degree of men the stuffe and habits they should weare prohibiting the weaâing of gold and silver silkes and rich furres to all buâ eminent persons The labâârer and husbandman ãâã âppointed but one ãâã dayâ and what meates he should ãâã Also in his time at the instance of the Loââonersâ an Act was made that no common Whore should weaâe any Hood except striped with divers colours nor Furres but Garments reversed the wrong side outward This King also was the first that created Dukesâ of whom Henry of Bâllingbrâoke ãâã of Lancaster created Duke of Lancaster in the seven and twentieth yeare of his Raigneâ was the first But afterward he erected Cornwall also into a Dutchy and conferred it upon the Prince after which time the Kings eldest sonne used alwayes to be Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester This King altered monies and abated them in weight yet made them to passe according to the former value Before his time there were no other peeces but Nobles and halfe Nobles with the small peeces of Silver called Sterlings but ââw Groats of foure pence and halfe Groats of two pence equivalent to the Sterling money are coyned which inhaunsed the prises of things that rise or fâll according to the plenty or scarcity of coyne which made Servants and Labourers to râise their wages accordingly Whereupon a Statute was made in the Parliament now held at Westminster to reduce the same to the former rate Also an Act was made in this Kings time that all Weares Mils and other stoppages of Rivers hindering the passage of Boats Lighters and other Vessels should be removed which though it were most commodious to the kingdome yet it tooke little effect by reason of bribing and corrupting Lords and great men who regarded more their owne private then the publike benefit In a Parliament holden the tenth yeare of his Raigne it was enacted that no Wooll growing within the Realme should be transported but that it should be made in Cloath in Peter-pence are forbidden by the King to be paid any more to Rome The câstome of washing poore mens feete on Maundy-Thursday thought to have beene first brought in by this King Affaires of the Church in his time KING Edward upon some displeasure had imprisoned divers Clergy men whereupon Iohn Stratford Arch-bishop of Canterbury writes him a Letter charging him with violation of the Rights of the Church and with the breach of Magna Charta and after much good counsell given him threatens that if he amend not these disorders he must and
take Arââ against his lawfull Soveraigne and not be Treason If you say by Elâction of ãâã State you speake not reason for what power hath the State to Elâct while any ãâã living that hath right to succeed but such a Succâsâor is not the Earle of Lancaster as descended from Edmund Crouchback the elder sonne of King Henry the Third though put by the Crowne for deformity of his body For who knowes not the falsenesse of this allegation seeing it is a thing notorious that this Edmund was neither the elder brother nor yet crooke-backr though called so for some other reason but a goodly personage and without any deformity And your selves cannot forget a thing so lately done who it was that in the fourth yeere of Kââg Richard was declared by Parliament to be Heire to the Crowne in case K. ãâã should dye without issue But why then is not that claime made because Silâââ leges inter arma what disputing of Titles against the streame of Power Bââ howsoever it is extreame injustice the King Richard should be condemned without being heard or once allowed to make his defence And now my Lords I have spoken thus at this time that you may consider of it before it be too late for as yet it is in your power to undoe that justly which you have unjustly done Much to this purpose was the Bishops speech but to as little purpose as if he had gone about to call back Yesterday The matter was too farre gone and scarce a person there present that had not a hope of either a private or a publick benefiâ by that which was done Yet against this speech of the Bishop there was neither Protesting nor Excepting It passed in the House as but one mans opinion And as for the King it was neither fit he should use much severity against any Member of that Parliament which had so lately shewed so much indulgence towards him nor indeed safe to be too hot in his Punishment when he was yet scarce warme in his Government Yet for a warning to use their liberty of speech with more moderation hereafter the Bishop was arrested by the Marshall and committed to Prison in the Abby of S. Albans but afterward without further censure seâ at liberty till upon a conspiracy of the Lords wherein he was a Party he was condemned to dye though through extremity of griefe he prevented execution But as for King Richard and Edmund Mortimer Earle of March enough was spoken by the Bishop in both their behalfes to undoe them both and indeed K. Richard was soone after made away the Earle secured himselfe by retiring farre off to his Lordship of Wigmore avoyding the danger of Contention by not entring the Lists of Aspiring But although the Divine Providence for causes hidden from humane knowledge gave way at this time to the advancement of the younger the House of Lancaster yet in the third Generation after the elder the House of Clarence recovered its Right in K. Edwaââ the Fourth that we may know it is but staying the leisure of Heaven for every one to have his Right either in Person or by Proxie But whether incited by this speech of the Bishop or otherwise out of the ranââur of envy is some and malice in others it was not long after before there grew in the mindes of many both Lords and other a malignant inclination towards King Henry and came first to be a Conspiracie in the house of the Abbot of Westminster This Abbot was a kinde of Booke-statesman but better read in the Politicks of Aristotle then of Solomon who remembring some words of King Henry which he had spoken long before when he was but Earle of Darby That Princes had too little and Religious men too much and fearing lest being now king he should reduce his words into act he thought it better to use preventing Physick before-hand then to staâd to the hazard of a curing afterward and thereupon invited to his house the discontented Lords ââs namely Iohn Holland Duke of Exceter Thomas Holland hiâ brothers sonne Duke of Surry Edward Duke of Aâmerle Iohn Montacute Earle of Sâlisbury Hugh Spenser Earle of Glocester Iohn Bishop of Carlile Sir Thomas Blunt and Maââlin one of King Richards Chappell who after dinner conferring together and communicationg their spleenes against King Henry one with another they resolved at last both to take away the Kings life and of the way how to doe it The device was this They would publish a solemne Justs to beâolden at Oxford at a day appointed and invite the King to honor it with his presence and there in the time of acting the Justs when all mens intentions should be otherwise busied they would have him be murthered This device was resolved on Oaths for secrecy were tâken and Indentures sextipartite for performing conditions agreed upon between them sealed and delivered The Justs are proclaimed the King is invited and promiseth to come secrecie of all hands kept most firmly to the very day But though all other kept counsell yet Fortune would not but she discovered all For it fortuned that as the Duke of Aumerle was riding to the Lords at Oxford against the day appointed he tooke it in his way to goe visit his father the Duke of Yorke and having in his bosome the Indenture of Confederacy his father as they sate at dinner chanced to spy it and asked what it was to whom his sonne answering It was nothing that any way concerned him By S. George saith his father but I will see it and there withall snatching it from him read it and finding the Contents and reviling his sonne for being now the second time a Traitour before to King Richard and now to King Henry he commanded his horses to be instantly made ready and with all the speed he could make rode to Windsor where the King then lay but the younger yeeres of his sonne out-rid him and came to the Court before him where locking the Gates and taking the keyes from the Poâter pretending some speciall reason he went up to the King and falling on his knees âsked his Pardon The king demanding for what offence he then discovered the whole Plot which he had scarce done when his father came rapping at the Court-gates and comming to the king shewed him the Indenture of Confederacy which he hâd taken from his sonne This though iâ amazed the king yet it informed him of the truth of the matter whereof he was before doubtfull and thereupon layes aside his journey to see the Justings of others in jest and takes care that he be not justled in earnest out of his Throne himselfe In the meane time the confederate Lords being ready at Oxford and hearing nothing of the Duke of Aumerle nor seeing any preparation for the kings comming were certainly perswaded that their Treason wâs discovered Whereupon falling into consideration of the case they were in they found there was no place left for them of Mercy
to deliver Mortimer but the King was deafe of that eare he could rather have wished both him and his two Sisters in heaven for then he should be free from conceal'd competitours These affronts were at this time suffered in the Welch because the King was now employed in a more dangerous service with the Scots for they taking advantage of the distraction in the kingdome as it was alwayes their custome to do had made an In-rode into the County of Northumberland and suddenây one night set upon the Castle of Werke tooke and spoiled it and then returned In revenge wherof the English invaded and spoiled certain Islands of the Orknâys Then the Scots set forth a Fleet under the conduct of Sir Robert Logon but before he came to any action he was encountred and the greatest part of his Fleet taken But these were but such affronts as often happen between troublesome neighbours for all this while the Peace was still in being between the Nations but at last it brake out into an open warre upon this occasion Robert King of Scots had offered to match his Son David with a Dâughter of Geoâge Earle of Dunbarre and had received money of him in part of her portion and afterward would neither suffer the March to proceed nor yet pay back the money but married his Son to a Daughter of Archibold Earle of Dââglasse Upon which indignity George of Dunbarre flyes into England to king Henry and with his ayd makes divers incursions into Scoâland Whereupon Roberâ king of Scots sent to king Henry that if he would have the Truce between them to continue he should deliver to him George of Dunbarre King Henry answered that he had given him a safe conduct and could not now recall it with his Honor but as for continuing the Truce king Robert might do in that what he thought bestâ Upon this answer the king of Scots presently proclaimed warre against him But king Henry as ready in that matter as he stayed not for king Roberts invading of England but himselfe with a puissant Army invaded Scotland burning Castles and Cities and not sparing Churches and Religious Houses About the end of September he besieged the Castle of Maydens in Edenbourgh where Prince David and the Earle Dowglasse were At which time Robert Duke of Albanye who in the king of Scots sicknesse managed the businesse sent an Herald to king Henry protesting upon his honor that if he would stay but six dayes he would give him battell K. Henry rewarded the Herald and stayed but six times six dayes passed but neither Duke of Albany nor any other for him appeared And now winter came on Victualls grew scant and which was worst a mortality began in the Englâsh Campe For which causes king Henry removed his Siege and retuâned iâtâ England As soone as he was gone sir Patrick Hebborne a Scottishman having a good opinion of his valour thought to do great matters and with a competent Army of the men of Lââgh-deane he invaded Northumberland making great spoile and loading his Soulâdiers with prey and prisoners but in the Retreit marching loosely and licentiously was set upon by the Earle of Northumberland Vice-warden at a Towne called Neshye where Hebborne himselfe and all the floure of Lâugh-deane were flaine sir Iohn and William Cockburne sir William Busse Iohn and Thomas Hablington Esqâires and a multitude of common Souldiers taken prisoners On the Englâsh part few slâinâ and none of any ranke or quality In revenge whereof Archibold Dowglasse with an Army of twenty thousand entred Northumberland but at a place called Homâldon were encountred by the English under the leading of Henry Lord Percye sirnamed Hoâspuââe and George Earle of March who put them to âlight and after the slauâhter of ten thousand of them tooke five hundred prisoners whereof the chieft were Mordack Earle of Fife sonne of the Generall who in the fight lost one of his eyes Thomas Earle of Murrey Robert Earle of Aâgus the Earls of Atholl and Menliâââ and amongst the slaine were Sir Iohn Swinton Sir Adam Gourdon Sir Iohn Leviston Sir Alexander Ramsey and three and twenty other knights In this meane time Glendour of Wales had solicited the king of France for ayde who sent him twelve hundred men of quality but the windes were so contrary that they lost twelve of their ships and the rest returned home The English deriding this ill successe of the French so exasperated the French-king that presently after he sent twelve thousand who landed safely and joyned with the Welch but as soone as they heard of the English armies approach whether mistrusting their own strength or suspecting the Welch-mens faithfullnesse they ran to their ships and disgracefully went home King Henry's Ambassadors lately sent into Britaine to fetch the Lady Iane de Navarre Dutchesse of Britiane the relict of Iohn de Montford sirnamed the Conquerourâ with whom the king by Procurators had contracted Matrimony in the beginning of February returned with her in safety The king met her at Winchester where the seventh of February the marriage was solemnized About this time some affronts were offered by the French Valerian Earle of S. Paul with seventeene hundred men landed in the Isle of Wight where hee burnt two Villages and some few Cottages but hearing the people of the Island to have assembled hee made haste to his ships and returned home Also Iohn Earle of Clermont the heire of Bourbon won from the English the Castles of S. Peter S. Mary and the New-Castle The Lord de la Brett won the Castle of Calââin places of great consequence to the English And now to make k. Henry sensible that a Crown can hardly ever sit easie upon the head if it be not set on right at first a new Conspiracy is hatching against him The Percies Earls of Northumberland and Worcester with Henry Hotspur began about thiâ time to fall off from king Henry their reason was First because the king at their request refused to redeeme their kinsman Mortimer from Glendours slavery and then because he denied them the benefit of such prisoners as they had taken of the Scots at Homildon or Nâshye whereupon they went of themselves and procured Mortimer's delivery and then entred into a League offensive and defensive with Glendour and by their Proxies in the house of the Arch-deacon of Bangor they agreed upon a Tripartite Indenture under their hands and seales to divide the kingdome into three parts whereby all England from Severâ and Trent South and Eastward was assigned for the portion of the Earle of March All Wales and the Lands beyond Severâ VVestward were assigned to Owen Glendour And all the remainder of land from Trent Northward to bee the portion of the Lord Percy In this as Glendour perswaded them they thought they should accomplish a Prophesie as though king Henry were the Mouldwarp cursed of Gods own mouth they three were the Lyon the Dragon and the Wolfe which should divide the Land
among them In this meane time king Henry not acquainted with this Conspiracy caused a Proclamation to bee made intimating that the Earle of March had voluntarily caused himself to bee taken prisoner to the end the Rebels having him in their custody might pretend some colour for their Conspiracy and therefore hee had small reason to take care for his deliverance Hereupon the Percies assisted with a company of Scots and drawing to their party the Earle of Stafford and Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke and many other purposed to joyne with the Captain of the Welch but first they framed certaine Articles against the king and sent them to him in writing That hee had falsified his Oath given at his landing swearing that he came but only to recover his Inheritance and would not meddle with the King or with the Crowne That most trayterously hee had taken Armes against his Soveraigne Lord Imprisoned him and then most barbarouusly caused him to be murthered That ever since the death of king âichard he had unjustly kept the Crown from his kinsman Edmund Mârtimer Earl of March to whom of right it belonged That upon no occasion hee had imposed divers Taxes upon the people That by his Letters hee procured Burgesses and Knights of the Parliament to bee chosen for which causes and many other they defyed him and vowed his destruction and the restoring of the Earle of March to his right King Henry could not but know that all these Articles against him were true yet seeing the knowing it hindred him not from seeking to get the Crowne when hee had it not it could lesse hinder him from seeking to keep it now that he had it and if he were able being a private man to get it from a King he was likely to bee more able being now a king to keepe it from privatâ men and as for any objections that Conscience could make he had enough to answere them all For if his Title were good against king Richard by his Resignation it was as good against Mortimer by his swearing Allegiance and upon these grounds with a minde as confident as if all cyrcumstances were of his side he raysed an Army and marched towards the Lords taking care they might by no meanes joyne with the Welch and about Shrewsbury on Saturday S. Mary Magdalens Eve hee encountred them in which fight though the Scots and Henry Hotspur shewed much valour yet the victory rested on the kings side Hotspur himselfe was slayne the Earle of Worcester was taken prisoner together with Sir Richard Vernon Sir Theobald Trussel the Baron of Kinderton and the rest fled On the kings part besides the Earle of Stafford who had that morning revolted from the Conspirators were slaine Sir Hugh Sherley Sir Cliftonâ Sir Iohn Cockayn Sir Nicholas Gausell Sir Walter Blunt Sir Iohn Calverley Sir Iohn Massie of Puddingtrâ Sir Hugh Mortimer and Sir Robert Gausell all which had beene but that morning dubbed knights with Sir Thomas Wendsley who died afterwards of his wounds of common Souldiers about sixteene hundred but of the Conspirators above six thousand whereof 36 the king slew with his own hand but was once unhorsed by Dowglasse who in his presence slew Sir Walter Blunt with divers others that day in all things attired like to the king for which exployt Dowglasse being after by the fall of his horse taken prisoner was by the kings command carefully attended and without Ransom set at liberty In this batttell the young Prince Henry though wounded in the face with an Arrow yet was not wounded in his courage but continued fighting still After this victory the king caused publique thanks to bee given to God and then caused the Earle of Worcester to bee beheaded and many others of that Rebellion to bee drawne hanged and quartered and their heads placed on London Bridge And then the king sent his sonne Henry Prince of Wales with his whole Army into that Country but before his comming Owen Glendour was abandoned by all his Company and lurking in the woods was there famished many of his associats were taken and put to death Whilest the Prince was in Wales Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland of his own accord came and submitted himselfe to the king protesting his innocency aâ not being once acquainted with any intent of Treason and Rebellion whose excuse the king received for the present with gentle language the rather for that hee had the possession of Barwick Castle and other places of strength in his power but yet he wiped not off the score of his misdemeanors out of his minde And now with the fourth yeere of his Reigne ended all the great Troubles of this k. Henry the fourth those that follow are but such accidents as are frequent in all times both abroad and at home The Britans under the leading of the Lord of Castiles spoyled the Towne of Plimouth In revenge whereof the Western-men under the command of William Wilford set forth â Fleete which arriving in Britaine tooke forty ships laden with Oyle and Wines and burnt forty more Againe the French landed a thousand men in the Wightâ where they got together a great booty of Cattell but the Islanders comming upon them tooke away their booty and made many of them leave their Carkases for a booty to the âsland Yet the French would not leave so but a while after as having gotten new spirits they cast Anchor before the Isle of Wight and require no lesse then to have the Island into their possession but a resolute answere of the Islanders frighted them away and made them glad they were gone Soone after this the Duke of Orleance brother to the French king in a vaunting stile sent a challenge to king Henry to meete him in the field each of them to have a hundred in his Company to which the king answered That for his own valour it had sufficiently been tryed and for this challenge of the Dukes neither the Person nor the Cause were worthy of his undertaking Upon this refusall of the kings divers taunts and jeeres were bandied beâweene them till at last the Duke in great passion falls upon Vergie a Towne in Guyen but after three moneths assaulting it being valiantly defended by Sir Robert Anâfield and three hundred Englishmen he was glad to give over with losse and returne into France Presently upon this the Admirall of Britaine accompanied with the Lord du Castile and thirty saile of ships attempted to land at Dertmouth in Devonshire but were repelled and the Lord du Castile and two of his brothers and foure hundred of his men were slaine besides two hundred taken Prisoners of whom the Lord Baquevile Marshall of Britaine was one After this five hundred men of armes five hundred Crosse-bowes and a thousand Flemmings under the conduct of the Earle of S. Paul laid siege to the Castle of Marâk three leagues frâm Câllice but first by Sir Philip Hall Captaine of Callice and after by Sir Richard Aston
was begun to be built Also in his time Sir Robert Knolls made the Stone bridge of Rochester in Kent and founded in the Town of Pomfret a Colledge and an Hospitall he also re-edified the body of the White-Friers Church in Fleetstreet where he was afterward buried Which Church was first founded by the Ancestours of the Lord Grey of Codnor In the eighth yeare of his Reigne Richard Whittington Major of London erected a house or Church in London to be a house of Prayer and named it after his own name Whittington Colledge with lodgings and weekly allowance for divers poore people He also builded the Gate of London called Newgate in the yeare 1420 which was before a most loathsome prison He builded also more than halfe of St. Bartholmews Hospitall in West-Smithfield and the beautifull Library in the Gray Friars in Londonâ now called Christs Hospitall He also builded a great part of the east end of Guildhall and a Chappell adjoyning to it with a Library of stone for the custodie of the Records of the Citie But he that exceeded all at this time in works of Piety was William Wickham Bishop of Winchester his first worke was the building of a Chappell at Tychfield where his Father Mother and Sister Perrât was buried Next he founded at Southwick in Hampshire neere the Towne of Wickham the place of his birth as a supplement to the Priorie of Soutâwicke a Chauntry with allowance for five Priests for ever He bestowed twenty thousand marks in repairing the houses belonging to the Bishopricke he discharged out âf Prison in all places of his Diocesse all such poore prisoners as lay in execution for debt under twenty pounds he amended all the high-wayes from Winchester to London on both sides the River After all this on âhe fifth of March 1379 he began to lay the foundation of that magnificent Structure in Oxford called New-Colledge and in person layd the first stone thereof in which place before there stood Naetius-Colledge built by Alver at Nâtius intreaty and for the affinity of the name came to be called New-Colledge In the yeare 1387 on the 26 of March he likewise in person layd the first stone of the like foundation in Winchester and dedicaâââ the same as that other in Oxford to the memory of the Virgin Mary The Grocerâ in London purchased their Hall in Cuââyhope Lane for 320 marks and then layd thâ foundation thereof on the tenth of May. King Henry founded the Colledge of Fââringhey in Northamptoâshire to which King Heâry the fifth gave land of the Priories of Monkes Aliens by him suppressed Iohn Gower the famous Poet new builded a great part of St. Mary Overyes Church in Southâârke where he lyes buried In the second yeare of this king a new market in the Poultry called the Stocks was builded for the free sale of Forreign Fishmongers and Butchers In his twelveth yeare the Guildhall of London was begun to be new Edified and of a little Cottage made a goodly house as now it is Casualties happening in his time IN his third yeare in the Moneth of March appeared a Blazing-starre first betwixt the East and the North and then sending forth fiery beams towards the North foreshewing perhaps the effusion of bloud that followed after in Wales and Northumberland In the same yeare at Danbury in Essex the Devill appeared in likenesse of a Gray-Frier who entring the Church put the people in great fear and the same houre with a tempest of Whirlewinde and Thunder the top of the steeple was broken down and halfe the Chancell scattered abroad In his seventh yeâre such abundance of water brake suddenly over the Banks in Kent that it drowned Cattell without number Also this yeare the Town of Reystone in Hartfordshire was burnt In his ninth yeare was so sharpe a winter and such abundancâ of snow continuing December Ianuary February and March that almost all small Birds died through hunger Of his Wives and Children HE had two Wives the first was Mary one of the Daughters and heirs of Hâmphrey de Boâun Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton she died before he câme to the Crowne in the yeare 1394. His second Wife was Ioane Daughter to Charles the first king of Navarre she being the widdow of Iohn de Montford surnamed Streaây or the Conquerour Duke of Brittaine who dyed without any issue by king Henry at Havering in Essex the yeare 1437 in the fifteenth yeare of king Henry the sixth and lyeth buried by her husband at Canterbury He had foure Sons and two Daughters Of his Sons Henry his eldest was Prince of Wales and after his Father king of England His second Son was Thomas Duke of Clarence and Steward of England who was slaine at Beaufort in Anjoâ and dyed without issue His third Son was Iohn Duke of Bedford he married first with Anne Daughter to Iohn Duke of Burgundie and secondly with Iacoba Daughter of Peter of Luxenbourgh Earle of St. Paul but dyed also without issue His fourth Son was Humphry by his brother king Henry the fifth created Duke of Gloucester and was generally called the good Duke he had two Wives but dyed without issue in the yeare 1446 and was buried at St. Albans though the vulgar opinion be that he lyes buried in St. Pauls Church Of king Henry the fourths Daughters Blanch the elder was married to Lewis Barbatus Palatine of the Rhene and Prince Elector Philippe his younger Daughter was married to Iohn king of Denmarke and Norway Of his Personage and Conditions COncerning his Body he was of a middle stature slender limbes but well proportioned Concerning his Minde of a serious and solid disposition and one that stood more upon his own legges than any of his Predecessors had done in cases of difficulty not refusing but not needing the advice of others which might confirme but not better his own He was neither merry nor sad but both best pleas'd when he was opposed because this was like to doe him good by sharpening his invention most angry when he was flattered because this was sure to doe him hurt by dulling his judgement No man ever more loved nor lesse doted upon a wife than he a good husband but not uxorious that if there be reines to that Passion we may know he had them It may be thought he affected the Crown not so much out of Ambition as out of Compassion because the oppreâsions of his Country he could not so well helpe being a Subject as a King for otherwise we may truly say he was a loser by the Crowne being not so great for a King as he was before for a Subject The Crowne rather was a gainer by him which hath ever since been the richer for his wearing it We may thinke he was either weary of his life or longing for death for why else would he take upon him the Crusado having been told by a skilfuâl Southsayer that he should dye in Ierusalem but it seemes he did not believe
divers of the French Nobility who attended him to the Pallace where the Queen with her Daughters the Dutchesse of Burgoigne and the Lady Katherine gave him Princely entertainment and after some intercourse of complement between the Princes and the Ladies K. Henry tendred to the Lady Katherine a Ring of great value which she not without some blushing received and afterward upon the twentieth day of May she was affianced to him in St. Peters Church and on the third of Iune following the marriage was solemnized and therewithall king Henry was published to be the only Regent of the Realme and Heire apparent to the Crown of France the Articles whereof with all convenient expedition were Proclaimed both in England and in France and the two kings and all their Nobles and other Subjects of account were sworne to observe them and in particular the Duke of Burgoigne And thus was the Salique Law violated and the heire Male put by his Sucession in the Crowne which the Genius of France will not long endure a while it must and therefore the maine endeavour of both kings now is to keep him down whom they had put downe and thereupon on the fourth day of Iune king Henry with the French king Iames king of Scots who was newly arrived the Duke of Burgoigâeâ the Prince of Orenge one and twenty Earles five and forty Barons with many Knights and Gentlemen and an Army consisting of French English Scotish Irish and Dutch to the number of six hundred thousand marched towards the Dolphin and upon the seventh day laid siege to the Towne of Seââs which sided with the Dolphin which after foure dayes siege was yielded up From thence they removed having the Duke of Bedford in their company who was newly come out of Eâglaâd with large supplies of men and money to Monstââââ which was taken by Escalado onely the Castle held out still during the siege whereof king Henry creââed an Officer of Armes to be king of Heralds over the Englishmen and intitled him Garter whom he sent with offers of mercy to the Castle but was by the Captaine thereof reproachfully upbraided for punishment of which his presumption â Gibbet was erected and in view of Mounsieur Guitry the said Captaine twelve of his friends were executed whereupon those of the Castle treated for peace but the king in eight dayes together would not grant so much as a parleyâ so that after six weekes siege they were enforced their lives saved simply to yield From thence the king marched to Melun upon Sein and besieged it the thirtieth of Iuly the Captaine whereof was Barbason a Gascoigne no lesse politick than valiant who countermined some and stopt other Mines made by the English and foâght hand to hand in the Barriers with king Henry yet at last through Famine and Pestilence was forced to yeild but being suspected to have had a hand in the murther of the Duke of Burgoigne he was sent prisoner to Paris and presently thereupon both the kings with their Queens the Duke of Burgoigne and his Dutchesse with a Royall Traine came thither where the French king was lodged in the House of S. Paul and the king of England in the Castle of Loâvre And here the three States of France anew under their hands and Seals in most aâthenticke manner Ratified the former Articles of king Henries Succession in the Crowne of France the Instruments whereof were delivered to the king of England who sent them to be kept in his Treasury at Westminster And now King Henry began to exercise his Regency and as a badge of his Authority he caused a new Coyne which was called a Salute to be made whereon the Armes of France and England were quarterly stamped he placed and displaced divers Officers and appointed the Duke of Exeter with five hundred men to the Guard of Paris He awarded out Processe against the Dolphin to appeare at the Marble-Table at Paris which he not obeying Sentence was denounced against him as guilty of the murther of the Duke of Burgoigne and by the sentence of the Parliament he was banished the Realme After this the King making Thomas Duke of Clarence his Lievetenant Generall of Fraâce and Normandy on the 6th of Ianuary with his beloved Queen Katherine he left Pariâ and went to Amyens and from thence to Calliâ and thence landing at Dover came to Canterbury and afterward through Loâdoâ to Westminster where the Queene upon St. Matthews day the fourth of Februâry was Crowned the King of Scots sitting at dinner in his State but on the left hand of the Queen the Archbishop of Caâterbury and the Kings Uncle the Bishop of Winchester being on the right hand All were served with covered messes of silver but all the Feast was Fish in observation of the Lent season After this the king tooke his Progresse through the Land hearing the complaints of his poore Subjects and taking order for the administring of Justice to high and low and then met the Queen at Leicester where they kept their Easter In the meane time the Duke of Clarence making a Road into Aâjoâ came to the Citie of Ampers where he knighted Sir William Rosse Sir Henry Gâdâard Sir Rowlaâd Vyder Sir Thomas Beauford his naturall Son and returning home laden with prey was advertised that the Duke of Alanson intended to intercept his passage whereupon he sent the Scout-master Fogosaâ Lombard to discover the face of the Enemy who being corrupted brought report that their number was but small and those but ill ordered that if he presently charged there could be no resistance The Dukes credulity caused him to draw all his horses together and leaving his bowes and billâ behinde which were his chiefâst strength with his ãâã only he makes towards the Enemy but the Traitor leading to a straight where by his appointment an ambush was layd thaâ the Duke could neither retreat nor flee he soone perceived the Treaâchery but finding no remedy he manfully set spââ to his horse and charged upon the Enemy but over-layd with multitude and wearied with fight was himselfe with the Earle of Taâkervile the Lord Rosse the Eaâle of Angus Sir Iohn ãâã and Sir Iohn Vereâd and above two thousand English slaine The Earls of Sââerset Suffolke and Pearch Sir Iohn Berklây Sir Ralph Nevill Sir Williââ Bâwes and 60 Gentlemen were taken prisoners The body of the Duke of Clârence was by Sir Iohn Beauford his base Son the D. dying without other issue convey'd to England and buried at Canterbury besides his Father and this disaster happened upon âaster-Eve The King was at Beverley when he heard of his brothers death and presently thereupon dispatched away Edmund Earle of Mârtââgne into Norâââdy making hiâ Lievtenant thereof and then calls his high Court of Parliament to Westminster requiring ayd by money to revenge his brâthers death which was readily granted and the king thus provided sent his brother the Duke of Bedford with an Army to Câlliâ consisting of foure
February the foureteenth crowned at Westminster Shee surviving king Henry was re-married to Owen Teuâââ an Esquire of Wales who pretended to be discended from Cadwalladeâ the antienâ king of Wales though some write him to be the sonne of a Brewer whose meannesse of estate was recompensed by the delicacy of his personage so absolute in all the lineaments of his body that the only contemplation of it might well make her forget all other circumstances by him she had three sonnes Edmond Iâsper and Owen and a daughter that lived but a while Her sonne Owen tooke the habit of Religion at Westminster the other two were by king Henry the sixt their halfe brother advanced in honor Edmond was created Earle of Richmond and marrying the sole heyre of Iohn Beaufort Duke of Somerset was Father by her unto Henry the sâaventh king of England the only heyre of the house of Lancaster Iasper her second sonne was first created Earle of Pembroke and after Duke of Bedford but dyed without lawfull issue This Queenâ either for devotion or her owne safety âoke into the Monastery of Bermoâdsey in Southwarke who dying the second oâ January 1436. she was buried in our Ladies Chappell within St. Peters Church at VVestminster whose corps taken up in the Reigne of king Henry the sâaventh her Grand-childe when he laid the foundation of that admirable structure and her Coffin placed by king Henry her husbands Tombe hath ever since so remained and never since re-buried where it standeth the cover being loose to bee seene and handled of any that will By her king Henry had only one son named Henry who succeeded him in the Kingdom Of his Personage and Conditions HE was tall of stature leane of body and his bones small but strongly made somewhat long necked black haired and very beautifull of face swift in runing so as hee with two of his Lords without bow or other engine would take a wilde Buck or Doe in a large Parke Hee delighted in songs and musicall Instruments insomuch that in his Chappell amongst his private prayers he used certaine Psalmes of Dâvid translated into English meeter by Iohn Lydgate Monke of Bury And indeed it may be truly said of him as was said of Aenaeâs Quo justior alter Nec piâtate fuit nec bello major arâiâ for he seldom fought baââell where he got not the victory and never got victory whereof he gave not the glory to God with publique Thanksgiving He was a better man a King then a Subject for till then he was not in his right Orbe and therfore no mervaile if he were somthing exorbitant He was of a mercifull disposition but not to the prejudice of wisedom as thinking wise cruelty to be better then foolish pitty He was no lesse politick then valianâ for he never fought battell nor wonne Town wherein hee prevailed not asmuch by stratagem as by force He was so temperate in his dyet and so free from vain-glory that we may truly say he had something in him of Caesar which Alexander the Greââ had not that he would not bee drunke and somâhing of Alexander the Great which Caesar had not that he would not be flattered He was indeede a great affector of Glory but not of glory the blâst of mens mouthes but of the Glory that fills the sailes of Time He dyed of full yeeres though not full of yeeres if he had lived longer he might have gone over the same againe but could not have gone further If his love were great to Military men it was not small to Clergy men insomuch as by many he was called the Prince of Priests Of his Death and Buriall SOme say he was poysoned which Polydore Virgill saith was much suspected The Scots write that he died of the disease called St. Fiâcre which is a Palsie and a Crampe Eâguerant saith that he died of St. Anthonies fire But Peter Basset Esquire who at the time of his death was his Chamberlaine affirmeth that hee died of a Pleurisie which at that time was a sicknesse strange and but little known Being dead his body was embalmed and closed in lead and laid in a Chariot-Royall richly apparelled in cloath of Gold was conveyed from Boys de Vinâânâes to Paris and so to Roaâ to Aâbevyle to Câllys to Dâver and from thence through London to Westminster where it was interred next beneath King Edward the Confessor upon whose Tombe Queene Katherine caused a Royall picture to be layed covered all over with silver plate gilt but the head thereof altogether of massie silver all which at that Abbies suppression were sacrilegiously broken off and transferred to pâophaner uses Hee dyed the last day of August in the yeere one thousand foure hundred twenty two when he had reigned nine yeeres and five Moneths lived eight and thirty yeeres Of men of Note in his time MEN of valour in his time were so frequent that we may know it to be a true saying Regis ad exempluâ and men of learning likewise in such numbers that we may know the Prince to have been their Patron First Alayn de Lyn a Carmelite Frier in that Towne who wrote many Treatises Then Thomas Otterborne a Franciscan frier who wrote an History of England Then Iohn Seguerd who kept a Schoole in Norwich and wrote sundry Treatises reproving as well the Monkes and Priests as Poets for writing of filthy verses Robert Rosâ a Carmelite frier in Norwich who writing many Treatises yet said nothing against the Wickleâists Richard Câyster borne âo Nofolke a man of great holinesse of life favoring though secretly the doctrine of VVickliffâ William Wallis a Black frier in Liâ who made a booke of Moralizations upon Ovids Metamorphosisâ William Taylor a Priest and a Master of Art in Oxford a stedfast follower of Wickliffes doctrine and burnt for the same at Smithfield in London the last yeere of this âings reigne Bartholomew Florarius called so of a Treatise which he wrote called Florarium who writ also another Treatise of Abstinence wherein he reproveth the corrupt manners of the Clergie and the pâofession of the Friers Menâicants Alsâ Titus Liviââ de Foââ Lâvisâis an Itâlian bornâ but seeing he âas râsiant here and wâote the life of this King it is not unfit to make mention of him in this place also many others THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH THere had beene a Race of Princes of which for three generations together it might be rightly sayd Pulcherrima proles Magnanimi Heroes nati melioribus Annis For King Edward the Third had many Sons not inferior in valour to the many Sons of King Priâââs not excepting his valiant Son Hector having so equall a match for him as Edward the blacke Prince who wanted but an Homer to have been an Achilles Then Iohn of Gâunâ likewise had divers Sons men as valorous as any that Age afforded Then Henry the Fourth had foure Sons oâ so heroicall disposition all that you might know them all to be
his Sons only King Heâry the Fifth to be his eldest And now that in him the heroicall nature was come to the height it degenerated againe in King Henry the Sixth which must needs be attributed to the mothers side who though in her selfe she were a Princesse of a noble spirit yet being the issue of a crazie father what marvell if she proved the mother of a crazie issue and yet even this issue of hers a Prince no doubt of excellent parts in their kinde though not of parts kindly for a Princâ in a private man praise-worthy enough but the sword of a King required a harder mettall than the soft temper of King Henry the sixth was made of and in him we may see the fulfilling of the Text Vae genti cujus Rex est puer Woe to that Nation whose King is a Childe for he was not above eight moneths old when he succeeded his father in the Kingdome although that Text perhaps is not meant so much of a child in years for which there may be helps by good Protectors as of a childe in abilities of ruling whereof though possibly there may yet probably there can be no sufficient supply of which in this King we have a pregnant example for as long as he continued a childe in yeares so long his Kingdomes were kept flourishing by the Providence of his carefull Uncles but assoone as he left being a Childe in years and yet continued a childe in ability of Ruling then presently began all things Iâ pejus ruere retro sublapsa referri all things went to wracke both in France and England And thus much was necessary to be sayd by way of a Preface to that great fall as it were of Nilus in King Henry the Sixth Henry called of Windsor because borne there the only childe of King Henry the Fifth as yet scarce nine moneths old succeeded his Father and was Proclaimed King of England on the last of August in the yeare 1422 by reason of whose infancie King Henry his Father had before by his Will appointed and now the Lords by their consent confirmed the Regency of France to Iohn Duke of Bedford the Government of England to Humphry Duke of Glocester the Guard of his Person to Thomas Duke of Exeter and Hânry Beauford Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor wherein it was wisely provided that one man should not rule all lest it should prove a spurre to aspiring and withall stay them from envying one another when many were alike placed in the highest forme of authoriây and indeed they all carried themselves so uprightly and carefully in their places that it well appeared the trust reposed in them by the dying King had made a strong impression of love and loyalty towards his Son The Duke of Bedford Regent of France was to keepe that by the sword which King Henry the Fifth by his sword had gotten wherein he had many and great assistants specially the two terrours of France Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury and Iohn Lord Talbot and amongst the French themselves the Duke of Burgoigne a friend no lesse powerfull than firme unto him The Dolphin also now crowned king at Poytiers and called Charles the seventh of France his father being newly dead within little more than a moneth after king Henry had likewise great assistants the Duke of Alanson and many other Peers of France and of the Scoâs many and some perhaps of the English that tooke part with him by meanes whereof the game of Fortune was a long time played betweene them with great variety The first act of the Duke of Bedfords Regency was an Oration which he made to the French in Paris which wrought this good effect that king Henry is Proclaimed king of England and of France and such French Lords as were present did their Homages and tooke their oathes to be true unto him The first act of hostility was performed by the new king of France who sends the Lord Granvile to Pont Meulan who surprized it putting all the English Souldiers to the sword but the Regent sending thither Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury so strongly beleaguered it that the Lord Granvile not only surrendred it but swore allegiance though he kept it not to the king of England From thence the Earle marched to Seyne which hee tooke by assault and put all the Souldiers except the Captain Sir William Maryn to the sword At this time the Regent the Duke of Burgoigne Iohn Duke of Brittaine and his brother in law the Earle of Râchmond who revolted afterward to the new king of France and was by him made Constable of France met at Amyens and there not only renewed the old League but further enlarged it to be offensive and defensive respectively and to make the friendship the more firme the Regent married Anne the Sister of the Duke of Burgoigne at Troys In this meane time the Parisians taking advantage of the Regents absence conspired to have let in the new king into Paris but the day before the night appointed for his admission the Regent with his power entred apprehended the Conspirators and put them to publicke execution That done he furnished all the Forts and places of strength with Englishmen and sent Sir Iohn Falstaffe who tooke in Pacye and Coursay two strong Castles whil'st himselfe with his forces tooke in Trayâels and Brây upon Seyne The Constable of France the meane while with the new kings forces layd siege to Cravant in Burgoigne but the Regent sent thither the Earle of Salisbury who set upon the French and after a long fight putting them to flight slew about 1800 knights and gentlemen of noteâ and three thousand common Souldiers Scots and French tooke prisoners the Constable himselfe the Earle of Ventadour Sir Alexââder Alerdyn Sir Lewis Ferignye and two and twenty hundred Gentlemen Of the English part were slaine Sir Iohn Gray Sir William Hall Sir Gilbert Halsall Richard âp Maddocke and one and twenty hundred Souldiers From thence the Eârle led his forces to Montaguillon and sate downe before it which after five moneths Siege he took whil'st the Duke of Suffolke took in the two strong Castles of Cowcye and le Roche Whil'st these things are done in France in England the Protectour Ransomed and inlarged the young king of Scots Iames the first who by the space of eighteene yeares had been kept a Prisoner which he did out of opinion thât he might withdraw the Scots out of France taking Homâge and fealty of him for the Crown of Scotland in these words Iâames âames Sâeward King of Scotâ shall be true and faithfull to you Lord Henry King of England and France the Superiour Lord of Scotlandâ and to you I make my fidelitie for the sayd Kingdome which I hold and claime of you and shall do you service for the same so God me helpe and these holy Evangelists and therewithall with consent of all the Nobility the Protector gave him to Wife Iane Daughter to the
King and by him to his Councell who being most of the Clergie durst not meddle in them for offending âhe Cardinall On the other side the Cardinall finding nothing whereof directly to accuse the Duke of Glocester himselfe accuseth his or her selfe the Lady Cothamâhe âhe Dukes wife of Treason for attempting by sorcery and witchcraft the death of the King and advancement of her husband to the Crown for which though acquiâed of the Treason she is adjudged to open Penance namely to goe with a wax taper in her hand hoodlesse save a kerchiffe through London divers dayes together and after to remaine in perpetuall imprisonment in the Isle of Man The crime objected against her was procuring Thomas Southwell Iohn Hunne Priests Roger Bollingbrockâ a supposed Necromancer and Margery Iourdan called the Witch of Eye in Suffolkeâ to devise a picture of waxe in proportion of the king in such sort by sorcery that as the picture consumed so the kings body should consume for which they were all condemned the witch was burnt in Smithfield Bollingbrooke was hanged constantly affirming upon his death that neither the Dutchesse nor any other from her did ever require more of him than onely to know by his art how long the king should live Iohn Hunne had his pardon and Southwell dyed the night before he shouâd have been executed About this time the Countesse of Cominges being dead the king of France and the Earle of Arminiack are Competitors for the Inheritance The Earle takes possession but fearing the King of France his greatnesse makes offer of his daughter in mariage to the King of England with a large portion in money and besides to deliver full possession of all such Townes and Castles as were by him or his Ancestors detained in Aquitaine and had been formerly by the Progenitors of the King of England conquered The Ambassadors for this businesse were by King Henry graciously heard and honorably returned after whom were sent Sir Edward Hall Sir Robert Rose and others to conclude all things and the young Lady is by Proxy affianced to king Henry But the king of France not liking the proceeding of the match sendeâh the Dolphin with a puissant Army who tooke the Earle with his youngest sonne and both his daughters aud gained the Counties of Arminiack Louverne Rouergue Moulessenois with the Cities of Severâe and Cadeack chasing the Bastard of Arminiack out of âhe Country by meanes whereof the mariage was then deferred and left in suspense In this distraction of Christendome many Princes the kings of Spaine Denmark and Hungary became Mediators for a Peace between the two kings of France and England Ambassadors of both sides are sent many meetings were had many motions made but in conclusion onely a Truce for eighteen moneths is agreed upon In the meane time the Earle of Suffolk one of the Commissioners for the Peace takes upon him beyond his Commssion and without acquainting his fellowes to treat of a mariage between the king of England and a kinswoman of the king of France Neece to the French Queene daughter to Raynâr Duke of Anjou stiling himâelfe king of Sicilie and Naples In which businesse he was so intentive that it brought an aspersion upon him of being bribed but howsoever an Enterview betwixt the two kings is appointed without any warrant of king Henries part to be between Charterâ and Roan The Commissioners returne the Earle of Suffolk sets forth the beauty of the proposed Bride and the great benefits that would redound to the kingdome by this match The king was easily induced to credit the relation but divers of the kings Councell especially the Duke of Glocester opposed it partly for the meannesse of the match her father being onely a Titular Prince and withall but poore unable to give any portion at all and partly for the wrong which should hereby be offered to the Duke of Arminiacks daughter to whom the king had been in solemne manner publickly affianced But Reasons could not prevaile against favour the Earle of Suffolks affirmation must not be undervalued And hereupon a new creation of Lords first made Iohn Beaufort Earle of Somerset made Duke of Somerset Iohn Lord Talbot made Earle of Shrewsbury Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington made Duke of Exeter Humfry Earle of Stafford made Duke of Buckingham Henry ãâã Earle of Warwick made Duke of Warwick Edmund Beaufoât Earle of Dorset made Marquesse Dorset and William de la Poole Earle of Suffolke made Marquesse of Suffolke this new Marquesse honorably accompanied is sent into Fraâce to fetch the Lady Margaret the proposed Bride who shortly after is maried at Southwick in Hampshire and crowned Queen of England at Westminster on the 30 day of May 1444 in the three and twentieth yeare of king Henries Reigne And now in stead of benefits by this mariage there presently followed great inconveniences for first in exchange of her person the Dutchy of Anjou the City of ãâã with the whole County of Mayne the best props of the Dutchy of Normandy are agreed to be surrendred into the hands of the French and then the Duke of Arminiack to revenge the injury offred to his daughter is a meanes to expell the English âut of all Aquitaine At this time the Duke of Somersets spleen against the Duke of Yorke not onely is revived but is growne stronger for the Duke of Yorke who was now after the death of the Earle of Warwick made the second time Regent of France is so undermined by him through assistance of the new Marquesse of Suffolke who bore now all the sway with the King and Queen that not onely he supplanted him in his place but planted himselfe in it to the great heart-burning of the Duke of York and his friends but he wisely dissembled his anger and for the present passed it oveâ And now is no man in grace but the new Marquesse of Suffolk all favours from the King and Queene must passe by him and the extent of his power over-râacheth all the Councell He gets of the King the wardship of the body and lands of the Countesse of Warwick and of the Lady Margaret sole daughter and heire of Iohn Duke of Somerset afterward mother to king Henry the seventh And now the kings weaknesse in judgement growes every day more apparent then other whil'st governed by no counsell but of his Queen and she by no counsell but her owne will and the new Marquesse of Suffolke King Henry is himself the least part of the king and serves but to countenance the devices of others whereof he little understands the drifts and which proving ill the blame must be his if well the benefit and honour others For by instigation of the Queene he suffers the Duke of Glocester for his care of the Common-wealth called the good Duke to be excluded not onely from Command but from the Counsell-Table and permits Informers sât on by the Marquesse of Suffolke the Duke of Buckingham the Cardinall Bishop of
Daughter of Richard Beauchamp Earle of Wârwicke deceased Upon this marriage the Earle of Warwicke discovered to hiâ what hitherto he had concealed concerning his project for the restoring of k. Hânry to which Clarence gave approbation with promise to assist him in it to his uttermoââ At this time Sir Thomas Cooke late Major of London was by one Hawkins appeached of Treason for the which he was sent to the Tower and his place in Londoâ seized by the Lord Rivers The case was this the sayd Hawkins came to Sir Thomas requesting him to lend a thousand Marks upon good surety who answered he would first know for whom it should be and for what intent and understanding it should be for the use of Queen Margaret he refused to lend a penny The matter rested two or three years till the sayd Hawkins was layd in the Tower and brought to the Brake called the Duke of Exeters Daughter by means of which paine hee confessed amongst other things the motion he had made to Sir Thomas Cookâ and accused himselfe so farre that hee was put death Sir Thomas Cooke lying in the Tower from Whitsuntide till Michaelmas had his place in Essex named Gyddihall spoyled his Deere in his Parke destroyed and though arraigned upon life and death he were acquitted of the Indictment yet could not be delivered till he had payd eight thousand pounds to the king and eight hundred to the Queen And now the Earle of VVarwicke sendeth to his brothers the Arcbbishop and the Marquesse to prepare all things ready to set on foot the intended revolt from king Edward and to procure some rebellious commotion in the North whil'st he and his new Son in law would provide to goe forward with the worke which they accordingly did in Yorkeshire an occasion being taken for the breach of an ancient custome there to give to the poore people of St. Leonards in the City of Yorke certain quantities of Corn and Grain This commotion the Archbishop and the Marquâsse underhand fomented yet to colour the matter the Marquesse opposed the Rebels and cut off the head of Robert Huldorne their Captain but his head being cut off the Rebels got them other Captains Henry Son and heir to the Lord Fiâzhugh and sir Henry Nevill Son to the Lord Latimer the one the Nephâw the other â Cozen-germane to the Earle of VVarwicke with whom they joyne the valiant Captaine Sir Iohn Conyers These when they could not enter Yorke came marching towards London all the way exclaiming against king Edward as an unjust Prince and an usurper King Edward hearing of this commotion sends Sir VVilliam Herbert whom of a meane Gentleman two years before he had made Earle of Pembrooke and his brother sir Richard Herbert together with the Lord Stafford of Southwick to suppresse the Rebels and they with an Army of seven thousand most Welchmen march towards them but the Lord Stafford being put from his Inne where he used âo lodge by the Earle of Peâbrooke tooke such a distaste at it that he withdrew his Archeâs and gave over the businesse yet the Earle of Pembâooke though thus forâââen with his own Regiment encountred the Rebels slew Sir Henry Nevill and divers othersâ when being upon the point of victory one Iohn Clappaâ a servant of the Eârle of VVarwicke comming in with five hundred rascally fellows and crying aloud a Wârwicke a Warwicke the Welchmen supposing the Earle had beene ãâã turned presently their backs and fled five thousand of them were slain the Eââle of Pembrââke himselfe and his much lamented brother Sir Richard Herbert a most goodly personage were taken prisoners brought to Banbury where both oâ thââ with ten other Gentlemen were put to death And now the Northamptonshire men joyning with the Rebels in this fury made them a Captain named Robert Hillaâd but they named him Robin of Riddesdale suddenly came to Grafton where they tooke the Earle Rivers father to the Queen and his sonne Sir Iohn Woodvile brought them to Northampton and there without Judgement beheaded them King Edward advertised of these mischances wrote to the Sheriffs of Somerset-shire and Dâvââ-shire to apprehend the Lord Stafford of Southwick who had treacherously âââsaken the Earle of Pembrooke and if they could take him to put him to death who being soon after found in a Village within Brentmarsh was brought to Bridgeâaâer and there beheaded After this battell fought at Hedgecote commonly called Bââbury field the Northern men resorted to Warwick where the Earl with great joy received them and hearing that king Edward with a great army was comming thither he sent for his sonne in Law the Duke of Clareâce with all speed to repaire ââto him who joyning together and using means cunningly by having some coââânication of Peace to make the king secure and to take little heed of himselfââ they took advantage of his security and in the dead of night set on his Campe and killing the watch before the king was aware at a place called Wolney foure miles from Barwick they took him prisoner in his bed and presently conveyed him to Middleham Castle in Yorkeshire to be there in safe custody with the Archbishop of Yorke And now they had the Prey in their hand if they had as well looked to keâp it as they had done to get it but king Edward whether bribing his Keepers or otherwise winning them by faire promises got so much liberty sometimes for his reâreation to goe a hunting by which he caused Sir William Stanley Sir Thomas of ãâã and divers of his friends at a certaine time to meet him who took him from hiâ Keepers and set him againe at liberty whil'st the Earle of Warwicke nothing doubting his brother the Archbishops care in safe keeping him thinking the brunt of the warres to be now past dismist his Army and intended only to finde out King Henryâ who was kept a prisoner but few men knew where King Edward being now at liberty posteth to York and from thence to Lancaââeâ where his Chamberlaine the Lord Hastings had raised some forces with which he marcheth to London aud is there joyfully received The Earle of Warwick likewise sends to his friends and makes preparation for a new army whil'st in the meân time by mediation of divers Lords an enterview in VVestminster-hall is agreed upon and solemn Oath taken on both sides for safety between King Edward the Duke of Clarence and the Earle of Warwicke but each party standing strictly upon terms tending to their own ends they parted as great Enemies as they met and so from thence the K. went to Canterbury the Duke and the E. to Lincolne whither they had preappointed their forces to repaire under the Conduct of Sir Robert Wâlâ Son heir of the L. Wels a man of great valour and experience in the wars K. Eââârd to take off so able a man from the Earles part sends for his Father the L. Wels to come unto him who taking with him his
Son in Law Sir Thomas Dymock and comming to attend the Kings pleasure was told by his friends how wonderfully the King was incensed against them whereupon for their safety they take Sanctuary at Westmiâster But upon the Kings Princely word they come unto him who commândeth the Lord Wells to write to his Sonne to desist from adhering to the Eaâle of Warwicke which the Lord Wells accordingly did but Sir Robert Wells notwithsâânding his Fathers letters continuing firme to âhe Earle still so much incensed King Edward that he caused both his Father and Sir ãâã Dymock to be beheâded He supposed perhaps that the Lord Wâlls was himself underhand a friend to the Earl and had not dealt sincerely with him in procuring his Sonne to leave that party But now Sir Robert Wells seeing the King draw neer to Stamford where he had pitched his Tents and hearing of his Fathers beheading was much distracted what to doe to decline bâttell with the King he thought would shew too much feare and âo give him battell before the Eârle of Warwicke were come with his forces would shew too much boldnesse But his Veines were so filled with a desire of revengiââ his Fathers death that he thought he could never shew boldnesse enough and thereupon encountring with the Kings Army farre greater âhen his own opprest with multitude was taken prisoner together with Sir Thomas de Lââd and divers others who presently in the place were put to execution as soone as Sir Robert Wâllâ was taken the Lincolneshirâ men to make themselves the lighter to run away threw off their Coates for which cause this battell was afterward called Lâse-âoate-field in which it is reported were slaine above ten thousand men The Earle of Warwick ãâã of this Deâeate and not having present ãâ¦ã raise an army sufficient to oppose king Edwardâ when he could by no means drââ the Lord Stanley to his party he determined to sayle into Frââcâ and hyring ships at Dartmouth in Devââââire he with his sonne in Law the Duke of Clarence ãâã their wives took to Sea and thinking to land at Câlliâe of which Town he himsââââ was Captaine he was by the Lord Vââcleere a Gascoigne whom he had left his Deputy there repelled and with so great inhumanity that the Dutchesse of Clarââââ who was then in labour was faine to be delivered in the ship all the courtesie ãâã thââ distresse shewed was only to send a flaggon or two of wine which fact of Vââcleeres when king Edward heard of he was so well pleased with it that he presently sent him a Patent to be Captaine of the Town himself and the Duke of ãâã for the same service sent unto him Philip de Comiâes who hath written the History of these times with a grant of one thousand Crowns pension during his life Never man was beter paid for one act of diâsembling for the truth was Prae ãâã exclâsit forââ it was out of his love that he suffered him not to enter the Town for he knew there were many great ones in it so addicted to king Edward and so maliciously bent against the Earle that if he or any of his company should have come they would in all likelihood have done them some mischiefe And hereof he made a good proofe soon after for when the Earle took to sea again the Lord ãâã sent him word he should take heed where he landed for that the Duke of ãâã lay in waite to take him which advertisement did the Earle more good then the keeping him out of Callice did him hurt The Earle upon this advertisement âââded at Dâepe in Norâaâdie whereof when king Lewis heard he sent and invited him to come to his Court at Amboiâ where he received him with no lesse honour than âf he had been a king In the mean time king Eââard made enquiry for all such as were ayders to the Earle of Warwickâ of whom some were apprehended as guilty some fled to Sanctuary and some submitted to the kings mercy as Iohn Marquesse Moâââcute whom he courteously received Queen Margareâ who at this time sojourned with Duke Rayner her father hearing of the Earle of Warwicks arrivall with her Son Prince Edward came to Ambois and with her also came Iasper Earle of Pembrooke and Iohn Earl of Oxford lately escaped out of prison and fled into France between whom a new Combination is made and for a foundation of firme amiâie king Heâries sonne Prince Edward marries Anne the Earle of Warwicks second daughter after which marriage the Duke of Clarence and the Earles took a solemn Oath never to leave the warre till either king Henry or his sonnne Prince Edward were restored to the Crownâ But notwithstanding this Oath this marriage put new thoughts into the Duke of Clarence his minde casting with himselfe that the issue of it could be no lesse then the utter extirpation of the house of Yorke whereupon making faire shew still to his Father in Law the Earle of Warwicke he underhand fals off and secretly gives advertisement to his brother king Edward of all their proceedings And now the Earle of VVarwicke having been six months in France in this time he had ãâã from the king of France both ships and men and money and receiving ãâã out of England that many Lords and others were ready to adventuâe their lives in his quaârell if he would come for the people generally held him in such ãâã that they thought the Sunne was taken from the world when he was ãâã and this in great part for his greât Hospiâality who it is said used to spend âspamâ a breakfâst he with the Earles of Oxford and Pembrooke took to ãâã and though the Duke of Bârgoigne had a Fleââ at sea to inâercept him yeâ his Fleet beââg by âempest scattered and king Edwârdârusting ârusting to that Fleeâ having provided no otherâ the Earle had a quiet passage to land at Darâmouth in Devonshire wheâe being landed he made Proclamation in king Heâry the sixâhâ name that all good Subjâctâ should prepâre to fight against king Edward who contrary to Right had usurpeââhe Crown Upon which Proclamation it is scarce to be believed how mâny thoââânds of men resorted to him with which foâces he made towarâs Loâdon upon notice of whose approach on the Sunday next after ãâã day one Doctor Gâddard a Chaplaine of Hiâ preaching at Paulâ Crossâ did so sât foâth his Earles pious intention that many of his auditory were moved to favour the Earle proceeding insomuch that the Mârquesse Montacuâe who had in king Edwards behâlf ãâã six thousand men about London found them all inclinable to goe with him ãâã the Earle of VVarwick and accordingly wânt and joyned with him King Edâârd hââring of the great flocking of people to the Earle sent forth letters into all parts of the Realme for raysing an army but few came and those few with no great good will which when he perceived he began to doubt his case and thereupon ââcoâpanied with
the Duke of Glocester his brother the L. Hastings his Chamberâââââ who having married the Earle of VVarwickâ sister yet coâtinued ever true to ãâã Edward and the Lord Scales brother to the Queen he departed into Liâcolâshire and câmming to Lyn he found there an English Ship and two Hulâs of Holland ready to make sayle whereupon he with the forenamed Lords and about seven or ãâã hundred persons entred the Ship having no provision with him but only the apparell they wore and so bare of money that he was faine to reward the Master of ãâã Ship with one of his Garments and thus making course towards the Duke of ãâã Country they were presently chased by eight great Ships of Easterlings opân Enemies both to England and France which drove him before a Towne in the Country called Alquemare belonging to the Duke of Burgoigne where by chânce the Lord Grunture Governour of that Country at that time was who defended them from the Easterlings and brought them to the Hâge in Holland where they had all things ministred to them by order from the Duke of Burgoigne At this time upon news of the Earle of VVarwickâ approach Queen Elizâbeth foâsaketh the Tower and secretly taketh sanctuary at VVestminster where in great pânury forsaken of all her friends she was brought a bed of a sonne called Edward who like a poore mans childe was Christened the Godfathers being the Abbot and Pâyâr of Westminster and the Lady Scroope Godmother And now the Earle of Warwicke entring the Tower removes king Heâry out of his hold of durance wheâe he had been almost nine years into his own lodging where he was served according to his Estate which the Earâe did more congratulate then tâe king himselfe Upon this sixth day of October king Henry accompanied with âhe Archbishop of Yorke the Pryor of S. Iohns the Bishop of London the Duke of Clârence the Earle of Warwicke and other Noblemen apparelled in a long gown of âlew Velvet was conducted through London âo the Bishops Palace where he rested âill the thirteenth of âhat moneth on which day he went in solemne procesâââââbout Paulâ Church wearing his Imperiall Crown the Earle of Warâick bearing up his trayne and the Earle oâ Oxford the sword before him The next day in all usuall places about London king Edward was Proclaimed an Usurper ãâã all his partakers Traytors to God and the king whereof Iohn Lord Tipâofâ Earle of Worcester as a partaker with king Edward was made the first example Thiâ Lord had been Lievtenant for King Edâard in Ireland where having done something ãâã which he fled he was afterward found on the top of a high Tree in the Forresâ of VVââbridge in the County of ãâã ând being there taken was brought to Loâdoâ Attainâed and ãâ¦ã the Tower hill and afâer buried at the Blackfryârs About this time happenââ ãâ¦ã to be related Sir Williââ Hââkesford knightâ one of ãâ¦ã Jusâiââs ât the Lâwâ who dwelt at Annoây in Dâvoâsâire a man of greaâ ãâã and ââving no soâne âhe Lord Fitzâaâreâ Siâ Ioââ Sââââeger and Sir Williââ ãâã mârried his dâughteââ and were his heiresâ This mân grew into such â degâââ of Melancholyâ thât one ãâã he called to him the Keeper of hiâ Parâ chââging him ãâã nâgligence in suffering his Deere to be stoln and thereupon commânded him âhat if he met any man in his circuit in the night-time that would not stand or ãâã he shoâld not sparâ to kill him whatsoever he wereâ The knight having thââ laâd hiâ foundâtion and meaning to end his dolefull dayes in â certaine darke night seââââly conveyd himselfe out of his house ând walked alone in his Pârâ The Keeper in hiâ night-walk âeâring one stirring and comming towaâds him asked who was there but no answer being made he willed him to standâ which when he would not doe the Keeper shot and kâlled him and comming to see who he was foââd him to be hiâ Master On the twentieth dây of ãâã a Pârliâment is held at VVestmiâster wherein King Edward and all his pârtakââââre âttainâed of high Treason and alâ their Lands and Goods seized on to King ãâã use Geââge Plââtâgeneâ Duke of Clarence is by authority of this Parliament adjudged heire to Richard Duke of Yorke his father and that Dutchy setled upon him and his heires notwithstanding the Primogeniture of Edward upon him also waâ entailed the Crown of England in case heires males of the body of King Heâry fâiled Iasper Earle of Pembrooke and Iohn Earle of Oxford are fully restored âo their Lands ând Honourâ and VVaâwick and Clârence are made Governours of the King and kingdomeâ To this Parliament came the Mârquesse Montacute eâcusing himselfe that âor âeare of deaâh he had taken King Edwards part which excuse was accepted Queân Margaret iâ sent for into France but by reason of contrary windes was kept back all that Winter About this time Iasper Earle of Pembrooke going into VVales to view his lands in Pembrookeshire found there the Lord Henry borne of Margaret the onely daughter and heire of Iohâ the first Duke of Somârset not being then full ten years of age kept in manner like a captive but honourably brought up by the Lady Herbert him he brings with him to Loâdoâ and pâesents him to King Henry whom when the Kiâg had a good while beheld he said to the Lords about him Loe this is he to whom both we and our adversaries leaving the possession of all things shall hereafter give place Which if it be true It shews a very Propheticall Spirit to have been in King Henry that could so long beforeâ foretell a thing so unlikely to happen for this was he that was afterward King Hââry the Seventh before whom at that time there were many lives in being of boâh the housââ of Yorke and Lâncaster Shortly after this by the Duke of Burgoignes means King Edward is furnished with eighteen tall ships two thousand Dutchmen and fifty thousand florens of gold and thus furnished he took to Sea and landed at Ravenspurre in Yorkeshire where he found but cold entertainment neverthelesse he made a wary march to Yorke where likewise he found no great expression of welcome so as he was forced to change his pretence swearing deeply and receiving the Sacrament upon it that he came not to disturbe King Henry but only to recover his own inheritance and for the more shew thereof wearing an Estrichâ feather Prince Edwards livery which âroposition seemed so âeasonable that many who resisted him before were as ready to assist him now and if he be blamed for breaking his Oath it must be considered It was Regâi causa to recover his Kingdome which perhaps was the Inheritance he meant when he took his Oath that he intended nothing but to recover his Inheritance and so he brake not his Oath neither From Yorke he marched towards Wakefiâld and Sendall leaving the Castle of Pomfret upon his left handâ where the Marquesse Montacute with his Army
the Scottish Bishops had no Metropolitane but the Bishop of Yorke was Metropolitane and Primate of Scotland now in this Kings time Pope Sixâââ appointed the Bishop of Saint Andrews to be Metropolitane of Scotland who had twelve Bishops under his obedience Of Workes of Piety done in his time THIS King laid the foundation of the new Chappell at Windsoâ and his Queen Elizabeth founded the Queens Colledge in Cambridge and endowed it with large Possessions About his fifteenth yeere Doctor Woodlarke Provost of Kings Colledge in Cambridge Founded Katherine-hall there In his seventeenth yeer the Wall of the City of London from Cripplegate to Bishopsgate was builded at the charges of the Citizens also Bishopsgate it selfe was new built by the Merchants ãâã of the Styliard Also in this yeere dyed Sir Iohn Crosby Knight late Major of London who gave to the repairing of the Parish-Church of St. Helens in Bishopsgatestreet where he was buried 500 Marks to the repairing of the parish Church of Heâwârth in Middlesex forty pounds to the repairing of London-wall an hundred pounds to the repairing of Rochester-bridge ten pounds to the Wardens and Commonalty of the Grocers in London two large Pots of silver chased halfe gilt and other Legacies About this time also Richard Rawson one of the Sheriffs of London caused an house to be builded in the Church-yard of St. Mary Hospitalll without Bishopsgate where the Major and Aldermen use to sit and heare the Sermons in Easterholy-daies In his nineteenth yeere William Tailour Major of London gave to the City certaine Tenements for the which the City is bound to pay for ever at every Fifteene granted to the King for all such as shall dwell in Cordwainers-street-ward sessed at twelve-pence apiece or under And about the same time one Thomas ãâã Sheriffe of London builded at his own costs the great Conduit in Cheâpside In his three and twentieth yeere Edmund Shaw Goldsmith who had been Major of London at his own costs re-edified Cripplegate in London which gate in old time had been a Prison Of Casualties happening in his time IN his third yeare the Minster of Yorke and the Steeple of Christs Church in Norwich were burnt In his seventeenth yeere so great a Pestilence reigned in England that it swept away more people in foure moneths than the Warres had done in fifteen yeeres past Also in his nineteenth yeere was another Pesââlence which beginning in the later end of September continued till the beginning of November twelve-moneth following in which space of time innumerable people dyed Of his wife and issue KIng Edward had been contracted to Eleanor daughter of Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury maried after to Sir Thomas Butler Baron of Sâdely but he maried Elizabeth the widdow of Sir Iohn Grey daughter of Richard Woodvile by his wife Iaqueline Dutchesse of Bedford she lived his wife eighteene yeeres and eleven moneths by whom he had three sonnes and seven daughters Edward his eldest sonne borne in the Sanctuary at Westminster Richard his second sonne borne at Shrewsbury George his third sonne borne also at Shrewsbury but dyed a childe Elizabeth his eldest daughter promised in mariage to Charles Dolphin of France but maried afterward to King Henry thâ Seventh Cicely his second daughter promised in mariage to Iames Duke of âothsay Prince of Scotland but was maried afterward to Iohn Viscount Wells whom she outlived and was againe re-maried but by neither husband had any issue she lyeth buried at Quarena in the Isle of Wight Anne his third daughter was maried to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke Earle Marshall and High Treasurer of England by whom she had two sonnes both dying without issue she lyeth buried at Framingham in Norfolk Bridget his fourth daughter borne at Eltham in Kent became a Nunne in the Nunnery of Dartford in Kent which king Edward had founded Mary his fifth daughter was promised in mariage to the King of Denmarke but dyed in the Tower of Greenwich before it could be solemnized she lyeth buried at Windsor Margaret his sixth daughter dyed an Infant Katherine his seventh daughter was maried to William Courtney Earle of Devoâshire to whom she bare Lord Henry who by King Henry the eighth was created Marquesse of Exeter Concubines he had many but three specially and would use to say that he had three Concubines who in their severall properties excelled One the merriest another the wyliest the third the holyest harlot in his Realme as one whom no man could lightly get out of the Church to any place unlesse it were to his bed The other two were greater personages than are sit to be named but the merriest was Shores wife in whom therefore he tooke speciall pleasure This woman was borne in London worshipfully descended and well maried but when the King had abused her anon her husband as he was an honest man and did know his good not presuming to touch a Kings Concubine left her up to him altogether By these he had naturall issue Arthur sirnamed Plantagenet whose mother as is supposed was the Lady Elizabeth Lucy created Viscount Lisle by King Henry the Eight at Bridewell in London And Elizabeth who was maried to Sir Thomas Lumley knight to whom she bare Richard afterward Lord Lumley from whom the late Lord Lumley did descend Of his Personage and Conditions HE was saith Comines the goodliest Personage that ever mine eyes beheld exceeding tall of statuâe faire of complexion and of most Princely presence and we may truly say he was of full age before he came to one and twenty for being but eighteen yeeres old when his Father dyed he sued out his livery presently so as he began the race of his forââne just like Augustus Caesar each of them at the same age succeeding an Ancestour after a violent death and each of them left to set on a roofe where but onely a foââââtion was laid before For his conditions he was of an erected composure both of body ând minde but something sagging on the Fleshes side and never any man that did marry for Love did so little love Mariage for he tooke as much pleasure in other mens wives as in his owne He was never more confident than when he was in danger nor ever more doubtfull than when he was sââure Of the foure Cardinall virtues Forâânde and Prudence were in him naturally Temperance ââd Justice but to serve his turne He was politick even to irreligion for to compasse his ends he would not stick to sweare what he never meant Yet he was Religious beyond Policy for before Battailes he used to make his Prayers to God after Victories to give him Thanks He was farre from being proud yet very ambitious and could use familiarity and yet retaine Majestie He was a great Briber and whaâ he could not get by force he would by Rewards as much as what he could not get by Battery he would by Mines Hâ was too credulous of Reports which made him be in errour sometimes to the hârt
as âhe Parliament was dissolved he fled secretly into Flânders to his Aunt the Lady Margaret Dâtchesse of Burgoigne between whom it was concluded that he and the Lord Lâvell should goe into Ireland and there attend upon the Counterfeit Warwicke and honour him as kingâ and with the power of the Irishmen bring him into England but it was concluded withall that if their actions succeededâ then the Counterfeiâ Warwicke should be deposed and the true be delivered out of prison and anoynted King And to this purpose the Earle of Lincolâ by the aide of the Lady Margaret had gotten together two thousand Almaines with one Martin Swart a valiant and expert Captaine to be their leader With this power the Earle sayled into Ireland and at the City of Dublin caused young Lambert the Counterfeit Warwicke in most solemne manner first to be Proclaimed and after to be Crowned king of Eâgland and then with a great number of beggerly and unarmed Irishmen under the Conduct of the Lord Thomas Gerardine Earle of Kildâre they sayled into England and landed at a place called the Pile of Fowdray not farre from Lancaster hoping there by the meanes of Sir Thomas Broughton a powerfull man in that Country to have their Army both furnished and increased King Henry hearing that the Earle of Lincolne was landed at Lancaster assembled a great Army Conducted by the Duke of Bedford and the Earle of Oxford and with these he marched to Nottingham and there by a little wood called Bowres he pitched his field whither there came unto him the Lord George Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury âhe Lord Strange Sir Iohn Cheyney and divers other Knights and Gentlemen In which mean time the Earle of Lincolne being entred into Yorkeshire passed quietly on his journy without doing spoile or hurt unto any trusting thereby to have won the people to come to his aide but when he perceived few or none to resort unto him he then determined to venture a battell with the Army he had already and thereupon tooke his way from Yorke to Newarke upon Trent King Henry understanding which way he took came the night before the battell to Newarke and going three miles further neer to a little Village called Stoke there waited the approach of the Earle of Lincolne So the next day they joyned battell where after a long fight of at the least three houres though the Almaines and specially their Captaine Martin Swart behaved themselves most valiantly yet their Irâsh being in a manner but naked men were at last overthrown foure thousand slaine and the rest put âo flâght but not one of their Capâaines for the Earle of Lincolne the Lord Lâvell Sir Thomas Broughton Martin Swart and the Lord Gerardine were all found dead in the very place where they had stood fighting that though they lost the battell yet they wonne the reputation of hardy and stout souldiers Onely of the Lord Lovell some report that attempting to save himselfe by flight in passing over the river of Trent was drowned On the kings part though some were slaine yet not any mân of note This battell was fought on a Saturday observed as alwayes fortunate to king Henry being the sixteenth of Iune in the second year of king Henries reigne The young Lambert and his Master Simond the Priest were both taken and both had their lives saved Lambert because but a Childe Sâmond becâuse a Priest yet Symoâd was kept in prison Lambert was taken into the kings kitchin to turn the spit in the turne of his fortune and at last made one of the kings Fauâkners In the beginning of his third yeer king Henry having been in Yorkeshire to settle the mândes of that people about the midst of August came to Newcastle upon Tine and from thence sent Ambassadours into Scotland Richard Fox lately before made Bishop of Exceter and Sir Richard Edgecombe Comptroller of his House to conclude a Peace or Truce with Iames king of Scots A Peace by reason of the peoples backwardnes could not be obtained but a Truce was concluded for the term of seven yeers with a promise from the king that it should be renued before the first seven yeers should be expired At this time Ambassadours came from the king of Franceâ to king Henry who declared that their Master king Charles was now at warre with Francis Duke of Britaiâe for that he succoured the Duke of Orleance and other Rebels against the Realme of France and therefore requested that for the old familiarity that had been between them he would either aââist him or not assist the Duke but stand Neâter King Heâry answered that having received courteâies from them both he would doe his uttermost endeavour to make them friends and to that end as soon as the French Ambassadours were departed he sent Christopher Vrswick his Chaplain over into France who should first goe to the French king and after to the Duke of Britaine to mediate a Peace between them In the time of Vrswicks Ambassage king Henry caused his Wife the Lady Elizabeth to be Crowned Queen on Saiât Katherines day in November with all solemnity and at the same time delivered the Lord Thomas Marquesse Dorset out of the Tower and received him againe into his former favour Vrswick travelled between the two Princes to procure a Peace but they though making a shew to incline to Peace yet prepared for warre and offers on neither side would be accepted In which time Edward Lord Woodâile Uncle to the Queen made suite to the king for leave to goe over with a power of men in aide of the Duke of Britaine which suâe though the king denied yet the Lord Woodvile would venture it and with a power of âoure hundred able men got secretly over and joyned with the Britaine 's against the French This the French king took ill at king Henries hand but being informed that it was against the kings will he seemed satiâfied and a Peace was concluded between Frâââe and England to endure for twelve months But in conclusion king Henry finding that the French king dealt not râally with him but only held him on with pretencesâ he called his high Court of Parliamenâ requiring their advice what was fit to be done where it was conââuded that the Duke of Britaine should be aided and to that end great âummes of money were by Parliament granted This Determination of the Parliament king Henry signifies to the French king hoping it would have wrought him to some terms of Peaceâ But the king of France little regarding it proceeded on in his violent courâes against the Britaines so as at last on âhe eight and twentieth day of Iuly the Britaines gave battell to the French neer to a Town called ãâã having apparelled seventeen hundred of the Britaiââ in Coââ with âed ârosseâ after the English fashion to make the Frenchmen believe âhey were all English although in âeed they had no more English than the foure hundred of the Lord Woodvile But
noâwithstanding this device the Victory fell to the French so that all the Englishmen almost were slaine with the Lord Woodvile himselfe besides six thousand Britainesâ The Duke of Orleance and the Prince of Orange who were there on the Britainâs part were taken Prisoners The French lost twelve hundred men and amongst otherâ that valiant Italian Captaine Iames Gâleât This news being brought into England caused king Hââây to make haste to send forth his Army and thereupon the Lord Brooke with Sir Iohn Cheyny Sir Iohn Middleton Sir Ralph Hilton Sir Richard Corbet Sir Thomas Leighton Sir Richard Lacon Sir Edmund Corââall are sent over with all speed into Britaine having with them eight thousand men to aide the Duke of Britaine against the French But while this warre was thus set forward the Duke of Britaine died leaving in effect one only Daughter the Lady Aââe for the other being the younger died soon after and then the chiefe Rulers of Britaine falling at dissention amongst themselves little regarded the defence of the Country whereupon the English returned home within five moneths after their setting forth and the French king getting the upper hand of the Britaines and marying the Lady Anne sole daughter of the Duke of Britaine incorporated that Dutchy to the Crown of France In the last Parliament a Subsidie was granted for the furnishing out an Army into Britaine and it was agreed that every man should be taxed after the rate of his substance to pay the tenth penny of his goods which Taxe the most part of Yorkeshire and the Bishoprick of Durhââ refused to pay whereof the Collectours complained to Heâry E. of Northumberland President of the North parts The E. signifies it to the King and the K. commands him to levy the same by distresse or otherwise without sparing of any as he should think most meet The rude multitude hearing of this Command from the King with great violence set upon the Earle by the exciting of a simple fellow named Iohn a Chamber and alledging all the fault to be in the Earle as chiefe authour of the Taxe they cruelly murthered both him and divers of his houshold servants And to make good their seditious fact they assembled a great number and made one Sir Iohn Egremond their Captaine Declaring that in defence of their liberties they would bid the King battell In this bravery they stood as long as none opposed them but when Thomas Earle of Surry appeared with an Army though they skirmished a while yet they were soon discomfited and their Ring-leader Iohn a Chamber was taken and at Yorke on a Gibbet set upon a square paire of Gallows like an arch Traytour was hanged and many of his Complices on a lower Gallows the innocent people for the most part Pardoned But Sir Iohn Egremond fled into Flanders to the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Burgundie the common and sure refuge for all Rebels against King Henry After this the king appointed Sir Richard Tuâstâll to gather the Subsidie and would not spare the paiment of a penny This year notwithstanding this Taxe the king borrowed of every Alderman of London two hundred pounds and of the Chamber nine thousand eighty two pounds seventeen shillings and foure pence which was paid again at the time with great thankfulnesse which he did at a time he needed noâ to the end perhaps he might doe it another time when he needed At this time Iames the third king of Scotland having by some errors of Government incurred the hatred of his Nobility and people laboured with king Henry as also with the Pope and the king of France to make an Accord between him and his people who had compelled Prince Iames his Sonne to be the Titular head of those Armes which they assumed against him The kings accordingly interposed their mediations by Ambassadours but could receive no other but this outragious answer That there was no talking of Peace unlesse he would resigne his Crowne Which answer the kings protested against declaring by their Ambassadors that they thought it a common injury done to themselves and that the Example was not sufferable for Subjects to lift their hands against their Soveraigne Hereupon it came to a Battell at Bânnocks-borne by Strivelin where king Iames rashly beginning the fight before his whole Forces were come was notwithstanding the contrary commandement of the Prince his sonne slaine in the Mill of that field whither he fled after the Battell ended About this time a Difference fell out which grew to a Warre between the Emperour Frederick and some Townes of his in Flanders especially Gaunt and Bruges In this warre the Lord Ravenstein a principall person about Maximilian not onely forsooke the Emperour and his sonne Maximilian his Lord corrupted as was thought from France but made himselfe head of the popular party seizing upon the Towns of Ipre and Sluce and not this onely but forthwith sent to the Lord de Cordes Governour for the French king in Picardie to ayde him against some Towns in Flanders To which the Lord de Cordes willing of any occasion to set foot in Flanders was easily drawne But king Henry not liking to have the French so neere his English pale sent over the Lord Morley with a thousand men who should joyne with the L. Dawbeney then Deputy of Callice to resist them Amongst other acts by them performed this was chiefe That the Lord Dawbeney with the Lord Morley Sir Iames Tyrrell Captaine of Guisnâs Sir Henry Willoughby Sir Gilbert Talbot and Sir Humfry Talbot Marshall of Callice and others to the number of two thousand issued secretly one night out of Callice and came to Newport and from thence to Dixââe where the Lord Dawbeney commanded all men to send back their horsâs whâch the Lord Morley onely refusing to doe was cause that he onely of all the Captaines was slâine with a Gun for the rest after their arrowes discharged fell prostrate to the ground by which meanes the Enemies Ordnance overshot them kâlling onely the Lord Morley that was on horse-back Here they slew of the Enemy to the number of eight thousand of the English part was slaine the Lord Morley and not above a hundred more This Victory so enriched the English that they who went forth in cloath came home in silke and they who went out on foot returned back on horse-back Upon this Defeat the Lord de Cordes lying at Ypre with twenty thousand men and thinking to be revenged besieged the Town of Newport and so strongly assaulted it that one day his men entred and set up his Banner upon a Tower of the Towne when suddenly a Barke arriving with onely fourescore âresh English archers so terrified them thinking their number to be farre greater that the French were glad to leave their Banner behinde them and give over the assault and the night following the Lord de Cordes who so much longed for Callice that he would commonly say he could be content to lie seven yeeres in
between the Lady Margaret the ãâã eldest daughter and him where the Earle by Proxie in the name of king Iames ãâã Masâer affied and contracted the said Ladie which Contract was published at ãâã Crosseâ the day of the Conversion of Saint Paul for joy whereof Te Deum ãâ¦ã and great fires were made through the City of London and if such joy weâe made when the match was made what joy should be made now at the issue of the match when by the Union of those persons is made an Union of these kingdomes and England and Scotland are but one great Britaine The Ladies portion was ten thousand pounds her joynture two thousand pounds a yeer after king Iames his death and in present one thousand When this match was first propounded at the Connsell Table some Lords opposed it objecting that by this means the Crown of England might happen to come to the Scottish Nation To which King Heâry answered what if it should It would not be an accession of England to Scoâlaâd but of Scotland to England and this answer of the kings passed for an Oracle ând so the match proceeded and in August following was Consummate at Ediâbârgh conducted thither in great State by the Earle of Northumberland Prince Arthur after his marriage was sent againe into Wales to keep that Countây in good order to whom were appointed for Counsellours Sir Richard Poole hiââinsman and chiefe Chamberlaine Sir Henry Vernon Sir Richard Crofâs Sir David ãâã Sir William Vdall Sir Thomas Englefield Sir Peter Newton Iohn Walleston ãâã Marton and Doctor William Smith President of his Counsell but within five moneths after his marriage at his Castle of Ludlow he deceased and with great soleââity was buried in the Cathedrall Church at Worcester His Brother Henry Duâe of Yorke was stayed from the title of Prince of Wales the space of halfe a yeer till to women it might appeare whether the Lady Katherine the Relict of Prince Arââââ were with childe or no. The towardlines in learning of this Prince Arthur is veây memorable who dying before the age of sixteen yeers was said to have read over alâ or most of the Latine Authours besides many other And now Prince Arthur being dead and the Lady Katherine of Spaine left a young widdow King Henry loath to part with her dowry but chiefely being desirous ãâã continue the Alliance with Spaine prevailed with his other Sonne Prince Henry though with some reluctation such as could be in those years for he was scarce âwelvâ years of age to be contracted with the Princesse Katherine his broâhârs widdow for which marriage a dispensation by advice of the most learned men at that ãâã in Christendome was by Pope Iulius the second granted and on the five and twentieth day of Iune in the Bishop of Salisburyâs house in Fleet-street thâ marriage was solemnized A little before this time ãâ¦ã Earle of Sâffolke Son to Iohn Duke of Suffolke and Lady Elizâbâtâ Sister âo king Edward the âourth had in his fury kill'd a mean personâ and was thereupon Iâdighted of Murther for which although he had the kings Pardon yet because he was brought to thâ Kings-bench-bârrâ and there arraigned he took it for so great ãâ¦ã his honour that in great rage he fled into Flanders to his Aunâ the Ladâ Mââgaret where having stayed a while when his pâssion was over he returnâd againe âut after the marriage between Prince Arthur and the Lady ãâã wââther it were that in that solemnity he had run himselfe in debt or ãâã he were ârawn to doe so by the Lady Margareâ he passed over the second time with his bâother Richard into Flânderâ This put the king into some doubt of his intentionâ whereupon he hath recourse to his usuall course in such cases and Sir ãâ¦ã Captaine of Hammeâ Castle to feigne himselfe one of that Conspiracy theââby to learn the depth of their intentions And to take away all suspââion of his imployment âhe first Sunday of November he caused the said Earle and Sir Robert Cârson with five others to be accursed openly at Pauls Crosse as Enemies to him and his Realme In conclusion Sir Robert Curson acquainted the king with divers of that faction amongst whom Williaâ Lord Courtâey and Williaâ de la Poole brother to the foresaid Earle of Suffolke who were taken but upon suspition yet held long in prison but Sir Iames Tyrrell the same that had murthered the two young Princes in the Tower and Sir Ioââ Windham who were proved to be Traytorâ were accordingly attainted and on the sixth day of May at the Tower-hill beheaded Whereof when the Earle heard despairing now of any good successe he wandred about all Germany and Frââcâ where finding no succour he submitted himselfe at last to Philip Duke of Austria by whom afterward he was delivered to king Henry by this occasion Ferdiâaâd king of Aragon by his Wife Isabella Queen of Câstile had onely two Daughters the eldest whereof named Ioaâe was married to this Philip Duke of Austria the younger named Katherine to Arthur Prince of England and now Queen Isabella being lately dead by whose death the kingdome of Castile descended in Right of his Wife to this Duke Philip they were sayling out of Germany into Spâine to take possession of the kingdome but by tempest and contrary windes were driven upon the coast of England and landed at VVeymouth in Dorsetshire where desiring to refresh themselves a little on shore they were invited by Sir Thomas Treâchaâd a principall knight of that Country to his house who presently sent word to the king of their arrivall King Henry glad to have his Court honoured by so great a Prince and perhaps upon hope of a courtesie from him which afterward he obtained âent presently the Earle of Arundell to waite upon him till himselfe might follow and the Earle went to him in great magnificence with a gallant troope of three hundred Horse and for more State came to him by Torch-light Upon whose Meâââge though king Philip had many reâsons of haste on his journey yet not to give king Heâry distaste and withall to give his Queen the comfort of seeing the Lady Katherine her Sister he went upon speed to the king at VVindsor while his Queen followed by easie journeys After great magnificence of entertainment king Henây taking a fit opportunity and drawing the king of Castile into a roome where they two onely were private and laying his hand civilly upon his arme said unto him Sir you have been saved upon my Coast I hope you will not suffer me to wrack upon yours The king of Castile asking him what he meant by that speech I mean it saith the king by that haire-brain'd fellow the Earle of Suffolke who being my subject is protected in your Country and begins to play the foole when all others are weary of it The king of Casâile answered I had thought Sir your felicity had been above those thoughts but if it trouble you I will
banish him king Henry replyed that his desire was to have him delivered to him with this the king of Castile a little confused said That can I not doe with my honour Well then said the king the matter is at an end at last the king of Castile who held king Henry in great estimation composing his countenance said Sir you shall have him but upon your Honour you shall not take his life I promise it upon mine Honour said King Henry and he kept his promise for he was not put to death during all his Reigne but yet he tooke such order that in the Reigne of his Sonne K. Henry the Eighth he had his head cut off During the king of Castiles being here a Treaty was concluded and beares date at Windsor which the Flemings terme Intercursus malus for that the Free fishing of the Dutch upon the Coasts and Seas of England granted in the Treaty of Vndecimo was not by this Treaty confirmed as all other Articles were And now when king Henry had received the king of Castile into the Fraternity of the Garter and had his Sonne Prince Henry admitted to the order of the Golden fleece and that the Earle of Suffolk was brought over and committed to the Tower the king of Castile departed home In this kings time were two Calls of Serjeantâ at Law One in his eleventh yeere in which were called nine Serjeants Mordant Higham Kingesmill Conisby Butler ââxely Frowick Oxenbridge and Constable who kept their feast at the Bishop of Ely's Place in Holborne where the King the Queen and all the chiefe Lords dined The other Call in his twentieth yeere in which were called ten Serjeants Robert Brudnell William ârevill Thomas Marow George Edgore Lewis Pollard Guy Palmes and William Fairfax who kept their feast at the Archbishoâs house in Lambeth King Henry having gotten as much honour as the Estimation of neighbouring Princes could give him began now to be intentive to getting of wealth wherein he quickly found Instruments fit for his purpose but specially two Empson Dudley both Lawyers Dudley of a good family but Empson the son of a Sieve-maker These two persons being put in Authority turned Law and Justice into Rapine For first their manner was to cause divers Subects to be indicted of Crimes and then presently to commit them and not produce them to their answer but suffer them to languish long in Prison and by sundry artificiall devices and terrors extort from them great Fines which they termed Compositions and Mitigations Neither did they towards the end observe so much as the halfe face of Justice in proceeding by Indictment but sent forth their Precepts to attach men and convent them before themselves and some others at their private houses and there used to shuffle up a Summary proceeding by examination without tryall of Jury asâuming to themselves to deale both in Pleas of the Crowne and controversies Civill Then did they also use to enthrall and charge the Subjects lands with Tenures in Capite by finding false Offices refusing upon divers pretexts and delayes to admit men to traverse those false Offices as by Law they might Nay the Kings Wards after they had accomplished their full age could not be suffered to have livery of their lands without paying excessive Fines farre exceeding all reasonable rates When men were outlawed in personall actions they would not permit them to purchase their Charters of Pardon except they paid great and intolerable summes standing upon the strict point of Law which upon Outlawries gives forfeiture of goods Nay contrary to all Law and colour they maintained the King ought to have the halfe of mens lands and rents during the space of full two yeeres for a Paine in case of Outlawry They would also ruffle with Jurors and enforce them to finde as they would direct and if they did not then convent imprison and fine them These and many other coursâs they had of preying upon the people but their principall working was upon Penall Statutes wherein they considered not whether the Law were obsolete or in use and had ever a rabble of Promoters and leading Jurors at their command so as they could have any thâng found either for Fact or Valuation There remaineth to this day a Report that King Henry was on a time entertained very sumptuously by the Earle of Oxford at his Castle of Heningham and at the Kings going away the Earles servants stood in their livery-coates with cognisances ranged on both sides to make the King a lane Whereupon the King called the Earle to him and said My Lord I have heard much of your Hospitality but I see it is greater than is spoken These handsome Gentlemen and Yeomen whom I see on both sides of me are sure your Meniall servants At which the Earle smiled and said It may please your Grace that were not for mine ease They are most of them my Retainers and are come to doe me sârvice at such a time as this and chiâfly to see your Grace Whereat the King started a little and said By my faith my Lord I thanke you for my good cheere but I may not endure to have my Lawes broken in my sight my Attourney must speake with you about it And it is part of the Report that it cost the Earle for a composition fifteen thousand marks And to shew further the Kings extreme diligence I remember saith Sir Francis Bacon Lord of Virulaâ in his History to have seene long since a Booke of Accompt of Empsons that had the kings hand almost to every leafe by way of signing and was in some places postilled in the Margent with the kings owne hand likewise where was this Remembrance Item Received of such a one five markes for the Pardon to be procured and if the Pardon doe not passe the money to be repayd except the party be some other way satisfied And over against this Memorandâm of the kings owne hand Otherwise satisfied This saith he I doe the rather mention because it shewes in the king a Nearnesse but yet with a kinde of Justnesse In his three and twentieth yeere there was a sharpe prosecution against Sir William Gapell now the second time for misgovernment in his Majoralty The great matter was that in some payments he had taken notice of false monies and did not his diligence to examine who were the Offenders for which and some other things âaid to his charge he was condemned to pay two thousand pounds whereof being a man of stomack he refused to pay a farthing and thereupon was sent to the Tower where he remained till the Kings death Knesworth likewise that had been lately Major of London and both his Sheriffs were for abuses in their offices questioned and imprisoned and not delivered but upon payment of one thousand foure hundred pounds Sir Lawrence Ailmer who had likewise been Major of London and his two Sheriffs were put to the Fine of one thousand pounds and Sir Lawrence for
wrote certaine Rules of Grammar and other things printed by Richard Pinson Robert Fabian a Sheriffe of London and an Historiographer Edmund Dudley the same man whom king Henry used to take the forfeitures of Penall Statuâes who wrote a Booke intituled Arbor Reâ-publicae Iohn Bockingham an excellent Schoole-man and William Blackeney a Carmelite Frier a Doctor of Divinity and a Necromancer THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE EIGHT KING Henry the seventh being deceased his only sonne Prince Henry Heire by his Father of the house of Lancaster and by his Mother of the house of Yorke by unquestionable right succeeded in the Crowne at the Age of eighteene yeers on the two and twentieth of Aprill in the yeere 1509. who having been trained up in the study of good letters all his Fathers timeâ he Governed at first as a man newly come from Contemplation to Action as it were by the Bookeâ in so regular and fair a manâer that as of Neroes Goverment there was said to be Quinquennium Neronis so of this Kings there might as justly be said Decennium Henrici and perhaps double so long a time comparable with so much time of any Kings Reigne that had been before him How he came to alter and to alter to such a degree of change as he did we shall then have a fit place to shew when we come to the time of his alteration King Henry having learned by Bookes that the weight of a Kingdome is too heavy to lie upon one mans shoulders if it be not supported by able Councellours made it his first care to make choice of an able Councell to which he called VVilliam VVarham Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellour of England Richard Fox Bishop of VVinchester Thomas Howard Earle of Surry and Treasurer of England George Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury and Lord Steward of his Houshold Charles Summerset Lord Chamberlaine Sir Lovellâ Sir Henry VVyat Doctor Thomas Ruthall and Sir Edward Poynings by advise of these Councellours his first Act after the care of his Fathers Funerall was the care to performe his Fathers Will in marrying the Lady Katherine of Spaine the Relict of his Brother Prince Arthur to which perhaps but in respect of filiall pierie he had not the greatest devotion and for relinquishing whereof he might no doubt more easily have obtained a Despensation from the Pope then his Father had done for getting it to be allowed but obsequiousnesse to his Fathers desire and respect to his Councels advice so far prevailed with him that he would not be Crowned till that were performed that one Coronation might serve them both and so on the third day of Iune following he married the said Lady at the Bishop of Salisburies house in Fleetstreet where of many great solemnities I will remember but this one that though the Bride were a Widdow yet to shew she was a Virgin Widdow she was attired all in white and had the haire of her head hanging-downe behinde at the full length and then having made in the Tower four and twenty Knights of the Bath two dayes after being Midsomer day he was Crowned at Westminster together with his Queene by the hands of VVilliam VVarham Archbishop of Canterbury with all Circumstances of State in such cases usuall and then all the Nobility Spirituall and Temporall did him Homage and the people being asked whether they would receive him for their King they all with one voice cryed yea yea This done his next Act was another part of performing his fathers Will which was to proclaime Pardons for all offences Treason Murder and Felonie only excepted and to have restitution made of all goods unjustly taken from any and because the Instruments of such injustice are alwayes most odious and nothing gives the people so much contentment as to see their Persecutours punished he therefore caused Empson and Dudley the two chiefe Actours of the late unjust proceedings to be committed to the Tower and divers of their inferiour Agents called Promoters as Canby Page Smith Derby Wright Simpson and Stockton to be set on the Pillory in Cornhill with papers on their heads and then to ride through the City with their faces to the horse tailes with the shame whereof within seven dayes after they all died in Newgate Shortly after a Parliament was called whereof Sir Thomas Ingleby was chosen Speaker and therein Empson and Dudley were attainted of High Treason and after arraigned Edmund Dudley in the Guildhall on the seventeenth of Iuly and Sir Richard Empson at Northampton in October following and on the seventeenth of August the yeere following they were both of them beheaded on the Tower Hill and their Bodies and Heads buried the one at the White Fryers the other at the Black On Midsomer Eave at night King Henry came privily into VVestchester cloathed in one of the Coats of his Guard to behold the same and this first yeer King Henry spent in Justs and Maskes which were almost perpetuall performed with great Magnificence alwayes and sometimes with great Acts of Valour on the Kings part specially In February the same yeer Embassadours came from the Kings Father in law the King of Aragon requiring Ayde against the Moores in which service the Lord Thomas Darcy a Knight of the Garter making suite to be imployd he was sent thither and with him the Lord Anthony Gray brother to the Marquesse Dorset Henry Guilford Wolstan Browne and William Sidney Esquires of the Kings House Sir Constableâ Sir Roger Hastings Sir Ralph Elderton and others who on the Mundây in the Rogation Weeke departed out of Plimotâ Haven with four ships Royall and on the first of Iune arrived at the Port of Cadis in south Spaine of whose comming the King of Aragon hearingâ sent to bid them welcome but advertising them withall that he had now by reason of new troubles with France taken truce with the Moores and therefore they might returne againe into their owne Country to whom yet he allowed wages for all his souldiers Wâereupon the Lord Darcy and all his men went aboord their ships but Henry Guilford Wolâtan Brâwne and William Sidney desirous to see the Court of Spaine went thither and were honourably entertained Henry Guilford and Wolstan Browne were made Knights by the King who gave to Sir Henry Guilâord a Canton of Granado and to Sir Wolstan Browne an Eagle of Sicily on a Chiefe to the augmentation of their Armes William Sidney so excused himselfe that he was not made Knight After this they returned to their ships and their ships into England During the time that the Lord Darcy was in Spain the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Saâoy Daughter unto Maximilian the Emperour and Governesse of Flandeâs and other the Low-countryes pertaining to Charles the young Prince of Caâtile sent to King Henry for fifteen hundred Archers to aid her against the Duke of Gelders which the King granted and thereupon Sir Edward Poynings Knight of the Garter and Comptroller of the Kings House appointed to goe
accompaniâd with his sonne in law the Lord Clinton Sir Matthew Browne Sir Iohn Digây Iohn Werton Richard Wetherill and others to the number of fifteen hundred took shipping at Sandwich and passing over to the said Lady Regent did her there great service for which Iohn Norton Iohn Fogge Iohn Scott and Thomas Lynde were knighted and then with many thanks and rewards returned not having lost in all the Journey by warre or sicknesse above an hundred men In the third yeer of King Henryes Reigne one Andrew Barton a scottish Pirate was grown so bold that he robbed English-men no lesse then other Nationsâ till the King sent his Admirall Sir Edward Howard to represse him who in a fight so wounded the said Barton that he died and then taking two of his ships brought the men prisoners to London and though their offence deserved no lesse then death yet the King was so mecifull as to pardon them all provided they departed the Realme within twenty dayes The King of Scotts hearing the death of Barton and taking of his ships sent to King Henry requiring restitution but King Henry answered his Herauld that he rather looked for thanks for sparing their lives who so justly had deserved death In the third yeer also of King Henryes Reigne the French King made sharpe Warre against Pope Iulius the second whereupon King Henry wrote to the French King requiring him to desist from his Warre against the Pope being his friend and confederate but when the King of France little regarded his request he then sent him word to deliver him his Inheritance of the Dutchy of Normandie and Guyen and the Countryes of Angiou and Mayne as also his Crown of France or else he would recover it by the sword But when the King of France was not moved with this threatning neither King Henry then joyning in league with the Emperour Maximilian with Ferdinand King of Spaine and with divers other Princes resolved by advise of his Councell to make warre on the King of France and to that end made preparation both by Sea and Land This yeer the King kept his Christmas at Greenwich in a most Magnificent manner On New-yeers day was presented one of his Joviall Devises which onely for a Patterne what his showes at other times were I thinke fit to set downe at large In the Hall was made a Castle garnished with Artillery and weapons in a most warlike fashion and on the Front of the Castle was written la Forteresse Dangerense within the Castle were six Ladies clothed in russet Sattin laid all over with leaves of gold On their heads Coyfes and Caps of gold After this Castle had been carried about the Hall and the Queen had beheld it in came the King with five other apparelled in Coates one halfe of russet-Satten with spangles of fiâe gold the other halfe of rich cloath of gold on their heads Caps of russet Sattin embrodered with works of fine gold These six assaulted the Castle whom the Ladies seeing so lusty and couragious they were contented to solace with them and upon further communication to yeeld the Castle and so they came downe and daunced a long space after that the Ladyes led the Knights into the Castle and then the Castle suddenly vanished out of their sights On Twelfth day at night the King with eleven more were disguised after the maner of Italie called a Maske a thing not seen before in England They were apparelled in garments long and broad wrought all with gold with Vysors and Caps of gold And after the banket done these Maskers came in with six Gentlemen disguised in silke bearing staffe Torches and desired the Ladyes to dance and after they had danced and communed together tooke their leave and departed The five and twentieth of Ianuary began the Parliament of which was speaker Sir Robert Sheffield knight where the Archbishop of Canterbury shewed the wrong which the King of France did to the King of England in with-holding his Inheritance from him and thereupon the Parliament concluded that Warre should be made on the French King and his Dominions At this time King Ferdinand of Spaine having Warre with the French King wrote to his Sonne in law King Henry that if he would send over an Army into Biskey and invade France on that side he would aid them with Ordnance Horses and all other things necessary whereupon Thomâs Gray Marquesse Dorset was appointed to go and with him the Lord Howard Sonne and heiâe to the Earle of Sârry the Lord Brooke the Lord Willoughby the Lord Ferrers the Lords Iohn Anthony and Leonard Grey all brothers to the Marquesse Sir Grisseth ap Ryce Sir Maurice Barkeley Sir William Sands the Baron of Bârâord and Sir Richard Cornwall his brother William Hussey Iohn Melton William Kingstân Esquires and Sir Henry Willoughby with divers others to the number of ten thousand who taking ship at Southampton oâ the sixteenth of Maââ the third of Iune they landed on the coast of Biskey whither within three dayes after their arrivall came from the King a Marquesse and an Earle to welcome them but of such necessaries as were promised there came âone so as the English being in some want of victualls the King of Navarre offered to supply them which they accepted and promised thereupon not to molest his Territories After the Army had lyen thirty dayes looking for aid and provision from the King of Spaine at last a Bishop came from the King desiring theâ to have patience a while and very shortly he would give them full contentmeât In the mean time the Englishmen forced to feed much upon Garlick and ãâã drink of hoât Wines fell into such sicknesse that many of them dyed at least eighteen hundred persons which the Lord Marquesse seeing he sent to the King to know his pleasure who sent him answer that very shortly the Duke of Alvâ should come with a great power and joyne with him and indeed the Duke of Alva came forward with a great Army as if he meant to joyne with him as was promised but being come within a dayes Journey he suddenly turned towards the Realme of Navarre and entring the same chased out the King and Conquered the Kingdom to the King of Spaines use This Spanish policie pleased not the English who finding nothing but words from the King of Spain and being weary of lying so long idle they fell upon some small Townes in the border of Guyen but for want of Horses as well for service as draught were unable to performe any great matter at which time being now October the Lord Marques fell sick and the Lord Howard supplied his place of General to whom the King of Spaine once again sent excusing his present coming and requiring him seeing the time of yeer was now past that he would be pleased to break up his Army and disperse his Companies into Townes thereabouâ till the nexâ spring when he would not faile to make good all his promises
for which boldnesse I humbly intreat âour Graces pardon The King not onely pardoned him but bestowed presently upon him the Deanery of Lincolne and soone after made him his Almoner In this state King Henây the eight found him with whom also he grew into such favour that he made him of his Councell and having won Tourney made him Bishop of that Citie and returning into England the Bishopricke of Lincolne falling void by the death of Doctor Smith made him Bishop of that Diocesse And thus far the story hath now brought him but soone after he was raised higher for Doctor Bambridge Archbishop of Yorke dying he was translated from Lincolne to that See and that he might not be inferiour to the Archbishop of Canterâury he procured of the Pope to be made Cardinall and Legat a Latere and after by the King was made Lord Chancellour of England and being come to this height of dignity he so carried himselfe in Expences of Houshold in number of Retinve and in all circumstances of State that no Subject before or since hath in any degree come neere him And if we may say it he was the first Debaucher of King Henry for to the end he might have the managing of all matters himself he perswaded the King that he should not need trouble himselfe with frequenting the Councell Table as he did but take his pleasure and leave those things to his Councell whereof himselfe would alwaâes give him ânie Information This was plausible Councell and no marvaile if it were embraced of a yong King coming from the mouth of so great a Prelate In this fifth yeer of the King the Citizens of London finding themselves grieved with the Inclosures of the common fields about Islington Hogsdon and Shârdich and other places adjoyning went one morning and threw downe all the Hedges and filled up all the Ditches whereat though the Kings Councell were at first offended yet the Maior and City shewed them such reasoâs that they rested satisfied and the fields were never since hedged On the nineteenth of May this yeer Pope Iulius the second sent to King Henry a Cap of Maintenance and a Sword and being angry with the King of France transferred by Authority of the Lateran Councell the title of Christianissimo from him upon King Henry which with great solemnity was published the sunday following in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul but this solemnity must not passe without Revelling Maskes and Justs wherein the King and the Duke of Suffolke were defendants against all commers who having the Duke of Longuevyle and the Lord of Clermont to be spectâtours spread the fame of their Chivalrie into forreigne Nations And now the great love that had been long between King Henry and the Flemings began to abate upon this occasion King Henry the seventh had concluded a match between his daughter Mary and Charles Prince of Spaine but by reason of her young yeers and for want of assurance of Joynture the match was deferred during his time but now King Henry the eight seeing his sister of convenient yeers began to call upon it and signified so much to the Councell of Flanders but they whether having other ends or out of Spanish delayes put him off with excuses and at last sent him word plainly they could doe nothing in it that yeer The King of France had soone Intelligence how much King Henry distasted these Spanish dealings and meant to make some good use of it for the ends he began to propose to himselfe which were to get the Lady Mary for himselfe and thereby procure peace with England being now old and weary of the War And for this purpose he got the new Pope Leo the tenth to be his mediatour and both of them send Embassadours to King Henry the Pope to perswade him to have peace with France the French King to treat about a Marriage with the Lady Mary upon whose Embassages King Henry partly to satisfie the Pope and partly to advance his sister did not unwillingly hearken to the motions but whilst this was in working Pryor Iohn who knew nothing of these intentions began again to play his Praâks and coming with his Gallyes on the coast of Sussex burnt Bhighthem-steed and took away the goods he found in the Village whereupon the Lord Admirall sent Sir Iohn Walloppe to sea with divers ships and eight hundred men who for one Village that Pryor Iohn burnt in England burnt one and twenty Villages and Townes in France to the great honour of himselfe and his countrey And now King Henry by advice of his Councell and specially of Woolsey Bishop of Lincolne concluded both the peace with France and the Marriage of his Sister the Lady Mary with the French King but yet it stuck a while upon some differences King Henry demanding Bulloigne and the King of France Tourney in conclusion these demands were waved and the principall conditions wereâ first concerning the Ladies Joynture that she should have two and thirty thousand Crownes of yeerly revenues if she survived the King and then concerning ths peace that the French King should pay yeerly to King Henry for five yeers one hundred thousand Crownes and the peace to continue between them during their lives and a yeer after and bound reciprocally to assist each other with ten thousand foot if the warre were by land with six thousand if by sea All things thus concluded the Lady Mary was brought to Dover by King Henry and his Queen and on the second of October taking shippiâg was conducted by the Duke of Norfolke the Marquesse Dorset the Bishop of Durhamâ the Earle of Surry the Lord De la ware the Loâd Berners the Lord Monteagle Sir Maurice Berkely Sir Iohn Pechye Sir William Sands Sir Bulleyneâ Sir Iohn Carre and many other Knights and Ladies but being not past halfe way over the sea their ships by tempest were dispersed and the Lady with some jeoperdy landed at Bullen where Sir Christopher Garnish was faine to stand in the water and take her in his armes and so set her on shore and there the Duke of Vendosme with a Cardinall and many other great States received her From Bullen the eight of October she came to Abbevyle where the Dolphyn received her on the morrow being Saint Dennis day she came to Saint Dennis where the marriage between the King of France and her was solemâized though some write it had been solemnized before at Abbevyle The fifth of November she was Crowned Queene of France at which time the Dolphyn held the Crowne over her head as being too massie for her to weare and the day following she was received into Paris in most magnificent manner In honour of whose Marriage and Coronation the Dolphyn had caused a solemne Justs to be proclaimed which should be kept in Paris the seventh of November Upon report of this Proclamation in England the Duke of Suffolke the Marquesse Dorset and his four Brothers the Lord Clinton Sir Edward Neââll
to advize On Thursday the ninth of March a Gentleman came in Post from the Lady Margaret with Letters signifying that whereas the King of France had long lyen at the siege of Pavia he had now been forced to raise his siege and was himselfe taken prisoner by thâ Imperialestsâ for joy whereof Bonfires and great Triumph was made in ãâã and on the twentieth of March being Sunday the King himselfe came to Pauls and there heard a solemne Masse But for all this shew of joy it was thought if the King of France had not now been taken prisoner that the King of England would have joyned in amity with him as being angry with the Fleâââgs for Inhauââing his Coyne in Flanders which caused much money to be conâayed out of England thither The King of France being taken prisoner was after some time convayed into Spaine and at last brought to Madrill where he âell so sicke that the Physitians had little hope of his life unlesse the Emperour would be pleased speedily to visit him upon whose visitation he recovered his health though not presently his strength In which time many propositions were made for his delivery but the Emperour would accept of âone without restitution of the Dutchy of Burgoigne At last the French King weary of imprisonment and longing for liberty was content to agree to any conditionsâ the chiefe whereof were that the French King by a certaine day should be set at liberty and within six weeks after should resigne to the Emperour the Dutchy of Burgoigne with all Members pertayning to it and at the âame ââstant should put into the Emperours hands the Dolphyn of France ând with him either the Duke of Orleance his second sonne or else twelve priâcipall Lords of France whom the Emperour should name and that there should be between them a League and perpetâall coâfederation foâ defence of their estates Of whose attonement when King Henry heard as before he had expressed gladnesse that he was taken prisoner so now he sent Sir Thomas Cheiney to him to expresse his joy for being set at liberty so suddaine is the enterchange of love and hate amongst great Princes The French King being thus delivered the Emperour married the Lady Isabel Daughter to Emanuel King of Portingal and âad with her in Dower eleven hundred thousand Duckeâsâ though three yeers before being at Windsor he had covenanted to take to wife the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter At this time Cardinall Woolsey obtained licence of the King to erect a Colledge at Oxford and another at Ipswich and towards the charge of them got leave also to suppresse certaine small Monasteries to the number of forty and after got a confirmation of the Pope that he might imploy the Goods and Lands belonging to those Houses to the maintenance of those two Colledges a perniâious president and that which made the King a way afterward to make a generall suppression of all religioâs Houses though indeed there be great difference between converting of Monestaries into Colledges and utter subverting them In March King Henry sent Cuthert Tunstall Bishop of London and Sir Richard Winkfield Chancelour of the Duâchy of Lancâster into Spaine to conferre with the Emperour about matters of great importance and particularly about Warre to be made in France and yet were these two Princes at this time in League but he that shall observe the carriage of these three Princes towards one another and how convertible their Leagues were into Warre and their Warre into Peace shall finde it a strange Riddle of Ragion di statâ and their Leagues to have been but meere complements where the skale was turned with the least graine of a circumstance and though they were bound by Oath yet that Oath made the Leagues but little the firmer seeing the League might be broken and yet the Oath kept for while one gave the occasion and the other took it though they were both accessaries yet neither was principall and where there is not a principall the Oath remains inviolate And upon those Hinges did the friend-ship of these Princes turne as at this time the Emperour though not long before he had parted with the King of England in the greatest kindnesse that could be yet gave not the English Embassadours so kinde entertainment now as he had formerly done but for what cause was not apparent unlesse upon some sinister report made to him by Monsieur de Prate who having been his Ligier with the King of England was without taking leave of the King departed and come to the Emperour before the English Embassadours came But howsoever King Henry being determined to make Warre in France himselfe in person his Councell fell into consideration how the charge of the Warre should be maintained which care the Cardinall takes upon him and thereupon appoints Commissioners in all Shiers to sit and draw the people to pay the sixth part of every mans substance in plate or money but the people opposed it alleadging that it was against the Law of the Realme for any man to be charged with such payments unlesse by Parliament and as the Cardinall continued to presse it so the people continued to denye it and when some for denying it were committed to prison the Commons in many Countryes made great assemblies for their defence the report whereof at last came to the King who thereupon came to VVestminster and protested openly that it was done without his knowledge and that it was never his meaning to ask any thing of his Subjects but according to Law and therefore desired to know by whose Authority it was done Here the Cardinall excused himselfe and said that it was the opinion of all the Judges and of all his Councell thaâ he might Lawfully demand any summe so it were done by Commission and thereupon it was done But the King liked not to take advantage of a distinction to draw money from his Subjects and thereupon gave warning for doing any such thing hereafter and signified so much by his Letters into all the Shiers of England giving also a generall pardon to all that had offered to rise upon it which though he did of his owne free grace yet the Cardinall to win a good opinion in the Commons gave out that it was by his meanes the King granted the pardon King Henries seventeenth yeer was honoured with the advancing of many in honour for on the eighteenth of Iune at his Pallace of Bridewell the Kings sonne which he had by Elizibeth Blunt daughter to Sir Iohn Blunt Knight called Henry Fitz-Roy was created first Earl of Nottingham and after on the same day Duke of Richmond and Somerset Henry Courtney Earle of Devonshire was created Marquis of Excetur the Lord Brandon sonne to the Duke of Suffolke and the French Queene a child of two yeers old was created Earle of Lincolne Sir Thomas Manners Lord Rosse was created Earle of Rutland Sir Henry Clifford was created Earle of Cunberland Sir Robert Ratcliffe
Lord Fitz-Water was created Viscount Fitz-VVater and Sir Thomas Bullen Treasurer of the Kings Houshold was created Viscount Rochâord At this time the French Kings mother as then Regent of France procured by her Embassadours at first a Truce and afterward a peace with England which was proclaimed in London the eighth of September By the covenants of which peace the King of England should receive at certaine dayes twenty hundred thousand Crowns which in sterling money amounted to the summe of foure hundred thousand pound whereof fifty thousand was to be paid in hand Sir VVilliam Fitz-Williams and Doctor Talour was sent to the Lady Regent to take her corporall oath and likewise King Henry the foure and twentieth of Aprill at Greenwich in presence of the Embassadours of France Rome and Venice tooke his corporall oath to observe the peace betweene him and his loving brother the French King during his life and one yeer after In this winter was great mortality in London so as the Terme was adjourned and the King kept his Christmas at Eltham with a small number and was therfore called the still Christmas At which time the Cardinall comming to the Court took order for altering the state of the Kings House many officers and other servants were discharged and put to their pensions in which number were foure score and foure Yeomen of the Guard who before having had twelve pence the day with check were now allowed but six pence the day without check and commanded to goe into their Countries On Shrovetuesday this yeere a solemne Justs was held at Greenwich the King and eleven other on the one part the Marques of Excetur and eleven other of the other part In his nineteenth yeer King Henry kept a solemne Christmas at Greenwich with Revels Maskes disguisings and Banquets and the thirtieth of December and third of Ianuary were solemne âusts holden when at night the King and fifteen other with him came to Bridewel and there putting on masking apparel took his Barge and rowed to the Cardinalls place where were at supper many Lords and Ladyes who daâced with the maskers and after the dancing was made a great Banquet This Christmas was a play at Grayes-Inne made by one Master Roe a Sergiant at Law the effect whereof was that Lord Gouvernance was ruled by dissipation and negligence by whose evill order Lady Publick-Weale was put from governance This the Cardinall took to be meant by him and therupon seât the said Master Roe to the Fleet though the Play were made long before the Cardinall had any authority by which we may see how inseperable a companion suspition is to a guilty conscience The fourteenth of Ianuary came to the Court Don Hugo de Mendoza a Grande of Spaine as Embassadours from the Emperour to the King with a large commission to make King Henry Judge how just the conditions were which the Emperour required of the King of France and about this negotiation âarried two yeers in England so desirous the Emperour was to continue good correspondence with the King of England On Shrovetuesday the King and the Maquesse of Excester with others in most sumptuous attire came to the Tilt and ran so many courses till two hundred fourescore and six Speares were broken and then disarming themselves went into the Queenes Chamber where a sumptuous Banquet was provided But this Banquet was one of the last of the Queenes preparing for hitherto there had been no exception taken to the lawfulnesse of her marriage but now came over Embassadours from the King of France requiring to have the Kings Daughter the Lady Mary to be given in marriage to the Duke of Orleance second Sonne to their Master the French King wherein they that were the suitors for it were the hinderers of it for amongst them was the President of Paris who made a doubt whither the marriage betweene King Henry and the Lady Katherin of Spaine having been his Borthers wife were lawfull or no But howsoever the French Embassadours at Greenwich on Sunday the fifth of May in the name of their Master the French King took their Oâthes to observe the League concluded betweene them during their lives And shortly after were sent Sir Thomas Bullen Viscount Rochford and Sir Anthony Browne Knight as Embassadours to the King of France to take his Oath in person for performance of the League But enough of small Occurrances and indeed there will be Occurrances now more worthy to be related but more lamentable to be heard for now the Duke of Bourbon Generall of the Emperours Army in Italie was slaine by a shot from the Walls of Rome as he was passing by upon whose death the Army entred and sacked the City made the Pope flye to the Castle of Saint Angâlo and there cooped him up abused the Cardinals and put them to grievous ransomes spared neither Sacred places nor Religious persons but commitâed all manner of barbarous and inhumaine cruelty These insolencies of the Emperours Army committed against the Pope âogether with the hard conditions the Emperour had imposed upon the King of France for setting him at liberty and the Emperours breach of promise in not marrying the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter were the apparent causes of King Henries breaking League with the Emperour Charles but a more enforcing though concealed cause perhaps was the growing greatnesse of the Emperour by his acquests in Italie and other places enough to breed a jealousie in all neighbouring Princes and indeed King Henry had some cause to thinke the Emperours spirits were grown higher with his Victories seeing where before he was wont alwayes to write letters to King Henry with his own hand and subscribe them your son and faithfull friend now after his Victories in Italie he caused his Secretaries to write them subscribing only Charles And yet a more pressing cause though not avowed might be the Cardinalls spleene against the Emperour for denying him the Bishopricke of Toledo in Spaine But which soever of these was the predominant cause all of them together made a cause sufficient for King Heâry to fall off from amity with the Emperour and his falling off from the Empeâour cause sufficient âo fall in with the King of France and thereupon the two Kings send their severall Heraulds to the Emperour King Henry Clarentiuâ the French King his Herauld Guyen to expostulate their grievances with the Emperour and he refusing to returne a satisfactory answer to defiâ him as their enemy The Emperour heard the Heraulds with great temper and answered Clarentius very mildely that he knew his Masters grievance was grounded upon misinformation wherein he would shortly rectifie him by his Letters as desiring nothing more then to continue his friend but âuyen hee answered rougly bidding him tell his Master that he had broken his faith in not performing the Covenants agreed upon for his liberty and with these answers dismissed them only Guyen not thinking it fit to deliver his answer being in such termes by
her and then desiring him further to have some consideration of her Servants On the eighth of Ianuary at Kimbolton she departed this life and was buried at Peterborough A woman of so vertuous a life and of so great obsequiousnesse to her husband that from her onely merit is grown a reputation to all Spanish wives Also the nine and twentieth of Ianuary this yeere Queene Anne was delivered of a childe before her time which was borne dead And now King Henry began to fall into thoâe great disorders which have been the blemish of his life and have made him be blotted out of the Catalogue of our best Princes for first in October this yeer he sent Dâctor Lee and others to âisit the Abbeys Priories and Nunneries in England who set at liberty all those Religious persons that would forsake their habit and all that were under thâ age of foure and twenty yeers and in December following a survay was taken of all Chantries and the names of such as had the guift of them After which in a Parliament holden the fourth of February an Act was made which gave to the King all Religious houses with all their lands and goods that were of the value of three hundred marks a yeere and under the ââmber of which Houses was three hundred seventy and six the value of their lands yeerly above two and thirty thousand pounds their movable goods one hundred thousand the Religious persons put out of the same houses above ten thoâsand This yeere William Tindall was burnt at a Town in Flanders betweene Brussels and Mechlyn called Villefort for translating into English the New Testament and divers parts of the old who having beene long imprisoned was upon the Lord Cromwels writing for his Deliverance in all haste brought to the fire and burnt It was now the eight and twentieth yeere of King Henries Reigne when on Munday there were solemne Justs holden at Geeenwich from whence the King suddainely departed and came to Westminster whose suddaine departure stroke great amazement into many but to the Queene especially and not without cause for the next day the Lord Rochford her brother and Henry Norris were brought to the Tower of London prisoners whither also the same day at five a clock in the afternoone was brought Queene Anne her selfe by Sir Thomas Audeley Lord Chancelour the Duke of Norfolke Thomas Cromwell Secretary and Sir William Kingston Leivtenant of the Tower who at the Tower-gate fell on her knees before the said Lords beseeching God to help her as she was innocent of that whereof she was accused on the âifteenth of May she was arraigned in the Tower before the Duke of Norfolke sitting as high Steward of England When her Inditement was read she made unto it so wise and discreet answers that shee seemed fully to cleere her selfe of all matters laid to her charge but being tried by her Peeres whereof the Duke of Suffolke was chiefe she was by them found guilty and had Judgment pronounced by the Duke of Norâolke immeadiatly the Lord Rochford her brother was likewise arraigned and condemned who on the seaventeenth of May together with Henry Norris Marke Smeton VVilliam Briorton and Francis VVeston all of the Kings Privy-chamber about marters touching the Queen were beheâdeâ on the Tower-hill Queen Anne her selfe on the nineteenth of May on a Scaâfold upon the Green within the Tower was beheaded with the sword of Callice by the hangman of that Towne her body with the head was buried in the Quire of the chappell there This Queen Anne was the daughter of Thomas Bullen Earle of VViltshire and of Lady Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norâolke the Earles Father was the sonne of Sir VVilliam Bullen whose wife was Margaret the second daughter and Coheire of Thomas Butler Ealre of Ormond and the said Sir VVilliam was the sonne of Sir Godfrey Bullen Lord Major of London who lieth buried in Saint Leonards Church in the Iewry whose wife was Anne eldest daughter coheire to Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings and his discent was out of the house of the Bullens in the County of Norfolke thus much for her Parentage for her Religion she was an âarnest Professor and one of the first Countenancers of the Gospell in Almes-deeds so liberall that in nine moneths space It it is said she distributed amongst the poore to the value of fifteene thousand pounds now for the crimes for which she died Adultery and Incest proofes of her guiltinesse there are none recorded of her Innocency many first her owne clearing of all objections at the time of her arraignment then Cromwels writing to the King after full examination of the matter that many things have been objected but none confessed onely some circumstances had been acknowledged by Marke Smeton and what was Marke Smeton but a meane fellow one that upon promise of life would say any thing and having said somthing which they took hold of was soone after executed least he should retract it lastly they that were accused with her they all denied it to the death even Henry Norris whom the King specially favoured and promised him pardon if he would but confesse it It was a poore proofe of Incest with her brother that comming one morning into her chamber before she was up he leaned down upon her bed to say somthing in her eare yet this was taken hold of for a proof and it need be no marvaile if we consider the many aduersaries she had as being a Protestant and perhaps in that respect the King himselfe not greatly her friend for though he had excluded the Pope yet he continued a Papist stil and then who knowes not that nature is not more able of an Acorn to make an oake then authority is able of the least surmise to make a certainty But howsoever it was that her death was contrived certain it is that it cast upon King Henry a dishonourable Imputation in so much that where the Protestant Princes of Germany had resolved to choose him for head of their League after they heard of this Queens death in such a manner they utterly refused him as unworthy of the honour and it is memorable what conceit Queene Anne her selfe had of her death for at the time when shee was led to be beheaded in the Towerâ shee called one of the Kings Privy-chamber to her and said unto him commend me to the King and tell him he is constant in his course of advancing me for from a private Gentlewoman he made me a Marquesse from a Marquesse a Queen and now that he had left no higher degree of worldly honour for me he hath made me a Martyr Immediatly after her death in the weeke before Whiââonâide the King maried Iane Seymour daughter to Sir Iohn Seymour who at Whitsontide was openly shewed as Queene and on the Tuesday in the Whitson-weeke her brother Sir Edmund Seymour was created Viscount Beauchamp and Sir Walter Hangerford was made Lord Hangerford The
for the suppressing of so many Monasteries the King instituted certaine new Bishoprickes as at VVestminster Oxford Peterborough Bristow Chester and Gloster and assigned certaine Canons and Prebends to each of them The third of November Henry Courtney Marquesse of Exceter and Earle of Devonshire Henry Poole Lord Montacute Sir Nicholas Carew of Bedington Knight of the Garter and Master of the Kings Horse and Sir Edward Nevill brother to the Lord of Aburgeiney were sent to the Tower being accused by Sir Geoffry Poole the Lord Montacutes brother of high treason theâ were indiâed for devising to promote and advance one Reinold Poole to the Crowne and put downe King Henry This Poole was a neere kinsman of the Kings being the sonne of the Lady Margaret Countesse of Salisbury daughter and heire to George Duke of Clarence he had been brought up by the King in learning and made Deane of Excetur but being sent after to learne experience by travaile he grew so great a friend of the Popes that he became an enemy to King Henry and for his enmity to the King was by Pope Iulius the third made Cardinall for this mans cause the Lords aforesaid being condemned were all executed the Lord Marquis the Lord Montacute and Sir Edward Neâill beheaded on the Tower-hill the ninth of Ianuary Sir Nicholas Carew the third of March two Priests condemned with them were hanged at Tyburn Sir Ieoffry Poole though condemned also yet had his pardon About thiâ time one Nicholson alias Lambert being accused for denying the Reall presence in the Sacrament appealed to the King and the King was coâtent to heare him whereupon a Thronâ was set up in the Hall of the Kings Pallace at Westminster for the King to siâ and when tâe Bishops had urged their arguments and could not prevaile then the King tooke him in hand hoping perhaps to have the honour of conâerting an Hereticke when the Bishops could not doe it and withall promised him pardon if he would recant but all would not doe Nicholsoâ remained obstinâte the King mist his honor the delinquent mist his pardon and shortly after was drawne to Smithfield and there burnt About this time King Henry being informed that the Pope by instigation of Cardinall Poole had earnestly moved divers great Princes to invade England He as a provident Prince endeaâoured aââarnâstly to provide âor defence aâd to that end rode himselfe to the Sâa-coastâ ãâã them fortifiââ and in needfull places Bulwarkes to be erected Hee câused hiâ Naââeââ be rigged and to be in readinesse at any short warning he cââsed Musters ââ be raken in all sheeâes and lists of all able men in eâery Countâ in Lâââdon specially where Sir William Forman the âhen Mâjor ââââified the number of fifteene thousand not that they were ãâ¦ã but that so many were ready prepared and these on the eight of May the King himselfe saw Mustered in Iames Parke where the Citizeâs âââove in such sort to exceed each other in bravary of armes and forwardnesse of service aâ if the City had bin a Campe and they not men of the gownâ but all profest Souldiers which they performed to their great cost but greater comendââion It was now the one and thirtieth yeere of King Henriâs reigne and the nine and fortieth of his age when having continued a widdower two yeere he began to thinke of marrying againe and bee needed not be a suiâour for a wife for he was sued unto take one The Emperour sollicited him to marry the Dutchesse of Milan but to marry her he must first obtaine a Licence from the Pope and King Henry was resolved rather to have no wife then to have any more to doe with the Pope Then the Duke of Cleve made suit unto him to marry the Lady Anne hiâ Sister and hee was a Protestant Prince and so though differing in points of Doctrine yet in the maine Point of excluding âhe Pope both of one minâe Many about the King were forward for thiâ Maâch but the Lord Croâwell specially and indeed it concerned him more then any other that the King should take a Protestant wife seeing ãâã actions hâd beene such as none but â Protestant Queene would ever like and if the Queene should not like them the King though done by his leave would âot like them long Hereupon such meanes was used that Embâssaâours came from the Duke of Cleve to conclude the March and theâ the elevânth of December the Lady her selfe in grâat state was brought first to Callice and then over to Dover and being come to Rochester the King secretly came to see her afterward she was conducted to London meâ by the way in severall places by all the great Lords and Ladies of the Kingdome The third of Ianuary she was received into London by Sir William Hollice then Lord Major with Orationâ Pageants anâ all complements of Staâe the greatest that ever had beene seene On Twelfth day the Marriage was âolemnized the Archbishop of Canterbury did the office the Earle of Oversteine a German Lord gaâe her In Aprill following the Lord Cromwell as though he had won the Kings heart for ever by making this march was made Earle of Essex for in March before Henry Rourchieâ Earle of Essexâ and the ancientest Earle of England had broken his necke by seeking to breake a yong Horse leaving onely one Daughter and the dying without issue the Earldome came to the Family of Devereux which yet enjoyed not the honour till afterward in Queene Elizabeths time and then made but not restored The ninth of March the King created Sir William Paulet Treasurour of his House Lord Saint Iohn Sir Iohn Russell Controlour Lord Russell and shortly after Sir William Par was created Lord Par. The eight and twentieth of April began a Parliament at Westminster in the which Margaret Countesse of Salisbury Gertrude wife to the Marquesse of Exceter Reynold Poole Cardinall broâher to the Lord Montacute Sir Adrian Foskew Thomas Dingley Knight of Saint Iohns and divers others were attainâed of high treason of whom Foskew and Dingley the tenth of Iuly were beheaded the Countesse of Salisbury two yeeres after and in this Parliament the Act of the six Articles was established and Sir Nicholas Hare was restored to his place of Speaker in the Parliament It was now five moneths after the Kings marriage with the Lady Anne of Cleve and though the King at the first sight of the Lady did not like her person yet whether as respecting the honour of Ladies he would not disgrace her at the first meeting or whether he ment to try how time might worke him to a better liking or indeed that he would not give distaste to the German Princes at that time for sole ends he had a working he dissembled the matter and all things went on in a shew of contentment on all hands But for all these shewes the crafty Bishop of London Stephen Gardiner finding how the world went with the Kings affection towards his
execution upon a statute of the Sâaple and for so much as the said Cook during all the Parliament served the Speâker in tâat office he was taken out of execution by priviledge of Parliament the Prerogative of which Court as our learned Counsaile informeth us is so great that all Acts and processes comming ouâ of any other Court must for the time ceâse and give place to it and touching the party himselfe though for his presumption he was worthy to have lost his debt yet I commend your Equity that have restored him to hiâ debt against him that was the principall when the King had said this Sir Edward Mountacute Lord chiefe Justice rose up and confirmed by many reasons all that the King had said as likwise did all the other Lordâ none speaking any thing to the contrary It was now the foure and thirtieth yeere of King Henries Reigne when in May he took a loane of money of all such as were valued at fifty pounds and upwardâ in the Subsidy book the Lord Privy-seale the Bishop of VVinchester Sir Iohn Baker and Sir Thomas Wriothsley were commissioners that the loane in London who so handled the matter that of some chief Citizens they obtained a thousand maâkes in prest to the Kings use for which Privie Seales were delivered to repay it againe within two yeeres At this time were many complaints made by the ââgliâh against the Scots partly for receiving and maintaining diverse English Rebâls ãâã into Scotland and partly for invading âhe Engliâh Borders but still wâen the King of Englanâ was preparing to oppose them the Scottish King would send Embassadours to treât of reconcilement till at last âfter mânâ delusory prankes of the Scots the King of England no longer ânduriâg such abuses sent the Duke of Norfolke his Leivtenaââ Generall accompanied with the Earls of Shrewsbury Darby Cumberland Surrey Hartâoâd Aââus Rutland the Lords of the North parts Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Kings horse and Sir Iohn Gage Controller of the Kingâ House with others to the number of twenty thousand men who on the one and twentieth of Ocâober entred Scotland where staying but eigât dayeâ onely he burnt above eighteen Towneâ Abbeys and Castles and then without âaving batâaile offered for want of victuals returned to Barwick ââ soon as âe was returned comes abroâd the King of Scots raiseth a power of fifteen thousând men and using great threatnings what he would doe invaded the west Borders but the edge of his threatning was soon taken off for the bastard Daââes with Iack of Musgrave setting upon them with onely an hundred Lightâhorse and Sir Thomas Wharton with three hundred put them to flight upon a conceiâ thââ the Duke of Norfolke with all his Army had beene come iâto those partâ where were taken prisonerâ of the Scots the Earl of Cassill and Glencââne the Lord Maxwell Admirâll of Scotland the Lord Flemming the Lord Soâerwell the Lord Oliâhaât the Lord Gray Sir Oliver Sincleeâe the Kings Minion Iohn Rosse Lord of Gragy Robert Erskin sonne to the Lord Erskin Car Lord of Gredon the Lord Maxwells two Brothers Iohn Lesloy bastard sonne to the Earl of Rothus George Hame Lord of Hemetton with divers other men of account to the number of above two hundred and more then eight hundred of meaner calling so as some one English mân and some women also had three or foure prisonerâ in their hands at which overâhrow the King of Scots took such grief that he fell into a burning Ague and thereof died leaving behind him one onely daughter and heere King Henry began to apprehend a greater matter then the victory for he and his Counsâile conceived that âhiâ daughter would be a fit match for his sonne Prince Edward thereby to make â perpetuall union of the two Kingdomes and to âhis purpose they conferâed with the Lord whom they had taken prisoners who exceeding glad of the proposition and promising to further it by all the possible meane they could were âhereupon sât at liberty and suffered âo return home Comming into Scotland ãâã acquainting the Earl of Arraine wiâh the motion who was chosen Goverâour of the young Queen and of the Realme tâe matter with great liking was entertained and in Parliament of the three estâtes in Scotland the marriage was confirmeâ and â peace between the two Reâlms for ten yeerâ waâ proclaimed and Embassâdours sent into England for sealing the conditions But Beton Archbishop of Sâint Andrews being Cardinall and at the Popes devotion and therefore an utter enemy to King Henry so crossed the businesse that it came to nothing but ended in a war between the two Kingdomes so as in March the yeere following the Lord Seymour Earle of Hartford with an Army by Land and Sir Iohn Dudley Lord Lisle with a Fleeâe by Sea meâ at New-castle and there joyned together for invading of Scotland with the Earl of Hartford were the Earl of Shrewsbury the Lords Cobham Clinton Conyers Stinton the Lord William Howard with Knights and others to the number of ten thousand with Sir Iohn Dudley the Admirall were two huâdred sâile of ships on the fourth of May the whole Army was landed two miles from the Towne of Lieth at a place called Granther Crag and there the Lord Lievtennant puting his men in order maâched toward the Towne of Lieth the Lord Admirall led the foreward the Lievtennant the Battell and the Earl of Shrewsbury the Rearward Before they came to the Towne of Lieth the Cardinal with six hundred âorse besides foot lay in the way to impeach their passage but they were so assailed by the Harquâbutars that they were glad to flye and the first man that fled was the Cardinal himself and then the Earls of Huntley Murrey Bothwel hereupon the English made forward to Lieth and entred it without any great resistance the sixth of May they marched towards Edenbrough and as they approached the Towne the provost with some of the Burgers came and offered the keyes of the Towen to the Lord Lievtennant upon condition they might depart with bag and baggage and the Towne to be preserved from fire but the Lord Livetennant told them their falshood had been such as deserved âo faâour and therefore unlesse they would deliver the Towne absolutely without any condition he would proâeed in his enterprise and burne the Towne Here wee may see what it is to make men desperate for to this the Provest answered they were better then to stand upon defence and so indeed they did and made the English glad to retire for the Castle shot so fiercely upon them that having burnt onely a part of the Towne they returned to Lieth but whilst they lay there they so wasted the Country that within seaven mileâ every way of Edenbrough there was not a Towne nor Village nor house tâat was left unburnt at Lieth the eleveth day of May the Lord Generall made Knights the Lord Clinton the Lord Conyers Sir William Wroughton Sir Thomas
came to Guisnes for the King of England the Earl of Hertford the Bishop of Winchester Sir Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle Baron of Mawpas and high Admirall of England Sir William Paget the Kings Secretary Doctor Nicholas Wootton Dean of Canterbury For the French King there came to Ard Claude Danebolt Admirall of France the Bishop of Eureux Monsieur Reymond chiefe President of Roan and the Secretary Bouchetell Diverse times they met betwixt Ard and Guisnes and after long debating of matters and diverse breakings offâ at length the seventh of Iune a Peace was concluded and proclaimed in the City of London on Whitsunday the thirteenth of Iune by sound of trumpet and the same day in like manner at Paris and Roan the chiefe Article of which Peace was this that the French King paying to the King of England eight hundred thousand Crownes within the terme of eight yeeres should have Bulloigne againe restored to him which in the mean time should remain in possession of the King of England as a pledge for assurance of the said money and now for a full establishment of this Peace the Viscount Lisle Lord Admirall with the Bishop of Duresme and divers other Lords were sent into France to take oath of the French King and of the Dolphin as likewise at the same time divers Lords came from the French King to take oath of King Henry who by the way were met by the yong Prince and many Lords and conducted to the King at Hampton-Court In his seven and thirtieth yeere the three and twentieth of November a Parliament began at VVestminsâer wherein was granted to the King a Subsidie both of Spiritualty and Temporalty and all Colledges Chanteries and Hospitalls were given to him to dispose of the foure and twentieth of December the Parliament was prorogued on which day the King comming to the Parliament House the Speaker made to him an Oration which the Lord Chancelour was used to answere but at this time the King would answer himselfe the effect whereof was that where Master Speaker had commended him for many excellent qualities that were in him he thanked him for it not that he had them but for putting him in mind how necessary it was he should have them then he thanked the whole House for their Subsidie and for giving him the Colleges and Chanteries which hee promised to see bestowed to the glory of God and good of the Realme lastly he ackowledged their love to himselfe but found fault with want of love to one another for what love where there is not concord and what concord when one calleth another Heretick and Anabaptist and he againe calleth him Papist and Hipocrite and this not onely amongst those of the Temporalty but even the Clergy men themselves preach one against another inveigh one against another without Charity or Discretion some be so stiffe in their old mumpsimus and others so curious in their new sumpsimus that few or none Preacheth truly and sincerely the word of God now therfore let this be amended feare and serve God be in Charity amongst your selves to the which I as your supream Head and Soveraigne Lord exhort and require you and this said the Acts were openly read to some he gave his Royall assent and to diverse assented not Whilst oath for the peace was thus taken by both Kings Bulloigne remaining still in King Henries possession Monsieur de Chatillon Captain of Mont-pleasier began to make a new Bastillion at the very mouth of the Haven of Bulloigne naming it Chatillous Garden hereof the Lord Gray of VVilton as then Deputy of Bulloigne advertised the King by Sir Thomas Palmour requiring to know his pleasure whither he should race it as a thing very incommodious to the Town or let it stand the King asked advice of his Counsail who all agreed that the conditions of the peace ought in no wise to be infringed and therefore to let the Bastillian stand whereupon the King caused his Secretary the Lord Paget to write a letter to the Lord Gray to that purpose but then called Sir Thomas Palmour secretly to him bidding him tell the Lord Gray that whatsoever he had written in his letter yet with all speed possible he should race the fortification to the ground Sir Thomas Palmour replying that a message by word of mouth being contrary to his leter would never be beleeved wel said the King do you tell him as I bid you and leave the doing it to his choice upon the comming back of Sir Thomas Palmour the Lord Gray called a counsaile shewing them thâ Kingâ letter and withall Sir Thomas Palmours message and then asked their Advise what in this case he should doe who all agreed without any question that the letter was to be followed and not the message to which the Lord Gray himselfe said nothing but caused the message to be wtitten verbatim from Sir Thomas Palmours mouth and those of the Counsaile to set their hands to it this done the night following he issued forth with a company of Armed men and Pioners aud overthrew the fortification to the ground aâd then sent Sir Thomas Palmour with letters to the King who as soon as he saw him asked aloud what will he doe it or no Sir Thomas Palmour delivering his letter said your Majesty shall know by these but then the King halfe angry nay tell me saith he wil he doe it or no being then told it was done and the fortification clean raced he turned to his Lords and said what say you my Lords to this Chatillous Garden is raced to the âloore whereto one presently answered that he that had done it was worthy to loose his head to which the King streightlâ replyed that he would rather lose a dozen such heads as his was that so Jâdged then one such servants as had done it and therewith commanded the Lord Grays pardon should presently be drawn the which he sent vvith letters of great thanks and promise of reward the cause why the King took this course was this lest if he written the racing of the Fortification in his letter it might have come tâ the French-mens knowledge before it could have been done and so have been prevented and by this may be taken a scantling of King Henries great Capacitie It is now the eight and thirtieth yeere of his reigne when about Michaelmas Thomas Duke of Norfolke and Henry Earle of Surrey his Sonne and heire upon certaine surmises of treason were committed to the Tower of London and the thirteenth of Ianuary the King then lying at the point of death the said Earle was arraigned in the Guild-hall before the Lord Major the Lord Chauncellour and other Lords there in Commission the speciall matter wherewith he was charged was the bearing of certaine Armes that were said to belong to the King and to the Prince though the Earle justified the bearing of them as belonging to divers of his Ancestours affirming withall that he had the opinion
then any other King did in Realities so in any distemper of his people he had no other Physicke but to open a veine but we shall do him extreame wrong to thinke that all the blood shed in his time was of his shedding they were the Bishops that were the Draco to make the bloody Laws the Bishops that were the Phalaris to put them in execution the King ofâentimes scarce knowing what was done Certain it is when a great Lord put a Gentlewoman the second time on the rack the King hearing of it exceedingly condemned him for such extream cruelty As for Religion though he brought it not to a full Reformation yet he gave it so great a beginning that we may truly say of that he did Dimidium plus toto They who charge him with the vice of lust let them shew such another example of continence as was seen in him to lye six moneths by a yong Lady and not to touch her for so did hee with the Lady Anne of Cleve but this is to make Nosegayes I like better to leave every flower growing upon its staulke that it may be gathered fresh which will be done by reading the Story of his Life Of his Death and Buriall IT is Recorded of him that in his later time he grew so fat and slothfull that engines were made to lift and remove him up and downe but howsoever in the six and fiftieth yeer of his age whither a dropsie or by reason of an ulcer in his leg he fell into a langâishing feaver which brought him into such extreamity that his Physitians utterly despared of his life whereof yet none durst speake a word to him till Master Denny one of his Privy-chamber tooke the the boldnes to goe to him telling him of the danger he was in and withall putting him in mind to thinke of his soules health to which he answered that hee confessed his sinâes to be exceeding great yet had such confidence in the mercy of God through Christ that he doubted not of forgivenesse though they had been much greater and being then asked by Master Denny if he would have any Divine brought to him with whom to confer he answered he would willingly have the Archbishop Cranmer but not yet a while til he had taken a litle rest whereupon the Archbishop being then at Croydon was presently sent âor but before he could come the King was growne speechlesse onely seeming to retain a little memory so as putting out his hand and the Archbishop desiring him to shew some signe of his faith in Christ he then wrung the Archbishop hard by the hand and immediately gave up the Ghost the eight and twentieth of Ianuary in the yeer 1547. the six and fiftieth of his age and of his reigne the eight and thirtieth his body with great solemnity was buried at Windsor under a most costly and stately Tombe begun in copper and guilt but never fiâished Men of note in his time MEn famous for the sword were many in his time and in a manner all that it is hard making choice without being partiall unlesse we shal preferre Dukes of equal valour before others of meaner caling and then wil the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolk hold worthily the place first and next to them the yong Earl of Surrey who had been more fortunate if he had been lesse valiant Of men of letters in his time there were whole Armies in forraigne parts the most âamous were Budaeus Ludovicus Vines Iohn Revolin Erasmus Roteradamuâ Vrsinus Cornarius Sadolet Martin Bucer in England were Iohn Collet Deane of Pauls and Founder of the Schoole there VVilliam Lilly borne aâ Odiham in Hamshire first Scholmaster of Pauls-Schoole Thomas Linaker a learned Phisitian Iohn Skelton a pleasant Poet VVilliam Horman Vice Provest of Eaten who wrote divers workes Sir Rastalâ a Citizen and Stationer of London Christopher Saint-Germane an excellent Lawyer Sir Thomas Elyot Iohn Leland a diligent searcher of Antiquities Sir Iohn Bourchier Knight Lord Berners who translated âhe Chronocles of Froysard out of French into English Henry Standish Bishop of Saint Assaph who wâote a book against Erasmus traslation of the new Testament Arnold of London who wrote certain Colections touching Historicall matters Thomas Lupset a Londoner who wrote sundry vertuous Treatises Henry Bradshaw a black Monke who wrote the life of Saint VVerborough and also a certain Chronocle Iohn Palsgrave a Londoner who wrote instructions for the perfect understanding of the French tongue Iohn Sâvish a Cornish-man who wrote certaine abbreviations of Chronicles with a Treatise of the wars of Troy Anthony Fitz-Herbert a Judge who wrote an Abridgment of the Law Wilfride Holme who wrot a Treatise of the rebellion in Lincolnshire Thomâs Lanquet who wrote an Epitomy of Chronicles and also of the winning of Bulloigne Thomas Soulman of Gernsey who wrote divers notes of History Cutbert Tunstall Bishop of Durham Robert VVhittington who wrote divers Treatises for the instruction of Grammarians Iohn Russell who wrote a Treatise entituled super jure Caesaris et Papae also commentaries in Cantica Simon Fish a Kentish-man who wrote a book called the supplication of Beggars George Bullen Lord Rochford brother to Queen Anne who wrote divers songs and sonets Francis Bigod Knight born in Yorkeshire who wrote a book against the Clergy intitled de Impropriationibus Henry Lord Morley who wrote divers Treatises as Comodies and Tragedies as the life of sectaries and certaine rimes VVilliam Botevile alias Thynne who restored the works of Chawcer Richard Turpin who serâing in the Garrison of Callice wrote a Chronicle of his time and died in the âeer 1541. Sir Thomas VViat Knight who wrote divers matters in English-meeter and translâted the seven Penitentiall Psalmes and as some say the whole Psalter he died of the pestilence as he was going Embassadour to the Emperour in the yeer 1541. Henry Howard Earle of Surrey who wrote divers Treatises in English-meeter Iohn Field a Londoner who wrote a Treatise of mans Free-will de Servo homiâis Arbitrio and Collections of the common Laws of England Robert Shingleton borne in Lancashire who wrote a Treatise of the seven Churches and certaine Prophesies William Parry a Welsh-man who wrote a booke intitled speculum Iuvenam THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE SIXTH IT was now the yeere 1547. when on the eight and twentieth of Ianuary King Henry dying Prince Edward his Sonne by his third wife the Lady Iane Seymour and the onely Sonne he left behinde him as well by right of Inheritance as by his last Will succeeded him in the Kingdome to whom as being but nine yeers old and therefore unripe for Government hee had assigned eight and twenty Councellours a fit number if agreeing amongst themselves too many if at variance and at variance they would soon fall if there were not a moderatour to keep them in concord the first worke therfore necessary to be done in this new world was to make choice of such a man as might be
whose father King Henry the eighth made Earl of Tyrone to prevent the punishment of a private Out-rage upon a Brother broke into open Rebellion against the Prince and though his attempts were maturely made frustrate by timely opposition yet this was he that in the beginning of the Queens Raign sowed the seeds of that trouble in Ireland which afterward took so deep root that till the ending of her Raign it could never thorowly be rooted out though this man a yeer or two after came into England and casting himself at the Queens feet acknowledged his fault and obtained pardon The Treaty of Edinburgh should by promise have been confirmed by Francis the French King while he lived he not having done it Queen Elizabeth requires his Dowager the Queen of Scots to confirm it but she solicited often to it by Throgmorton the Queens Ligier in France made alwayes answer She could not do it without the counsell of her Nobility in Scotland whereupon Queen Elizabeth suspecting that this answer was but to hold her in amuzement while some mischief was practising against her sent Sir Thomas Randoll into Scotland to perswade the Lords there to enter into a League of mutuall amity with her and other Protestant Princesâ and further by no means to permit their Queen now a widow to marry again to any forraign Prince for which she alleadged many great reasons In the mean while the Queen of Scots purposing to return into Scotland sent before-hand D'Oysette a French Lord to intreat Queen Elizabeth that with her leave she her self might passe by Sea into Scoâland and D'Oysette might passe by Land But Queen Elizabeth openly denyed both the one and the other unlesse she would confirm the Treaty of Edinburgh saying It was no reason she should do the Queen of Scots courtesie if the Queen of Scots would not do her right The Queen of Scots much troubled with this answer expostulates the matter with her Ligier Throgmorton and much complains of the unkindenesse but in the mean time providing Shipping she loosed from Calice and under covert of a mist notwithstanding that Ships were laid to intercept her she arrived safe in Scotland where she intreated her subjects in so loving a manner that she gave great contentment to the whole Kingdom as well to the Protestant Party as the other and then sent Letters to Queen Elizabeth proferring all observance and readinesse to enter League with her so she might by Authority of Parliament be declared her Successor which was but her Right To this Queen Elizabeth answered That though she would no way derogate from her Right yet she should be loth to endanger her own security and as it were to cover her own eyes with a Grave-cloth while she was alive but fell again to her old Admonition requiring her to confirm the Treaty of Edinburgh And now to shew the respect she bore her when her Unkles the Dukes D'Aâmale D' Albeufe and other Lords of France that had brought her home returned thorow England she gave them most bountifull and loving entertainment These two Queens indeed were both of great Spirits and both very wise but these grew such Jealousies of State between them the Queen of Scots doubting lest Queen Elizabeth meant to frustrate her Succession Queen Elizabeth doubting lest the Queen of Scots meant to prevent her succession that it kept them more asunder in love then they were neer in blood and was cause of many unkinde passages between them in all which though the Queen of Scots were a very neer Match to the Queen of England in the abilities of her minde yet in the favours of Fortune she was much her inferiour But now for all the courtesie which Q. Elizabeth shewed to the Queen of Scots Unkles at their returning thorow England yet new practises were again set on foot against her at Rome the Duke of Guise especially labouring to have her be Excommunicate but Pope Pius still averse from such roughnesse meant now to try the Queen another way and thereupon sent the Abbot Martinengiâ and when he might not be admitted to enter England then caused the Bishop of Viterbo his Nuntio in France to deal earnestly with the Queens Ligier Throgmorton that she as other Princes had done would send her Orators to the Councell of Trent which he before had called But the Queen nothing tender in this point made peremptory answer That a Popish Assembly she did not acknowledge to be a Generall Councell nor did think the Pope to have any more Right or Power to call it then any other Bishop This Answer not only exasperated the Pope but so alienated also the King of Spain's minde from her that he was never after so kinde a friend to her as he had been and none of her Embassadours ever after had any great liking to be employed to him And now at this time as the Abbot Martinengi was the last Nuntio that ever was sent from the Pope into England so Sir Edward Carne now dying at Rome was the last Ligieâ that was ever sent to the Pope from the Kings of England And now Queen Elizabeth knowing well that she had drawn many ill willers against her State she endeavoured to strengthen it by all the means she could devise She caused many great Ordnance of Brasse and Iron to be cast She repaired Fortifications in the Borders of Scotland She encreased the number of her Ships so as England never had such a Navy before She provided great store of Armour and Weapons out of Germany she caused Musters to be held and youth to be trayned in exercises of Artillery and to please the people whose love is the greatest strength of all she gave leave to have Corn and Grayn transported and called in all base Coyns and Brasse Money It was now the Fifth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raine when diverse great persons were called in question Margaret Countesse of Lenox Neece to to King Henry the eight by his eldest sister and her husband the Earle of Lenox for having had secret conference by letters with the Queen of Scots were delivered prisoners to Sir Richard Sackvile Master of the Rolles and with him kept a while in custody Also Arthur Poole and his brother whose great grand-father was George Duke of Clarnce brother to King Edward the fourth Antony Fortescue who had married their sister and other were arraigned for conspiring to withdraw themselves to the Duke of Guise in France and from thence to return with an Army into Wales to Declare the Queen of Scots Queen of England and Arthur Poole Duke of Clearnce which particulars they confessed at the Barre and were thereupon condemned to die but had their lives spared in regard they were of the Blood Royall Also the Ladie Katherine Grey daughter to Henry Grey Duke of Suffolke by the eldest daughter of Brandonâ having formerly been married to the Earle Pembrookes eldest sonne and from him soone after lawfull divorced was some yeers after found to
the Siege but afterward ãâ¦ã with Verdugo the Spaniard at Nârthone even when the Vi ãâ¦ã gotten Roger Williams having put the enemies to flight ãâ¦ã of the War turned Norris is vanquished wounded and a great ãâ¦ã his men slain amongst whom were Cotton Fitzâ Williams and ãâ¦ã Commanders Here it must not be omittedâ That the English ãâ¦ã the dwellers in the Northern parts of the World were hither ãâ¦ã Drinkers and deserved praise for their sobâiety in these Dutch ãâ¦ã to be Drunkards and brought the vice so far to over-spread ãâ¦ã âome that Laws were fain to be enacted for repressing it ãâ¦ã whilst the States and the King of Spain conâend about a few ãâ¦ã the Low-Countries he seizeth upon the whole Kingdom of Porâââ ãâ¦ã For the last yeer Henry King of Pââtingall dying many Compe ãâ¦ã allenge the Kingdom as the Duke of Savoy the Prince of Par ãâ¦ã Natharine Bracant and the Queen of France But Philip King of ãâ¦ã son of Henries eldest sister putting the case to his Divines and ãâ¦ã and adjuring them to pronounce to whom of Right it belonged ãâ¦ã For him whereupon he sent Duke D'Alva who put to ãâ¦ã ââtonio whom the people had elected King and within seventy dayes ãâ¦ã all Portingall The Queen of France angry hereat and enviously be ãâ¦ã the King of Spain's Dominions thus enlarged being now Master ãâ¦ã gall the East Indies and many Islands besides adviseth amongst ãâ¦ã Pâââces Queen Elizabeth to bethink themselves in time of restrayn ãâ¦ã âo excessive Dominions Whereupon the Queen received Don ãâã and lâvingly relieved him which she thought might be done without ãâ¦ã breath of the League with Spain seeing Don Antonio was descended of ãâ¦ã Blood and of the House of Lancaster and that no Cauâion was ãâ¦ã âeague That the Portuger should ãâã be admitted into England And now the Queen-Mother of Franoâ and the King her son moâe ãâã then ever pursue the Maâch with Alanson now Duke of Aâgioâ ãâ¦ã transacting whereof they sent in Ambassage into Englandâ Francis ãâã Prince of Câsseâ Marshall of France and many ãâã Honoârable Personages who were entertained with great respect a ãâã being purposely built at Westminster for that use Royally furnished ââtings and Justs proclaimed by Philip Earl of Arundel Frederick Baron ãâã Windsor Sir Philip Sidney and Sir Fulk Grevill against all comeâsâ The ââââgates that were to confer with the French concerning the Marriage ãâã Sir William Cecill Lord Treasurer Edward Earl of Lincoln Lord Adââââll Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester Sir Christopher Hatton and Sir ãâã Walsingham Secretaryâ by whom Covenants of Marriage were at ââth agreed on First That the Duke of Angioâ and the Queen of Engââââ within six weeks after the ratification of the Articles should contract ââtrimonyâ and the rest most of them such as were before agreed on in the âarriage between Queen Mary and King Philip chiefly consisting in conferââng Honour upon the Duke but Power upon the Queen It was also arââed That all paâticulars should be ratified within two Monthsâ by the âââthfull Promise and Oath of the French King for him and his Heirs and âeservation also was added apart with the Hands and Seals of every ãâã ãâ¦ã Delegates That Queen Elizabeth is not bound to finish the Marriage ââtill she and the Duke have given each other satisfaction in some ãâã and have certified the French King of the same within six weâksâ Beâore those six weeks were expired Simier Secretary to the Couâââll is ãâã into France to require the King of France his Confirmationâ The ãâã will not hear him but presseth to have the Marriage accomplished ãâ¦ã was contracted and that nothing else was to be done âiââier on the ãâã side sheweth by the Articles That a League offenâââe and defensive ãâã first be concluded This the French King disclaymeâh Whereupon Wâlsinghams is presently sent âo compose this differanâe who joyntly with Henry Câbham the Embassââour in ordinaââââ and Simier alleadgeth to the French King these Particâlââs That Queen Elizabeth for no other reason was willing to marry but for the âatisfaction of heâ people and seeing many Impediments were come in the way since the first Treaty namely the Civill Warre in Francâ and the Dukes engagement in a war with Spain wââ makes the wiâest of her subjects to be now against the Maâch This hath made her to deferre the accomplishment of it although her affection be still constant toward the Dukeâ For this cause the Queen would have no further Treaty to be heldâ till the French Duke be freed from the Spanish warre and a Leauge of mutuall offeâââ and defence be agreed on The French King willingly accepted of ââe Lâaguâ defensive but of the offensive he would heare no speech till thâ marriage were finished Noâ long aftârâ the French Dâkâ himself came into England having with good successe raised the Siâge of Cââbray he was here received with as great humanity as he couââ wâsh and nothing omittedâ where by he might judge himselâ to be truly welcome Insomuch thââ in November when the Anniversariâ of the Quâââs Inauguration came to be solemnized the Q. while they were in Love conference drew a Ring off from her finger and put it upon his upon some private conditions The standers by imagined that by this Ceremonie the Marriagâ was confirmed between them and Aldegând Governour of Antwerp being there presently dispatched messengers into the Low-Countriesâ to give notice of it and thereupon Bonfires were made and all shewes of Rejoycingâ But the Earl of Leicester who privâly plotted to crosse the Maâch Hââton the Vice-Chamberlain and Secretary Walsingham frââ and are enraged as if the Kingdom the Queen and Religon were now utterly ovââthrowne The Maids of Honour and Ladiâs that were familiar wiââ thâ Queen made grievous lamentation and so ãâã and daunted her that she could take no rest that night The nexâ dayâ she calleth to her the French Duke and causing all companie to go aside they privately ânâerâain a long discourse At length the Duke returning to his lodging cast the Ring away from him and after a while takes it up again terribly exclayming against the Levity and inconstancie of Women The Queen at this time was much troubled at a Book lately put forth with this Title The Gulph wherein England will be swallowed by the French Marriage whereof conceiving that some Puritan was the Author it made her highly displeased with the Puritans whereupon within a few dayes Iohn Stubbes of Lincolnes-Inne a Zealous Professour and the Author of this booke wâose sister Thomas Cartwright the father of the Puritants had married William Page that dispersed the copies and Singletoâ the Printer were apprehendedâ against whom Sentence was pronounced That their Right hand should be cut offâ by vertue of a Law made in the Raigne of Phillip and Maâie against the Aâthors and dispersers of Seditious Writings though the cheife Lawyers and Judges of the Kingdom could not agree concerning the fââce of that
to the Crowne unlesse they were Roman Catholikes Contending further for the right of Isabella Infanta of Spaine as being descended from Constance Daughter of WILLIAM the Conquerour from Eleanor eldest Daughter to HENRY the Second Married to Alphonso the ninth King of Castile from Beatrix Daughter to King HENRY the Third Titles obsolete and which exceed the bounds of Heraldry to discusse This year the nineteenth of February was Henry Prince of Scotland born to whom the Queen was Godmother and sent Robert Earl of Sussex for her Deputy But now greater matters were in hand Plots were layd against the Queenes life some Spaniards thinking to make her away by Poison and not daring to trust any Englishman in such a businesse they treat to that purpose with Rodericke Lopes a JEVâ and Phisitian to the Queen wiâh Stephen Ferreirâ Emmanuel Loyfie and other Portugalls for divers of that Nation came into England at this time in relation to Anthonioâ who being discovered by letters of theirs that were intercepted were Arraigned at Guildhall and by their own confessions convinced to have conspiâed against the life of the Queen they were all condemned and Exeâââed at Tiburne LOPES professing that he loved the Queen as well as Jesus Christ which was cause of laughter to themâ that knew him to be a JEVV The next day after them was condemned Câllenâ an Irish Fencer sent hither by the English Fugitives to kill the Queen who was straightway executed though he were at that very time sick and ready to dye About this time Sir Iohn Norris having been in a hot conflict at sea against the Spaniard where Sir Martin Forbysher received his deaths wound was now called home with a purpose to send him into Ireland In which mean while Richard Hawkins Sonne of Sir Iohn Hawkins the famous sea Captain had been set forth a year since with three of the Queens ships and two hundred men in them whereof one of them at the Isle oâ St. Anne was by chance fired another of them seperated by tempest returned into England himself in the third passed the Straights of Magellan being the sixth man in the Spanish accompt that had ever done it and being now come into the wide Southern sea he took five ships laden with Merchandize one whereof he took away the rest he suffered to redeeme themselves for two thousand Duckats But at last being set upon by Bertrandus a Castro who was sent out by the Vice-Roy of those parts with eight ships against him after three dayes battery he yeilded and though upon composition yet was neverthelesse sent into Spain and there for divers years kept prisoner But Iames Lancaster in another part of America had better successe for being set forth by some London Merchants whose goods the Spaniards had seized with three Ships and a long Boat Hee tooke nine and thirty Spanish Ships and at Fernanbucke in Brasile where the wealth of an East-Indian Caraque was lately unloden hee desperately venturing upon the Shoare Loaded Fifteene Ships with the wealth of the Indian Caraque Sugar Reed Redwood called Brasill and other Merchandize and then safely and victoriously returned home At ROME about this time dyed Cardinall ALLEN borne in Lancashire of an honest Family brought up in Oxford in Oriall Colledge In Queene Maries dayes he was Proctor of the University and after Canon of the Cathedrall Church at YORKE Upon the change of Religion in ENGLAND he left the Kingdome and was Divinity Professor at Doway in Flanders and made Canon of the Church at Cambray He procured a Seminary to be set up in Doway for the English another at Rheims and a third at Rome and through zeal of the Romish Religion forgot whose subject he was born At home at this time dyed Iohn Peers Archbishop of Yorke in whose place succeeded Matthew Hutton translated from the See of Durham There dyed also Ferdinand Stanley Earl of Derby being in the floure of his age miserably tormented and vomiting âtuffe of a darke rusty colour being thought to have been poysoned or bewitched There was found in his chamber a little image of wax with hairs of the colour of his hairs thrust into the belly which some thought was done of purpose that men should not suspect him to be poisoned his vomit so stained the silver Andirons that it could never be gotten out and his body though put in searcloathes and wrapped in lead did so âtinck and putrifie that for a long time none could endure to come neer where he was buried The Master of his Horse was much suspected who the same day the Earl tooke his bed took one of his best Horses and fled away About this time also dyed Gregory Fines Lord Dacres a man somewhat crazed the Son of Thomas Lord Dacres hanged in the Raign of King Henry the Eight And now Sir William Fitz Williams Lord Deputy of Ireland was called home and William Russell youngest Son of Francis Earl of Bedford was sent in his room to whom presently came the Earl of Tir-Oen and in humble manner craved pardon of his fault that he had not presented himself at the call of the late Lord Deputy Bagnall Marshall of the Irish Forces exhibited many Articles against him but he so pleaded for himself with promise of loyalty hereafter that he was dismissed But see the subdolousnesse of this man for he would never after be gotten to come again though the Deputy sent for him with many kinde messages It was now the year 1595 and the eight and thirtieth year of Queen Elizabeths Raign when Edâond Yorke and Richard Williams who were formerly apprehended came to their tryall and were executed at Tiburn for being bribed to kill the Queen At this time a constant rumor was blown abroad from all parts of Europe that the Spaniards were coming again against England with a farre greater Fleet than that in Eighty Eight and that it was already under sayl whereupon Souldiers were levyed and placed on the Sea-coast Two Navies were made ready one to expect them at home in the Channell the other to go for America under Hawkins and Drake but when all came to all it was but certain Spaniards who loosed from the sea-coast of France with four Gallies which betimes in the morning landing in Cornwall fired a Church standing alone in the fields and three Villages of Fishermen Neulyne Moushole and Pensaus and then presently retyred not taking or killing any one person And these were the first and last Spaniards that in hostile manner âver set foot upon English ground And now mischiefs growing daily in France a great number perswaded the King to conclude a Peace with Spain and the Queen her self began to mistrust him especially having lately received intelligence out of the Popes Conclave that he was received into the bosome of the Church of Rome with the Popes Benediction and that upon conditions prejudiciall to the Protestants And therefore at this time were divers undertakings of the English against
indeed fit to give a vent to the passage of Honour which during Queene Elizabeths Raigne had been so stopped that scarce any County of England had Knights enow in it to make a Iury. Before we goe further it will not be amisse to shew what great men attended King Iames out of Scotland as namely the Duke of Lenox the Earle of Marre the Lord Hame and many other great Lords and many other whom he afterward made great Lords as bring in his speciall favour first Sir George Hame made afterward Earle of Dunbarre then Sir Thomas Erskin made Earle of Kelly then Sir Iohn Ramsey made Earle of Holdernesse which two last had the fortune to come first in to his rescue against the Gowries then Sir Iames Hay made afterward Earle of Carlile and then Sir Richard Preston made Earle of Kildare in Ireland but whose great fortune by marrying the Heire of that Earledome was afteward the occasion of his great misfortune for comming out of Ireland he was unfortunately cast away and drowned But though King Iames was now safely come himselfe to London yet he accounted himselfe but halfe come untill his Queene and children were come to him and therefore there are now appointed to goe to conduct them of Lords and Earle of Sâssex the Earle of Lincolne the Lord Compton the Lord Norris and Sir George Carow Knight Lord President of Munster of Ladies the Countesse of Worcester the Countesse of Kildare the Lady Anne Herberts daughter to Henry Earle of Pembrooke the Lords Scroopes Lady the Lady Rich wife to the Lord Rich and the Lady Walsingham one of the late Queenes bedchamber But although these only were appointed to goe yet many other Lords and great Ladies went of themselves to attend her Majesty as the Countesse of Bedford the Lady Hastings the Lady Cecill the Lady Hatton the Lady Harington and divers other and with this Princely attendance the Queene with two of her children namely Prince Henry of the age of nine yeares and the Lady Elizabeth on the eleventh of Iune came to Yorke where resting themselves some few dayes on the seven and twentieth of Iune they came to Easton in Northamptonshire a house of Sir George Fermors where the King met them at dinner and afterward they rode together to a house of Sir Iohn Fortescue and so to London The Kings younger sonne Charles Duke of Albany came not at this time as being not three yeeres old and therefore not thought able to endure such a journey but the yeare following falling sick of a feavor Doctor Atkins one of the Kings Physitions was sent to conduct him who in six weekes cured him of his feavour and the first weeke of October brought him safe to Windsor where the King then lay for which service he was so well rewarded that together with the gaynâs of his usuall practiceâ hee grew to a greater wealth then was usuall for Physitions King Iames had distributed the meaner Order of Knighthoâd very plentifully now he thinks fit to raise his distributions to a higher degree and therupon on the twentieth of May he made Sir Robert Cecil Baron of Esindon Sir Robert Sidney Baron of Penshurst Sir William Knowles Baron of Greyes and Sir Edward Wooten Baron of Morley and not long after hee made the Lord Henry Howard Earle of North-Hampton and Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst he made Earle of Dorset The King had by this time found the love and affection of his own people but the affection of neighbouring Princes towards him stood yet in suspence when now to take away that doubt came first in the beginning of Iune an Embassador from the Palsgrave of Rhyne presently after another from the States of Holland and Zeland another from the Arch-Duke of Austria another from the King of Spaine from the Seignory of Venice another another from the Duke of Florence and lastly on the eight of Iune Monâieur de Rhosny from the King of France all congratulating his happy comming to the Crowne of England for entertainment of which Embassadors and all other that should come after the King had erected an Office by the name of Master of the Ceremonies allowing him two hundred pounds a yeer Fee and the first that had the place was Sir Lewis Lewkenor a Gentleman who besides other good parts was very skilfull in the neighbouring languages Vpon the seventeenth of May this yeere were made fourteene Serjeants at Law whereof eleven had received Writs the last yeare of Queene Elizabeth namely Thomas Coventry Robert Haughton Lawrence Tanfield Iohn Crooke Thomas Foster Edward Philips Thomas Harris Iames Altham Henry Hubbard Augustine Nicholls and Robert Perker to whom the King added three new Iohn Sherley George Snygge and Richard Hutton who all kept their Feast together in the Middle Temple Hall One would thinke that by this time all Offences against Queene Elizabeth had been forgotten but King Iames more tender of wrongs done to her than to himselfe would not suffer Valentine Thomas so to escape who after he had lyen many yeeres prisoner in the Tower was on the fourth of âune arraigned at the Kings Bench-Barre and for conspiracy against the late Queene and some of her Counsell was on the seventh of Iune after six a clock at night drawne to Sââ Thomas Waterings and there hanged and quartered About this time the Honourable Charles Lord Montjây returned out of Ireland bringing alone with him Hugh O Neale Earle of Teroen at whose comming to the King the Lord Montjoy was sworne of the Kings Privie Counsell and the Earle of Teroen who had beene the cause of so much English bloud shed was yet pardoned and Proclamation made that by all men he should be used with respect and honour All this while the King had moved within his own Spheare and had done nothing out of the Realme his first Imployment abroad was now in Iune to his brother the King of Denmark to whom he sent in Embassage the Earle of Rutland upon two occasions the one to be Godfather to his sonne who was named Christianus the other to present him with the Order of the Garâer upon the like imployment soone after he sent the Lord Spenâer to Frederick Duke of Wirtenberg which Lords saw the said Princes Invested with the Garter and after honourable entertainment returned home It was now a time that every man might sit under his Vine and enjoy the happinesse of a peaceable Government when suddenly like a storme in a faire Somers day brake forth a Treason of a strange Composition for where in all TreasoÌs commonly they are all of some one Faction in this there were people of all sorts Priests and Laymen Papists and Protestants Noblement Knights and Genâlement that one would think it should be a well mannaged Treason and yet was the shallowest that was ever set on foot so shallow that it could scarce be observed either what the Authors of it ayled or what it was they would hâve done Indeed the great
King according to an ancient custome had ayde of His Subjects thorough England for making his eldest sonne Prince Henry Knight which yet was Levied with great moderation and the Prince to shew himselfe worthy of it performed His first Feates of Armes at Barriers with wonderfull skill and courage being not yet full sixteene yeares of Age. It was now the eight yeere of King Iames His Reigne being the yeare 1610 when Prince Henry being come to the age of seventeen yeares It was thought fit He should be Initiated into Royalty and thereupon the thirtieth of May this yeare He was Created Prince of Wales in most solemne manner which was this Garter King at Armes bore the Letters Patents the Earle of Sussex the Robes of Purple Velvet the Earle of Huntington the Traine the Earle of Cumberland the Sword the Earle of Rutland the Ring the Earle of Darby the Rod the Earle of Shrewsbury the Cape and Coronet the Earle of Nottingham and North-Hampton supported the Prince being in His Surcoate only and bare-headed and in this manner being conducted to the King attended on by the Knights of the Bathe five and twenty in number all great men and great mens sons The Earle of Salisbury principall Secretary read the Letters Pattents the Prince kneeling all the while before the King and at the words accustomed the King put on him the Robe the Sword the Cape and the Coronet the Rod and the Ring and then kissed him on the cheeke and so the solemnity ended After this it was thought fit he should keep his Court by himselfe and thereupon Sir Thomas Chaloner a learned Gentleman who had before been his Governour was now made his Lord Chamberlaine Sir Edw. Philips his Chancellor and all other officers assigned him belonging to a Princes Court wherein he shewed himselfe so early ripe for Majesty that he seemed to be a King while he was yet but Prince And all mens eyes began to fix upon him King Iames had long since shut up the Gates of Ianus and was in Peace with all Princes abroad his only care now was how to keep Peace at home and to this end the three first dayes of Iune in his own person he heard the differences between the Ecclesiasticall and the Temporall Iudges argued touching Protections out of the KingsâBench and Common-Pleas to this end the eight ninth tenth of Iune he heard the manifold complaints of the abuses of the Victualers other Officers of his Navy Royall to this end the 4 of Iune 1610 he once again by Proclamation commanded all Roman Priests Seminaries and Iesuits as being the chiefe Incendiaries of troubles to depart this Kingdome by the 5 of Iuly next and not to returne upon pain of severity of the Law also all Recusants to returne home to their Dwellings and âot to ramaine in London âoâ to come within ten miles of the Court without speciall Licence aâââr which Proclamation the Oâth of Allegeance was presently ministred to all sorts of people and their names certified to the Lords of the Counsell that refââed to take it and this Hee the rather did out of consideration of the bloudy fact committed lately by one Revillâck upon the person of the renowned K. of France Henry the fourth whereas Queen Elizabeth in her 43 years had granted her Letters Pattents to continue for 15 years to the East India Merchants now upon their humble petition the King was pleased to enlarge their Pateââs giving them a charter to continue for ever enabling them thereby to be a body Corporate and Politick which so encouraged the Merchants that they built a ship of twelve hundred âun the greatest that was ever made in this Kingdome by Merchants which the King and Prince honored with going to Deptford to see it and then named it The Trades encrease and at this time gave to Sir Thomas Smith Governour of that Company a faire chaine of Gold with a Iewell wherein was his Picture But this great Ship having been in the Read Sea and returning to Banthem was there lost and most of her men cast away But then the King himselfe builded the goodliest Ship of War that was ever built in England being of the burthen of 1400 tun and carrying threescore and foure pieces of great Ordnance which he gave to his son Prince Henry who named it after his own dignity The Prince And now whereas a Parliament had been holden this year and was Prorogued to a certain day the King perhaps not finding it to comply with his designes or for some other cause known to himself on the last day of December under the grâât Sâale of England dissolved it Before this time one Sir Robert Cârre a Gentleman of Scotland or of the bordâââ being a hunting with the King chanced with a fall off his horse to breake his leg upon which mischance he was forced for some days to keep his bed in which time the King was sometimes pleased to come and visit him and then it was first perceived that the King had begun to cast an eye of favour upon him and indeed âroâ that time forward as he was a very fine Gentleman and very wise many great favours were heaped upon him So as on Easter Munday in the yeare 1611 he was Created Viscount Rochester On the two and twentieth of Aprill 1612 was swoâne a privy Counsellor On the fourth of November 1613 was Created Earle of Soâerset and the tenth of Iuly following made Lord Chamberlaine Bââ this Sun-shine of Fortune lasted not long yet not by any inconstancy in the King but by the Earles own undeserving which thus fell out The Right Honourable Robert Earle of Essex had before this time married the beautifull Lady Francis Howard daughter of Thomas Earle of Suffolk who upon caâses âudicially heard were afterward Divorced and left free to marry any other Afteâ which Divoâce this great favorite the Earle of Somerset takes her for wife thâ King gâacing their marriage with all demonstrations of love and favour and the Lords gracing it with a stately Masque that night and a few dayes after the Bride and Bridegroom accompanied with most of the Nobility of the Kingdome were âeasted at Merchant Taylors Hall by the Lord Major and Aldermen But see how soon this faire weââher was overcast For it hapned that one Sir Thâmas ââerbâry a very ingenious Gentleman and the Earles speciall fââââd who had written a witty Treâtise of a Wife and it seemes not thinking thâ Lady in all points answerable to his description had been an earnest disswaâââ of the Mââââ and to âârengthen his diââwasion layd perhaps some unjust ãâã upââ the Ladyes ãâã which so incensed them both against him that ãâ¦ã could not give them satiâââction than to take away his life So ãâ¦ã saying Improbe ãâ¦ã r quid non mortalia pectora cogis ãâã this they finde pretences to have the said Sir Thomas committed to the ââwer and there by their Instruments effect their revenge some
when the Illustrious Prince Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhyne with whom a Treaty of marriage had been before with the Lady Elizabeth on the sixteenth of October arrived at Gravesend to whom the Duke of Lenox and diverse other Lords were sent by the King who conducted him to White-Hall and from thence into the great Bââquetting-House where the King the Queene Prince Henry and the Lady Elizabeth entertained him in all kind manner and after by Barge conducted him to Essex House appointed for his lodging It was many yeâres since any Kings Daughter had beene marryed in England which now happening and to so Illustrious a Prince was just cause of Triumph and rejoyceingâ but see the misery of Humane Affaires joy can no sooner be setting forth but sorrow will be sure to follow her at the heeles as now indeed it happened for on the nine and twentieth of October the Prince Palatine with all the great Lords of the Kingdome in most joviall manner dining at Guild-Hall Prince Hââââ who waâ also invited and expected could not come being newly fallen exceâding sick of a popular malignant feavour which raigned that yeare in most parts of this Land whereof on the sixth of November between seven ând eight a Clock at night at his Court of St. Iames he dyed But hee being infinitly beloved of the people and one that had given great hope of proâing an Heroick Prince It caused suspition in many mens heads that his death was not without violence offered to Nature some said by bunches of Grapes given him to eate some by gloves of a poysoned perfume given him âor a present but these were but idle rumours and conceits It seemes the Divine Providence had ordained it should be said of him Hanc tantum terris âââendent Fata nec ultraâ esse sineât whose death would have given a great blow to the happinesse of this Kingdome if there had not beene another Prince left of a milder spirit perhaâs but so accomplished with all excellent endowments that there could be no great want of Prince Henrie as long as there was left Prince Charles The Corps of Prince Henrie who dyed at the age of eighteene yeares eight moneths and seventeene dayes was drawne in a Chariot to the Abbey Church at Westminâter and there interred in the Chappell Royallâ on the seventh of December following This Accident something appealed the generall joy but yet triumphs went on Vpon Saint Thomas day the Palsgrave and Grave Maurice were Elected Knight of the Garter and the seven and twentieth of December the Palsgrave was betroathed to the Lady Elizabeth On Sunday the seventh of Februarie the Palsgrave in person was enstalled Knight of the Garter at Windâor and at the same time was Grave Maurice enstalled by his Deputy Count Lodâwick of Nassaw On the fourteenth of Februarie being Shrove-Sunday and Saint Valentines day this happy marriage of the Palsgrave with the Lady Elizabeth was solemnized in the Chappell at White-hall The Bride was led to Church by two Batchellors her brother Prince Charles and the Earle of Northampton Lord Privie Seale she was attired all in white having a rich Crowne of Gold upon her head her haire hanging downe at length curiously beâeâ with Pearles and precious stones her Train supported by twelve yong Ladies in white Garments The King gave her in marriage the Arch-Bishop of Canterburie married them the Bishop of Bath and Wells preached the Bridall Sermon which ended the Bride was led home by two married men the Duke of Lenox and the Earle of Nâttingham Lord Admirall This marriage was solemnized the first night with a stately Masque of Lords and Ladies the second night with a magnificent Masque of the Gentlemen of the middle Temple and Lincolnes Inne The third night with a sumptuous Masque of the Gentlemen of the Inner Temple and Graees Inne provided indeed then but was not performed till the satturday night following by reason the concourse of people was so great it would have hindred the Show After this the Lord Major and Aldermen gave the Bride a Chain of Orientall Pearle valued at two thousand pounds and now when all things had beene done for honouring their marriage which either love and observance could device or Art and Magnificence could performe On the tenth of April the Bride-groome with his Bride tooke leave of the King and Queene at Rochester who had by Barge conducted them thither and there taking Ship On the nine and twentieth of April they arrived at Flâshing from whence the Duke of Lenox the Earle of Arundell the Viscount Lisle and the Lord Harington waited upon them to their chiefe City of Heydelburgh in all places as they passed being received with all State and magnificence but then on the foureteenth of Iune the English Lords returning home the Lord Harington dyed by the way at Wormes whose Corps was brought over and buâied in England And here it will not be amisse to shew of what extent and largenesse the Palsgrave's Countrie isâ because of the iniquity of some that seeke to disgrace it It is in length about two hundred English miles taking the lower and upper Countrie In the lower hee hath six and twenty walled Townes besides an infinite number of faire Villages and two and twenty houses of residence In the uper not so many walled Townes and houses but those that are generally fairer than in the lower especially Amberg and New-market But it is now time to looke home in the yeare 1609. the King having care for the quietnesse of Ireland had granted to the City of London the present possession and Plantation in the Province of Ulster whereupon afterward in the yeare 1612. they sent thither about three hundred persons of all sorts of handy-crafts men chiefely to inhabite the two Cities of London-Derrie and Coleraigne where they ordained Alderman Cockaine for their first Governour And for the advancing of this or the like Plantation in Ireland King Iames about this time began a new Order of Knights which are called Baroneâs because they take place next to Barons younger sonnesâ and hee appoynted certaine Lawes to make them capable that should be admitted First that they should maintaine the number of thirty foot souldiers in Ireland for three yeares after the rate of eight pence a day and to pay the wages of one whole yeare upon the passing of their Patent Then that they should bee Gentlemen of Bloud of three Descents and lastly should have land of Inheritance in possession or immediate Reversion to the value of a thousand pounds per annum And to keep the Order from swarming he stinted it within the number of onely 200. and as the issue should faile the Order to cease But he that will look how wel the end of the Institution and the Laws of it have bin observed shall perhaps find it to be here as it was in the Order of St. Michael in France into which at firstâ there were none admitted but Princes and Emminent
will exercise his Ecclesiasticall authoritie and proceed to Excommunication of his Officers though not of himselfe Queen or children The King answers and sends his Letter to the Bishop of London charging the Arch-bishop to be the cââse of all this disturbance having beene the man that first set him upon the warre with France assuring him he should want no money and now had beene the hinderance that monies given him by Parliament were not duly levied and after many remonstrances to such purpose concludes that if he desisted not from his reââllions obstinacie he would use his Temporall authority and prooceed ãâ¦ã as against a Rebell But this difference betweene them was not long after upon the Arch-bishops submission reconciled And indeed the great account which this King made of Clergy men may appeare by his imploying almost none but Clergy men in all his Offices of accountâ Simon âââgham Arch-bishop of Canterbury was Chancellour of England William Wickam Arch-deacon of Lincolne keeper of the Privy Seale David Willer Parson of Somerââââ Master of the Rolles ten Beneficed Priests Civilians Masters of the Chancery William Mulse Deane of Saint Martins le Grand chiefe Chamberlaine of the ãâã Receiver and keeper of the Kings Treasure and Jewelsâ Willâam Aââây Arch-deacon of Northampton Chancellour of the Exchequerâ William Diâhtââ ãâã of Saint Marâins Clerke of the Privy Sealeâ Richard Chesterfield Pâebând ãâ¦ã Stephensâ Treasurer of the Kings house Henry Snatcâ Parson of ãâ¦ã of the Kings Wardrobe Iohn Nâwâham Parson of Fenây-staââon one of the ãâã of the Exchâquer Iohn âouseby Parson of ãâã Surveyor and ãâã of the Kings workes Thomas Brittingham Parson of Asby Treasurer ãâ¦ã King for the parts of Guisnes and the Marches of Callice Iohn Troys a Priest ãâã of Ireland ãâã the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne in a Parliament holden at Westâinster ãâã is made of the great inconvenience that came by the Popes Collation of Benefices in England conferring them upon Strangers who understood not the ãâã and therefore not fit to be Pastours over a Flocke they could not feed and hereupon Sir Iohn Shordich is sent to Pope Clement the sixth to require him to foââeare such Collations and to signifie his consent therein but this Message was ãâ¦ã welcome to the Pope that the Messenger came backe unheard at least unansweredâ and the King taking his silence for consentâ or perhaps not much caring whether he consented or no proceeded to a Prohibition of all such Collations within his Realme on paine of Imprisonment or death to whomsoever should in time to come present or admit any such person who by the Pope were so preferred to the prejudice of the Kings Prerogative These were disturbances in matter of Discipline but towards the end of his Raigne there fell a disturbance in matter of Doctrine for a certaine Divine named Iohn Wickliffe inveighed in his ãâã and other Acts in the Schooles against the abuses of Churchmen Monks and other religious Orders and had by his Doctrine wonne many Disciples unto him who after were called Lollards professing poverty going bare-foot and poorely clad in Ruââet amongst other his Doctrines he taught that neither King ââr other secular Lord could give any thing ân perpetuity unto Church-men and thââ Temporall Lords if they needed might lawfully take the Goods of Religious Persons to relieve them in their necessities by the example of William Rufus and others This man the Duke of Lancaster and Sir Henry Percy Marshall much favour and cherish extolling him for his learning and integrity of life which made him so farre to presume that daily in one Church or other he published his Opinions whereupon at length he is cited to answer before the Arch-bishop the Bishop of London and others in âauls At the day appointed the Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Marshall goe to conduct him when they were come to our Ladies Chappell the Duke and Barons with the Bishops sitting downe Iohn Wickliffe was by the Lord Marshall willed to sit downe in regard he said the man had much to answer and needed a convenient seat The Bishop of London told him It was against all Law and Reason that he who was there âited before his ãâã should sit Hereupon contumelious words arose betweene the Lord Mâââhall and the Biââop the Duke takes the Marshals part and sharpely reprehended the Bishop the Bishop returnes the like to the Duke who in a greââ rage ãâã he would pull downe the pride of him and of all the Bishops of Eâglandâ and whispering in his eare told him he had rather pull him out of the Church by ãâ¦ã of the head then to suffer such indignities which words the Londoâers over-hearing swore with a loud voyce they would rather lose their lives theââ suffer ââeir Bishop to be thus injuriously used Their fuây was the more against the Duke for that the day before in the Parliament whereof he was President it was ãâã in the Kings name that from thenceforth âhâre should be no more a Major of London but a Captaine appointed for the Government of the City and that the Lord Marshall of England should arrest Offenders within the Liberties as in other places The morrow after the Citizens assembling to consult of this businesse it happened the Lord Fits-water and Guidâ Bryan came into the City which the People seeing furiously ranne upon them and were like to beate them downe for comming at that time The Lord Fits-water protested he came to no other end but to offer his service to the City being by inheritance their Standard bearer and was to take injuries offered to them as to himselfe and therefore willed them to looke to their defence Whereupon they presântly take Armes assaile the Marshals Inne breâke open the Gaâes brought foâth a Prisoner in his Gives and set him at liberty but found ãâã the Lord ãâ¦ã with thâ Duke was that day to dine with one Iohn de ãâã Tâân this furious multitude ranne to assaile the Savây which a knight of the Dukâââââing haâtes to the placâ where his Lord dined and acquainââ him with this ãâã in the Câây The Duke upon hearing it leapes from the Table so hastily that he hurt botâ his shinnes on the fowrme and with Sir Henry âercy alone takes boate and goes to Kennington neare Lambeâh where the Princesse with the young Prince lay to whom he complaines of this Riot and the violence offered him In the meâne time the multitude comming to the Savoy a Priest inquisitive to know the businesse was answered they went to take the Duke and the Lord Marshall and compell them to deliver Sir Peter de la Marâ unjustly kept in Prison The Priest replyed thât Sir Peter was a Traytor to the King and worthy to be hânged At which words they all cryed out This is Percy This is the Traytor of England his speech bewrayes him though his Appârell be disguised and presently they rân upon him and wounded him to death The Bishop of London hearing of
Anne married first to Edmund Earle of Stafford by whom she had Humphrey Duke of Buckingham secondly to William Bourchier Earle of Ewe by whom she had Henry Earle of Essex and Ioane married to Gylbert Lord Talbot and hâd issue by him a daughter who died young Of King Edwards daughters the eldest named Isabell was married at Windsor to Ingelram of Guysnes Lord of Coâcy Earle of Soysons and after Arch-duke of Austria created also by King Edward Earle of Bedford by whom she was mother of two daughters Mary married to Henry Duke of Barre and Philip married to Robert de Vere Earle of Oxford Duke of Ireland and Marquesse of Dublyn This Robert in the height of his fortunes forsooke his Lady Philip and married one Lancerona a Joyners daâghter as was said which came with King Richard the seconds wife ouâ of Bohemia and being for abusing the Kings eare driven out of the Land by the Lords he died at London in extreame poverty in the yeare 1392. Isabell his wives mother was buried in the Church of Friers Minorites neare Aldgate in London King Edwards second daughter Ioane was married by Proxie to Alphonsus King of Castile and Leonâ but passing into Spaine died by the way and King Alphonsus met her instead of consummating his Espousall to solemnise her Funerall His third daughter Blanch died young His fourth named Mary was married to Iohn Montford Duke of Britaine His youngest named Margaret borne in Callice was the first wife of Iohn de Hastings Earle of Pembroke but died without issue Of his Personage and Conditions HE was of stature indifferent tall of sparkling eyes of a comely and manly countenance in his later time something bald and concerning his conditions no man was more gentle where there was submission where opposition no man more sterne He was a Prince no lesse of his passions then of his people for he was never so loving as to be fond nor ever so angry as to be inexorable but this must be understood of the time while he was a man for in his old age when he came to be a childe againe he was Prince of neither He was no lesse fortunate then valiant and his fortunatenes was the greater by a kind of Antiperistatis as comming betweene two unfortunate Princes Successour to one and Predecessour to another He was of so warlike a disposition that his very sports were warlike for no delights were so frequent with him as Justs and Tournaments To shew his devotion one example may be sufficient for when neither Cardinals nor Counsellours could move him to make peace with France a tempest from Heaven did it to which may be added that he never wanne great battell of which he wanne many but he presently gave the glory of it to God by publike Thanksgiving He out-lived the best wife and the best sonne that ever King had and to say the truth he out-lived the best of himselfe for his later years were not answerable to his former Of his Death and Buriall KING Edward besides his being old and worne with the labours of warre had other causes that hastened his end his griefe for the losse of so worthy a sonne dead but tenne moneths before his griefe for the losse of all benefit of his conquests in France of all which he had little now left but onely Callice and oppressed thus in body and minde he was drawing his last breath when his Concubine Alice Pierce packing away what she could catch even to the Rings of his fingers left him and by her example other of his attendants seaâsing on what they could come by shift away and all his Counsellours and others forsooke him when he most needed them leaving his Chamber quite empty which a poore Priest in the house seeing he approaches to the Kings Bed-side and finding him yet breathing cals upon him to remember his Saviour and to aske mercie for his offences which none about him before would doe but now moved by the voyce of this Priest he shewes all signes of contrition and at his last breath expresses the name of Jesus Thus died this victorious King at his Manor at Sheene now Richmond the one and twentieth day of Iune in the yeare 1377. in the sixty fourth yeare of his age having Raigned fifty yeares foure moneths and odde dayes His body was conveyed from Sheene by his foure sonnes and other Lords and solemnly interred within Westminster Church where he hath his Monument and whereit is said the sword he used in battell is yet to be seene being eight pound in weight and seven foote in length Of Men of Note in his time MArtiall men were never more plentifull then in this Kings Raigne whetââr it were that the Starres have an influence to produce such men at one time more then another or whether it were that Regis ad exemplââ the Kings example made his subjects like himselfe or lastly that his continuall exercise of Armes put them as it were into a mould of fortitude The first of this kinde is worthily Edward the Blacke Prince and so worthily the first that Longe erit â primo quisque secundus erit Next him is Henry Earle of Lancaster the Princes right hand in all his great atâââevements then William the valiant Earle of Salisbury then Iohn Eure Ancestor to ãâã Lord Eures that now liveth then follow the Lord Iohn Chandos Sir Iames Audeââ Sir Walter de Manny Sir Robert Knolls then Sir Iohn Hawkewood born in Essex who ââough not much honoured at home having been a Taylour yet in forrain parts and ââecially in Italy so famous that his Statue was erected in publike for a Monument ãâã testifie his valour to posterity And here must not be forgotten Venileânight ânight a Norfolke man who when the Scots and English were ready to give battell â certaine stout Champion of great stature commonly called Tournboll comming ãâã of the Scots Army and challenging any English man to meete him in a single combate this Robert Venile accepteth the challenge and marching towards the Champion and meeting by the way a certaine blacke Mastiffe Dogge which waiâed on the Champion he suddenly with his sword cut him off at the loynes and afterwards did more to the Champion himselfe cutting his head from off his shoulders And as there was this great plenty of Martiall men so there was no lesse plenty of learned men Iohn Baconthorpe borne in Norfolke a Carmelite Frier who wrote divers excellent Treatises in Divinity Nicholas Trivet born also in Norfolk a black Frier who wrote two Histories and a book of Annals Richard Stradley born in the Marches of Wales a Monk and a Divine who wrote divers excellent Treatises of the Scriptures William Herbert a Welshman and a Frier Minor who wrote many good Treatises in Divinity Tho. Walleis a Dominican Frier and a writer of many excellent books Iohn Eversden a Monk of Bury in Suffolk an Historiographer Walter Burley a Doctor of Divinity brought up in Martin Colledge in
Lords and having heard their opinions he âurned to the Commons asking them if they would joyne with the Lords in choosing Henry of Lancaster for their King who all with one voyce cryed Yea Yea whereupon going to the Duke he bowed his knee and taking him by the hand led him to the Royall seat and then began a Sermon taking for his Text out of the first Booke of the Kings cap. 9. Vir dominabitur in populo wherein he declared what a happinesse it is to a Nation to have a King of wisedome and valour and shewed the Duke of Laâcaster to be such a one and as much the defects in both of the late king Richard The Sermon ended the king thanked them all for his Elâction and testified unto them that he meant not to take advantage against any mans estate aâ comming in by Conquest but that every one should freely enjoy his own as in times of lawfull succession And now a time was appointed for his Coronation and accordingly upon the 13th day of October following the very day wherein the yeere before he had been banished he was Crowned at Westminster by the Archbishop of Canterbury with all Rites and Ceremonies accustâmed At his Coronation he was anoynted with an Oyle which a Religious man had given to Henry the first Duke of Lancaster together with this Prophâre That the kings anoynted with this oyle should be the Champions of the Church This oyle comming to the hands of king Richard as he was looking amongst his Jewels going then into Ireland he was desirous to be anoynted with it but that the Archbishop of Canterbury told him it was not lawfull to be anoynted twice whereupon putting it up againe at his comming afterwards to Fliât the Archbishop got it of him and kept it till âhe Coronation of king Henry who was the first king of the Realme that was anoynted with it The day before the Coronation the king in the Tower made one and âorty some say but twelve knights of the Bathe whereof foure were his owne sonnes Henryâ Thomas Iohâ and Humfry all then alive and with thâm âhree Earles aâd five âârons Upon the Feast-day many claimed Offices as belonging to their Tenures âo which upon shewing their Right they were admitted And now the King âade divers new Officers The Earle of Northumberland he made Constable of Engâând the Earle of Westmerland was made Lord Marshall Sir Iohn Serle Chancellor âohn Newbery Esquire Treasurer and Sir Richârd Clifford was made Lord Keeper of âhe Privy Seale The Lord Henry his eldest sonne being then about thirteen yeers âf age was created Prince of Walâs Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and âoone after also Duke of Aquitaine and the Crowne was by Parliament Eââailed âo King Henry and the heires of his body lawfully begotten After this a Parliament was holden in which the Acts made in the Eleventh yeere of King Richard were revived and the Acts made in his one and twentieth yeere were wholly repealed and they who by that Parliament were attainted were reâtored to their Lands and Honours whereupon Richard Earle of Warwick was deâivered out of Prison and the Earle of Arundells sonne recovered his Inheritance ând many other also that were banished or imprisoned by King Richard were then âully restored to their liberty and estates Also the King gave to the Earle of Westâerland the County of Richmond and to the Earle of Northumberland the Isle of Mân to be holden of him by bearing the sword wherewith he entred into England And now was the time for shewing of Spleens Sir Iohn Bagot then Prisoner in the Tower accused the Earle of Aâmerle for speaking words against the Duke of Lancâster now King also the Lord Fitzwater accused him for the death of the Duke of Glocester the Lord Mârley appealed the Earle of Salisbury of Treason and one Hall accused the Duke of Exceter for conspiring the death of Iohn of Gaunt the Kings father But King Henry having entred the Throne in a storme was willing now to have a Calme and therefore laying aside the ones Accusations he accepted of the others Excuses and received the Duke of Aâmerle and the Duke of Exceter into as much favour as if they had never been accused And to qualifie the hard opinion which forraigne Princes might conceive of King Richards Deposing He sent Ambassadours into divers Countries to make it knowne by what Title and by what favour of the People he came to the Kingdome To the Court of Rome he sent Iohn Trenevant Bishop of Hereford Sir Iohn Cheyny Knight and Iohn Cheyny Esquire Into France he sent Walter Sherlow Bishop of Durham and Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester Into Spaine he sent Iohn Trevor Bishop of Assaph and Sir William Parre and into Germany he sent the Bishop of Bangor and certaine others Most of these Princes seemed either not to regard what was done or were easily perswaded that all was done well onely Charles King of France was so distemper'd with this indignity offered to his sonne in Law K. Richard that by violence of his Passion he fell into his old pangues of Frensie but somewhat recovered he resolved to revenge it wherein many Lords of France shewed themselves forward but specially the Earle of S. Paul who had maried K. Richards halfe-sister yet having prepared an Army in readinesse when afterward they heard of King Richards death they dissolved it againe as considering the time was then past The Aquitaines also and specially the Citizens of Burdeaux as being the place where K. Richard was born were mightily incensed but Sir Robert Knolls Lieutenant of Guyen and afterwards Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester being sent to them by the King so perswaded them that with much adoe they continued in obedience It was about this time moved in Parliament what should be done with King Richard for he was not as yet murthered Whereupon the Bishop of Carlile â learned man and wise and who had never given allowance to the Deposing of King Richard now that he was in a place of freedome of speech he rose up and said My Lords The matter now propounded is of marvellous weight and consequence wherein there are two points chiefly to be considered the first Whether King Richard be sufficiently put out of his Throne the second Whether the Duke of Lancaster be lawfully taken in For the first how can that be sufficiently done when there is no Power sufficient to doe it The Parliament cannot for of the Parliament the King is the Head and can the Body put down the Heââ You will say But the Head may bow it selfe downe and so may the King âesignâ It is true but what force is in that which is done by force and who knowes ãâã that King Richards Resignation was no other But suppose he be sufficiently ouâ yet how comes the Duke of Lancaster to be lawfully in If you say by Conâuest you speak Treason for what Conquest without Arms aâd can a subjâct
Lieutenant of the English pale they were forced to retire and flye The Earle of S. Paul escaped to S. Omers but left many of his men of quality behind him and more taken Prisoners After this Thomas Duke of Clarence the Kings second sonne and the Earle of Kent with competent Forces entred the Haven of Sluce where they burnt foure ships riding at anchour and then returned to the reliefe of Callis besieged at that time by the French and in the way tooke three Carricks of Gânoua richly laden and brought them into the Chamber of Rye And these were the troubles of this King abroad But now at home the Reliques of the former Northerne Rebellion began to revive for now Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall the Lords Hastings Fawconbridge and Bardolfe with divers others conspired at a time appointed to meet upon Yorkswould-Downes and there to bid defiance to king Henry Articles of Grievances were framed and set up in all publick places which drew multitudes to be partakers of the enterprize But now Ralph Nevill Earle of Westmeâland with the Lord Iohn the Kings third sonne the Lords Henry Fitz-Hughes Ralph Evers and Robert Vmphrevile make head against them and comming into a Plaine in the Forrests of Galltree they sate down right against the Archbishop and his Forces which were twenty thousand and Westmerland perceiving the Enemies forces to be farre more than theirs he used this policie he sent to the Archbishop demanding the reason why he would raise Forces against the king who answering that his Armes were not against the king but for his owne defence whom the king upon the instigation of Sycophants had threatned withall he sent him a scrowle of their grievances which Westmerland read and seemed to approve and thereupon desired a conference with him The Archbishop more credulous then wise perswaded the Earle Marshall to goe with him to the place appointed to conferre the Articles are read and allowed of and thereupon Westmerland seeming to commiserate the souldiersâ having beene in armour all day and weary wished the Archbishop to acquaint his Party as he would his with this their mutuall agreement and so shaking hands in most Courtly friendship dranke unto him whereupon the souldiers were willed to disband and repaire home which they had no sooner done but a Troâp of horse which in a colourable manner had made a shew to depart wheeled about and afterwards returned and being come in âight the Earle of Westmerland arrested both the Arcbishop and the Earle Marshall and brought them both Prisoners to the king at Poâfret who passing from thence to York the Prisoners likewise were carried thither and the next day both of them beheaded At Durham the Lords Hastings and Fâwconbridge with two knights were executed Northumberland with the Lord Bardolfe fled first to Barwick and after into Scotland where they were entertained by David Lord Flemming whereupon the king gave summons to the Castle of Barwick which at first they refused to obey but upon the planting and discharging of a Piece they presently yeelded without composition and here William Greystock Henry Baynton and Iohn Blinkânsop knights and five other were presently put to execution and many others committed to severall Prisons About this time Iames sonne and heire of Robert king of Scotland a childe of nine yeares old attended by the Earle of Orkney as he was sailing into France was taken by certaine Mariners of Norfolk who brought him to the King at Windsor the 30. of March 1408. and the King sent them to the Tower of London Northumberland and Bardolfe after they had been in Wales France and Flanders to raise a Power against King Henry returned back into Scotland and after a yeere with a great Power of Scots entred England and came into Yorkshire making great spoyle and waste as they passed but Sir Thomas Rokesby Sheriffe of Yorke levying the forces of the County upon Bramham-moore gave them battell in which Northumberland was slaine Bardolfe taken but wounded to death and the rest put to flight About this time also Sir Robert Vmphrevile Vice-admirall of England with ten men of warre entred Scotland burnt their Gallyât and many other ships over against Lieth and brought away with him fourteen tall ships laden with corne and other staple commodities which at his returne he sent into the Markets round about and thereby brought down the prizes of all things and purchased to himselfe the name of Mend-market The Prince had been a Student In Queenes Colledge in Oxford under the tuition of his Unkle Henry Beaufort Chancellor of that University afterwards Bishop of Lincolâe and Winchester and lastly made a Cardinall by the title of Eusebius From Oxford the Prince was called to Court and the Lord Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester was made his Governour but comming afterward to be at his owne disposing whether being by nature valorous and not yet well stayed by time and experience oâ whether incited by ill companions and emboldened by the opinion of his owne greatnesse he ranne into many courses so unworthy of a Prince that it was much doubted what he would prove when he came to be Prince Once it is said he lay in wait for the Receivers of his fathers Rents and in the person of a Thiefe set upon them and robbed them Another time when one of his companions was arraigned for felony before the Lord Chiefe Justice he went to the Kings Bench barre and offered to take the Prisoner away by force but being withstood by the Lord Chiefe Justice he stepped to him and struck him over the face whereat the Judge nothing abashed rose up and told him that he did not this affront to him but to the King his father in whose place he sate and therefore to make him know his fault he commanded him to be committed to the Fleete You would have wondred to see how calme the Prince was in his own cause who in the cause of his companion had been so violent for he quietly obeyed the Judges sentence and suffered himselfe to be led to Prison This passage was not a little pleasing to the King to thinke that he had a Judge of such courage and a Sonne of such submission but yet for these and such other pranks he removed him from being President of the Councell and placed in it his third sonne Iohn This made the Prince so sensible of his fathers displeasure that he thought it necessary to seek by al means to recover his âood opinion which he endeavored to doe by a way as strange as that by which he lost it for attiring himselfe in a garment of blew Sattin wrought all with Eylet-holes of black silke at every hole the needle hanging by which it was sowed and about his arme a thing in fashion of a hounds collar studded with SS of gold he came to the Court at Westminster to whom the King though not well in health caused himselfe in
Humiers Roy Câwnâ âââcourt Noâll Bonciqualt to the number in all of fifteen hundred On the English part were slaine Edward Duke of York and the Earle of Suffolk and not full six hundred in all but saith Câxtân not above six and twenty in all and Pauluâ Aemilius saith besides the two Lords onely two Knights and but ten private souldiers in all a Miracle rather then a Victory But not onely K. Henry was the death of the French Lords before-named in the field with his sword but of another great Prince at home with his Victory for Lewis the Dolphin eldest sonne of Chârles the sixth king of France presently upon it without any other cause apparent fell sick and dyed Yet king Heâry to make his enemies the better contented with their overthrow and to take away the envy of his Victory at his returne into England with his Prisoners which was on the sixt of November following he presently gave straight order that no Ballad or Song should be made or sung more then of Thanksgiving to God for his happy Victory and safe Returne but without words of either disgracing the Freâch or extolling the English At his entrance into London the City presented him with a thousand pounds and two Basons of Gold worth five hundred pounds more The bodies of the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Suffolke were brought into England and the Dukes buried at Fodringhey in Northamptonshire the Earles at New-Elmâ in Oxfordshire About this time the Emperour Sigismond Cosin-german to king Henry having been first in France came accompanid with the Archbishop of Rhemes Ambassador from the French king into England for whom there were thirty great ships sent from the King to waft him over but approaching to land at Dover the Duke of Glocester with a company of Gentlemen having their swords drawn sâept up to the knees in water saying to him That if he came as the Kings friend he should be welcome but if as claiming any jurisdiction they would resist him whereupon the Emperour renounceth all Imperiall Authority and is thereupon admitted to land and received with as much honour as could be done him and afterward together with Albert Dâke of Holland who was lately likewise arrived at Winchester is elected Companion of the Order of the Garter and saâe in their Cells at the solemnity of the Feast A principall cause of the Emperors comming was to mediate a Peace between England and France wherein he had brought king Henry to a good degree of inclination till newes came of the besieging of Harflew by the French and of the Earle of Armiâiacks setting upon the Duke of Exceter being Governour there and then he presently grew so averse from Peace that he would hearken no more to any Treaty of it Not that he misliked they should treat of Peace with their swords in their hands as all wise men would doe but that to treat of Peace and in the time of the Treaty to doâ acts of Hostility was an affront to all honesty and not to be tolerated with any patience And now the Earle of Arminiack having set downe before the Towne the Vice-Admirall of France brought up the whole Navy of the French with intent whilst the Earle should assaile it by land to have entred the Towne by the waters side but of this purpose the valour and diligence of the Duke of Exceâer prevented them Aââoone as king Henry had intelligence hereof he would presently have gone himself but being disswaded by the Emperor he sent his brother the Duke of Bedford with the Earles of March Oxford Huntington Warwick Arundell Salisbury Deâââshire and divers others with two hundred Saile to the rescue of Harflew who upon the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady came to the mouth of the River Seyne whereupon Norboâ the French Admirall set forward and got the mouth of the Haven and here began a Fight which was resolutely maintained on both sides untill the English having sunke five hundred Vessels one and other of the French and taken three great Carricks of Genoua wonne the harbour and at last though with some opposition made by their Gallies relieved Harâlew and made the Earle of Arminiack glad to raise his Siege Upon the news hereof the Emperor desisted from mediating any further for Peace with France and entring into a League defensive and offensive with king Henry wherein onely the Pope was excepted on the 19 of October he departed towards Germany whom king Henry accompanied to Callis whither the Duke of Burgundy came to confirme the League concluded on before by the Earle of Warwick and him concerning Flanders and Arthois only In the meane time the French had hyred divers Carracks and other great ships of the Genoâaes and Italians which joyning with the french-fleete lay at the mouth of the River of Seyne under the command of Iaques Bastard of Bourbon to hinder all succors from comming to Harâlew but Iohn Earle of Huntington sonne to the Duke of Exeter beheaded at Cicester being sent to sâoure the coasts encountred with him and after a long fight tooke him Prisoner and three of his great Carricks with all the money for the halfe yeers pay of the fleete and sinking three other of his Carricks and dispersing the rest cleered the mouth of the River and then returned to the king at Southampton And now upon the twenty third of July in the âourth yeere of his Reigne the king himselfe with the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester the Earles of Huntington Warwick Devoâshire Salisbury Suffolke and Somerset the Lords Rosse Willoughby Fits-hugh Clynton Scroope Matrevers Bourchâer Ferrers of Groby Ferrers of Chartley Faâhope Grey of Codnor Sir Gilbert Vmphrevile Sir Gylbert Talbot and an Army consisting of twenty five thousand five hundred twenty eight fighting men besides a thousand Artificers and Pyoners tooke shipping at Portsmouth and upon the first of August landed in Normandy neere to the Castle of Tonque which hee presently besieged and upon the ninth of August had it yeelded to him at which time the Earle of Salisbury tooke the Castle of Albervilliers which the king gave him to him and his heires being the first land given by the king in France At the winning of Tonque the king made eight and twenty Knights and from thence marched with his Army to Caen where to prevent the Citizens from sallying out he cast up a Mount and then making many assaults but finding them to doe little good he caused his Pyoners to undermine the walls which being done upon the fourth of September he offered the Besieged their lives if they would submit which they refusing he thereupon made a shew of a generall assault whilst many of his men entred the City under the foundation of whom the Duke of Clarence with his Company was the first and they comming upon the backs of those that defended the walls easily overcame them and then the whole Army entred without resistance The next day the King caused
of Terwyn where he strongly fortified his Tents with Ordâance and other Warlike defences In which meane time the Captaine of Bulloigne knowing that many of the Garison of Callice were gone with the King thought to take advantage of âheir absence and do some great exploit upon Callice and therupon with a thousand men came to Newâhaâ Bridge and killing the watchmen tooke it but afterward some of his company going to fetch Booties and coming so neere the walls of Callice that they were descried about sixscore Coopers and other Artificers issued forth and driving them back recovered againe Newnham Bridge and took divers of them prisoners especially when the gate of Callice called Bulloign gate was opened that Colepepper the under Marshal with two hundred Archers issued forth and joyned with them The French prisoners were brought to Callice and there sold in open Market amongst others a Cooper of the Town of Callice bought a prisoner that dwelt in Bulloigne and had of the prisoner for his raâsome a hundred Crowns when the mony was paid the French man prayed the Cooper to see him safe delivered and to conduct him out of danger the Cooper was content and went himselfe alone with the French man till he came beyond the Cawsey and there would have departed but the French man perceiving that the Cooper was aged and that no rescue was nighâ by force tooke the Cooper prisoner ââd caried him to Bulloigne making him pay two hundred Crownes before hâ was delivered Whilst King Henry lay thus at the siege of Terwyn on the eleventh of Auââââ the Emperour Maximilian was come to Ayre which King Henry understanding went and met him between Ayre and the Campe where with great complements they saluted each other but their complements were broken off by ââe extreame foule weather which happened that day the morrow after the Emperour Maximilian came from Ayre to the Kings Campe wearing a Crosse of Saint George as the Kings Souldier and receiving wages of him for service an honour never done to any King of England before and yet was no disparagement to the Emperour for he was royally received and lodged in a Tent of cloath of gold that as no Emperour before had ever been souldier to a King so no souldier before was ever lodged in such a Tent. At this time the City of Terwyn being in some distresse for want of victualls the French King appointed all his horsemen to the number of eight thousand to see victualls by any means convoyed into it the charge of which Convoy was committed to Monsieur De Priennes but King Henry by advise of the Emperour Maximilian had made Bridges to passe his men over the river to the other side of the Towne where was easiest accesse in such sort that when the French Convoy came with their victualls and thought to have entred the Towne they found the English Army there ready to resist them whereupon a fierce battell was fought between them but in conclusion the French were put to flight and fled so fast that from thence it was called the battell of Spurres for that they used more their spurres in running away then theit Launces in fighting In this battell the Duke of Longuevyle the Lord of Clermont Captaine Bayard and others to the number of twelve score were taken prisoners and all brought to the Kings presence with six Standards that were likewise taken After the battell the King made Sir Iohn Pechye Banneret and Iohn Carre Knight who had both of them done great service in this encounter King Henry having obtained this victory against the French horsemen and hindred the Towne of Terwyn from reliefe of victualls and withall plying his battery more fiercely then before made the Townsmen soone fall to desire composition and upon condition that the souldiers might depart with Horse and Armour they yeelded up the Towne into the Kings hands This was done on the eighteenth of August and the Earle of Shrewsbury entred the Towne the same night and set up the Banner of Saint George in the highest place of it in signe of victory and swore all the Townsmen to be true subjects to the King of England The four and twenâeth of August the King himselfe entred the Towne and dined in the Bishops Palace where it was resolved that the Walls and Fortifications of Terwyn should be raced and the Towne burnt all but the Cathedrall Church and the Pallace all the Ordnance was sent to Ayre to be kept there to the Kings use After this it was concluded that the King should lay siege to the City of Tourney whereupon he set forward in three battells the Eeale of Shrewsbury led the Vangard the King and the Emperour the Battaile and the Lord Chamberlaine the Reâeward In this order the Kings Army marched forwards towards Tourney by the way he went and visited the yong Prince of Castile and the Lady Margaret Governesse of the Prince in the Towne of Lisle where with all Magâificence or rather indeed Reverence he was entertained and after he had staied there three dayes he took his leave and being gone a mile and somewhat more out of the towne he asked where his Campe lay and no man there could tell the way and guide they had none the night was so darke and mystie by chance at last they met with a victualler comming from the Camp who was their guide and conducted them to it By which we may see to what distresse a great Prince may be brought by a little over-sight On the one and twentieth day of September the King removed his Campe towards Tourney and being come within three miles of the towne he sent Garter king of Armes to summon the towne but they though they had but few men of warre amongst them yet stood upon their guard whereupon the King begin it on all sides and made such firce batteries upon it that though it were written on the gates of the towne graven in stone Iamais tu ne as perdu ton Pucellege thou hast never lost thy Maidenhead yet now they were glad to loose it and in conclusion they sent a trumpet to require a Parley and then sued for mercy and yeelded it up and paid ten thousand pounds sterling besides for redemption of their liberties and then Master Thomas VVoolsey the Kings Almoner calling before him all the Citizens yong and old swore them to the King of England the number of whom was fourescore thousand This done the King entred into Tourney and calling into his presence Edward Guildford VVilliam Fitzwilliams Iohn Dansie VVilliam Tyler Iohn Sharpe VVilliam Hussey Iohn Savage Christopher Garnysh and some other valiant Gentlemen he gave to them the order of knighthood and then remembring the great entertainment the Prince of Castile and the Lady Margaret had given him at Lisle he would not be behinde them in such courtesie and thereupon inâited them solemnly to his citie of Tourney whom at their coming he brought into the towne in great
themselves by leaving the English at Newhaven and by trusting to their Country-men the French Papists for their peace was but a snare and the Marriage of Henry of Bourbon Prince of Navarre with Margaret of Valois the French Kings sister was but a bait to entrap them for upon the confidence of this Marriage being drawn together into Paris they were the readier for the slaughter and a few dayes after the Marriage which were all spent in Feasts and Masks to make them the more secure upon a Watch-word given the bloody faction fell upon the Protestants and neither spared age nor sex nor condition but without mercy and sense of humanity slaughtered as many as they could meet with to the number of many thousands It was now the sixth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign a yeer fatall for the death of many great Personages First died William Lord Grey of Weâlon Governour of Berwick a man famous for his great Services in War then William Lord Paget a man of as great Services in Peace who by his great deservings had wrought his advancement to sundry dignities and honourable places and though zealous in the Roman Religion yet held by Queen Elizabeth in great estimation to his dying day Then Henry Mannors Earl of Rutland descended by his mother from King Edward the fourth And lastly Francis the Dutchesse of Suffolk daughter to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk and mother to Queen Iane. And now Queen Elizabeth finding how fickle the French Protestants had carryed themselves towards her intended to make a Peace and to that end sent Sir Thomas Smith into France joyning Throgmorton in Commission with him and in conclusion a Peace was agreed on whereof amongst other Articles this was one That the Hostages in England should be freed upon the payment of six hundred thousand Crowns and this Peace was ratified by the Oath both of the Queen of England and the King of France About this time the English Merchants were hardly used both in Spainâ and in the Netherlands upon pretence of Civill differences but indeed out of hatred to the Protestant Religion whereupon the English removed the seat of their Trading to Embden in Freezlandâ but Gusman the Spanish Liegier newly come into England finding the great dammages that the Netherlands sustained by these differences endeavoured by all means to compose them and thereupon Viscount Mountague Nicholas Wootton and Walter Haddon Master of the Requests were sent to Bruges in Flanders who after many interruptions brought the matter at last to some indifferent agreement It was now the seventh yeer of Queen Elizabeth when making a Progresse she went to see Cambridge where after she had viewed the Colledges and been entertained with Comedies and Scholasticall Disputations she made her self a Latine Oration to the great encouragement of the Schollars and then returned Presently after her returnâ she made the Lord Robert Dudley Master of her Horse first Baron of Denbigh giving him Denbigh and all the Lands belonging to it and then Earl of Leicester to him and the heirs males of his body lawfully begotten which Honour was conferred upon him with the greatest State and Solemnity that was ever known And now Leicester to endear himself to the Queen of Scots accused Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper for being privy to the libell of Hales who affirmed the Right of the Crown to belong to the Family of Suffolk in case the Queen should die without Issue and thereupon was Bacon cast into prison till afterward upon his purgation and the mediation of Sir William Cecill he was set at liberty and restored to his place And now for a while we must cast our eyes upon Scotland for that was now the Stage where all the great businesses of State were acted Matthew Steward Earl of Lenox who had marryed Margaret Dowglas King Henry the eighth's Neece by his eldest sister had been kept as an Exile in England now twenty yeers him the Queen of Scots invites to come into Scotlandâ under pretence of restoring to him his ancient Patrimony but indeed to conferre with him about a Marriage with his son the Lord Darlie for being reputed heir to the Crown of England next after her self she thought by matching with his son to strengthen her own title and to prevent the hope of any other Queen Elizabeth upon sute made by his wife gave the Earl leave to go but soon after suspecting what the Queen of Scots intent was in sending for him she to hinder the proceeding sent Sir Thomas Randâll to her to let her know That if she proceeded in this Maâch she would exceedingly wrong her self for that it was a Match so much disliked by all the English that she was fain to prorogue the Parliament lest upon dislike thereof there should something be enacted against her Right of Succession But if she would marry the Earl of Leicester she should then by Parliament be declared her next Heir Hereupon in the month of November the Earl of Bedford and Sir Thomas Randoll for Queen Elizabethâ the Earl of Murray and Lidington for the Queen of Scots at Barwick entred into a Treaty concerning the Marriage with the Earl of Leicester The English Commissioners urged the great benefits that by this Match would accrew both to the Queen of Scots her self and to the whole Kingdom of Scotland The Scotish on the other side urged the great disparagement it would be to the Queen of Scots if refusing the offers made her of divers great Princes she should match her self with so mean a person as the Earl of Leicester This matter held long debate partly for that the English Commissioners were so appointed by Queen Elizabeth and partly for that the Scotish Commissioners had a good minde to hinder her from marrying at all and perhaps not the least for that the Earl of Leicester being verily perswaded he should at last obtain Queen Elizabeth her self by secret Letters warned the Earl of Bedford not to urge the Marriage with the Queen of Scots too far and was thought for this cause to favour Darly under hand The matter being in this manner protracted for two whole yeers together the Queen of Scots impatient of longer delay and being resolved in her minde what she would doâ used means that the Lord Darly got leave of Queen Elizabeth to go into Scotland for three months onely under colour to be put in possession of his fathers Lands though it be strange the Queen upon any teââms would let him go if she really intended to hinder the Marriage but such was the destiny if there were not a plot in it and âo in Febrâary he came to Edinburgh who being a young man of not above nineteen yeers of age of a comely countenance and most Princely Presence the Queen of Scots as soon as she saw him fell in love with him yet in modesty dissembling it for the present she sought to get a Dispensâon from Rome because of their neernesse in Consanguinity And now
her inclination being grown so apparent that there was no concealing it she sent Lydington to Queen Elizabeth desiring her consent But she through the suggestions of the Earl of Murray being induced to believe that the Queen of Scots intention was by this Marriage to get the Crown of England and to bring in Popery entred into consultation with her Privy Councell what was fit to be done to hinder the Marriage who all concluded that these were the best wayes First To have a Company of Souldiârs levyed for terrour âake about the Borders towards Scotland then to commit to prison the Countesse of Lenox the Lord Darlies Mother and to recall from Scotland the Earl of Lenox and his âon Darly upon pain of the losse of all their goods in England then that the Scots who were known to be averse from the Marriage should be relieved and assisted and lastly That Katherine Grey with the Earl of Hertford should be received into some grace about whom onely it was thought the Queen of Scots was most solicitous as being her Rivall to the English Crown Hereupon Sir Nicholas Throgmorton was sent to the Queen of Scots to counsell her in the Queens name not to proceed in this Marriage and to shew her the many inconveniences that would accrew unto her by it But she returned answer That the matter was too far passed to be recalled and that Queen Elizabeth had no cause to be displeased with iâ seeing herein she followed her advice Not to match with â stranger but with an English man born Queen Elizabeth being informed of her answer calleth home the Earl of Lenox and the Lord Dârly his son commanding them upon their Allegiance to return The Father modestly by Letters excuâeth himself the son humbly intreaâeth her not to be a hinderance to his preferment which he vows to employ in her Majesties Service to the uttermost of his power And now to make him the fitter match for her the Queen of Scots honoured him first with Knighthood then with the Dignities of the Lord Armanack Earl of Rosse and Duke of Rothsay which Dukedom by Birâh pertaineth to the eldest sons of the Kings of Scotland After this when he had not been above five months in Scotland she marryed him and with the consent of most of the Peers declared him King At this the Earl of Mârray and other whom he drew to his paâty extremely fretted and fell to moving of turbulent questions Whether it were lawfull to admit a Papist King Whether the Queen of Scots might choose a husband at her own pleasure and whether the Peers of the Kingdom might not out of their Authority impose one upon her But howsoever they raised Arms and had disturbed the Nuptialls but that the Queen levyed an Army to encounter them with which she pursued them so closely that they were fain to fly into Englââd for protection where Queen Elizabeth made no âcruple to receive them seeing the Queen of Scots had received Yareby Staâdon and Walsh that were fled out of England but the Eaâl of Murray especially who had alwayes been found addicted to the English Queen Elizabeth perhaps was not much troubled at this Marriage partly as knowing the milde disposition of the Lord Darly and how little accesse of strength it brought âo âhe Queen of Scots but most of all ãâã plainây âeeing âhere woâld ââoubleâ ãâã in Scotland upon it and the troubles of Scotland would be the qâiâtnesâe of England which as a good Mother of her Coââârey was the âark she aymed at yet she made â shew of being offended with it but rather to coâceal her aym then that âhe was offended with it indeed At this time the Emperour Maximlian sent to Queen Elizabeth his Embassadour Adam Smiricote renewing the former sute for his brother Charles of Austria for which Marriage the Earl of Sussex was very earnest the Earl of Leicester as much against it so as it grew to a quarrell between them and the Court was divided into factions about it but the Queen who never liked the dissentions of her Peers though it be a Rule with some Divide and Raign made them friends at least in countenance We may now leave Scotland a while and see the Honour done at this time to Queen Elizabeth not much inferiour to the Honour done to Solomon by the Queen of Saba for now Cecile the sister of Errick King of Sweden and wife of Christopher Marquesse of Baden being great with childe came from the farthest part of the North a long Journey thorow Germany of purpose to see her for the great fame she had heard of her Wisedom At her being here she was delivered of a childe to whom in requitall of her kindenesse Queen Elizabeth was God-mother and named him Edwardâs Fortunatus giving to her and her husband besides Royall Entertainment a yeerly Pension At this time also for the great Fame of her wisedome Donald mac Carty More a great Potentate of Ireland came and delivered up into her hands all his most ample Territories and then receiving them again from her to hold them to him and his Heirs males lawfully begotten and for want of such Issue to remain to the Crown of England The Queen in requitall invested him with the honour of Earl of Glenkarne and Baron of Valence and besides many Presents given him paid the charges of his Journey It was now the eighth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign when Sir Nicholas Arnold a Knight of Gloucestershire Governing Ireland under the title of a Justice was called home and Sir Henry Sidney placed in âhis room And here by the way it is to be noted That the Governours of Ireland after it came under the English were at first called Justices of Ireland afterwards Lievtenants and their Vice-gerents were called Deputies Afterwards at the Princes pleasure sometimes Deputies sometimes Justices and sometimes Lievtenants which last Title though it be of greatest honour yet in power is in a manner but the same Siâ Henry Sidney at his coming into Ireland found the Province of Munster in much disorderâ by reason of strife between Gyrald Earl of Desmond and Thomas Earl of Ormond whereupon the Queen sending for the Earl of Desmond into England ordained a new Government in that Province appointing a President to administer Justice together with an Assistant on the Bench two Lawyers and a Notary and the first President she made in this place was Sir William Sent-leger And now Queen Elizabeth in a Progresse went to Oxford where she took pleasure in viewing the Colledges in hearing Orations in seeing of Comedies till the Comedy of Palemon and Arcett turned to a Tragedy for by the fall of a wall through the multitude of people that pressed in to see it three men were slain At her coming away she made an Oration in Latine to the Schollars a sufficient recompence for all the Orations they had made to her And this yeer was a call of seven new Serjeants at Law who
easie matter for him to surprize the Queen whom when he had in his hands he might then set the Queen of Scots at liberty and might easily obtain of Queen Elizabeth a toleration of Religion The former Reasons tooke somewhat with the Duke but this point of surprizing the Queen he abhorred as an impious fact and therefore rejected as pernitious and Dangerous In France a little before this was the mariage solemnized between Charles the ninth King of France and Elizabeth of Austria daughter to the Emperor Maximilian in gratulation whereof Queen Elizabeth sent into France Thomas Lord Buckhurst who with great magnificence was received and perhaps the more in regard of a motion now intended to be made for the Lord Buckhurst having in his retinue one Guydo Cavalcantius a noble man of Florence the Queen Mother of France as being a Florentine her self had often conference with him when she would many times say what a happines it would be to both the Kingdoms if a Match were made between the Queen of England and her sonne Henry Duke of Angiou and at last desired him to commend the motion to the Queen of England both from her and from her son the King of France as a thing they both exceedingly desired The Lord Buckhurst returned having for a present from the King of France a chayn weighing a thousand French crowns and Cavalcantius at his return made the motion to the Queen who seemed not unwilling to hearken to it for by this Match there should be added to the Kingdome of England the wealthy Dukedoms of Angiou Bourbon Auverne and in possibility the Kingdome of France it self Hereupon a Treaty was held in which the French propounded three Articles one concerning the Coronation of the Duke another concerning the Joynt Administration of the Kingdom a third concerning a Toleration of his Religion to which it was answered that the two first Articles might in some sort be composed but the third scarce possibly for though a contrary Religion might be tolerated between Subjects of the same Kingdome yet between a wife and her husband it seemed very Incongruous and inconvenient yet the matter at last came to this conclusion That if the Duke would afford his presence with the Queen at divine Service and not refuse to hear and learn the doctrine of the Church of England he should not be compelled to use the English Rites but at his pleasure use the Romane not being expresly against the word of God But upon these Punctiliâs they could not accord and so the Treaty after it had continued almost a yeer brake utterly off It was indeed generally thought that the Maâch was never really intended of either side but that they both pretended it for onely their owne ends for the Earle of Leicester who knew more of the Queenes minde then any man wrote at this time to Sir Francis Walsingham the Queens Embassador in France That he found the Queens inclination so cold in the matter that though the Point of Religion were âully accorded yet she would finde one point or other to breake it off At this time the continuance of the Duke of Norfolkes affection towards the Queen of Scots came to be discovered by a packet of Letters sent by Ridolphus to the Bishop of Rosâe and by Bayliffs confession who brought the letters being set upon the Rack so as the Bishop of Rosse was confined to the Isle of Ely Thomas Stanlie Sir Thomas Gerard and Râlâton were cast into the Tower and Hânry Howard who had an aspiring minde to be Arch-bishop was committed to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury's keeping At the same time the Queen of Scots sent money to her confederates in Scotland which being by Higford delivered to one Browne to carry and told it was Silver when he found by the weight that it was Gold he began to suspect something and thereupon went and delivered both the money and Letters to the Lords of the Councell Upon this Higford being examined confessed the whole matter and withall gave notice of that Commentary also of the Queen of Scots which is mentioned before Two dayes after the Duke himself being examined and knowing nothing what his servauâs had confessed deâyed every particular and thereupon was brought again to the Tower by Ralph Sadler Thomas Smith Henry Nevill and Doctor Wilson And after him Bannester who was the Dukes Counsell at Law The Earls of Arunâel and Southampton the Lord Lumley the Lord Cobham Henry Percy Lowder Powell Goodyer and others are committed to prison who upon hope of pardon confessed all they knew concerning the matter When these things and especially the Commentary which the Duke thought had been burnt were shewed him he then cryed out I am betrayed by my own servants not having learned to be distrustfull which is the very sinew of Wisedom And then with all submission he besought the Lords to mediate for him to the Queen towards whom he protested he never had the least thought of doing any hurt And now seeing it appeared that the Bishop of Rosse had been the whole-contriver of the businesse it was deliberated what to do with him because he was an Ambassadour Hereupon divers Civilians are called as David Lewis Valentine Dale William Drury William Aubây and Henry Iones of whom these questions were asked First Whether an Ambassadour who raiseth Rebellion against that Prince âo whom he is an Ambassadour may enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour and is not lyaâle to punâshment They answered That such an Ambassadour hath forfeited the Priviledges of an Ambassadour and is liable to punishment Secondly Whether the Minister or Procter of a Prince who is deposed by publike Authority and in whose room another is Inaâgurated may enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour They answered That if such Prince be lawfully deposed his Proctâr cannot challenge the Priviledges of an Ambassadour forasmuch as none but absolute Princes and such as have-Right of Majesty can appoint Ambassadours Thirdly Whether a Prince who is come into another Princâs Countrey and held in Custody may have his Proctor and if he shall be held an Ambassadour They answered If such a Prince have not lost his Soveraignty he may have his Proctor but whether that Proctor shall be reputed as an Ambassadour or no this dependeth upon the Authority of his Delegation Fourthly Whether if a Prince give warning to such a Proctor and to hiââ Prince who is under custody that this Proctor shall not from hencefârth be accounted for an Ambassadour Whether that Proctor may by Law challenge the Priviledge of an Ambassadour They answered A Prince may forbid an Ambassadour to enter into hiâ Kingdome and may command him to depart the Kingdome if he âontain nât himself within his due limits yet in the mean while he is to enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour Upon these Answers the Bishop of Rosse is warned by the Lords of the Councell that he shall no longer be esteemed an Ambassadour but be punished as
her self with all her Forces to compell them While Wilkes in Spain unfoldeth theâe matters Iohn of Austria sendeth to Queen Elizabeth in most grievous manner accusing the States for disobedience and making a large declaration of the causes for which he had taken up Armes again Thus Queen Elizabeth like a fortunate Princesse sate as an Honourable Arbitresse between the Spanish the French and the States insomuch that it was not untrue which one wrote That France and Spaine were Ballances in the Scale of Europe and England the Beame to turne them either way for they still got the better to whome she adhered About this time when the Judges sate at the Assizes in Oxford and one âowland Iânkes a Book-seller was questioned for speaking approbrious words against the Queen suddenly they were surprised with a pestilent favour whether rising from the noysome smell of the prisoners or from the dampe of the ground is uncertaine but all that were there present almost every one within forty hours died except Women and children and the Contagion went no further There died Robert Bell Lord chief Baron Robert D'Oylie Sir William Babington D'Olye Sheriffe of Oxford-shire Harcourt Weynman Phetiplace the most noted men in this Tract Barham the famous Lawyer almost all the Jurours and three hundred other more or lesse This yeer the title of the Lord Latimer which had flourished in the Familie of the Nevills ever since the dayes of King Henry the sixth was extinct in Iohn Nevill who died without issue male and left a faire estate to four daughters whereof the eldest marryed Henry Earl of Northumberland the second Thomas Cecill who was afterward Earl of Exceter the third Sir William Cornwallis and the fourth Sir Iohn Daverse In Ireland the O-Moores and O-Conors and others whose Ancestours the Earl of Sussex in Queen Maries dayes had for their rebellion deprived of their Patrimonie in Loyse and Ophâliâ did now break forth into a new Rebellion under the conduct of Roriâ Oge that is Roderick the younger set on fire the village of Naasse assault Lâchlin from whence being driven back by the valour of George Careâ the Governour he was afterward slain Out of England at this time there went into the Low-countries Iohn North the Lord Norths eldest sonneâ Iohn Norris second son to the Lord Norris Henry Cavendish and Thomas Morgan Colonells with many voluntaries to learn Militarie experience Thither also came Caesamire the Elector Palatines sonne with an Army of German Horse and foot at the Queenes charges upon theâe Don Iohn assisted by the Prince of Parma Mondragon and other the best Commanders of Spain confident of victorie flyeth furiously before they expected him yet after a long fight was forced to retreat but then turning again and thinking to breake through the Hedges and Brakes where the English and Scottish voluntaryes had placed themselves was again repulsed for the English and Scottish were so hot upon the matter that casting away their garments by reason of the hot weather they fought in their shirts which they made fast about them In this battell Nâââââ fought most valiantly and had three horses sâain under him as also ãâã the Scot Bingham and William Mârâham Now for comfort âo the afflicted Provinces there came at that ââme into the Netherlands the Count Swââzenberg from the Emperour Mânsieââ Beâââââre from the French King and from the Queen of England the Lord Cobham and Walâingham with Commission to procure conditions of Peace but returned without doing any thing for that Don Iohn refused to admit the Proâestanâ Religion and the Prince of Orange refused to return into Holland About this time Egrâmââd Rââcliffe son to Henry Earl of Susseâ by his second wife who had been a prime man in the rebellion of the North and served now under Don Iohn was accused by the English fugitives that he was sent under hand to kill Don Iohn which whether true or false he was thereupon taken and put to death The Spaniards have affirmed That Ratcliffe at his last end confessed voluntarily That he was freed out of the Tower of London and moved by Walsinghams large promises to do this Fact but the English that were present at his death deny that he confessed any such thing though the English Rebells did all they could to wrest this confession from him At this very time Don Iohn in the flower of his age died of the Pestilence or as some say of grief as being neglected by the King of Spain his brother a man of an insatiable Ambition who aymed first at the Kingdom of Tunis and after of England and who without the privity of the French King or King of Spain had made a league with the Guises for the defence of both Crowns Alanson although very busie about the Belgick War yet now began again to pursue the Marriage with Queen Elizabeth for renewing of which suit first was Bachervyle sent to the Queen and soon after Ramboulet from the French King and within a month after that Simier a neat Courtier and exquisitely learned in the Art of Love accompanied with a great number of the French Nobility whom the Queen at Richmond entertained in such loving manner that Leicester began to rage as if his hopes were now quite blasted Certainly a little before when Ashley a Lady of the Queens Bed-chamber mentioned the Earl of Leicester to her for husband she with an aâgry countenance replyed Dost thou think me so unlike my self and so forgetfull of Majestie as to prefer my servant whom I my self have advanced before the greatest Princes of the Christian world But it is now time to return to the Scottish Affairs The Earl of Morton Regent of Scotland though a man of great wisedome and valour yet was now so overcome of covetousnesse that he grew universally hated and thereupon with the joynt consent of the Nobility the Administration of the Common-wealth was translated to the King though he was yet but twelve yeers old and twelve of the chief Lords were appointed to attend him in Councell three of them by course for three months amongst whom the Earl of Morton for one that they might not seem to cast him quite off The King having taken upon him the Administration sent presently the Earl of Dumformelin to Queen Elizabeth acknowledging her great deserts towards him and requesting to have the Treaty of Edinburgh agreed on in the yeer 1559 to be confirmed for the more happy restraining the robbers about the borders and withall That his ancient Patrimony in England namely the Lands granted to his Grand-father Maââhew Earl of Lenox and the Countesse his Grand-mother might be delivered into his handsâ who was the next Heir The Queen readily promised the former demands but stuck a little at the last concerning the Patrimony For she would not grant That Arbella the daughter of Charles the King of Scots Unkle Born in England was the next Heir to the Lands in England neither would she grant the
States sent for out of England to succour it the Town was furiously aâsaulted with seventeen thousand great shot and a mighty breach was made into it which neverthelesse Roger Williams Franis Vere Nicholas Baskervile with the Garrison of the English and Wallons were valiantly defended for a while but at last were enforced to yeild it upâ Leicester that came to relieve it finding himself too weak for the Besiegers being gone away And indeed the States would not commit any great Army to his Command who they knew had a determination to seâze Lâyden and some other Towns into his own hands and had a purpose to surprize the absolute Government Whereupon the States used means that Leicester was called home gave up the Government to the States and in his roome succeeded Maurice of Nassaw Son to the Prince of Orange bâing now but twenty years of age Peregrine Lord Willonghby was by the Queen made Geneâall of the English Forces in the Low-Countries to whom she gave command to reduce the English Factions into the States obedience the which with the help of Prince Maurice he easily effected Leicester being now come home and perceiving that an accusation was preparing against him by Buckhurst and others for his unfaithfull managing of affairs in Holland privately with tears he cast himself down at the Queens feet entreating her that she would not receive him with disgrace at his return whom she had sent forth with honor and so far prevailed with her that the next day being called to examination before the Lords he took his place amongst them not kneeling down at the end of the Table as the manner of Delinquents is and when the Secretary began to read the heads of his Accusation he interrupted him saying That the publick instructions which he had received were limited with private restriction and making his appeal to the Queen eluded the whole crimination with the secret indignation of his Adversaries This year was famous for the death of many great Personages In the moneth of February dyed Henry Nevill Lord of Aburgaveny great Grand-childe to Edward Nevill who in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth got this Title in the right of his Wife only Daughter and Heir to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Worcester and Lord of Aburgaveny In which right when as the only Daughter of this Henry Wife to Sir Thomas Fane challenged the Title of Baronesse of Aburgaveny a memorable contention arose concerning the Title between her and the next Heir Male to whom by Will and the same confirmed by Authority of Parliament the Castle of Aburgaveny was bequeathed This question being a long time debated at last in a Parliament holden in the second year of King Iames the matter was tryed by voyces and the Heir Male carried the Lordship of Aburgaveny and the Barony Le Dispencer was ratified to the Female This year also in the moneth of Aprill dyed Anne Stanhope Dutchesse of Somerset ninety years old who being the Wife of Edward Seymer Duke of Somerset and Protector of England contended for precedency with Katherine Parre Queen Dowager to King Henry the Eight There dyed also Sir Ralph Sadler Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster the last Baneret of England with which dignity he was adorned at the Battell of Musselborough in Scotland After him dyed Thomas Bromley Lord Chancellor of England and six dayes after He whom the Queen meant should have succeeded him Edward Earl of Rutland but he now fayling Sir Christopher Hatton was made Lord Chancellor who though he were a Courtier yet the Queen knowing him to be an honest man thought him not unfit for that place where conscience hath or should have more place than Law although some were of opinion That it was not so much the Queens own choice as that she was perswaded to it by some that wisht him not well both thereby to be a cause of absenting him from the Court and thinking that such a sedentary place to a corpulent man that had been used to exercise would be a means to shorten his life and indeed he lived not full out three years after This yeer Sir Iohn Perot was called home out of Ireland and left all in ãâã quiet to Fits Williams his Successor For hitherto the English ãâã it no hard matter to vanquish the Irish by reason of their unskilâulnesse in Arms eight hundred Foot and three hundred Horse was ââld an invincible Army but after that by Perots command they were ââââcised in Feats of Arms and taught to discharge Muskets at a Mark ãâã had in the Low-Countries learned the Art of Fortification they held the English better to it and were not so easily overcome And now we are come to the one and twentieth yeer of Queen Elizaââââs Raign being the yeer 1588 long before spoken of by Astrologers ãâã be a wonderfull yeer and even the Climactericall yeer of the World And yet the greatest Wonder that happened this yeer was but the wonderfull Fleet that Spain provided for invading of ENGLAND if the defeat of that wonderfull Fleet were not a greater Wonder It is true there was at this time a Treaty of Peace between England and Spaiâ and the Earl of Derby the Lord Cobham Sir Iames Crofts Dale and Rogers Doctors of Law Commissioners for the Queen for the Prince of Parma the Count Aurenberg Champignie Richardot Maâs and Garvyer Doctors had many meetings about it neer to Ostend but it seemed on the pârt of Spain rather to make the English secure that they should not make provision for War than that they had any purpose of reall proceeding seeing they accepted not of any reasonable Conditions that were offered but trifled out the time till the Spanish Navy was come upon the Coast and the Ordnance heard from Sea and then dismissed the English Delegates The Spanish Navy consisted of one hundred and thirty Ships whereof Galeasses and Galleons seventy two goodly Ships like to floating Towers in which were Souldiers 19290 Marriners 8350 Gally-slaves 2080 Great Ordnance 2630 For the greater holinesse of their Action twelve of their Ships were caâled The twelve Apostles Chief Commander of the Fleet was Don Alphonso Duke of Medina and next to him Iohn Martin Recalde a great Sea-man The twentieth of May they weighed Anchor from the River Tagus but were by Tempest so miserably disperst that it was long ere they mât again but then they sent before to the Prince of Parma That he with his Forces consisting of fifty thousand old Souldiers should be ready to joyn with them and with his Shipping conduct them into England and to land his Army at the Thames Mouth The Queens Preparation in the mean time was this The Lord Charles Howard Lord Admirall with all her Navy and Sir Francis Drake Vice-Admirall to be ready at Plimouth and the Lord Henry Seymor second son to the Duke of Somerset with forty English and Dutch Ships to keep the Coasts of the Netherlands to hinder the Prince of Parma's
was cast upon the Isle of Thanet in Kent twenty Ells long and thirteen foot broad from the belly to the back bone and eleven âoot between the eyes One of his eyes being taken out of his head was more then a Cart with âix horses could draw the Oyl being boyled out of the head was Parmasittee This yeer also the River Thames ebbed and flowed twice within an hour and in the Month of November the Heaven seemed to be all on fire Also on the four and twentieth of February being a great Frost after a Flood which was not great there came down the River of Severn such a swarm of Flyes and Beetles that they were judged to be above a hundred Quarters the Mills thereabout were dammed up with them for the space of four dayes and then were cleansed by digging them out with Shovells In her threâ and twentieth yeer in the beginning of April about six a clock after noon happened an Earthquake not far from York which in some places strook the very stones out of Buildings and made the Bells in Churches to jangle The night following the earth trembled once or twice in Kânt and again the first day of May. In her six and twentieth yeer being the yeer 1583 the like Prodigie happened in Dorset-shire as in the yeer 1571 had happened in Hereford-shire A field of three Acrees in Blackmore with the Trees and Fences moved from its place and passed over anoâher Field travelling in the High-way that goeth to Herne and there stayed In her eight and twentieth yeer Tobacco was first brought out of the West Indies into England by Ralph Lane In her five and thirtieth yeer there was so great a Drouth that not onely the Fields but the Springs themselves were dried up and many Cattell every where died for want of water The River of Thames likewise did so fail that a horse-man might ride over at London Bridge In her six and thirtieth yeer was a great Plague in London so as there died this yeer in London and the Suburbs seventeen thousand eight hundred and ninety besides the Lord Maior and three Aldermen and Michaelmas Term was holden at S. Albons Of her PERSONAâE and CONDITONS SHe was of stature indifferent tall slender and straight fair of Complexion her hair inclining to pale yellow her fore-head large and fair her eyes lively and sweet but short sighted her nose somewhat rising in the midst the whole compasse of her countenance somewhat long yet of admirable beauty but the beauty of her minde was far more admirable She had been a subject which taught her to rule she had been in misery which taught her to be mercifull and indeed never Prince ruled with more Justice and with her Justice mingled more mercy She had more Valour in her then was fit for a woman but that she was a Ruler over men and more Humility in her then was fit for a Prince but that she meant to be a President to women She delighted in nothing so much as in the love of her Peoplâ which she procured by ordaining good Magistrates and forbearing Impositions Her way not to need them was frugality and her way to have them when she needed them was liberality She made Honour in her time the more honourable by not making it common and indeed knowing it to be an influence from her self she kept it as her self a Virgin and would not prostitute it to unworthy persons She declined being a mother of children to the end she might be a mother of her Countrey and indeed no mother ever loved her children more then she did her people and therefore never children loved a mother more then her people did her She coveâed not so much to be an owner of riches as of rich Subjects for she thought money did as well in their Coffers as in her own and indeed âhe never wanted it when they had it and they alwayes had it when she ââeded it Never Prince had a wiser Counâell then she yet never Prince âeeded it lesse for she was her self a Counsellor to her Counsell In sum whatsoever may in flattery be said of a wise just mercifull religious and learned Prince may truely be said of her in all which if ever she had an ââuall yet she never certainly had a superiour In playing her game of âortune she loved not an after-game for she liked Preventions better then Remedies She was admirable in expressing her minde both by speech and writing and if collection could be made of her Apophthegms and extemporall Orations it would certainly excell any thing extant in that kinde And for her writing Sir Henry Savile affirms That he had seen some Translations of hers which far exceeded the Originalls Never Prince kept greater State with lesse statelinesse Her Pensioners and Guard were alwayes the tallest and goodliest Gentlemen and Yeomen of the Kingdom her maids of Honour and other women about her the fairest and most beautifull Ladies of the Realm and yet her self a Diana amongst her Nymphes insomuch that a great Lord of France being entertained at Court and the Queen asking him how he liked her Ladies made answer It was hard to judge of Stars in presence of the Sun Of her DEATH and BURYALL IT was now the yeer 1602 when she feeling some Infirmities of Old-age and Sicknesse retired her self at the end of Ianuary to Riâhmond at which time in a sad Omen she commanded the Ring to be filed off her finger wherewith she was solemnly at the first inaugurated into the Kingdom and since that time had never taken it off it being grown into the flesh in such manner that it could not be drawn off without filing At the beginning of her sicknesse the Almonds of her Jaws began to swell and her appetite by little and little failed her withall she gave her self wholly to sadnesse and heavinesse which some imputed to her care for the losse of the Earl of Essex others because she heard That divers of the Nobility sought the favour of the King of Scots adoring him as the Sun rising and neglecting her but howsoever in March a kinde of benummednesse seized upon her with a deep melancholly so as she would sit silently refrain her meat and not admit of any conference but with the Archbishop of Canterbury with whom she prayed âervently till such time as her speech failed her which failed her a day before she died She being in this case it was thought fit the Admirall and Secretary should go to her to know her minde concerning a Successor to whom she gave this answer My Throne hath been the Throne of Kings I would not a mean person should succeed me The Secretary requesting her to speak more plainly I will said she have a King succeed me and what King but the King of Scots my neerest Kinsman After this the Arch-bishop exhorting her to think of God That do I said she nor do my thoughts ever wander from him And when her tongue no
say by a ââââoned Tansey sent him to eat some by a poysoned Glyster ministred unto ãâã but howsoever effected it wasâ for which Fact Sir Iervis Elvis then Lieuââââââ of the Tower and three or fouâe other of inferiour condition were put to death the Lady and Earle themselves were arraigned and condemned but âhorough the Kings great clemency had their lives spared but in such a sort spaâedâ as was to them no lesse grievous than death it sâlf being never after suffered to see the Kings face nor to come neere his Court. This Favorite being thus out of favour there was place made for entertaining another for indeed King Iames was of so sociable and loving a nature that he could not be long well without an Alter idem a bosome friend with whom to communicate his Internos sensus and upon whose shoulders he might sometimes lay a burthen which he was not willing to beate himselfe and this new friend was Mr. George Villers a Gentleman of a good House but a younger brother but of so delicate a composure of body and withall of so excellent paâts of mind as if nature had framed him of purpose to be a Kings Favorite And indeed never any man was partaker of the Royall Influence like to him made first a Knight and Gentleman of the Kings Bed-chamber soone after made a Viscount and Master of the Horse a while after erected Earle of Buckingham then Marquis of Buckingham and made Lord Admirall Lastly made Duke of Buckingham the greatest Title of Honour that a Subject is capable ofâ and yet his Title not greater than his Power for all matters of Grace passed from the King by him and to grace him the more his Mother who after his Fathers death had marryed a younger sonne of the Lord Comptons was created Countesse of Buckingham his sister who had marryed a Gentleman of no exâraordinary Family had her husband made Earle of Denbigh his two brothers were made one of them Viscount Berbach the other Earle of Anglesey besides many other of his friends and kindred highly advanced For this Lord affected not an advancement that should bee only personall but rather bee in common to all his Family and was not of the disposition of some who like to great Oakes love to keep all that are neer them underwood though it be in truth both against Nature and Policy to stand alone when they would be lesse subject to the violence of windes if more stood together And though never any man had juster cause to be envyed than hee yet never any man was lesse envyed because though his Honours made him great yet they made him not swell but he retained the like temper of affable carriage after his advancement as he had done before But before all these favours were heaped upon him many other great pasâages had intervened for first after the death of Thomas Earle of Dorset Robert Earle of Salisbury had beene Lord Treasurer and after him Thomas Earle of Suffolke But this Lord though of a most noble disposition yet as having had his trayning up another way seemed lesse ready in discharging the place and whether for this or for his Ladies taking too much upon her by his indulgence the staffe was soone after taken from him after whom there came in such a sequence of Treasures as no Age before had ever seeneâ all wise and able men indeed but yet in whom the Office seemed an imployment rather to ennoble the Officer than to enrich the King For first Sir Henry Montague was taken from the Kings Bench and on the fourth of December 1620. made Lord Treasurer and presently upon it Earle of Manchester and before the yeere went about put off After whom Sir Lyonell Cranfield from Master of the Wards was made Lord Treasurer and shortly after Earle of Middlesex and then not only put off but fined to pay the King fifty thousand pounds After him Sir Iames Lee from chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench was made Lord Treasurer and soone after Earle of Marleborough and then having made a good returne of his Place pââ iâ off himselfe After him Sir Richard Wâston from Chancelour of the Exâheâââr was made Lord Treasurer and soone after Earle of Portland so as within the compasse of little more than foure yeares foure Treasurerâ in a row were made fourâ Earles enough to make a praescription for all Treasurers hereafter to clayme a Right of being made Earles which yet I speake not as derogating from those worthy men whose memories I reverence but as observing Fataqâe Fârtunasque Virum so rare as that there was never any President of the like Also the five and twenteth of Iune 1612. the Lord Sânquer a Nobleman of Scotland having in a private revenge suborned Robert Carlile to murther Iohn Tuâner a Master of Fence thought by his greatnesse to have borne it out but thâ King respecting nothing so much as Iustice would not suffer Nobility to be a shelter for villany but according to the Law on the nine and twenteth of Iune the said Lord Sanquer having been arraigned and condemned by the name of Robert Crâightââ Esquire was before Westminster Hall gate executed where he dyed very penitent About this time the King in speciall favour for the present Plantation of English Colonies in Virginia granted a Lottery to be held at the West end of Pauls whereof one Thomas Sharplys a Taylour of London had the chiefe Prize which was foure thousand Crownes in faire Plate At this time also the Corps of Mary late Queene of Scotland the Kings Mother was translated from Peterborough to St. Peters Church in Westminster and from thence was carryed to the Chappell Royall there where it was interred in a Royall Tombe which the King had erected for her About this time also Sir Robert Sherley third sonne of Sir Thomas Sherley of Sussex Knight who sixteene yeares past had betaken himselfe to travaile and had served diverse Christian Princes for the space of five yeares but chiefly Rodolphus the Roman Emperour who for his service made him an Earle of the Empire hee afterward went into Persia and served the Persian ten yeares who made him Generall of the Artillery and held him in so great account that hee gave him the Lady Teresia in marriage whose sister was one of the Queens of Persia after which the Persian imployed him to sundry Princes of Europe and seât him in speciall Embassage into England to King Iames to whom he delivered his Letters and shewed his Commission all which signified the Persians great love and affection to his Majesty with franke offer of free Commerce to all his Highnesse Subjects thorough all the Persians Dominions After a yeares stay here in which time his Lady lay in of a sonne to whom the Queene was God-Mother and Prince Henry God-Father hee left the child here in England and then with his Lady departed into Persia. It was now the yeare 1612. and the tenth of King Iames his Raigne
persons but afterward all sorts of men without any difference were admitted that it came almost to bee doubted whether the Dignity of the Order did more grace the persons or the meanesse of the persons disgrace the Order and indeed when the Lawes of an Institution are not in some measure observed it seemes to make a kind of nullity in the collation About this time on Sunday the â4 of October an exemplar pennance was imposed upon Sir Peckâall Brââkas Knight which was to stand at Pauls Crosse in a white sheet holding a stick in his hand having been formerly convicted before the high Commissioners for many notorious Adulteries with divers women This yeare 1614. in the month of Iuly Christianus King of Denmark out of his love to his sister and King Iames came the second time into England but as being now secure of himselfe privately and with a small company so as he came to the Queen at Somerset house unexpected and before any knowledge was had of his comming but K. Iames being then in progresse in Bedford-shire and hearing of it came presently back and after he had entertained him here with Hunting Hawking running at Ring Bear-baiting Plays Fire-worksâ and Fencing on the first of August Prince Charles brought him aboard his Ship who then took his leave and returned home In Octob. this yeare was a call of Sarjeants at Law being 11. in number namely George Wild Wil Towes Richâ Bawtrie Henry Finch Thââ Chamberlain Francis Moârâ Thomas Attow Iohn Moâre Francis Harvie Charles Chibbourn and Tho. Richardson and in Trenity Terme before there had two other been called namely Sir Randal Creâ of Lincolâs Inne and Sir Robert Hitcham of Grayes Inne Knights About this time an Embassador came from the young Emperour of Russia to King Iames desiring his continuall love and amity and to be a means of making attonemeââ between him and the K. of Swethland and withall presented him with a rich present of Furs which was no smal honour to the K. of great Britain to have so great a Potentate as the Emperor of Russia a solicit him to be his mediator Though King Iames out of all naturall goodnesse was addicted to peace yet out of providence he neglected not to be prepared for war and thereupon in the yeare 1610. had granted priviledges to a society called of the Millitarie Garden and this year 1614 caused a Muster of men to be presented before him which was performed to his great liking and to the great commendation of the City About this time a memorable Act was performed by M. Hug. Middleton Citizen and Gold-smith of London and borne in Denâigh-shire who having an Act of Parliament for his Warrant with infinite cost and indefatigable labour brought water to the City of London from the two great springs of Chadwell and Amwell in Hartfort-shire having cut a Channell from thence to a place neere Islington whither he conveyed it to a large Pan and from thence in pipes of young Elmes to all places of the City for as the Poeth saith ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Nothing is so commodious for the life of man as water Another memorable Act was about this time done on the North side on Lon. called Moore-fields which being before invironed with deep stinking ditches and noysome common showers was now not only made faire sweet but so levelled into walkes and let with trees that it is the pleasantest place of all the City The next yeare being 1615 another memorable Act for the benefit and beauty of the City of London was performed for Smith-field which was before a rude dirty place was now paved all over and strong railes sequestring the middle part of it were set up to make it a faire walking place and fit for Market or any other use The Lady Arbella a neare kinsewoman of the Kings had sometime before without the Kings privity secretly married Master William Seymour younger son of the Earle of Hartford now Earle of Hartford himselfe for which they were both committed to the Tower and now this yeare on the seven and twentieth day of Sep. she ended her lif there and was buried in the Chappell Royall at Westminster This yeare also in Iuly were Enstalled Knights of the Garter Francis Earle of Rutland Sir George Villers Master of the Horse and Sir Robert Sidney Viscount Lisââ and in another kind of Honour the Earle of Arundell the Lord Carews and Doctor Andrews Bishop of Ely were sworne Privie Counsellours Wales by the death of Prince Henry had been a good while without a Prince and now to supply that place Prince Charles is Created Prince of Wales In Ioy whereof the Town of Ludlow in Shropshire and the City of London performed great Triumphs and the more to honour his Creation There were made five and twenty Knights of the Bathe all them Lords or Barons sons and yet more to honour it there were forty selected Gentlemen of the Innes of Court that performed a solemne Iusts at Barries with great magnificence This yeare was a Censure of divers great Delinquents for first Sir Edward Cookâ was upon displeasure discharged from being Lord Chiefe Justice of the Kings Bench and two dayes after his discharge Sir Henry Montagâe the Kings Sergeant at Law was placed in his room Next to him the Lord Egerton whyther disabled by sicknesse or age to exercise the place or upon displeasure also had the Sele taken from him which was delivered to Sir Francis Bacon the King's Attourney he made first Lord Keeper and the Lord Egerton dying soon after Lord Chancellour Not long after him Sir Henry Yelverton the Kings Attourney for adding new priviledges to the Londoâers Charter without the Kings privity was in displeasure put from his place and in his room was placed Sir Thomas Coventry the Kings Sollicitor But awhile after Sir Henry âelverton was made a puny Iudge of the Common Pleas having indeed the reputation of an excellent Lawyer And yet this work of Censuring stayed not here for much about this time Thomas Earle of Suffolk Lord Treasurer of England had the staffe of his Office taken from him which was soon after delivered to Sir Henry Montagââ Lord Chiefe Iustice of the Kings Beâch If Sir Iohn Benet Iudge of the Prerogative Court had made a little more haste he mihght have made one in this number of Delinquents but he came short three or foure yeares and then being charged by his own servant with brybery he was put from his place and censured in the Starre-Chamber to pay twenty thousand pounds and in his roome was placed Sir William Byrde a man of more integrity Though King Iames upon the death of Queene Elizabeth came to reside in England yet âe forgot not that Scotland was his native Countrey and therefore after he had spent some yeares in England to acquaint himselfe with the State of the Kingdome In March this yeare one thousand six hundred and sixteentâ he made a Iourney into Scotland for though
Iames His Raigne there were so many made that it may not be unfit to set them down in a Cathalogue together In His first yeare were made foure Earles and nine Barons namely Henry Howard yonger brother of the last Duke of Norfolk was made Earle of Northampton Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst was made Earle of Dorset and shortly after Charles Blount Lord Montjoy was made Earle of Devonshire and Thomas Howard Baron of Walden was made Earle of Suffolk Henry Grey was made Lord Grey of Groby afterward by King Charles made E. of Stamford Henry Danvers was made Baron of Dansley afterwards by K. Charles made Earle of Danby Sir Iohn Peter of Essex was made B. of Writtle Sir W. Russell was made Baron of Thornaugh Sir Thomas Gerard was made Baron of Gerards Bromly in Stafford-shire Sir Robert Spencer was made B. of Wormelayton in the County of Warwick Sir Thomas Egerton was made B. of Elesmore and Sir Robert Cecill was created B. of Henden in Rutlandshire and Sir Iohn Harington was made Baron of Exâon In His second yeare on the 20 of May were made foure Barons and one Viscount Sir Robert Sidney was made Baron of Penshurst Sir William Knowles Baron of Grayes Sir Edw. Wotton Baron of Marley and Mildmay Fanc Lord de Spencer and in August the same yeare Sir Robert Cecill Baron of Essenden was created Viscount Cranbourne In His third yeare of the 4 of May were created three Earles and one Viscount and foure Barons namely Sir Robert Cecill Viscount Cranbourne was created E. of Salisburyâ Sir Thomas Cecill his elder brother L. Burghley was created E. of Exeter and Sir Philip Herbert younger brother to the E. of Pembrok was created E. of Montgomery Robert Sidney Baron of Penshurst was created Viscount of Lisle Sir Iohn Stanhope was made Baron of Harington Sir George Carew Baron of Clopton Mr Thomas Arundell of Devonshireâ Baron of Warder and Master William Cavendysh Baron of Hardrickâ In his fourth yeare on the fourth of Iuly Sir Thomas Kneveât was called by writ to the Parliament by the name of Bâron of Estrickâ and was thereby Baron of that Title and on the seventh of September Sir Iervys Clifton was likewise called by writ to the Parliament by the name of Baron of Layton Bromsensold and was thereby Baron of that Title In his ninth yeare upon Easter-munday Sir Robert Carre was created Viscount Rochester and In his tenth yeare an the fourth of November was created Earle of Somersett In his eleventh yeare Lewis Steward Duke of Lenox was made Earle of Richmond and after Duke of Richmond In his thirteenth yeare on the 29. of Iuâe Sir Iames Hây of Scotland was created Baron of Sawley and about three yeares after was made Viscount Doncaster and Sir âobert Dorâer was created Baâon of Wyng afterward by K. Charles made Earle of Carâarvan In his fourteenth yeare on the 9. of Iuly Sir Iohn Hollis was created Baron of Haughton and Sir Iohn Roper of Kenââ was made Baron of Tenham and on the 17. of August Sir George Villiers was created Baron of Whadden and Viscount Villiers and on the 7. of November Thomas Egerton L. Elsemore was created Viscount Brackley and he dying soon after his sonne Iohn was created Earle of Bridgewater William L. Knowles was created Viscount Wallingford and Sir Philip Stanhope was created Baron of Shelford On the 5 of Ianuary the Viscount Villiers was created Earle of Buckingham and on the third of March Sir Edward Noell of Rutland-shire was made Baron of Rydlington In his fifteenth yeare on New-yeares day Sir George Villiers Earle of Buckingham was created Marquis of Buckingham and on the 12 of Iuly Sir Francis Bacon Lord Chancellour of England was created Baron of Verulam and not long after Viscount Saint Albans Also in the Summer of this year the King created foure Earles and one Countesse namely the Viscount Lisle was made Earle of Leycester the Lord Compton was made Earle of Northampton the Lord Rich was made Earle of Warwick the Lord Cavendish was made Earle of Devonshire and the lady Compton wife to Sir Thomas Compton and mother of the Marquis of Buckingham was created Countesse of Buckingham In his sixteenth yeare on the 25 of November Sir Iohn Digby Vice chamberlaine to the King was created Baron of Shirbourne by Patent to him and his heires Males In his seventeenth yeare in the moneth of Iune Esme steward Lord d' Aubigny younger brother Duke of Lenox was created Earle of March Iames Marquis Hammilton was created Earle of Cambridge and Sir Iohn Villiers brother to the Marquis of Buckingham was Baron of Stâk and Viscount Purbeck In his eighteenth yeare William Câvendish was created Viscount Mansfield afterward by King Chârlâs mâde Earle of Neâcastle and on Munday the fourth of Decâmber Sir Henry Mââtague being first made Lord Treasurer was created Baron of Kimbolton and Viscount Mââdevile and not long after Earle of Manchester and Sir Iohn Ramsey Viscount Haddington of Scotland was created Earle of Holdernesse and William Fielding was created Baron of Newhenâââ and Viscount Fielding In his ninteenth yeare Henry Cary was made Lord Cary of Lâppington afterward by King Charles made Earle of Manmouth Sir Edward Mountague elder Brother to the Viscount Mââdevile was made Baron of Boulton the Lord Darciâ of Essex was created Viscount Colchester afterward by King Charles made Earle Râvers the Lord Huâsdoâ was created Viscount Rochford afterward by King Charles made Earle of Dâver Sir Lyonell Cranfield Master of the Wardes was created Baron of Cranfield in Bedford-shire and Sir Howardâ second sonne to Thomas Earle of Suffolkeâ was created Baron Chorleton and Viscount Andover afterward by King Charles made Earle of Barke-shire In his twentyth yeare in the moneth of September the Viscount Doncaster was created Earle of Carlile the Viscount Fielding was created Earle of Denhigh the Lord Digby was made Earle of Bristow the Lord Cranfield was created Earle of Middlesex and Sir Henry Rich was made Baron of Kensington In his one and twentyth yeare the Marquis of Buckingham being then in Spaine with Prince Charles had his Patent sent him to be Duke of Buckingham William Grey was created Baron of Warke Elizabeth the widdow of Sir Moyle Fynch of Kent was created Viscountesse Maidestone afterward by K. Charles made Countesse of Winchelsly âhis two and twentieth year the Earle of Clanricard of Ireland was created Viscount Tunbridge in Kent afterward by King Charles made Earle of Saint Albans Sir Iohn Hollis Baron of Haughton was created Earle of Clare Sir ãâ¦ã Riâh Baron of Kensington was created Earle of Holland the Lord ãâ¦ã Baron of Say and Seale was made Viscount Say and Seale Sir ãâ¦ã âane was created Earle of Westmerland Oliver Lord St. Iohn of Bletâââ ãâã made Earle of Bullinbrook Sir Christopher Villers brother to the Duke of Bâckingham was made Earle of Anglesey and Sir Iames Ley was made ãâ¦ã afterward by King Charles made Earle of Marlborough Also this yearââ Sir Francis Leak was made Baron of Deincourt and Sir Richard Roberts was made Lord Roberts of Truro in Cornwall And this was the number of all the Earles and Barons made by King Iamesâ but in his time also began another sort of Nobility to bee made in England which had none of the Priviledges of English Barons but had onely Title to bee called Lords of some place either in Scotland or Ireland although they possessed not a foot of Land in either Of which âoât the number being great I forbeare to rehearse them lest I should be tedious or otherwise bee thought to encroach too much upon the Heralds office It is sufficient to have shewed that King Iames advanced so many in honour that in a kind it might be said of him as was said of Augustus Caesar That he left Rome of Marble which hee found built of Brick The beginning of THE RAIGNE OF KING Charles KING Iames being deceased on the 27 day of March in the forenoon the same day in the afternoone Charles Prince of Wales His only son then living was Proclaimed King of Great-Brittain France and Ireland with the Generall acclamation of all sorts of People as being a Prince of admirable endowments both of mind and body He was now about the age of 25 yeares whereof the most part of one he had spent in Spaine where although he was frustrated of the end for which he went yet it gave him a tincture of Travaile and Expeâience more worth perhaps then the end he went for For by this meanes he attainââ to a greater degree of that which made Ulysses so famous Quod mores hominum multorum vidit urbes The first thing he did after his Coronation was to proceed in the marriage agreed upon in His Fathers time with the beautiful vertuous Lady Henrieta Maria yonger daughter of the Great Henry the 4â K. of France after which marriage we have only to say that he was happy in the Wife of His bosome Happy in His hopefull Issue Happy in the love of His people Happy in the Peace and tranquility of his Kingdomesâ and Happy in the continuânce of all these Happinesses for 15 years together and might have so continued still if it had not been for Discordia Demens Viperiuâs crinem vittiâ innexa cruentis But of that which happened afterward I dare not take upon me to be a Register Neither is it indeed safe to begin a Narration which I must be faine to breake off in amazâment as having nothing left me to say but Omnia in maluâââere and so far from any apparance of humane remedy that our only Anchor must be this supersuntâ Yet our hope is It will be but a fit and the storme once past faire weather again and fairer perhaps than it was before and then with Ioy we shall resume our stile Laetumque choro Poeana canemus In the meane time comforting our selves with the words of the Prophet David Many are the troubles of the Righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all Carolus en Rex magnus in armis major in ermis Quid mirum Imperio magnus amore magis FINIS
de Bathes friends to be many and strongâ breakes out into rage protesting that whosoever would kill Henry de Bathe should be acquited for the deed But afterward by intercession of the Earle of Cornwall and the Bishop of London the King becomes pacifyed and Sir Henry is released paying two thousand Markes and after is restored to his former place and favour The King keeping his Christmas at Yorke the marriage is solemnized betweene Alexander King of Scots and Margaret his Daughter to the Feast of which solemnity it is said the Arch-biâhop gave sixe hundred fat Oxen which were all spent at one meale and besides the Feast cost him foure thousand Markes About this time the Pope solicits King Henry to undertake the Crosse and so doth Alphonsus King of Castile offering to accompany him in person to rescue the King of France who was now held Prisoner by the Souldan And because a ransome collected for him in France was by tempest cast away at Sea the Captive King offers to restore Normandy to the King of England so he would come to his rescue Upon this solicitation of the Pope and the grant of a tenth of the Clergy and Laity for three yeares to come the King undertakes the Crosse rather it seemes to get the money then with any purpose to performe the Journey which had it beene collected saith Paris would have amounted to six hundred thousand pounds to the utter impoverishing of the kingdome And now the King by Proclamation cals the Londoners to Westminster and there causeth the Bishops of Worcester and Chichester to declare his Intentions and to exhort the people to undertake the Crosse and attend him but few are moved by their perswasions onely three knights of small note whom thereupon the King in open view imbraceth kisseth and cals his Brethren checking the Londoners as ignoble Mercenaries and there himselfe takes his Oath for performing it and to set forth upon Midsummer day next In taking his Oath he layes his right hand on his Breast according to the manner of a Priest and after on the Booke and kist it as a Layman About this Tenth granted by the Pope but not by the People a Parliament is called at London where the Bishops are first dealt withall as being a worke of Piety and they absolutely refuse it then the Temporall Lords are set upon and they answer as the Bishops which put the King into so great a rage that he drove out all that were in his Chamber as he had beene madde Then he âals to perswade them apart sending first for the Bishop of Ely and deales with him in all kind manner recounting the many favours he had done him The Bishop replies Disswading him from the Journey by the Example of the King of France and to that purpose useth many good reasons which the King hearing in great passion commanded his servants to thrust him out of doore perceiving by this what was to be expected of the rest and thereupon fals upon his former violent courses and first the City of London is compelled to the Contribution of a thousand Markes and the Gascoyners being upon revolt unlesse speedy succour be sent them generall Musters are made and commandement given that whosoever could dispend thirteene pounds per annum should furnish out a Horseman This occasions another Parliament wherein it seemes the State beganne wisely to consider that all their oppositions did no good the Kings turne must be served one way or other therefore they agreed to relieve him rather by the usuall way then force him to those extravagant courses which he tooke but yet so as the Reformation of the Government and the ratification of their Lawes and Liberties might once againe be solemnely confirmed And after fifteene dayes consultation to satisfie the Kings desire for his holy Expedition a Tenth is granted by the Clergy and Scutage three Markes of every knights Fee by the Laity and thereupon those often confirmed Charters are againe ratifyed and that in the most solemne and Ceremoniall manner that State and Religion could possibly devise The King with all the Great Nobility of England all the Bishops in their reverent Ornaments with burning Candles in their hands assemble to heare the terrible sentence of Excommunication against the infringers of the same And at the lighting of those Candles the King having received one in his hand gives it to a Prelate that stood by saying It becomes not me being no Priest to hold this Candle my heart shall be a greater Testimony and withall laid his hand spread upon his Breast all the time the sentence was read which was thus Pronounced Authoritate Dei Omnipotentis c. Which done he caused the Charter of King Iohn his Father granted by his free consent to be openly read In the end having throwne away their Candles which lay smoaking on the ground they cryed out So let them who incurre this sentence be extinct and have no better savour then these snuffes and the King with a loud voyce said As God helpe me I will as I am a Man a Christian a Knight a King Crowned and annoynted inviolably observe all these things and therewithall the Bels rung out and the people shouted for Joy Yet was not all so quieted by this Grant but that there were grievances still whereof the first fals upon his Brother Richard Earle of Cornwall for the King having seven and twenty yeares before given him the Province of Gâscogne now that he had a Sonne of his owne he would take it from his Brother and give it to his Sonne and the Earle refusing to deliver his Charter it is plotted to imprison him but he escaping out of Burdeaux comes over into England The King to win the Nobility of Gascogne to turne to him promiseth them thirty thousand Markes which they accept so as he binde himselfâ by his Oath and Charter to performe it This strictnesse of theirs the King takes in ill part and thereupon sends Simââ Montford Earle of Leycester a sterne man to be their Governour who with his insolent Government so discontents them that after three yeares suffering they send the Arch-bishop of Burdeaux with other great men to complaine of his Insolencies whereupon Montford is sent for and because the Lords tooke part with him the King takes part with the Gascoyners which Montford tooke so ill that he upbraides the King with breaking his Promise to whom the King in great rage replyed that no promise was to be kept with an unworthy Traytor at which word Montford riseth up protesting that he lyed and were he not Protected by his Royall Dignity he would make him repent those words The King commands his Servants to lay hold on bim but the Lords would not permit it Yet after this great affront to the King is Montford sent over againe into Gascogne though with a more limited Authority and shortly after the King with a Fleete of three hundred Ships goes thither himselfe and soone composeth all