vvorld taketh this man to be should grovv to so absolute authoritie and commaundrie in the Court as to place about the Princesse person the head the Preocupation of her Ma. person hart the lyf of the land vvhat so euer people liketh him best that not vpon their desertes tovvardes the Prince but tovvardes him self vvhose fidelitie being more obliged to their aduauÌ„cer then to their soueraign do serue for vvatchmen about the same for the ê“fit of him by vvhos apointmeÌ„t they vvere placed VVho by their meanes casting indeed but Nettes Chaynes iÌ„uisible baÌ„des about that person vvhoÌ„ moste of al he preteÌ„deth to serue he shutteth vp his Prince in a prison moste sure though svveet and senselesse An ordinarie vvaye of aspiring by preocupation of the Princes person Neither is this arte of aspiring nevv or straunge vnto anie man that is experienced in affaires of former tyme for that it hath bene from the beginning of al gouernment a troden path of al aspirers In the stories both Sacred and Prophane forrein and domestical of al natioÌ„s kingdomes countries and states you shal reade that such as meant to mount aboue other and to gouern al at their ovvn discretion did laye this for the first grounde and principle of their purpose to possesse them selues A Comparison of al such as vvere in place about the principal eueÌ„ as he vvho intending to holde a great Citie at his ovvn disposition nor dareth make open vvarre against the same getteth secretlie into his handes or at his deuotion al the Tovvnes Villages Castles Fortresses Bulvvarkes Rampires vvaters vvayes Portes and passages about the same and so vvyth out dravving anie svvord against the said Citie he bringeth the same into bondage to abide his vvil pleasure This did all these in the Romane Empire vvho rose from subiectes to be great Princes and to put dovvne Emperours This did al those in Fraunce and other kingdomes vvho at sundrie tymes haue tyraÌ„nized their Princes And in our ovvn countrie the examples are manifest of Vortiger Harolde Henrye of Lancaster Rycharde of VVarvvyk Richard of Glocester Iohn of Nortumberland and diuers others vvho by this meane specialie haue pulled dovvn their Lavvful soueraignes And to speake onlie a vvord or tvvo of the last for that he vvas this mans father doth not al England knovv that he first ouerthrevv the good The vvay of aspiriÌ„g in Duke Dudley Duke of Sommerset by dravving to his deuotion the verie seruauntes and friendes of the said Duke And aftervvard did not he possesse him self of the kinges ovvn person and brought him to the end vvhich is knovveÌ„ before that to the moste shaÌ„ful disheriting of his ovvn Royal Sisters al this by possessing first the principall meÌ„ that vvere in authoritie about him VVherfore Sir yf my Lord of Leycester haue the same plot in his head as most men think and that he meaneth one daye to giue the same pushe at the Crovvn by the house of Huntington against al the race and line of king Henrie the seuenth in general vvhich his father gaue bef … him by pretence of the house of Suffolk against the children of king Henrie the eight in particular he vvanteth not reason to folovv the same meanes platform of planting special persoÌ„s for his purpose about the Prince for surelie his fathers plot lacked no vvittie deuice or preparation but onlie that God ouerthrevv it at the instant as happelie he may doe this mans also notvvithstanding any diligence that humane vvisdom can vse to the contrarie GENTL To this said the Gentleman that my Lord of Leicester hath a purpose to shoot one day at the Diademe by the title of Huntington is not a thing obscure in it self and it shal be more plainelie proued heerafter But novv vvâ—l I shâ—vv vâ—to you for your instruction hovv vvel â—his man hath folovved his fathers platform or rather passed the same in possessing him self of al her Ma. seruaunts friendes and forces to serue his turne at that tyme for execution and in the meane space for preparation First in the Priuie chamber next vnto her Ma. Leycester povver in the priâ—y chamber person the moste parte are his ovvn creatures as he calleth them that is such as acknovvledg their being in that place from him and the rest he so ouer-ruleth either by flatterie or feare as none may dare but to serue his turn And his reigne is so absolute in this place as also in al other partes of the Court as nothing can passe but by his admission nothiÌ„g can be said done or signified vvherof he is not particularly aduertised no bill no supplicatioÌ„ no complainte no sute no speach can passe from anie man to the Princesse except it be from one of the Councell but by his good lyking or if ther do he being admonished therof as presently he shal the partie delinqueÌ„t is sure after to abide the smart therof VVherby he holdeth as it vvere a lock vpoÌ„ the eares of his Prince and the tongues of al her Ma. seruauntes so surelie chained to his girdle as no man dareth to speake anie one thing that may offend him though it be neuer so true or behouefull for hir Ma. to knovve Leycester married at vvaensteade vvhen her Ma. vvas at M. Stoners hous Doctor Culpeper Phisitian Minister As vvel apeared in his late mariage vvith Dame Essex vvhich albeit it vvas celebrated tvvise first at Killingvvorth and secondlie at VVaensteade in the presence of the Erle of vvarvvick L. North Sir Fran. Knooles others and this exactly knovven to the vvhole Court vvith the verie daye the place the vvitnesses and the Minister that married them together yet no man durst open his mouth to make her Ma. priuiâ— therunto vntil Monsieur Simiers disclosed the same and therby incurred his high displeasure nor yet in manie dayes after for feare of Leycester VVhich is a subiection most dishonorable daungerous to anie Prince liuing to stand at the deuotion of his subiect vvhat to heare or not to heare of thinges that passe vvithin his ovvne Realme And hereof it folovveth that no sute can preuaile No suâ—e can passâ— but by Leycester Reade in Court be it neuer so meane except he first be made acquainted thervvith and receiue not onlie the thankes but also be admitted vnto a great part of the gaine commoditie therof VVhich as it is Polidore in the 7. yeare of K Rich â— and yovv shal finde this procedâ—ng of certaine abouâ—e that K to be put as a great cause of his oueâ—throvv a great iniurie to the suter so is it a far more greater to the bouÌ„tie honour security of the Prince by vvhose liberalitie this man feedeth onlie for tifieth him self depriuing his soueraign of al grace thanks good vvil for the same For vvhich cause also he giueth out oâ—dinarilie to euery suter that her Ma. is nigh parsimonious of her self very difficile to
the GeÌ„tleman I am of opinion that my Lord of Leycester vvyl vse both this practize and manie moe for bringing the scepter finalie to his ovvn head that he vvil The sleightes of Leâ— for bâ—inging al to him self not onlie imploy Huntington to defeat Scotland and Arbella to defeaâ— Huntington but also vvould vse the mariage of the Q. imprisoned to defeat them both yf she vvere in his hand and anie one of al three to dispossesse her Ma. that novv is as also the authoritie of al fovver to bring it to him self vvyth mainie other fetches flinges friscoes besides vvhich simple men as yet do not conceiue And hovv so euer thes tvvo conioyned Earles ScaÌ„bling betvven Ley. and Huntington at the vpshot do seeme for the tyme to dravv together and to playe bootie yet am I of opinion that th' one vvill beguile th' other at the vpshopt And HastiÌ„gs for ought I see vvhen he commeth to the scambling is like to haue no better luck by the Beare then his auncestor had once by the Boare VVho vsing his help first in murdering the sonne heire of K. Henrie the sixt and after in destroying the Richard of Glocester An 1. Edvv. 5. faithful friendes and kinsmen of K. Edvvatd the fift for his easier vvay to vsurpation made an ende of him also in the Tovver at the verie same day houre that the other vvere by his couÌ„sail destroied in Pontfract Castle So that vvhere the Goale and price of the game is a kingdom ther is neither faith neither good fellovvship nor faire playe amoÌ„g the Gamesters And this shal be enough for the first point viz. vvhat good my L. of Leycester meaneth to him self in respect of Huntington Tovvching the second vvhether the attempt be 2. That the conpirators meane in her Ma. dayes purposed in her Ma. dayes or no the matter is much lesse doubtful to him that knovveth or can imagine vvhat a tormeÌ„t the delaye of a kingdome is to such a one as suffreth hungar therof and feareth that euerie houre may breed some alteration to the preiudice of his conceyued hope VVe see often tymes that the chylde is impatient in this matter to expect the natural ende of his parentes lyfe VVhom notvvythstanding by nature he is enforced to loue and vvho also by nature is like long to leaue this vvorlde before him and after Fovver considerations vvhos discease he is assured to obteine his desire but most certaine of daÌ„gerous euent yf he attempt to get it vvhile yet his pareÌ„t liueth VVhich fovver considerations are no doubt of great force to conteine a childe in duetie and bridle his desire albeit some tymes not sufficient to vvhythstand the greedie appetit of reigning But vvhat shal vve think vvhere none of thes fovver coÌ„sideratioÌ„s do restreine vvhere the present possessor is no parent VVher she is like by nature to out-liue the expector vvhos death must needes bring infinit difficulties to the enterprise and in vvhos lyfe tyme the matter is moste easie to be atchiued vnder coulour and authoritie of the present possessor shal vve think that in such a case the ambitious maÌ„ vvil ouerrule his ovvn passion and leese his commoditie As for that vvhich is alleaged before for my L. in the reason of his defenders that his present state is so prosperous as he cannot expect better in the next chaunge vvhat soeuer should be is of small moment in the conceipt of an ambitious head A thing vvorthye to be noted in ambitious men vvhos eye and hart is alvvayes vpon that vvhich he hopeth for and enioyeth not and not vpon that vvhich alredie he possesseth be it neuer so good Especialie in matters of honour and authoritie it is an infalible rule that one degre desired not obteyned afflicteth more then fiue degrees alredie possessed can giue consolation the storie of Duke Aman confirmeth this euidenly vvho being the greatest subiect in the vvorld vnder kinge Assuerus Hest 5. after he had reconed vp all his poÌ„pe riches glory felicity to his frieÌ„des yet he sayed that al this vvas nothing vnto hiÌ„ vntil he could obteine the reuenge vvhich he desyred vpon Mardoâ—haeus his enimy hereby it coÌ„meth ordinarily to passe that amoÌ„ge highest in authoritie are fouÌ„d the greatest store of Mal-Contents that most doe endanger ther Prince and countrie VVhen the Percies toke parte vvyth Henrie The â—â—rcies of Bolingbrook against K. Richard the seconde their lavvful soueraign it vvas not for lack of preferment for they vvere excedinglie aduaunced by the said king and possessed the three Earleâ—omes of Northumberland VVorcester and Stafâ—rd together besides manie other offices and diâ—â—ies of honour 〈…〉 ke sort vvhen the tvvo Neuiles toke vpon The Neuiles 〈…〉 yne vvyth Richard of York to put 〈◊〉 moste benigne Prince king Henrie the sixt and after againe in the other side to put dovvn king Edvvard the fourth it vvas not vppon vvant of aduauncement they being Earles both of Salisburie and VVarvvick and Lordes of manie notable places besides But it vvas vpon a vaine imagination of future fortune vvherby such men are commonlie led and yet had not they anie smell in their nostrells of gettinge the kingdoÌ„ fot theÌ„selues as this maÌ„ hath to prick hiÌ„ forvvard Yf you say that thes men hated their soueraign and that therby they vvere led to procure his destruction Leycester hatred to â—er Ma. the same I may ansvvere of my L. lyuinge though of al men he hath least cause so to do But yet such is the nature of vvicked ingratitude that vvhere it ovveth most disdeigneth to be bound The euill nature of ingratitude ther vpon euerie litle discontentement it turneth double obligation into triple hatred This he shevved euidentlie in the tyme of his litle disgrace vvherin he not onelie did diminish vilipend and debase among his friendes the inestimable benefites he hath receyued from her Ma. Leycester speeches of his Ma. in the tyme of his disgrace but also vsed to exprobrate his ovvn good seruices merites to touch her highnes vvyth ingrat consideration and recompence of the same vvhich behauiour together vvyth his hastie preparation to rebellion and assault of her Ma. Royal person dignitie vpon so smal a cause giuen did vvel shevv vvhat minde invvardlie he beareth to his soueraign and vvhat her Ma. may expect if by offending him she should once fal vvythin the copasse of his surious pavves seing such a smoke of disdaine could not proceed but from a fyâ—â—e furnace of hatred vvythin And sure he it is a vvouÌ„derful matter to consider vvhat a litle check or rather the bare imagination of a smal ouerth vvart may vvorke in a proude and disdeignful Stomack The remembraunce of his The causes of hatred in Leycester tovvards her Ma. mariage missed that he so much pretended and desired vvyth her Ma. doth stick deeplie in his breast and stirreth him daylie to
maried to Portugal Castile borne of Blanche heire to Edmond Crookback as hath bene said vvas married to Iohn king of Portugal of vvhom is descended the king that novv possesseth Portugal and the other Princes vvhich haue or may make title to the same and Katherin borne of Constance heire of Castile vvas married back againe to Hentie king of Castile in Spaine of vvhom king Philip is also descended So that by this vve see vvhere the remainder of the house of Lancaster resteth yf the Line of K. Henrie the seuenth vvere extinguished vvhat pretext forreine Forrayne titles Princes may haue to subdue vs yf my L. of Huntington either novv or after her Ma. dayes vvil open to them the doore by shuting out the rest of K. HeÌ„ries Line by dravving back the title to the onlie house of York againe vvhich he pretendeth to do vpon this that I vvil novv declare King Edvvard the third albeit he had manie children yet fiue onlie vvil vve speak of at this tyme. The issue of king Edvvard the third VVherof thre vvere elder then Iohn of Gaunt and one yonger The first of the elder vvas named Edvvard the Black Prince vvho died before his father leauing one onlie sonne named Richard vvho aftervvard being king and named Richard the second vvas deposed vvythout issue and put to death by his Cosin germain named Henrie Bolingbrook Duke of Lancaster sonne to Iohn of Gaunt as hath bene said and so there ended the Line of K. Edvvardes first sonne King Edvvardes second sonne vvas VVilliam of Hatfield that died vvythout issue His thirde sonne vvas Leonell Duke of Clacence vvhos onlie daughter heire called Philippe vvas married to Edmond Mortymer Earle of Marche and after that Anne the daughter and heire of Mortymer vvas married to Richard Plantaginet Tvvoe EdmuÌ„des the tvvoe begiÌ„ners of the tvvoe houses of Lancaster York Duke of York sonne and heire to Edmund of Langley the first Duke of York vvhich Edmund vvas the fift sonne of K. Edvvard the third and yonger brother to Iohn of Gaunt And this Edmund of Langley may be called the first beginner of the house of York euen as Edmund Croocbacke the beginner of the house Lancaster This Edmund Langley then hauing a sonne named Richard that married An 〈…〉 â—ortymer sole heire to Leonel Duke of ClareÌ„ce ioined tvvo Lines and tvvoe titles in one I meane the Line of Leonel and of Edmund Langley vvho vvere as hath bene said the third and the fift sonnes to K. Edvvard the third And for this cause the childe that vvas borne of this marriage named after his father Richard Plantaginet Duke of York seing him self strong and the first line of K. Edvvard the thirds eldest sonne to be extinguished in the death of K. Richard the second and seing VVilliam of Hatfield the secoÌ„d soÌ„ne dead likevvise vvythout issue made demaund of the Crovvn for the house of York by The claime title of York the title of Leonel the third sonne of K. Edvvard And albeit he could not obteine the same in his daies for that he vvas slaine in a bataille against K. Henrie the 6. at VVakefield yet his sonne Edvvard got the same vvas called by the name of king Edvvard the fovverth This king at his death lefte diuers children as namlie tvvoe sonnes Edvvard the fift and his brother The issue of king Edvvard the 4. vvho after vvere both murdered in the Tovver as shal be shevved also fiue daughters to vvit Elyzabeth Cicilie Anne Katherine and Briget VVherof the first vvas maried to HeÌ„ry the 7. The last became a NuÌ„ne the other thre vvere bestovved vpon diuers other husbandes He had also tvvo brothers the first vvas called George Duke of Clarence vvho aftervvard vpon his desertes as is to be supposed vvas put to death in Callys by commandement of the king his attaynder The Duk of Clarence attaynted by parlament allovved by parlament And this man left behind him a sonne named Edvvard Erle of VVarvvik put to death aftervvard vvythout issue by king Henrie the seuenth and a daughter named Margaret Countesse of Salisburie vvho vvas married to a meane GentlemaÌ„ named Richard Poole by vvhom she had issue Cardinal Poole that died vvythout Mariage HeÌ„rie Poole that vvas attainted execuded in K. Henrie the 8. his tyme as also her self vvas this HeÌ„ry Poole left a daughter married HuntiÌ„gtons title by the Duke of ClareÌ„ce aftervvard to the Earle of HuntingtoÌ„ by vvho this Earle that novv is maketh title to the Crovvn And this is the effect of my L. of HuntingtoÌ„s title The second brother of king Edvvard the fourth vvas Richard Duke of Glocester vvho after the K. K. Rich. the third death caused his tvvo sonnes to be murdered in the Tovver and toke the kingedom to him self And aftervvard he being slaine by king Henry the 7. at Bosvvorth fielde left no issue behind him VVherfore king Henry the 7. descending as hath bene shevved of the house of Lancaster by Ihon of The happie coÌ„iuÌ„ctioÌ„ of the tvvoe houses Gaunts last sonne third vvife taking to vvyfe ladie Elizabeth eldest daughter of K. Edvvard the fourth of the house of York ioyned most happely the tvvo famylies together and made an end of al controuersies about the title Novv K. Henrie the 7. had issue three children The issue of king HeÌ„ry the seuenth of vvhom remayneth posterity First Henry the 8. of vvhom is descended our soueraine her Ma. that novv happilie raigneth and is the last that remaineth a liue of that first Line SecoÌ„dlie he had tvvo daughters vvherof the first named Margaret vvas married tvvice first to Iames king of Scotland froÌ„ The Line and title of Scotland by Margar. eldeste daughter to king HeÌ„ry the seuenth vvhome are directlie discended the Q. of Scotland that novv liueth and her sonne K. Iames being dead Margaret vvas married againe to Archybalde Douglas Earle of Anguishe by vvhom she had a daughter named Margaret vvhich vvas married aftervvard to Mathevv Stevvard Earle of Lenox vvhos sonne Charles Stevvard vvas married to Elizabeth CaÌ„dishe daughter to the preseÌ„t CouÌ„tesse of of Shrevvsburie by her hath left his onlie heire Arbella a litle daughter named Arbella of vvhom you haue heard some speech before And this is tovvching the Line of Scotland descending from the first eldest daughter of K. Henrie the seuenth The second daughter of K. Henrie the seuenth The Lyne title of Suffolke by Marie seconde daughter to king Henry 7. called Marie vvas tvvice maried also first to the kig of Frannce bâ— vvhom she had no issue and after his death to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk by vvhom she had tvvo daughters that is FrauÌ„cis of vvhich the childreÌ„ of my L. of Hartford doe make their clayme Elenore by vvhom the issue of the Earle of Darbie preteÌ„deth right as shal be declared For that FrauÌ„cis the first daughter of
of Condie in the contrarie parte vvould King of Nauarre Prince of Condye think them selues greatlie iniuried by the state of Fraunce vvhich is different from them in religion at this day if after the death of the king that novv is his brother vvithout issue yf God so dispose they should be barred froÌ„ inheriting the Crovvn vnder pretence onlie of their religion My Lord of HuntingtoÌ„ him self also is he not knovveÌ„ to be of My L. of Huntingtons religion a different religioÌ„ from the present state of EnglaÌ„d and that yf he vvere king to morovve next he vvould alter the vvhole gouernment order condition state of religion novv vsed estblished vvythin the Realm But as I said in the beginning yf one of a vvhole familie or of diuers families be culpable or to be The title of thos vvhiche ensevve the Q. of Scottes touched herein vvhat haue the rest offeÌ„ded therby vvil you exclude al for the mislike of one And to descend in order yf the first in K. Henries line after her Ma. may be touched in this point yet vvhy should the rest be damnified therby The king of Scotland her sonne that next ensueth to speake in equitie vvhie should he be shut out for his religion And are not al the other in like maner protestantes vvhos discent is consequent by nature order and degre SCHOL For the yong king of Scotland quoth I the trueth is that alvvayes for mine ovvn parte I haue had great hope and expectation of him not onlie The yoÌ„g kâ—ng of Scotland for the conceipt vvhich commonlie men haue of such Orient youthes borne to kingdomes but especialie for that I vnderstod froÌ„ tyme to time that his educatioÌ„ vvas in allearning priÌ„celie exercises instruction of true religioÌ„ vnder rare and vertuous men for that purpose VVherby I conceyued hope that he might not onelie become in tyme an honorable and profitable neighbour vnto vs for assurance of the ghospel in thes partes of the vvorld but also yf God should depriue vs of her Maiesty vvhithout issue might be a meane by his sucâ—ssion to vnite in Concord and Gouernment the tvvoe Realmes together vvhich heretofore hath bene sought by the price of manie a thousand mens blood and not obteyned Marie yet novv of late I knovv not by vvhat meanes ther is begon in mens hartes a certaine mislike or grudge against him for that it is giuen ouâ— euerie vvhere that he is inclyned to be a Papist an enimie to her Ma. proceedinges VVhich argueth him verelie of singular ingratitude if it be true considering the great helpes and protection vvhich he hath receyued from her highnes euer sithence he vvas borne GENTL And are you so simple quoth the Genleman as to beleeue euerie report that you heare of this matter knovv you not that it is expedient for my L. of Leycester and his factioÌ„ that this youth aboue al other be held in perpetual disgrace vvyth her Ma. and vvyth this Realm You knovv that Richard The deuice to set out her Ma vvith the yong king of ScotlaÌ„d of Glocester had neuer bene able to haue vsurped as he did if he had not first persvvaded kiÌ„g Edvvard the fovverth to hate his ovvn brother the Duke of Clarence vvhich Duke stood in the vvaye betvvene Richard and the thing vvhich he moste of al thinges coueted That is the possibility to the Crovvn and so in this case is ther the lyke deuice to be obserued For truelie for the yong king of Scotlands religion it is euident to as manie as haue reason that it caÌ„ be no other of it self but inclined to the best both in respect of his education instruction coÌ„uersation vvith thos of true religion as also by hiâ— former Actions Edictes Gouernment and priuatâ— behauiour he hath declared Marie thes men vvhos profit is nothing lesse then that he or any other of that race should do vvel do not cease daylie by al secrete vvayes driftes and molestations possible to driue him either to mislke of our religion or els to incur the suspitioÌ„ therof vvith such of our Realm as othervvise vvould be his best friendes or if not this yet for verie need feare of his ovvn lyfe to make recourse to such other Princes abrode as may most offend or mislik this state And for this cause they suborne certaine busie felovves of their ovvn crevv and faction perteyning to the ministerie of Scotland but vnvvorthy of so vvorthie a caliÌ„g to vse such insoleÌ„cy tovvards The intolerable procedinges of certayne Ministers in ScotlaÌ„d agaiÌ„st theyâ— kig by sâ—bornation of â—ys â—â—ymyes in England their king and Prince as is not onlie vndecent but intollerable For he may do no thing but they vvil examin and discusse the same in pulpit If he go but on hunting vvhen it pleaseth them to cal him to their preaching if he make but a dinner or supper vvhen or vvhere or vvyth vvhom they like not if he receiue but a coople of horses or other preseÌ„t froÌ„ his friendes or kinsmen beyond the seas yf he salute or vse courteouslie anie maÌ„ or messiger vvhich coÌ„meth from them as you knovv Princes of their nobilitie courtesie are accustomed though they come froÌ„ their enimies as often hath bene seene highlie commended in her Ma. of England yf he deale familiarlie vvyth anie Ambassadour vvhich liketh not them or finalie if he do say or signifie any one thing vvhatsoeuer that pleaseth not their humour they vvil presentlie as seditious tribunes of the people exclame in publique and stepping to the pulpit vvher the vvord of the Lord only ought to be preached vvil excite the commonaltie to discontentation inveying against their souerain vvith such bitternes of speech vnreuerend tearmes and insoleÌ„t controlmentes as is not to be spokeÌ„ Novv imagine vvhat her Ma. her graue couÌ„cell vvould do in England if such procedinges should be vsed by the cleargie against them STHOL No doubt quoth I but that suche vnquiet spirites should be punished in our Realm And so I said of late to their moste Reuerend and vvorthie Prelat Primat the Archbisshop of S. Andrevves vvith vvhom it vvas my Luck to come acquainted Sir Patrik Adamson Archbishop of S. Andrevves in London vvhether he vvas come by his kings apointment as he said to treate certaine affaires vvith our Quene and Councell And talking vvith him of this disorder of his Ministerie he confessed the same vvith much greife of minde tolde me that he had preached therof before the king him self detesting and accusing diuers heades therof for vvhich cause he vvas become verie odious to them and other of their faction both in Scotland EnglaÌ„d But he said that as he had giuen the reasons of his doinges vnto our Quene so meaneth he shortlie to do the same vnto Monsieur Beza and to the vvhole church of Geneua by sending thither the articles of his and their doinges Protesting vnto me that the procedinges
of châ—ef rule vnder other pretences and after to deuise vpoÌ„ the title at his leysure But novv to come to the third argument I saie The 3. argument The nature of the cause it self more and aboue al this that the nature and staâ—e of the matter it self permitteth not that my L. of Leycester should meane sincerelie the Crovvn for Huntington especialie seing ther hath passed betvven them so many yeares of dislike and enimity vvhich albeit for the time present commodity be couered and pressed dovvn yet by reason and experience vve knovv that aftervvard vvhen they shal deale together againe in matters of importaunce and vvhen ielousie shal be ioyned to other circumstaunces of their actioÌ„s it is impossible that the former mislike should not breake out in far higher degre then euer before As vve savve in the examples of the reconciliation The nature of olde reconciled enimyty made betvvixt this mans father and Edvvard Duke of Somerset bearing rule vnder king Edvv. the sixt and betvven Richard of York Edmund Duke of Somerset bearing rule in the time of king Henry the 6. Both vvhich Dukes of Somerset after reconciliatioÌ„ vvyth their olde craftie ambitious enimies vvere brought by the same to their destruction soone after VVherof I doubt not but my L. of Leycester vvil take good heed in ioyning by reconciliation vvyth Huntington after so long a breach and vvil not be so improuident as to make him his soueraign vvho novv is but his dependeÌ„t He remembreth to vvel the successe of the L. StaÌ„ley vvho helped K. HeÌ„rie the 7. to the Crovvn of the Duke of Buckingham vvho did â—he same for Richard the 3. of the Earle of VVarvvick vvho set vp K. Edvvard the 4. and of â—he three Percies vvho aduauÌ„ced to the Scepter K. Henry â—he 4. Al vvhich noble men vpon occasions that after fel out vvere revvarded vvyth death by the self same Princes vvhom they had preferred And that not vvythout reason as Siegnior Machauel The reason of Machauel my L. Councellor affirmeth For that such Princes aftervvard can neuer giue sufficient satisfaction to such friendes for so great a benefit receiued And consequentlie least vpon discontentmeÌ„t they may â—haunce do as much for others against them as they haue done for them against others the surest vvay is to recompence them vvyth such a revvarde as they shal neuer after be able to complaine of VVherfore I can neuer think that my L. of Leycester vvil put him self in daunger of the Like successe at Huntingtons haÌ„des but rather vvil folovv The meaninge of the Duke of Nortâ—umber vvyth Suffolk the plot of his ovvn father vvyth â—he Duke of Suffolk vvhom no doubt but he meant onelie to vse for a pretext and help vvherby to place him self in supreame dignitie and aftervvardes vvhat so euer had befallen of the state the others head could neuer haue come to other end theÌ„ it enioyed For yf Q. Marie had not cut it of K. Iohn of NorthuÌ„berland vvould haue done the same in tyme and so al men do vvel knovv that vvere priuie to anie of his cunning dealinges And vvhat Huntingtons secret opinion of Leycester is notvvythstanding this ovvtvvarde shevv of depeÌ„dence â—t vvas my chauÌ„ce to learne from the South hovvse mouth of a special man of that Hastie king vvhoe vvas his ledger or agent in London and at a tyme faling in talke of his masters title declared that he had heard him diuers tymes in secret complaine to his Ladie Leycesters sister as greatlie fearing that in the end he vvould offer him vvrong and pretend some title for him selfe LAVV. VVel quoth the Lavvyer it seemeth by this last point that thes tvvo Lords are cunning practisioners in the arte of dissimulation but for the former vvherof you spake in truth I haue hearde men of good dicourse affyrme that the Duke of The meaniâ—g of the D. of Noâ—thuÌ„ tovvards the D of Suffolk Northumberland had straunge deuises in his head for deceauing of Suffolk vvho vvas nothing so fine as him self and for bringing the Crovvn to his ovvn familie And among other deuises it is thought that he had most certaine intention to marrie the Ladie Marie him self after once he had brought her into his ovvn handes and to haue bestovved her Ma. that novv is vpon some one of his children yf it should haue bene thought best to giue her lyfe so coÌ„sequentlie to haue shaken of Suffolk and his pedegre vvyth condigne punishment for his bolde behauiour in that behalf SCHOL Verilie quoth I this had bene an excellent Stratageme yf it had taken place But I pray you Sir hovv could him self haue taken the Ladie Matie to vvyfe seing he vvas at that tyme married to an other GENTL Oh quoth the Gentlemen you question like a Scholar As though my L. of Leycester had not a vvyfe a liue vvhen he first began to pretend mariahe to the Q. Ma. Doe not you remember the storie of K Richard the third vvho at such tyme as he thought best for the establishing of his title The practise of K. Richard for dispatching his vvyfe to marrie his ovvn nepce that aftervvard vvas married to king Henrie the seueÌ„th hovv he caused secretlie to be giuen abroode that his ovvn vvyfe vvas dead vvhom al the vvorld knevv to be then a liue and in good health but yet soone aftervvard she vvas sene dead indeed Thes great personages in matters of such vveight as is a kingdom haue priuileges to dispose of vvomens bodies mariages liues and deathes as shal be thought for the tyme moste conuenient And vvhat do you think I pray you of this nevv A nevv Triumuirate betvveÌ„ Ley. Talbot the CouÌ„tesse of Shreâ—sbury TRIVMVIRAT so latelie concluded about Arbella for so I must cal the same though one of the three persons be no Vir but Virago I meane of the mariage betvvene yong DeÌ„bigh the litle daughter of Lenox vvherby the father in lavve the Grandmother the vncle of the nevv designed Queene haue conceyued to them selues a singular tryumphant reigne But vvhat doe you think may ensue hereof is ther nothing of the olde plot of duke Iohn of Northumberland in this LAVV. Marie Sir quoth the Lavvyer yf this be so I dare assure you ther is sequele enough pretended hereby And first no doubt but ther goeth a deep drift by the vvife and sonne against olde Abraham the husband and father vvith the vvel lyned large poutch And secondlie a far deeper by trustie Robert against his best Mistres but dâ—â—pest of â—l by the vvhole Cravv against the designememes of the Hastie Earle vvho thirsteth a kingdome Huntington vvith great intemperaunce and seemeth yf there vvere plaine dealing to hope by thes good people to quenshe shortlie his drought But either parte in truth seeketh to deceyue other and therfore it his hard to saye vvher the game in fine vvil reste GENTL VVel hovv so euer that be quoth
Henrie Earle of RichmoÌ„d discending but of the last sonne and third vvyfe of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of LaÌ„caster vvas so respected for that onelie by the vniuersal Realm as they inclyned vvholie to cal him from banishment to make him king vvith the deposition of Richard vvhich then ruled of the house of York vpon condition onlie that the said Henrie should take to vvyfe a daughter of the contrarie familie so great vvas in thos dayes the affection of English hartes tovvards the line of Lancaster for the great vvorthynes of such kinges as had reigned of that race hovv good or bad so euer their title vvere vvhich I stand not heare at this tyme to discus but onlie to insinuate vvhat partie the same found in our Realm in tymes past and consequentlie hovv extreame daungerous the contention for the same may be herafter especialie seing that at this day The line of Portugal the remander of that title is pretended to rest vvholie in a straunger vvhos povver is verie great VVhich vve Lavvyers are vvount to esteme as a point of no smal importaunce for iustifying of anie mans title to a kingedom SCHOL You Lavvyers vvant not reason in that Sir quoth I hovv so euer you vvant right for if you vvil examine the succession of gouernmentes from the begnining of the vvorld vnto this daye either among Gentile Ievve or Christian people you shal find that the svvord hath bene alvvayes better The svvord of greate force to iustifie the title of a kingdom then half the title to get establishe or mainteyne a kingdom vvhich maketh me the more apalled to heare you dicourse in such sorte of nevv coÌ„tentioÌ„s and forraine titles accoÌ„pained vvyth such povver and strength of the titlers VVhich cannot be but infinitelie daungerous and fatal to our Realm yf once it come to action both for the diuision that is like to be at home and the varietie of parties from abrode For as the Prince vvhom you signifie vvil nor faile by al likeliehood to pursue his title vvyth al forces that he can make if occasion vvere offered so reason of state and pollicie vvil enforce other Princes adioyniÌ„g to let hinder him therin Greate dangers vvhat they can and so by this meanes shal vve become Iuda Israel among our selues one killing and vexing the other vvyth the svvord and to forraine Princes vve shal be as the Iland of Salamina vvas in olde tyme to the Athenians and Megarians and as the Iland of Cicilia vvas aftervvard to the Grecians Carthaginians and Romans and as in our dayes the kingdom of Naples hath bene to the Spaniards Frenchemen Germans and Venetians That is a bayte to feed vpon and a game to fight for VVherfore I beseech the Lord to auerte from vs all occasions of such miseries And I pray you Sir for that vve are fallen into the meÌ„tion of thes matters to take so much paines as to open vnto me the grovvnd of thes controuersies so long novv quiet betvven York and Lancaster seing they are novv like to be raised againe For albeit in general I haue heard much therof yet in particular I either conceaue not or remember not the foundation of the same and much lesse the state of theire seueral titles at this daye for that it is a studie not properlie perteyning vnto my profession LAVV. The controuersie betvvene the houses of York and Lancaster quoth the Lavvyer tooke his actual beginning in the issue of K. Edvvard the third The beginning of the coÌ„trouersie betvvixt York and LaÌ„caster vvho died somevvhat more then tvvo hundreth yeares gone but the occasion pretence or cause of that quarrel began in the children of K. Henrie the third vvho died an hundreth yeares before that and left tvvo sonnes Edvvard vvho vvas king after him by the name of Edvvard the first and vvas Graundfather to Edvvard the third and Edmond for his deformitie called Crookback Earle of Lancaster and beginner of that house vvhos inheritaunce aftervvard in the fovverth discent fel vpon a daughter named Blanche vvho vvas married to the fourth sonne of king Edvvard the third named Iohn of Gaunt for that he vvas Edmond Crooke-back begiâ—ner of the house of LaÌ„caster borne in the Citye of Gaunt in Flaunders and so by this his first vvyfe he became Duke of Lancaster and heire of that house And for that his sonne Henrie of Bolingbrook aftervvarde called K. Henrie the fourth pretended among other thinges that Edmond Crookback great graundfather to Blanche his mother vvas the elder Blanche sonne of K. Henrie the third and iniustelie put by the inheritaunce of the Crovvn for that Iohn of Gaunt he vvas Crookebacked and deformed he toke by force the kingdom from Richard the second Hovv the kingdom vvas first broght to the house of Lancaster nephevv to king Edvvard the third by his first sonne placed the same in the house of LaÌ„caster vvhere it remained for three vvhole disceÌ„tes vntil aftervvarde Edvvard Duke of York descended of Iohn of Gauntes yonger brother making clayme to the Crovvn by title of his graundmother that vvas heire to Lionel Duke of Clarence Iohn of Gauntes elder brother toke the same by force from Henrie the sixt of the house of Lancaster and brought it backe againe to the house of Yoâ—â— vvher it contineued vvith much trouble in tvvo kinges onlie vntil bothe houses vvere ioyned together in king Henrie the seuenth and his noble issue Hereby vve see hovv the issue of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster fourth sonne to K. Edvvard the third pretended right to the Crovvn by Edmond Crookbacke before the issue of al the other thre sonnes of Edvvard the third albeit they vvere the elder brothers vvherof vve vvil speake The issue of Iohn of Gaunt more hereafter Novv Iohn of Gaunt though he had manie children yet had he fovver onlie of vvhom issue remaine tvvo sonnes and tvvo daughters The first sonne vvas Henrie of Bolingbrooke Duke of Lancaster vvho toke the Crovvn from K. Richard the second his vnkles sonne as hath bene said and first of al planted the same in the house of Lancaster vvhere it remayned in tvvo discentes after him that is in his sonne Henrie the first and in his nephevv Henrie the sixt vvho vvas aftervvard destroyed together vvith Henry Prince of VVales his only sonne heire and consequelie al that Line of Henrie Bolingbrok extinguished by Edvvard the fourth of the house of York The other soÌ„ne of Iohn of GauÌ„t vvas Iohn Duke of Somerset by Katherin S Finsford his third vvife The pedegree of K Henrie the 7. vvhich Iohn had issue an other Iohn and he Margaret his daughter heire vvho being married to Edmond Tyder Earle of Richmond had issue Henrie Earle of Richmond vvho after vvas named K. Henrie the seuenth vvhos Line yet endureth The tvvoe daughters of Iohn of Gaunt vvere married to Portugal and Castile that is Philippe The tvvo daughteâ—s
daughters to vvit the daughters of Frauncis and Elenor if that they had any to any such condition Thirdlie ther may be diuers causes and argumentes The third reason The presupposed vvil is not Authentical aleaged in lavve vvhy this pretēded vvil is not authentical if othervvise it vvere certaine that king Henrie had meant it First for that it is not agreable to the minde and meaning of the Parliament vvhich intended onlie to giue authoritie for declaration and explication of the true title not for donation or intricating of the same to the ruin of the Realm Secōdly for that ther is no lavvful Authentical Copie extant therof but onlie a bare inrolment in the Chauncerie vvhich is not sufficient in so vveightie an affaire no vvitnes of the Priuie Councel or of Nobilitie to the same vvhich had bene conuenient in so great a case for the best of the vvitnesses therin named is Sir Iohn Gates vvhos miserable death is vvel knovvē no publike Notarie no Probation of the vvil before anye Bishop or anie lavvful Court for that purpose no examination of the vvitnesses or other thing orderlie done for lavvful authorizing of the matter The disprouing of the vvil by vvitnesses The Lord Pagett But of al other thinges this is moste of importaunce that the king neuer set his ovvn hande to the foresaid vvil but his stamp vvas put therunto by others either after his death or vvhen he vvas paste remembrance as the late L. Paget in the beginning of Quene Maries dayes being of the priuy Councel first of al other discouered the same of his ovvn accorde and vpō mere motion of consciēce confessing before the vvhole Councel and aftervvard also before the vvhole parliament hovv that him self vvas priuie therunto and partlie also culpable being dravven therunto by the instigation and forcible authoritie of others but yet aftervvard vpon other more godlie motions detested the deuice and so of his ovvn free vvil verie honorablie vvent and offered the discouerie therof to Sir Edvv. Mōtague the Councel As also did Sir Edvvard Montague Lord chiefe iustice that had bene priuie and presēt VVillm Clarcke at the said doinges and one VVillm Clark that vvas the man vvho put the stamp vnto the paper and is ascribed among the other pretensed vvitnesses confessed the vvhole premisses to be true purchased his pardō for his offence therin VVher vpon Q. Marie and her Councel caused presentlie the said inrolment lying in the Chauncerie to be canceled defaced and abolished And sithence that tyme in her Ma. dayes that novv liueth about the 11. or 12. yeare of her reign if I compt not amisse by occasion of a certen litle boke spred abrode at that tyme verie secretlie for aduauncing of the house of Suffolk by pretence of A meting together about this matter of the nobility this testament I remember vvel the place vvhere the late Duke of Norfolke the Marques of VVinchester vvhich then vvas Treasurer the olde Earls of Arundell and Penbrooke that novv are dead vvyth my L. of Penbrooke that yet liueth as also my L. of Leicester hīself if I be not deceyued vvith diuers others met together vpō this matter after long conferēce about the foresaid pretēsed vvil manie proffes reasons layd dovvn vvhy it could not betrue or authētical the olde Earle of Pēbrook protesting that he vvas vvyth the K. in his Chābet frō the first day of his sicknes vnto his last houre therby could vvel assure the falsificatiō therof at length it vvas moued that from that place they should go vvyth the rest of the nobilitie and proclaime the Q of Scotland heire aparent in Cheapside My L. of Leycester agayne playeth double VVherin my L. of Leycester as I tak it vvas thē as forvvard as anie man els hovv be it novv for his profit he bee turned aside and vvould turne back againe to morovv next for a greater commoditie And albeit for some causes to them selues best knovvē they proceeded not in the opē publishīg of their determination at that time yet my Lord of Penbrook novv liuing can beare vvitnes that thus much is true and that his father the olde Earle The olde Earle of Pēbroks admonition to the Earle his sonne yet liuīg at that tyme tolde him openlie before the other noble men that he had brought him to that assemblie and place to instruct him in that trueth and to charge him to vvitnes the same and to defende it also vvyth his svvorde if need required after his death And I knovve that his Lordship is of that honour and nobilitie as he can not leaue of easilie the remembraunce or due regarde of so vvorthie an admonition And this shal suffice for the second impediment imagined to proceed of this supposed testament of king Henrie the eight As for the third impediment of religion it is not The third impediment of Religiō general to al for that onlie one person if I be not deceyued of al the Competitours in K. Hērys line can be touched vvyth suspition of different religiō from the present state of England VVhich person notvvythstanding as is vvel knovven vvhile she vvas in gouernmēt in her ovvn Realm of Scotlād permitted al libertie of conscience free excercise of religion to thos of the contrarie profession and opiniō vvythout restreynt And yf she had not yet do I not see either by prescript of lavv or practize of thes our times that diuersitie of religiō may stay iust inheritours from enioying their due possessiōs in anie state or degre of priuate men and much lesse in the clayme of a kingdom vvhich alvvayes in this behalf as hath bene said before is preferred in priuilege This vve see by experience in diuers countries Princes of Germanye and partes of the vvorld at this daye as in Germanie vvhere among so manie Princes and so de in religiō as they be yet euerie one succedeth to the state vvherto he hath right vvythout resistaunce for his religion The examples also of her Ma. that novv is and of her sister before is euidēt Q Mary Q Elizabeth vvho being knovven to be of tvvo different inclinations in religion and the vvhole Realm deuided in opinion for the same cause yet both of them at their seueral tymes vvyth general consent of al vvere admitted to their lavvful inheritaunce excepting onlie a fevv * The Dudleys Mōsieur traytours against the former vvho vvythstood her right as also in her the right of her Ma. that is present that not for religion as appeared by their ovvn confession after but for ambition and desire of reigne Monsieur the kings brother and heire of Fraunce as all the vvorld knovveth is vvel accepted fauored and admitted for successoure of that Crovvne by al the protestantes at this day of that Countrie not vvythstanding his opinion in religion knovven to be diffeferent And I doubt not but the king of Nauarre or Prince