there 〈…〉 Eâ—ward and his Queene with their Daughter Isâ—â—â—ll come over to 〈…〉 there the young Earle is affâ—anâ—ed to her but returning afterâ—â—rds 〈…〉 as â—e found opportunity he went to King Philip and â—eft 〈…〉 and marryed afterwards a Daughter of the 〈…〉 this whiâ—â—â—he siege of Callice was continued and King Philip 〈…〉 come to relieve it sollicits King Edward to appoint someâ— place 〈…〉 would meeâ—e him But King Edward returnes answer that if he 〈…〉 owne way to come thither to him there he should finde him but 〈…〉 be would not paâ—â—â— having laine there so long to his great lâ—â—our and 〈…〉 bâ—ing now so neare the point of gaining the placeâ— Twoâ—â—aâ—â—â—nals 〈…〉 the Pope to mediate a Peace but could effect nothing so as the 〈…〉 wâ—s forced to breake up his Army and retire to Paris leaving Câ—llice 〈…〉 the Besieger which when the Towne understood they sent to de 〈…〉 granted and therein received this finall answer that â—ixe of the chiefe Burgesses should be sent to the King bare-headed bare-footed in their shirts 〈…〉 their neckesâ— the keyes of the Towne and Castle in their hands 〈…〉 thâ—â—â—elves to the Kings will the rest he was content to take to mercy 〈…〉 condition and much difficulty who should be those sixe but 〈◊〉 up and out of love to his Country offering himselfe to be one the sixe 〈…〉 made â—p for now by his example every one strove to be of the 〈◊〉 who presenting themselves before the King he commanded them instantly 〈…〉 to death Great supplication was made by his Lords for their lives but 〈…〉 would not be drawne to alter his sentence till the Queene great with 〈…〉 on her knees and with teares obtained pardon for them which done 〈…〉 them to be cloathed and besides a good repast gives to every one of them 〈◊〉 Nobles a pâ—ece But though the King in this sentence shewed severity 〈…〉 Act before he had shewed mercy For when Victuals began to faile in 〈…〉 and all unusefull persons as old men women and children were put 〈…〉 Gates he forced them not backe againe as he might have done thereâ—◠〈◊〉 sooner to consume their store but suffered them to passe through his Arâ—y◠〈◊〉 them to eate and two pence a piece to all of them And thus was that strong 〈◊〉 of Callice gotten the third day of August in the yeare 1347. after eleven 〈…〉 siege and continued afterward in possession of the English two hundred 〈…〉 All the Inhabitants are turned out but onely one Priest and two 〈…〉 to informe of the Orders of the Towne and a Colony of English amoâ—gst which seven and thirty good Families out of London is sent to inhabit it◠〈…〉 and Queene enter the Towne triumphantly and make their abode there 〈◊〉 Queene was brought a bed of her Daughter Margaret The King made 〈◊〉 of the Town Aymeâ—y of Pavia a Lombard whom he had brought up from 〈…〉 and then with his Queene returnes into England at which time the 〈◊〉 Electours send to signifieâ— that they had chosen him King of the Romans but 〈…〉 refuseth to accept it as being an honour out of his way and scarce com 〈…〉 his State at home â—fter this Trâ—â—â—s were made by mediation from one time to another for the 〈…〉 â—wo yeares in which time Geoffrey de Charmy Captaine of Saint Omer 〈…〉 Aymery of Pâ—via whom King Edward had left Governour of Callice to 〈…〉 for twenty thousand Crownes which King Edward hearing of sent to Aâ—mery and charged him with this perfidiousnesse wheâ—â—â—pon Ayâ—â—â—y comes to the King and humbly desiring pardon promiseth to hâ—ndlâ— the 〈◊〉 so as shall be â—o the Kings advantage and thereupon iâ— senâ— backe to Callice The King the â—ight before the time of agreementâ— arrives with three â—undâ—ed men at 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 hundred Archers 〈◊〉 de Charmy 〈…〉 likewise the 〈◊〉 â—â—ght from Saint Omers with his Forces and sent a hundred mâ—n before with the Crownes to 〈◊〉 the men are let in at a Posterne Gateâ— the crownes received â—nd assured to be all weight which done the Gates of the Towne are opened and out marches the King before day to encounter 〈◊〉 de Charmy who perceiving himselfe betrayed defended â—imselfeâ— the best he could and put King Edward to a hard bickering who for that â—e would not b◠〈…〉 person put hiâ—selfâ— and the Prince under the Colours of the Lord 〈…〉 beaâ—en â—â—wne on â—is knees by 〈…〉 â—hom he fought hand to hand and yeâ— recoveâ—â—d and 〈…〉 prisoner Charmy was likewise taken and all his Foâ—â—â—â— defeated Kiâ—g â—dward the night after which was the first of the New-yeare feasted with the Prisoners and gave â—iboâ—â—â—nt in honour of his valou◠〈…〉 Chaplet of Pearle which himselfe wore on his head for a New-yeares gift forgave him his ransome and set him at liberty But the English not long after in the like practise had better successe and got the Castle of Guysnes a piece of great importance neâ—râ— Callice for a summe of money given to one Beaconrâ—y a French â—â—n Of which Câ—sâ—le when the French King demanded restitution in regard of the Trucâ— King Edwarâ— returnes answer that for things bought and sold betweene their people there was no exception and so held it About this time Philip King of France dyed leaving his Sonne Iohn to succeed him in the beginning of whose Raigne Humberâ— Pâ—ince of Dâ—â—lphin dying without issue made him his Heire and therâ—upon Charles King Iohâ—â— Sonne was created the first Daulphin of France from whence it grew to be a Custome that the King of France his Heire should alwayes be called Daulphin of France About this time also the Duke of Lancaster was to perfoâ—me a combat upon a challenge with a Prince of Bâ—hâ—mia but when they were entred the Lists and had taken their Oathes King Iohn interposed and made them Friends And now when after many meanes of mediation no Peace could be concluded betweene the two Kings the Prince of Wales being now growne a man is appointed by Parliament to goe into Gascoyne with a thousand men at Armes two thousand Archers and a great number of Welshmen and in Iune following he sets forth with three hundred Saile attended with the Earles of Warwickâ— Suffolke Salisbury and Oxford the Lord Chandâ—s the Lord Iames Aâ—deley Sir â—obert Knolles Sir Francis Hall with many others About Michaelmaâ— followingâ— the King himselfe passeth over to Callice with another Army taking with him two of his Sonnes Liâ—nâ—ll of Antwerpe now Earle of Ulster iâ— Right of his Wife and Iohn of Gant Earle of Richmond There met him at Callice of mercenaries out of Germany Flanders and Brabant a thousand men at Armes so that his Army consisted of three thousand men at Armes and two thousand Archers on horse-backe besides Archers on foot The City of London sent three hundred men at Armes and five hundred Archers all in one livery at their owne charge but all this great Army effected nothing at that
battell saying They were but clouds and would soone passe away yet so watched him that what with light skirmishes and what with skarcity of victuals his forces were so diminished that of thirty thousand which went out of Callice there scarce retunred six thousand home which made King Edward say of this King Charles that he did him more mischiefe sitting still then his Predecessours had done with all their stirring And now by this time all Poictou is lost and all Aquitaine also but onely Burdeaux and Bayon when the Arch-bishop of Roan and others are sent from Pope Gregory the eleventh to mediate a Peace betweene the two Kings but each of them standing upon high termes of conditions nothing could be effected but Truce upon Truce for two or three yeares together In which time Edward Prince of Wales died and with him we may say the Fortune of England being a Prince so full of vertues that he left no place for any vice and if he had lived in the Heroicke times might well have beene numbâ—ed amongst the nine Worthies His body was buried at Canterbury where his Monument standeth King Edward in his seven and fortieth yeare calleth a Parliament at Wâ—stminster which lasted but eight dayes and to which were Summoned by Writ of Clergy men onely foure Bishops and five Abbots Of King Edwards Acts after the death of the Prince IN the time of the Princes sicknesse King Edwâ—rd cals a Parliament at Westminster in which when demands were made for supply of the King demands were presently made for redresse of grievances for the subjects It was required that the Duke of Lancaster the Lord Latymer then Lord Chamberlaine Dame Alice Pierce the Kings Concubine and one Sir Richard Sturry might be removed from Court And this was so vehemently urged by their Speaker Sir Peter la Moore that the King rather then not to be supplied gave way unto it and thereupon all these persons are presently put from Court but the Prince soone after dying they are all recalled to Court againe and restored to their former places About this time exâ—mplary justice was done upon Sir Iohn Minsterworth knight who was drawne hanged and quartered at Tiburne for Treason by him committed in defrauding Souldiers of their wages Thiâ— was now the fâ—ftieth yeare of King Edwâ—â—ds Raigne and he for another Iubilee graâ—â—s another generall pardon to his subjectsâ— onely William Wicâ—ham Bishop of Winchester is excepted being lately by procurement of the Duke of Lancaster fallen into the Kings displeasureâ— and forbiddâ—â— to come to the Parliament This Parliament was called the good Parliamentâ—â—â—ough it wrought ill effects for Sir Peter de la Mare at the suite of Alice Pierce is committed to perpetuall imprisonment at Notâ—ingham though within two years after by importunate suite of friends he regained his liberty This Alice Pierce presuming upon the Kings favour grew so insolent that she entermedled with Courts of Justice and other Offices where â—he herselfe would fit to countenance her Causes And now the Duke of Lancastâ—â— is come to have the Regencie and to manage all the affaires of the kingdome but King Edward to prevent the mischiefes when by disordering the succession might grow in the kingdome providently settled the same in Parliament upon Richard of Burdeaux â—reating him first Earle of Chester and Cornwall and then Prince of Wales and caused all the Lords of the Realme to talâ—e an Oath to accept him for their King as his lawfull Heire when himselfe should be dead In this meane time a Treaty was had about a marriage betweene this Prince Richard and Mâ—ry a daughter of Charles King of France and an offer was made to King Edward to leave him foureteene hundred Townes and three thousand fortresses in Aqâ—itaine upon condition he would render Callice and all that he held in Picardy but before any thing could be concluded King Edward died Of his Taxations IN the eighth yeare of his Raigne in a Parliament holden at London there was granted him a fifteenth of the Temporalty a twentieth of the Cities and Boroughs and a tenth of the Clergy In his tenth yeare in a Parliament at Northampton is granted a tenth penny of Cities and Boroughs a fifteenth of others and a tenth of the Clergy Also all such treasure as was committed to Churches through England for the Holy Warre is taken out for the Kings use towards his warres with France The next yeare after all the goods of three orders of Monks Lomâ—ards Cluniakes and Cistercians are likewise seised into the Kings hands and the like Subsidy as before granted at Nottingham In his twelfth yeare and as some write in absence of the King in a Parliament at Northampton is granted by the Laity one halfe of their Wooll but of the Clergy the whole The next yeare after a fifteenth was likewise paid in Wooll by the Commonalty In his foureteenth yeare in a Parliament at London is granted him for Customâ— of every sacke of Wooll forty shillings for every three hundred Wooll Fells forty shilâ— for every Last of Leather forty shillings and of other Merchandises according to the rate the same to endure from that Easter to the Whitsontide twelve moneth after Besides there was granted of Citizens and Burgesses a ninth part of goods of forraine Merchants and others a fifteenth of Husbandmen the ninth Sheafe the ninth Fleece the ninth Lamb for two years also another tenth of the Clergy and for his present supply he had Loanes of divers persons and the City of London lent twâ—nty thousand Markes For the grant of which mighty Subsidy the King besides his Pardon to divers kinds of offendours remits all Amerciaments for transgressions in his Forests Reliefs and Scurage to the first time of his going into Flanders besides all aides for the marriage of his sonnes and daughters during his Raigne pardoning and remitting all ancient debts and â—rrâ—rages both of his Fermors and others till the tenth yeare of his Raigne and likewise confirmes the great Charter of Magna Chartae In his eighteenth yeare in a Parliament at London a tenth was granted by the Clergy and a fifteenth by the Laityâ— Besides a Commission is sent into every Shire to inquire of mens abilities and all of five pounds to tenne of Lay Fee were appointed to finde an Archer on horsebacke of twenty five a Demilaunce and so ratably above There had formerly been made a certaine coyne of Gold called the Floren of base alloy for the Kings benefit towards his warres in France but this was now called inâ— and Nobles of finer metall coyned to the great contentment of the people In his nine and twentieth yeare he hath by Parliament granted unto him fifty shillings upon every sack of Wooll for six years next ensuing by which Imposition it was thought the King might dispend a thousâ—â—d Markes Sterling a day the vent of Wooll was so great in that time But that which exceeded all his Taxations was the Ransome he had in
of Scotland sent for aid to the Queen of England But this was matter for consultation It seemed a bad Example for a Prince to give aid to the rebellious Subjects of another Prince On the other side it seemed no lesse then impiety not to give Ayd to the Protestants of the same Religion but most of all it seemed plain madnesse to suffer adversaries to be so neer neighbours and to let the French nestle in Scotland who pretend Title to England upon such like considerations it was resolved to send them Ayd and thereupon an Army of six thousand Foot and twelve hundred Horse was sent under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk the Lord Grey of Wilton his Lievtenant Generall Sir Iames a Crofts Assistant to him the Lord Scroop L. Marshall Sir George Howard Generall of the men at Arms Sir Henry Percy Generall of the Light-horse Thomas Huggens Provost Marshall Thomas Gower Master of the Ordnance Master William Pelham Captain of the Pyoners and Master Edward Randoll Serjeant Major and divers others These coming into Scotland joyned with the Scotish Lords and set down before Leith where passed many small skirmishes many Batteries and sometimes Assaults to whom after some time a new supply came of above two thousand Foot whereof were Captains Sir Andrew Corbet Sir Rowland Stanley Sir Thomas Hesbith Sir Arthur Manwaring Sir Lawrence Smith and others yet with this new supply there was little more done then before many light skirmishes many Batteries and sometimes Assaults so long till at last the young French King finding these broyls of Scotland to be too furious for him to appease he sent to the Queen of England desiring that Commissioners might be sent to reconcile these differences whereupon were dispatched into Scotland Sir William Cecill her principall Secretary with Doctor Wotton Dean of Canterbury who concluded a Peace between England and France upon these Conditions That neither the King of France nor the Queen of Scotland should thenceforth use the Arms or Titles of England or Ireland And that both the English and the French should depart out of Scotland And a generall pardon should be enacted by Parliament for all such as had been actors in those stirs This Peace was scarce concluded when Francis the young King of France died leaving the Crown to his younger brother Charles who was guided altogether by the Queen-Mother and molested with the Civill dissentions between the Princes of Guise and Conde for whose reconcilement the Queen sent Sir Henry Sidney Lord President of VVales and shortly after an Army under the leading of the Lord Ambrose Dudley Earl of VVarwick who arriving at Newhaven was received into the Town which having kept eleven months he was then constrayned by reason of a Pestilence to surrender again upon Composition and so returned About this time when the Parliament was upon dissolving it was agreed upon by the House of Commons to move the Queen to marry that she might have Issue to succeed her to which purpose Thomas Gargrave Speaker of the House with some few other chosen men had accesse to the Queen who humbly made the motion to her as a thing which the Kingdom infinitely desired seeing they could never hope to have a better Prince then out of her loyns Whereunto the Queen answered in effect thus That she was already marryed namely To the Kingdom of England and behold saith she the Pledge of the Covenant with my husband and therewith she held out her finger and shewed the Ring wherewith at the time of her Coronation she gave her self in Wedlock to the Kingdom and if saith she I keep my self to this husband and take no other yet I doubt not but God will send you as good Kings as if they were born of me forasmuch as we see by dayly experience That the Issue of the best Princes do often degenerate And for my self it shall be sufficient that a Marble stone declare That a Queen having Raigned such a time lived and dyed a Virgin Indeed before this time many Matches had been offered her First King Philip and when he was out of hope of matching with her himself he then dealt with the Emperor Ferdinand his Unkle to commend his younger Son Charles Duke of Austria to her for a husband And when this succeeded not then Iohn Duke of Finland second Son to Gustavus King of Sweden was sent by his father to solicite for his eldest Brother Erricusâ— who was honourably received but the Match rejected Then Adolphus Duke of Holst Unkle to Frederick King of Denmark came into England upon a great hope of speeding but the Queen bestowed upon him the Honour of the Garter and a yeerly Pension but not her self Then Iames Earl of Arran was commended to her by the Protestants of Scotland but neither the man nor the motion was accepted Of meaner Fortunes there were some at home that pleased themselves with hope of her Marriage First Sir William Pickering a Gentleman of a good House and a good Estate but that which most commended him was his studiousnesse of good letters and sweet demeanour Then Henry Earl of Arundel exceeding rich but now in his declining age Then Robert Dudley youngest son of the Duke of Northumberland of an excellent feature of face and now in the flower of his age but these might please themselves with their own conceit but were not considerable in her apprehension they might receive from her good Testimonies of her Princely favour but never Pledges of Nuptiall love About this time the Earl of Feria who had married the daughter of Sir William Dormer being denyed leave of the Queen for some of his wives friends to live out of England grew so incensed that he made means to Pius the fourth then Pope to have her excommunicate as an Heretick and Usurper but the Pope inclining rather to save then to destroy and knowing that gentle courses prevail more with generous mindes then roughnesse and violence in most loving manner wrote unto her exhorting her to return to the Unity of the Catholike Church and as it is said made her great offers if she would hearken to his counsell Particularly That he would recall the Sentence pronounced against her mothers Marriage confirm the Book of Common Prayer in English and permit to her people the use of the Sacrament in both Kindes But Queen Elizabeth neither terrified with the Earl of Feria's practises nor allured with the Popes great offers according to her Motto Semper Eadem persisted constant in her resolution To maintain that Religion which in her conscience she was perswaded to be most agreeable to the Word of God and most consonant to the Primitive Church Whilst these grounds of Troubles are sowing in England France and Scotland it is not likely that Ireland will lie fallow though indeed it be a Countrey that will bring forth Troubles of it self without sowing but howsoever to make the more plentifull Harvest of troubles at this time Iohn Oneal
VERA EFFIGIES EXCELLENTISSIMI PRINCIPIS CAROLI MAG BRITAN FRAN. HIBERNIAE HAEREDIS Viuat ô Viuat Princeps CAROLINUS et Orbi Imperet inÌ„umeris 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 LINCOâ—â—â— LONDON YORK A ROMAN A SAXON A DANE A NOâ—â—â—â— 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 lâ—ave 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 Dâ—iphobus 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
After the death of Athelstan his brother Edmund the fifth sonne of his Father succeeded and was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames but no sooner was the Crowne set upon his head but the Danes were upon his backe and in Northumberland made Insurrections whom yet he not onely repressed in that part but tooke from them the Townes of Lincolne Leycester Darby Stafford and Nottingham compelling them withall to receive Baptisme and to become his Subjects so as the Country was wholly his as farre as Humber Cumberland also which had beene an entire Kingdome of it selfe and was now ayded by Leolyn King of South-wales he utterly wasted and gave it to Malcolme King of Scots to hold of him by Fealty After his returning home he â—et himselfe to ordaine Lawes for the good of his People which Master Lambert hath since translaâ—ed into Latine But after all his noble Acts both in Warre and Peace he came at last to a lamentable end for at his Manour of Pucklekerks in the County of Glocester interposing himselfe to part a fray betweene two of his servants he was thrust through the body and so wounded that he dyed and was buryed at Glastenbury after he had Raigned five yeares and seven moneths leaving behinde him two young Sonnes Edwyn and Edgar King Edmund dying his brother Edred in the minority of his Nephewes was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames by Otho Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the yeare 946. Not as Protector It seemes that kinde of Authority was not yet come in use but as King himselfe though with purpose to resigne when the right Heire should come of age which at this time needed not for while the right Heire was scarce yet fourteene yeares old he resigned to him the Kingdome by resigning his life to Nature after he had twice repressed the rebelling Northumbrians and twice forgiven their rebelling which yet was not a simple Rebellion for they had sent for Anlafe the Dane out of Ireland and made him their King which place for foure yeares he held and then weary of his government they thrust him out and take one Hericus to be their King whom not long after they put downe also and then partly allured by the lenity of King Edred and partly forced by his Armes they submit themselves to him and aske forgivenesse to whom he as a mercifull Prince giants an Act of Oblivion and received them againe into protection This Prince was so devout and humble that he submitted his body to be chastised at the will of Dunstan Abbot of Glastenbury and committed all his Treasure and Jewels to his custody The stately Abbey of Mich at Abington neare Oxford built by King Inas but destroyed by the Danes he newly re-edified endowing it with revenues and Lands the Charters whereof he confirmed with seales of Gold He ordained Saint Germans in Cornwall to be a Bishops See which there continued till by Canutus it was annexed to the Episcopall See of Kyrton in Devonshire Both which Sees were afterward by King Edward the Confessor translated to the City of Exceter He left behinde him two Sonnes Elfred and Bertfred and was buryed in the old Minster without the City of Winchester whose bones with other Kings are to this day preserved in a gilt Coffer fixed upon the wall in the South side of the Quire After Edred not any of his sonnes but his Nephew Edwyn the eldest sonne of King Edmund succeeded and was annoynted and Crowned at Kingston upon Thames by Otho Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the yeare 955. This Prince though scarce fourteene yeares old and in age but a childe yet was able to commit sinne as a man For upon the very day of his Coronation and in sight of his Lords as they sate in Counsell he shamefully abused a Lady of great Estate and his neare kinswoman and to mend the matter shortly after slew her Husband the more freely to injoy his incestuous pleasure And whether for this infamous fact or for thrusting the Monkes out of the Monasteries of Mamesbury and Glastenbury and placing marryed Priests in their roomes as also for banishing Dunstan the holy Abbot of Glastenbury out of the Realme a great part of his Subjects hearts was so turned against him that the Mercians and Northumbrians revolted and swore Fealty to his younger brother Edgar with griefe whereof after foure yeares Raigne he ended his life and was buryed in the Church of the New Abbey of Hyde at Winchester After Edwyn succeeded his younger brother Edgar at the age of sixteene yeares but his Coronation when and where and by whom so uncertaine that some say he was Crowned at Kingston upon Thames by Otho Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the first yeare of his Raigne others say not till the twelfth and William of Mamesbery not till the thirtyeth Another Chronicle saith in his eleventh yeare and that in the City of Bathe by the hands of Dunstan Arch-bishop of Canterbury This King by reason of the tranquillity of his Raigne was surnamed the Peaceable for as he was something inclined to the Danes so the Danes never offered to stirre in all his time and as for the Saxons they acknowledged him their sole Soveraigne without division of Provinces or Titles His Acts were some Vertuous some Politick some Just some Pious and yet all these not without some mixture of vice To represse dunkennesse which the Danes had brought in he maâ—e a Law Ordaining a size by certaine pinnes in the pot with penalty to any that should presume to drinke deeper then the marke It was a Politicke device which he used for the destruction of Wolves that in his dayes did great annoyance to the Land For the tribute imposed on the Princes of Wales by King Athelstan he wholly remitted appointing in lieu thereof a certaine number of Wolves yearely to be paid whereof the Prince of north-North-wales for his part was to pay three hundred which continued for three yeares space and in the fourth yeare there was not a Wolfe to be found and so the tribute ceased He had in his Navy Royall three thousand and sixe hundred ships which he divided into three parts appointing every one of them to a severall Quarter to scowre the Seas and to secure the Coasts from Pirats and left his Officers might be carelesse or corrupted he would himselfe in person saile about all the Coasts of his Kingdome every Summer It was a notable Act of Justice that in his Circuits and Progresses through the Country he would take speciall account of the demeanour of his Lords and specially for his Judges whom he severely punished if he fonnd them Delinquents Warres he had none in all his Raigne onely towards his end the Welshmen moved some rebellion against whom he went with a mighty Army and chastised the Authours but when his Souldiers had gotten great spoyles and made prey upon the innocent Countrey people he commanded them to restore it all backe againe which if it made some few English angry it
a number of poore kindred who to his great cost lay hanging upon him yet was the marriage solemnised with as great charge as if he had beene to have Mountaines with her and this was another grievance And now is the score of these grievances called upon to be paid for the Lords could no longer endure so many indignities to see themselves fleighted and onely strangers advanced as Brentâ— who held the Earledomes of Nottingham Oxford Bedford and Bâ—ckingham and others the like and to see their persons exposed to danger and their estates to ruine for which no remedy could be but onely the Kings confirming their Charter of Liberties wherein it is strange to observe upon what different grounds the King and the Lords went It seemes the King thought that to confirme that Charter were to make himselfe to be lesse then a King and the Lords thought that as long as it was denied they were no better then slavesâ— and as the King could endure no diminution so the Lords could endure no slavery but the King might keep his owne with sitting still the Lords could not recover their owne but by motion and seeing their strength must be in their number by commotion hereupon they confederate together and of this confedencie Richard now Earle Marshall upon the death of his brother William is chiefe who repaire to the King and boldly shew him his errour and requires satisfaction Hereupon the King sends presently over for whole Legions of Poictâ—uins and withall summons a Parliament at Oxford whither the Lords refuse to come after this a Parliament is called at Westminster whither likewise they refuse to come unlesse the King would remove the Bishop of Winchâ—ster and the Poictouins from the Court and more then this they send him word that unlesse he did this they would expell both himselfe and his evill Counsellours out of the Land create a new King Upon this threatning Pledges are required of the Nobility for securing of their Allegeance and Writs a reâ—ent out to all who hold by knights service to repaire to the King at Glocester by a certaine day which the Earle Marshall and his associates refusing the King without the â—udgement of hiâ— Court and their Pâ—â—rs causeth them to be Proclaimed Out-lawes seiseth upon all their Lands which he gives to his Poictouins and directs out Writs to attach their bodies wheresoever in the kingdome But now of these confederate Lords the Bishop of Winchester wonne the Earles of Chester and Lincolne with a thousand Markes and the King had so pleased his brother the Earle of Cornwall that he likewise left them whereupon they withdrew them into Wales and confederate with Lâ—â—ilin Prince of Walesâ— whither also came Hubert de Burgh escaped out of prison and joynes with them taking intermutuall Oaths that no one without other should make their accord Hereupon the King goeth himselfe in person into Wales where not prevailing he returnes to Glocester imployes new forces of strangers but all without successe At last a Frier is imployed to perswade the Earle Marshall to submit himselfe to the King but all in vaine till at length a traine is laid to draw him over into Ireland to defend his state there being seised upon by the King where by treachery circumvented he lost his life Yet the King disavowes the sending of any such Commission into Ireland protesting he never knew thereof and laies the fault upon his Officers an easie way for Princes never to be found in any fault After two yeares affliction a Parliament is assembled at VVestminster wherein the Bishops admonish the King by his Fathers example to be at unity with his people and to remove from him strangers and to governe the kingdome by Natives of the Realme and by the Lawes otherwise they would proceed by Ecclesiasticall censure both against his Counsellours and himselfe The King seeing no way to subsist but by temporising consents to call home those Lords out of VVales restores them to their places and possessions removes all strangers from about him and cals his new officers to account Hereupon the Bishop of VVinchester Peter de Rivalis and Stephen Seagrave take sanctuary but afterward by mediation they obtained with great Fines their Liberty dearly paying for their two years greatnes After this a Parliament is againe called which the King would have to be kept in the Tower whither the Lords refusing to come another place of more freedome is appointed in which Parliament order is taken for removing all Sheriffes from their places upon complaint of corruption and here the King displaceth his Steward and offers to take from the Bishop of Chichester then Chancellour the great Seale which he refuseth to deliver as having received it by the common councell of the kingdome and now Peâ—â—r de Rivaliâ— aâ—d Stâ—phen Seagrave are received againe into grace by which may appeare the viciâ—â—itude of fortune in Princes favours After this in the one and twâ—ntieth yearâ— of â—is Raigne another Parliament is held at London where the King requires the thirteenth part of all the moveables as well of the Clergy as Laity which being directly opposed the King promiseth by oath never more to injure the Nobility so they would but relieve him at that present After foure dayes consultation â—he King pâ—omising to use onely the counsell of his naturall Subjects and protesting against the Revocation lately propoundedâ— and freely granting the inviolable obseâ—vation of their Liberties under paine of Excommunication a Subsidy is granted him buâ— so that foure knights be appointed in every Shiâ—e to receive and deliver the same 〈◊〉 to some Abbey or Castle where it may be safâ—ly kepâ— that if the King â—aile in pâ—rformance of his Grants it may be restored to the Counâ—rey from whence it was collected And now the King to make a shew of true reconciliation for his part suddenly causeth the Earles VVarren and 〈◊〉 with Iohn Pits Geoffrey to be swâ—rn his Counsellours yet was neither of the points either for removing of strangers or for disposing the money observed afterward by the Kingâ— for the money he made bold to take at his pleasure and for strangers they were so farre from removing that they were drawne nearer to him for now VVilliam Valentine Unkle to the Queen is growne the most inward man with him and nothing done but by his counsell also the Earle of Province the young Queenes Father a poore Prince hath a good share of the money that was collected and Simon de Montford a French man borne is entertained by the King and preferred sâ—cretly in marriage to Eleanor the Kings sister Widow of VVilliam Earle of Pembroke the great Marshall and is made Earle of Leycester by right of his Mother Avice daughter of Blanchman Earle of Leycester which courses so incense the Nobility that it put them out into a new commotion and Richard the Kings brother becomes one of the party whom the other Lords make their spokesman to the King to
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 Bâ—nonia 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 deleâ—ted 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 Cheqâ—er 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 Câ—llen 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 â—or ten yeares besides his Revenues in England But now as a man that payes deare for an Office lookes that his
they get the authority of the twenty foure to be estated wholly upon themselves and they alone to dispose of the custody of the Castles and other businesses of the kingdom and here they bind the King to lose to them their Legall obedience whensoever he infringed his Charter At this time intelligence was given to the Lords that Richard King of the Româ—ns had a purpose to come into England and the Lords suspecting he would come with power to aide the King his brother take order for guarding the Ports with intent to hinder his landing but finding his traine to be but small accompanied onely with his Queene two German Earles and eight knights upon his promise to take their propounded Oath they admit him to land but would nether permit the King who came thither to meeâ—e him nor himselfe to enter into Dover Castle At Canterbury they bring him into the Chapter house where the Earle of Glocester standing forth in the midst cals out the Earle not by the name of King but Richard Earle of Cornwall who in reverent manner comming forth taketh his Oath in these words Heare all men that I Richard Earle of Cornwall doe here sweare upon the holy Evangelists that I shall be faithfull and diligent to reforme with you the Kingdome of England and â—e an effectuall Coadjutor to expell all Rebels and disturbers of the same and this Oath will inviolably observe under paine of losing all the Land I have in England so helpe me God But though this Earle came home but weake and poore yet upon his returne the King takes heart and seeks all meanes to vindicate his power and first sends messengers secretly to Rome to be Absolved from his enforced Oath and to have the more assurance from the King of France he makes an absolute resignation of all his Right to the Dutchy of Normandy and the Earledomes of Anjou Poictou Tourene and Maine in regard whereof the King of France gives him three hundred thousand pounds some say Crownes oâ— Anjouin money and granâ—s him to enjoy all Guyen beyond the River Garoâ—ne all the Countrey of Xanâ—oigne to the River of Charente the Countrey of Limousin and Quercy for him and his successoâ—rs doing their homage to the Crowne of France as Duke of Aquitâ—iâ—e And now was the King of France made Arbiter of the difference betweene King Henry and his Barons who gives sentence against the Barons concerning the Provisions at Oxford but of their side concerning King Iohns Charter by which nice distinâ—tion though he did but leave the matter as he found it for those Provisions as the Lords pretended were grounded upon that Charter yet did his sentence draw many away from the party of the Barons amongst whom was Henry sonne to the Earle of Cornwall Roger Clifford Roger de Leisbourne Haimo Lestrange and many others But the Earle of Leycester notwithstanding this revolt recovers the Town and Castle of Glocester constraines the Citizens to pay a thousand pounds for their redemption goes with an Army to Worcester possesseth him of the Castle thence to Shrewsbery and so comes about to the I le of Ely subdues the same and growes exceeding powerfull The King doubting his approach to London fals to treat of a Peace and a Peace is concluded upon these conditions that all the Castles of the King should be delivered to the keeping of the Barons the Provisions of Oxford should inviolably be kept all strangers by a certaine time should avoid the kingdome except onely such as were licensed to stay The Prince had fortified Windsor Castle but Leycester comming to besiege it he treats with him for Peace which is refused and the Castle is rendred to him The King at this time to win time convokes another Parliament at London wherin he won many Lords to take his part as namely the Prince Richard his brother Henry his son William Valence with the rest of his brothers lately returned and with them the King marcheth to Oxford whither divers Lords of Scotland repaire to him as Iohn Commin Iohn Baylioll Lords of Galloway Robert Bruce and others also many Barons of the North Glifford Percey Basset and others From Oxford he goes to Northampton where he tooke prisoners Simon Montford the younger with foureteene other principall men thence to Nottingham making spoyles of such possessions as pertained to the Barons in those parts And now the Kings side growes strong which the Earles of Leycester and Glocester seeing they write to the King protesting their loyalty and how they opposed onely such as were enemies to him and the kingdome and had belied them The King returnes answer that themselves were the perturbers of him and his State and sought his and the kingdomes destruction and therefore defies them The Prince likewise and the Earle of Cornwall send letters of defiance to them Yet the Barons continue to mediate a Peace and send the Bishops of London and Worcester with offer of thirty thousand Markes to the King for the dammages done in these warres so as the Statutes of Oxford may be observed but this offer is not accepted The Earle seeing no remedy but it must be put to a day takes his time to be earlier ready then was expected and supplies his want of strength with policie placing on the one side of a hill neare Lewis where the battell was fought certaine Ensignes without men in such sort as they might seeme a farre off to be Squadrons of succours to second those he brought to the encounter whom he caused all to weare white Crosses both for their owne notice and the signification of his cause which he would have to be thought for justice Here the fortune of the day was his the King the Prince the Earle of Cornwall and his sonne Henry the Earles of Arundell and Hereford with all the Scottish Lords are taken prisoners the Eale Warren William de Valence Guy de Lusignan the Kings brothers with Hugh Bigod Earle Marshall save themselves by flight five thousand some say twenty thousand others are slaine in the battell A yeare and a halfe is Simon Montford in possession of his prisoners carrying the King about with him to countenance his actions till he had gotten all the strongest Castles in the kingdome And now comes Erinnys and sets debabte betweene the two great Earles of Leycester and Glocester about their Dividend Leycester is taxed to doe more for his owne particular then the common good his sonnes also presuming upon his greatnesse grew insolent whereupon Glocester discontented forsakes that side and betakes him to the Prince who lately escaping out of the Castle of Hereford had gotten a power about him to try the fortune of another battell The revolt of this Earle being great in it selfe was greater by its example for now many others revolted likewise and the Earle of Leycester seeing the improvement of the Princes forces who was now with his Army about Worcester though he â—aw his owne disadvantage yet imbattels in
a Plaine neare Evâ—sham to encounter him and noting the manner of the approach of the Princes Army said â—o those about him These men come bravely on they learne it not of themselves but of me and seeing himselfe likely to be beâ—et 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 â—varice 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
at Armes he is challenged at a Turneament with a pretence to solemnize his presence but with a purpose indeed to disgrace his person and though Prince Edward in many respects might justly have refused it yet the noblenesse of his mind would not suffer him to passe by any occasion of shewing his valour and in this 〈…〉 as he made it appeare that â—ame had beene no 〈…〉 the report it maâ—e of hiâ— And here a great part of his English Nobility met 〈◊〉 from whence he passeth into France where the King Philip his â—eare Couâ—â— as being Sister Sonnes entertaines him with great solemnity and graceth his solemnity with so much courtesie that it wonne Prince Edward volâ—ntarily to do him homage for the Territories he held in France this voluntarines in Prince Edward won the King of France againe to grant quietly unto him all the Lands in France that belonged to him and so these two great Kings by reciprocall courtesie effected that which theiâ— Predecessours by force could never effect From her 〈◊〉 passeth through Aâ—uitaine and having there taken homage of his Subjects and set all things in order he set Saile and arrived in England above a yeare after the death of his Father a long time for plotting of mischiefe and a strong temptation to plotters of mischiefe if all the causes of quietnesse had not concurred but such was the worthinesse of Prince Edwards person and such the undoubtednesse of his Title that as there could be no Competitour so there would be no Oppugnerâ— And indeed the Divine Providence had shewed a speciall care over him from his Child-hood whereof one or two Examples will not be unfit to be related One was this that being yet but young and playing one time at Chesse with a Friend in the midst of his game without any apparent occasion he removed himselfe from the place where he sate when suddenly there fell from the roofe of the house a great stone which if he had stayed in the place but never so little had beaten out his braines Another Example of the Divine Providence over him though it happened afterwards was this Having prepared a great Fleete of Ships for a journey into Flanders and being at Winchelsey where the Ships were to meete it happened that riding about the Harbour his Horse frighted with the noyse of a Windmill which the wind drove violently about skrambled up and leapt over the Mudâ—wall of the Towne so as neither the King nor the Horse was to be seene but every one judged the King could not chuse but be throwne and killed yet such was the Divine Providence over him that the Horse lighted upon his feet and the King keeping the Saddle returned safe And under the wing of this Divine Providence he had now passed all the dangers of his tedious Journey and being safely come to London was on the fifteenth day of August in the yeare 1274. Crowned at Westminster together with his Wife Queene Eleanor by Robert Kilwarby Arch-bishop of Canterbury where five hundred great Horses were let loose for any that could take them and yet the outward solemnity was not more great then the inward joy was universall every man rejoycing not onely at a change which of it selfe is pleasing but at a change so much for the better as this was like to be Of his Acts done after he was Crowned THe Acts of this King after he was Crowned may not unfitly be divided into five parts His Acts with his Temporall Lords His Acts with his Clergy Then with Wales Then his Acts with Scotland And lastly with France And first concerning his Lords he gave them good contentment in the beginning of his Raigne by enlarging their liberties and granting them easier Lawes for which purpose he called a Parliament wherein were made the Statutes called of Westminster the first so as he had no difference with them till toward the end of his Raigne as shall be shewed hereafter In the next place concerning his Acts with his Clergy he began with them betimes for having lived to be of good age three or foure and thirty yeares old in his Fathers Raigne he observed in that time that their power was too predominant and therefore thought fit to clip their wings at least to keepe them from farther growing which he did by these meanes First in the sixth yeare of his Raigne he deprived many chiefe Monasteries of their Liberties and tooke from the Abbot and Covent of Westminster the Returne of Writs granted them by the Charter of his Father King Henry the third The next yeare after he got to be enacted the Statute of Mortmaine to hinder the encrease of their Temporall Possessions In the second Statute of Westminster he defalked the Jurisdiction of Ecclesiasticall Judges and growing more upon them he required the moity of all their Goods as well Temporall as Spirituall for one yeare Then cals he a Parliament of his Nobles at Salisbury without admission of any Church-men in it And it is worth the noting that Marchian his Treasurer acquainting him that in Churches and Religious houses there was much treasure to be had if it might be taken he made no scruple of it but caused it to be taken and brought into his Exchequer But finding his Prelates not well contented with it to please them againe he bids them aske something of him wherein they should see how much he favoured them And they asking of him to repeale the Statute of Mortmaine that had beene made so much to their hinderance He answered that this was a Statute made by the whole body of the Realme and therefore was not in his power who was but one Member of that Body to undoe that which all the Members together had done and perhaps whatsoever they should have asked else he would have had an answer to redeeme his Offer And thus much concerning his Clergy In the next place are the Welsh who had themselves begun with the King For their Prince Leolyn being summoned to attend at his Coronation refused to come and afterward at more leisure being required to come and doe his Homage he stood upon termes of safe conduct pretending doubt to be used as his Father Gryffin had beene who upon hard usage in the Tower seeking to make escape fell from the Walls and brake his necke But indeed it was alwayes a Custome with this Nation at every change of Princes in England to try conclusions hoping at one time or other to have a day of it and to change their yoke of bondage into liberty for which they were never better Provided then now especially which is the greatest matter in Warre having a Valiant Prince to be their Leader But there happened an accident which tooke off their edge at this time For the Lady Eleanor a Daughter of the late Earle Simon Montford whom Prince Leolyn extreamely loved being passing out of France into Wales was by the way upon the Sea taken by English ships and
brought to King Edward and for the love of her Prince Leolyn was content to submit himselfe to any conditions which besides subjection of his State was to pay fifty thousand pounds Sterling and a thousand pounds per annum during his life and upon these conditions the marriage with his beloved Lady was granted him and was solemnized here in England whereat the King and Queene were themselves present Three yeares Leolyn continued loyall and within bounds of obedience in which time David one of his Brothers staying here in England and found by the King to be of a stirring Spirit was much honoured by him Knighted and matched to a rich Widow Daughter of the Earle of Darby and had given him by the King besides the Castle of Denbigh with a thousand pounds per annum though as it was afterwards found he lived here but in the nature of a spy For when Prince Leolyns Lady was afterward dead and that he contrary to his Conditions formerly made brake out into rebellion then goes his Brother David to him notwithstanding all these Favours of the King and they together enter the English Borders Surprise the Castles of Flynt and Rutland with the person of the Lord Clifford sent Justiciar into those parts and in a great Battaile overthrew the Earles of Northumberland and Surrey with the slaughter of Sir William Lyndsey Sir Richard Tanny and many others King Edward advertised of this Revolt and overthrow being then at the Vyzes in Wiltshire prepares an Army to represse it but before his setting forth goes privately to his Mother Queene Eleanor lying at the Nunnery of Aimesbury with whom whilest he conferred there was one brought into the Chamber who faigned himselfe being blinde to have received his sight at the Tombe of King Henry the third Aâ—soone as the King saw the man he remembred he had seene him before and knew him to be a most notorious lying Villaine and wished his Mother in no case to beleeve him but his mother who much rejoyced to heare of this Miracle for the glory of her husband finding her sonne unwilling that his Father should be a Saint grew suddenly into such a rage against him that she commanded him to avoid her Chamber which the King obeyes and going forth meetes with a Clergy man to whom he tels the story of this Impostour and merrily said He knew the justice of his Father to be such that he would rather pull out the eyes being whole of such a wicked wretch then restore them to their sight In this meane time the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had gone of himselfe to Prince Leolin and had laboured to bring him and his brother David to a re-submission but could effect nothing for besides other reasons that swayed Prince Leolin the conceit of a Prophesie of Merlin that he should shortly be Crowned with the Diadem of Brute so overweighed him that he had no care for peace and shortly after no head for after the Earle of Pembroke had taken Bere Castle which was the seat of Prince Leolin he was himself slain in battell and his head cut off by a common Souldier was sent to King Edw. who caused the same to be Crowned with Ivie and to be set upon the Tower of London And this was the end of Leolin the last of the Welsh Princes betraied as some write by the men of Buelth Not long after his brother David also is taken in Wales and judged in England to an ignominious death First drawn at a horse taile about the City of Shrewsbury then beheaded the trunke of his body divided his heart and bowels burnt his head sent to accompany his brothers on the Tower of London his foure quarters to foure Cities Bristow Northâ—â—pton York and Winchester A manifold execution and the first shewed in that kind to this kingdome in the person of the son of a Prince or any other Noble man that we reade of in our History It is perhaps something which some here observe that at the sealing of this conquest King Edward lost his eldest son Alphonsus of the age of twelve years a Prince of great hope and had onely left to succeed him his sonne Edward lately borne at Carnarvan and the first of the English intituled Prince of Wales but no Prince worthy of either Wales or England And thus came Wales to be united to the Crowne of England in the eleventh yeare of this King Edwards Raigne who thereupon established the government thereof according to the Lawes of England as may be seene by the Statute of Rutland in the twelfth yeare of his Raigne The worke of Wales being setled King Edward passeth over into France upon notice of the death of Philip the Hardy to renew and confirme such conditions as his state in those parts required with the new King Philip the fourth intituled the Faire to whom he doth homage for Aquitaine having before quitted his claime to Normandy for ever After three yeares and a halfe being away in France he returns into England and now in the next place comes the businesse with Scotland and will hold him woâ—ke at times as long as he lives and his sonne after him Alexander the third King of Scots as he was running his horse fell horse and man to the ground and brake his necke and died immediatelyâ— by reason whereof he leaving no issue but onely a daughter of his daughter Margaret who died also soone after there fell out presently great contention about succession Ten Competitors pretend title namely Erick King of Norway Florence Earle of Holland Robert Bruce Earle of Anandale Iohn de Baylioll Lord of Galloway Iohn de Hastings Lord of Abergeveny Iohn Cummin Lord of Badenaw Patrick de Dunbarre Earle of March Iohn de Vescie Nicholas de Sulâ—s William de Rosse all or most of them deâ—cending from David Earle of Huntington younger brother to William King of Scots and great Unkle to the late King Alexander This title King Edward takes upon him to decide pretending a Right of Superiority from his Ancestours over that kingdome and proving it by authority of old Chronicles as Marianus Scotus William of Malmsbury Roger de Hoveden Henry of Huntington Ralph de Luceto and others which though the Scottish Lords who swaied the Interregnum opposed yet are they constrained for avoyding of further inconveniences to make him Arbiter thereof and the tenne Competitours bound to stand to his award Two are especially found betweene whom the â—ight lay Iohn de Baylioll Lord of Galloway and Robert Brâ—ce the one descending from an elder daughter the other from a sonne of a younger daughter of Alan who had married the eldest daughter of this David brother to King William The controversie held long twelve of either kingdome learned in the Lawes are elected to debate the same at Berwick all the best Civilians in the Universities of France are solicited to give their opinions all which brought forth rather doubts then resolutions whereupon King Edward the better to
his favour which to entertaine and encrease King Edward sends him a whole furnish of all vessels for his Chamber of cleane Gold which great gift so wroâ—ght with the Pope that he untied the King from the Covenant made with his Subjects concerning their Charters confirmed unto them by his last three Acts of Parliâ—ment and absolved him from his Oath A safe time for Princes when they mighttye themselves in any obligation to their Subjects and afterward for a bribe to the Pope be untyed againe His Taxations and wayes for raising of money IF Taxations may suffer degrees of comparison it may not unfiâ—ly be said of these three last Kings that King Iohn was in the Positive his Sonne Henry the third in the Comparative and this King Edward in the Superlative For not onely he farre excâ—eded thâ— two former but he hath left a spell to all that come after for ever comming neare him but then under the name of Taxations wee must include the wayes he tooke for raising of profit But first in the way of Parliament In the first yeare of his Raigne was granted him a tenth of the Clergy for two years besides a fifteenth of them and the Temporalty In his fifth yeare a twentieth of their goods towards the Welsh warres In his seventh the old money was called in and new coyned in regard it had beene much defâ—ced by the Iewes for which 297. were at one time executed in London and this brought in profit of no small value In his eleventh yeare he had a thirtieth of the Temporalty and a twentieth of the Clergy for his warres in Wales In the thirteenth Escuage forty shillings of every knights Fee In his foureteenth yeare he had a thousand Markes of certaine Merchants Fined for false weights In his nineteenth the eleventh part of all movables of the Clergy and shortly after a tenth for sixe yeares In his twentieth William Marchyan then Lord Treasurer of England perceiving great riches to be in Churches and religious houses put it so into the Kings head that they were all brought into the Kings Treasury In the eighth yeare of his Raigne he sent ouâ— his Writ Quo Warrantâ— to examine by what title men held their lands which brought him in much money till Iohn Earle of Warren being called to shew his title drew out an old rusty Sword and then said He held his land by that and by that would hold it to death which though it made the King desist from his Project yet he obtained at that time a fifteenth part of the Clergy In his seventeenth yeare he Fined all his Judges for corruption Sir Ralph Higham Chiefe Justice of the higher Bench in seven thousand Markes Sir Iohn Loveton Justice of the lower Bench in three thousand Markes Sir William Brompton in sixe thousand Markes Sir Sâ—lâ—mon Rochester in foure thousand Markes Sir Richard Boyland in foure thousand Sir Walter Hopton in two thousand Sir William Saham in three thousand Robert Lithbury Master of the Rolls in one thousand Roger Leycester in one thousand Heâ—â—y Bray Escheatour and Judge for the Iewes in one thousand but Sir Adam Strattâ—â— chiefe Baron of the Exchequer in foure and thirty thousand and Thomas Wayland found the greatest Delinquent and of the greatest substance had all his goods and whole estate confiscated to the King and himselfe banished out of the kingdome In his eighteenth yeare he banished the Iewes of whom there was at that time above fifteen thousand in the kingdom who had but all their goods confiscateâ— leaving them onely meanes to beare their charges in going away In his foure and twentieth yeare he commanded a new Subsidy to be levied upon all sarplers of Wooll going out of England as likewise with Fels and Hides In his five and twentieth yeare he cals a Parliament at Saint Edmundsbery where is granted the eighth part of the goods of good Townes and of other people the twelfth As for the Clergy they desire to be excused and refuse to contribute in regard of their many late paiments as in the two and twentieth yeare of his Raigne they paied the moâ—ty of their goods and in his three and twentieth yeare he seiâ—ed into his hands all Priories aliens and their goods besides he had a loane of the Clergy which amounted to an hundred thousand pounds but notwithstanding upon this refusall of the Clergy the King puts all Clergy men out of his protection whereby they were to have no Justice in any of his Courts a straine of State beyond any of his Predecessours which so amazed them that in the end the Arch-bishop of Yorke with the Bishops of Durham Ely Salisbury and Lincolne yeelded to lay downe in their Churches the fifth part of all their goods towards the maintenance of the Kings warres whereby they appeased his wrath and werâ— received into grace But the Arch-bishop of Canterbury by whose animation the rest stood out had all his goods seised on and all the Monasteries within his Diocese taken into the Kings hands and Wardens appointed to minister onely necessaries to the Monkes conveâ—ting the rest to the Kings use at length by much suite and Abbots and Priests giving the fourth part of their goods redeeme themselves and the Kings favour In the sixe and twentieth yeare of his Raigne at a Parliament holden at Yorke is granted him the ninth penny of the goods of the Temporalty the tenth penny of the Clergy of the Diocese of Canterbury and of Yorke the fifth and in this yeare also he raised the Imposition upon every sack of Wooll from a noble to forty shillings In his two and thirtieth yeare he sends out a new Writ of Inquisition called Traile-baston for intruders on other mens lands who to oppresse the right owner would make over their land to great men for Batterers hired to beate men for breakers of Peace for Ravishers Incendiaries Murtherers Fighters false Assisours and other such Malefactours which Inquisition was so strictly executed and such Fines taken that it brought in exceeding much treasure to the King As likewise did another Commission at the same time sent forth to examine the behaviour of Officers and Ministers of Justice wherein many were found Delinquents and paid dearly for it At this time also he called his Lords to account for their stubbornnesse some yeares before in denying to attend him into Flanders which brought him in profit answerable to their greatnesse that were called After all this in his foure and thirtieth yeare there is granted him the thirtieth penny of both Clergy and Laity and the twentieth of all Merchants towards his journey into Scotland And this may be sufficient to shew his Taxations to have beene in the Superlative degree And yet besides these he had no small benefit by Silver Mines which in his time were found in Devonshire Of his Lawes and Ordinances IN the first yeare of his Raine were made the Statutes called of Westminster the first In his twelfth yeare were made the Statutes
of Aâ—mesbury 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 diâ—ers 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
if his fortune had beene to love good men his owne goodnesse would have made him happy Two Vertues were eminent in him above all his Predecessours Continence and Abstinence So continent that he left no base issue behind him So abstinent that he tooke no base courses for raising of money They who despised him being alive so much honoured him being dead that they could have found in their hearts to make him a Saint Of his Death and Buriall MAny wayes were attempted to take away his life First they vexed him in his dyet allowing him nothing he could well endure to eate but this succeeded not Then they lodged him in a chamber over carion and dead carkasses enough to have poysoned him and indeed he told a workman at his window he never endured so great a misery in all his life but neither did this succeed Then they attempted it by Poysons but whether by the strength of his constitution or by the Divine Providence neither did this succeed At last the pestilent Achitâ—phel the Bishop of Hereford devised a Letter to his keepers blaming them for giving him too much liberty and for not doing the service which was expected from them and in the end of his Letter wrote this line Edwardum Octidere â—â—lite timere bonum est Craftily contriving it in this doubtfull sense that both the keepers might find sufficient warrant and himselfe might find sufficient excuse The keepers guessing at his meaning tooke it in the worst sense and accordingly put it in execuâ—ion they tooke him in his bed and casting heavy bolsters upon him and pressing them hard downe stifled him and not content with that they heated an iron red hot and through a pipe thrust it up into his Fondament that no markes of violence might be seene but though none were seene yet some were heard For when the Fact was in doing he was heard to roare and cry all the Castle over Gourney and Matrevers his murtherers looking for reward had the reward of murtherers For the Queene and Bishop Torleton disavowing the command threatned to question them for the Kings death whereupon they fled beyond Sea and Gourney after three yeares being taken in France and sent into England was in the way upon the Sea beheaded Matrevers flying into Germany had the grace to repent but lived ever after miserably Thus dyed this King in the yeare 1327. more then halfe a yeare after his deposing when he had Raigned almost 19. yeares lived 43. His body was câ—rryed to Glocester and there without any Funerall Pompe buryed in the Monastery of Saint Peter by the Benedictine Fryers Of Men of note in his time IN this Kings time of Martiall men were many whose Acts have beene spoken of in the late Kings life Of Learned men also many as Iohn Duns the great Logician called Doctor Subtilis borne in Northumberland at Emildune a Village three miles distant from Alâ—wiâ—ke though both the Scots and the Irish challenge him for theiâ—s Robert Walsingham a Carmelite Fryer who wrote divers Treatises Robert Baston borne in Nottingham-shire a Carmelite Fryer of Scarborough whom King Edward tooke with him into Scotland to write some Remembrances of his victories but being taken by the Scots was constrained by Robert Bruce to write Remembrances of his overthrowes William Rishanger a Monke of Saint Albans an Historiographer Ralph Baldocke Bishop of London who wrote a History intituled Historia Anglica Iohn Walsingham a Carmelite Fryer who wrote divers Treatises Nicholas de Lyra a Jew by birth who wrote many excellent Treatises in Divinity William Ockam a Fryer Minor who wrote divers Treatises and namely against Iohn Duns and also against Pope Iohn the 23. in favour of the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria Thomas Haselwood a Canon of Leedes in Kent who wrote a Chronicle called Chronicon compendiarium Robert Perscrutator borne in Yorkeshire a blacke Fryer and a Philosopher or rather a Magician and lastly though not least worthy to be remembred Iohn Mandevile the great Travellour a Doctor of Physicke and a Knight THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD Of his comming to the Crowne and Acts done in his minority EDward of Windsor eldest sonne of King Edward the second by Order of Parliament upon his Fathers Resignation was proclaimed King of England on the five and twentieth day of Ianuary in the yeare 1327. and because he had not yet received the Order of knighthood he was by Henry Earle of Lancaster giâ—t solemnly with the Sword and on the first day of February following was Crowned at Westminster by Walter Reginolds Archbishop of Canterbury and thereupon a generall Pardon is Proclaimed which hath since beene used as a Custome with all the succeeding Kings that at their first comming to the Crowne a Generall Pardon is alwayes granted And because the King was under age scarce fifteene yeares old though Froyssard saith he was then Eighteene there were twelve appointed Governours of him and the kingdomeâ— namely the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Worcester Thomas of Brotherton Earle Marshall Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings Unkles Iohn Earle Warren Thomas Lord Wake Henry Lord Percie Oliver Lord Ingham and Iohn Lord Rosse but though these were appointed and bore the name yet the Queen and Roger Mortimer tooke all the authority to themselves The first action that was undertaken was an expedition against the Scots for Robert Bruce though now old and sickly and as was said Leprous yet considering the youth of the new King and the distractions of the kingdome thought it now a â—it time to doe some good upon England and entring the English borders with an Army sent defiance to King Edward whereupon an Army is raised and the Heynaâ—lders whom the Queen had brought over are joyned with the English but a variance falling out betweene the two Nations made the action not successefull For the Kings Army encountring the Scots at Stanhope Parke in Weridall in the Bishopricke of Durham though three times as many as the Scots as being thirty thousand yet through this variance but more through treason of some great men suffered them all to escape their hands and the Scots returned home in safety the English with dishonour and after this the English seeing the Heynaulders could doe them no good sent them away to their owne Countrey In King Edwards second yeare his marriage with Philippa of Heynault is solemnised a dispensation being first gotten because of their nearenesse in bloud and a Parliament is holden at Northampton where the King made three Earles Iohn of Eltham his brother Earle of Cornwall Roger Mortimer Earle of March and Iames Butler of Ireland Earle of Ormond and in this Parliament a dishonourable peace is concluded with the Scots and confirmed by a match betweene David Bruce Prince of Scotland being but seven yeares old and Ioane sister to King Edward not so old at which time by the secret working of Queene Isabell Roger Mortimer and
to Berwicke with a purpose to doe great matters but nothing was done for a new Truce was againe concluded for two yeares By this time Robert d' Arthois had made ready his Army and taking with him the Countesse of Montford the Earles of Pembroke Salisbury and Suffolke and many other Barons after great tempests and encounters at Sea lands safely at last neare to Vannes which was held by the French and laying â—â—ege to the City with the assistance of Walter de Manny who came unto him after many assaults at last he tooke it to the great joy of the Countesse of Montford though she held it not long for certaine resolute French knights assaulted it soone after and recovered it from the English In which action many Lords were slaine or wounded and particularly Robert de Arâ—hois himselfe who passing over into England for the better curing of his wounds soone after died and was buried in Pauls Church in Lâ—ndon And now King Edward himselfe with a strong Army passeth over into Britaine and plants his Campe before the City of Vannes where was like to have beene a cruell battell but in the instant there came from Pope Clâ—ment the sixth two Cardinals the Bishops of Preneste and Thusculum who upon certaine conditions concluded a Peace amongst other conditions this was one that the City of Vannes should be delivered to â—ing Philip and thereupon Iohn Earle of Montford should be set at liberty but yet with this charge not to goe into Britaine which promise notwithstanding he kept not but went presently and besieged a Towâ—e in Britaine though he were forced to retire and died shortly after But the Truce cracked â—hus as it were by Montford was afterward absolutely broken by King Edward though he charged the breach of it upon K. Philip and King Philip upon him But howsoever broken it was and Henry of Lancaster Earle of Derby with divers other Earles and Barons is sent into France who won many Townes in Gascoyneâ— and in the Counties of Perigort and Tholoâ—se and then went to winter at Burdeaux And afterward in May following pursuing his victories he wonne many morâ— Townes and amongst others the great Towne of Reoll After this againe he tooke Montpesat Maurore Villefranche and many other Townes and at last the great City of Angoâ—lesme and then came to winter againe at Burdeaux Of his Acts together with the Prince KING Philip informed of so many great losses assembles a mighty Army no lesse then a hundred thousand men with which he recovers Miremont and Villefranche and then proceeded to besiege Angoulesme whom the Earle of Derby having not forces sufficient to encounter King Edward leaving for Wardens of England in his absence the Lords Percie and Nevill goeth himselfe in person with an Army as Froyssard saith of fourescore thousand men at Armes and ten thousand Archers besides those out of Wales and Ireland taking with him his sonne the Prince of Wales and Duke of Guyenne being then but of the age of fifteene yeares It may be thought preposterous in King Edward to put his sonne to be a Souldier before he was come to be a man but it seemes he had a longing to try his sonnes valour in the bud and perhaps was loath to omit any thing that might give any countenance to this battell in which the two kingdomes were laid as it were at stake but howsoever taking him along with him and almost all the Lords of his kingdome he takes Shipping and lands at Normandy where at the first setting his foote on ground he tooke such a fall that the bloud gushed out at his nose which the Barons tooke for an ill signe but the King tooke it for a good saying it was a signe that the Land desired to have him and in deede he presently tooke the Townes of Harsteur Moulbourg Carenton and Saint Lo and afterward the City of Caâ—n it selfe and from thence passed to the County of Eureux saccaged and pillaged it as also the City of Gisors Vernon Meulan and Boulebourse to the City of Poyssy King Philip all this while staied about Paris as looking for King Edward to give him battell there and for that purpose had planted his Campe neare to Saint Germans but King Edward deceived him for going from Poyssy he passed into Picardie and Ponthieâ— where he tooke and burned many Townes and Castles and then passed the River of 〈◊〉 though not without danger for King Philip had sent thither Gundemar de Fay with a thousand horse and sixe thousand foote to stop his passage King Edward notwithstanding resolves to passe or perish and plungeth foremâ—â—â— into the River crying out They who love me will follow me at which voyce 〈◊〉 man strove who should be foremost and so the shoare was presently gained by the English Gunâ—emar astonished with this bold adventure astonisheth his peoâ—â—â— with his fearfull countenance so that the English encountring the French all in 〈◊〉 put them to flight King Philip enraged with this dishonour resolves to 〈◊〉 it and presently provokes King Edward to a battell King Edward had 〈◊〉 â—â—camped in a Village called Cressy his Army consisted of thirty thousand 〈◊〉 â—hich he divided into three battalions the first was led by the young Prince 〈…〉 with whom were joyned the Earle of Warwicke Geoffrey of Harecourt 〈◊〉 Hollaâ—d Ricâ—ard Stafford Iohn Chandoes Robert Nevile and many other 〈◊〉 and Gentlemen to the number of eight hundred men at Armes two thou 〈…〉 and a thousand Welsh In the second were the Earles of Northamâ—â—â—â—â—nd â—nd of 〈◊〉 the Lords Rosse Basset and others to the number of eight hun 〈…〉 Armes and twelve hundred Archers In the third the King was himâ—â—â—â—â— hâ—ving about him seven hundred men at Armes and three thousand Archers 〈◊〉 battels thus ordered mounted on a white Hobby he rode from ranke to ranke 〈◊〉 â—â—em encouraging every man that day to have regard to his right and ho 〈…〉 The French Kings Army was farre greater consisting of above sixty thou 〈…〉 well armed whereof the chiefe were Charles Duke of Alanson 〈…〉 Iohn of Luxembourg King of Bohemia Charles de Blois the Kings 〈…〉 Duke of Lorraine the Earles of Flanders Nevers Sancerre of Ba 〈…〉 and Gentlemen about three thousand The Vauntguard he commits to his â—rother the Count de Alanson the Reere to the Earle of Savoy the maine battell â—e leadâ— himselfe his heate out of confidence of victory was so great that 〈…〉 permitted time for a little counsell what was fit to be done The old King 〈…〉 advised that the Army should take some repast and that the Infantry câ—â—â—isting of Geâ—oueses which were above fifteene thousand Crossebowes and 〈◊〉 menâ— should make the first Front and the Cavallery to follow which was agreed on But the Count of Alanson contrary to this order tooke it ill that the 〈◊〉 were in the first ranke and in fury caused them to change place which 〈…〉 discontentment that it irritated them more against the
time by reason the King of France would not be drawne to any Encounter and had so disfurnished the Country of all provisions that the King of England was forced to returne King Edward solicited by the King of Navarre to aide him against the King of France sends over the Duâ—e of Lancaster with foure thousand men at Armes who winnes many Townesâ— and the Prince enters Gâ—yenne passeth over Langnâ—dâ—c to Tholouse Narbonne Burges without any Encounter sackes spoyles and destroyes where he goes and loaden with booties returnes to Burdeaux The French King thus assaulted on all â—ides gathers all the power he possibly could and first makes against his Eâ—emies in Nâ—â—â—â—â—dy recovers many of his lost Townes and was likely to have there prevaileâ— but that he was drawne of force to oppose 〈◊〉 fresh Invader the Prince of Wales who was come up into Tourayne against 〈◊〉 he brings his whole Army consisting of above threescore thousand whereâ—â—â—â— the Prince whose Forces were not likely to be able to encounter him being 〈◊〉 for one was advised to retire againe to Burdeaux But the French King to preveâ—â— this course followes and within two leagues of Poyctiers hath him at a 〈◊〉 advantage at which instant two Cardinals came from the Pope to mediate â— Peâ—ce But the French King supposing he had his enemy now in his mercy would accept of no other conditions but that the Prince should deliver him foure Hostageâ— â—nd â—s vanquished render himselfe and his Army to his discretion The Prince waâ— content to restore unto him what he had gained upon him but without prâ—juâ—â—â—â— of his honour wherein he said he stood accomptable to his Father and to his Câ—uâ—trâ—y But the French King would abate nothing of his demands as making himsâ—lfâ— sure of victory and thereupon was instantly ready to set upon the Princ◠〈◊〉 seeing himselfe reduced to this straight takes what advantage he could of th◠〈◊〉 and providently got the benefit of Vines Shrubs and Bushes on that part 〈…〉 like to be assailed to impester and intangle the French horse which he saw 〈◊〉 â—ome furiously upon him The successe answered his expectation for the 〈◊〉 of his enemies upon their first assault were so wrapt and encombred 〈◊〉 â—he Vines that his Archers galled and annoyed them at their pleasure For 〈◊〉 Freâ—â—h King to give the honour of the day to his Cavallery imployed them onely without his Infantery so as they being disordered and put to rout his wholâ— Army came utterly to be defeated In this battell were taken prisoners King Iohn himselfe with his yoâ—ngest sonne Philip by Dennis de Morbecque a knight of Arâ—hâ—is Iaques de Bourbon Conte de Ponthieu the Arch-bishop of Sens Iohn de Arthâ—is Conte de En Charles de Arthois his brother Count de Longueville Iohn de 〈◊〉 Count de Tankarvile the Counts of Vendosme Vaâ—demont Estampes Salbourg 〈◊〉 and La Roche also Iohn de Ceintre accounted as Froissard saith the 〈◊〉 â—night of France with many other Lords besides two thousand Knights and Genâ—lemen in so much as the Conquerours holding it not safe to retaine so many leâ—â—â—ny of them goe The French who can give best account of their owne losses â—â—porâ— there died in the battell a thousand seven hundred Gentlemen amongst which were fifty two Bannerets the most eminent Peter de Bourbon the Duke of Athâ—â—s Constable of France Iehan de Clermont Marshall Geoffrey de Charmy High Chamberlainâ— the Bishop of Chalons the Lords of Landas of Pons and of Chamâ—â—y There escaped from this battell three of the French Kings sons for he brought them all thither Charles Prince Daulphin Louys after Duke of Anjou and Iohn Duke of Bâ—â—ryâ— all great actours in the time following The special great men of the English iâ— thâ—â— fight were the Earles of Warwicke Suffolke Salisbury Oxford Stafford the Lordâ—â— Cobham Spenser Barkeley Basset of Gascoynes Le Capital de Beuff the Lords Pumyer Chaumont and others The Lord Iames Andeley wonne honour both by his valour and his bounty for having vowed to be foremost in this fight he peâ—formed his word and sealed it with many wounds for which the Prince having rewarded him with the gift of five hundred Markes Fee-simple in England he pâ—esently gave it to foure of his Esquires whereupon the Prince demanding whether he accepted not his gift he answered that these men had deserved the same as well â—s himselfe and had more neede of it with which reply the Prince was so well pleased that he gave him five hundred Markes more in the same kinde A rare example where desert in the Subject and reward in the Prince strive which should be the greater And now though King Iohn had the misfortune to fall into the hands of his enemy yet he had the happinesse to fall into the hands of a Noble enemy for Prince Edw. used him with such respect and observance that he could not find much dâ—â—ference betweene his captivity and liberty After the battell which was fought the â—inâ—â—â—enth day of September in the yeare 1357. Prince Edward leads King Iohn and the captive Lords to Burdeâ—ux where he retaines them till the spring following but 〈◊〉 present newes of his victory to his Father who thereupon causeth a generall Thanksgiving all England over eight dayes together and in May following King Iohn rather comming over with the Prince then brought over by him is lodged at the Savoâ— a Palace belonging to Henry Duke of Lancaster and the fairest at that time about London And King Edward as though he thought it honour enough to have one King his prisoner at once at the suite of his sister Queene Iâ—ane he sets her Husband David King of Scots at liberty after he had beene prisoner in England eleven yeares but not without paying a Ransome which was a hun-thousand Markes to be paid in ten yeares After this by mediation of Cardinals sent by the Pope a Truce for two yeares is concluded betweene the two kingdomes of France and England and in the time of this Truce Articles of Peace betweene the two Kings are propoundedâ— King Edward requires the Dutchies of Normâ—â—â—â— and Gâ—yennâ— the Counties of Poictoâ— Tâ—uraine Mayne and Anjoâ—â— with all their â—ppurâ—eâ—ances as large as King Richard the first held them and many other Provinces besides and to hold them all without Homage or any other service to which Articles King Iohn weary of imprisonment assents and seales but the 〈◊〉 â—nd Councell of France utterly reject it whereupon King Edward in great displeâ—sure resolves to make an end of this worke with the sword and to take possession of the kingdome of France and leaving his younger sonne Thomas Goveâ—â—our of his kingdome at home with a Fleet of â—leven hundred saile and taking all the great Lords of the Realme with him he passeth over to Callice dividing his Army into three battels whereof one he commits to the Prince of Wales another to the Duke of Lancaster and the â—hird he leads
himselfeâ— and first marching through 〈◊〉 where he takes in many Townes he plants his siâ—ge afterward before 〈◊〉 but having spent there sixe or seven weekes without effecting any thing he â—asseth thence and takes in the Cities of Sens Nevers the Dutchy of Bâ—rgoyne redeemes it self from spoil with paying two hundred thousand Floâ—ens of gold then he marcheth up to â—aris and plants his Camp within two small Leagues of the Towâ—â— where â—e honoured 400. Esquires and Gentlemen with the Order of knighthood but when Sir Walter de Manny had made a Bravado before the Gates of the City and the King saw that the Daulphin would by no provocations be drawne out to battell he raiseth his siege and returnes into Briâ—aine to refresh his Army from thence he marcheth towards Charâ—res with a purpose to besiege that City and though great offers were made him by the French and Commissioners from the Pope solicited him with all earnestnesse to accept them yet neither they nor the Duke of Lancasters perswasions could prevaile with him till a terrible â—torme of haile with thunder and lightning fell upon his Army which so terrified him being a warning as it were from Heauen that he presently vowed to make Peace with the French King upon any reasonable conditions as shortly after he did at a Treaty of Britigny neare to Chartres upon these Articles that the Fiefs of Thouars and Belleville the Dutchy of Guyenne comprising Gascoyne Poictou Sanâ—ogne Limoâ—sin Perigort Quercie Rhodes Angoulesme and Rochell together with the Counties of Guysnes and Callice and some other places with the Homages of the Lords within those Territories should be to the King of England who besides was to have three Millions of crownes of goldâ— whereof sixe hundred thousand in hand foure hundred thousand the yeaâ—e following and the rest in two yeares after and for this the King of England and his sonne the Prince of Wales for them and their successours for ever should renounce all their right pretended to the Câ—owne of France the Dutchy of Normandy the Countries of Touraine Anjou Mayne the Homage and Soveraignty of Britaine and the Earledome of Flanders and within three weekes King Iohn to be rendred at Callice at the charge of the King of England except the expenses of his house For assurance of which accord should be given into his hand five and twenty of the greatest Dukes and Lords of France for Hostages The Scots not to be aided by the French King nor the Flemmings by the English This accord and finall Peace signed by both Kings was ratified by their two eldest sonnes Edward and Charles and sworne unto by the Nobility of both kingdomes The Hostages are delivered to King Edward who brought them into England and thereupon King Iohn is honourably conducted to Callice after he had remained prisoner in England neare about five yeares but being come to Callice he was detained there above three moneths till the money which he was to pay in hand could be provided and for providing the rest he was put to hard shifts being faine to give the Iewes leave to dwell in France for twenty yeares paying twelve Florins a man at the entry and sixe every yeare after At this time the Prince by dispensation marries the Countesse of Kent daughter to Edmund brother to Edward the second and his Father investing him with the Dutchy of Aquitaine he was now Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitaine Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and Kent and not long after with the Princesse his wife he passeth over into France and keepes his Court at Burdeaux This was now the yeare 1362. and the fiftieth yeare of King Edwards age wherein for a Iubilee he shewes himselfe extraordinarily gracious to his peoplâ— freely pardoning many offences relesing prisoners revoking exiles with many other expressions of his love and bounty The yeare following was famous for three Kings comming into England Iohn King of France Peter King of Cyprus and Dâ—vid King of Scots The King of Cyprus came to solicite King Edward to joyne with other Princes in the Holy Warre but receives onely royall entertainment and excuses The King of Scots came for businesse and visitation but why the King of France came is not so certaine whether it were about taking order for his Hostages or to satisfie King Edward for breach of some Articles or else for love to the Countesse of Salisbury or perhaps out of a desire to let England see his Majesty being at liberty which had beene darkened before by the cloud of captivity but whatsoever the cause of his comming was the cause of his staying at least of longer staying then he meant was a mortall sicknesse whereof having lien all the Winter at the Savoy in March or Aprill following he died and his body convaied over into France was buried at Saint Donis with his Ancestours The Prince of Wales was now growne famous all the Christian world over and the man to whom all wronged Princes seemed to appeale and to flie for succour for which end there came at this time to his Court Iames King of Majorque and happened to come at a time when the Princesse lay in and thereupon he and Richard King of Navarre were taken to be Godfathers to his sonne Richard For the like assistance also there came at the same time to him Peter King of Castile driven out of his kingdome by the French in favour to Peter King of Aragon and Prince Edward partly out of charity to succour a distressed Prince and partly out of policy to keepe his Souldiers in exercise undertakes the enterprise and was so prosperous in it that with one battell having but thirty thousand against a hundred thousand hee put King Peter in possession of his kingdome though he was ill rewarded for his labour for the ungratefull King would not so much as pay his Souldiers An unfortunate journey for the Prince for though he came back with victory yet he brought backe with him such an indisposition of body that he was never throughly well after not perhaps by poyson nor given him by his brother the Duke of Lancaster though both were suspected but there were causes of distempering him enough besides the Countrey the season the action it selfe and it may be more marvelled that his Souldiers came home so well then that he came so ill but howsoever being now returned there was presently to his indisposition of body added discontentment of minde for not having meanes to pay his Souldiers which forced him to winke at that which he could not chuse but see and seeing grieve at how they preyed upon the Countrey and thereupon how the Countrey murmured against him and now to stop this murmuring his Chancellour the Bishop of Rhodes devised a new Imposition of leavying a Frank for every Chimney and this to continue for five yeares to pay the Princes debts but this Imposition made the murmuring the more for though some part of his Dominions
as the Poictâ—â—ins Xaingtonois and Lymoâ—sins in a sort consented to it yet the Count of Armigniâ—ck the Count of Comminges the Viscount of Carmayn and many others so much distasted it that they complained thereof to the King of France as to their Supreme Lord who upon examination finding their complaint to be just he thereupon by advise of his Councell Summons Prince Edward to appeare in person to answer the complaint whereunto Prince Edw. made answere that if he must needs appeare he would bring threescore thousand men in Armes to appeare with him and had certainely brought his Army that Summer against Paris if he had not fallen into Symptomes of a Dropsie which Walsingham saith was wrought by Enchantments But upon this answer of the Prince King Charles sends defiance to King Edward who thereupon prepares Armes both by Sea and Land to oppose him The French enter upon the Territoriâ—s of the Prince and defeate divers of his Troopes in revenge whereof Iohn Chandos the Princes Lieutenant assaults Terrieres in the Province of Tholouse and takes it The Count of Perigourd aâ—saults Royanville in Querâ—y and puts all the English to the sword in revenge whereof Iames Audeley Seneâ—chall of Poicton assaults the City of Brosse and takes it In the meane time Robert Knols by some called Robin and by others Arnould or Reynold Knoll had drawne Perducas de Albert to the party of the English and thereupon wenâ— and encamped before the Fort of Darcâ—ell in Quercy which Iohn Chandos understanding went also and joyned with him in the Siege but finding they could doe no good there they removed and Besieged the City of Damme and when they could doe no good there neither they marched forward tooke the Fort of Froyus Rochevaudour and Villefranche and that done returned to the Prince at Angoulesme At the same time the Earles of Cambridge and Pembroke having spent nine weekes at the Siege of Bordeille at last tooke it but other Captaines of the English did yet more for they scaled Belleperche in the Province of Bourbon where the Mother of the Duke of Bourbon and of the Queene of France was and take her prisoner About this time Philippa Queene of England King Edwards Wife died and was buried at Westminster but this hindred not the proceeding of the English in France the Earle of Pembroke enters Anjou where he takes many Townes the Duke of Lancaster doth the like about Callice and marching forward plants his Campe before Harfleur with a purpose to burne the King of France his Navy but being watched by the Count Saint Poll was forced to forbeare that designe and so passing other wayes and spoyling all the places where he passed he returned to Callice Winter now was drawing on and Iohn Chandos desiring to recover the Abby of Saint Silvin in Poictou which not long before had beene betraied to the French was in the enterprise discovered and being assaulted by greater forces was slaine in the place to the great griefe of the Prince of Wales and of the English Lords but dying without issue his estate which amounted to foure hundred thousand Franks came to the Prince At this time the Dukes of Anjou and Berry with two great Armies enter upon the Territories of the Prince of Wales whereof the Prince advertised assembles Forces to oppose them but when the newes was brought him of the taking of Limouges he was so much troubled at it by reason of the Bishop of that place was his Gossip and one in whom he specially had affiance that he resolved to recover it at any price and not to spare a man that had any hand in the rendring it up and thereupon taking it by force he commanded to sacke and pillage it and would not be staied by the cries of the people casting themselves downe at his feete till passing through the Towne he perceived three French Captaines who themselves alone had withstood the assault of his victorious Army and moved with the consideration of their valour he then abated his anger and for their sakes granted mercy to all the Inhabitants So much is vertue even in an enemy respected by generous minds In the meane time David King of Scots died without issue and Robert Stuart his Nephew succeeded him in the kingdome and was Crowned at Scone At this time Robert Knolls with a great Army is sent into France where making many attempts with valour enough but with little successe he was comming home though with no gaine yet with no losse till Bertrand de Gueschlyn assaulting him slew the most part of his men and so this great Army on a sudden came to nothing It seemes Knolls his action was the lesse succesfully by reason some young Lords that wenâ— with him scoâ—ning to â—e 〈◊〉 his command as being but a new man and risen froâ— a low estate were refractory to hiâ— directions And indeed what can a Generall do if he have not as well reputation of person as of place And now the Prince of Wales his eldest sonne Edward dying 〈◊〉 Buâ—deâ—â—â— the 〈◊〉 with his wife and his other sonne Richard come over into England at whiâ—â— time the vallant knight Walter de Mâ—â—ny died at Londâ—n and was buried in the Monastery of the Chartreux which he had builded leaving one onely daughter married to Iohn Earle of Pembroke This Earle of Pembroke was soone after sent Goâ—ernour into Aquitaâ—ne but set upon by the way by Spaniards in favour of the Frâ—â—ch was by them taken prisoner and carried with other into Spainâ—â— who being chained together as the manner is one Evans a Welsh Fugitiveâ— who gave â—â—â—selfe out for the right Heire of Wales camâ— unto him foolishly playing upon him with scornfull language as though to insult over another mans misery could sâ—â—le for a coâ—diall to mitigate his owne And now upon the taking of this Earle the Princes Dominions in France are either taken away or â—all away faster then they â—ere gotten Gueschlyâ— enters Poictou and takes Montmâ—rillon Chauvigny Lussâ—â— and Moâ—tâ—ontiâ—r straight after followes the Countrey of Aulnys of Xaintoigne and the rest of Poicâ—ou then Saint Maxenâ— Neele Aulnâ—y then Benaon Marant Surgâ—rs 〈◊〉 and at last they came to Thouars where the most part of the Lords of Poicâ—oâ— that held with the Prince were assembled at which time King Edward with the Prâ—â—ce the Duke of Lancaster and all the great Lords of England set forward to their succour but being driven backâ— by tempest never came to give them assistance so as Thouars yeelded upon composition Yet did this preparation of the King stand him in nine thousand Markes that it may be truly said it cost him more now to lose Townes then it had cost him before to win them so great oddes there is betweene the Spring and Fall of Fortune After this the Duke of Lancaster is sent over with another great Army who passed up into many parts of the Country but King Charles resolved to hazard no
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 〈◊〉 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 â—lergy granted him fifty thousand pounds to be paid the same yeare and the Laiâ—y as much which was levâ—ed 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 fiftiâ—h 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 〈◊〉 were before in Frenâ—h 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 Parliâ—ment holden the seven and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne certaine Sâ—mpâ—uary Lawes were ordained both for apparell and diet appointing every degree of men the stuffe and habits they should weare prohibiting the weaâ—ing of gold and silver silkes and rich furres to all buâ— eminent persons The labâ—â—rer and husbandman 〈◊〉 â—ppointed but one 〈◊〉 dayâ— and what meates he should 〈◊〉 Also in his time at the instance of the Loâ—â—onersâ— an Act was made that no common Whore should weaâ—e 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 Bâ—llingbrâ—oke 〈◊〉 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 â—â—w 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 fâ—ll according to the plenty or scarcity of coyne which made Servants and Labourers to râ—ise 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 câ—stome 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
the moneth of Aprill In the fourth yeare of his Raigne a solemne Justing or Turnament was holden at London in Châ—â—pside beâ—wixt the great Crosse and the great Conduit 〈◊〉 Sâ—per-laâ—â—â— which lasted three dayes where the Queen Philippa with many Ladies fell from a Stage set up for them to behold the Justing and though they were not hurt at all yet the King threaâ—â—ed to pâ—nish the Carpenters for their negligence till the Queâ—ne inâ—â—â—ated pardon for them upon her knees as indeed she was alwayes ready to doe all good offices of mercie to all people In the eleventh yeare of his Raigne was so great plenty that a quarter of Wheate was sold at London for two shillings a fat Oxe for a Noble a fat Sheepe for sixe pence and sixe Pigeons for a penny a faâ— Goose for two pence and a Pigge for a penny and other things after that rate Of his Wife and Children HE married Philippa the daughter of William Earle of Haynault at Yorke a match made up in haste by Queene Isabell his mother for her owne ends although a better could never have beene made upon deliberation for King Edwards ends for though her Parentage were not great and her portion lessâ— yet she made amends for both in vertue for never King had a better Wife By her King Edward had seven sonnes and five daughters his eldest sonne Edward Prince of Wales and commonly called the Blacke Prince but why so called uncertaine for to say of his dreadfull acts as Speâ—de saith hath little probability was borne at Woodstocke in the third yeare of his Fathers Raigne he married Ioane the daughter of Edmund Earle of Kent brother by the Fathers side to King Edward the second She had beene twice married before first to the valiant Earle of Salisbury from whom she was divorced next to the Lord Thomas Holland after whose decease this Prince passionatly loving her married her by her he had issue two sonnes Edward the eldest borne at Angoulesme who died at seven yeaâ—es of age and Richard borne at Burdeaux who after his Father was Prince of Wales and after his Grandfather King of England This Prince had also naturall issue Sir Iohn Sounder and Roger Clarendon Knights the latter being attainted in the Raignâ— of King Henry the fourth is thought to have â—eene Ancestour to the house of Smiths in Essex He died at Canterbury in the sixe and fortieth yeare of his age and of his Fatheâ—â— Raigne the nine and fortieth and was buried at Christs Church there His second sonne William was borne at Hatfield in Hertfordshire who deceased in his childhood and was buried at Yorke His third sonne Lyonell was borne at Antwerpe in the twelveth yeare of his Fathers Raigne he married first Elizabeth the daughter and Heire of William Burgh Earle of Ulster in Ireland in whoâ—e Right he was first created Earle of Ulster and because he had with her the honour of Clare in the County of Toâ—mond he was in a Parliament created Duke of Clarence as it were of the Countrey about the Towne and Honour of Clare from which Dutchy the name of Clarentieux being the title of the King of Armes for the South parts of England is derived This Duke had issue by her one onely daughter named Philippa afterward wife of Edmund Mortimer Earle of March mother of Earle Roger Father of Anne Countesse of Cambridge the mother of Richard Duke of Yorke Father of King Edward the fourth The second marriage of this Duke was at Millaine in Lombardy with the Lady Viâ—lanta daughter of Gâ—leacâ—â— the second Duke thereof but through intemperance he lived not long â—fter King Edwards fourth sonne named Iohn was borne at Gaâ—â—t in the foureteenth yeare of his Fathers Raigne he had three wives the first was â—lâ—nch daughter and Coheire and in the end the sole Heire of Henry Duke of Lancaster sonne of Edmund sirnamed Crouch back by whom he had issue Henry of Bullingbrooke Earle of Derby after Duke of Hereford and lastly King of England named Henry the fourth who first placed the Crowne in the house of Lancaster By her also Iohn of Gaunt had two daughters Philip wife of Iohn the first King of Portugall and Elizabeth married first to Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington and after him to Sir Iohn Cornwall Baron of Fanhope Iohn of Gaunts second wife was Constance the eldest daughter of Peter King of Castile and Leon in whose Right for the time he intitled himselfe King of both those Realmes by her he had issue one onely daughter named Katherine married to Henry the third sonne of King Iohn in possession before and in her Right after King of both the said Realmes Iohn of Gaunts third wife was Katherine the Widow of Sir Hugh Swinford a knight of Lincolnshire eldest daughter and Coheire of Payn Roet a Gascoyne called Gâ—â—en King of Armes for that Countrey his younger daughter being married to Sir Geoffrey Chawcer our Laureat Poet. By her he had issue born before matrimony and made legitimate afterward by Parliament in the twentieth yeare of King Richard the second Iohn Earle of Somerset Thomas Duke of Exeter Henry Bishop of Winchester and Cardinall and Ioane who was first married to Robert Ferrers Baron of Wemme and Ouâ—sley in the Counties of Salop and Warwicke and secondly to Ralph Nevill the first Earle of Westmerland She and all her brethren were sirnamed Beaufort of a Castle which the Duke had in France where they were all borne and in regard thereof bare the Portcullis of a Castle for the Cognisance of their Family This Duke in the thirteenth yeare of his Nephew King Richard was created Duke of Aquitaine but in his sixteenth yeare he was called home and this title re-called and the third yeare after in the sixtieth of his age he died at Ely house in Holbourne and lieth honourably Entombed in the Quire of Saint Paul King Edwards fifth sonne Edmund sirnamed of Langley was first in the yeare 1362. created Earle of Cambridge and afterward in the yeare 1386. made Duke of Yorke he married Isabell daughter and Coheire to Peter King of Castile and Leon his sonne Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke tooke to wife Anne Mortimer Heire of the foresaid Lyonell elder brother to Edmund of Langley King Edwards sixth sonne William sirnamed of Windsor where he was borne died young and is buried at Westminster King Edwards youngest sonne Thomas sirnamed of Woodstocke where he was borne was first Earle of Buckingham and after made Duke of Glocester by his Nephew King Richard the second He was a man of valour and wisdome but the King surmizing him to be a too severe observer of his doings consulted with Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke how to make him away whom Mowbray unawares surprising convaied secretly to Callice where he was strangled the twentieth yeare of King Richards Raigne He had issue one sonne Humphrey Earle of Buckingham who died at Chester of the Pestilence in the yeare 1400. and two daughters
Beauchamp Earle of Warwick was brought forth and charged with the like Treasons but by the intercession of the Duke of Lancaster and other Lords after confession of his fault was only confin'd into the Isle of Man Likewise the lord Cobhaâ— and Sir Iohn Cheyny were onely banished or as Fabian saith condemned to perpetuall Prison The Parliament after this was held at Shewsbery where for the love the king bore to the Gentlemen and Commons of the Shiâ—e of Chester he caused it to be Ordained that from thenceforth it should be called and known by the name of the Principality of Chester and herewith intitled himselfe Prince of Châ—ster At this Parliament also called the Great Parliament He created five Dukes and â— Dutchesse one Marquesse and foure Earles The Earle of Darby was created Duke of Hereford the Earle of Nottingham Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Râ—tlandâ— Dâ—ke of Aâ—bemarle the Earle of Kent Duke of Surrey the Earle of 〈◊〉 Duke of Exceter and the Lady Margaret Marshall Countesse of Norfolke was created Dutchesse of Norfolke The Earle of Somerset was created Marquesse Dorseâ— the Lord Spenser was made Earle of Glocester the Lord Nevill Earle of Westâ—erlâ—â—d the Lord Scrâ—â—pe Earle of Wiltshire and the Lord Thomas Percy L. Steward of the kingâ— house was made Earle of Worcester and for the better maintenance of their esâ—â—teâ— he divided amongst them a great part of those lands that belonged to the Duke of Glocester the Earles of Aruâ—dell and Warwick Also in this Parliament the Judges gave their opinions That when Articles are propounded by the king to be handled in Parliament if other Articles be handled before those be first determined that it is Treason in them that doe it And in this Parliament the king brought it so â—bout that he obtained the whole power of the Parliament to be conferred upon cerâ—taine persons namely Iohn Duke of Lancaster Edmund Duke of Yorke Edmâ—â—â— Duke of Aâ—merle Thomas Duke of Surrey Iohn Duke of Exceter Iohn Marqueâ—â—e Dorset Roger Earle of March Iohn Earle of Salisbury and divers others or to any seven or eight of them and these by virtue of this Grant proceeded to conclude upon many things which concerned generally the knowledge of the whole Parliament to the great prejudice of the State and a dangerous example in time to come A Generall Pardon was also granted for all offences to all the Kings subjects but only to Fifty whose names he would not expresse but reserved them to his own knowledge that when any of the Nobility offended him he might at his pleasure name him to be one of the number excepted and so keepe them still within his danger And for the more strengthening the Acts of this Parliament the King purchased the Popes Buls containing grievous censures and curses to them that should break them And now the heads of the opposite Faction having lost their heads and all things as well setled as could be desired the King was secure as thinking himselfe safe and he had indeed been safe if Time and Fortune were not Actours in Revenge as well as men or rather if a superiour Power did not interpose whose wayes are as secret as himselfe is invisible It now fell out though Wâ—iters differ what it was fell out for some write that Thomâ—s Mowbray accused the Duke of Hereford others that Henry Duke of Herefoâ—d accused Thomas Mowbrâ—y Duke of Norfolke for speaking words sounding highly to the Kings dishonour to which the Duke of Norfolk being called to answer charged the Duke of Hereford before the King that he lyed falsly Whereupon a Combat was agreed upon between them The King labored to make them friends but not prevailing he gave way to proceed in Combat and the place to be at Coventry where at the day and houre appointed the Duke of Hereford mounted on a white Couâ—seâ— bâ—rded with green â—nd blew Velvet imbroidered sumptuously with Swans and Antelops of Goldsmiths worke approached the Lists Of whom the Marshall being the Duke of Surry demanding who he was he answered I am Henry of Lâ—â—caster Duke of Hereford that am come hither to doe my endeavour against Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke as a Traitour untrue to God the King his Realme and me Then incontinently he swore upon the holy Evangelists that his quarrell was true and just and thereupon required to enter the Lists where in â— Chaire of green Velvet he sate downe and reposed himselfe Then came the Duke of Nâ—rfâ—lke his horse barded with Crimson velvet imbroidered richly with Lyons of Silver and Mulbery trees and when he had taken his oath before the Constable the Duke of Aâ—merle that his quarrell was just he entred the Lists and sate him down in his Chaire of Crimson velvet curtained about with white and red Damask Then the Marshall viewed their speares to see that they were of equall lengâ—h and then the Heralds proclaimed on the Kings behalfe they should mount on horsebâ—ck and addresse themselves to the Combat But when they were set forward and had their Speares in their Rests the King cast down his Warder and the Heralds cryed Stay Stay Then the king caused their Speares to be â—aken from them and deliberated with his Councell what was â—it to be done in so weighty a cause After two long houres it was at last concluded that Henry Duke of Hereford should within fifâ—â—en dayes depart out of the Realme and not returne before ten yeeres were expired upon paine of death And that Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke should likewise avoyd the Realme and never to returne into England upon the like paine It is observable that this Censure was passed against the Duke of Norfolke the very same day Twelve-moneth in which he had taken order to put the Duke of Glocester to death at Calliâ— whereof he was then Governour When these Judgements were once read the king called before him both the Dukes and made them sweare that the one should never come in place where the other was After this the Duke of Nâ—rfâ—olke went into Almâ—iâ—â— and from thence to Venice where after some time he dyed with sorrow The Duke of Hereford at the taking his leave of the king had foure yeeres of his Banishment released â—nd then went to Callis and from thence to â—aris where of the French king he was so kindly received that by his favour he had obtained in mariage the onely daughter of the Duke of Berry Unkle to the French king if King Richard by messengers had not hindered him It was a Custome in those dayes to punish the delinquencies of Great men by banishment out of the Realme a Custome not more grievous to the Subject then dangerous to the Prince for by this course they had meanes to worke so closely in their mines of Revenge that the Fabrick of a Kingdome was in danger to be blown up before their working could be perceived An example whereof was never more plainly seen then at this time in
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 â—ichard he had unjustly kept the Crown from his kinsman Edmund Mâ—rtimer 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 â—sland 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 beâ—weene 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 Anâ—field 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 Marâ—k three leagues frâ—m Câ—llice 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 Perrâ—t 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 Soutâ—wicke 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 â—f 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 â—he 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 Nâ—tius 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 dedicaâ—â—â— the same as that other in Oxford to the memory of the Virgin Mary The Grocerâ— in London purchased their Hall in Cuâ—â—yhope Lane for 320 marks and then layd thâ— foundation thereof on the tenth of May. King Henry founded the Colledge of Fâ—â—ringhey in Northamptoâ—shire to which King Heâ—ry 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 Southâ—â—rke 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 yeâ—re 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 Hâ—mphrey de Boâ—un Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton she died before he câ—me 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 Streaâ—y 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 oppreâ—sions 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 skilfuâ—l Southsayer that he should dye in Ierusalem but it seemes he did not believe
him Of his Death and Buriall IN the fortysixth yeare of his Age having Peace both at home and abroad and being of too active a spirit to be idle he tooke upon him the Crusado and great provision was made for his journey to Ierusalem but alas his journey to Ierusalem required no such provision for being at his prayers at S. Edwards shrine he was suddenly taken with an Apoplexie and thereupon removed to the Abbot of Westminsters house where recovering his senses and finding himselfe in a strange place he asked what place it was and being told that he was in the Abbots house in a Chamber called Ierusalem Well then said he Lord have mercy upon me for this is the Ierusalem where a Southsayer told me I should dye And here he dyed indeed on the 20. day of March in the yeare 1413. when he had lived sixe and forty yeares Reigned thirteen and a halfe It is worth remembring that all the time of his sicknesse his will was to have his Crowne set upon his bolster by him and one of his fits being so strong upon him that all men thought him directly dead the Prince comming in tooke away the Crowne when suddenly the king recovering his senses missed his Crown and asking for it was told the Prince had taken it whereupon the Prince being called came back with the Crown and kneeling down said Sir to all our judgements and to all our griefes you seemed directly dead and therefore I tooke the Crown as being my Right but seeing to all our comforts you live I here deliver it much more joyfully than I tooke it and pray God you may long live to weare it your selfe Well saith the king sighing what right I had to it God knowes But saith the Prince if you dye king my sword shall maiâ—teine it to be my Right against all Opposers Well saith the king I referre all to God but I charge thee on my Blessing that thou administer the Lawes indifferently avoyd Flatterers deferre not to do Justice nor be sparing of Mercy And then turning about said God blesse thee and have mercy on me and with those words gave up the Ghost His body with all Funerall pomp was conveyed to Canterbury and there solemnly buried Of men of Note in his time OF men of Valour in his time of whom there was great store I shall need to say no more than what hath already been said in the body of the story onely I cannot but remember Sir Robert Kâ—olls who borne of meane parentage made himselfe famous over all Christendome and dying at a Manour of his in Norfolk was brought to London and buried in the Church of the White Fâ—ieâ—s in London which himselfe had re-edified But for men of learning I must set in the first place William Wickham a man of no learning yet well worâ—hy tâ— hold the place In relating of whose life I must have leave to expatiate a little His fathers name was Iohn Long or as some say Perot but as Campian proveth Wickham and not from the place of his dwelling though he was Parish-Clerke of Wickham in Hampshire where he taught children to write in which quality his sonne William proved so excellent that Nicolas Wooddall Constable of Winchester Castle tooke him from his faâ—her â—nd kept him at Schoole first at Winchester afterward at Oxford till himselfe being made Surveyor-generall of the Kings works he sent for this William to serve him as his Clerke who in short time grew so expert in that imployment that Adam Torletoâ— Bâ—shop of Wincheâ—ter commended him to the King who imployed him presently in surveying his Fortifications at Dover and Quinborough Castles and afterward made him Surveyor of his Buildings at Windsor Castle and his houses of Henley and East-Hamstead And here first Envy rose up against him for having caused to be engraven on the stone of a wall in Windsor Castle these words This made William VViâ—kham some that envyed his rising complained to the King of this insolencie as arrogating to himselfe that excellent piece of Building to de done at his charge but VVickham called before the King about it made answer that his meaning waâ— not neither by any indâ—fferent construction could it import that VVickham made that buiâ—ding but that the same building made VViâ—kham as being a meanes of the Kings great favour towards him This answer pacified the King who tooke him daily more and more into his favour and being now entred into the Ministery was first made Parson of S. Martins in the Fields then Minister of S. Martins le Grand â—fâ—erwards Archdeacon of Lincolne Provost of VVells and Rector of Manyhens in Devoâ—shire so as at one time he had in his hands so many Ecclesiasticall livings that the value of them in the Kings bookes amounted to eight hundred seventy sixe pounds thirteen shillings besides which he was honored with many Temporall places of great profit and respect as to be his principall Secretary Keeper of the Privy Seale Master of the Wards and Liveries Treasurer of the Kings Revenues in France and some other Offices After which the Bishoprick of VVinchester falling voyd meanes was made to the King to bestow that place upon him And here the â—â—cond time did Envy rise up against him informing the King that he was a man of little or no learning and no way sit for such a dignity whereupon the King made stay of granting it but when VVickham came before the King and â—old him that what he wanted in personall learning he would supply with being a Founder of learning This so satisfied the King that he bestowed the place upon him After this he was made Lord Treasurer of England and here the third time did Envy rise up against him for the King requiring of his subjects a supply of money It was answered that he needed no other supply than to call his Treasurer to accompt This blow struck deepe upon the Bishop for he was presently charged to give accompt for eleven hundred ninety six thousand pounds and whilst he was busie in preparing his account all his Temporalties upon importunity of Iohn of Gaunt were seized into the Kings hands and given to the Prince of VVales and himselfâ— upon paine of the Kings displeasure commanded not to come within twenty miles of the Court. In this case he dismisseth his traine and sendeth copies abroad of his accompt if it might be received but was hindred by the working of Iohn of Gaunt against him Upon this ground as was thought Queen Philip wife to K. Edward the Third upon her death-bed by way of Confession told VViâ—kham that Iohn of Gaunt was not the lawfull issue of king Edward but a supposititious Son for when she was brought to bed at Gauâ—t of a Daughter knowing how desirous the King was to have a Son she exchanged that daughter with a Dutch woman for a Boyâ— whereof she had been delivered about the same time with the Queen Thus much she confessed and
thousand men at Arms and foure and twenty thousand Archers whom about the middle of May he followeth himselfe and safâ—ly aâ—riving at Câ—lliâ— hasted to relieve Charters which the Dolphin with seven thousand men had besieged but hearing of the kings comming was retired to Tours The king of Scots with the Duke of Glocester about the eighth of Iuly besieged Dreux which agreed if it were not relieved by the twentieth of that moneth then to surrender it no reliefe comming it was surrendred The king pursuâ—d the Dolphin from place to place but could not overtake him but in the way surprized the Towne of Bâ—wgâ—â—cy where all that craved it he â—ooke to mercy as likewise he did at Roâ—gemoâ—t from thence he went to Orleance and from thence to Vigneâ— St. Toâ— and from thence to Paris where having fitted himselfe with supplies he went and sate downe before Menixe in Brye which after some opposition he also tooke and thereby had possession of all the Fortresses in the Isle of France in 〈◊〉 in â—rye and in Champaigne Upon St. Nicholas day in the yeare 1422 Queen Katherine was brought to bed of a Son at Windsor who was by the Duke of Bedford and Henry Bishop of Winchester and the Countesse of Holland Christned by the name of Henry whereof when the king had notice out of a Propheticke rapture he sayd Good Lord I Henry of Monmouth shall small time Reigne and much get and Henry borne at Windsor shall long time Reigne and lose all but Gods will be done About this time the Dolphin layd siege to Cosney which the king was intentive to relieve as being a Town of the Duke of Burgoignes and therefore tendredit more than if it had beene hiâ— owne and making over-hasty journeys he over-heat himselfe with travell and comming to Sâ—â—lys found himselfe so ill at ease that he was forced to remaine there and to send his brother the Duke of Bedford to prosecute his designe which the Duke performed and the Dolphin upon his approach retired into Berry whereof in mockage he was after called the king of Berry But the kings Feaver and flâ—â— increasing he was removed to Boys de Vincens where growing worse and worse within a few dayes he dyed But somewhat before his departure he had made his Brother the Duke of Bedford Lievetenant Generall of Norâ—â—â—dy and Regent of the kingdome of France and his Brother the Duke of Glocester he had made Protector of England and of his Sons Person Exhorting all to be true and faithfull to the Duke of â—urgoâ—gâ—e to be at unitie amongst themselves to be loyall to their young Prince to be serviceable to his dearly beloved Queene to hold aâ—d preserve what he by his valour and Gods assistance had wonne and never to conclude contract of amitie with the Dolphin or Duke of Alanson untill they had submitted themselves to the kings Gracâ— And so giving God thanks for all his favors and blessings bestowed upon him in the midst of saying a Psalme of David he departed this life who might justly have prayed God with David Take me â—ot away in the midst of my dayes for he dyed about the age of five or six and thirty years which in Davids account is the midst of the number of the dayes of mans life but though he dyed in the midst of his dayes yet he dyed in the fulnesse of his Glory and of whom it may he said Iamque arce potitus Ridet anhelâ—â—tes durâ— ad fastigâ—â— montis When he had Reigned nine yeares and five moneths Of his Taxations IN his first yeere an incredible sum of money was given him by the Clergy to diâ—ert him from a motion propounded to take away their Temporalties And in the same yeere a Subsidie was granted him both by the Clergy and the Laity In his fourth yeere was granted him towards his warres in France two whole Tenths of the Clergy and a fifteenth of the Laity which being farre too short to defray his great charge he was forced to pawne his Crowne to the Bishop of Beauford his Uncle for a great sum of money as also certain Jewels to the Lord Major of London for ten thousand markes In his ninth yeere in a Parliament at Weâ—â—minster for revenge of the Duke of Clarence death two tenths of the Clergy and one fifteenth by the Laity which because the haste of the businesse could not stay the usuall course of collection the Bishop of Winchester brought in presently twenty thousand pounds to receive it againe when the Subsidie should be gathered The same yeere also the Duke of Bedford in the kings absence called a Parliament wherein was granted towards his warres one fifteenth to be paid in such money as was at that time current These are all the Subsidies that were given him notwithstanding his many and great atchievements by which it appeares what great matters a moderate Prince may doe and yet not grieve his subjects with Taxations Of Lawes and Ordinances made by him or in his â—ime HE ordained the king of Heralds over the English which is called Gâ—rter In his ninth yeare in a Parliament holden at Westminster It was ordained that no man should offer Gold in payment unlesse it were weight and thereupon were appointed ballances and weights An act made in the thirteenth yeare of king Richard the Second which disabled the Alien Religious to enjoy any Bâ—nefices within England was in the beginning of this kings Reigne put in execution and further this king excluded also the French from all preferments Ecclesiasticall and those Priors Aliens Conventuall who had institution and induction were bound to put in security not to disclose or cause to be disclosed the Counsell and secreâ—s of the Realme Affaires of the Church in his tiâ—e IN the beginning of his Reigne the Wickliffs increased greatly of whom Sir Iohn Oldcastle was a Chiefe who by mariage of a kinswoman of the Lord Cobhamâ— of Câ—â—ling in Kent obtained that Title This knight being very valorous and in great favour with the king was in a Synod at London accused for maintaining of Wickliffâ— doctrine whereof the king being informed sent for him and instantly dealt with him to submit himselfe to the censure of the Church But Sir Iohn Oldcastle told the King that he owed his subjection onely to his Majestie and as for others he would stand for the truth against them to the uttermost of his life Upon this he was served by Processe to appeare in the Archbishops Court and not appeaâ—ing was condemned of Contumacy and afterwards in a Synod at Rochester was by the Archbishop pronounced to be an Heretick who then enacted that Decree That the Holy Scriptures ought not to be translated into the English tongue But marke the judgement that fell upon his owne tongue whoâ—e rootes and blade shortly after as is recorded grew so bigge in his mouth and throat that he could neither speake nor swallow downe meat but in horrour lay languishing till at last
of himselfe oftentimes of others He had made the White Rose to flourish as long as Henry the Fourth made the Red if he had not made it change colour with too much blood He had been fortunate in his children if he had not been unfortunate in a brother but he was well enough served that would thinke a Wolfe could ever be a good Shepheard He had an excellent art in improving his favours for he could doe as much with a small courtesie as other men with a great benefit And that which was more he could make advantage of disadvantages for he got the love of the Londoners by owing them money and the good will of the Citizens by lying with their wives Of his Death and Buriall WHether it began from his minde being extreamely troubled with the injurious dealing of â—he King of France or from his body by intemperance of dyet to which he was much given he fell into a sicknesse some say a Catarche some a Feaver but into a sicknesse whereof he dyed In the time of which sicknesse at the very point of his death Sir Thomas Moore makes him to make a speech to his Lords which I might thinke to be the speech of a sick man if it were not so sound and of a weake man if it were not so long but it seemes Sir Thomas Moore delivers rather what was fit for him to say than what he sayd the Contents being onely to exhort his Lords whom he knew to be at variance to be in love and concord amongst themselves for that the welfare of his children whom he must now leave to their care could not otherwise be preserved but by their agreement And having spoken to this purpose as much as his weaknes would suffer him he found himselfe sleepy and turning on one side he fell into his long sleep the ninth of April in the yeere 1483. when he had lived one and forty yeeres Reigned two and twenty and one moâ—eth and was buried at Windsor in the new Chappell whose foundation himselfe had laid Of men of Note in his time MEN of valour in his time were many but himselfe the chiefest the rest may be observed in reading his story For men of letters we may have leave at this time to speake of some strangers having been men of extraordinary fame as IohaÌ„nes de Monte Regiâ— Purbachiuâ— and Blâ—â—chinuâ— all great Astronomers Ludovicus Pontanus Paulus Castrensis and Aâ—thonius Rossellanus all great Lawyers Servisanus Savaâ—arola and Barzizius all great Phisitians Bessarion and Cusanus both great Cardinalls Argyrâ—pole Philelphus Datus Leonardus Aretinus and Poggius all great men in humane litâ—rature And of our own Countrimen Iohn Harding an Eâ—quire borne in the North parts who wrote a Chronicle in English verse and among oâ—her speciall points therein touched hath gathered all the Submissions and Homages made by the Scottish kings even from the dayes of King Athelstan whereby it may evideâ—â—â—y appeare how the Scottish kingdome even in manner from the first Establishâ—ng thereof here in Britaine hath been appertaining unto the kings of England and holden of them as their chiefe and superiour Lords Iulian Bemes a Gentlewoman of excellent gifts who wrote certaine Treatises of Hawking and Hunting also a book of the Lâ—wes of Armes and knowledge pertaining to Heraâ—lds Iohn Forâ—â—scue a Judge and Chancellour of England who wrote divers Treatises concerning the Law and Politick Government Rochus a Charterhouse-Monk born in London who wrote divers Epigrams Walter Hâ—nt a Carmelite Fryer who for his excellent learning was sent from the whole body of the Realme to the Generall Counsell hâ—ldâ—â— firâ—â— at Ferrâ—ra and after at Florence by Pope Eâ—genius the fourth where â—e amâ—ngsâ— others disâ—uted with the Greekes iâ— defence of the Order and Ceremoâ—â—es oâ— the Latine Church William Caxton who wrote a Chronicle called Fructuâ— Temporum and an Appendix unto Trevisa besides divers other bookes and translations Iohn Milverton a Carmelitâ— Frier of Bristow and provinciall of his Order who because he defended such of his Order as preached against endowments of the Church with Temporall possessions was committed to prison in the Castle of Saint Angelâ— in Rome where he continued three yeers David Morgan a Welshman who wrote of the Antiquities of Wales and a description of the Country Iohn Tiptoft a nobleman born who wrote divers Treatises but lost of his head in the yeer 1471. Robert Huggon born in Norfolk who wrote certaine vaine Prophesies Thomas Nortoâ— born in Bristow an Alchymistâ— Scogaâ—â— a learned Gentleman and a Student for a time in Oxford who for his plesant wit and merry conceits was called to Court But most worthy of all to be remembred Thomas Littleton a reverend Judge of the Common Pleâ—s who brought a great part of the Law into a Method whicâ— lay before confusedly dispersed and his book called Littletons Tenures THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FIFTH KING Edward the Fourth being dead his eldest Sonne Edwâ—â—â— scarce yet eleven yeeâ—â— old succeeded in the kingdome but not in the Crown for he was Proclaimed king but never Crowned and indeed it may not so properly be called the Reigne of Eâ—â—â—â—dâ—he â—he fifth as the Tyranny of Richard the Third for from the time of king Edwardâ— death though not in Name yet in effectâ— he not onely ruled as king but raged as a Tyrant Prince Edwaâ—â— when his Father dyed was at Ludlow in Wales where he had lived some time before the better by his presence to keep the Welsh in awe He had about him of his Mothers kindred many but Sir Anthony Woodvile the Earle Rivers his Uncle was appointed his chiefe Counsellour and directour The Duke of Glocester was at this time in the North but had word presently sent him from the Lord Hastings Lord Chamberlaine of his brother king Edwards death who acquainted him withall that by his Will he had committed the young king his Queen and other children to his care and government and thereupon putting him in minde 〈◊〉 necessary it was for him speedâ—ly to repâ—irâ— to London But the Duke of Gloceâ—â—er needed no spurre to set him forward who was already in a full cariere for he had long before projected in his minde how he might come to attaine the Crown and now hee thought the way was made him For as it is said the very night in which king Edward dyed one Misselbrooke long ere morning came in great haste to the house of one Potter dwelling in Red-crosse-streete without Cripplegate where he shewed unto Potter that king Edward was departed to whom Potter answered By my troth man then will my Master the Duke of Glocester be king what cause he had so to thinke is hard to say but surely it is not likely he spake it of nought And now the young king was comming up to London with a strong guard partly to make a first expression of his greatnesse and partly to oppose any disorders that might be offered But the Duke
Stanley to come presently to his presence which if he refused to doe he swore by Christs Passion that he would strike off his sonnes head before he dined whereto the Lord Stanley answered That if he did so he had more sonnes alive and he might doe his pleasure but to come to him he was not then determined Which answer when king Richard heard he commanded the Lord Strange immediately to be beheaded but being at the very time when both Armies were in sight of each other his Lords perswaded him it was now time to fight and not to put to Execution and so the Lord Strangâ— escaped Of his Taxations WEE must not looke for Taxations in kinde in this kings reigne for he drew from his Subjects not money so much as blood and the money he drew was most by blood which drew on confiscation whereof let never any Prince make a president for where Taxations properly doe but Tondere theâ—e did Degluâ—ere Yet in his second yeere he called a Parliament wherein besides the great confiscations of those that were then attainted he imposed upon the people a great Tax which what it was is not Recorded Of his Lawes and Ordinances HAving gotten the Crowne by Pestilent courses he sought to Establish iâ— by wholsome Laws for in no Kings reigne were better Laws made then in the reign of this man Amongst other of his Laws It was enacted that from thence forth the Commonalty of the Realme should in no wise be charged by any imposition called a Benevolence nor any such like charge and that such exactions called a Benevolence before this time taken shall be taken for no example to make any such like charge hereafter but shall be damned and annulled for ever Many other good Laws were by him made that we may say he took the wayes of being a good King if he had come to be King by wayes that had been good Affaires of the Church in his time IN his time the troubles of the Temporalty kept the Clergie at quiet and though there were complayning in the streets there was none in the Church Only â—hores wife might complaine why shee should doe Penance for offending lightly against onely the seventh Commandement and king Richard doe none for offending heavily against all the ten but that perhaps he had gotten some good fellow to be his Confessour Workes of Piety done by him AS bad as this King was yet some good workes he did he founded a Colledge at Middleham beyond Yorke and a Collegiate Chauntry in London neere unto the Tower called our Lady of Barking He endowed the Queens Colledge in Camâ—â—â—â—ge with five hundred Marks of yeerly revenue and disforested the great field of Whitchwood which king Edward his brother had inclosed for Deere Of Casualties happening in his time IN his second year at the time when the Duke of Buckingham meant to passe with his Army over Severn so great an inundation was of waâ—er that men were drowned in their beds houses were overturned children were carried about the fields swimming in Cradles beasts were drowned on hills which rage of water contiâ—â—ed ten dayes and is to this day in the Countries thereabout called the great water or the Duke of Buckinghamâ— water Of his wife and issue HEE marryed Anne the second Daughter of Richard Nevill the great Earle of Warwicke being the widdow of Edward Prince of Wales the Sonne of king Heâ—â—y the sixth she lived his Wife to the last yeer of his reigne and then to make way for another was brought to her end and layd aâ— rest in the Abbey of Westminster by her he had onely one Sonne born at Middleham neer Richmond in the County of Yorke at foure yeers old created Earle of Salisbury by his Uncle king Edward the fourth at ten yeers old created Prince of Wales by his Father king Richard but dyed soon after Of his Personage and Conditions THere never was in any man a greater uniformity of Body and Minde then was in him both of them equally deformed Of Body he was but low crooke-backt hook-shouldred splay-footed and goggle-eyed his face little and round his complexion swarsie his left arm from his birth dry and withered born a monster in nature with all his teeth with haire on his head and nailes on his fingers and toes And just such were the quaâ—â—ties of his minde One quality he had in ordinary which was to look fawâ—â—ngly when he plotted sternly when he executed Those vices which in other men are Passions in him were Habits and his cruelty was not upon occasion but naturall If at any time he shewed any virtue it was but pretence the truth of his minde was onely lying and falsehood He was full of courage and yet not valiant valour consisting not only in doing but as well in suffering which he could not abide He was politick and yet not wise Policie looking but to the middle wisdome to the end which he did and did not And it was not so much ambition that made him desire the Crown as cruelty that it might be in his power to kill at his pleasure and to say the truth he was scarce of the number of men who consist of flesh and blood being nothing but blood One Miracle wee may say hee did which was that he made the truth of History to exceed the fiction of Poetry being a greater Harpy than those that were feigned He would faine have been accounted a good King but for his life he could not be a good Man and it is an impossible thing to be one without the other He left no isâ—ue behinde him and it had been pitty he should at least in his own Image One such Monster was enough for many Ages Of his Death and Buriall BEing slaine in the Battell at Bosworth as before is related his body was left naked and desâ—oyled to the very skin not so much as a câ—out left about him to cover his privy parts and taken up was trussed behinde a Pursuivant at Armes one Blaâ—ch Senglyer or White-boare his head and armes hanging on one side of the horse and his leggs on the other and all besprinkled with mire and dirt he was brought to the Gray-Friers Church within the Towne of Leicester and there for some time lay a miserable spectacle and afterward with small Funerall-pompe was there interred But after this King Heâ—ry the Seventh caused a Tombe to be made and set up over the place where he was buried with a picture of Alablaster representing his person which at the suppression of that Monastery was utterly defaced Since when his Grave overgrowne with nettles and weeds is not to be found onely the Stone-chest wherein his Corps lay is now made a drinking-trough for horses at a common Inne in Leicester and reteineth the onely memory of this Monarchs greatnes But his body as is reported was caried out of the City and contemptuously bestowed under the end of Bow-bridge which giveth passage over a branch of
between the Lady Margaret the 〈◊〉 eldest daughter and him where the Earle by Proxie in the name of king Iames 〈◊〉 Masâ—er affied and contracted the said Ladie which Contract was published at 〈◊〉 Crosseâ— the day of the Conversion of Saint Paul for joy whereof Te Deum 〈…〉 and great fires were made through the City of London and if such joy weâ—e 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 Heâ—ry answered what if it should It would not be an accession of England to Scoâ—laâ—d but of Scotland to England and this answer of the kings passed for an Oracle â—nd so the match proceeded and in August following was Consummate at Ediâ—bâ—rgh conducted thither in great State by the Earle of Northumberland Prince Arthur after his marriage was sent againe into Wales to keep that Countâ—y in good order to whom were appointed for Counsellours Sir Richard Poole hiâ—â—insman and chiefe Chamberlaine Sir Henry Vernon Sir Richard Crofâ—s Sir David 〈◊〉 Sir William Vdall Sir Thomas Englefield Sir Peter Newton Iohn Walleston 〈◊〉 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 soleâ—â—ity was buried in the Cathedrall Church at Worcester His Brother Henry Duâ—e 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 Arâ—â—â—â— were with childe or no. The towardlines in learning of this Prince Arthur is veâ—y 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 〈◊〉 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 â—welvâ— years of age to be contracted with the Princesse Katherine his broâ—hâ—rs widdow for which marriage a dispensation by advice of the most learned men at that 〈◊〉 in Christendome was by Pope Iulius the second granted and on the five and twentieth day of Iune in the Bishop of Salisburyâ—s house in Fleet-street thâ— marriage was solemnized A little before this time 〈…〉 Earle of Sâ—ffolke Son to Iohn Duke of Suffolke and Lady Elizâ—bâ—tâ— Sister â—o king Edward the â—ourth had in his fury kill'd a mean personâ— and was thereupon Iâ—dighted of Murther for which although he had the kings Pardon yet because he was brought to thâ— Kings-bench-bâ—rrâ— and there arraigned he took it for so great 〈…〉 his honour that in great rage he fled into Flanders to his Aunâ— the Ladâ— Mâ—â—garet where having stayed a while when his pâ—ssion was over he returnâ—d againe â—ut after the marriage between Prince Arthur and the Lady 〈◊〉 wâ—â—ther it were that in that solemnity he had run himselfe in debt or 〈◊〉 he were â—rawn to doe so by the Lady Margareâ— he passed over the second time with his bâ—other Richard into Flâ—nderâ— This put the king into some doubt of his intentionâ— whereupon he hath recourse to his usuall course in such cases and Sir 〈…〉 Captaine of Hammeâ— Castle to feigne himselfe one of that Conspiracy theâ—â—by to learn the depth of their intentions And to take away all suspâ—â—ion of his imployment â—he first Sunday of November he caused the said Earle and Sir Robert Câ—rson 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 Courtâ—ey 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 Ioâ—â— 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 Frâ—â—câ— 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 Ferdiâ—aâ—d king of Aragon by his Wife Isabella Queen of Câ—stile had onely two Daughters the eldest whereof named Ioaâ—e 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 Spâ—ine 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 Treâ—chaâ—d 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 â—ent 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 Meâ—â—â—ge though king Philip had many reâ—sons of haste on his journey yet not to give king Heâ—ry 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 Henâ—y 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 Casâ—ile answered I had thought Sir your felicity had been above those thoughts but if it trouble you I will
so as within a short time his fame was spread thorough the land by the name of the sleeping Preacher At length the King commanded him to be brought to the Court where his Majesty sate up the most part of a night to attend the event when at last Haidock making a shew to bee a sleepe began to Pray then taking a Text made his Division applying it to his purpose for in his Preaching his use was to Inveight against the Pope against the Crosse in Baptism and against the last Canons of the Church of England and having ended his Sermon seemed to continue sleeping His Majesty having well observed the manner of his cariage after a few days called the said Haidock before him and in Conference with him as he had indeed an admirable sagacity in discovering of Fictions made him confesse that all he did was but imposture and thereupon to fall upon his knees and aske forgivenesse which the King granted upon condition that in all places he should openly acknowledge his offence because many were brought into beliefe that his nightly preaching was either by inspiration or by vision We may not here think it unworthy the relating seeing King Iames thought it not unworthy the seeing thereby to observe the nature of the Lyon and made a solemne matter of it for on Munday the 3 of Iune taking with him the Duke of Lenox and diverse Earles and Lords he went to the Lyons Tower and caused two Lyons a male and a female to bee put forth and then a live Cock to bee cast before themâ— which they as being their naturall ennemy presently killed and sucked his bloud Then a live Lambe to bee put downe to them which the generous Lyons as having respect to its Innocency never offered to touch though the Lamb was so bold to go close unto them Then the King caused those Lyons to be taken away and another Lyon to be put forth and two Mastifs to be put into him who presently flew upon the Lyon and turned him upon his back and though the Lyon were superior to them in strength yet it seemes they were his matches in courage and so much superior as that they were the first assailants with whom otherwise perhaps the Lyon would not have offered to meddle On Friday the 4 of Ianuary in the Kings second yeare Charles Duke of Albany the Kings second son being then but 4 yeares old was created Duke of Yorke â—hich because it was done with extraordinary solemnity is not unworthy to haâ—e the manner of it here related First were appointed Knights of the Bathe the Duke of Albany himselfe then the Lord Willowby the Lord Chandois the Lord Câ—mpton the Lord Norris William Cecill sonne and heire to the Viscount Cranbourne Allan Percy brother to the E. of Northumberland Thomas Somerset second son to the Earle of Worcester Francis Manners brother to the Earle of Rutlâ—â—d Thomas Howard second son to the Earle of Suffolk and Iohn Harington son and heire to the Lord Harington the Earles of Oxford and Essex were Esquires to the Duke of Albany all the Knights tooke their lodging that night in the first Gate-house going to Kings street where they supped and had Bathes provided for them The next morning being Saturday they went out into the Parke in their Hermits weeds the Minstrels playing and the Heraulds going before them into the Court and so into the Chappel where every Knight with his Squires went to the Altar and there offered the Deane of the Chappell in a rich Cope holding the Bason After this they went up into their lodgings and â—here new attired themselves in robes of Crimsin Taffaty with hats and white feathers and so went back to the great Chamber where by the King they were girded with the sword and had gilt spurs put upon them This done they were solemnly served at dinner and after went again to the Chappell and there offered their swords The next day being Sunday and Twelfe day in robes of purple Sattinâ— with Doctors hoods on their shoulders and hats with white feathers they issued out of the Revestry with the Duke of Albany being then to be made Duke of York into the Hall where the King sate under the cloath of Estate and then the Heraulds going before the Knights of the Bath followed and then the Earle of Suffolk Lord Chamberlain came alone then followed Henry Howard Earle of North-Hampton and Charles Blunt Earle of Devonshire carrying the robes of Estate for the Duke of York after whom Wriothsley Earle of South-Hampton carried the Coronet George Clifford Earle of Cumberland the Golden Rod the Earle of Worcester the Cappe of Estate and the Earle of Nottingham bore the Duke of Albany in his Armes supported by the Earles of Dorset and Northumberland who all comming in this order before the King the Duke of Albany was after the Patent read Created Duke of York with the Robes and Coronet put on him and the Golden Rod delivered into his hand all which performed they went to dinner and the solemnity ended About this time on the fifteenth of Iune Thomas Dowglas a Scotch-man was committed to the Tower and had Irons put upon him being sent hither but three dayes before from the Count Palatine of the Rhyne His offence was that he had counterfetted the Kings Privy Seale to divers Princes of Germany One to the Archbishop of Cullen another to the Archbishop of Tryer another to the Duke of Cleve another to the Archbishop of Moguntia and a fifth to the Count Palatine of the Rhyneâ— whereof being examined and convicted he was drawn on a hurdle into Smithfield and there hanged and quartered And now was a second Parliament appointed to be held at Westminster on the nineteenth of March following when foure dayes before the day of sitting The King the Queen and Prince rode solemnly in great state thorough the City of London where in diverse places were erected Pageants Presents given Orations made and all demonstrations of love and observance and then the Parliament beginning the King made a long and loving Speech to the House wherein he signified the â—auses of his calling it but in the time when it should have proceeded there was suddenly discovered a Plot of Treason â—o damnable and foule that posteriâ—y will hardly thinke it true when they shall heare it the â—â—ot was to blow up with Gun-powder both Houses of Parliament at a time whâ—n the King Prince and all the Nobility should be sitting in the upper House and all the Knights and Burgesses in the Lower The principall contriver of this Plot was Robert Catesbie a Gentleman of great account in Northampton-shire descended from that Catesby who had been a speciall Counseller of King Richard the third to whose family the Divine Providence had now ordained to give a disastrous period This Catesby not able to performe the worke himselfe alone drawes in many to assist him as namely Thomas Percie Thomas Winter Iohn Grant Ambrose Rookwood Iohn
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 Kingsâ—Bench 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 â—ot to ramaine in London â—oâ— to come within ten miles of the Court without speciall Licence aâ—â—â—r which Proclamation the Oâ—th of Allegeance was presently ministred to all sorts of people and their names certified to the Lords of the Counsell that refâ—â—ed to take it and this Hee the rather did out of consideration of the bloudy fact committed lately by one Revillâ—ck 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 Pateâ—â—s 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 â—un 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 grâ—â—t Sâ—ale of England dissolved it Before this time one Sir Robert Câ—rre a Gentleman of Scotland or of the bordâ—â—â— 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 â—roâ— 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 swoâ—ne a privy Counsellor On the fourth of November 1613 was Created Earle of Soâ—erset and the tenth of Iuly following made Lord Chamberlaine Bâ—â— 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 caâ—ses â—udicially heard were afterward Divorced and left free to marry any other Afteâ— which Divoâ—ce this great favorite the Earle of Somerset takes her for wife thâ— King gâ—acing 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 â—easted at Merchant Taylors Hall by the Lord Major and Aldermen But see how soon this faire weâ—â—her was overcast For it hapned that one Sir Thâ—mas â—â—erbâ—ry a very ingenious Gentleman and the Earles speciall fâ—â—â—â—d who had written a witty Treâ—tise of a Wife and it seemes not thinking thâ— Lady in all points answerable to his description had been an earnest disswaâ—â—â— of the Mâ—â—â—â— and to â—â—rengthen his diâ—â—wasion layd perhaps some unjust 〈◊〉 upâ—â— the Ladyes 〈◊〉 which so incensed them both against him that 〈…〉 could not give them satiâ—â—â—ction than to take away his life So 〈…〉 saying Improbe 〈…〉 r quid non mortalia pectora cogis 〈◊〉 this they finde pretences to have the said Sir Thomas committed to the â—â—wer and there by their Instruments effect their revenge some
man to be King of Bohemia and accordingly was elected by the States of that Kingdome but he was no sooner invested in the Crowne but the Emperour with great Forces assaulted him in Prague and not only drove him with his wife and children from thence but tooke from him also his owne Patrimony the Palatinate so as though now a King he was fayne to flye to the States of the Low Countries for a place of residence King Iames though he had never given his consent to the Palsegraâ—es taking upon him that Kingdome as foreseeing in his great judgement what the event will bee yet in this distresse he could noâ— forbeare to take care of his daughter and thereupon sent Sir Richard Wesâ—on the same that was after Lord Treasurer in Embassage to the Emperour to sollicite the restoring of the Palatinate to the Palsegrave but he returning without successe the King had then conference with Count Gundâ—mar the King of Spaines Ligier in England what course might bee taken to procure the restoring it who made him answere there could be no better course than to make a marriage betweene his sonne the Prince of Wales and the Infant of Spaine which he said would easily be effected if the Prince might have leave to make a Iourny into Spaine King Iames though he considered the inveterate grudges betweene Spaine and England and as dangerous it might beâ— to put the heire of the Kingdom into the Spaniards hands yet grounding himself upon the saying Fide lem si putaveris facies and drawne on by the insinuating speeches of Count Gundomar not perhaps without some Indinction in the Marquis of Buckingham was contented at last the Prince should goe And so Prince Charles sending his ships about and taking along with him only the Marquis of Buckingham who in the time of his being in Spaine was created Duke of Buckingham Endymion Porter and Mr. Francis Cottington two that were well acquainted with the Language and affaires of Spaine he tooke his Iourney by the way of France went to Paris and secretly in disguise to the Court there where he had the sight of that Lady that might well have stayed him from going further but yet on he went In the meane time Gundomar a cunning man and one that besides his Masters had ends of his owne and could play his Game no lesse for his owne profit than his Masters Honour as he had perswaded the King of the facility of the Match with Spayne so he perswaded a certainty of it especially amongst Catholick Ladies by which meanes he brought no small store of Grists to his owne Mill receiving from one Lady three hundred pounds to bee made Groome of the Stoole when the Spanish Princesse should come of another a good round summe to be made Mother of the Maydes and of diverse other the like for other places But the Prince being arrived in Spayne was received indeed with all the demonstrations of love and kindnesse that could be devised so as the charge of his entertainment was said to stand the King of Spayne in nine and forty thousand Duckats but yet his acquaintance with the Lady was much restrained for in all the time of his staying in Spayne which was no lesse than eight moneths being from February to October he saw her but very seldome and that at good distances never spake with her but twice and that before company besides that his speeches were limited how much and what he should say farre from any meanes of tying the knot betweene them which was pretended what the cause should bee was much in obscurity some thought that a difference betweene the Duke of Buckingham and the Count Olivares the King of Spayne's great Favorite was a great hinderance of the proceeding but other and more likely that the Spanyard indeed never really intended the Match at all but had drawne the Prince into Spayne for other Ends but what those ends were was no lesse uncertaine one thought it was done to hold the Prince in a treaty of marriage with a Daughter of Spayne till the Daughters of France should bee bestowed thereby to keepe him from that allyance but others and more likely that the King of Spayne entertayned this Treaty with the King of great Brittayne meaning to spinne it out till he had compassed some designes in the Low-Countries and the Palatinate at least to make King Iames most vigilant for those paâ—ts But when much time had beene spent in protracting upon pretence of difficultities in obtaining the Popes dispensation King Iames partly wearied with delay but chiefely angred with delusion sent to the Prince with all speed to returne into England which the Prince presently signified to the King of Spaine and had his leave to depart but upon promise to continue the treaty of the marriage still Though it was said the Prince was gone but a few dayes on his journey when a Post was sent to have stayed him if he had been overtaken But whether it was so or no it was Gods providence that he came safely to his ships and in them safely into England arriving at Portsmouth where he was beheld of the people with no lesse gladnesse than the Sunne after a long Eclipse and now his safe returning did both justifie King Iames his judgement in suffering him to goe and the King of Spaines justice in suffering him to come back and was cause that the people began to have a better opinion of the Spanish faith than they had before But now it presently brake out that this match with Spaine could never take effect for King Iames having received Declarations of the Articles touching the marriage found many very strict and large for exercise of the Catholike Religion but none at all for restitution of the Palatinate which made him so much discontented that he presently brake off all treaty of the marriage and signified as much not onely to the King of Spaine but to divers other Princes of Christendome Vpon which breach two great Points were presently had in consultation One for preparing forces for recovering the Palatinate by way of Armes which could not be done by a way of friendship and for this purpose a Councell of warre was called and a proposition resolved on both of men and money for undertaking the enterprise as also a great contribution by way of benevolence was collected towards which the compiler of this worke gave himselfe fifty pounds as many other farre greater summes though the collection went not thorow the whole Landâ— by reason there was hope given of a peaceable reconcilement so as many that were not over-hasty in their payments escaped without contributing at all The other point was for providing a fit wife for the Prince in some other place It was said the States of Holland offered a very great portion in marriage to the Prince if hee would match with some Lady of that Countrie but matches are made in heaven and there was a young Lady of France
against Duells and single Combâ—ts and a strict Law was made in Parliament against stabbing with a dagger oâ— knife making it to be wilfull Murther Affayres of the Church in his time THe King as a Religious Prince desiring nothing so much as to settle Peace in the Church and hearing of some dissensions of his Divines in points of Religion in the very first yeare of his Raigne appointed a Conference to bee holden before himselfe at Hampâ—on Court to which were called diverse Bishops Deanes and Doctors of one side and of the other foure eminent Divines namely Doctor Reynolds Doctor Sparkes Mr. Knewstabbs and Mr. Chadderton who all meeting before the King the 14 day of Ianuary the King first signified the cause of his calling them together and then told them he was there ready to heare what they could object or say against the present Government of the Church whereupon Doctor Reynolds being their Foreman reduâ—ed all matters disliked or questioned to these foure Heads 1. First that the doctrine of the Church might be preserved in purity accoâ—ding to Gods Word 2. That good Pastours might be planâ—ed in all Churchâ—s to preach the same 3. That the Church Government might be sincerely administred according to the Word of God 4. That the Book of Common Prayer might be fitted to more encreaâ—e of Piety Out of these Heads he drew and moved divers points One that Confirmation might not be by Bishops only but that every Pastour in his Parish might Confirme but this was thought to trench too much upon the Iurisdiction of Biâ—hopâ— and to be a step to bring in a Presbiterian government which the King much misliked and the Bishop of Winchester challenged Dr. Reynolds with aâ—â— his learning to shew where ever he had read that Confirmation was at aâ—â— used in antient times by any other than by Bishops Another motion of Docâ—oâ— Reynolds was That there might be a new Translation of the Bible becaâ—se the present from sevenscore to two hundred so he increased their Pensions from two shillings a day for three moneths in the summer to seven groats a day for six moneths in the summer Then where at his comming he found but only foure Iudges in the Courts of Law at Westminster hee added a fifth with the like allowance as the former had besides many other Pensions of like nature But the works of Piety done by others in his time were very many whereof we may justly set in the first place the repairing of Pauls Church begun in his time though not finished till many yeares after a worke of as great cost and labour as the first founding it towards the furtherance whereof though many well devoted persons contributed liberally yet none was more industrious than the learned Doctor Laud first Bishop of London and after Arch-bishop of Canterburie who also was a bountifull Benefactor to the Colledge of Saint Iohns in Oxford where he had his Education Next to him his Predecessor next before him the worthy George Abbot Arch-Bishop of Canterburie founded a faire Almes-house at Croydon in Surrie as likewise Robert the second Earle of Dorset founded another in Sussex to the maintenance whereof hee gave Lands to the value of three hundred pounds a yeare But of all the Almes-houses that were ever founded in Christendome there is none I thinke can parallell that of Thomas Sutton Esquire This man borne at Snayth in Lincoln-shire having alwayes lived a Batchelour and by sundrie imployments and parcimony being growne to great wealth bought of the right Honourable Thomas Earle of Suffolk his Mansion house called the Charter-house neare to Smithfield in London and out of a pious mind converted it into an Almes-house by the name of Suttons Hospitall endousing the same with above three thousand pounds of yearely rent wherein are maintained fourescore poore men with convenient lodging dyet and allowance of money for apparell also forty poore children with the like provision and a Grammer Schoole with a Master and Vsher to teach them overall whom hee ordained a learned man to bee Master of the houshold and to be chosen by the Governours whom he appoynted for the present by the Authority of the Kings Letters Patents to be George Arch-Bishop of Canterburie Thomas Lord Elsmore Lord Chancellour Robert Earle of Salisburie Lord Treasurer Iohn Bishop of London Laâ—ncelâ—t Bishop of Ely Sir Edward Cook chiefe Iustice of the Common Plâ—as Sir Thomas Foster a Iudge of the Common Pleas Sir Henrie Hubbard the Kings Atturney generall Doctor Overall Deane of Pauls Doctor Mountaine Deane of Wâ—stminster Henrie Thursby Esquire Master of the Chancerie Richard Sutton Esquire Auditor of the Imprests Ieffâ—rie Nightingall Esquire Iohn Low Gentleman Thomas Browne Gentleman and Master of the Houshold for the time being to bee alwayes one and as any of these sixâ—eene Governours should dye the Survivers to make present addition of others Next to this was a faire Colledge in Oxford founded by Nicholas Wil be Esquire and called after his name About this time also Edward Allin of Dulwich in Surrie founded a faire Hospitall at Dulwich for six poore men and six poor women and for twelve poore children from the age of foure or six yeares to be there maintained and taught till the age of foureteen or sixteen and to have a Schoolemaster with dyet and a convenient stipend This man may be an example who having gotten his wealth by Stage-playing converted it to this pious useâ— not without a kind of repuâ—ation to the Society of Players In this Kings time also William Cambden King at Armes founded an Historie Professor in Oxford to which hee gave the Mannor of Bexley in Kent which some yeares expired will be worth foure hundred pounds a yeare In his tenth yeare Sir Baptist Hicks one of the Iustices of Peace in Middlesex who was after made Viscount Câ—â—bden built a faire Sessions house of Brick and Stone in St. Iohns street which by the Iustices was called after his name Hicks Hall a great convenience for the Iustices who sate before in a common Inne called the Castle Hee also founded a faire Hospitall of Free stone at Cambden in Gloucester-shire for six men and six wowomen allowing each of them a yearely Gowne and two shillings six pence a week with two roomes and a garden In this Kings time George Patyn Citizen and Grocer of London gave to good uses three thousand an six hundred pounds whereof twelve hundred pounds to the two Vniversities nine hundred pounds for an Almes-house and a certaine summe of money to buy two Bells and make a Chime in Bow-Church Also Thomas Teasdale of Glympton in the Countie of Oxford Gentleman gave five thousand pounds to purchase lands for perpetuall maintenance of seven fellowes and Six Scholars to be placed in Baylyoll Colledge in Oxford and to be chosen thither from time to time out of the Free-Schoole of Abbington in Berk-shire to which Schoole he also gave lands for maintenance of an Vsher. In this
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 Exâ—on 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 Kneveâ—t was called by writ to the Parliament by the name of Bâ—ron 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 Iuâ—e Sir Iames Hâ—y of Scotland was created Baron of Sawley and about three yeares after was made Viscount Doncaster and Sir â—obert Dorâ—er was created Baâ—on of Wyng afterward by K. Charles made Earle of Carâ—arvan In his fourteenth yeare on the 9. of Iuly Sir Iohn Hollis was created Baron of Haughton and Sir Iohn Roper of Kenâ—â— 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 Stâ—k and Viscount Purbeck In his eighteenth yeare William Câ—vendish was created Viscount Mansfield afterward by King Châ—rlâ—s mâ—de Earle of Neâ—castle and on Munday the fourth of Decâ—mber Sir Henry Mâ—â—tague being first made Lord Treasurer was created Baron of Kimbolton and Viscount Mâ—â—devile 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 Newhenâ—â—â— and Viscount Fielding In his ninteenth yeare Henry Cary was made Lord Cary of Lâ—ppington afterward by King Charles made Earle of Manmouth Sir Edward Mountague elder Brother to the Viscount Mâ—â—devile was made Baron of Boulton the Lord Darciâ— of Essex was created Viscount Colchester afterward by King Charles made Earle Râ—vers the Lord Huâ—sdoâ— was created Viscount Rochford afterward by King Charles made Earle of Dâ—ver 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 â—his 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 〈…〉 Riâ—h Baron of Kensington was created Earle of Holland the Lord 〈…〉 Baron of Say and Seale was made Viscount Say and Seale Sir 〈…〉 â—ane was created Earle of Westmerland Oliver Lord St. Iohn of Bletâ—â—◠〈◊〉 made Earle of Bullinbrook Sir Christopher Villers brother to the Duke of Bâ—ckingham was made Earle of Anglesey and Sir Iames Ley was made 〈…〉 afterward by King Charles made Earle of Marlborough Also this yearâ—â— 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 â—oâ—t 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 Expeâ—ience more worth perhaps then the end he went for For by this meanes he attainâ—â— 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 continuâ—nce of all these Happinesses for 15 years together and might have so continued still if it had not been for Discordia Demens Viperiuâ—s 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 amazâ—ment as having nothing left me to say but Omnia in maluâ—â—â—ere 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
Arthur whose Raigne is so uncertaine that some say he raigned onely two some three yeares some againe thirty and some three and thirty After Conanus succeeded Vortiporus who after many victories against the Saxons and foure yeares Raigne died After whom succeeded Malgo Conanus and Raigned six yeares After him Careticus who setting upon the Saxons and beaten â—led into the Towne of Chichester whereupon the Saxons catching certaine Sparrowes and fastning fire to their feete let them fly into the Towne where lighting upon â—traw and other matter apt to take fire the whole City in short space was burnt and thereupon Careticus flying secured himselfe amongst the Mountaines of Wales where he dyed after he had unprosperously Raigned three yeares and from that time forth the Britaines lost their whole Kingdome in the East part of the Island and were confined in the West by the rivers Severne and Dee After Careticus succeeded Cadwan who Raigned two and twenty yeares After him his sonne Cadwallo who Raigned eight and forty yeares and then died whose body was buried in St. Martins Church neere Ludgate and his Image of brasse placed upon the same gate for a terrour to the Saxons In his time the doctrine of Mahomet began to spread it selfe all the Easterne world over After Cadwallo succeeded his sonne Cadwalladar in whose time so great a Famine and afterward Mortality hapned continuing eleven yeares that the Land became in a manner desolate in so much that the King and many of his Lords were driven to forsake their native Country and Cadwalladar himselfe went to his cousin Alan King of little Britaine in France At which time the Saxons taking advantage of his absence came over in swarmes and dispossessed the forlorne Britaines of all they had and divided the Land amongst themselves Whereupon Cadwalladar obtaining assistance of his cousin Alan was comming over to restraine their insolencies when making prayers to God for good successe an Angell appeared to him or at least to his seeming hee heard a voyce that forbad him the enterprise declaring that it was not Gods will the Britaines should rule this Land any longer and therefore bade him hie him to Rome and receive of Pope Sergius the habit of Religion wherein he should die and rest in peace Which accordingly he did and in him ended the blood of the British Kings in the yeare 689. So as Britaine now was no longer Britâ—ine but a Colony of the Saxons And now is time to speake of the Heptarchy of the Saxons so much spoken of by all Writersâ— and to shew by what degrees the Britaiâ—es lost and the Saxons got the whole possession of this Island for this Heptarchie or division of this Island into seven Kingdomes came not in all at once nor yet in an equall partition but some good distance of time one after another and as the Invadour had strength to expell the Natives The first Kingdome being of Kent THe first Kingdome of the Saxons began by Hengist in the yeare 455. containing all Kent and continued 372. yeares during the raignes of seventeene Kings of whom as many as performed any memorable Act shall be remembred and for the rest it will be no losse to passe them over in silence Of these seventeene Kings Ethelbert being the fifth was the first Saxon Christian King of this Island converted by Austin the Monke whom Pope Gregory sent hither to that purpose with forty others in the yeare 595. to whom King Ethelbert gave his chiefe City of Canterbury and his owne Royall Palace there made since the Cathedrall of that See withdrawing himselfe to Reâ—ulver in the Isle of Thanet where he erected a Palace for himselfe and his successors He gave him also an old Temple standing without the East wall of the City which he honoured with the name of St. Paneras and then added a Monastery to it and Dedicated it to St. Peter and Paul appointing it to be the place for the Kentish Kings Sepulchers But in regard of Austin the procurer both Panâ—ras Peter and Paul were soone forgotten and it was and is to this day called St. Austines which Abbey St. Austin enriched with divers Reliques which he brought with him from Rome amongst which was a part of Christs seamelesse Coate and of Aarons Rodde This King after his owne conversion converted also Sebert King of the East Angles and assisted him in the building of the Cathedrall Church oâ— St. Paul London as also the Church of St. Peter on the West of London then called Thorny and himselfe at Rochester built the Cathedrall Church there which he Dedicated to the Apostle St. Andrew and dying when he had Raigned six and fifty yeares was buried at Canterbury And thus by this first Saxon Kingdome was all Kent lopped off from the Britaines Dominion and this was their first impairing and this happened in the Raigne of Ambrosius before spoken of The sixth King of Kent was Ethelbald who at first an Apostata was afterwards converted and built a Chappell within the Monastery of St. Peter and Paul at Canterbury The seventh King was Ercombert a vertuous and religious Prince who first commanded the observing of Lent and in his daies the Archbishop Honorius divided Kent into Parishes The eighth King was Egbert who obtained the kingdome by murthering his Nephews whose sister the Lady Dompnena founded the Abbey of Minster in Kent The eleventh King was Withred who founded the Priory of St. Merton at Dover The last was Baldred who overcome by Egbert King of the West Saxons left Kent a Province to that Kingdome in the yeare 827. The second Kingdome being of the South Saxons THe second Kingdome of the Heptarchie was of the South Saxons and began by Ella in the yeare 488. containing Sussex and Surrey and continued 113 yeares during the raigne of five Kings onely of whom Cissa being the second founded the City of Chichester and raigned as some say threescore and sixteene yeares And then Berthan being the last King was overcome by Ine King of the West Saxons and his Country became a Province to that Kingdome in the yeare 601. and thus as Kent before so now Sussex and Surrey were lopped off from the Britaines Dominion and this was a second impairing which also happened in the Raigne of the British King Ambrosius The third Kingdome being of the West Saxons THe third Kingdome of the Heptarchie was of the West Saxons and began by Cerdic in the yeare 519. containing Cornwall Devonshire Dorseâ—shire Somersetshire Wiltshire Hampshire and Barkeshire and continued 561. yeares during the Raignes of nineteene Kings of whom this Cerdic was the first in whose time Porth a Saxon landed in the West at a place from him called afterward Portesmouth and ayded Cerdic in his conquest And this happened in the Raigne of King Arthur and as Kent Sussex and Surrey before so now these seven other shires were lopped off from the Britaines Dominion and this was a third impairing The sixth King of the West
Rome where he tooke upon him the habit of a Monke and after other foure yeares dyed The tenth King was Ethelbald who at first was given to much lasciviousnesse of life but being reprehended for it by Boniface Archbishop of Ments was so farre converted that he Founded the Monastery of Crowland driving in mighty piles of Oake into that Marish ground where he laid a great and goodly building of stone and after two and forty years Raigne was slaine in a battaile by Cuthred King of the West Saxons The eleventh King was Offa who greatly enlarged his Dominions raigned nine and thirty yeares and Founded the Monastery of St. Albans The thirteenth King was Kenwolph who raigned two and twenty yeares and Founded the Monastery of Winchcombe in the County of Glocester where his body was interred The eighteenth King was Withlafe who overcome by Egbert King of the West Saxons held his Country afterward as his substitute and Tributary acknowledging Egbert as now the sole Monarch of this Island And by erection of this Mercian Kingdome were seventeene shires moâ—e lopped off from the Britaines Dominion and was a sixth and a great impairing so as now they were driven into a narrow roome The seventh Kingdome being of the East Angles THe seventh Kingdome was of the East Angles and began by Uffa in the yeare 575. containing Suffolke Norfolke Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely and continued 353. yeares during the raigne of fifteene Kings of whom the fifth was Sigebert who first brought the light of the Gospell into his Dominions and built a Schoole for education of youth but whether at Oxford or Cambridge is left a Quaere and after three yeares Raigne shore himselfe a Monke in the Abbey of Cumbreburg which himselfe had built but being afterward violently drawne from thence by his Subjects the East Angles to resist the Mercian King Penda and refusing to use any other weapon but onely a white wand was in a battaile by him slaine The seventh King was Anna who after thirteene yeares raigne was also slaine by Penda the Mercian King This King Anna was memorable chieâ—ly for the holinesse of his children of whom his sonne Erkenwald was Bishop of London and built the Abbey of Barking neere London His eldest daughter Etheldrid was twice married and yet continued a Virgin still and at last became a Nunne and is remembred to posterity by the name of St. Audrie His second daughter named Sexburg his third named Ethelburg his fourth a Naturall daughter named Withburg all entred into Monasteries and are Canonized all for Saints The foureteenth King was Ethelbert a learned and religious Prince who being invited by Offa the Mercian King to marry Elfrid his daughter came for that purpose to Offa's Court then seated at Sutton Walleys in the County of Hereford and there by him was cruelly murthered In whose memoriall notwithstanding hee afterward built a faire Church at Hereford the Cathedrall of that See as though he could expiate a murther of the living by a Monument to the dead and were not rather a Monument of his owne impiety The fifteenth King was Edmund who assaulted by the Danes for his possessions was more assaulted for his profession for continuing constant in his Christian Faith those Pagans first beat him with bats then scourged him with whippes â—nd lastly bound him to a stake and with their arrowes shot him to death whose body was buried at the Towne where Sigebert the East Anglian King one of his Predecessors had built a Church and where afterward in honour of him was built another most spatious of a wonderfull frame of Timber and the name of the Towne upon the occasion of his buriall there called to this day St. Edmunds bury This Church and place Suenus the Danish King burnt to ashes but when his sonne Canutus had gotten possession of the English Crowne terrified with a Vision of the seeming St. Edmund in a religious devotion to expiate his Fathers sacriledge hee built it anew most sumptuously and offered his owne Crowne upon the Martyrs Tombe After the death of this Edmund the East Angles Country was possest by the Danes and so continued the space of fifty yeares untill that Edmund surnamed the Elder expelled those Danes and made that Kingdome a Province to the West Saxons By that which hath beene said it plainely appeares by what degrees the Britaines lost and the Saxons got the whole possession of this Island For after that Vortigern in the yeare 455. had called in the Saxons every Britaine King that succeeded him lost some part or other of it to the Saxonâ— till at last in the yeare 689. Câ—dwâ—llader the last Britaine King lost all and then the Saxon Kings striving amongst themselves for soveraignty they still gained one upon another till at last in the yeare 818 Egbert King of the West Saxons reduced them all under his subjection and then caused all the South of the Island to bee called England according to the Angles of whom himselfe came after whom they were no longer properly called Saxon Kings but Kings of England and so continued till the Danes in the yeare 1017. made an interruption of whose succession now comes the time to speake Of the Saxons that Raigned sole Kings of this Island and may properly be called English Kings EGbert the eighteenth King of the West Saxons is now become the first of the Kings of England in whose time the Danes began first to infest the Land as thinking they might do as much against the Saxons as the Saxons had done against the Britaines but though they made divers Invasions and did great spoyle yet they were still repelled This King raigned six and thirty yeares and dying in the yeare 836. was buried at Winchester Of his issue his daughter Edith was made Governesse of a Monastery of Ladies by her planted in a place which the King her brother had given her called Pollesworth situate in Arden in the North part of the County of Warwicke where shee died and was buriâ—d and the place in memory of her called St Edyths of Pollesworth To Egbert succeeded his sonne Ethelwolph who in his youth was so addicted to a Religious life that he was first made Deacon and after Bishop of Winchester but his father dying he was intreated by his people to take upon him the Crowne and by Pope Gregory the fourth was to that end absolved of his Vow His raigne was infested with many and great Invasions of the Danes to whom notwithstanding hee gave incredible overthrowes In the time of his Raigne remembring his former Religious profession he ordained that riches and lands due to holy Church should be free from all Tribute or Regall services and in great devotion went himselfe to Rome where he lived a yeare confirmed the grant of Peter pence and agreed beside to pay yearely to Rome three hundred Markes Returning home through France and being a Widower he there marryed Iudith the beautifull daughter of Charles the Bald
then Emperor in honour of whom in his owne Court hee ever placed her in a chaire of Estate with all other Majesticall complements of a Qâ—â—ene contrary to the Law of the West Saxons formerly made which so much displeased his Lords that for it they were ready to Depose him but howsoever hee lived not long after having Raigned one and twenty yeares His yongest sonne Neoto was much addicted to learning and was one of the first Divinity Readers in the University of Oxford and Founded a Monastery in Cornwall which of him was called Neotestock and being dead his body was Interred in the County of Huntington at a place then called Arnulphsbury and afterward in regard of his Interment St. Neotes and now St. Nâ—edes This King was famous for having foure sons who all of them were Kings of this Land successively First after him Raigned his eldest sonne Ethelbald in the yeare 857. who to his eternall shame tooke to wife Iudith his fathers widdow Raigned but two yeares and dying was buried at Shirborn in Dorsetshire at that time the Episcopal See From this Iudith married afterward to the Earle of Flanders after divers descents came Maude the wife of William the Conqueror from whom are descended all our Kings ever since Next to the eldest Raigned the second sonne Ethelbert all whose Raigne which was onely five yeares was perpetually disquieted with Invasions of the Danes which yet were at last repelled He died in the yeare 866. and was buried at Shirborne in Dorsetshire Next to the second Raigned his third sonne Ethelred whose Raigne was more disquieted with the Danes then any others before for they Invading the Land under the leading of Hungar and Hubba spoyled all the Country as they went not sparing Religious places amongst other the goodly Monasteries of Bradney Crowland Peterborough Ely and Huntington they laid levell with the ground the Monkes and Nunnes they murthered or ravished at which time a rare example of Chastity and Fortitude was seene in the Nunnes of Coldingham For to avoyd the baâ—barous pollutions of these Pagans they deformed themselves by cutting off their upper lips and noses Nine battailes in one yeare this King fought with the Danes in most oâ— them victorious but at last received a wound whereof he died and was buried in the Church at Winborne in Dorsetshire Next to the third Raigned his fourth son Alfred in whose time came over greater swarmes of Danes then ever before and had now got footing in the North the West South parts of this Island leaving this King nothing of all his great Monarchy but only Somerset Hampton and Wiltshire and not these neither altogether free so as he was forced sometimes to flie into the Fennes and Marish grounds to secure himselfe where he lived by Fishing and Fowling and hunting of wilde beasts till at last learning policy from adversity and gathering courage from misery hee ventured in the habit of a common Minstrell to enter the Danes Campe where having viewed the manner of their Encamping and observed their security he returned backe shewing his Lords in what condition he found them whereupon setting upon them at unawares he not onely made of them a great slaughter but brought upon them a greater terrour for presently upon this the Danes sue for Peace and deliver Hostages for performance of these Conditions that their King should receive Baptisme and their great Army depart quietly out of the Land But though upon this agreement they departed for the present into France yet the yeare following they returned with greater Forces forraging all parts of the Countrey in most cruell manner though still encountred by this Valorous Prince till hee ended his life in the yeare 901. after he had Raigned nine and twenty yeares The vertues of this King if they were not incredible they were at least admirable whereof these may be instances The day and night containing foure and twenty houres he designed equally to three speciall uses observing them by the burning of a Taper set in his Chappell there being at that time no other way of distinguishing them Eight houres he spent in Contemplation Reading and Prayers Eight in provision for himselfe his Health and Recreation and the other eight in the Affaires of the Common-wealth and State His Kingdome likewise he divided into Shires Hundreds and Tythings ordaining that no man might remove out of his Hundred without security by which course he so suppressed Theeves and Robbers which had formerly encreased by the long warres that it is said a boy or girle might openly carry a bag of gold or silver and carry it safely all the Country over Besidâ—s his great Piety he was also learned and â—s farre as it may be a commendation in a Prince a skilfull Musitian and an excellent Poet. All former Lawes hee caused to be survayed and made choyce of the best which hee translated into the English tongue as also the Pastorall of St. Gregorie the History of Bede and Boetius his consolation of Philosophie the Psalmes of David likewise he began to translate but died before he could finish it And so great a love he had to learning that he made a Law that all Freemen of the Kingdome possessing two Hides of land should bring up their sonnes in learning till they were fifteene yeares of age at least that so they might be trained to know God to be men of understanding and to live happily His buildings were many both for Gods service and for other publike use as at Edlingsey a Monastery at Winchester a new Minster and at Shaftesbâ—ry a house of Nunnes whereof he made his daughter Ethelgeda the Abbesse but his Foundation of the University of Oxford exceeded all the rest which he began in the yeare 895. and to furnish it with able Scholars drew thither out of France Grimbaldus and Scotus and out of Wales Asser who wrote his life whose Lectures he honoured often with his owne presence And for a stocke of Frugality he made a Survey of the Kingdome and had all the particulars of his Estate registred in a Booke which he kept in his Treasury at Winchester He Raigned seven and twenty yeares and dying was buryed in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Peter at Winchester though removed afterward into the Church of the new Monastery without the North-gate of the City called Hyde His Wife Elsewith Founded a Monastery of Nunnes at Winchester and was there buryed Their second daughter Ethelgeda tooke upon her the Vow of Virginity and by her Fathers appointment was made a Nunne of Shaftesbery in the County of Dorset in the Monastery â—ounded there by him who is also accounted the Founder of the Towne it selfe King Alfred being deceased his sonne Edward called Edward the Elder succeeded not so learned as his Father but in Valour his Equall and Superiour in Fortune For first he overcame his Cousin Ethelwald who aspired to the Crowne then the Danes whose chiefe leader he â—lew in battaile lastly the Welsh
made the whole Country of the Welsh well pleased and sound forth his praises His Pious Acts were that he built and prepared seven and forty Monasteries and meant to have made them up fifty but was prevented by death But now his mixture of Vice marred all especially being a Vice opposite to all those Vertues which was Lasciviousnesse For first he deflowred a sacred Nunne called Wolfchild on whom yet he begot a Saint the chast Edyth After her another Virgin called Ethelflede for her excellent beauty surnamed the White on whom he begot his eldest Sonne Edward for which Fact he did seven yeares penance enjoyned him by the Arch-bishop Dunstan After this he chanced to heare of a Virgin Daughter to a Westerne Duke exceedingly praysed for her beauty and comming to Andover commanded her to his Bed But the Mother tender of her Daughters honour brought in the darke her mayd to him who in the morning making hast to rise and the King not suffering her to depart she told him what great worke she had to doe and how she should incurre her Ladies displeasure if it were not done by which words the King perceiving the deceit turned it to a jest but so well liked her company that he kept himselfe true to her ever after till he marryed But now his marriage it selfe happened by a greater vice then any of these For hearing of the admirable beauty of Elâ—rida the onely daughter of Ordganus Duke of Devonshire Founder of Tavestocke Abbey in that Country he sent his great Favorite Earle Ethelwold who could well judge of beauty to try the truth thereof with Commission that if he found her such as Fame reported he should seise her for him and he would make her his Queene The young Earle upon sight of the lady was so surprized with her love that he began to wooe her for himselfe and got her Fathers good will so as the King would give his consent Hereupon the Earle posted to the King relating to him that the Mayd was faire indeed but nothing answerable to the Fame that went of her yet desired the King that he might marry her as being her Fathers heire thereby to raise his Fortunes The King consented and the marriage was solemnized Soone after the fame of her beauty began to spread more then before so as the King much doubting that he had beene abused meant to try the truth himselfe and thereupon taking occasion of hunting in the Dukes Parke came to his house whose comming Ethelwold suspecting acquainted his wife with the wrong he had done both her and the King and therefore to prevent the Kings displeasure intreated her by all the perswasions he could use to cloathe her selfe in such attire as might be least fit to set her forth but she considering that now was the time to make the most of her beauty and longing to be a Queene would not be accessary to her owne wrong but decked her selfe in her richest Ornaments which so improved her beauty that the King at her first sight was strucke with admiration and meant to be revenged of his persidious Favourite yet dissembling his passion till he could take him at advantage he then with a Javelin ran him through and having thereby made the faire Elfrid a Widow tooke her to be his Wife This King founded the Monastery of Ramsey in Hamshire Raigned sixteene yeares Lived seven and thirty and with great Funâ—rall pompe was buryed in the Abbey of Glastenbury He had children by his first wife Ethelfleda one sonne named Edward and by his second wife Elfrid two sons one named Edmund who dyed young the other Ethelred He had also one naturall Daughter named Edgyth by a Lady named Wolfchild the daughter of Wolholme the sonne of Birding the sonne of Nesting which two latter beare in their names the memory of their Fortunes the last of them being found in an Eagles nest by King Alfred as he was a hunting This Edgyth built the Monastery and Church of Saint Dennis at Wilton and was there buryed After the death of King Edgar succeeded his sonne Edward but not without some opposition for Queene Elfrid combined with divers of the Lords to make her Sonne Ethelred King saying that Prince Edward was illegitimate on the other side the Arch-bishop Dunstan and the Monkes stood for Edward abetting his Title as being lawfully borne but while the Counsell was assembled to argue their Rights the Arch-bishop came in with his Banner and Crosse and not staying for debating De Iure De Facto presented Prince Edward for their lawfull King and the Assembly consisting most of Clergy men drew the approbation of the rest and thereupon Prince Edward was admitted being but twelve yeares of age and was Crowned King at Kingstone upon Thames by Arch-bishop Dunstan in the yeare 975. In the beginning of his Raigne it fell into debate whether marryed Priests were to be allowed to live in Monasteries upon the revenues of the Church The Mercian Duke Alferus favouring the cause of the marryed Priests destroyed the Monasteries in his Province cast out the Monkes and restored againe the ancient revenues to the Priests and their wives On the other side Edelwyn Duke of the East Angles and Brithnoth Earle of Essex who stood for the Monkes cast marryed Priests out of their Provinces The matter being debated in a Councell at Westminster the Monkes cause was like to have the foyle till it was referred to the Rood placed on the Refectory wall where the Counsell sate For to this gréat Oracle Saint Dunstan desired them devoutly to pray and to give diligent eare for an Answer when suddenly a voyce was heard to say God forbid it should be so God forbid it should be so This was thought authority sufficient to suppresse the Priests till they perswading the people that this was but a cunning practise of the Monkes in placing behind the wall a man of their owne who through a Trunke uttered these words in the mouth of the Rood whereupon another Assembly was appointed at Cleve in Wiltshire whither repaired the Prelates with most of all the Lords and Gentlemen of the Kingdome The Synod being set and the matter at the heighth of discussing it happened that the Joysts of the roome where the Synod was held suddenly brake and the floore with all the people thereon fell downe whereof many were hurt and some slaine Onely the Arch-bishop Dunstan then President and mouth for the Monkes remained unhurt which whether it were done by practise or were miraculous it served the Monkes turne for justifying their cause and marryed Priests were thereupon discarded It were infinite and indeed ridiculous to speake of all the Miracles reported to be done by this Saint Dunstan which may be fit for a Legend but not for a Chronicle But now a most lamentable dysaster comes to be remembred For King Edward hunting one time in the Island of Purbacke not farre from Corfe Castle where his mother in Law Queene Elfrid with
his brother Prince Ethelred were then residing he out of his love to both would needs himselfe alone goe visit them where the cruell woman out of ambition to bring her owne Sonne to the Crowne caused one to runne him into the backe with a knife as he was drinking a cup of Wine on horse backe at his departing who feeling himselfe hurt set spurres to his horse thinking thereby to get to his company but the wound being mortall and he fainting thorow losse of much blood fell from his Horse but one foote being intangled in the stirrup he was thereby rufully dragged up and downe through Woods and Lands And lastly left dead at Corfes gate for which untimely death he was ever after called by â—he name of Edward the Martyr He Raigned onely three yeares and â—ix moneths and was Buryed first at Winchester without all Funerall pompe but after three yeares by Duke Alferus removed and with great solemnity interred in the Minster of Shaftsbury Queene Elfrid to expiate this her bloody fact built the two Monasteries of Almesbery and Worwell in the Counties of Wilâ—shire and Southampton in which latter with great repentance she lived till her death After the death of Edward the Martyr dying at the age of sixteene yeares his halfe brother Ethelred at the age of twelve yeares in the yeare 979. was Crowned King at Kingston upon Thames by Dunstan Arch-bishop of Canterbury though much against his will which King by reason of his backwardnesse in Action was commonly called the Unready Before whose time for two and twenty yeares pastâ— the Danes had lived as quiet Inmates with the English but whether weary of so long doing nothing or finding now opportunity of doing something in the second yeare of this King they begin to stirre and inviting from home more forces who in seven Ships arrived upon the Coast of Kent they spoyled all the Country specially the Isle of Thanet and continued this course of forraging the Kingdome sometimes in one part and sometimes in another for eleven yeares together till at last in the yeare 991. the King by advice of his Lords of whom Siricius the now Arch-bishop of Canterbury was chiefe was contented to pay them ten thousand pounds upon condition they should quietly depart the Realme This served the turne for the present but was so farre from satisfying them that it did but give them the greater appetite for the yeare following they came againe and that with a greater Fleet then before against whom the King prepared a competent Navy and committed it to Elfricke Earle of Mercia but he proving treacherous as indeed all other for the most part did whom the King imployed against the Danes as with whom they were allyanced in blood the Danâ—s so prevailedâ— that for the next Composition they had sixteene thousand pounds given them and a yeare after twenty thousand and so every yeare more and more till it came at last to forty thousand by which meanes the Land was emptyed of all Coyne and the English were brought so low that they were faine to Till and Eare the Ground whilest the Danes sate idle and ate the fruite of their labours abusing the Wives and Daughters of their Hosts where they lay and yet iâ— every place for every feare were called Lord-Danes which afterward became a word of derision when one would signifie a lazy Lubber In this distressed state the King at last bethought himselfe of a course He sent forth a secret Commission into every City within his Dominions that at an appointed time they should massacre all the Danes that were amongst them The day was the thirteenth of November being the Festivall of Saint Bricius in the yeare 1002. His command was accordingly performed and with such rigour that in Oxford the Danes for refuge tooke into the Church of Saint Frideswyde as into a Sanctuary when the English neither regarding Place nor Person set the Church on site wherein many of the Danes were burnt and the Library thereof utterly defaced And who would not now thinke but that England by this Fact had cleane shaken off the Danish yoke for ever yet it proved cleane otherwise For the newes of this massacre adding a new edge of revenge to the old edge of ambition made the Danes sharper set against the English then ever they had beene before so as the yeare following their King Sweyne with a mighty Navy entred the Country razed and levelled with the ground the City of Exceter all along from the East Gate to the West against whom the King levyed an Army and made Generall over it the Earle Edricke his great Favourite whom he had created Duke of Mercia and given him his Daughter Edgyth in marriage yet all this great favour could not keepe him from being treacherous for being sent Embassadour to the Danes to mediate for Peace he revealed to them the weaknesse of the Land and treacherously disswaded them from consenting to any Truce Upon this King Ethelred gave order that every three hundred and ten Hydes of Land should build a Ship and every eight Hydes finde a compleat Armour furnished yet all this great preparation came to nothing but onely to make a shew After this the King seeing no end of their invasions nor promise kept upon any composition for three Danish Princes with a great Fleet were now newly arrived He intended to adventure once for all and to commit his cause to God by the fortune of a Battaile To which end he secretly gathered a mightily Power and comming unlooked for when the Enemy was unprepared he had certainely given an end to the Quarrell if the wicked Edricke had not disswaded him from fighting and put him into a causelesse feare by forged tales After this the Danes forraged many Countryes burnt Oxford Theâ—ford and Cambridge and lastly entred Wiltshire which was the seventh shire in number they had laid waste like a Wildernesse The yeare after they make a new Expedition and besiege Canterbury which by treason of a Church-man they wonne tooke Alphegus the Arch-bishop and flew nine hundred Monkes and men of Religion besides many Citizens without all mercy for they Tythed the people slaying all by nines and reserving onely the tenth to live so that of all the Monkes in the Towne there were but foure saved and of the Lay people foure thousand eight hundred by which account Master Lambert collecteth that there dyed in this Massacre three and forty thousand and two hundred persons The Arch-bishop Alphegus for that he refused to charge his Tenants with three thousand pounds to pay for his ransome they most cruelly stoned to death at Greenâ—wich Turkillus the leader of these murtherers tooke into his possession all Norfolke and Suffolke over whom he tyrannized in most savage manner the rest compounding with the English for eight thousand pounds quietly for a while sojourned among them The yeare following came King Sweyne againe and with a great Navy arrived in the mouth of Humber and
landed at Gainsborough to whom the Northumbrians and the people of Lindsey yeelded themselves So that now over all the North from Watlingstreete he Raigned sole King and exacted pledges of them for their further obedience From the North he passed into the South subduing all before him till he came to London where he was so valiantly encountred by the Londoners that he was glad to retire in which retyring notwithstanding he entred Bathe where Ethelmore Earle of Devonshire with his Westerne people submitted himselfe to him Yet after this betweene him and the English was strucke a fierce battaile which had beene with good successe if the treachery of some in turning to the Danes had not hindered it After this the Danes proceeded on victoriously and had gotten most part of the Land and even London also by submission whereupon the unfortunate King Ethelred sending his Wife Emma with her two sonnes Edward and Alfred to her Brother Duke of Normandy himselfe also the Winter following passed thither leaving the Danes Lording it in his Realme Sweyne now as an absolute King extorted from the English both Victuals and Pay for his Souldiers and demanding such a Composition for preserving of Saint Edmunds Monastery in Suffolke as the Inhabitants were not able and therefore refused to pay he thereupon threatned spoyle both to the Place and to the Martyrs bones there interred when suddenly in the middest of his jollity saith Hoveden he cryed out that he was strucke by Saint Edmund with a sword being then in the midst of his Lords and no man seeing from whose hand it came and so with great horrour and torment three dayes afâ—er upon the third of February he ended his life at Thetford or as others say at Gaynsborough And now who would not thinke but this was a faire opportunity offered to the English to free themselves wholly from the Danish yoke but when all was donâ— either crossed by treachery or frustrated by misfortune nothing prospered Iâ— is true upon this occasion of Sweynes death King Ethelred returned out of Normandy but at his comming Canutus the sonne o Sweyne had gotten the peoplâ— of Lindsey to be at his devotion and to find him both Horse and Men against their owne King so as Ethelred was now to encounter as well his owne Subjectsâ— as the Danes which he did so valiantly that he made Canutus glad to returne into Denmarke as utterly hopelesse of any good to be done in England And now one would certainely thinke the Danes had beene removed Roote and Branch out of England and never like to trouble the Land any more and indeed there was all the appearance of probability for it that could be But it is a true saying That which will be shall be let all be done that can be For now Turkill the Dane who had before revolted to King Ethelred growing sensible of his fault which was this or no way to be redeemed and tender of his Countrymens case which was now or never to be helpt with nine of his Ships sailed into Denmarke and first excusing himselfe to Canutus for his former defection as though he had done it of purpose to learne all advantages against the English which now he could discover to him he so prevailed with Canutus once againe to try his fortune that with a Navy of two hundred Ships he set saile for England and landed at Sandwich where he gave the English a great overthrow and passed victoriously through the Counties of Dorset Somerset and Wilts When Ethelred lying dangerously sicke at Cossam the managing of the Warre was committed to Prince Edmund his sonne who preparing to give the Danes battaile had suddenly notice given him that his Brother in Law Edricke meant to betray him into his Enemies hands which made him suspend his proceeding and Edricke perceiving his designe to be discovered cast off the masque and with forty of the Kings ships fled openly to the Enemy and thereupon all the West Countries submitted themselves unto Canutus By this time King Ethelred having recovered his sicknesse prepared to goe on with the Battaile which his sonne Edmund had intended but his Forces being assembled he likewise had suddenly notice given him that his Subjects meant to betray him to the Danes Hereupon he withdrew himselfe to London as the place in which he most confided where falling into a relapse of his former sicknes he ended his unfortunate dayes in the yeare 1016. when he had Raigned 37. yeares and was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul whose bones as yet remaine in the North wall of the Chancell in a chest of gray Marble adjoyning to that of Sebba King of the East Saxons He had by his two Wives eight Sonnes and foure Daughters of whom his youngest named Goda was marryed to one Walter de Maigne a Nobleman of Normandy by whom she had a sonne named Rodolph which Rodolph had a sonne named Harold created afterward by King William the Conquerour Baron of Sudeley in the County of Glocester and Ancestor to the Barons of that place succeeding and of the Lord Chandowes of Sudeley now being Ethelred being dead his third sonne Edmund called Ironside of his ability in enduring labour but the eldest living at his fathers death succeeded and was Crowned at Kingston upon Thames by Levingus Archbishop of Canterbury in the yeare 1016. A great part of the English both feared and favoured and indeed out of feare favoured Canutus especially the Clergy who at Southampton ordained him their King and sware Feaalty to him but the Londoners stood firme to Prince Edmund and were the principall authors of his Election Canutus before the death of King Ethelred had besieged the City and now with a large Trench encompassed it but the new King Edmund comming on raised the siege and made Canutus flie to the Isle of Sheppey where having stayed the winter the Spring following he assayled the West of England and at Penham in Dorseâ—shire a battaile was fought and the Danes discomfitted After this in Worcâ—stershire at a place called Sherostan another battaile was fought where the Danes were like againe to be discomfited but the traiterous Edrick perceiving it he cut off the head of a souldier like unto King Edmâ—nd both in haire and countenance and shaking his bloody sword with the gasping head cried to the Army of the English Fly ye wretches flie get away for your King is slain behold here is his head but King Edmund having notice of this treacherous stratagem hasted to shew himself where he might best be seen whose sight so encouraged his men that they had gotten that day a finall Victory if night had not prevented them Duke Edrick excused his fact as being mistaken in the countenance of the man and desirous to save the blood of the English upon which false colour hee was received into favour againe After this Canutus secretly in the night brake up his Campe and marched towards London which in a sort was
still besieged by the Danish ships but King Edmund hearing of his departure followed him and with small adoe removed the siege and in Triumphant manner entred the City After this neere unto Otford in Kent was another great battaile fought in which Canutus lost foure thousand five hundred men and King Edmund onely six hundred the rest of the Danes saving themselves by â—light whom if King Edmund had purâ—ued it is thought that day had ended the warres betweene these two Nations for ever But the ever traiterous Edrick kept King Edmund from pursuing them by telling him of Ambushes and other dangers So as Canutuâ— had leisure to passe over into Essex but thither also King Edmund followed him where at Ashdone three miles from Saffron Walden another battaile was fought in which â—he Danes being at the point to be overthrowne the traiterous Edrick with all his Forces revoulted to their side by which treachery the English lost the day There died of King Edmunds Nobility Duke Alfred Duke Goodwyn Duke Athelward Duke Athelwyn Earle Urchill Codnoth Bishop of Lincolne Woolsey Abbot of Ramsey with many other The remembrance of which battaile is retained to this day by certaine small hils there remaining whence have beene digged the bones of men Armour and horsebridles After this at Dereherst neere to the river Severnâ— another battaile was ready to be fought when suddenly a certaine Captaine steps forth and for saving of blood uâ—ed great perswasions that either they should try the matter by single Combat or else divide the Kingdome betwixt them Upon this the Combat is agreed on and the two Princes entering into a small Island called Alney adjoyning to the City of Glocester in compleat Armour assayled each other at first on horsebacke and after on foote when Canutus having received a dangerous wound and finding himselfe overmatched in strength desired a Compromise and with a loud voyce used these words What necessity should move us most Valiant Prince for obtaining of a Title to endanger our lives were it not better to lay malice aside and condescend to a loving agreement let us therefore become sworne brothers and divide the Kingdome between us This motion was by King Edmund accepted and thus was the Kingdome divided betweene these two Princes Edmund enjoying that part which lies upon the coast of France and Canutus the rest But now Duke Edrick hath his last and greatest Act of treachery to play for King Edmund being retired to a place for natures nâ—cessity he thurst from under the draught a sharpe speare into his body and then cutting off his head presented it to Canutus with these fawning words All hayle thou sole Monarch now of England for here behold the head of thy Copartner which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off Canutus though ambitious enough of soveraignty yet abaâ—hed at so disloyall a fact replyed and vowed that in reward of that service his own head should bee advanced above all the Peeres of his Kingdom which soone after he performed for by his command the false Edricks head was cut off and placed upon the highest gate in London The death of this King in this manner some say was acted at Oxford other that he died of naturall sicknesse in London but howsoever he came to his death his Raigne was but onely seven months his body was buried at Glastenâ—ury neere to his Grandfather King Edgar This King Edmund had by his wife Algytâ— two sonnes the eldest named Edward surnamed the Outlaw because he lived out of England in Hungary as a banished man for feare of King Canutus but when his Uncle King Edward the Confessor had obtained the Crowne he was recalled and honourably entertained till he died He married Agatha sister to Queene Sophia wife to Salomon King of Hungarie and daughter to the Emperour Henry the second by whom he had Edgar surnamed Atheling the right Heire of the English Crowne though he never enjoyed it King Edmund had also two daughters Margaret and Christian of whom the younger became a Veyled Nunne at Ramsey in Hampshire the elder Margaret after sole Heire to the Saxon Monarchie married Malcolme the third King of Scotland from which Princely bed in a lineall Descent our High and Mighty Monarch King Iames the first doth in his most Royall person unite the Britaines Saxons Normans and Scottish Imperiall Crownes in one Of the first Danish King in England CAnutus being possest of halfe the Kingdome by composition with King Edmund now after his death seised upon the whole and to prevent all further question he called a Councell of the English Nobility wherein it was propounded whether in the agreement betwixt Edmâ—nd and him any claime of Title to the Crowne had beene reserved for King Edmunds brethren or sonnes to which not daring to say otherwise they absolutely answered no and thereupon tooke all of them the Oath of Allegeance to Canutus Being thus cleered of all Opposites he prepared with great solemnity for his Coronation which was performed at London by the hands of Levingus surnamed Elstane Archbishop of Canterbury in the yeare 1017. being the first Dane that Raigned Monarch of England But Canutus not thinking himselfe sufficiently safe as long as any that might pretend were in the peoples eye caused first Edwyn the sonne of King Ethelred and brother of Edmund to abjure the Realme who was yet afterward recalled and treacherously murthered by his owne men and his body buried at Tavestock in Devonshire Next were the two sonnes of Edmund Ironside Edward and Edmund whom to the end the people might not see him shed the blood of Innocents he sent to his halfe brother King of Sweden to be made away Then remained Edward and Alfred the sonnes of King Ethelred and them their mother Queene Emma had sent away before to her brother the Duke of Normandie there to be in safety so as none of the Royall blood was now left in the land to give Canutus any feare of competition After this he tooke to wife the vertuous Lady Emma the Relict of King Ethelred by which match he procured to himselfe three great benefits one that hee wonne the love of the people by marrying a Lady whom they so entirely loved another that he got the Alliance of the Duke of Normandiâ— a neighbouâ—ing Prince of great power the third that by marrying the mother hee secured himselfe against the sons as likewise Queene Emma was not unwillingly perswaded to the match upon agreement to make her issue if he had any by her to inherit the Crowne of England And to winne the love of the people more hee caused great numbers of his Danes who pestered the Country to return home bestowing amongst them for their satisfaction foure score and two thousand pounds And to winne the love of the people yet more he now set himselfe to the making of good lawesâ— in a Parliament at Oxford whereof for a Patterne of those times some that concerne Religion may not
him by Baldwyn Earle of Flaunders he tooke the Sea for England where comming to shoare Earle Goodwyn met him and bound himselfe by Oath to be his guide to his Mother Queene Emma but being wrought firme for Harold he led him and his company a contrary way and lodged them at Guilford making knowne to King Harold what he had done who presently committed them all to slaughter sparing onely every tenth man for service or sale Prince Alfred himselfe he sent Prisoner to the Isle of Ely where having his eyes inhumanely put out in griefe and torment he ended his life Some adde a more horrible kind of cruelty as that his belly was opened and one end of his bowels drawne out and fastned to a stake his body pricked with Needles or Poignards and forced about till all his Entrailes were extracted This done he then set upon Queene Emma confiscated her Goods and banished her the Realme And now further to secure himselfe he kept the Seas with sixteene Danish Ships to the maintenance whereof he charged the English with great payments by which if he procured the safety of his Person he certainly procured the hatred of his Subjects This King for his swiftnesse in running was called Harefoot but though by his swiftnesse he out-runne his Brother for the Kingdome yet could he not runne so fast but that death quickely overtooke him For having Raigned onely foure yeares and some moneths he dyed at Oxfordâ— and was buryed at Westminster having never had Wife or Children Of the third and last Danish King in England KIng Harold being dead the Lords to make amends for their former neglect send now for Hardiknute and offer him their Allegeance who accepteth their offer and thereupon taking Sea arrived upon the Coast of Kent the sixth day after he had set saile out of Denmarke and with great pompe conveyed to London was there Crowned King by Elnothus Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the yeare 1040. His first Act was to be revenged of his deceased brother Harold whose body he caused to be digged up and throwne into the Thames where it remained till a Fisherman found it and buryed it in the Church yard of Saint Clement without Temple Barre commonly called Saint Clement Danes because it was the burying place of the Danes as some write But towards his Mother and halfe Brother Prince Edwâ—rd he shewed true naturall affection inviting them both to returne into England where he received them with all the honour that from a Sonne or Brother could be expected But now as the King Harold for his swiftnesse in running was surnamed Harefooâ—e So this King for his intemperance in dyet might have been surnamed Swines-mouth or Boccâ—di Porco for his Tables were spread every day foure times and furnished with all kindes of curious dishes as delighting in nothing but Gormandizing and Swilling and as for managing the State he committed it wholly to his Mother Qâ—eene Emma and to the politicke Earle of Kent Godwyn who finding this weaknesse in the King began to thinke himselfe of aspiringâ— and to make the better way for it he sought by all meanes to alien the Subjects hearts from the Prince amongst other courses he caused him to lay heavy Taxes upon them onely for Ship-money to pay his Danes amounting to two and thirty thousand pounds which was so offensive to the people that the Citizens of Worcester slew two of his Officers Thurstaâ— and Feâ—dax that came to Collect it But this King had soone the reward of his Intemperance For in a Solemne Assembly and Banquet at Lambeth Revelling and Carowsing he suddenly fell downe without speech or breath after he had Raigned only two yeares and was buryed at Winchester His death was so welcome to his Subjects that the day of his death is to this day commonly celebrated with open pastimes in the street and is called Hocks-tide signifying scorning or contempt which fell upon the Danes by his death For with him ended the Raigne of the Danes in England after they had miserably afflicted the kingdome for the space of two hundred and forty yeares though in Regall Government but onely six and twenty Of English Kings againe and first of Edward the Confessour KIng Hardiknute dying without issue as having never beene marryed and the Danish line cleane extinguished Edward for his Piety called the Confessour halfe Brother to the deceased Hardiknute and sonne to King Ethelred by his Wife Queene Emma was by a generall consent admitted King of England and was Crowned at Winchester by Edsyne Arch-bishop of Canterbury on Easter day in the yeare 1042. being then of the age of forty yeares He was borne at Islip neare to Oxford and after his Fathers death for safety sent into France to the Duke of Normandy his Mothers Brother from whence he now came to take upon him the Crowne of England His Acts for gaining the Peoples love were first the remitting the yearely tribute of forty thousand pounds gathered by the name of Danegilt which had beene imposed by his Father and for forty yeares together paid out of all mens Lands but onely the Clergy and then from the divers Lawes of the Mercians West Saxons Danes and Northumbrians he selected the best and made of them one Body certaine and written in Latine being in a sort the Fountaine of those which at this day we tearme the Common Lawes though the formes of pleading and processe therein were afterward brought in by the Conquerour The Raigne of this King was very peaceable Onely in his sixth yeare the Danish Pirates entred the Port of Sandwich which with all the Sea-coast of Essex they spoyled and then in Flanders made merchandise of their prey As likewise the Irish with thirty ships entred Severne and with the assistance of Griffyth King of Southwales burnt or â—lew all in their way till at last Reese the brother of Griffyth was slaine at Bâ—lenden and his head presented to King Edward at Glocester His Domesticall troubles were onely by Earle Gâ—dwyn and his sonnes who yet after many contestations and affronts were reconciled and Godwyn received againe into as great favour as before But though King Edward forgave his Treasons yet the Divine Providence did not for soone after as he sate at Table with the King on Easter Munday he was suddenly strucken with death and on the Thursday following dyed and was buryed at Winchester Some make his death more exemplar as that justifying himselfe for Prince Alfreds death he should pray to God that if he were any way guilty of it he might never swallow downe one morsell of bread and thereupon by the just Judgement of God was choaked by the first morsell he offered to eate In this Kings time such abundance of snow fell in Ianuary continuing till the middle of March following that almost all Cattell and Fowle perished and therewithall an excessive dearth followed Two Acts are related of this King that seeme nothing correspondent to the generall opinion had of his Vertue
intention to passe into Hungary the Country where he was borne but by contâ—ary winds was cast upon the Coast of Scotland where the King Malcolme not onely most kindly entertained him but for a stricter bond of kindnesse tooke his Sistâ—r Margaret to Wife by whom he had many Children out of which in the second Generation after a match was found by which in the person of King Henry the second the Saxâ—n and Norman blood were conjoyned the union whereof continues in the race of our Kings of England to this day Not long after to Edgar in Scotland came the two great Earles Edwyn and Marchar brothers to Agatha the late King Harolds Wife also Hereward Gospatrick and Syward with many other Lords and shortly after Stigand and Aldred Arch-bishops with divers of the Clergy And these Lords being together in Scotland did but watch opportunity to recover that which for want of taking opportunity they had lost And assisted by the Scots they invaded the North parts spoyling the Country and killing many for the fault they had themselves committed but all they could do was but to forrage the Country and so returne After this in the third yeare of his Raigne the two sonnes of Swayne King of Denmarke Harold and Canutus with a Fleet of 240. ships entered Humber and invaded the North parts with whom the English Lords in Scotland joyned and â—orraged all the Country till they came neere to Yorke When the Normans that were in the Towne to save the City set fire on the suburbs but the fire not so contented by assistance of a violent winde tooke hold of the City it selfe burning a great part of it and which perhaps was more worth then the City a Library of excellent Bookes and the Normans that were left in defence of the City to the number of three thousand were all slaine King William hearing hereof was so much incensed that with all speed he raised an Army and entred Northumberland wasting the Country that already lay wast and yet for all his great rage was contented with a great summe of money to purchase the Danes departure By these devastations in many Shires of the Kingdome but especially in Northumberland so great a Dearth and Famine followed that men were glad to eate horses and dogges cats and rats and what elâ—e is most abhorrent to nature and betweene Yorke and Durham the space of 60. miles for nine yeares together there was so utter desolation as that neither any house was left standing nor any ground tilled Many other insurrections there were in his Raigne as at Exceter at Oxford in the Isle of Ely and many times by the Scots in the Northerne parts but all these were easily supprest for they were but scattered Forces Et dum singuli pugnant universi vincuntur whereas if they had united themselves into an Army they might perhaps have made it a Warre which now were little more then Routs and Riots Yet some write that King William granted Cumberland to Malcolme King of Scots to hold from him conditionally that the Scots should not attempt any thing prejudiciall to the Crowne of England for which Grant King Malcolme did him Homage The greatest and last was an Insurrection raised in Normandie by his sonne Robert the more dangerous because unnatural for by the instigation and assistance of Philip King of France emulous now of K. Williams greatnesse he entred Normandie claimed it as in his owne right His father indeede had made him a promise of it long before but Robert impatient of delay as counting so long staying to bee little better then disinheriting endeavoured by strong hand to wrest it from his father But his father King William hearing hereof with a strong Army passeth over into Normandie where in a battaile meeting hand to hand with his sonne was by him unhorsed and hurt in the arme but his sonne perceiving him by his voyce to bee his father suddenly leapes off his horse takes up his father casts himselfe downe at his feete and humbly intreats his pardon which as a father he easily grants embraceth his sonne and ever after the sonne from the father had fatherly love and the father from the sonne a filiall obedience But though his father did thus pardon him yet it seemes there is a Nemesis or to say better a Divine Providence that did not pardon him for after this it is observed he never prospered in any thing hee undertooke It cannot perhaps be discovered whether the Kings severity begat his subjects Insurrections or his subjects Insurrections the Kings severity but which of them soever was the mother it is certaine they were nurses each of them to other His aptnesse to forget Injuries CErtainly there is no such goodnesse of nature as aptnesse to be reconciled of which vertue it seemes King William had a large proportion for he seldome remembred injuries after submission Edric the first that rebelled against him he placed in Office neere about him Gospatric who had beene a factious man and a plotter of conspiracies against him he made Earle of Glocester and trusted him with managing a War against Malcolme King of Scots Eustace Earle of Boleyne who in the Kings absence in Normandy attempted to seise upon Dover Castle he received afterward into great favour and respect The Earles Marchar Syward with Wolnoth the brother of Harold a little before his death he released out of prison Edgar who as next heire to the Saxon Kings had often attempted by Armes to recover his right he not onely after twice defection pardoned but gave him also allowance as a Prince It is said twenty shillings a day or rather a pound weight of silver and other large livings besides so as Edgar finding the sweetnesse of safety and the pleasures of a Country life spent the rest of his dayes which were many retired from Court neither envying nor being envyed Only Waltheoff Earle of Northumberland and Northamâ—ton of all the English Nobility was put to death in all the time of this Kings Raigne and not he neither till hee had twice falsified his Oath of Allegeance Of new Acquests to this Kingdome by this Kings meanes IN the thirteenth yeare of his Raigne he subdued Wales and made it tributary to him as before in the seaventh yeare of his Raigne he brought Malcolme King of Scots to do him Homage and thereupon to give him Hostages that if England made him greater then he was before a King of a Duke he no lesse made England greater then it was before three Kingdomes in one Of his Exactions and courses for raysing of money AS his Taxations were many in number so they were various in kinde not alwayes bringing in money directly but sometimes obliquely saving it The first taxe he laid upon his subjects was in the first yeare of his Raigne after his returne out of Normandie a grievous taxe all writers say but none what taxe it was In the third yeare of his Raigne he ransacked all
the Second called Rufus second Son to William the Conquerour appointed Successor by his Fathers Will was upon the fifth of October in the yeare 1087. by Lanfranke Archbishop of Canterbury Crowned at Westminster King of England Wherein his Father seemes to have followed the Example of Iacob who gave to his younger sonne Ioseph the Land which he had taken with his Sword and his Bow for with his sword and his Bow had King William gotten the Land of England and therefore might justly bestow it on which of his Sonnes he pleased And besides there was cause enough why he should shew this Sonne of his some extraordinary favour seeing in the Rebellion of his brother Robert yet he stood firmely for his Father and in his quarrell incurred no small hazard of his life as wherein he received divers wounds and perhaps also his Father thought the rough disposition of this sonne fitter to bridle the insurrections of the English then the softly disposition of his sonne Robert But though he have thus quietly gotten the Crowne he must not looke to hold it so and indeed at his very beginning is assaulted with two troubles in one for both his Brother Robert prepares to recover it from him and the Lords of the Kingdome combine with Robert to assist him in it The first mover of this trouble was Odo Bishop of Bayeux his Unckle who finding himselfe not to beare the sway he expected and specially for an old grudge he bore to Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury as by whose means in the former Kings time he had bin imprisoned the Arch-bishop telling him that though he might not imprison a Bishop yet he might imprison an Earle of Kent as this Odo was made not long before he drawes many other Bishops and Temporall Lords to joyne with himâ— in behalfe of Duke Robert against the King but though the storme were violent for a while yet it soon passed over that indeed of his Lords with more difficulty but that of his brother Robert with more cost For it was at last agreed that Rufus should pay him three thousand markes a yeare during his life and leave him the Kingdome after his owne decease But there was difficulty in repressing his Rebell Lords by reason of their spreading themselves abroad in many quarters For Odo fortifyed himselfe in Kent Roger Montgomery Earle of Shrewsbury in Norfolke Suffolke and Cambridgeshire Hugh de Grandmenill in Leycestershire and Northamptonshire Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland possest himselfe of Bristow William Bishop of Durham of the North parts of the Realme and divers other of the Clergy and Nobility fortify themselves in Herefordshire Shropshire Worcestershire and all the Countries adjoyning to Wales thinking by this meanes to distract the King that he should not know where to beginne nor whither to turne him But this course as it made it hard to represse them suddenly so it made it easie to represse them at leisure for being thus divided they were but as single stickes that are easily broken where if they had united themselves as into a Faggot they might have made a strength of farre greater resistance But the King having Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Woolstan Bishop of Worcester firme of his side partly by their Authority and love amongst the people but chiefely by his owne promises to restore their ancient Lawes and to allow them liberty of hunting in his Forests he so firmely wonne the hearts of all unto him that some of the Rebell Lords he reconciled with faire words as Robert Montgomery a principall sinew of the Faction some againe he mastered by strong hand and Odo the chiefe Engineere of all the worke he besieged in the Castle of Rochester tooke him Prisoner and forced him to abjure the Realme And thus this great Rebellion was suppressed In which it is observable that though so many hot bloods were up yet there was but little blood spilt A happy rebellion for the English for the Rebell Lords and Bishops being all Normans the King had none to trust to but the English whom for their faithfulnesse to him in this service he ever after respected more then he had done befoâ—e After this storme was over in the South there ariseth another in the North For now Malcolme King of Scots thinking it a fit time to doe some feates when King William was troubled at home invades Northumberland and having burnt and spoyled the Country returnes home laden with booties Which King William hearing he takes his brother Robert along with him and with a mighty Army enters Scotland brings Malcolme to acknowledge his ancient homage and upon Faith given returnes to London After this Duke Robert finding his brother King William not to keep his promise in paying his Pension complaines to the King of France and with his ayde assaults and takes some Townes which he before had delivered in pawne for money to his brother King William who hearing of it hastens into Normandy with an Army and by the mediation of money takes off the King of France and makes his brother being left destitute of assistance to aske him pardon a wise and mercifull course in King William for to buy his peace with the King of France did cost him but money where to have purchased it by Warre must besides money have cost the lives of many After this Malcolme King of Scots came in kindnesse to visit King William at Glocester but the King not vouchsafing so much as to see him put him into so great an indignation that returning home he makes ready an Army invades Northumberland making great spoyle and getting great spoyles but by Robert Mowbray the Kings Lieutenant there was taken in ambush and together with his eldest sonne Edward defeated and slaine This King Malcolme was a most valiant Prince as may appeare by an Act of his of an extraordinary straine for hearing of a conspiracy plotted to murther him whereof one was Authour whose name is not recorded he dissembled the knowing it till being abroad one day a hunting he tooke the fellow apart from the company and being alone said unto him Here now is a fit time and place to doe that manfully which you have intended to doe treacherously draw your weapon and if you kill me none being present you can incurre no danger with which speech of the King the fellow was so daunted that presently he fell downe at his feet confessed his fault humbly asked forgivenesse and being granted him was ever after serviceable and faithfull to him The death of King Malcolme and his Sonne was so grievous and so grievously taken of Margaret his Queene the sister of Edgar Atheling that she made it her Prayer and had it granted not to over-live them and so within three dayes after dyed a woman as full of vertues all her life as at this time of sorrowes whom yet I should not breake order to mention but for one pious Act of hers in causing a most barbarous custome of Scotland to
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 authorâ—ty 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 Ansâ—lme 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 wiâ—h 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 Beâ—mondsey 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 haiâ—e 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
uttered specially when he was moved with anger Concerning the qualities of his minde they may best be knowne by looking upon the actions of his life in which we shall finde he was never more assured then when he was least sure never lesse dejected then when in most extremity being like a Cube that which way soever he fell he was still upon his bottome For his delights to passe the time there was none in more request with him then hunting a delight hereditary to him which was the cause that as his Father had begunne the great new Forest so he enlarged it to a farre greater extent Other delights of his we finde not any unlesse we shall reckon his warres for delights for though they were oftentimes forced upon him when he could not avoyd them yet sometimes he entred into them when he needed not but for his pleasure And in generall it may be said that one of his greatest vertues was that which is one of the greatest vertues Magnanimity and his worst vice was that which was the worst of vices Irreligion Presages that preceded his Death AT Finchamstead in Barkshire neare unto Abington a spring cast up liquor for the space of fifteene dayes in substance and colour like to bloud The night before the King was kild a certaine Monk dream'd that he saw the King gnaw the Image of Christ crucified with his teeth and that as he was about to bite away the legges of the same Image Christ with his feete spurned him downe to the ground and that as he lay on the earth there came out of his mouth a flame of fire with abundance of smoake This being related to the King by Robert Fits Mammon he made a jest of it saying This Monke would faine have something for his Dreame Goe give him a hundred shillings but bid him looke that he dreame more auspitious Dreames hereafter Also the same night the King himselfe dream'd that the veines of his armes were broken and that the bloud issued out in great abundance and many other like passages there were by which it seemes he had friends somewhere as well as Iulius Caesar that did all they could to give him warning but that as Caesars so his Malus Genius would not suffer him to take it Of his Death and Buriall KIng William having kept his Christmas at Glocester his Easter at Winchester his Whitsontide at Westminster notwithstanding forewarned by many signes of some great dysaster towards him would needs the day after Lammas goe a hunting in the New Forest yet something resenting the many presages he stayed within all the forenoone about dinner time an Artificer came and brought him sixe Crosse-bow Arrowes very strong and sharpe whereof foure he kept himselfe and the other two he delivered to Sir Walter Tyrell a Knight of Normandy his Bow-bearer saying Here Tyrell take you two for you know how to shoot them to purpose and so having at dinner drunke more liberally then his custome as it were in contempt of Presages out he rides into the new Forest where Sir Walter Tyrell shooting at a Deere the arrow glanced against a tree or as some write grazed upon the back of the Deere and flying forward hit the King upon the breast with which he instantly fell downe dead Thus it is delivered by a common consent of all onely one Sugerius a writer that lived at that time and was a familiar acquaintance of the said Tyrels against the current of all Writers affâ—irmes that he had often heard the said Sir Walter sweare that he was not in the Forest with the King all that day I have beene the longer upon this point because a more pregnant example of Gods judgement remaines not any where upon Record For not onely this King at this time but before this a brother of his named Richard a young Prince of great hope and also a Nephew of his the sonne of his brother Robert came all in this place to violent deaths that although King William the Founder of the Forest escaped the punishment in his owne person yet it was doubled and trebled upon him in his issue Thus died King William Rufâ—s in â—he three and fortieth yeare of his age and twelfth and some moneths of his Reigne His body was drawne in a Colliers Cart with one Horse to the City of Winchester where the day following it was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Swithen and was laid there in the Quire under a Marble stone till afterward it was translated and laid by King Canutus bones Men of Note iâ— his time FOr men of valour he must stand alone by himselfe for men of learning there was Lanfranke a Lombard but Bishop of Canterbury also Robert a Lorayne who Epitomized the Chronicle of Marianus Scotus also Turgotus an English man Deane of Durham who wrote the Annals of his owne time and divers other works but especially Osmund Bishop of Salisbury who composed the ordinary Office or book of Prayer THE RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FIRST Of his comming to the Crowne ALthough Henry came not to the Crowne as his Brother William did by the gift of his Father yet he came to it by the Prophesie of his Father For when his Father made his Will and divided all his Estate in Land betweene his two eldest Sonnes giving to Henry his youngest onely a portion in money with which division he perceived him to be much discontented he said unto him Content thy selfe Harry for the time will come that thy turne shall be served as well as theirs And now the time was come that his prediction was accomplished for on the fifth of August in the yeare 1100. he was Crowned King of England at Westminster by Maurice Bishop of London as Deane of all the Bishops of England and therefore might doe it without any prejudice to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury though he had beene present who was indeed at this time in Exile But though it appeares fuisse in Fatis to be decreed by the Divine Providence that it should be so yet it would not have been so if his owne endevours had not beene concurring And therefore being in the New Forest when his Brother King William was killed he never stayed to complement the Dysaster but rode presently to Winchester and there not without some opposition of the keepers seisâ—d upon his Brothers Treasure as knowing treasure to be the meanes for getting of Friends and Friends the meanes for getting the Crowne and having now gotten the first meanes he made use of it for the sâ—cond and both of them together brought him to this he is Yet withall there were circumstances in his owne Person that conduced to it his Brother was borne when their Father was but a Duke he when he was a King Robert was a Forrainer being borne in Normandy himselfe a Native borne at Selby in Yorkeshire and it was not the least circumstance that he was called Beauclerke as to say a good Scholar having
of this Kings Raigne the first Chanons entred into the Church of our Lady in Southwarke called Saint Mary Overey Founded by William Pountlarge knight and William Dancyes Normans Robert the first Earle of Glocester the Kings base Sonne builded the Castles of Bristow and Cardyffe with the Priory of Saint Iames in Bristow And his Sonne Earle William began the Abbey of Kensham Geoffrey Clinton Treasurer and Chamberlaine to the King Founded the Priory at Kenelworth of Regular Chanons Henry Earle of Warwicke and Margaret his Wife Founded the Colledge of Saint Marâ— in the Towne of Warwicke and Roger de Belemond his Sonne and Ellyne his wife translated the same Colledge into the Castle of Warwicke in the yeare 1123. Roger Bishop of Salisbury built the Devises in Wiltshire the Castles also of Mamesbury and Shirborne He repaired the Castle of Salisbury and environed it with a wall he also built the stately Church of Salisbury destined to a longer life then any of his other workes Ralph Bishop of Durham began to build the Castle of Norham upon the banke of the River of Tweed In the 32. yeare of this Kings Raigne the Priory of Norton in Cheshire was founded by one William the sonne of Nychel and the Abbey of Cumbermere in the same Shire The Colledge of Secular Chanons also in the Castle of Leycester and the Abbey without the North gate of the same Towne called Saint Mary de Prato Also in this Kings Raigne was Founded the Monastery of Plimpton in Devonshire with the Cathedrall Church of Exetâ—r the Priory of Merton the Hospitall of Kepar the Priory of Oseney neare Oxford by Robert de Oylye Knight and the Hospitall of Saint Crosse neare Winchester by Henry Blois Bishop there also Robert Earle of Ferrers Founded the Abbey of Merivall and indeed so many in his time were built that one would thinke the Inhabitants of England to be all Carpenters and Masons that were able to finish so many great buildings in so short a time as this Kings Raigne â— Casualties happening in his time IN this Kings dayes all the foure Elements were guilty of doing much mischiefe but chiefely the water For King Henry returning into England after his conquest of Normandy left his sonne William with his sister Mary Countesse of Perche Richard his sonne by a Concubine the Earle of Chester with his wife Lucie the Kings Neece by his sister Adela and other Lords and Ladies and passengers to the number of 180. to follow after him who taking Shipping and â—he best Ship the King had whether by carelesnesse or drunkennesse of the Saylours were all drowned The Prince indeed was got into the Ship-boate and out of danger but hearing the lamentable cries of his sister compassion wrought so in him that he turned about his boate to take her in which over-charged with the multitude over-turned and they all perished none escaped but onely one Saylour who had been a Butcher who by swimming all night upon the Mast came safe to Land An accident not more grievous then exemplary for amongst other conclusions from hence we may gather that no state is so uncertaine as prosperity no fall so sudden as into adversity and that the rule He that stands let him take heed he fall not cannot alwayes be observed because a man happens sometimes to fall before it is possible for him to take heed Another great mischiefe was in this Kings dayes wrought by the water for by the breaking in of the Sea a great part of Flanders was drowned whereupon a great number of Flemmings being Suiters to King Henry for some place to inhabit he assigned them a part in Walâ—â— neare the Sea called Pembrokeshire where they have inhabited to this day the King by this one action working two good effects both shewing compassion to distressed strangers and putting a bridle upon unquiet Natives But the water had another way to doe mischiefe as much by defect as this was by excesse for upon the tenth of October the River of Medway many miles together did so faile of water that in the midst of the Channell the smallest vessels could not passe and the same day also in the Thames betweene the Tower of London and the Bridge men waded over on foote for the space of two dayes also at another time the River of Trent at Notingham was dryed up a whole day Now for the Earth though naturally it be without motion yet it moves sometimes when it is to do mischiefe specially being assisted by the Aire as in this Kings dayes it moved with so great a violence that many buildings were shaken downe and Malmesbery saith that the house wherein he sate was lifted up with a double remove and at the third time setled againe in the proper place Also in divers places it yeelded forth a hideous noyse and cast forth flames at certaine rifts many dayes together which neither by water nor by any other meanes could be suppressed But yet the active Element of Fire was busiest of all for first Chichester with the principall Monastery was burnt downe to the ground From West-cheape in London to Aldgate a long tract of buildings was consumed with fire Worcester also and Rochester even in the Kings presence then Winchester Bathe Glocester Lincolne Peterborough and other places did also partake of this calamity that there could be nâ— charging the fire with any partiality and to speake of one forraine casualty because a strange one In Lombardy this yeare was an Earthquake that continued forty dayes and removed a Towne from the place where it stood a great way off Of his Wives and Children AT his first comming to the Crowne he married Matild or Maude sister to Edgar then King of Scotland and daughter to Malcolme by Margaret the sister of Edgar Etheling This Matild if she were not a veyled Nun she was at least brought up in a Nunnery and thereby growne so averse from marriage that when the motion was first made her to marry with King Henry she utterly refused it as resolved though perhaps not vowed to die a Virgin till at last importuned and even forced by the authority of her brother she rather yeelded then consented for she did it with so ill a will that it is said she prayed if ever she had issue by the marriage that it might not prosper and indeed it prospered but untowardly as will be seene in the sequell But though she made this imprecation before she knew what it was to be a Mother yet when she came to be a Mother she shewed her selfe no lesse loving and tender of her children then loyall and obsequious to her husband And to make amends for this seeming impiety towards her children there is a story related of her reall piety towards the poor for a brother of hers comming one morning to visit her in her chamber found her sitting amongst a company of Lazar people washing and dressing their ulcers and sores and then kissing them afterward when
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 opinâ—on 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 Fâ—lke 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 Râ—an 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 â—t 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 Adeâ—za the daughter of Godfry Duke of Lorraine who though she were a beautiful and accomplisht Lady yet had he never any issâ—e 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 Anâ—e Câ—â—bet was married to Fits-herbert Lord Chamberlaine to the Kingâ— from which Fits-â—erbert our Family absit iâ—vidia verbo is by Females descended passing by the naâ—es of Cummin Chenduit Brimpton Stokes Foxcote Dyneley and so to Bâ—ker 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 â—ufus 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 hâ—mselfe 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 Henâ—y the fourth but he leaving her a Widow without issueâ— he married her againe to Gâ—â—ffrey 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 marriâ—â—â— hâ— now considers how to establish her succession in the Crowne of Englandâ— whereuâ—on he cals his Nobility together and amongst them Dâ—vid King oâ— Scots and causeth them to give their Oaths of Allegeance to her and her issue and aâ— thinking â—e could never maâ—e her succession â—ure enough he causeth his Lords the yeare â—â—ter 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 â—loiâ— 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 Regâ—iâ— 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 assuâ—ance yet it gaâ—e him assured hope to have the Crowne perpetuated in his Posteâ—ity Of Ireland in his time THe King of England as yet had nothing to doe with Ireland the 〈◊〉 was governed by its owne Kings and the people of both Nations◠〈◊〉 they were neâ—ghbours yet divided by a rough Sea but little â—â—quaiâ—ted but now beganne entercourse to be more frequented and Murcâ—â—â—dâ—â—h châ—â—fe 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 â—alisbury a politick Prelate and one as fit to be the second in government as King Henry to be the first His persâ—â—â—ge aâ—d conditions HE was a person tall and strong â—â—â—ad breasted his limbes well kniâ— and fully furnished with â—lesh his face well fâ—shioned his colour cleare his eyes large and faire his eye-browes large and thick his hairâ— black and â—omewhat thinâ—â— 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 lâ—â—â—e Though a King in act yet he alwayes acâ—ed not a King but in baâ—â—â—ls someâ—â—mâ—s the part of a common Souldier though with more then common valouâ—â—s at a baâ—tell 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 â—o 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 Bigâ—t Earle of Norfolke possesseth himselfe of Nâ—rwich Baldwyn Rivers of Oxford and Robert Quesquâ—rius 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 foâ—â—owed 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 Gâ—offrey Plâ—â—tagenet Duke of Anjou in right of Maude his Wife enters upon his Townes there and â—eeâ—es to get possession of the Country when King Stephen passeth over with an Army and arâ—ests 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 aâ—mitted him to the Crowne make use every one of their Castles and stand upon their Guard The Lord Talbot held Hereford Earle Robert Maâ—ds Brother Bristow William Lovell the Castle of Cary Paganell the Castle of Ludlâ—w 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 wiâ—h 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 Raâ—ulph 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 Brisâ—ow 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 Theâ—bald 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 â—uyen and the Earldome of Poictou bâ—ing 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 Eaâ—le 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 stirâ—ed 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 Carlâ—ill and the Castles of Newcastle and Bamberg and meerely out of gratefulnesse in remembrance of the many coâ—rtesies done him before by David King of Scots he left him the County of Huntingâ—on but yet with condition to owe fealâ—y 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 Râ—dâ—rick 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
not a Law yet it is an Ordinance which was first brought in by this King that the Lions should be kept in the Tower of London Affaires of the Church in his timâ— THis Kings Raigne is famous for the contention of a Subject with the Prince and though it may be thought no equall match yet in this Example we shall find it hard to judge which of them had the victory But before we come to speak of the Contention it is fit to say something of the Man and of the Quarrell The man was Thomas Becket borne in London his Father one Gilbert Becket his Mother an outlandish Woman of the Country of Syria His first rising was under Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury who taking a liking to him as one saith no man knew for what made him first Arch-deacon of Canterbury and then used meanes to have him be the Princes Tutor after that to be Chancellour of England and after the decease of the said Theobald was himselfe made Arch-bishop of Canterbury in his place One memorable thing he did at his comming to be Arch-bishop he surrendred his place of being Chancellour as not thinking it fit to sit at the Helme of the Common-wealth and of the Church both at once But now began the Contention betweene the King and him the difference was the King would have it ordained that Clergy men who were malefactors should be tryed before the Secular Magistrate as Lay men were This Becket opposed saying it was against the liberty of the Church and therefore against the honour of God Many Bishops stood with the King some few with Becket the Contention grew long and with the length still hotter till at last Becket was content to assent to the Ordinance with this clause Salvo Ordine suo the King liked not the Clause as being a deluding of the Ordinance He required an absolute assent without any clause of Reservation At last after many debatings and demurres the Arch-bishop yeelds to this also and subscribes the Ordinance and sets his hand unto it But going homewards it is said his Crosse-bearer and some other about him blamed him for that he had done but whether moved with their words or otherwise upon second thoughts the next day when they met againe he openly repented his former deed retracts his subscription and sends to the Pope for absolution of his fault which the Pope not onely granted but encouraged him to persist in the course he had begunne It may be thought a Fable yet is related by divers good Authours that one time during this Contention certaine fellows cut off the Arch-bishops horses taile after which fact all their Children were borne with tailes like horses and that this continued long in their Posterity though now long since ceased and perhaps their Families too But King Henry finding there was no prevailing with Becket by faire meanes beginnes to deale more roughly with him and first makes use of Authority upon his Temporalties and withall a censure was spoken of to be intended against his person which Becket understanding thought it his best course to flee the Realme and thereupon passing under the name of Dereman he passeth over Sea and there two yeares by the Pope and five by the King of France was maintained as it were of Almes in which misery nothing vexed him so much as that King Henry sent all his kindred Men and Women old and young into Banishment after him And now King Henry finding that Becket stood much upon his Legatine Power sent messengers to the Pope desiring him to take that power from him and to conferre it upon his Arch-bishop of Yorke but the Pope answered he would not doe so but was content the King himselfe should be his Legate and sent him Letters to that purpose which King Henry tooke in such scorne that he threw away the Letters and sent them presently backe to him againe In this meane time the King of France prevailed with King Henry to afford Becket a conference hoping to bring them to some Agreement where being together King Henry alledged before the King of France that he required nothing of Becket but his assent to an Ordinance to which in his Grandfather King Henries the first time all the Bishops of the Realme and the Arch-bishop of Canterbury that then was did give their Assent yet this moved not Becket at all but he continued his former Tenet it was against the honour of God and therefore desired to be excused See now saith King Henry the perversenesse of this man all that agrees not with his owne humour is presently against the honour of God While these things were thus a working Becket had gotten him more friends at Rome and by their meanes prevailed with the Pope to give him power to interdict some Bishops in England that had done him wrong and the Pope spared noâ— to threaten Excommunication to King Henry himselfe if he restored not Becket to his Dignity But whether awed with his threatning or wonne by the King of Frances importunity or else perhaps relenting in himselfe he was contented at last that Becket should returne home and enjoy his Bishopricke who being come to Canterbury the Bishops whom he had indicted for Crowning the young King Henry which he said was his right to have done made humble suite unto him to be released of the censure Which when the Arch-bishop would not grant but with certaine cautions and exceptions the Bishops discontented went over to the King complaining of the hard measure that was offered them by the Arch-bishop whereat the King being much moved Shall I never saith he be at quiet for this Priest If I had any about me that loved me they would find some way or other to ridde me of this trouble Whereupon foure knights standing by that heard the King make this complaint namely Reynold Fits-urse or Bereson Hugh Morvyll William Tracy and Richard Britton thinking they should doe an acceptable service to the King went shortly after into England and going to Canterbury found the Arch-bishop then at Church when upon the steps there they strucke him upon the head with their swords and slew him the thirtieth day of December in the yeare 1172. Afterward with much adoe by King Henries meanes they were pardoned by the Pope onely enjoyned Penance to goe on Pâ—lgrimage to Ierusalem as some write but others more probably that the King abhorred them ever after and that within three yeares they all dyed miserably You have heard his persecution and as some would have it called his Martyrdome now heare the honours that have beene done him and the visitations to his Tombe And first King Henry himselfe comming to Canterbury as soone as he came within sight of Beckets Church lighting off his horse and putting off his hose and shooes he went barefoot to his Tombe and for a further penance suffered himselfe to be beaten with rods by every Monke of the Cloyster A few yeares after King Lewis of France comes
at Founteverard in France the manner of whose buriall was thus He was Cloathed in his Royall Robes his Crowne upon his head white Gloves upon his hands Bootes of Gold upon his legges Gilt Spurres at his heeles a great rich Ring upon his finger his Scepter in his hand his Sword by his side and his face uncovered and all bare As he was carrying to be Buryed his Sonne Richard in great haste ranne to see him who no sooner was come neare the Body but suddenly at his Nostrils he fell a bleeding afresh which though it were in Prince Richard no good signe of Innocency yet his breaking presently into bitter teares upon the seeing it was a good signe of Repentance It may not be unseasonable to speake in this place of a thing which all Writers speake of that in the Family of the Earles of Anjou of whom this King Henry came there was once a Princesse a great Enchantresse who being on a time enforced to take the blessed Eucharist she suddenly flew out at the Church window and was never seene after From this Woman these latter Earles of Anjou were descended which perhaps made the Patriarch Heraclius say of this King Henries Children that from the Devill they came and to the Devill they would But Writers perhaps had beene more compleat if they had left this Story out of their Writings Men of note in his time OF Clergy men there was Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury Hugh Bishop of Lincolne Richard Bishop of Winchester Geoffrey of Ely Robert of Bathe Aldred of Worcester all Learned Men and of great integrity of life Of Military Men there was Robert Earle of Leycester Reynold Earle of Cornwall Hugh Bigot Robert Ferrys Richard Lacy Roger Mowbray Ralph Fulger Ranulph Granula William Vâ—sei â—nd Baynard Baylioll Men of great atchievements in Warre and of no lesse abilities in Peace THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE FIRST Of his comming to the Crowne and of his Coronation KING Richard the first of that name after his Fathers Funerall went to Roan where he setled the state of that Province and from thence came into England where he was Crowned King at Westminster by the hands of Baldwin Arch-bishop of Canterbury the third day of September in the yeare 1189. And herein this Prince is more beholding to Writers then any of his Predecessors for in speaking of their Crowning they content themselves with telling where and by whom they were Crowned but of this Prince they deliver the manner of his Crowning in the full amplitude of all circumstances which perhaps is not unfit to doe for satisfaction of such as are never like to see a Coronation and it was in this manner First the Arch-bishops of Canterbury Roan Tryer and Dublin with all the other Bishops Abbots and Cleargy apparelled in rich Copes and having the Crosse holy Water and Censers carried before them came to fetch him at the doore of his Privie-Chamber and there receiving him they led him to the Church of Westminster till they came before the high Altar with a solemne Procession In the middle of the Bishops and Clergy went foure Barons bearing Candlesticks with Tapers after whom came Geoffrey de Lucie bearing the Cap of Maintenance and Iohn Marshall next to him bearing a massive paire of Spurres of Gold then followed William Marshall Earle of Striguill alias Pembroke who bare the Royall Scepter in the toppe whereof was set a Crosse of Gold and William de Patricke Earle of Salisbury going next him bare the Warder or Rodde having on the toppe thereof a Dove Then came three other Earles David brother to the King of Scots the Earle of Huntington Iohn the Kings brother Earle of Mortaigne and Robert Earle of Leycester each of them bearing a Sword upright in his hand with the scabberds righly adorned with Gold The Earle of Mortaigne went in the midst betwixt the other two after them followed sixe Earles and Barons bearing a Checker Table upon the which were set the Kings Scotchens of Armesâ— and then followed William Mandevill Earle of Albemarle bearing a Crowne of Gold a great heighth before the King who followed having the Bishop of Durham on the right hand and Reynold Bishop of Bathe on the left over whom a Canopy was borne and in this order he came into the Church at Westminster where before the high Altar in the presence of the Clergy and the people laying his hand upon the holy Evangelists and the reliques of certaine Saints he took a solemne Oath that he should observe peace honour and reverence to Almighty God to his Church and to his Ministers all the dayes of his life also that he should exercise upright justice to the people committed to his charge and that he should abrogate and disanull all evill Lawes and wrongfull customes if any were to be found in the precinct of his Realme and maintaine those that were good and laudable This done he put off all his garments from his middle upwards but onely his shirt which was open on the shouldâ—rs that he might be annoynted Then the Arch-bishop of Canterbury annoynted him in three places on the head on the shoulders and on the right arme with Prayers in such case accustomed After this he covered his head with a linnen cloath hallowed and set his Cap thereon and then after he had put on his Royall Garments and his uppermost Robe the Arch-bishop delivered him the Sword with which he should beate downe the enemies of the Church which done two Earles put his Shooes upon his feete and having his Mantle put on him the Arch-bishop forbad him on the behalfe of Almighty God not to presume to take upon him this Dignity except he faithfully meant to performe those things which he had there sworne to performe whereunto the King made answer that by Gods grace he would pâ—rforme them Then the King tooke the Crowne beside the Altar and delivered it to the Arch-bishop which he set upon the Kings head delivering to him the Scepter to hold in his right hand and the Rod Royall in his left hand and thus being Crowned he was brought backe by the Bishops and Barons with the Crosse and Candlesticks and three Swords passing forth before him unto his Seate When the Bishop that sang the Masse came to the Offertory the two Bishops that brought him to the Church led him to the Altar and brought him backe againe The Masse ended he was brought with solemne Procession into his Chamber and this was the manner of this Kings Coronation But at this solemnity there fell out a very dysastrous accident For this Prince not favouring the Iewes as his Father had done had given a strict charge that no Iew should be admitted to be a spectator of the solemnity yet certaine Iewes as though it had beene the Crowning of their King Herod would needs be pressing in and being put backe by Officers set of purpose it grew to a brabble and from words to blowes so as
throwing downe his Colours at Ptolemais was the death of Conrade Duke of Tyre whom they pretended King Richard had murthered wherein though King Richard made his innocency appeare by the testimony of Limbeldus who confessed himselfe to have beene the author of the Marquesses death yet the pretence served to detaine him in prison and in prison indeed they kept him till his Ransome was agreed upon and paid which being a hundred thousand pounds fourescore thousand was paid in hand whereof two parts to the Emperour a third part to Duke Leopold and for the rest hostages given to the number of fifty of whom the Bishop of Roan was one though the hostages afterward were delivered without paying the rest for Henry the Emperour dying shortly after his Successour had the conscience not to take it as knowing it had beene unjustly exacted and indeed the accidents that befell both the Emperour and the Duke Leopâ—ld were evident demonstrations of the injustice they had done for the Emperour shortly after died and the Duke Leopold in a Tilting for solemnity of his Birth-day fell off his horse and so broke his leg that to save his life he was faine to have his leg cut off And now after fifteen months imprisonment King Richard is released and returnes into England foure yeares elder then he went out and thus ended his journey to the Holy Land Yet one memorable accident happening to him in the Holy Land may not be omitted that going one day a Hawking about Ioppa finding himselfe weary he laid him downe upon the ground to sleepe when suddenly certaine Turkes came upon him to take him but he awakened with their noyse riâ—eth up gets a horsebacke and drawing out his sword assaults the Turkes who faigning to flie drew the King into an Ambush where many Turkes lay who had certainâ—ly taken him if they had knowne his person but one of the Kings servanâ— called William de Patrellis crying out in the Saracene tongue that he was the King they presently lay hold upon him and let the King escape Troubles in his Dominions in his absence KING Richard at his going out of England had so well setled the Government of the Kingdome that might well have kept it in good order during all the time of his absence but disorders are weeds which no foresight can hinder from growing having so many hands to water them where occasions of distast are no sooner offered then taken and oâ—tentimes taken before they be offered as was here to be seene For King Richard had left in chiefe place of authority William Longshampe Bishop of Ely a man who so carried himselfe that although the things he did were justifiable yet the pride with which he did them was unsufferâ—ble seldome riding abroad without five hundred some say a thousand in his traine not for safety but for state and though there were other left in authority besides himselfe yet his power was so predominant that he made of them but Ciphers and ruled all as he list himselfe This insolency of governing was soone distasted by many and specially by Iohn the Kings brother who counting the greatnesse of his Birth an equall match at least with any substitute greatnes affronted the Bishop in the managing of affaires in such sort that while some adhered to the one and some to the other the Kingdome in the meane time was in danger to be rent asunder till at last the Bishop finding himselfe too weake or at least fearing that he was so but rather indeed deposed from his authority by the Kings Letters and the Arch-bishop of Roan put in his place thought it best for him to flie the Realâ—e wherupon for his greater safety disguising himselfe in womans apparell and carrying a Webbe of Cloath under his arme hee sought in this manner to take Shipping and passe the Sea But being discovered and knowne the women in revenge of the abuse done to their cloathes in making them his instruments of fraude fell upon him and so beat him that it might have beaten humility into him for ever after This disgrace made him glad to get him into Normandy his native Countrey where to little purpose he wooed King Richard and Queene Eleanor for reparation But this was but a sport in comparison of the mischiefes done in Normandy by Philip King of France for first he invades Normandy where he takes many Towns and amongst others Gysorts and drawes the Kings brother Iohn to combine with him promising to assist him in winning the Kingdome of England and to have his sister Adela whom King Richard had repudiated to be his wife with which promise Duke Iohn had beene ensnared if his Mother Queene Eleanor had not disswaded him But in England Duke Iohn tooke upon him as King perswading the people that his brother King Richard was not living and indeed it was easie to remove the knowing him to be a prisoner to the affirming him to be dead but such was the faithfulnesse of the Arch-bishop of Roan and other the Princes of the Realme to King Richard that they opposed Duke Iohn and frustrated all his practises and the Bishop of Ely had told him plainely that though King Richard were dead yet the succession in the kingdome belonged not to him but to Arthur Duke of Britaine sonne of Geoffrey his elder brother And in these termes King Richard found his State when he returned from the Holy Land His Acts and Troubles after his returning from the Holy Land AT his comming home from the Holy Land the first thing he did was to give his Lords and people thankes for their faithfulnesse to him in his absence and then for their readinesse in supplying him for his Ransome But as for his brother Iohn in whom ungratefulnesse seemed to strive with ambition which should be the greater in him he depriveth him of all those great possessions he had given him some adoe he had to make sound certaine peeces which he had corrupted as the Castles of Marleborough Lancaster and a Fortresse at Saint Michaels Mount in Cornwall but chiefely the Castles of Nottingham and Tichill which stood so firmly for Duke Iohn that they were not reduced to obedience without some bloud and much expense But hâ—s greatest trouble was with Philip King of France in whom was so ingraffed a spleene against King Richard that he seemed to be never well but when he was working him some ill Now therefore King Richard to make it appeare he had not left the Holy War for nothing having first obtained in Parliament a Subsidy towards his charges caused himselfe to be new Crowned at Winchester lest the people through his long absence might have forgotten they had a King he departs with a hundred Ships into Normandy but it was withall upon this occasion sitting one day at dinner in his litâ—le Hal as it was called news was brought him that King Philip had besieged Vernoull with which he was somoved that he swore a great oath he would
a courtesie he did him indeed a wrong for waiving his Right of Succession he insisted wholly upon their Right of Election whereof would follow that as they brought him in so they might cast him out of which errour when he was told he said he did it of purpose to make King Iohn the more carefull of his Government by making him sensible upon what an unsure ground his Regality stood King Iohn resented it but seeing it to serve his turne for the present he tooke it not ill as knowing that his turne once served he could afterward be his owne carver of what title he pleased and so upon Ascension day in the yeare 1199. he was Crowned King at Westminster with more solemnity then joy many presaging by their countenances and more in their mindes that all would not long be well It cannot be denyed but that in morall circumstances Earle Iohn had the advantage of his Nephew Arthur for he was a Man of yeares fit to Governe Arthur but a Childe not above thirteene yeares old he a Native at least alwayes bred up in the Kingdome Arthur a Forrainer and had never beene here He well knowne both to the Nobility and the People Arthur a stranger to both as one they had never â—eene and besides to these morall advantages he had now added one from the Politickes that he had gotten Possession of more force in the practicall part then all the former and withall a greater then all these if it be true which some write that his Brother King Richard had assigned him his Successour after his decease But yet knowing the Title at last would come to be tryed in a Court where the Sword must be Judge he imployeth all his endevours to get this Judge to be his friend and by all meanes possible to strengthen himselfe with Armes and thereupon going to Chinon and Roan he seiseth upon the Treasure which his Brother had left in those parts and with it gets Friends and Souldiers the Armour of Armes And indeed all he could have done himselfe would have done him no good if he had not had the helpe of able Assistants who yet assisted him no lesse for their owne ends then for his and these were chiefly his Mother Queene Eleanor who knew if her Grand-sonne Arthur should be King that then his Mother Constantia would rule all at least during his Minority and thereby her selfe put from the Stage of all Authority and the Arch-bishop Hubert who also knew that if Arthur should come to Raigne that then the Anjouyn and French should have all the best Offices and the English wholly be neglected as it was in the time of King William the Conquerour And yet a greater Friend then both these for comming to Roan he used meanes that Walter the Arch-bishop in the Cathedrall Church with great pompe girt him with the Ducall sword of Normandy and Crowned him with a Coronet of Golden Roses he taking his Oath for Faithfull Administration in that Dukedome and they their Oath for being his Loyall Subjects Of his troubles in contestation with his Nephew Arthur THough King Iohn had entred upon Normandy and made that Province sure unto him yet the Province of Anjou stood firme for Arthur in observance of their love to his Father their former Prince which also King Iohn soone after invading reduceth by Force of Armes to his Obedience And now Constantia the Mother of Prince Arthur finding King Iohn too powerfull an adversary and no likelihood for her party to be able long to stand out against him without further assistance conceives it her best way to have recourse to the King of France and thereupon commits her Sonne Arthur to his Tuition who seemed to receive him with the tendernesse of a Father and promiseth to assist him with his uttermost Forces in the recovery of his Right both in France and England Here we may observe upon what hinge the affection of the Kings of France was used to turne For in King Henry the seconds time King Lewis of France was so great a Friend to his Sonne Richard that by all meanes he would helpe him to get the kingdome from his Father Afterward when Richard was King then Philip King of France was so great a Friend to Iohn that by all meanes he would helpe him to get the kingdome from his Brother and now that Iohn is come to be King he is presently growne so great a Friend of Arthur that by all meanes he will helpe him to get the kingdome from his Unkle and no doubt if Arthur should ever have come to be King he would have beene as ready to helpe any other to get the kingdome from him by which it appeares that it was not the Persons of the Men they either hated or loved but that they were alwaies jealous of their growing too great and indeed this ballancing of States keepes Princes affections alwayes in suspense and never suffers the Glasse of their Love or Hate to make a true Reflection About this time William King of Scots came to London to visit King Iohn and there did homage to him for his kingdome of Scotland though some say but onely for the Counties of Northumberland and Cumberland but being required ayde against the French he excused himselfe saying he could not doe it without consent of his kingdome and so returned home And now Philip King of France having undertaken the protection of the young Prince Arthur with a mighty Army enters Normandy takes many of the best Townes and pursuing his Victories enters the Province of Anjou also and recovers it from King Iohn which he the yeare before had gotten from Prince Arthur Upon this King Iohn makes a Journey into Normandy accusing King Philip for breaking the Truce which formerly he had made with King Richard for five yeares but when he should come to make his Accusation good by Armes he falleth to Treaties and obtaineth a new Truce for fifty dayes with which new Truce Baldwyn Earle of Flanders who had professed himselfe of that side was not well pleased and thereupon commeth to King Iohn to Roan and entring a new League with him they there consult how to proceed when the fifty dayes should be expired This consultation the King of France understood and thereupon both sides prepare for warre but at the end of the Truce both sides seemed to relent and divers meetings were had for Treaties of Peace and in conclusion King Iohn more desirous of Peace then was for his Honour agreed to these Conditions that his Niâ—ce Blanch Daughter of Alphonsus King of Castile by his Sister Eleanor should marry with Lewis King Philips Sonne who should have with her in Dower besides thirty thousand Markes in money all those Cities except onely Angiers which the French before that time had taken which were many and very great and his Peace thus made he returnes into England with great joy but was not with like joy received of the English Lords who
counted themselves dishonoured in the dishonourable Conditions he had made and Baldwyn Earle of Flanders also when he saw the poore spiâ—its of King Iohn to descend to such base Conditions left his Party and entring League with the King of France disposed himselfe for the Holy Warre But King Iohn having now gotten a Vacation and a time of ease which agreed much better with his nature then Warre sets his minde wholly upon pleasures and for maintaining his pleasures upon seeking after profit which he pursues by all manner of injustice under the name of Prerogative and with such violence that when his Brother Geoffrey Arch-bishop of Yorke in the dutifulnesse of a Counsellour advised him not to take such unlawfull courses he most unworthily tooke from him all he had and it was a yeares worke for all the Arch-bishops friends to pacify his anger In the necke of this injustice he commits another he procures a divorce from his Wife Avis the Daughter of Robert Earle of Glocester onely for being of kinne to him in the third degree and by advice of the King of France marries Isabell Daughter and Heire of the Earle of Angoulesme Affianced before to Hugh le Brun Earle of March and shortly after brings her with him into England where he and she together are both Crowned at Canterbury And here the Earles and Barons of the Realme being all summoned to attend the King into France at Whitsontide following they all by a generall consent send him word that unlesse he would restore them their Rights and Liberties they would doe him no service out of the kingdome But what it was that made the Lords more violent in pressing their Demands at this time then before no Writers of these times doe sufficiently deliver Onely some of them speake scatteringly of certaine oppressions besides the generall Grievance for Exactions lately offered to some of the Lords one to the Earle of Chester whom he would have banished onely for advising him to leave his cruelty and incontinency Another a pursuite in Love to a Daughter of Robert Fits-Water called Maude the Faire who not consenting to the Kings lust a messenger was sent to give her poyson in a potched Egge whereof she dyed And a third offered to William de Brawse and his Lady for a rash word spoken for when the King sent to have de Brawses Sonne delivered him for a pledge the Lady answered We shall doe well indeed to commit our Sonne to his keeping who kept so well his owne Nephew Prince Arthur This rash word cost de Brawse his Country and his Lady and their Son their lives both of them being famished to death in Prison For though these directly were but particular Grievances yet reflectingly they were generall what one suffered all might but whether any of these or all of these together were Ingredients to make a Compound of violence in the Lords at this time or whatsoever was the true cause this was plainely the effect that unlesse the King would restore their liberties they would not follow him out of the kingdome But notwithstanding this refusall of his Lords he passeth over with his Queene into Normandy and from thence to Paris where the King of France receives them with all complements of Love and amity But now Hugh Earle of March resenting the injury done him by King Iohn in taking away his affianced Wife joynes with Prince Arthur and the King of France also for all his faire shew of amity lately made joynes with them as having sometime before marryed his youngest Daughter to Prince Arthur and these with their Forces joyned invade first the Turones and then the Anjovins of which Province Queene Eleanor the Kings Mother was left Regent who thereupon betakes her selfe to Mirabell the strongest Towne of those parts and sends to her Sonne King Iohn acquainting him with the danger she was in aud requiring his speedy succour When in the meane time Prince Arthur takes the City and in it his Grand-mother Queene Eleaâ—or whom he used with greater reverence and respect then she expected But King Iohn at the hearing hereof was so moved calling the French King ungratefull and perfidious for succouring Prince Arthur contrary to his League that studyâ—ng presently the Art of Revenge he fell upon a stratagem of all other the most prudent against an Enemy For a Surprise in Warre is like to an Apoplexy in the Body which strikes without giving warning for defence And this Stratagemme at this time King Iohn put in practise for travelling night day with indefatigable labor he came upon his enemies before they were aware and setting upon them unprovided it was rather an execution then a battell and they who remained unslaine were taken prisoners amongst whom Prince Arthur himâ—elfe who committed presently to the custody of Robert de Veypont in Roan lived not long after whether it were that attempting to make escape he fell down from the wals of his Prison and was drowned in the River Seyne as some say or whether it were that through anguish of minde he fell sicke and dyed as others say or whether indeed he wâ—re made away by King Iohn as the common fame went Certaine it is that he survived his imprisonment but a very few dayes But though he were gone yet his sister Eleanor a preceding Competitor to King Iohn was still remaining Her therefore at this time also King Iohn seiseth upon and commits her in safe custody to Bristow Castle where after she had lived long she dyed Of his Troubles after the death of his Nephew Arthur KIng Iohn being now freed from his Competitor one would thinke he should have ended all his troubles but like a Hydraes head they rather multiplyed upon him For they who had beene so ready to assist Prince Arthur in his life were now as ready to revenge his death And first Constance his Mother comes to King Philip with open exclamations against King Iohn accusing him with the murther of her Sonne and with all the instance of Teares and Intreaties solicites him to revenge it Hereupon King Philip summons King Iohn to appeare at a day and because he appeared not according to the tenure of his Homage it was decreed against him that he had forfeited all the property of his Estate in France and thereupon King Philip with mighty Forces invades his Territories takes many Townes of principall consequence while King Iohn lived idle at Râ—an no more regarding it then if it had not at all concerned him and when some of his Lords seemed to marvell what he meant to suffer the French to rob him of such goodly Cities You say true indeed saith he for it is but Robbery and within a few dayes you shall see I will make him to restore them backe with usuâ—y In this slighting humour he returnes into England where he lookes not after the levying of Souldiers or the raising of an Army as this case required but continues his old course for raising of money
accusing sometimes one of his Lords sometimes another as 〈◊〉 it wâ—re their fault that he had lost these Townes in Franceâ— and upon 〈…〉 made many of them pay great summes of money which brought 〈…〉 into hatred at home but into contempt abroad for the King of 〈◊〉 â—nâ—â—â—standing his unworthy courses proceeds more violently in his Invasiâ—ns 〈…〉 getting Falaiâ— Damfrâ—nt and all the good Townes of Normandy but onely Roan and at last though Râ—an was a Towne strongly fortifyed with Walls and more strongly with the faithfull hearts of the Inhabiâ—ants yet finding no hope of succour from King Iohn it was forced for want of Victuals to submit it selfe to the King of France whose example all the other Cities followed and so all Normandy returned to the subjection of the French after three hundred and sixteene yeares that Rollâ— the Dane had first possest it It was now the yeare 1205. and the fourth of King Iohns Raigne about which time the two props of his Estate or rather indeed the two Bridles of his intemperancy dyed his Mother Queene Eleanor whose vertues had oftentimes qualifyed the vices of her Sonne and Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury who repented him at his death of nothing more then that he had beene an Instrument of bringing him to the Crowne And now King Iohn being a Substantive of himselfe hath a devise in his head to make his subjects as willing to give him money as he was to have it for knowing the great discontentment they all had for his losses in France he gives it out that he would presently raisâ— an Army for recovery of those losses if he might have money to goe about it whereupon never was money given with more alacrity and as soone as he had it he instantly went to Portesmouth and there took Shipping before it was possible for his Lords and others to be in readinesse to accompany him and sayling forward some certaine Leagues into the Sea upon a sudden he returnes backe againe and then laies the fault upon his Lords that had not followed him and for this backwardnesse of theirs imposed afterwards great Fines upon them by which meanes he got money no lesse by pretence of his not going then he had done before by pretence of his going About this time died Geoffrey Fits-Peter Justitiar of England who while he lived kept the King in some awe in so much as hearing he was dead he swore by the feete of God that now at length he was King of England and with great rejoycing said to some Lords about him Now when this man comes into Hell let him salute the Arch-Bishop Hubert whom certainely he shall finde there But Philip King of France intending to leave the English nothing on that side the Sea invadeth Chinon and takes it and in it the valiant Captaine Roger Lacie which had given a period to King Philips victories had not Guido the husband of Constantia Prince Arthurs Mother revolted to King Iohn who with his assistance once againe leavies an Army besiegeth Mount Auban a Castle thought impregnable and within fifteene dayes takes it which Charles the Great could not get with his seven yeares siege where so great a number of French Lords were taken prisoners that King Iohn sent a Catalogue of their names into England for a memoriall of so great a victory After this he taketh the strong Towne of Angiers and utterly defaceth it for which afterward he was sorry as being the Towne where he was borne But now when the two Kings were ready to meete and to give battell intercession was made by friends of both sides and thereupon a Peace concluded for two yeares and King Iohn returned into England King Iohn being returned performes no lesse worthy acts at home then he had done in France for first he invades the Borders of Scotland and brings Alexander King of Scots to doe him homage and then understanding many of the Irish to be revolted he passeth over to Dublin and reduceth them to his obedience and then placing Iohn Bishop of Norwich Governour there he returnes into England where passing through Wales he subdueth certaine Rebels there and takes eight and twenty children of the best Families for pledges of their future loyalty but not long after hearing they grew mutinous and rebelled againe he was so incensed that he would not goe to dinner till he had seene those twenty eight children to be all hanged before his face so inconsiderate a thing is the desire of revenge that it makes no difference betweene innocency and guiltinesse though indeed a thing oftentimes must be done for example which considered in it selfe would be forborne And it was the yeare 1214. and the fourteenth of K. Iohns Raign when he going to Angiers strongly repaires it and the Province of Poictou revolted to him which Lewis King Philips sonne understanding comes upon them with a mighty Army and using much severity upon the Authors of the revolt takes prisoners Reynold Earle of Boleigne and William Earle of Salisbury with many others of King Iohns Captaines and defeateth his whole Army whereof when King Iohn was certified he grew in a manner desperate and as a man dejected makes a new Truce upon any conditions with the King of France and returnes into England where he findes a worse businesse ready to entertaine him for the Lords of the Realme having often required their ancient Rights and Liberties and finding nothing but delusions endure no longer to be abused but meeting at Saint Edmundsbery they there conferre how they may finde a remedy to redresse this evill and at laâ—t concluded to goe to the King themselves in person and make their Demands whereof a Charter was produced that had beene formerly granted in King Henry the firsts time whereupon comming to the King after Christmas lying then in the New Temple and acquainting him with their Demands he gives them this faire Answer that within a few dayes he would give them satisfaction and causeth the Bishops of Canterbury and Ely with William Marshall Earle of Glocester to passe their words for him that it should be performed But the King meaning nothing lesse then to doe as he said fals presently a leavying of Souldiers which the Lords understanding they also doe the like and going to the Bishop of Canterbury deliver him a Copy of their Demands and require the Kings Answer But the Bishop shewing it to the King and humbly intreating him to give the Lords a satisfactory Answer he swore a great Oath they might as well demand the Kingdome and that he would die before he would yeeld to any such demands Whereupon the Lords knowing now what they were to trust to fall to besiege Northampton and after that Redford which is yeelded to them and withall they are sent to by the Londoners to signifie their readinesse to joyne with them At this time the King was at Windsor providing an Army but hearing the Londoners were joyned with the Lords he thought it no
good way to proceed by force but rather by fraud and thereupon sends to the Lords that if they would come to him to Windsor he would grant their demands The Lords comming thither but in a Military manner for they durst not trust his word the King saluted them all kindly and promised to give them satisfaction in all they demanded and so in a Meadow betweene Windsor and Stanes called Running-meade he freely consented to confirme their former Liberties and was content some grave Personages should be chosen to see it performed But the next day when it should be done he gets him gone to South-hampton and from thence to the I le of Wight where advising with his Councell what in this case was fittest to be done It was concluded he should send to the Pope to acquaint him with this mutiny of the Lords and to require his help while the King in the meane time lived skulking up and downe in corners that no man might know where to find him or which is worse as some write roving about and practising Piracy And now the Lords beginne to suspect fraud when shortly after the Kings Messengers who were Walter and Iohn Bishops of Worcester and Norwich returne with the Popes Decree which was that the Kings Grant to the Lords should be void with this Decree the King after three moneths that he had staied in the I le of Wight comming backe to Windsor acquaints the Lords but they accusing the Messengers for false informing the Pope and the Pope also for making a Decree without hearing both sides betake them to Armes and sweare by the holy Altar to be revenged for this Iudification and injurious dealing The King finding the Lords nothing moved with the Popes Decree sends againe unto him to acquaint him with it who mightily incensed to have his Decree so sleighted adjudgeth them all to be held as enemies of Religion and gives power to Peter Bishop of Winchester and to the Abbot of Reading to Excommunicate them In the meane time the King had sent the Bishop of Worcester Chancellour of England and others with his Seale to hire Souldiers from the parts beyond the Seas who returned shortly after bringing along with him out of Poictoâ— and Glasconie Savery de Malcon Geoffrey and Oliver Bâ—tâ—vile brothers under their conduct so great a rabble that with these Forces within halfe a yeare the King had gotten all the Castles of the Barons to the borders of Scotland And now he divides his Army committing part of it to his brother William Earle of Salisbury and others to set upon London and with the other part he goes himselfe into Yorkshire where most of the Lords had Possessions which in most cruell manner he destroyeth with fire and sword The Lords being thus on all sides distressed resolve upon a course neither honourable nor safe yet such as necessity made seeme both they send to Philip King of France requiring him to send over his sonne Lewis to their aide and promising they would submit themselves to be governed by him and take him for their Soveraigne To this motion of the Lords King Philip was as forward as themselves which King Iohn understanding sends againe to the Pope requiring him to use his authority to stay the King of France from comming But King Philip though much regarding the request of the Pope yet nothing so much as the acquest of England with all speed provides an Army and with a fleete of sixe hundred sayleâ— sends over his sonne Lewis who passing into England landeth at Sandwich whither many of the Lords and others resort unto him and giving Oaths of Allegeance joyne themselves with him King Iohn at this time was at Dover but not daring to stay there for feare of the enemy he commits the Castle to Hubert Burgh and goeth himselfe to Canterbury and from thence to Winchester in manner of a flight which Prince Lewis understanding goeth straight to London and by a plausible Oration makes that City sure unto him and thither come to him the King of Scots with an Army of choyce Souldiers as also the Earles Warren Arundel Salisbury with many others And now Prince Lewis passeth all the Countrey over without resistance but not without infinite outrages committed by his Souldiers which it was not in him to hinder and then comming to Norwich he takes that City easily but Dover cost him a longer siege as being defended by the valiant and loyall Captaine Hubert Burgh In this meane while King Iohn finding his enemies imployed in these difficult sieges sends about and gathers a rabble of all raskall people to him and with them runneth over all the Countrey spoyling and killing in most barbarous manner and now was the kingdome made the Stage of all miseries of rapine and cruelty two Armies in it on foote at once each of them seeking to prey upon the other and both of them upon the Countrey But the King comming to Wallpoole in Norfolke where the Washes were to be passed over he sendeth one to search where the Foord was passable and there himselfe with some few passed over but the multitude with all the cariages passing without ordeâ— they cared not where were all drowned with which dysaster the King through anguish of minde fell into a Feaver whereof within a few dayes he died And here was an end of all the troubles of this King In whom it is observable that loving his caseâ— so well as he did he should runne voluntarily into such troubles especially at home upon so small occasions as he did but it should seeme there is no greater hinderance to men for accomplishing their will then their owne wilfulnesse Of his Taxations TO speake of his Taxations it may not unproperly be said that it was but one continued Taxation all his Raigne through yet to divide it into parts his first was the Taxation of three shillings upon every Plough-land through the kingdomâ— to pay the thirty thousand Markes for his Neece Blanches Portion and to mend this Taxation he seiseth upon all the Temporalties of his brother Geoffrey Arch-bishop of Yorke for opposing it and for a continuation he makes a progresse shortly after into all the North parts where he exacts great Fines of offenders in his Forests Very shortly after solicited by the Popes Legate he grants a Subsidy of the fortieth part of al his subjects Revenues for one year to succor the Holy Land Shortly after this he chargeth his Earls and Barons with the losses he sustained in France thereupon Fines them to pay the seventh part of all their goods neither spared he the Church or the Commons in this Imposition Before this year is ended another Leaâ—y is made at a Parliament in Oxford wherein is granted two Markes and a halfe of every knights Fee for Military aide neither are the Clergy exempted from paying their part and before another yeare is out another Imposition is laid of the thirteenth part of all movables and other
goods both of the Clergy and Laity It may be reckoned amongst his Taxations that when the Monkes of Canterbury had displeased him about the election of their Arch-bishop he seised upon all their goods and converted them to his owne use and presently after this upon the like displeasure he deputes many Bishopricks Abbeys and Priories into the hands of Lay-men and confiscates all their Revenues To these may be added that he tooke eleven thousand Markes of Silver of the King of Scots for granting him Peace Adde to these also great summes of money exacted and gathered from the Iewes among whom there was one that would not be ransomed till the King caused every day one of his great teeth to be pulled out by the space of seven dayes and then he was content to give the King tenne thousand Markes of Silver that no more might be pulled out Adde to these that at his returne out of Ireland he summoned all the Prelates of the kingdome to appeare before him of whom he extorted for their redemption the summe of an hundred thousand pounds Sterling Adde lastly to these that at his returne out of Wales he exacts of every knight that attended him not in that expedition two Markes Of his Lawes and Ordinances HE was the first that appointed the Formes of Civill Government in London and other Cities endowing them also with their greatest Franchises The first that caused Sterling money to be here Coyned The first that ordained the Honourable Ceremonies in Creation of Earles The first that setled the Rates and Measures for Wine Bread Cloath and such other necessaries of Commerceâ— The first that planted English Lawes and Officers in Ireland The first that enlarged the Royall stile with Lord of Ireland and both annexed that kingdome and fastned Wales to the Crowne of England Affaires of the Church in his time AFter the death of Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury the Monkes of thâ—â— Covent secretly in the night Elected one Reginold their sub-prior to succeed him and caused him to goe to Rome for confirmation but afterward doubting how the King would take it being done without his knowledge they crave leave of the King to chuse a fit man the King is content to allow them the Election but requires himselfe to have the Nomination and thereupon commends unto â—hem Iohn Grey Bishop of Norwich whom he specially favoured and accordingly the Monkes Elect him But the matter being afterward referred to the Pope which of these two Elections should stand good after many Allegations of both sides the Pope to shew himselfe indifferent to both disallowes them both and nominates a third man one Stephen Lancthon Cardinall of Saint Chrysogone an Englishman borne and a man of great learning The Monkes admit him but the King opposeth it and now as it were a Prize began to be played between the two Swords the Spirituall and the Temporall but he that used the Spirituall Sword proved so much the better Fencer that he disarmed the other and tooke away his temporall Sword from him It is true in the first Venue the King gave the Pope as good as he brought for as the Pope threatned the King to excommunicate him and to interdict the kingdome So the King threatned the Pope to nullifie his Authority and to banish Clergy men out of the Realme In the second Venue as the Pope acted as much as he had threatned for he interdicted the â—ingdome So the King performed as much as he had spoken for he drove the Monkes ouâ— of their Cloyster yet at last when Pandâ—lphus the Popes Legat came into England and made appeare to the King in what great dâ—ngers he stood Firstâ— of the King of France by Invasion and then of his owne Subjects by Rebellion for both which there was no other helpe but Reconcilement with the Pope he so touched him to the quicke that he made him leave his great words and fall to asking forgivenesse So as taking off the Crowne from his head he laid it downe at Pandâ—lphus feâ—te to be disposed of as the Pope should please And Pandulphus stucke not to â—â—ke up his Crowne and to keepe it three or foure dayes in his hands before he restored it and did not then neither but upon condition that he â—nd his Successours shoâ—ld hold the kingdome of the See of Rome at the annuall tribute of â— thousand Markes And all those three or foure dayes in which Pandulphus kept the Crowne it might be truely said the kingdome was without a King And upon this no doubt it was that Peter an Herâ—â—te in a Propheticall Rapture had given out some time before that by Ascâ—â—sion day there should be no King of England Which though in some sort it was true yet in some sort it was not true and it was in the Prerogative of the King to make his owne interpretation And so it cost the poore Hermite and his Sonne their lives and they remaine as a pillar of Salt to make men take heed of Ludere cum Sanctis and of playing the Critickes in matters of State But by this meanes the kingdome was released of the Interdiction which had continued sixe yeares three moneths and foureteene dayes During all which time there was no publique Exercise of Religion no Churches open no Ecclesiasticall Sacraments administredâ— but onely to them that were in danger of death and baptisme to children all that dyed were buryed like dogges in ditches and corners but onely such as had purchased or procured licence from the Pope In this Kings Raigne Saint Dominicke continued his Preaching ten yeares together against the Albigenses Also in his time Saint Francis renounced the world and when a Priest to whom he offered it would not take his money he cast it awayâ— and entred into a Vow of perpetuall Poverty Also in this Kings time was held the Lâ—teran Councell under Pope Innocent the Third in which was established the Popes power over Princes and in matters of Faith Auricular confession and Transubstantiation Of his Irreligion I Need not relate a Speech of his though very unchristian that having beene a little before reconciled to the Pope and then taking an overthrow in France in great anger he cryed out that nothing had prospered with him since the time he was reconciled to God and the Pope Nor another speech of his which though spoken merrily was in good earnest very irreligious that being on a time a hunting at the opening of a fat Bucke he said See how this Deere hath prospered and how fat he is and yet I dare sweare he never heard Masse It is sufficient to relate one act of his if it be true which some write that being in some distresse he â—ent Thomas Hardington and Ralph Fits Nichols knights in Embassage to Mirâ—â—mâ—malim King of Africke and Mâ—râ—cco with offer of his kingdome to him upon condition he would come and aide him and that if he prevailed he would himselfe become a Mahometanâ— and renounce the
Christian Faith Though some there be that â—ay All theâ—e 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 inâ—o 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 Farendâ—n and the Monastery of Hales Owen in Shropshire he reedified â—odstoâ— and Wrâ—xell and enlarged the Chappell of Knarisborough Now for his Subjects onely Richard Prior of Berâ—monâ—sey builded an House against the wall of the said house of Berâ—onâ—sey called the Almary or Hospitall of Converts and Children in honour of Saint Thomas In this Kings time Saint Mary Overeyes in Southwâ—â—ke 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 Glâ—câ—ster by whom no issue neither divorced from her by reason of Consanguiniâ—y in the third degree His third Wife was Isabel Daughter and Heire of Aymer Earle of Angoulesâ—e 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 eâ—se 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
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 〈◊〉 if once he got thâ— kingdome utterly to extirpate all the English Nobility and to admit 〈◊〉 but Fâ—â—nch to any place of dignity But whether any of these reasons or any other 〈◊〉 their motives certaine it is that many of them of whoâ— were principâ—â—â— the Earles of Arâ—ndâ—ll 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 forâ—â—s together staying â—imselfâ— a Londo◠〈…〉 his Lieuâ—enantâ— 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 oâ—â—â— and â—ad beene defended by a Noble Lady a whole yeare before they found such resistance that their proceeding was there arrested for thither came presently Wiâ—â—iaâ— the Proâ—ectâ—ur with hâ—s sonnâ— William the Bishops of Winchester â—alisâ—ury and â—â—ester tâ—e â—arles of â—alisbury Ferrers and Albemarle William de Albinet William de Cantilupe Falcasius Thomas Basset Robert Viponâ— Brenâ— de Lisâ—e Geâ—â—frey 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 couâ—◠〈◊〉 make use of their Forces as otherwise they might theâ— were in conclusion 〈…〉 and all the principall men of the English that had adhered to Prince 〈◊〉 â— were taken prisoners as namely Saâ—â— Earle oâ— Winchester Henry de â—ohun 〈◊〉 of Hereford Gilbert de Gant lately made Earle of Lincolne by Prince Lewis 〈◊〉 Fiâ—â—â—water Richard Mount-fiâ—â—het William Mawbrâ—y William Beauchamp Williâ—â— Maudeâ— Oliver Harcourt Roger de Cressy William de Colvilâ— William de Roâ— Robert de Ropeâ—â—â—y â—alph 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 Prâ—nce Lâ—â—is 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 Buâ—gh Governour of Dâ—ver 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 Bayliâ—lâ— 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 Eâ—câ—age 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 Mallâ—on de Savery the Poictoâ—in 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 spâ—cially 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 Duâ—chman 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 Hubeâ—t Burgh Chiefe Justice and the Kings chiefe Counsellor to commit him to prison which the Earle understanding oâ— at least suspecting flies presâ—ntly to Mâ—rleborough where he finds William Earle Marshall his vowed friend with whom he hasâ—ens to Stamford and there meeâ—es with the Earles of Chester Glocester Warren Hereford Ferrers Warwicke and diverâ— other Barons who all confederate together and send to the King â—hat unlesse he restore the Castle to his brother and â—o 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 Bâ—leigne 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 â—e 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 comâ—â—â—â—e themâ—â—e must therefore â—ay 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 inclinaâ—ion 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 â—hird 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 moâ—e worth then both these the lives of many Noble men and others this was another grievance And now King Henry bringing many Pâ—â—ctâ—â—ins over with him who had served him in his warresâ— he was to reward them â—ere 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 Fâ—nes 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 Maâ—shall 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
Office should pay him againe So Earle Richard having given infinitely to compasse this Advancement looked to helpe himselfe againe by the Place and this and the desire he had to revenge himselfe upon those thaâ— had opposed his Electionâ— made him take such violent courses that he came soone to be dispossessed forsaken and forced to returne into England a poorer King then he went out an Earle Acts done in the câ—ntention betweene the King and his Barons NOw King Henry very proud to have his younger sonne a King as well as his brother cals a Parliament wherein he brings forth his sonne Edmund clad in Sicilian habit and â—els the Parliâ—ment that for advancing this sonne of his to the kingdome of Sicilie he had bound himselfe under covenant of losing his kingdome in the summe of an hundred and forty thousand Markes and hoped they would not thinke much to aide him with money for so great an advancement but the Parliament stood firme to their usuall condition of Margna Charta so as that might be confirmed they were content to give two and fifty thousand Marks but this gave the King no satisfaction The yeare after another Parliament is holden at London wherein upon the Kings pressing them againe for meanes to pay his debts to the Pope the Lords tell him plainely they will not yeeld to give him any thing for any such purpose and give their reasons and withall repeate their owne grievances his breach of promise the insolencie of his brothers and specially William de Valence who had given the lie to the Earle of Leycester and no right done him in it and many such things which the King hearing and not able to deny humbles himselfe and tels them how he had often by ill counsell beene seduced but promiseth by his Oath which he tooke on the Tombe of Saint Edward to reforme all those errours But the Lords not well knowing how to deale in this businesse as being divided betweene a desire to satisfie the King and a desire to be satisfied themselves and knowing withall the variablenesse of the Kings nature they get the Parliament to be adjourned to Saint Barnabies day and then to assemble at Oxford In which meane time the Earles Glocester Leycester Hereford the Earle Marshall Bigod Spenser and other great men confederate and provide by Armes to effect their desire and here is the foundation laid of those bloudy wars that ensued betweene King Henry and his Barons And now the King being put to his shifts for money gets the Abbot of Westminster to put his Seale and that of his Covent to a Deed Obligatory as a surety for two hundred Markes making account that by his example others would be drawne to doe the like but his trusty servant Simon Passeleve being imployed to other Monasteries and telling them amongst other reasons to perswade them that the King was Lord of all they had they onely answered they acknowledged indeed the King to be Lord of all they had but yet so as to defend not to destroy the same and this was all he could get of them The Prince also in no lesse want then his Father is driven to morgage his Towne of Stamford Brahan and many other things to William de Valence a Poictouin wherby appeared the disorder of the time when the Prince was in want and strangers had such plenty And now is the Parliament assembled at Oxford whither the Lords come attended with large traines and here they beginne with the expostulation of the former Liberties requiring that the Chiefe Justiciar the Chancellour and Treasurer may be ordained by publike choyce and that the twenty foure Conservaâ—ours of the kingdome may be confirmed twelve by the election of the Lords and twelve by the King with whatsoever else made for their imagined security The King seeing their strength and in what manner they required these things sweares solemnly againe to the confirmation of them and causeth the Prince to take the same Oath But the Lords left not here the Kings brethren the Poictouins and other strangers must presently be removed and this also though with some little opposition was at last concluded and thereupon the Kings brethren and their followers are despoyled of all their fortunes and â—xiled by proscription under the Kings owne hand directed to the Earles of Hereford and Surrey But now sicknesse and mortality happening to many great ones it is imputed to poysons supposed to have beene prepared by those strangers proscribed the Earle of Glocester in a sicknesse suddenly lost his haire his teeth his nailes and his brother hardly escaped death which made many to suspect their nearest servants and their Cookes Walter Scoynie the Earle Steward is strictly examined committed to prison and afterward without confession is upon presumptions onely executed at Winchester Elias a converted Iew is said to have confessed that in his house the poyson was confected but it was when he was a Iew and not a Christian. Every man that had received any wrong by those strangers now put up their complaints and are heard Guydo de â—â—chfort a Poictouin to whom the King had given the Castle of Rochester is banished and all his goods confiscate William Bussey Steward to William de Valence is committed to the Tower of London and most reproachfully used Richard Gray whom the Lords had made Captaine of Dover Castle is set to intercept whatsoever the Poictouins convaied that way out of England and much treasure of theirs and of the elect of Winchester is by him taken besides great summes committed to the new Temple are found out and seised for the King And now the new Chiefe Justiciar Hugh Bigod brother to the Earle Marshall chosen this last Parliament by publike voyce procures that foure knights in every Shire should inquire of the oppressions of the poore done by great men and certifie the same that redresse might be made Also order was taken against corrupting of justice when yet notwithstanding this pretended care of the publike it is noted by the Writers and Records of that time how the Lords were themselves but as â—otidem tyranni enforcing the services of the Kings tenants that dwelt neare them But to make their cause the more popular it was rumored that the King stood upon it that his necessity must be supplied out of the estates of his people whether they would or no which the King hearing sends forth Proclamation declaring how certaine malitious persons had falsely and seditiously reported that he meant unlawfully to charge his subjects and subvert the Lawes and Liberties of the kingdome and by these false suggestions averted the hearts of his people from him and therefore desires them not to give credit to such perâ—urbers for that he was ready to defend all Rights and Customes due unto them and that they might rest of this secured he caused his Letters to be made Patents But now Montford Glocester and Spenser inforce the King to call a Parliament at London where
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 baâ—e 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 â—etled 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 Majâ—sty 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 â—urrendred 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 â—nother 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
men of that kingdome except onely Walleys once againe sweare Fealty to the King of England It seemes swearing of Fealty was with the Scots but a Ceremony without substance as good as nothing for this is now the third time they swore Fealty to King Edward yet all did not serve to make them loyall for not long after comes the newes of a new King made and Crowned in Scotland Robert Bruce Earle of Carrick sonne to that Bruce who was competitour with Baylioll escaping out of England becomes Head to the confused Body of that kingdome and perceiving Iohn Cummyn who had a title himselfe to goe about to bewray his intentions to King Edward he finding him at Dunfrayes sets upon him and murthers him in the Church Whereof as soone as King Edward heard he sends Aymer de Valence Earle of Pembroke and the Lords Clifford and Percie with a strong power to revenge the death of Cummyn and to relieve his Wardens of Scotland who upon Bruces revolt were all retired to Berwicke whilst himselfe prepares an Army to follow wherein to be the more nobly attended he caused Proclamation to be made that whosoever ought by their Paternall succession or otherwise had meanes of their owne for service should repaire to Westminster at the Feast of Pentecost to receive the Order of knighthood and a Military Ornament out of the Kings Wardrobe Hereupon three hundred young Gentlemen all the sonnes of Earles Barons and knights assemble at the day appointed and receive Purples silkes Sindons Scarffes wrought with Gold or Silver according to every mans Estate For which traine because the Kings House was too little by reason a part of it had beene lately burnt roome is made and the Apple-trees cut downe at the new Temple for their Tents where they attire themselves and keepe their Vigile The Prince whom the King then likewise knighted and gave him the Dutchy of Aquitaine kept his Vigile with his Traine at Westminster and the next day girds these three hundred knights with the Military Belt in such manner as he himselfe had received it Which done the King before them all makes a Vow that alive or dead he would revenge the death of Cummyn upon Bruce and the perjured Scots Adjuring his Sonne and all the Nobles about him upon their Fealty that if he dyed in this Journey they should carry his Corps with them about Scotland and not suffer it to be interred till they had vanquished the Usurper and absolutely brought the Country to Subjection The Prince and all the Nobles promise upon their Faith to imploy their uttermost power to performe his Vow and herewithall he sets forth with a potent Army presently after Whitsontide and makes his last Expedition into Scotland in the foure and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne The Earle of Pembroke with that power sent before and aid of the Scottish party had before the King arrived in Scotland defeated in a battaile neare Saint Iohns Towne the whole Army of the new King and narrowly missed the taking of his Person but he escaping in disguise and sheltring himselfe in obscure places was reserved for greater Battailes his Brothers Nigell Bruce and shortly after Thomas and Alexander a Priest were taken and Executed after the manner of Traytors at Berwicke And now King Edward had done for Fighting all was now for Executions and indeed his desire of Revenge made him inexorable and vow to spare none of what degree soever The Earle of Atholl though of Royall blood and allyed unto him was sent to London where all his preferment was to have a higher paire of Gallowes then the rest The Wife of Robert Bruce taken by the Lord Rosse is sent Prisoner to London and his Daughter to a Monastery in Lindsey The Countesse of Boughan who had beene ayding at Bruces Coronation is put into a woodden Cage and hung out upon the walls of Berwicke for people to gaze on But though Bruces party was thus dejected and himselfe at this time appeared not but shifted privily from place to place in a distressed manner attended onely with two Noble Gentlemen who neeer forsooke him in his misfortunes the Earle of Lenox and Gilbert Hay yet gives he not over but gathers new Forces with which he suddenly assailes the Earle of Pembroke at unawares gives him a great defeate and within three dayes after chaseth the Earle of Glocester into the Castle of Aire where he besieged him till by the Kings Forces he was driven againe to his former retire Whereupon King Edward who had spent his Winter at Carlile in Iuly following with a fresh Army enters Scotland himselfe but falling into a Dysentery or Bloody-flix at Borough upon the Sands he ended his life and thus ended King Edwards troubles with Scotland but not Englands troubles which are more to come then yet are past But though this businesse of Scotland never left King Edward till his dying day yet it had been upon him but as an Ague sometimes putting him into violent heats and sometimes leaving him in a quiet temper with such a vicissitude that when he had quietnesse with Scotland he had troubles with France whereof the time is now to speake It is well knowne that Philip King of France Father of the present King and Edward King of England were neare Cousins the Sonnes of two Sisters and it hath beene shewed before at King Edwards returning from the Holy Land and passing through France what extraordinary kindnesse and mutuall courtesie passed betweene them that one would have thought neither they noâ— theirs should ever have falne out and perhaps never should if they had beene private men and not Princes For private men may easily continue Friends as having none to consider but themselves but Princes hardly as having besides themselves their Subjects to consider And though they be the Subjects oftentimes that make the Quarrell yet they are the Princes that must maintaine it And besides betweene Princes there can never be but jealousies and where jealousies are every trifle makes a quarrell And this was the case of these two Kings certaine of the King of Englands Subjects had upon the Coast of Normandy done spoyle to some Subjects of the King of France and this difference of the Subjects made a difference betweene the Kings while each of them standing in defence of his owne fall out themselves and for a beginning the King of France summons King Edward as owing homage to that Crowne to appeare and answer it in his Court. And King Edward though voluntarily before he had done it in a way of Courtesie yet being now impetiously commanded he refuseth it upon which refusall all his Territories in France are condemned to be forfaited and an Army is presently sent to seise upon the same led by Charles de Valois and Arnold de Neele Constable of France Burdeaux with divers other Peecâ—s of importance are taken from him And now King Edward well knowing what danger it was to have so powerfull an
Adversary endevours first to strengthen himselfe with Friends abroad seekes to match his Sonne Edward with a Daughter of Guy Earle of Flanders Marries one of his Daughters to the Dâ—ke of Barrâ— who pretended Title to Champaigne another to Iohn Duke of Braâ—ant sends fifteene thousand pounds Sterling to Adolph de Nassaw the Emperour for recovery of certaine Lands which he claimed in France and with all these and many other conâ—ining Princes he sets upon the King of France and then sends over his Brother Edmund Earle of Lancaster the Earles of Lincolne and Richmond with eight and twenty Banners seven hundred men at Armes and a Navy of three hundred and sixty Saile In the meane time the King of France having had intelligence of the intended alliance betweene King Edward and Guy Earle of Flanders sends for the said Earle as if knowing nothing thereof to come with his Wiâ—e and Daughter to make merry with him at Paris where instead of Feasting him he makes him Prisoner and takes from him his Daughter in regard he sought being his Vassall to match her with his capitall Enemy The Earle excuseth it the best he could and by much mediation is released himselfe but not his Daughter whereupon the Earle presuming upon aide from King Edward takes Armes and defies the King of France who thereupon comes with an Army of sixty thousand against him which caused King Edward with all speed possible to relieve this distressed Earle and so leaving the Government of the kingdome in his absence to the Bishop of London the Earle of Warwicke and the Lords Reynold Grey and Clifford with five hundred Saile and eighteene thousand men at Armes he passeth over into France but finding the Country distracted into many popular Factions and the King of France daily getting upon them having already won Lisle Doway Courtray Burges and Dam and the Emperour Adolph failing to send him aide as he had promised he fell into great perplexity and having stayed the whole Winter at Gaunt where by reason of many outrages committed by his Souldiers he was so affronted by the Gauntois that his owne person was not without some danger He thereupon in the Spring of the yeare concludes a Truce with the King of France for two yeares takes his sister Margaret to Wife and affianceth the Daughter of the same King to his Sonne Prince Edward and so returnes into England And these were all the troubles King Edward had with France But now must something be spoken of troubles with his Lords at home whereof this was the beginning In a Parliament at Salisbury the five and twentieth yeare of his Raigne the King requires certaine of his Lords to goe to the Warres in Gascoyne which needed a present supply by reason of the death of his Brother Edmund but the Lords make all their excuses every man for himselfe Whereupon the King in great rage threatned they should either goe or he would give their Lands to others that should Upon this Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford High Constable and Roger Bigod Earle of Norfolke Marshall of England make their Declaration that if the King went in Perâ—on they would attend him otherwise not Which answer offended the King more and being urged againe the Earle Marshall protested he would willingly goe thither with the King and march before him in the Vauntguard as by right of inheritance he ought to doe But the King told him plainely he should goe with any other though he weâ—â— not himselfe in Personâ— I am not so bound saith the Earle neither will I take tâ—â—t journey without you The King swore by God Sir Earle you shall either goe or hâ—â—â—â— And I sweare by the same Oath said the Earle I will neither goe noâ— hangâ— and so without leave departs Shortly after the two Earles assemble many Noble men and other their Friends to the number of thirty Bannereâ—s so as they were fifteen hundred men at Armes well appointed and stood upon their Guâ—â—dâ— The King like a prudent Prince who knew his times prosecuâ—es them not as then bâ—â— lets the matter passe in regard that his businesse called him presently into Flanders when being ready to take ship the Arch-bishops Bishops Earles Barons and the Commons send him a Roll of the Grievances of his Subjects concerning his Taxes Subsidies and other Impositions with his seeking to force their services by unlawfull courses to which the King sends answer that he could not aâ—tâ—r any thing without the advice of his Councell who were not now about him and therefore required them seeing they would not attend him in his Journey which they absolutely refused to doe though he went in Person unlesse he had gone into France or Scotland that they would yet doe nothing in his absence prejudiâ—iall to the peace of the kingdome and that at his returne he would set all things in good order to their contentment But having taken his Journey and being held there with long delayes to his exceeding great expenses he was forced to send over for more supply of Treasure and thereupon gave order for a Parliament to be held at Yorke by the Prince and because of his Minority for he was then but sixteene yeares of age by such as had the manage of the kingdome in his absence and to the end he would not be disappointed of aide he condescends to all such Articles as were demanded concerning the great Charter Promising from thenceforth never to charge his Subjects otherwise then by their consents in Parliament and to pardon all such as had denyed to attend him in this Journey After this in the 27. yeare of his Raigne a Parliament is called at Westminster wherein the promised Confirmation of the two Charters and the allowance of what disafforestation had heretofore beene made was earnestly urged and in the end with much adoe Granted and that with omission of the Clause Salva Iure Coronae nostrâ— which the King laboured to have inserted but the people by no meanes would agree and the perambulation of the Forests of England was then committed to three Bishops three Earles and three Barons But some yeares after in the two and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne King Edward begunne to shew his resentment of the stubborne behaviour of his Nobles towards him in times past and so terrifies Roger Bigod Earle Marshall that to recover his favor the Earle made him his Heireâ— in Possession though he had a Brother of his owne living reserving onely to himselfe a thousand pounds per annum during his life Of others likewise he goâ— great summes for the same offence The Earle of Hereford escaped his fine by death But the Arch-bishop of Canterbury whom he accused to have disturbed his Peace in his absence he sends over to Pope Clement the fifth who succeeded Bonifacâ— that he might be crusht with a double power This Pope was Native of Burdeaux and â—o the more regardfull of the Kings desire and the Kingâ— the more confident of
advancement in honour alter men to the better to the worse often and commonly then when it is joyned with an Authority that sets them above controlement Neither yet was their feare more out of what they had seene then out of what they saw for where he should have endevoured to accomplish the charge his Father had given him in his death-bed he seemed to intend nothing lesse nothing more then wholly to breake it for he presently called home Pierce Gaveston from banishment and the two and thirty thousand pounds which his Father had specially appointed for the Holy Warre either all or the most of it he beâ—towed upon Gaveston and for carrying his Fathers bones with him about Scotland it had beene well if he had suffered them quietly to be laid at rest in England for after the Corps had beene kept above ground sixteene weekes in the Abbey of Waltham and that the Bishop of Chester Walter Langton the then Lord Treasurer and Executor of his Fathers Will was busie in preparing for his Funerals he sent the Constable of the Tower to arrest him and imprison him at Wallingford seising upon all his Goods and giving them to Gaveston and all for old grudges And that which seemed a high straine of incongruity before he had seene performed his Fathers Funerals which was not till the 27. of October following he entred into Treatie of his owne Nuptials forgoing over to Boleigne on the two and twentieth of Ianuary he marryed Isabell the Daughter of Philip the Faire King of France which Marriage was honoured with the presence of foure Kings the King of France himselfe the King of Navâ—rre his Sonne the King of the Romans and the King of Sicilie and three Queenes besides the Bride Mary Queene of France Margaret the Dowager Queene of England and the Queene of Navarre and yet did Gavestâ—n exceed them all in bravery This was observed by the Lords of England and thereupon when his Queene and he came afterward to be Crowned they went unto him signifying what a hainous transgression of his Fathers will it was to call home Gâ—veston and seeing the charge was no lesse given to them then to him if he did not performe it they would and therefore unlesse he would remove Gaveston from the Court and kingdome they would hinder his Coronation from proceeding which strooke such a dampe to Prince Edwards spirits to thinke what a disgrace it would be to him if so many of his great Friends being present Charles of Valois the King of Frances Brother the Dukes of Britaine and Brabant the Count of Luxenburg who was afterward Emperor the Duke of Savoy the two Dutchesses of Brabant Artois with many other Princes and great Ladies if now his Coronation should be called in question that he solemnly swore he would do what they desired in the next Parliament so they would be quiet now and thereupon on the 24. day of February in the yeare 1307. his Queene and he were both Crowned at Westminster by the hands of Henry Bishop of Winchester by Commission from Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury being then in Exile and out of the kingdome At which solemnity there was so great a presse of People that Sir Iohn Blackwell knight was crowded to death And now in the very Act of his Coronation there was given another provocation to the Lords against Gaveston for the King had appointed him to carry the Crowne of Saint Edward before him the greatest honour could be done to a Subject which added to the other honours the King had done him for he had made him Earle of Cornewall Lord of Man and Lord Chamberlaine so incensed the Lords that they entred into consultation how to suppresse this violence of the Kings affection which shortly after they put in execution Portion in money King Edward had none with his Wife but the King of France gave him the Dutchy of Guyenne which he had seised upon before as confiscate to him and thereupon King Edward did him Homage for that Dutchy and for the County of Ponthieu Of his difference with his Lords about Gaveston VVE shall have here no Quinquennium Neronis no such five yeares as Nero afforded in the beginning of his Raigne but this King at his first entrance will shew what he is and what he will continue to be as long as he lives for though he tooke some great and grave men to be of his Councell yet as appeared afterward he did it rather to the end they should be pliant to him then that he had any meaning to apply himselfe to them For let them say what they would Gaveston must be the Oracle all the Kings actions were but Gavestons impressions And now Gaveston presently after the Coronation to let the world be a witnesse of his worthinesse and that the King had not bestowed his Favours upon him without cause caused to be published a Turneament at Wallingford whither came all the great Lords of the kingdome as Thomas Earle of Lancaster Humfrey Earle of Hereford Aymer Earle of Pembroke and Iohn Earle of Warren with many others all Valiant men at Armes yet none had the honour of the day like to Gaveston And thus farre he did well if he could have stayed here if having gotten true glory he had not falne into vaine-glory For the Lords envyed him not so much for his advancement in Honours as they hated him for his insolency in Manners for in a scornefull pride he would be casting scoffes upon them all calling Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Stage Player the Earle of Lincolne Burstenbelly â—imer de Valence Earle of Pembroke Ioseph the Iew and Guy Earle of Warwicke the blacke Dogge of Arderne which scoffes together with his other insolencies drew such a party upon him that in the next Parliament the whole assembly obtaines of the King to draw Articles of their grievances of which the chiefe were that the great Charter of Magna Charta should be observedâ— that all strangers should be banished the Court and kingdome that the businesse of the State should be treated of by the Counsell of the Clergy and the Nobles and that the King should not begin any warre nor goe out of the kingdome without consent of Parliament Which Articles though seeming harsh to the King yet for avoyding of further inconvenience he yeelds unto them and specially to the baniâ—hment of his Minion Gaveston as hoping that would excuse him for all the rest and Robert of Winchelsey Arch-bishop of Canterbury lately called home from Exile pronounceth Excommunication against all such as should oppose the Articles Hereupon Gaveston is sent away into Ireland where he lived awhile not as a banisht man but as Lieutenant rather of the Country and indeed not unworthily for in the time of his being there he is said to have made a Journey into the Mountaines of Dublin and to have broken and subdued the Rebels there built New Castle in the Kerns Country repaired the Castle of Kevyn and
passed up to Munster and Thoumond performing every where much service with great valour and worthinesse that if he had stayed there but a while longer he might perhaps by his desorts in Ireland have redeemed his defects in England but the King impatient of his absence and asking advice what meanes might be used to recall him It was told him that if he could but match him with the Earle of Glocesters sister a man of such greatnesse and so greatly beloved of the people for his sake certainely no man would grudge at his comming home Hereupon the King sends for Gaveston and makes up the match betweene them and marryed they were at Barkamstead but this did no good For Gaveston still working upon the King in such manner that he scarce left him meanes to sustaine himselfe and as little to maintaine the Queene nothing being done but as Gaveston would have it put the Lords into a new discontentment who thereupon went againe to the King and told him plainly that unlesse he would put Gaveston out of the Court and kingdome they would rise up in Armes against him as a perjured King This put the King into a great strait Loath he was to leave Gaveston and fearefull he was to provoke the Lords in the end his feare prevailing over his love he was content he should be Banished and in such sort Banished that if ever he returned or were found in the kingdome he should be held and proceeded against as an Enemy of the State So once againe is Gaveston sent packing out of the kingdome and goes into France but found no safe Harbouring there For the King of France hearing of it gave strait charge if he were found in his Dominions to apprehend him Then he passeth into Flanders but is there no saâ—er then in France After waving about and finding no place to rest in safety he returnes secretly into England relying upon the Kings Love and the Duke of Glocesters Favour The King receives him as an Angell sent from Heaven and to be out of the Lords Eye goes a Journey to Yorke taking Gaveston along with him and there thinkes to be in quiet but the Lords hearing of it follow him thither chusing for their Generall Thomas Earle of Lancaster a man possest of five Earledomes Lancaster Leycester Ferrers Lincolne and Salisbury besides the Liberty of Pickering and the Honour of Cokermore and other Lands in Wales and there was not a man of the whole Nobility that was not of the Party but onely Gilbert Earle of Glocester the Kings Sisters Sonne These Lords sent to the King either to deliver Gaveston into their hands or at least to send him peremptorily out of the kingdome But the King led by ill Counsell and little regarding the Lords Message takes Gaveston with him to New-Castle upon Tine thence to Tynmouth where the Queene then lay who though great with Childe and entreating the King with teares to stay with her yet such was his desire to see Gaveston put into some place of security that hearing of the Lords approaching he tooke a Ship and passed with Gaveston to Scarborough and leaving him there in a strong Castle not easie to be wonne he went himselfe into Warwickshire perhaps that the Lords might see he had not Gaveston with him But the Lords hearing where Gaveston was assaulted the Castle with such violence that Gaveston seeing no meanes to escape was content to render himselfe requesting onely that he might but once be allowed to see the Kings face and the King hearing he was taken desired as much to which the Earle of Pembroke consented and taking Gaveston into his custody promised upon Forteiture of all he had to have him forth-comming but desiring to be with his Wife that night who lay not farre off at Dedington hâ— delivers him to his Servants to carry to Wallingford From whom as they passed by Warwicke the Earle of that place hearing of it tooke him forcibly from his keepers and brought him to his owne Castle Where after long deliberation whether it were wisedome to suffer Gaveston to speake with the King or no It was at last concluded to take ofâ— his head which at a place thereby called Blacklow was presently put in execution His Corps was carryed to Oxford and kept there two yeares till the King caused it to be brought to Longley and there builded a Monastery of purpose where his Soule should be prayed for This Gaveston was the Sonne of a Gentleman of France who had done good service for King Edward the first in France and for his sake this Sonne of his was taken and brought up with the Prince a man of excellent parts of body and of no lesse Endowments of minde Valiant and Witty to which if we might adde Vertuous he had beene compleate Though the Lords whether they had heard so or whether they said it to weane the King from him told the King that his Father was a Traitor to the King of France and for the same was executed and that his Mother was burnt for a Witch and that this Gaveston was banished out of France for consenting to his Mothers Witch-craft and that he had now bewitched the King himselfe But why should the Lords be so violent against Gaveston might not the King place his Affection where he pleased Might he not make his owne choyce of what companion he liked No doubt he might and fit he should but yet in this case the Lords had great cause to doe as they did both in regard of the King of themselves and of the Common-wealth It is true if the Valour of Gaveston could as well have made the King Valiant as his riot made him riotous there might some good have come of their extraordinary conjunction but seeing Vertues are but personall Vices onely are communicative it now made the King not onely more Vicious then otherwise he would have beene but Vicious where otherwise he would not have beene and therefore great cause in regard of the King to remove Gaveston from his company and no lesse in regard of the Lords themselves For Gavestons advancing was their debasing his greatnesse with the King made them but Cyphers but in regard of the Common-wealth most cause of all For while the King was altogether ruled by Gaveston and Gaveston himselfe was altogether irregular the Common-wealth could have but little hope of Justice but was sure to suffer as long as Gaveston was suffered And this may be sufficient to justifie the Lords that it be not interpreted to be Rebellion which was indeed but Providence Of his Troubles with Scotland ANd now we have seene two of the charges of his Fathers Will broken by the King and punished in him the two and thirty thousand pounds appointed for the Holy Warre bestowed upon Gaveston and the King for it punished himselfe with want Gaveston called home from banishment and the King for it punished with the losse of his Subjects love It remaines to see how
beheaded he was the same day without the Towne of Pomfret before his owne Castle To speake of the Miracles said to be done by him after his death might be fit for a Legend but not for a Chronicle and therefore I omit them By the like judgement were condemned the Lord Cliffordâ— the Lord Warren Lisle the Lord William Tuchet Thomas Maudit Henry Bradburne Williâ—m Fits-Williams William Lord Cheyney Thomas Lord Mâ—wbray Ioceline Lord Danill all which were executed at Yorke Shortly after the Lord Henry Teyes is taken drawne hanged and quarterâ—d at London the Lord Aldenham at Windsor the Lords Baddlesmere and Ashburton at Canterbury at Cardiffe in Wales Sir William Flemming at Bristow Siâ— Henry Womington and Sir Henry Montford Bannerets at Glocester the Lord Cliffordâ— and Sir William Elminbridge principall men in principall places to spread the more â—eâ—rour over the kingdome all their estates and inheritances are confiscated and â—â—ny new men advanced by the same And this is the first bloud of Nobility that ever was shed in this manner in England since William the Conquerour But not long after the King in a calmer humour beganne to have a sense oâ— the Earle of Lancasters execution which he discovered upon this occasion some â—bouâ— him making earnest suite for a Pardon to one of the Earles followers and preâ—â—â—ng the King hard to it he fell into a great pâ—ssion exclâ—iming â—gâ—inst them as unjusâ— and wicked Counsellours who would urge him to save the life of a notorious Vâ—â—let and would not speake one word for his neare kinsman the Earle of Lancasteâ— who said he had he lived might have beene useâ—ull to me and the whole kingdome but this fellow the longer he lives the more mischiefe he will doe and therefore by the soule of God he should die the death he had deserved Sir Andrew Harkeley who was the man that tooke the Earle of Lancaster prisoner being advanced for his service to the Earledome of Carlile enjoyed his honour but a while for the next yeare after either thrust out into discontent by the Spensers envying his high preferment or combining with the Scots upon hope of a great match as he was accused he is degraded of all his honours drawne hanged and quartered at Londâ—n for Treason But now the King of France summons King Edward to come and doe his homage for Gascoyne and he not comming all his Territories in France are adjudged to be forfeited and many places of importance are seiâ—ed on by the French Hereupon a Parliament is called and it is by common consent of all agreed that the King should not goe in person himselfe in regard of the distraction of the times but should send some speciall man to excuse his appearance whereupon Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings brother is sent but to little effect Then it is thought fit the Queene should goe and indeed the Queene went but what was the cause of her going there is amongst Writers great variance some say she was sent by the King to accommodate this businesse which she negotiated so well as that all quarrels were ended upon condition the King should give to his sonne Edward the Dutchie of Aquitaine with the Earledome of Ponthieu and send him over to doe his homage for them which after many consultationsâ— the King is wrought to yeeld unto and the Prince is sent with the Bishop of Exeter and others to the Court of France accordingly but others sayâ— she went out of discontent to complaine to her brother the King of France for wrongs offered her by the Spensers who had so alienated the Kings minde from her that he would scarce come where she was nor allow her fit maintenance for her calling But whatsoever was the cause of her goingâ— there appeared no cause of her staying but that she had gotten into her company Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmâ—re a gallant young Gentlemanâ— whom she specially favoured lately escaped out of the Tower of London by giving his keepers as was said a sleeping drinke And withall the Bishop of Exeter perceiving some plots to be in hand and their close consultations made without him withdrawes himselfe secretly and discovers to the King what he observed in their courses Whereupon the King sends presently for the Quâ— and Prince and solicits the King of France to hasten their return which when he saw was neglected and delaied he caused them openly to be proclaimed enemies to the kingdome banished them and all their adherents out of the Land and withall causeth all the Ports to be strongly kept and sends three Admirals to attend in severall Coasts to hinder their landing It was not without suspition that as the King for love of the Spensers had his minde alienated from loving the Queen so the Queen for love of Mâ—rtimer had her minde alienated from loving the King and therefore having him with her câ—red not how long she staied However it was when the Queene heard of the Kings Proclamation she knew there was no returning for her into England without some good assistance whereupon soliciting her brother the King of France he aided her with men and money say some but others that he refusing to aide her as being wrought under hand by the Spensers against her she left the French Court and went into Heynault to the Earle of that Countrey who upon a contract betweene her sonne Prince Edward and Philippa the Earles daughterâ—â—ided her with a competent Army under the conduct of his brotheâ— Iohn and with them and her beloved Mortimer she tooke shipping and landed at Orwell a Port neare unto Harwich in Suffolke where presently came to her the Earle Marshall Henry Earle of Leycester and Henry Earle of Lancaster with the wry neck called Tâ—rtcâ—ll with many other Lords and Bishops The King at this time being at London and hearing of the Queenes landing with such forces and chiefely how all the Realme ranne flocking to her was â—uddenly strucken into a great amazement and though he had his great Counsellours the Spensers about him yet now he found what little good thâ—ir counsel could do him and indeed in this case what should he or what could he do To stay in London was apparent danger for he plainely saw the Londâ—ners to be more inclining to take the Queenes part then his and to goe from London to any other place was as unsafe all places being possest eitheâ— with certaine Enemies or uncertaine Friendsâ— at last the Isle of Lundy is thought of a place plentifull of provisionâ— abounding with Conies Fish and Fowle and the Island of hard accesse as having but one place in it where it could be entred and that so narrow that a few might easily keepe out many upon this place he resolvesâ— and taking with him the Earle of Glocester the Spensers and Robert â—aldâ—cke with some feâ— others he â—akes shipping but by contrary windes is driven backe and raine through Tempests to land in Wales and there in the Abbey of
was the marke now aimed at having taken away his kingdome openly how they might take away his life secretly be the Authours of it and not be seene in it but this must be the Contents of a Chapter hereafter Of his Taxations BY this King it appeares there is something else besides the grievance of Taxations that alienates the mindes of English Subjects from their King for never were fewer Taxations then in this Kings time yet never were the Subjects minds more alienated from their King then they were from him Before his Coronation in a Parliament holdeâ— at Westminster â—â—ere was granted him a fifteenth of the Clergy and a twentieth of the Temporalty In his fifth yeare in a Parliament at Lâ—â—don was granted him a fifteenth of the Temporalty In his fifteenth yeare was granted the sixth penâ—y of temporall mens Goods through England Ireland and Wales towards his Warreâ— with Scotland And more then these we reade not of but then at the defeate of the Earle of Lancaster there were Confiscations that supplyed the place of Taxations by which as one saith he became the richest King that had beene since the Conquest Of his Lawes and Ordinances HE Ordained that the moneyes of his Father though counted base by the People should be currant In the eight yeare of his Raigne by reason of a dearâ—h which raised the price of all Victuals it was Ordained by Parliament that an Oxe fatted with grasse should be sold for fifteene shillings fatted with Corne for twenty the best Cow for twelve shillings a fat Hogge of two yeares old three shâ—llings foure pence a fat Sheepe shorne foureteene pence with the Fleece twenty pence a fat Goose for two pence halfe-penny a fat Capon two pence a fat Hen a penny foure Pigeons a penny whosoever sold for more should forfait their Ware to the King But after these Rates imposed all kinde of Victuals grew so scarce that provision could hardly be made for the Kings house whereupon shortly after the Order was revoked and Market Folkes permitted to make the best of their Wares In this Kings time an Ordinance was made against knights Templars accused of Heresie and other crimes and they were all apprehended and committed to divers Prisons The like was done by all the Kings of Christendome at one instant being condemned in a Generall Counsell at Vienna In the 14. yeare of his Raigne on the 15. of October the Clerkes of the Exchequer went towards Yorke with the Booke called Domus Dei and other Records and Provision that laded one and twenty Carts but within halfe a yeare they were brought backe againe Affaires of the Church in his time IN the 17. yeare of his Raign the Bishop of Hereford was arrestedâ— accused of High Treason for aiding the Kings enemies in their late rebellion but he refuâ—ed to answer being a consecrated Bishop without leave of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury whose Suffragan he was and who he said was his direct Judge next the Pope or without the consent of his fellow Bishops who then all arose and humbly craved the Kings Clemency in his behalfe but finding the King implacable they tooke him away from the Barre and delivered him to the custody oâ— the Arch-bishop of Canterbury shortly after he was againe taken and convented as before which the Clergy understanding the Arch-bishops Canterbury Yorke and Dublin with tenne other Bishops all with their Crosses erected went to the place of Judgement and againe tooke him away with them charging all men upon paine of Excommunication to forbeare to lay violent hands upon him with which audacious Act the King was so much displeased that he presently commanded inquiry to be made ex Officio Iudicis concerning those Objections against the Bishop wherein he was found guilty though absent and had all his Goods and Possessions seised into the Kings hands In this Kings time the Crowchet Fryers came first into England In his time Pope Iohn the two and twentieth first Instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi begunne before by Urban the fourth Workes of piety done by him or by others in his time THis King founded Oriall Colledge and Saint Mary Hall in Oxford He builded â— Church of Fryers at his Manour of Langley where the soule of Gaveston should bâ— prayed for In this Kings twentieth yeare Richard Rothing Sheriffe of London bâ—â—lded the Parish Church of Garlickhithe in London Ralph Baldocke Bishop of London gave two thousand Markes to the building of the new Worke of the Chappell on the South side of Pauls Church And left much more by his Testament Casualties IN the eighth yeare of this Kings Raigne was so great a dearâ—h that Horses and Dogges were eaten and Theeves in prison pluckt in peeces those that were newly brought in amongst them and eate them halfe alive which continuing three yeares brought in the end such a pestilence that the living scarce sufficed to bury the dead In the fourth yeare of his Raigne the Church of Middleton in Dorsetshire with all the Monuments was consumed with Lightning the Monkes being at Mattins In this Kings time digging the Foundation of a worke about Pauls were found more then a hundred heads of Oxen and kine which confirmed the opinion that of old time it had beene the Temple of Iupiter and that there was the Sacrifice of Beasts Of his Wife and Children HE marryed Isabel Daughter of Philip the Faire King of France she being but twelve yeares of age who lived his Wife twenty yeares his Widdow thirty and dying at threescore and three yeares old at Rysings neare London was buried in the midst of the Gray Fryers Quire in London By her he had issue two Sons and two Daughters his eldest Sonne named Edward of Windsor because borne there succeeded him in the kingdome His second Sonne named Iohn of Eltham because borne there was at twelve yeares old created Earle of Cornwall he dyed in Scotland in the flowre of his Youth unmarryed His eldest Daughter Ioane being a childe was marryed in the fourth yeare of King Edward her Brother to Dâ—vid Prince of Scotland Sonne to King Robert Bruce at seven yeares old who comming afterward into England to visit her Brother dyed here and was buryed at the Gray Fryers in London His second Daughter Eleanor was marryed to Reginold the second Earle of Gelder with a portion of fifteene thousand pounds and had issue by him two Sonnes who were Earles successively Of his Personage and Conditions HE was faire of body and of great strength but given much to drinke which made him oftentimes bewray his owne Secrets For his other conditions his greatest fault was that he loved but one for if his love had beene divided it could not have beene so violent He was extreame in nothing but in loving and though love moderated be the best of affections yet the extremity of it is the worst of passions He was rather unfortunate then unhappy seeing unfortunatenesse is in the Event unhappinesse in the Cause and
Sir Iames Dowglasse the King surrenders by his Charter all his title of Soveraignty to the Kingdome of Scotland restores divers Deeds and Instruments of their former Homages and Fealties with the famous Evidence called Ragmans Roll and many ancient Jewels and Monuments amongst which was the blacke Crosse of Scotland and besides any English man is prohibited to hold lands in Scotland unlesse he were a dweller there In consideration whereof King Bruce was to pay thirty thousand Markes and to renounce his claime to the Counties of Cumberland and Northumberland and any other place possessed by him in England This was no good beginning and yet worse followed after For another Parliament being holden at Winchester Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings Unkle is there accused and condemned upon his confession for intending to restore his brother the late King Edward an intention onely without any fact yet condemned he was and brought to the Scaffold but generally so beloved of the people that he stood on the Scaffold from one a clocke till five before any executioner could be found that would doe the office till at last a silly wretch of the Marshalsey was gotten to cut off his head But the Authors of his death escaped not long themselves for in the third yeare of the Kings Raigne another Parliament is holden at Nottingham wherein the Queen hath all her great Joynture taken from her and is put to her Pension of a thousand pounds a yeare and her selfe confined to a Castle where she remained the rest of her dayes no fewer then thirty yeares a time long enough to finde that her being the daughter of a King the sister of a King the wife of a King and the mother of a King were glorious titles but all not worth the liberty of a meane estate and as for Mortimer lying then in the Castle of Nottingham and lately created Earle of the Marches of Wales he was seised on in this manner the King taking with him William Montacute Robert Holland and others goe secretly one night by Torch-light through a privie way under ground till they came to the Queenes Chamber where leaving the King without they entred and found the Queene with Mortimer ready to goe to bed then laying hands on him they led him forth after whom the Queene followed crying Bel fits â—el fits ayes pitie du gentil Mortimer good son good sonne take pity upon the gentle Mortimer suspecting that her sonne had beene amongst them this course was taken to apprehend him for avoyding of tumult he having no fewer then ninescore knights and Gentlemen besides other meaner servants continually about him But thus seised on he is committed presently to the Tower accused of divers great crimes whereof these were chiefe that he had procured the late Kings death that he had beene the author of the Scots safe escaping at Stanhope Parke corrupted with the gift of thirty thousand pounds that he had procured the late marriage and Peace with Scotland so dishonourable to the King and kingdome that he had beene too familiar with the Queene as by whom she was thought to be with child of which Articles he is found guilty and condemned and thereupon is drawne and hanged on the common Gallowes at the Elmes now called Tiburne where his body remained two dayes as an opprobrious spectacle for all beholders After these businesses in England there comes a new businesse upon him from the King in France for about this time Philippe le Bel King of France the Queens brother dying without issue the right of succession to the Crowne is devolved upon the Heire to Charles a former King wherein are competitours Philip Duke de Valois and Edward King of England Edward is the nearer in bloud buâ— drawes his Pedegree by a Female Philippe the further off but descending by all Males and because the Law Salique excluding Females was conceived as well to exclude all descendants by Females therefore is Philips title preferred before King Edwards and Philip is received and crowned King of France to which preferment of his Robert d' Arthois a Peere of great power gave no small furtherance And now as soone as Philip was Invested in the Crowne he summons King Edward to come and doe his Homage for the Dutchy of Guyenne and his other lands in France held of that Crowne according to the custome which though it were some prejudice to King Edwards claime afterward yet in regard his kingdome of England was scarce well setled and himselfe but young he was contented to doe and thereupon the sixth of Iune in the yeare 1329. King Edward in a Crimson Velvet gowne imbroidered with Leopards with his Crowne on his head his Sword by his side and golden Spurres on his heeles presents himselfe in the body of the Cathedrall Church of Amyens before King Philip sitting in his Chaire of Estate in a Velveâ— Gowne of a Violet colour imbroydered with Flowers de lys of Gold his Crowne on his head and his Scepter in his hand with all his Princes and Peeres about him The Viscount Melun Chamberlaine of France first commands King Edward to puâ— off his Crowne his Sword and his Spurres and to kneele downe which he did on a Crimson Velvet Cushion before King Philip and then the Viscount putting both his hands together betweene the hands of the King of France pronounced the words of the Homage which were these You become Liegeman to my Master here present as Duke of Aquitaine and Peere of France and you promise to beare faith and loyalty unto him Say yea and King Edward said yea and kissed the King of France in the mouth as Lord of the Fee The like Homage also he did for the Earldome of Ponthieu But this act of submission left a rancour in King Edwards heart which afterwards brake so out that it had beene good for France 〈◊〉 had never beene exacted This done King Edward returnes home and there finds a new busines with Scotland upon this occasion Edward Baylioll sonne to Iohn Baylioll sometimes King of Scotland two and thirty yeares after his fathers deposition beganne now to shew himselfe attempting the recovery of that Crowne and comming out of Fraâ—ce where he had all that while remained and getting aide under-hand in Englaâ—d with them he suddenly assailes those who had the government of Scotland during the Nonage of the young King David being at that time with the King of Fraâ—ce and in a battell overcame them with the slaugher of many Noble men and thousands of the common people and thereupon was immediatly Crowned King of Scotland at Scone But notwithstanding this great defeat King Baylioll was forced to retire him into England to get more aide of King Edward who now shewes himselfe in the action joynes with Baylioll against his brother in Law King David goes in person with a strong Army to recover Berwicke which after three moneths siege being valiantly defended by the Lord Seton was taken in and the Army
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 Sâ—lisbury 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 Dâ—rby 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 Eâ—rles 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 Engliâ—h 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 â—t unguarded was so much displeased that he presently sends for the Major of â—ondon 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 leâ—t in Flanders to oppose the French having performed divers great eâ—ploits were aâ— last in an encounter about Lisâ—e 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 Haynâ—ult 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 Duâ—â— 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 Edwâ—â—d 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 â—o themselves at home But now to impeach the King of Englands returne into Fraâ—ceâ— 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 adveâ—tised 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 â—â—bert Morley and encounters his enemy who lay to intercept him with such force and courage and such
advantage of Wind and Sun that he utterly defeated their whole Navy took and sunke all their Ships slew thirty thousand men and landed with as great glory as such a victory the greatest that ever before was gotten by the Eâ—glish at Sea could yeeld though King Edward himselfe was there wounded with an Arrow in the thigh Most of the French rather then to endure the Arrowes of the English or be taken desperately leapt into the Sea whereupon the French Kings Jester set on to give him notice of this overthrow which being so ill newes noâ—â— else would willingly impart unto him said and oftentimes repeated it in the Kings hearing Cowardly English men Dastardly English men faint-hearted Englisâ— menâ— the King at length asked him whyâ— for that said he they durst not leap out of their Ships into the Sea as our brave French men did By which speech the King apprehend a notion of this overthrow which the French attribute to Nicholâ—â—â—â—chet one of their chiefe Commanders who had armed his Ships with men of base condition content with small pay and refused Gentlemen and sufficient Souldiers in regard they required greater wages And indeed it often happens that the avarice of Commanders is the occasion of great defeats By this victory King Edward gained a free entrance into Flanders and presently went and besieged Tournay with an Army of five and fifty thousand but was so valiantly encountred by the Duke of Burgundy and the Earle of Armigniack that they routed his Army and slew foure thousand upon the place which so enraged King Edward that two dayes after he sent a Challenge to King Philip to meete him in â— single combate or with an hundred against as many before the wals of Tournâ—â— King Philip answers that his Challenge being made to Philip de Valois withouâ— mention of King he tooke it not to be to him who was truly King of Franceâ— but he wished him to remember the Homage he had done him at Amiens and the wrong he did to the Christian worldâ— by his troublesome courses to hinder him from his voyage intended to the Holy Land Besides this answer in writing he sends to him by word of mouth that by his Challenge he hazarded nothing of his owne but exposed onely the Dominion of another which was against all reason but if he would set his kingdome of England though much meaner agaiâ—â—â— his of France he would then accept the Challenge and meete him in the field 〈◊〉 single combate But this King Edward would not hearken to for as he was valiant to make the Challenge so he was circumspect to looke to the conditions But here upon he continues his siege of Tâ—â—rnay to the reliefe whereof King Philip sends all the forces he could possibly make by himselfe oâ— his friends and after the siege had continued three moneths partly by mediation of Robert King of Sicilie but chiefely by the Lady Iane of Valois sister to King Philip and mother of King Edwards wife who had vowed her selfe a Nunne but to doe this good office travelled from one to another a Truce was concluded for a yeare and both their Armies are dissolved After this K. Edward returning into England was advertised how the Scots after many other places gained had besieged the Castle of Striveling for reliefe whereof the King makes all the haste he can and yet before he could come it was by force of battery compelled to render it selfe upon conditions Then King Edward being at Berwicke passeth to New-Castle upon Tyne where he staies a moneth waiting for his provision that was to come by Sea but that being driven into other parts by tempest he makes a Truce with the Scots for three or foure moneths and then returnes home In the time of this Truce the Scots send to King David to come and governe the kingdome in his owne person who thereupon taking his leave of the King of France with whom he had remained seven yeares he with his wife Ioane King Edwards sister returnes into Scotland where after he had beene most honourably received by the Prince of Orâ—nay and the other Lords and Barons of the Kingdome as soone as the Truce was ended with a strong Army enters Northumberland passing on to New-Castle upon Tyne where he plants his Campe. Of this Castle Iohn Nevile was left governour by King Edward who sending out certaine companies tooke the Earle Murray prisoner and with the slaughter of divers of his men and rich booties returned backe to his Castle which so incensed King David that he assaulted the Castle as a man enraged but finding it too strong for his taking he then passed into the Province of Durham where he used all kinds of cruelty first upon the Countrey and then upon the City killing men women and children Clergy and others burning and destroying houses and Churches and utterly defacing it From thence he passeth on to the Castle of Salisbury which Castle belonged to William Mountacute Earle of Salisbury in right of his wife but himselfe being then prisoner in France onely his Countesse and one William Mountacute a Cousin of his was in the Castle This William perceiving the Scottish horse to be so over-charged with pillage that they were scarce able to goe issues out of the Castle with forty horse sets upon them kils two hundred and takes sixe score whom he brings with their rich pillage into the Castle King David soone after with his whole Army arrived but hearing of King Edwards comming who certified of these things made all the haste he could he retires himselfe from thence and King Edward finding him gone before he came yet would needs goe in and visit the Countesse of whom as soone as he saw her he was so enamoured that he laid more battery to her chastity then King David had done to her Castle but finding it inexpugnable after a day and a night he left it and followed after the Scots with whom for three dayes together he had many skirmishes till at last a Truce was concluded for two yeares and amongst other conditions William Earle of Salisbury prisoner with the King of France was set at liberty in exchange for the Earle Murray prisoner with the King of England About this time another difference fell out betweene the Kings of France and England Iohn Earle of Montford laid claime to the Dutchy of Britaine but in the quarrell was taken prisoner by the King of France his Lady sends to King Edward for succour which King Edward grants upon condition that a marriage be made betweene his daughter Mary and the Earle of Montfords sonne which being agreed on he sends over to her aide first Walter de Manny a valiant knight and afterward Robert d' Arthois but whilest his Army was preparing King Edward was informed by Edward Baylioll the pretended King of Scotland and Governour of Berwicke that the Scots had not kept the conditions of the Truce whereupon King Edward drawes a great Army
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 hâ—d 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 Coâ—cy 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 daâ—ghter 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 seaâ—sing 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 whetâ—â—r 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 exemplâ—â— 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 atâ—â—â—evements then William the valiant Earle of Salisbury then Iohn Eure Ancestor to 〈◊〉 Lord Eures that now liveth then follow the Lord Iohn Chandos Sir Iames Audeâ—â— Sir Walter de Manny Sir Robert Knolls then Sir Iohn Hawkewood born in Essex who â—â—ough not much honoured at home having been a Taylour yet in forrain parts and â—â—ecially in Italy so famous that his Statue was erected in publike for a Monument 〈◊〉 testifie his valour to posterity And here must not be forgotten Venileâ—night â—night 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 〈◊〉 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 waiâ—ed 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
Oxford who wrote divers excellent Treatises in Naturall and Morall Philosophy which remaine in estimation to this day and who for the great fame of his learning had the honour to be one of the Instructours of Edward the blacke Prince Roger of Chester a Monke of that City and an Historiographer Iohn Burgh a Monke who wrote a History and also divers Homilies Richard Aungervill Bishop of Durham and Lord Chancellour of England borne in Suffolke Walter Heminford an Historiographer Richard Chichester a Monke of Westminster who wrote an excellent Chronicle from the yeare 449. to the yeare 1348. Richard Rolle alias Hampole who writ many excellent Treatises in Divinity Robert Holcot a blacke Frier borne in Northampton a learned Schooleman and wrote many bookes in Arguments of Divinity Thomas Bradwardin borne neare Chichester in Sussex Arch-bishop of Canterbury and who wrote against the Pelagians and for his depth of learning had the Title of Doctor Profunduâ— Richard Fits Ralph Arch-bishop of Armagh in Ireland a learned writer William Grysant named Anglicus a notable Physitian whose son came to be Pope and was called Urbane the fifth Iohn Killingworth an excellent Philosopher Astronomer and Physitian Ranulph Higden a Monke of Chester an Historiographer Bartholomew Glanvile descended of those Glanviles that were sometimes Earles of Suffolke Simon Islip Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Founder of Canterbury Colledge in Oxford who wrote many Treatises Matthew Westmonasteriensis who wrote the booke called Flores Historiarum William Fleete an Hermit who wrote sundry Treatises exhorting England to repentance Henry Knighton who wrote a History Intituled De gestis Anglorum and lastly two other worthy perhaps to have beene placed first Iohn Mandevill the great Travellour a Doctor of Physicke and a knight who died at Liege in the yeare 1372. and Sir Geoffrey Chawcer the Homer of our Nation and who found as sweete a Muse in the Groves of Woodstocke as the Antients did upon the banks of Helicon THE REIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND RICHARD called of Burdeaux because born there the onely Sonne of Edward the black Prince was by his Grandfather in his life-time declared to be his Heire and lawfull Successour and accordingly after his death was crowned King of England at Westminster the sixteenth day of Iuly in the yerre 1377. by Simon Suâ—bury Archbishop of Canterbury And for the more solemnity of his Coronation he then mâ—de nine Knights and created foure Earles Thomas of Woodstock King Edward the Thirds youngest Sonne was created Earle of Buckingham and Northampton Thomas Mowbray younger brother of Iohn L. Mowbray Earle of Nottingham Gifford Angoulesme a Gascoigne was made Earle of Huntington and Henry Percy sonne of Henry L. Percy was created Earle of Northumberland At the time of the Coronation the Duke of Lâ—ncaster by the name of Iohn King of Castile and Leon and Duke of Lancaster put in his claim as Earle of Leicester to have the place of Earle Marshall of England as Duke of Lancaster to carry the sword called Curtana as Earle of Lincolne to be Carver that day all which to be executed by himselfe or by his sufficient Deputy which with the fees thereunto belonging were confirmed unto him As likewise divers others made their claimes Robert de Veere Eâ—rle of Oxford to have the office of Chamberlaine and to powre out water for the King to wâ—sh Iohn Wiltshire Citizen of London by reason of a Moyitie of the Manour of Heydon holden in Sergeantie claimed to hold a Towell for the King to wipe with when he went to meat Thomas Beauchampe Earle of Warwick to beare the third Sword before the King and also to exercise the office of Pantler Sir Iohn Argentine by reason of his Manour of Wimondtey in the County of Hartford to serve the King at his Cup William L. Furnivall for his Manour of Fernham to support the Kings right arme when he held the Royall Scepter Anne late wife of Iohn de Hastings Earle of Pemâ—rooke â—or hiâ— Manour of Ashele in Norfolke to have the Office of Naperer which she was admitted to doe by her Deputy Sr. Thomas Blunt Richard Earle of Arundell for his Manour of B. in Kent was admitted to be chiefe Butler The L. Major of London to attend in his owne person as chiefe Cup-waiter Sir Iohn Dimmock for his Manour of Scrivelbie and Sir Baldwin Frevile for his Castle of Tamworth in the County of Warwick contended for the Office of being the Kings Champion but adjudged to Dimmock William de Latimer and Iohn the sonne and heire of Iohn Mowbray of Axholm joyntly petitioned to have the Office of Almoner but adjudged to Latimer Richard Lion as Tenant of the Manour of L. held by the service of making wafers for the King at his Coronation was thereunto admitted The Barons of the Cinque-Ports were admitted to beare the Kings Canopy upon foure staves of silver over the Kings head and also to sit at meat in the Hall at the highest Table on the Kings right hand Iohn Fitz-Iohn by reason of his Manour of S. in Norfolk was admitted to be chiefe Lardeâ—er Richard Herring for the Manour of C. in the County of Surry claimed to be Usher of the Kings Chamber but because that claim did no way concern the Coronation he was left to pursue his Right some other time The Coronation it selfe was performed with great solemnity After a Sermon the King tooke his Oath and then the Archbishop blessed the King which done he tore â—ff his garments and strippped him into his shirt then he annoynted his handâ— head breast shoulders and the joynts of his armes with the sâ—cred Oyle and after certaine Prayers he then clâ—ddâ— him first with the Coat of S. â—dward and after with his Mantle after which the Archbishop delivered him the Sword saying Accipe Gladium with which two Earles gyrded him Then he gave him Bracelets sayingâ— Accipe Armillas After this he put upon him an upper vesture called a Pall sayingâ— Accipe Pallium In the meane time while the Archbishop blessed the Crowne he to whose Office it pertained put spurres on his heeles after the Crown was blessed the Archbishop set it on his Head saying Coronet te Deuâ— then he delivered him a Ring saying Accipe Anâ—â—lum Immediately herewith came the L. Furâ—ivall by virtue of his Office offering him a red Glove which the Arch B. blessed and putting it on his hand gave him the Scepter saying Accipe Scepâ—rum and after that in his other hand delivered him a Rod on the top whereof stood a Dove saying Accipe Virgam Virtutiâ— and then blessed the King saying Benedicat te Deâ—â— which done the King kissed the Bishops and Abbots by whom he was afterward led to his seat and so ended the solemnity The tender yeares of the King being but eleven yeeres of age required a Protector but being perhaps thought dangerous to commit that Authority to onely one who might rather seeke to get it for himselfe then to keep it for
another It was thought fit to commit it to many and thereupon Iohn Duke of Lancaster Edmâ—â—d Earle of Cambridge the Kings Unkles with some other Lords and Bishops were joyned in Commission to manage the State and Guishard de Angoulesme appointed to be his Schoole-master And now the Kings Minority made forreigne Princes conceive that this would be a time of advantage for any that had quarrell to England which the French and Scots tooke presently hold of For the French came now and burnt the Town of Rye and soone after entring the Isle of Wight burnt divers Townes there and though they were repelled from the Castle by the valiant Sir Hugh Tyrrell Captaine thereof yet they constrained the men of the Isle to give them a thousand Markes to spare the residue of their houses and goods and departing thence they set on land where they saw advantage burning sundry Towns neere to the shoare as Portsmouth Dertmoâ—th and Plimmouth and then sayling towards Dover they burnt Hastings assaulted Winchelsey but being valiantly defended by the Abbot of Battell were forced to retire After this they landed not far from the Abby of Lewis at a place called Rottington where the Prior of Lewis with Sir Thomas Cheyny and Sir Iohn Fâ—llesly encountring them were overthrowne and taken Prisoners And no lesse then the French were the Scots also now busie for comming one morning by stealth they wonne the Castle of Barwick but shortly after upon knowledge thereof had they were driven out againe by the Earles of Northumberland and Nottingham and all the Scotâ— they found in it except Alexander Ramsey their Captaine put to the sword About Michaelmas a Parliament was held at Westminster wherein Alice Piercâ— the late Kings Concubine was banished the Realms and all her goods confiscate and two Tenths of the Clergie and two Fifteenths of the Temporalty were granted but so as that two Citizens of London William Walworth and Iohn Philpot should receive and keepe it to see it bestowed for defence of the Realme In this time Sir Hugh Calverley Deputy of Callis burnt six and twenty French ships in the Haven of Bulloigne and at the same time a great Navy is set out under the guiding of the Earle of Buckiâ—gham the Duke of Britaine the Lord Lâ—timer Sir Robert Knolls and others with a purpose to intercept the Spanish Fleet but through Tempest were twice driven back when in the mean time one Mercer a Scottish Pyrate came to Scâ—rborough tooke there divers ships and committed many outrages and no order being taken to repell him a Citizen of Lâ—â—doâ— nâ—med Iohn Philpot at his own charges set forth a Fleet and in his own person encountring them tooke the said Mercer and all his ships and returning home in stead of being rewarded for his service he was called in question for presuming to raise a Navy without advice of the Kings Councell but he gave â—uch reasons for that he had done that not onely he came off then wiâ—h credit but lives in reputation for it to this day Indeed Reasons of State though they may secretly be censured yet they must not openly be controlled for this were to bring Authority into contempt and in stead of Errors to bring in Confusion but yet when wrongs be offered that are publick every particular person seemes to have an interest in taking revenge and though it may be no manners not to stay the States leisure yet it can be no offence to doe their worke for them Many actions passed at this time with the French and Scots some prosperous and some adverse The Scots burne Roxborough this was adverse but the Earle of Northumberland entring Scotland with ten thousand men spoyleth the Lands of the Earle of March the chief Incendiary this was prosperous but when the Northern men would needs make a Road into Scotland and were encountred by the Scots and put to flight this was adverse Anon after Midsomer the Duke of Lancaster with the Earles of Buckingham Warwick Stafford and others of the Nobility with a strong Power toâ—ke the Sea and landing in Britaine besieged the Towne of Sâ— Malo but finding strong opposition is forced to raise his Siege and returne home this was adverse And now againe the Scots by night entred secretly into the Castle of Berwick and slew Sir Robert Baynton that was Constable there this also was adverse But when the Earle of Northumberland being advertised therâ—of came with a Power assauâ—ted the Castle and after two dayeâ— defence recovered it againe this was prosperous William Montacute Eâ—rle of Salisbury the Kings Lieutenant in Callis forrageth the Country round about and furnisheth Callis with Booties of French cattell Sir Hugh Calverley and Sir Thomas Percy made Admirallsâ— put to Seaâ— and take divers ships laden with merchandise and one shâ—p of warre Sir Iohn Hâ—â—leston Captaine of Chierbourg in France issuing forth assaults a Fortresse of the French which was the storehouse of their Provision and with much valour takes it these were prosperous But when Sir Iohn Clerke lying in Gaâ—rison in a Castle in Britaine where laâ— many Engâ—â—sh ships in the Haven â—ad â—heâ—e ships let upon by the French where though he shewed incredible valoâ—r in the action yet the ships were taken and himselfe slaine this was adverse Also in the third yeere of this Kings Reigne Sir Iohn Arundell Sir Hugh Calverley Sir Thomas Percie Sir William Elmham Sir Thomas Banister and many other Knights went to Sea with a purpose to passe over into Britaine but were so beaten back wâ—th Tempest that divers of their ships were â—ast away and Sir Iohn Arundell Sir Thomas Banister Sir Nicolas Trumpingâ—on Sir Thomas Dale and above a thousand others were all drowned onely Sir Thomas Percie Sir Hugh Calverley Sir William Elmham and certaine others escaped It may not be imperâ—inent to note here the sumptuousnesse of those times for this Sir Iohn Arundell was then said in his Furniture to have two and fifty new sutes of apparell of cloath of Gold and Tissue all lost at Sea This yeere also there being found inconvenience in having many Governors of the King and Kingdome it was by Parliament decreed Thâ—t the Lord Thomas Beauchampe Earle of Warwickâ— should himself alone hold the place of Protector About this time Sir Iohn Annesley Knight accused Thomas Katrington Esquire for betraying the Fortresse of St. Saviour to the French which Katrington denyingâ— at the suit of Annesly a solemne combat is permitted to be between them at which combat the King and all the great Lords were present the Esquire Katrington was a man of a mighty statuâ—e the Knight Annesley a little manâ— yet through the justnesse of his cause after a long fight the Knight prevailed and Katrington the day after the combat dyed In the beginning of the fourth yeere of this King Thomas of Woodstock Earle of Buckingham the Kings Unkle with divers Earles and Lords and an Army of seven or eight thousand was sent into France
told the King Their brother perhaps might let fall some unadvised words but they knew his heart to be true and faithfull Yet doubting how far the King might presse upon them to answer for their brothers faithfulnes they retired from Court which gave the Dâ—kes enemies time to incense the King farther against him It happened that the Duke of Glocester had with him one day at his house the Abbot of S. Albans that was his Godfather and the Prior of Westminster and after dinner falling in talke with them amongst other communications the Duke required the Prior to tell truth whether he had any Vision the night before To which the Prior was loath at first to make a direct Answer but at last being earnestly requested as well by the Abbot as the Duke he confessed that he had a Vision indeed which was that the Realme of England should be destroyed through the Misgovernance of K. Richard By the Virgin Mary said the Abbot I had the very same Vision Whereupon the Duke presently disclosed to them all the secrets of his minde and by their devices contrived an assembly of divers great Lords of the Realme to meet at Arundell-Castle that day Fortnightâ— at which time he appointed to be there himselfe with the Earles of Dâ—rby Arundell Marshâ—ll and Wâ—rwick also the Archbishop of Canterbury the Abbot of S. Albans the Prior of Westminster with divers others And accordingly all these met at Arundell Castle at the day appointed where receiving first the Sacrament by the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury to be assistant each to other in all such matters as they should determine They resolved to seize upon K. Richard and upon the Dukes of Lancaster and York and commit them to Prison and all the other Lords of the Kings Councell they determined should be drawne and hanged But the Earle Marshall that was Deputy of Calliâ— and had maried the Earle of Arundels daughter discovered all their Counsell to the King who thereupon by a plot devised by his Councell tooke his brother the Earle of Huntington with him and rising from supper rode that night to the Duke of Glocesters house at Plashey in Essex When the King came thither the Duke was a-bed but informed of it cast his cloake about his shoulders and came down bidding the Kings Grace with all reverence welcome The King courteously requested him to goe and make him ready for that he must needs ride with him a little way to conferre of some busines The Duke presently made him ready and came downe and as soone as the King and his Company was gone a little way from the house and the Duke with him the Earle Marshall arrested the Duke as he had been appointed to doe by the King who immediately was sent to Callis where after some time he was dispatched of his life either strangled or else smothered with pillowes as some write At the very same time was the Earle of Arundell apprehended by the Earles of Rutland and Kent the Earle of Warwick also when the King had invited him to dinner and shewed him very good countenance was taken and arrested in the place As likewise at the same time were apprehended and committed to the Tower the Lord Iohn Cobham and Sir Iohn Châ—yny Shortly after the King procured them to be indicted at Nottingham suborning such as should appeale them in Parliament namely Edward Earle of Rutland Thomâ—â— Mowbray Earle Marshall Thomâ—s Holland Earle of Kent Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington Thomas Beaufort Earle of Somerset Iohn Montacute Earle of Salisbury Thomas L. Spenser and the Lord William Scroope L. Chamberlaine and in the meane time the King sent for a Power of Cheshiâ—â— men to keep Watch and Ward about his person On the 17. of September a Parliament began at Westminster wherein the King complained as well of many things done by the Lords in his Minority as also of the hard dealing which they had used towards the Queen who was three houres at one time on her knees before the Earle of Arundell for one of her Esquires named Iohn Calverley who neverthelesse had his head smitten from his shoulders and all the answer she could get was this Madame pray for your selfe and your Husband and let this suit alone Those that set forth the Kings grievances in this Parliament were Iohn Bushie William Bagot and Thomas Greene. The cause of aâ—sembling the Parliament was shewed that the King had called it for reformation of divers transgressions against the Peace of his Land by the Duke of Glocester the Earles of Arundell Warwick and others Then Sir Iohn Bushie Speaker of the Parliament made request on behalfe of the Commonalty that they might be punished according to their deservings and specially the Archbishop of Canterburyâ— who then â—ate next the king whom he accused of high Treason When the Archbishop began to answer Sir Iohn Bushie besought the king that he might not be admitted to answer lest by his great wit and cunning he might lead men away to believe him And here Sir Iohn Bushie in all his talke did not attribute to the king Titles of honour due and â—ccustomed but such as were fitter for the Majestie of God then for any Earthly Prince And when the Archbishop was constrained to keepe silence Sir Iohn Bushie proceeded requiring on the behalfe of the Commons that the Charters of Pardon granted to the Duke of Glocester and the Earles of Arundell and Warwick should be revoked The king for his part protested that they were drawne from him by compulsion and therefore besought them to deliver their opinions what they thought thereof whereupon the Bishops first gave their sentence that the said Pardons were revocable and might be called in but pretending a scrupulosity as if they might not with safe consciences be present where Judgement of Blood should passe they appointed a Lay-man to be their Prolocutor for that turne The Temporall Lords likewise gave their sentence that the Pardons were revocable onely the Judges and Lawyers were not of this opinion But howsoever the Archbishop of Câ—nterbury is hereupon condemned to perpetuall Exile and appointed to avoyd the Realme within sixe weekes Also the Earle of Arundell is by the Duke of Laâ—caster who sate that day as High Steward condemned of Treason and on the Tower-hill beheaded There went to see the execution divers Lords amongst whom was the Earle of Nottingham that had maried his daughter and the Earle of Kent that was his daughters sonne to whom at the place of his execution he said Truly it would have beseemed you rather to bee absent then here at this businesse but the time will come ere long that as many shall marvell at your misfortune as they doe now at mine After his death a Fame went that his head was grown to his body againe whereupon the tenth day after his buriall his body by the kings appointment was taken up and then found to be a Fable After this the Lord Thomas
take Arâ—â— against his lawfull Soveraigne and not be Treason If you say by Elâ—ction of 〈◊〉 State you speake not reason for what power hath the State to Elâ—ct while any 〈◊〉 living that hath right to succeed but such a Succâ—sâ—or 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 Kâ—â—g Richard was declared by Parliament to be Heire to the Crowne in case K. 〈◊〉 should dye without issue But why then is not that claime made because Silâ—â—â— leges inter arma what disputing of Titles against the streame of Power Bâ—â— 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. Edwaâ—â— 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 ranâ—â—ur 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 staâ—d to the hazard of a curing afterward and thereupon invited to his house the discontented Lords â—â—s namely Iohn Holland Duke of Exceter Thomas Holland hiâ— brothers sonne Duke of Surry Edward Duke of Aâ—merle Iohn Montacute Earle of Sâ—lisbury Hugh Spenser Earle of Glocester Iohn Bishop of Carlile Sir Thomas Blunt and Maâ—â—lin 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 beâ—olden 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 tâ—ken 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 Poâ—ter pretending some speciall reason he went up to the King and falling on his knees â—sked 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 hâ—d 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 wâ—s 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 suddenâ—y 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 Orknâ—ys 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 Dâ—ughter of Geoâ—ge 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 Dâ—â—glasse Upon which indignity George of Dunbarre flyes into England to king Henry and with his ayd makes divers incursions into Scoâ—land 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 Englâ—sh Campe For which causes king Henry removed his Siege and retuâ—ned iâ—tâ— 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 Lâ—â—gh-deane he invaded Northumberland making great spoile and loading his Soulâ—diers 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 Lâ—ugh-deane were flaine sir Iohn and William Cockburne sir William Busse Iohn and Thomas Hablington Esqâ—ires and a multitude of common Souldiers taken prisoners On the Englâ—sh part few slâ—inâ— 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 Homâ—ldon were encountred by the English under the leading of Henry Lord Percye sirnamed Hoâ—spuâ—â—e and George Earle of March who put them to â—light and after the slauâ—hter 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 Aâ—gus the Earls of Atholl and Menliâ—â—â— 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 Calâ—â—in 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 Nâ—shye 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
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 Gâ—noua 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 Westmeâ—land 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 Troâ—p of horse which in a colourable manner had made a shew to depart wheeled about and afterwards returned and being come in â—ight the Earle of Westmerland arrested both the Arcbishop and the Earle Marshall and brought them both Prisoners to the king at Poâ—fret 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 Fâ—wconbridge 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 Blinkâ—nsop 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 Gallyâ—t 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 Lincolâ—e 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 â—ood 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
a Chaire to be brought into his Privy Chamber where in presence of but three of foure of his Privy Councell he demanded of the Prince the cause of his unwonted habit and comming who answered That being not onely his subject but his sonne and a sonne so tenderly alwayes regarded by him he were worthy of a thousand deaths if he should intend or but imagine the least offence to his sacred Majestie and therefore had fitted himselfe to be made a sacrifice and therewithall reached his dagger holding it by the point to his father For said he I desire not to live longer than I may be thought to be what I am and shall ever be Your faithfull and obedient Vassall With this or the like Answer the King was so moved that he fell upon his sonnes neck and with many teares imbracing him confessed that his ears had been too open to receive reports against him and promising faithfully that from thenceforth no reports should cause any disaffection towards himâ— The king about this time made his Son Iohn Duke of Bedford and his Son Humpheâ— Duke of Glocester he made also sir Thomas Beauford Earle of Dorset and the Earle of Arundel he created Duke of Yorke The rest of king Henries dayes from this time forward being scarce a year was free from all trouble both abroad and at home unlesse perhaps he might be troubled in minde for having shed so much English and Noblebloud for expiation whereof or else to the end he might joyne Valour and Devotion in one action together which hitherto he but used singly he tooke upon him the Crusado and at a Councell in White-Friars order was taken and great preparation was made for his journey to Ierusalem But it was otherwise Decreed in Heaven and yet not so otherwise but that he ended his life in Ierusalem as shall be shewed hereafter Of his Taxations IN the very begining of his Reigne it might passe instead of a Taxation that he found in king Richards Coffers in money and jewells to the value of seven hundred thousand pounds In his fourth yeare an extraordinary Subsidie was granted him Twenty shillings of every knights Fee and of every one that had twenty shillings a yeare in land twelve pence and upward according to that rate and of every one that had twenty pounds in goods twelve pence and upward according to that rate but with this caution and protestation that it should not hereafter be drawn for a President and that no Record thereof should be made In his sixth yeare the Clergie granted to the king a Tenth In his seventh yeare the Clergie granted a Tenth and a halfe and the Commons two Fifteens In a Parliament holden the ninth yeare of his Reigne the king moved to have allowed him in every yeare wherein there was no Parliament keptâ— a Tenth of the Clergy and a Fifteenth of the Layity to which demands the Bishops assented but the Commons would not In his seventh yeare a Parliament began which lasted almost a whole yeare in which a Subsidie was at last granted so sharpe that even Priests and Friers who lived of Alms were forced every one to pay a noble Of Lawes and Ordinances made in his time IN this kings dayes burning and execution by fire for controversies in Religion was first put in practise Also in the first yeare of his Reigne an Act was made that no person of what degree soever should after that day alleadge for his excuse any constraint or coaâ—cting of his Princeâ— for doing of any unlawfull act and that such excuse after that day should stand him in no stead Also an Act was made that no Lord nor other might give any Liveries to any but their houshold and meniall servants In his twelveth yeare the king caused a new coyne of Nobles to be made which was of lesse value than the old Noble by foure pence Also that all Rypiers and other Fishers from any of the Sea-coasts should sell their fish in Cornhill and Cheapside themselves and not to Fishmongers that would buy it to sell againe Also this king instituted the Dutchie Court which he did in honor of the House of Lancaster to the end the Lands belonging to that Dutchie might in all following times be distinguisht and known from the Lands of the Crown In his sixt year the king called a Parliament at Coventry and sent Processe to the Sheriffes that they should chuse no knights nor Burgesses that had any knowledge in the Lawes of the Realm by reason whereof it was called the Lay-mens Parliament In his seventh yeare the Major of London for preservation of fish obtained that all Weres which stood between London and seven miles beyond Kingstone as also such as stood betweene London and Gravesend should be pulled up and taken away Affaires of the Church in his time BY reason of discord between Iohn of Gaunt and Wickham Bishop of Winchester the Bishop either in durance could not or in feare durst not come to the Parliament House at a time when the King required a supply of money but the Clergie unanimously affirming that without their brother the Bishop of Winchesters presence they neither can nor will consult of any thingâ— he is presently sent for and by the King secured After this the King called a Parliament at Coventry and sent Processe to the Sheriffs that they should chuse no knights or Burgesses that were Lawyers and was therefore called the Laymens Parliament And shortly after another Parliament was called and named the unlearned Parliament either for the unlearnednesse of the persons or for their malice to learned men In which the Commons presented a Petition to the King and the upper House desiring that the king might have the Temporall Possessions of the Bishops and Clergie the value whereof they pretended wou'd be sufficient maintenance for a hundred and fifty Earls one thousand five hundred knights six thousand two hundred Esquires and a hundred Hospitals for maymed Souldiers They craved likewise that Clerks convict should not be delivered to the Bishops prison and that the Statute made in the second yeare of the king against Lollards might be Repealed But the king denied their Petition and in Person commanded them from thenceforth not to presume to trouble their brains about any such businesse for he was resolved to leave the Church in as good state as he found it In the twelveth yeare of his Reigne certain learned men in Oxford and other places in their Sermons maintained the opinions of Wickliffe but the Bishops and Doctors of the University inhibited and condemned them In his time was a great Schisme in the Church by reason of two Anti-Popes but afterwards in an assembly of Cardinalls and Bishops a third man was elected named Alexander the fifth who had been trained up at Oxford Works of Piety in his time KING Henry Fownded a Colledge at Battlefield in Shropshire where he overcame the Lord Henry Percy In his third yeare the Conduit upon Cornhill
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 Burgoigâ—eâ— 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 Seâ—â—s 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 Eâ—glaâ—d with large supplies of men and money to Monstâ—â—â—â— which was taken by Escalado onely the Castle held out still during the siege whereof king Henry creâ—â—ed 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 foâ—ght 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 Loâ—vre And here the three States of France anew under their hands and Seals in most aâ—thenticke 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 Fraâ—ce 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 Loâ—doâ— to Westminster where the Queene upon St. Matthews day the fourth of Februâ—ry was Crowned the King of Scots sitting at dinner in his State but on the left hand of the Queen the Archbishop of Caâ—terbury 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 Aâ—joâ— came to the Citie of Ampers where he knighted Sir William Rosse Sir Henry Gâ—dâ—ard Sir Rowlaâ—d 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 chiefâ—st strength with his 〈◊〉 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 Treaâ—chery but finding no remedy he manfully set spâ—â— to his horse and charged upon the Enemy but over-layd with multitude and wearied with fight was himselfe with the Earle of Taâ—kervile the Lord Rosse the Eaâ—le of Angus Sir Iohn 〈◊〉 and Sir Iohn Vereâ—d and above two thousand English slaine The Earls of Sâ—â—erset Suffolke and Pearch Sir Iohn Berklâ—y Sir Ralph Nevill Sir Williâ—â— Bâ—wes and 60 Gentlemen were taken prisoners The body of the Duke of Clâ—rence 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 â—aster-Eve The King was at Beverley when he heard of his brothers death and presently thereupon dispatched away Edmund Earle of Mâ—rtâ—â—gne into Norâ—â—â—dy making hiâ— Lievtenant thereof and then calls his high Court of Parliament to Westminster requiring ayd by money to revenge his brâ—thers death which was readily granted and the king thus provided sent his brother the Duke of Bedford with an Army to Câ—lliâ— consisting of foure
February the foureteenth crowned at Westminster Shee surviving king Henry was re-married to Owen Teuâ—â—â— 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 Iâ—sper 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 sâ—aventh 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 â—oke into the Monastery of Bermoâ—dsey 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 sâ—aventh 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 Dâ—vid translated into English meeter by Iohn Lydgate Monke of Bury And indeed it may be truly said of him as was said of Aenaeâ—s Quo justior alter Nec piâ—tate fuit nec bello major arâ—iâ— for he seldom fought baâ—â—ell 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 Greâ—â— had not that he would not bee drunke and somâ—hing 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 blâ—st 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. Fiâ—cre which is a Palsie and a Crampe Eâ—guerant 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 Vinâ—â—nâ—es to Paris and so to Roaâ— to Aâ—bevyle to Câ—llys to Dâ—ver 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 pâ—ophaner 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 Wickleâ—ists Richard Câ—yster borne â—o 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 â—ings 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 pâ—ofession of the Friers Menâ—icants Alsâ— Titus Liviâ—â— de Foâ—â— Lâ—visâ—is an Itâ—lian bornâ— but seeing he â—as râ—siant here and wâ—ote 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 Priâ—â—â—s 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 Gâ—unâ— 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 Heâ—ry 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 Hâ—nry 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 authoriâ—y 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 Scoâ—s 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 Râ—chmond 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 Trayâ—els and Brâ—y 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 Alexâ—â—der 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 â—p Maddocke and one and twenty hundred Souldiers From thence the Eâ—rle 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 thâ—t he might withdraw the Scots out of France taking Homâ—ge and fealty of him for the Crown of Scotland in these words Iâ—ames â—ames Sâ—eward 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 â—he 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 Cothamâ—he â—he 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 acquiâ—ed 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 shouâ—d 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 sendeâ—h 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 Severâ—e and Cadeack chasing the Bastard of Arminiack out of â—he 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 Raynâ—r Duke of Anjou stiling himâ—elfe 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 〈◊〉 Earle of Warwick made Duke of Warwick Edmund Beaufoâ—t 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 Fraâ—ce 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 〈◊〉 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 â—ut 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-râ—acheth 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 sâ—t on by the Marquesse of Suffolke the Duke of Buckingham the Cardinall Bishop of
lay by the space of a moneth exercising his men and sending for whom he pleased and for what he pleased Then he presents to the Parliament the complaints of the Commonâ— That the Queenes favorites share amongst them the Revenews of the Crowne whereby the king is enforced for the supportation of his present estate to taxe and burthen the Commons to their utter undoing and to the generall impoverishment of the kingdome That the Commons have their commodities daily taken from them for the purveyance of the kings Houshold for which they are not payd nor any assurance for payment thereof given but onely Court promises That upon the apprehension of any man for treason or felony the kings meniall servants before conviction bâ—gge the goods and lands of the impeached whereupon indirect and unlawfull proceedings are used by subornation of witnesses embracery of jurors and great mens letters to the Judges whereby Justice is perverted and the innocent after attainted if not executed yet at least imprisoned to their undoing That the Commons have no legall proceedings in their Law-suits so as the rightfull owners of Inheritance dare not if opposed by any Courtier maintaine their Titles or attempt the recovery of their interest how just so ever That the kings Collectors and other Accomptants are much troubled in passing their Accompts by new extorted Fees and by being enforced to procure a late invented Writ of Quorum nomina for allowance of the Barons of the Cinque-Ports and their suing out their Quietuâ— at their own charge without allowance from the King That the Bayliffs of Sheriffes under colour of the green waxe out of the Exchequer doe levy greater summes than are by the Record justifiable yet maintained That they cannot have the freedome of electing knights and Burgesses for the Parliament but by letters from the Favorites of the Court to their friends and Retainers the Knights and Burgesses are commonly chosen That they are too much troubled with too often comming to attend the generall Sessions being enforced in many places to make five dayes journey to the place where they are kept These and some other were the complaints of the Commons but the Captaine for his owne particular after protestation made to live and dye in the quarrell of the King required that his Majesty would be pleased to receive again into favor the truly noble Prince the Duke of Yorke and with him the Right Honorable the Dukes of Exeter Buckingham and Norfolke and the ancient Noblemen of the Realm by the undue practises of Suffolke and his complices commanded from his presence and that all their opposites might be banished the Court and put from their Offices That there might be a generall amotion of corrupt Officers an abolition of the Greene waxe and other instruments of Extortion out of the Exchequer a qualification of the rigour of proceeding in the Kings-Bench an inhibition of unequall purveyance of provision for the Kings houshold and a present execution of the Promoters Slegge Crâ—mer Isell and East whom he pretended by wrongfull information to have abused the king and wronged his Subjects These Petitions are sent from the Lower-House to the Upper and from thence committed to the Lords of the Kings Privy Councell who having examined the particulars explode them as frivilous and the Authors thereof to be presumptuous Rebels Whereupon the king is solicited by his Privy Councell to prosecute them by force rather than intreary which advise is seconded by the Queene as conceiving they secretly aymed at her and hereupon the king drawes his Forces to Greenwich and appointeth divers Lords to assaile the Rebels but the Lords could get no followers to fight against them who sought only for reformation of abuses and for punishment of such Traitors as the Lord Say the kings Chamberlane was whereupon the Lord Say is presently committed to the Tower the king and Queene retire to London from whence within two dayes the king being now fifteen thousand strong marcheâ—h in Person towards Captain Mend-all who politickly withdraweth his forces into Sevenâ—ake wood upon notice wherof the king retireth again to London but the Queen longing for dispatch sendâ— the two Staffords Sir Humphrey and William with many hot-spurs of the Court to follow the Rebels who were soone cooled for they found Captain Mend-all in good order ready to receive them and in the first encounter slew Sir Humphry and afterwards his brother and put all the rest to flight the k. Forces being at Blackâ—eath could neither by threats nor intreaties be gotten to go to the rescue but rather wished the Queen and her favorites in the Staffords case or that the Duke of Yorke were in England to ayd his Cosen Mortimer now first acknowledged to be of his kindred and many of them stole away to the Rebels whose number from Sussex and Surrey daily encreased whom yet their Captain restraineth from forraging or taking away any thing by force and so returneth againe to Blackâ—eath where the kings Army lay the night before but was now fallen down to Greenwich And now the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Buckingham are sent to expostulate with the Rebels about their demands to whom Iacke Cade gave very good language but directly affirming no cessation from Arms unlesse the king in Person would heare the grievances of the Subject and passe his Princely word for reformation of their wrongs This resolution of his made known to the king who was not sure of his own Souldiers faith made him march presently away to Killingworth Castle in Warwickeshire where he fortified himselfe as expecting a siege having left the Lord Scales onely to Guard the Tower Iacke Cade taking advantage of the kings departure commeth to Southâ—â—rke where hee quarters his men streightly charging them to commit no outrage nor do wrong â—o any which was duly obâ—erved The next morning â—e marcheth to London-bridge where he caused his men to cut the ropes of the Drawbridge no resistance being made against him and so in good order marcheth up by London-stone upon which he strooke his sword saying Now is Mortimer Lord of London The Major of London Sir Thomas Chalton standing upon the threshold of his doore bade him take heed he attempted nothing against the quiet of the City To whom â—e made answer Let the world take notice of our honest intention by our actions And indeed this orderly cariage of himselfe and his company wonne him a good opinion amongst the common sort of people And now assâ—ming to himselfe the place of Chiefe he sendeth oâ—â— his letters of safeâ—conduct to such whom he pleased to make use of amongst other he wrote this letter to Thomas Coâ—k Draper of London By this our writing ensealed we grant that Thomas Cock of London Draper shall safely come into our presence and avoyd from us againe at his pleasure with all other persons comming in his company Subscribed thus His Majesties loyall Subject Iohn Mortimer Captaine Mend-all Upon Cocks admission
by him are all the counsells of the Duke of Yorke discovered which so much discouraged him that he with his young Son the Earle of Rutland fled first into Wales and then into Ireland The Earles of March Salisbury and Warwicke got into Devonshire where by the means of Iohn Dynhâ—m Esquire the same man that afterward by king Henry the Seventh was made Lord Treasurer of England they were shipt from Exmouth to Gernsey and so to Callis All the common souldiers the king Pardons onely makes exemplary punishment of some few Captains sends the Dutchesse of Yorke and her two younger children to the Dutchesse of Buckingham her Sister to be â—afely kept and then having spoiled the Town and Castle of Ludlow he dismist his Armie And now a Parliament is called at Coventry wherein the Duke of Yorke Edward Earle of March his Son Richard Earle of Richardâ—arle â—arle of Warwickeâ— Iohn Lord Clifford and many other the confederates of the Duke of York are convict of Treason and all their lands and goods seized on to the kings use Henry D. of Somerset by the Queens means is made Captain of Callis whither comming to take possession he was by reason of Ordnance shot at him from Rice-banke forced to Retire which the Queen hearing was so incensed that in great passion she gave order to make ready all the kings Ships lying at Sandwich to give assistance to the Duke of Somerset but the forementioned Iohn Dynham out of love to the Earle of March boorded those ships in the harbour and tooke the Lord Rivers designed Admirall for that service and carried both him and the Ships to Callice from whence the Earle sayled to Ireland to the Duke of Yorke who having conferred and concluded what course to take he returned to Callice the new Admirall the Duke of Exeter not daring to stop his course Sir Simon Montford was appointed â—o guard the Cinque Ports having divers ships under his command to barre the Earle of Warwickâ—s entrance but the Earle by his espyalls having perfect intelligence of all passages fell sodainly upon Sir Simon before his ships were ready tooke him prisoner ransackt the Town of Sandwich carried his prisoner and the ships to Callice By the way he understood how much the kentishmen desired his return and longed for his comming whereupon he came the second time to Sandwich to whom presently resorted the Lord Cobham and very many Gentlemen of the Country so as now his army was five and twenty thousand strong with which he marched towards London against whom the Lord Scales was appointed to goe and with some convenient troopes to assure London but the Major directly refused to admit him whereupon he resorted to the Tower from whence afterwards he did the Londoners no small displeasure The Earle of Warwick having notice that his father the Earle of Salisbury was upon march to meet him passeth over his men and without impeachment joyned with him and his friends neer Exeter The King with the Dukes of Somerset and Buckingham with a great Army marcheth towards them and neer to the Town of Northampton both Armies meet The Earle of March with the advice of the Earle of Warwick prepares for the fight The Queen the King more intentive to devotion then fighting did the like the fight continued about two houres wherein were slaine of both sides above â—en thousand men but upon the fall of Humfry Duke of Buckingham the Kings side was discomfited and Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Thomas L. Egremont Iohn L. Beaumont and some other of account were slaine The Queen with the Duke of Somersâ—t taking with them the young Prince fled to the Bishoprick of Durham The King himselfe was taken and as a prisoner conveyed to London where the Tower is yeelded to the Earle of Warwick The Lord Scales in disguised apparell endeavouring to escape is taken by the water-men and by them beheaded and his Corpes carelesly left upon the sands Thomas Thorpe one of the Barons of the Exchequer in the habit of a Monke his Crown shorne purposing to flie to the Queen is taken and committed prisoner to the Tower and after by the Commons beheaded at Highgate The Duke of Yorke being advertised of this good successe leaveth Ireland and posts to London where in the kings name he summoneth a Parliament which being assembled he in the presence of the Lords in the upper House placeth himselfe in the Imperiall Seate and with great boldnesse layes open his rightfull claime to the Crowne of England as being the Sonne and heire of Anne daughter and heire of Roger Mortimer Earle of March Sonne and heire of Philip the sole daughter and heire of Lyonel Duke of Clarence the third sonne of Edward the third and elder brother of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Father of the usurper Henry the Fourth Grandfather to Henry the Fifth who was Father to him that at this time untruly stileth himselfe king Henry the sixth And after relating the many miseries that had befallen the Realme since the time of this Usurpation he concluded that he would not expect nor desire possession of the Crown except his discent were undisputable and his title without exception This being a businesse of importance required deliberation but in conclusion the Duke having before hand prepared the Lords Spirituall and few of the Nobility being present that were not of his part the Burgesses were easily perswaded and it was generally resolved and enacted accordingly that king Henry during his life should reteine the name and honour of a king that the Duke of Yorke should be Proclaimed heire apparent to the Crown and Protectour of the kings Person his lands and dominions and that if at any time any of king Henries friends allies or favourites in his behalfe should attempt the disaâ—â—lling of this Act that then the Duke should have present possession of the Crown It is not unworthy the noting that while the Earle of March was declaring his title in the upper house it happened in the nether house that a Crowne which hung in the middle of the house to garnish a branch to set lights upon without touch or winde fell suddenly down as likewise at the same time fell down the Crown which stood on the top of Dover Castle a signe as some thought that the Crowne of the Realme should be changed Assoone as the Parliament was dissolved the Duke dispatcheth letters into Scotland requiring in the kings name the Queen the Dukes of Somerset and Exeter and all other of the Nobility that remained in that kingdome with all speed to repaire to his presence in London but they had other worke in hand for having goten together of English and Scots to the number of eighteen thousand they came maâ—ching into Englandâ— against whom went the Duke of Yorke with his younger sonne the Earle of Rutland and the Earle of Salisbury leaving the king in the custody of the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Warwick and
approaching neer the Queâ—ns Aâ—my he was certified by his scâ—uts that the Enemie farre exceeded his power both in number and in all warlike preparation he not having in his Army above five thousand men and thereupon the Earle of Salisbury advised him to retyâ—e and to attend the comming of the Earle of March who was gone into Wales to raise the March men but the pride of his former victory made him deale to all Counsell of declining the battell and so hastened on by his destiny from Sâ—ndâ—ll Castle he marched on to Wakefield greene where the Lord Clifford on the one side and the Earle of Wiltshire on the other were placed in ambuscado The Duke of Yorke supposing that the Duke of Somerset who led the battell had no more forces then what were with him undauntedly marcheth towards him but being entred within their danger the ambushes on both sides brake out upon him and slew him with three thousand of his men the rest fled the Earle of Salisbury is taken prisoner and harmlesse Rutland not above twelve yeers old who came thither but to see fashions is made a sacrifice for his Fathers transgression who kneeling upon his knees with tears begging life is unmercifully stabbed to the heart by the Lord Clifford in part of revenge as he swore of his Fathers death and the Queen most unwomanly in cold blood caused the Earle of Salisbury and as many as were taken prisoners to be beheaded at Pâ—mfret Castle and to have their heads placed on poles about the walls of Yorke Thus dyed Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke who had taken to wife Cicely daughter of Ralph Nevyll the first Earle of Westmerland by whom he had issue eight sonnes and foure daughters his eldest sonne Henry dyed young his second son Edward was afterward king of England his third Edmund Earle of Rutland was slaine with his fatherâ— Iohn Thomas and William died young his seventh sonne George was after Duke of Clarence his youngest sonne Richard sirnamed Crouchbâ—ck wâ—s after king of England Anne his eldest daughter was married to Henry Holland Duke of Exeter his second daughter Elizabeth was married to Iohn de la Pâ—ole Earle of Suffolk his third Margaret to Charles Duke of Burgoigne his fourth Vrsula dyed young This Duke being dead had his head crowned with a paper Crown together with many circumstances of disgracing him but this act of spight was fully afterwards recompensed upon their heads that did it The Earle of March hearing of his fathers death laboured now so much the more earnestly in that he laboured for himselfe and parting from Shrewsbury whose Inhabitants were most firme unto him he increased his army to the number of three and twenty thousand and presently took the field and having advertisment that Iasper Earle of Pembrooke with the Earle of Ormond and Wiltshire followed after him with a great power of Welsh and Irish he suddenly marcheth back againe and in a plaine neer Mortimers Crosse on Candlemas day in the morning gave them battell wherewith the slaughter of three thousand and eight hundred he put the Earles to flight Owen Tewther who had married Queen Catherine Mother to king Henry the sixth and divers Welsh Gentlemen were taken and at Hereford beheaded Before the battell it is said the Sunne appeared to the Earle of March like three sunnes and suddenly it joyned all together in one for which cause some imagine that he gave the sunne in its full brightnes for his badge or Cognisance The Queen in the mean time encouraged by the death of the Duke of Yorke with a power of Northern men marcheth towards London but when her souldiers were once South of Trent as if that river were the utmost limit of their good behaviour they fell to forrage the Country in most babarous manner Approaching S. Albans they were advertised that the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Warwick were ready to give them battell whereupon the Queens Vaward hasteth to passe through St. Albâ—â—s but being not suffered to passe they encountred with their Enemies in the field called Barnard heath who perceiving the maine battaile to stand still and not to move which was done by the treachery of Lovelace who with the kentish men had the leading of it they soone made the Southerne men to turne their backs and fâ—y upon whose flight the rest in doubt of each others well meaning shifted away and the Lords about the King perceiving the danger withdrew themselves Only the Lord Bâ—nvile comâ—ing in a complementall manner to the King and saying it grieved him to leave his Majesty but that necessity for safeguard of his life enforced itâ— was importuned and Sir Thoâ—as Kyriell a knight of Kent likewise by the king to stay he passing his Royall word that their stay should bee no danger to them upon which promise they stayed but to their cost for the Queen hearing that the Commoâ—s had beheaded Baron Thoâ—pe at High-gate â—he in revenge thereof caused both their heads to be stricken off at S. Albâ—â—s so as there were slaughtered at this battaile the full number of three and twenty hundred but no man of name but onely Sir Iohn Grey who the same day was made knight with twelve other at the village of Colney And now the King was advised to send one Thomâ—s Hoe thaâ— had been a Barrister to the Victors to tell them that he would gladly come to them if with conveyance it might be done whereupon the Earle of Northumberland appointed divers Lords to attend him to the L. Clâ—ffords Tent where the Queen and the young Prince met to their great joy but it was now observed as it were in the destiny of King Heâ—ry that although he were a most Piousman yet no enterprise of warre did ever prosper where he was present that we may know the prosperity of the world to be no inseparable companion to men of Piety At the Queens request the king honored with knighthood thirty gentlemen who the day before had fought against the part where he was the Prince likewise was by him dubbed knight and then they went to the Abby where they were received with Anthems and withall an humble petition to be protected from the outrage of the loose souldiersâ— which was promised and Proclamation made to that purpose but to small purpose for the Northern men said It was their bargaine to have all the spoyle in every place after they had passed Trent and so they robbed and spoiled whatsoever they could come at The Londâ—ners hearing of this disorder were resolved seeing there was no more assurance in the Kings promise to keep the Northern men out of their gates insomuch that when they were sent to to send over to the Campe certaine Cart-loads of Lenton provision which the Major accordingly provided the Commons rose about Cripplegate and by strong hand kept the Carts from going out of the City Hereupon the Major sends the Recorder to the Kings Counsellâ— and withall intreats
be had between king Edward and the Lady Bonâ— daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy and Sister to the Lady Carlote then Queen of Fraâ—ce a Lady no lesse for beauty and virtuous qualities then for Nobility of blood worthy to be a Queen The Proposition is in Fraâ—ce readily embraced and willingly assented unto on all parts But in the mean time king Edward being hunting in Witchwood Forrest besides Stonystratford he chanced to come to the Manour of Grafton where the Dutchesse of Bedford then lay and where her daughter by Sir Richard Woodvile the Lady Elizabeth Grâ—y widdow of Sir Iohn Grâ—y of Grâ—vy slaine at the last battell of St. Albans became a suitour to him for some lands which her â—usband had given her in Joynture with whose beauty and grâ—cefull behaviour king Edward was so taken that hee presently became a Suitor to her and when he could not obtaine his suit by termes of wanton love he was forced to sâ—eke it by terms of Marriage And here we may well thinke there was no small câ—flâ—ct in King Edwards minde between the two great commanders Love and Honor which of them should bee most potent Honor put him in minde that it was against his Law to take to wife a meaner person than himselfe but Love would take no notice of any difference of degrees but tooke it for his Prerogative to make all persons equall Honour peâ—swaded him that it stood him much upon to make good the Ambassage in which he had sent the Earle of Warwicke to a great Prince but Love perswadâ—d him that it stood him more upon to make good the Ambassage sent to himself from a greater Prince In conclusion it appeared to be true which one observes Improbe â—mor quid non mortalia pectora cogis what is it that love will not make a man to do Whether it be that love brings upon the minde a forgetfulnesse of all circumstances but such as tend to its own satisfaction or whether it be that love is amongst passions as oyle amongst liquors which will alwayes be supreme and at the top Honour may be honoured but love will be obeyed And therefore king Edward though he knew no Superior upon Earth yet he obeys the summons of Love and upon the first day of May marries the sayd Lady Gray at Grafton the first of our kings since the Conquest that married his Subject At which marriage none was present but the Dutchesse of Bedford the Priest two Gentlewoman a yong man to helpe the Priest at Masse the yeare after with great solemnity she was Crowned Queen at Westminster It is not unworthy the relating the Speech which king Edward had with his Mother who sought to crosse this maâ—ch Where you say saith he that she is a widdow and hath already children by Gods blessed Lady I am a Batchelour and have some too and so each of us hath a proofe that nether of us is like to be barren And as for your objection of Bigamy for his mother had charged him with being contracted to the Lady Elizabeth Lucie Let the Bishop saith he lay it to my charge when I come to take Orders for I understand it is forbidden a Priest but I never wist it was forbidden a Prince Upon this marriage the Queens Father was created Earle Rivers and made High-Constable of England her brother the Lord Anthony was married to the sole Heire of the Lord Scales and by her had that Barony her Son sir Thomas Gray was created Marquesse Dorset and married Cicelie heire to the Lord Bonvile It may be thought a hâ—ppy fortune for this Lady to be thus marched but let all things be considered and the miseries accruing to her by it will be found equivalent if not over-weighing all the benefits For first by this match she drew upon her selfe the envy of many and was cause that her Husband fled the Realm and her selfe in his absence glad to take Sanctuary and in that place to be delivered of a Prince in a most unprincely mâ—nner After which surviving her husband she lived to see her two Sonnes most cruelly murthered and for a conclusion of all she lived to see her selfe confined to the Monastery of Berdmondsey in Southwarke and all her goods confiscate by her own Son in Law And nâ—w the Earle of Warwicke at his return found that knot tyed in England which he had laboured to tye in France His Ambassage frustrated the Lady Bona deluded the king of France abused and himselfe made a stale and the disgracefull instrument of all this which although he resented in a high degree yet he had not been a Courtier so long but in that time he had sufficiently learned the Art of dissembling he passed it over lightly for the present but yet carried it in his minde till a fit opportunity and thereupon procures leave to retire himselfe to his Castle of Warwicke King Edward in the meane time having just cause to suspect hee had made the French his enemies seeks to make other Princes his friends He enters into a League with Iohn king of Aragon to whom he sent for a Present a score of Cotsall Ews and â—ive Rams a small Present in shew but great in the event for it proved of more benefit to Spain and of more detriment to England than could at first sight have been imagined And to secure himselfe at home he tooke truce with the king of Scots for fifteen years And where he had married before his two Sisters Anne the eldest to Henry Holland Earle of Exeter and Elizabeth to Iohn de la Poole Duke of Suffolke he now matched Margaret his third Sister to Charles Duke of Burgoigne which proved a greater assistance to him than that which he had lost in France By this time the Earle of Warwickes spleen began so to swell within him that hee could no longer containe it and having with much adoe drawne to his party his two brothers the Archbishop of Yorke and the Marquesse Montacute he seekâ— also to draw in the kings two brothers the Duke of Clarence and the Duke of Glocester but he found Glocester so reserved that he durst not close with him the Duke of Clarence he found more open and to him he addresseth himselfe complaining of the disgrace he had sustained by the king in his employment into France and other wrongs to whom the Duke presently made answer in as great complaint of his brothers unkindnesse to himself saying he had married his Wives brother Anthony to the heire of the Lord Scales and her Son Thomas to the heire of the Lord Boâ—vile but could finde no match of preferment for him being his own brother And upon this agreement in complaints they agree to joyne against king Edward and to make the knot the firmer the Duke of Clarence takes to wife Isabel the Earle oâ— Warwicks Daughter and with her hath assured unto him halfe of the Lands the Eâ—â—l held in right of his Wife the Lady Anne
Daughter of Richard Beauchamp Earle of Wâ—rwicke deceased Upon this marriage the Earle of Warwicke discovered to hiâ— what hitherto he had concealed concerning his project for the restoring of k. Hâ—nry to which Clarence gave approbation with promise to assist him in it to his uttermoâ—â— 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 Marquâ—sse 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 Fiâ—zhugh and sir Henry Nevill Son to the Lord Latimer the one the Nephâ—w 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 â—o lodge by the Earle of Peâ—brooke tooke such a distaste at it that he withdrew his Archeâ—s and gave over the businesse yet the Earle of Pembâ—ooke though thus forâ—â—â—en 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 Eâ—rle of VVarwicke comming in with five hundred rascally fellows and crying aloud a Wâ—rwicke a Warwicke the Welchmen supposing the Earle had beene 〈◊〉 turned presently their backs and fled five thousand of them were slain the Eâ—â—le of Pembrâ—â—ke himselfe and his much lamented brother Sir Richard Herbert a most goodly personage were taken prisoners brought to Banbury where both oâ— thâ—â— 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 Hillaâ—d 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 Dâ—vâ—â—-shire to apprehend the Lord Stafford of Southwick who had treacherously â—â—â—saken 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 Bridgeâ—aâ—er and there beheaded After this battell fought at Hedgecote commonly called Bâ—â—bury 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 Clareâ—ce with all speed to repaire â—â—to him who joyning together and using means cunningly by having some coâ—â—â—nication of Peace to make the king secure and to take little heed of himselfâ—â— 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 keâ—p 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 reâ—reation to goe a hunting by which he caused Sir William Stanley Sir Thomas of 〈◊〉 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 Lancaâ—â—eâ— 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 meâ—n 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 Wâ—lâ— Son heir of the L. Wels a man of great valour and experience in the wars K. Eâ—â—â—rd 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 Westmiâ—ster But upon the Kings Princely word they come unto him who commâ—ndeth the Lord Wells to write to his Sonne to desist from adhering to the Eaâ—le of Warwicke which the Lord Wells accordingly did but Sir Robert Wells notwithsâ—â—nding his Fathers letters continuing firme to â—he Earle still so much incensed King Edward that he caused both his Father and Sir 〈◊〉 Dymock to be beheâ—ded He supposed perhaps that the Lord Wâ—lls 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 bâ—ttell with the King he thought would shew too much feare and â—o give him battell before the Eâ—rle of Warwicke were come with his forces would shew too much boldnesse But his Veines were so filled with a desire of revengiâ—â— his Fathers death that he thought he could never shew boldnesse enough and thereupon encountring with the Kings Army farre greater â—hen his own opprest with multitude was taken prisoner together with Sir Thomas de Lâ—â—d and divers others who presently in the place were put to execution as soone as Sir Robert Wâ—llâ— 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 Lâ—se-â—oate-field in which it is reported were slaine above ten thousand men The Earle of Warwick 〈◊〉 of this Deâ—eate and not having present 〈…〉 raise an army sufficient to oppose king Edwardâ— when he could by no means drâ—â— the Lord Stanley to his party he determined to sayle into Frâ—â—câ— and hyring ships at Dartmouth in Devâ—â—â—â—ire he with his sonne in Law the Duke of Clarence 〈◊〉 their wives took to Sea and thinking to land at Câ—lliâ—e of which Town he himsâ—â—â—â— was Captaine he was by the Lord Vâ—â—cleere a Gascoigne whom he had left his Deputy there repelled and with so great inhumanity that the Dutchesse of Clarâ—â—â—â— who was then in labour was faine to be delivered in the ship all the courtesie 〈◊〉 thâ—â— distresse shewed was only to send a flaggon or two of wine which fact of Vâ—â—cleeres 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 〈◊〉 for the same service sent unto him Philip de Comiâ—es 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 diâ—sembling for the truth was Prae 〈◊〉 exclâ—sit forâ—â— 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 〈◊〉 sent him word he should take heed where he landed for that the Duke of 〈◊〉 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 â—â—â—ded at Dâ—epe in Norâ—aâ—die 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 â—f he had been a king In the mean time king Eâ—â—ard 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 Moâ—â—â—cute 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 amiâ—ie king Heâ—ries 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 〈◊〉 from the king of France both ships and men and money and receiving 〈◊〉 out of England that many Lords and others were ready to adventuâ—e their lives in his quaâ—rell if he would come for the people generally held him in such 〈◊〉 that they thought the Sunne was taken from the world when he was 〈◊〉 and this in great part for his greâ—t Hospiâ—ality who it is said used to spend â—spamâ— a breakfâ—st he with the Earles of Oxford and Pembrooke took to 〈◊〉 and though the Duke of Bâ—rgoigne had a Fleâ—â— at sea to inâ—ercept him yeâ— his Fleet beâ—â—g by â—empest scattered and king Edwâ—rdâ—rusting â—rusting to that Fleeâ— having provided no otherâ— the Earle had a quiet passage to land at Darâ—mouth in Devonshire wheâ—e being landed he made Proclamation in king Heâ—ry the sixâ—hâ— name that all good Subjâ—ctâ— should prepâ—re to fight against king Edward who contrary to Right had usurpeâ—â—he Crown Upon which Proclamation it is scarce to be believed how mâ—ny thoâ—â—â—nds of men resorted to him with which foâ—ces he made towarâ—s Loâ—don upon notice of whose approach on the Sunday next after 〈◊〉 day one Doctor Gâ—ddard a Chaplaine of Hiâ— preaching at Paulâ— Crossâ— did so sâ—t foâ—th his Earles pious intention that many of his auditory were moved to favour the Earle proceeding insomuch that the Mâ—rquesse Montacuâ—e who had in king Edwards behâ—lf 〈◊〉 six thousand men about London found them all inclinable to goe with him 〈◊〉 the Earle of VVarwick and accordingly wâ—nt and joyned with him King Edâ—â—rd hâ—â—ring 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 â—â—coâ—panied with
the Duke of Glocester his brother the L. Hastings his Chamberâ—â—â—â—â— who having married the Earle of VVarwickâ— sister yet coâ—tinued ever true to 〈◊〉 Edward and the Lord Scales brother to the Queen he departed into Liâ—colâ—shire and câ—mming to Lyn he found there an English Ship and two Hulâ—s of Holland ready to make sayle whereupon he with the forenamed Lords and about seven or 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 Ship with one of his Garments and thus making course towards the Duke of 〈◊〉 Country they were presently chased by eight great Ships of Easterlings opâ—n 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 châ—nce the Lord Grunture Governour of that Country at that time was who defended them from the Easterlings and brought them to the Hâ—ge 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 Elizâ—beth foâ—saketh the Tower and secretly taketh sanctuary at VVestminster where in great pâ—nury 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 Pâ—yâ—r of Westminster and the Lady Scroope Godmother And now the Earle of Warwicke entring the Tower removes king Heâ—ry out of his hold of durance wheâ—e he had been almost nine years into his own lodging where he was served according to his Estate which the Earâ—e did more congratulate then tâ—e king himselfe Upon this sixth day of October king Henry accompanied with â—he Archbishop of Yorke the Pryor of S. Iohns the Bishop of London the Duke of Clâ—rence the Earle of Warwicke and other Noblemen apparelled in a long gown of â—lew Velvet was conducted through London â—o the Bishops Palace where he rested â—ill the thirteenth of â—hat moneth on which day he went in solemne procesâ—â—â—â—â—bout Paulâ— Church wearing his Imperiall Crown the Earle of Warâ—ick 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 〈◊〉 all his partakers Traytors to God and the king whereof Iohn Lord Tipâ—ofâ— Earle of Worcester as a partaker with king Edward was made the first example Thiâ— Lord had been Lievtenant for King Edâ—ard in Ireland where having done something 〈◊〉 which he fled he was afterward found on the top of a high Tree in the Forresâ— of VVâ—â—bridge in the County of 〈◊〉 â—nd being there taken was brought to Loâ—doâ— Attainâ—ed and 〈…〉 the Tower hill and afâ—er buried at the Blackfryâ—rs About this time happenâ—◠〈…〉 to be related Sir Williâ—â— Hâ—â—kesford knightâ— one of 〈…〉 Jusâ—iâ—â—s â—t the Lâ—wâ— who dwelt at Annoâ—y in Dâ—voâ—sâ—ire a man of grea◠〈◊〉 and â—â—ving no soâ—ne â—he Lord Fitzâ—aâ—reâ— Siâ— Ioâ—â— Sâ—â—â—â—eger and Sir Williâ—◠〈◊〉 mâ—rried his dâ—ughteâ—â— and were his heiresâ— This mâ—n grew into such â— degâ—â—â— of Melancholyâ— thâ—t one 〈◊〉 he called to him the Keeper of hiâ— Parâ— châ—â—ging him 〈◊〉 nâ—gligence in suffering his Deere to be stoln and thereupon commâ—nded him â—hat if he met any man in his circuit in the night-time that would not stand or 〈◊〉 he shoâ—ld not sparâ— to kill him whatsoever he wereâ— The knight having thâ—â— laâ—d hiâ— foundâ—tion and meaning to end his dolefull dayes in â— certaine darke night seâ—â—â—â—ly conveyd himselfe out of his house â—nd walked alone in his Pâ—râ— The Keeper in hiâ— night-walk â—eâ—ring one stirring and comming towaâ—ds 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 kâ—lled him and comming to see who he was foâ—â—d him to be hiâ— Master On the twentieth dâ—y of 〈◊〉 a Pâ—rliâ—ment is held at VVestmiâ—ster wherein King Edward and all his pâ—rtakâ—â—â—â—re â—ttainâ—ed of high Treason and alâ— their Lands and Goods seized on to King 〈◊〉 use Geâ—â—ge Plâ—â—tâ—geneâ— 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 Heâ—ry fâ—iled Iasper Earle of Pembrooke and Iohn Earle of Oxford are fully restored â—o their Lands â—nd Honourâ— and VVaâ—wick and Clâ—rence are made Governours of the King and kingdomeâ— To this Parliament came the Mâ—rquesse Montacute eâ—cusing himselfe that â—or â—eare of deaâ—h he had taken King Edwards part which excuse was accepted Queâ—n 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 Somâ—rset 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 Loâ—doâ— and pâ—esents him to King Henry whom when the Kiâ—g 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 Hâ—â—ry the Seventh before whom at that time there were many lives in being of boâ—h the housâ—â— of Yorke and Lâ—ncaster 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 â—roposition seemed so â—easonable 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 Regâ—i 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 Wakefiâ—ld and Sendall leaving the Castle of Pomfret upon his left handâ— where the Marquesse Montacute with his Army
from Dover to the end he might not seem to surprize him he sent an Herauld named Garter a Norman by birth with a letter of Defiance to the French king so well written saith Coâ—â—â—â—s that he thought it not of any English mans enditing as though Englishmen could not endite aswell as the French Requiring him to yeeld unto him the Crown of Fâ—â—â—ce his unquestionable Inheritance which if he should dare to deny â—e 〈◊〉 then endeavor to recover it by the Sword This letter the French king read thereupon withdrawing himselfe caused the Herauld to be brought to his presenceâ— to whom in private he gave this answer That the Duke of Burgoigne and the Earle of Saint Paul the Constable by whose instigation he knew the king of Eâ—gland was drawn to this Designe would but delude him for that they were Dissemblerâ—â—nd Impostors and therfore said It would conduce more to the honor of the king of 〈◊〉 to continue in League with him though an old Adversary then to hazard thâ— fortune of the warres upon the promised assistance of new-come Decâ—iversâ—â—nd so commend me saith he to the king thy Master and say what I have told â—heâ— and then with an honourable reward of three hundred Crowns dismist him The Herauld promised to doe all that in him lay and beyond his Commission shewâ—d the French king wayes by working upon the Lords Howard and Stanley by which he might enter into a Treaty for Peace which he doubted not would sort to a good Conclusion The French king glad to heâ—r it gave the Herauld besides the other reward â— piece of Crimson Velvet of thirty yards long and withall sent to king Eâ—ward the goodliest Horse he had in his Stable as also an Aâ—â—e a Wolph and a wildâ—â—ore beaâ—ts at that time rare in England and then the Herauld returning to Callice delivered to king Edward the French kings â—nswer And now to make good the French kings aâ—â—egation to the Herauld the Duke oâ— Burgoigne who had promised in the word of a Prince to bring to Callice by this time two thousand Launces and foure thousand Seradiots or â—ight hoâ—se failed to come whereupon the Lord Scales is by king Eâ—ward sent to the Dâ—ke to put him in minde of his promise and to haâ—ten his comming with his promised forces But the journey was to little purpose onely it occasioned the Duke with a small â—roop of horse to come to â—he king formally to excuse himselfe for having been so backward but the cause he said was for that having been imbroiled in the siege of Nâ—z he could not depart thence without infinite disgrace if neither composition nor submission were enforced which now notwithstâ—ndingâ— because he would not too much trespasse upon his patâ—ence he was enforced to doe by the obâ—tâ—nacy of the besieged but promised to supply all defects both with his presence and power and that speedily The Constable likewise by his letter perswades the king of England to proceede in the action and not to doubt both from the Duke and himself to be sufficiently every way accommodated King Edward thus encouraged passeth on but in his way found no performance of promises either on the Dukes or Constables part for the Duke did not accommodate the souldiers at their comming to Peroâ—â—â— with victuals or lodging in such manner as was requisite and expected and the Constable in stead of surrendring up Sain◠〈◊〉 according to agreement made a saâ—ly out upon such as were sent from the king of Eâ—glaâ—d to take possession and plaid upon them with his great Ordinance whereupon k. Edâ—ard began to suspect the truth of the French k. description of the Dukes and Constables conditions and from thence forward stood upon his own guard and gave no further credit to their Protestation which the Duke of Burgoigâ—e resenting pretended occasions for the hasting forward his forcesâ— promising speedy return together with them taketh his leave and departeth which did not a little increaâ—e the kings suspition The French king having intelligence of the Duke of Burgoignes departure forecasting the danger if they should unite their forces resolved with himselfe to 〈◊〉 what might be done to mediate a Peace in the Dukes absence and yet so to 〈◊〉 that if it took not effect he might disclaime the knowledge of the overture whereupon he privately dispatcheth a messenger in â—hew an Herauld but was indeedâ— fellow of no oâ—â—ice or estimation and not known to any of the Kings household but to Villiers the Master of the Horse who only was acquainted with the plot and party This counterfeit Pursuivant at Armâ— with a coate made of a Trumpets Banneâ—towle addressed himselfe to the king of Eâ—glaâ—d and upon admission to his pesence insinuates the French Kings desire which was to have Commissioners on both parts assigned to conferre of the means to reconcile the differences between the two Kings or at least to conclude a cessation from arms foâ— some time And so well this Messenger delivered his errand that it was credited and the kings request grantâ—d and thereupon letters of safe conduct are sent of both sides for such Commissioners as to this purpose should meet at Aâ—yeâ—s For king Edward came the Lord Hoâ—â—â—d Sir Aâ—thoâ—y Seâ—tleger and Doctor Morâ—on after made Lord Chancelour of Eâ—glaâ—d For king Lewis came the Admirall of France the Lord Saint Piers and Hebergâ—â—shop â—â—shop of Eâ—reux After long Conference Articles of Peace were concluded on â—o this effect That the French king should pay presently to the king of Eâ—glaâ—d threescore and fifteen thousand Crowns and from thence forth annually fifty thousâ—nd Crowns during the life of king Edward That within one yeare the French king should send for the Lady 〈◊〉 the king of Englands daughter and joyn her in marriage to the Dolphin That the Lord Howâ—rd and Sir Iohn Cheyney Master of the Horse should remaine in hostage there till the English army had quitted France and â— generall peace for nine yeerâ— wherein the Dukes of Burgoigne and Brittâ—â—â—e are â—â—cluded if they will accept thereof This Conclusion was the more easily compassed by the king of France his following the Herauldâ— Counsell foâ— he distributed sixteen thousand Crowns amongst king Edwards Counsellours and Favorites two thousand Crowns to the Lord Hastings the kings Chamberlaine and to the Lord 〈◊〉 Sir Iohn Cheynâ—y Sir Anthony Sentleger and Moâ—â—gomery the residue besides great store of Plate and Jewels distributed amongst inferiour Officers of the Court The Duke of Glocester onely opposed this accord as not suiting with his designe Neverthelesse it proceeded and notâ—ce thereof is presently sent to the Duke of 〈◊〉 who thereupon onely with fifteen horse comes posting to the English Campe whom king Edward perswades to enter into the peace according to the reservation but he in a great chafe reproacheth king Edward for entring into it himselfe saying that his predecessours had by many brave exploits gotten fame and repâ—tation upon the French and now
he had brought his souldiers onely to shew them the Country and returne as they came adding withall that to make it appeâ—â—e he was able without helpe of the English to subsist of himselfeâ— he utterly disclâ—â—med any benefit by that Truce untill three months after the English were reâ—â—â—ned to their own Country and so in a great snuffe returned home For the better Confirmation of what waâ— agreed upon between the two kings an 〈◊〉 is desired but before the same is eâ—â—ectuaâ—ed the French king sends to the Engâ—â—sh army an hundred Tonne of Gascoigne wine to be drunke out amongst the privâ—â—e â—ouldiers and therewithall free licence for Commanders and Gentlemen to recreate themselves in Amyeâ—s where they were lovingly entertained by the Burgers of the Town by the kings expresse command The place of enterview of these two 〈◊〉 is agreed on to be at Picquency a Town three miles distant from Amâ—eâ—s seated in â—â—ottome through which the river of Some runneth over which a strong bridge was buâ—â—t and in the midst thereof a graâ—e made overthwart with â—artes no wider 〈◊〉 than a man might well thrust in his arme covered with boardes overheadâ— to avoid the rainâ—foure of the Bed-chamber on both sides are appointed to search the roomâ— to prevent traps of instrumenâ—â— of treachery and being by them certified that â—ll as was cleere the kings advance themselves King Edward being come in sight of the place made a stand being told that the circumstance of comming fâ—râ—t to thâ— place was a matter of great disparagement in point of State but the French king â—oâ—e regarding substâ—nce then circumstance gave the king of England the advanâ—â—â—â— to come at hiâ— pleasure and went first to the barre appointed for conference 〈◊〉 theâ—e did attend king Edwards leasure He had in his Company Iohn Duke of 〈◊〉 with his brother the Cardinall and eight hundred mâ—n at Arms. King Edâ—â—â—â— hâ—d with him his brother the Duke of Clarence the Earle of Northumberland â—he Lords Chamberlaine and Chancellour and at his backe his whole Army in bâ—tâ—eâ—â— The kings lovingly salute each other and complements of courtesie reâ—ipro 〈…〉 which finished They with their Noblemen there present take all â—heir 〈◊〉 upon the holy Evangelists in all to their â—ower to observe the Articles o◠〈◊〉 agreâ—d on After which In private the French king imporâ—uâ—es king Edâ—â—â—â— that the Duke of Brittaine might be left out of these Articles but after much 〈◊〉 to that purpose king Edward gave his resolute answerâ— that if king Lewis 〈◊〉 the frendship of Englâ—nd he should not molest the Duke of Brittaineâ— for â—hat he was resolved at any time to come in person to relieve himâ— if he were distuâ—â—ed King Edward pretended the many kindnesse he had formeâ—ly recâ—ived of the Duke of Brittaine but it was conceived that the desire of compassing the Eaâ—les o◠〈◊〉 and Pembrooke now in the Duke of Brittaines Country were the greatest 〈◊〉 of his standing â—o â—irmely for him The money to be payd to king Edâ—â—rd 〈◊〉 the Articles is accordingly payd and thereupon the French Hostages are delivered and the Englisâ— Army reâ—â—res to Callice and from thencâ— is transported into 〈◊〉 and then the English Hostages are likewise delivered This Peace was 〈◊〉 â—o be made only by the holy Ghost because on the day of meeâ—ing a white Dove came and sate upon the king of Englands Tent though the Dukes of Glocester and Burgoigâ—e thought it was made by no good spirit King Edward being returned into England had his minde running still upon the dangeâ— that might grow from the Earle of Richmond he therefore dispatched D. Stillington and two other his Ambassadors to the Duke of Briâ—aine to send him over to him under this subtle pretence that he meant to match him in mariage with the Lady Cicillâ— his younger daughter and withall sent also no small store of Angels to speake for him which so prevailed with the Duke that he delivered the Earle oâ— Richmond to the Ambassadors who conducted him thence to Saint Maloâ— where whil'st they stayed for a winde the young Earle by the cunning plotting of Peter Landoiâ— the Dukes Treasurer more out of scorne that he was not gratified by the English Ambassadour to the proportion of his place than for any love to the Earle escapes into Sanctuary from whence neither prayers nor promises could get him cut Neverthelesse upon Peter Landois his promise he should be safely kept there the Ambassadors departed and returned home acquainted K. Edward with the Duke of Bâ—â—goigâ—â—s courtesie in delivering him and their own negligence in suffering him to escape onely making amends with the promise of Peter Landois which might be to K. Edward some contentment but was no satisfaction At Christmas following being the sixteenth yeere of his Reigne he created his eldest sonne Edward Prince of Wales Duke of Corâ—wall and Earle of Chester his second sonne he made Duke of Yorke giving the order of knighthood to the sonne and heire of the Earle of Liâ—colâ—e and many others He created also foure and twenty knights of the Bath whereof Brian Chiefe Justice and Littleton a Judge of the Common Pleas were two About this time there were two examples of severity seene not unworthy the relating if but onely to make us see how dangerous a thing it is Ludere cum sanctiâ— to speake words that may be taken as reflecting upon the king The first was of one Walter Walker a wealthy Citizen dwelling at the signe of the Crown in Cheapside This man one day when his childe cryed bid him be quiet and he would make him heire of the Crowne which words being subject to interpretation he was called in question about them arraigned condemned and put to death The other was of Thomas Burdet of Arrow in Warwickeshire Esquire It happened that K. Edward hunted in his Parke he being from home and there killed a white Buck whereof Mr. Burdeâ— made speciall account so as comming home and finding that Buck killed he wished it hornes and all in his belly that had counselled the king to kill it and because none counselled the King to kill it but himselfe it was thought those words were not spoken without a malignant reflecting upon the King and thereupon Burdet was arraigned and condemned drawne to Tiburne and there beheaded though Mâ—rkhâ—â— then Chiefe Justice chose rather to lose his place than assent to the Judgement And now began ambition to boyle in Richard Duke of Glocester whereof the first heate fell upon his brother the Duke of Clarence how to rid him out of the way to which end he seeks to raise Jealousies in King Edwards head against him telling him that some of Clareâ—ce his followers were Sorcereâ—s and Necromancers and had given forth speeches that one whose name begun with G. should disinherit his Children and get the Crown and for a colour of this suggestion one of the Duke of Clarâ—â—ce his servants who came with him out of
the Scottish Bishops had no Metropolitane but the Bishop of Yorke was Metropolitane and Primate of Scotland now in this Kings time Pope Sixâ—â—â— 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 〈◊〉 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 Heâ—wâ—rth 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 〈◊〉 Sheriffe of London builded at his own costs the great Conduit in Cheâ—pside 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 Pesâ—â—lence 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 Sâ—dely 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 â—othsay 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 Devoâ—shire 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 statuâ—e 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 forâ—â—ne 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 foâ—â—â—â—tion was laid before For his conditions he was of an erected composure both of body â—nd 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 sâ—â—ure Of the foure Cardinall virtues Forâ—â—nde and Prudence were in him naturally Temperance â—â—d 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 hâ—rt
whatsoever he thought whereof he faithfully promised there should never come hurt and peradventure more good then he would thinke and withall that himselfe intended to use his secret Counsell which he said was the only cause for the which he had procured of the king to have him in his custody The Bishop humbly thanked him and said In good faith my Lord I love not to talke much of Princes as a thing not all out of perill though the word be without fault for so much as it shall not be taken as the party meant it but as it pleaseth the Prince to construe it And ever I thinke on Aesops Tale that when the Lyon had proclaimed on paine of death that no horned beast should abide in a certaine Wood one that had in his forehead a bunch of flesh fled away a geart pace the Fox that saw him run so fast asked him whither he made all that haste who answered in faith I neither wot nor reck so I were once hence because of the Proclaimation made of horned beasts why foole quoth the Fox thou mayest abide well enough the Lyon meant it not by thee for it is no horn that is in thy head No mary quoth he that wote I well enough but what if he call it a horne where am I then The Duke laughed at the Tale and said My Lord I warrant you neither the Lyon not the Bore shall picke any matter at any thing here spoken for it shall never come neere their eare Then said the Bishop In good faith Sir if it did the thing I was about to say taken as well as a fore God I meant it could deserve but thank and yet taken as I ween it would might happen to turne me to little good and you to lesâ—e Then longed the Duke much more to heare what it was whereupon the Bishop said My Lord as for the late Protectour sith he is now king in Possession I purpose not to dispute his title but for the weale of the Realme I could wish he had in him those excellent virtues which God hath planted in the person of your Grace and there left again The Duke somewhat marvelling at his sudden pause said My L. I cannot but note your sudden stopping in your speech so as your words come not to any direct sentence whereby I may have knowledge eithâ—r what your inward intent is now toward the king or what your affection is toward me I therefore intreate you to use no more such obscurity but plainly to disclose your minde unto me who upon mine honor will be as secret in the case as the deafe and dumb person is to the singer or the Tree to the Hunter The Bp. then upon confidence of the D. promise saidâ— my Lord I plainly perceive the kingdome being in the case as it is under such a King as now we have must needs decay and be brought to confusion but one hope I have that when I consider and daily behold your noble Personage your Justice your ardent love towards your Country and in like manner the great love of your Country towards you I must needs thinke this Realme fortunate that hath such a Prince in store meet and apt to be a Governour in whose person consisteth the very undoubted Image of true honour And then taxing the present king with many cruelties and oppressions he concluded saying And now my Lord if either you love God your Linage or your native Country you must your self take upon you the Crown and Imperiall Diadem of this Realme but if your selfe will refuse to take it upon you I then adjure you by the faith you owe to God and by the love you beare to your native Country to devise some way how the Realme may by your Princely policy be reduced to some convenient Regiment under some good governour by you to be appointed And if you could devise to set up againe the Linage of Lancâ—ster or advance the eldest daughter of King Edward to some puissant Prince not onely the new Crowned king should little enjoy the glory of his dignity but all Civill Warre should cease and Peace and Profit should againe flourish When the Bishop had ended his saying the Duke sighed and spake not of a good while which sore abashed the Bishop and made him change colour which the Duke perceiving he said Be not afrayd my Lord all promises shall be kept so for that time they parted The next day the Duke sent for the Bishop and having rehearsed unto him the Communication had between them the day before he went on and said My Lord of Ely since I perceive your true heart and sincere affection toward me I will now discover unto you all that hath passed my own imaginations After I had found the dissimulation and falsenesse of king Richard and specially after I was informed of the murther of the two young Princes to which God be my Judge I never condiscended I so much abhorred the sight and much more the company of him that I could no longer abide in his Court but feigning a cause to depart I tooke my leave of him he thinking nothing lesse then that I was displeased and so returned to Brecknok to you but in that returning whether it were by inspiration or elsâ— through some melancholike disposition I had divers imaginations how to deprive this unnaturall and bloody Butcher of his Royall seat and dignity Firstâ— I fantasied that if I list to take upon me the Crown Now was the time when this Tyrant was abhorred and detested of all men and knowing not of any that could pretend Title before me In this imagination I rested two dayes at Tewkesbury in my journey from thence I mused and thought that it was not best nor convenient to take upon me as a Conquerour for then I was sure that all men and specially the Nobility would oppose me but at last there sprung up a branch in my head which I surely thought would have brought forth faire flowers but they turned indeed to dry weeds For I suddenly remembred that the Lord Edmund Duke of Somerset my Grandfather was with king Henry the â—ixth in two or three degrees of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancâ—ster so that I thought certainely my Mother being eldest Daughter to Duke Edmund that I was next heire to king Hâ—nry the sixth of the House of Lancâ—ster This Title pleased well such as I made of my Counsell and much more it elevaâ—ed my ambitious intent but while I was in a maze whether I were best suddenly to set this title open amongsâ— the Common people or else keep it secret a while see what chanâ—ed As I â—ode between Worcester and Bridgenorth I met with the Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmond now wife to the Lord Stanley who is the daughter and sole heire to Iohn Duke of Somersâ—t my Grandfathers elder brother which was as cleane out of my minde as if I had never seen her so that she and her
as â—he Parliament was dissolved he fled secretly into Flâ—nders to his Aunt the Lady Margaret Dâ—tchesse of Burgoigne between whom it was concluded that he and the Lord Lâ—vell 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 Eâ—gland and then with a great number of beggerly and unarmed Irishmen under the Conduct of the Lord Thomas Gerardine Earle of Kildâ—re 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 â—he 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 Irâ—sh being in a manner but naked men were at last overthrown foure thousand slaine and the rest put â—o flâ—ght but not one of their Capâ—aines for the Earle of Lincolne the Lord Lâ—vell 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 mâ—n 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 Sâ—mond becâ—use a Priest yet Symoâ—d 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 Fauâ—kners In the beginning of his third yeer king Henry having been in Yorkeshire to settle the mâ—ndes 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 Britaiâ—e 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 aâ—â—ist him or not assist the Duke but stand Neâ—ter King Heâ—ry answered that having received courteâ—ies 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 Saiâ—t 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 Woodâ—ile 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 suâ—e though the king denied yet the Lord Woodvile would venture it and with a power of â—oure 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 satiâ—fied and a Peace was concluded between Frâ—â—â—e and England to endure for twelve months But in conclusion king Henry finding that the French king dealt not râ—ally 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 conâ—â—uded that the Duke of Britaine should be aided and to that end great â—ummes 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 courâ—es against the Britaines so as at last on â—he eight and twentieth day of Iuly the Britaines gave battell to the French neer to a Town called 〈◊〉 having apparelled seventeen hundred of the Britaiâ—â— in Coâ—â— with â—ed â—rosseâ— after the English fashion to make the Frenchmen believe â—hey were all English although in â—eed they had no more English than the foure hundred of the Lord Woodvile But
noâ—withstanding 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 Britainâ—s part were taken Prisoners The French lost twelve hundred men and amongst otherâ— that valiant Italian Captaine Iames Gâ—leâ—t This news being brought into England caused king Hâ—â—â—y 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 Corâ—â—all 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 Aâ—â—e 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 Durhâ—â— refused to pay whereof the Collectours complained to Heâ—ry 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 Tuâ—stâ—ll 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 Bâ—nnocks-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 Guisnâ—s 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 Dixâ—â—e where the Lord Dawbeney commanded all men to send back their horsâ—s whâ—ch the Lord Morley onely refusing to doe was cause that he onely of all the Captaines was slâ—ine with a Gun for the rest after their arrowes discharged fell prostrate to the ground by which meanes the Enemies Ordnance overshot them kâ—lling 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 â—resh 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
of the Duke of Clarence but that device had two maine imperfections One that the true Sonne of the Duke was forâ—h-comming and to be shewed openly for convincing the false the other that though the counterfeit had been the true yet he could have laid no claim to the Crown as long as any Daughters of King Edward the fourth were living Now therefore a device is found by which those imperfections were both of them amended for now a Counterfeit was set on foot who pretended to be Richard the younger Sonne of king Edward the fourth so that neither any other could be produced to convince him of being false nor any Daughters of King Edward could hinder his Right for claiming the Crown This device was first forged by Margaret Dutchesse of Burgundie a woman that could never be quiet in her minde as long as king Henry was quiet in his kingdome and by this device she hoped if not to put him cleane out of his seat yet foulely at least to disturbe him in it and this was the purpose of the Plâ—t but by what instrument it was acted by what abeâ—tours fomented and what issue the device had are worâ—hy all to be related The Dutchesse having formerly given out that Richard the younger Sonne of king Edward was not murthred but in compassion spared and sent secretly a way to seek his fortune and having after long search gotten at last a fit Boy to personate a Prince keeps him seretly a good time with her in which time she so throughly instructed him in all Circumstances and he afterward put them so gracefully in practice that even those who had seen and known the young Prince while he lived could hardly perceive but that this was he It is true though he were not King Edwards Sonne yet he was his Godsonne and might perhaps have in him some base blood of the house of Yorke This Perkin Warbeck for so was the youths name called Perkin as a diminutive of Peter when he so perfectly had learned his lesson that he was fit to come upon the Stage she sent him into Portingall that comming from a strange Country it might be thought he had been driven to wander from one Country to another for safeguard of his life at least that she of all other might not be suspected From Portingal she caused him to passe into Ireland where the house of Yorke was specially respected in regard of the great love which Richard Duke of Yorke Father of King Edward the fourth had wonne amongst them by reason whereof this Perkin as esteemed his Grand-childe was well entertained by them and held in great estimation He had not been long in Ireland when the French king sent for him for being at that time at variance with King Henry hee thought he might make good use of Perkin as a pretender against King Henry for the Crown Perkin being come to Paris was entertained in a Princely fashion and for his more honour had a guard assigned him over which the Lord Congreshall was Captaine He had not been long at Paris when there resorted to him Sir George Nevill bastard Sir Iohn Taylour Richard Robinson and about a hundred other English Amongst the rest one Stephen Fryon that had been King Henries Secretary for the French Tongue but discontented fled and became a chiefe Instrument in all Perkins proceedings But this float of Perkins lasted not long for as soon as Peace was concluded between the two Kings the King of France dismissed Perkin and would keep him no longer Then passed he secretly to his first foundresse the Lady Margaret who at his first comming made a shew of suspecting him to be a Counterfeit But causing him in great assemblies to be brought before her as though she had never seen him before and finding him to answer directly to all questions she put unto him she openly professed that she was now satisfied and thought him verily to be her true Nephew and thereupon assigned a guâ—rd of thirâ—y persons cloathed in Murrey and Blew and callâ—d him the White Rose of England Upon report hereof many in England were inclined to take his part and Sir Robert Clifford and Robert Bareley were sent into Flanders to acquaint the Dutchesse with the peoples respect to Perkin and indeed Sir Robert Clifford upon sight and conference with him wrote letters into England wherein he affirmed that he knew him to be true Sonne of king Edward by his face and other Lineaments of his body King Henry hearing of these things sent certaine espials into Flanders that should feigne themselves to have fled to Perkin and by that means the better search out who were of the Conspiracy with him Whose name being returned to the King he caused them â—o be apprehended and brought to his Presence the chiefe of whom were Iohn Râ—tcliffe Lord Fitzwater Sir Simon Montford and Sir Thomas Thâ—â—yâ—â— knights William Dawbeney Robert Ratcliffe Thomas Cressenor and Thomas Astwoâ—d also certaine Priests as William Richford D. of Divinity Thomas Boyns D. William Sutton William Worseley Dean of Pauls Robert Layborne and Richard Lesley of whom some hearing of it fled to Sanctuary oâ—hers were taken and condemed as Sir Simon Montford Robert Ratcliffe and William Dawbeney who were all three beheâ—ded The Lord Fitzwater pardoned of life was conveyed to Calice and there laid in hold where seeking to make escape by corrupting his Keeper hee lost his head Shortly after Sir Robert Clifford returning out oâ— Flanders not as some think sent a spye from the beginning but rather now at last either discerning the fraude or woâ— by rewards and submitted himselfe to the kings mercy discovering unto him as farre as he knew all that were either open or secret abettours of the Conspiracy amongst whom he accused Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlaine his accusation was this that in Conference between them Sir William had said that if he certainly knew that the young man named Perkin were the Sonne of king Edward the fourth he would never fight nor beare Armes against him These words being considered of by the Judges seemed to expresse a tickle hold of Loyalty for who could tell how soon he might be perswaded that he knew it and upon the matter was to be Loyall to king Henry but for want of better and withall it strook upon a string which had alwaies sounded harsh in king Henries ears as preferring the Title of Yorke before that of Lancaster Sir William being hereupon arraigned whether trusting to the greatnesse of his favours or the smalnes of his fault denied little of that wherewith he was charged and upon confession was adjudged to dye and accordingly on the sixteenth day of February was brought to the Tower-hill and there beheaded after whose death Giles Lord Dawbeny was made L. â—hamberlaine This was that Sir William Stanley who came in to rescue the Earle of Richmond when he was in danger of his life who set the Crowne upon his head and was the cause of
his being saluted King And could it enter into his breast to put him to death that had saved his life and done him so many great services besides But it may be said It was not the Earle of Richmond that did it but the King of England for certainly in many cases a King is not at liberty to shew mercy so much as a private man may Though there be that affirme the cause of his death was not words onely but reall acts as giving ayde to Perkin under-hand by money And yet it seemes there was some conflict in the minde of King Henry what he should doe in this case for he stayed six weekes after his Accusation before before he brought him to his Arraignment How-ever it was the Summer following the King went in Progresse to Latham to the Earle of Darby who had maâ—ied his mother and was brother to Sir William Stanley perhaps to congratulate his own safety perhaps to condole with him his brothers death but certainly to keepe the Earle from conceiving any sinister opinion of him For to thinke that Sir William's suing to be Earle of Chester an Honour appointed to the kings sonne or his great wealth for he left in his Castle at Holt in ready money forty thousand markes besideâ— Plate and Jewells were causes that procured or set forward his death are considerations very unworthy of so just a Prince against a Servant of so great deserving But in this meane while Perkin having gotten a Power of idle loose fellows took to Sea intending to lâ—nd in Kent where though he were repelled yet some of his Souldiers would needs venture to goe on Land of whom a hundred and sixty persons were taken Prisoners whereof five were Captaines Mortford Corbet Whitebolt Quâ—â—tyn and Gemyne These hundred and sixty persons were brought to London rayled in ropes like horses drawing in a Cart who upon their Araignement confessing their offence were executed some at London and some in Towns adjoyning to the sea-coast Perkin finding no entertainment in Kent sayled into Ireland and having stayed there a while and finding them also being a naked people to bee no competent assistants for him from thence he sayled into Scotland where he so moved the King of Scots with his fayre words and colourable pretexts made no doubt before by the Dutcesse of Burgoigne that hee received him in great state and caused him to bee called the Duke of Yorke and to perswade the World that hee thought him so indeede hee gave to him in marriage the Lady Katherine Gourdon daâ—ghter to Alexander Earle Huntley his own neer kinswoman and soone after in Perkins quarrell entred with a puissant Army into England making Proclamation that whosoever would come in and ayde the true Duke of Yorke should bee spared but none comming in he then used all kinde of cruelty and the whole County of Northuâ—berland was in a manner wasted whereat Perkin at his returne expressed much griefe saying It grieved him to the heart to see such havock made of his people To whom the King answered Alas Alas you take care for them who for any thing that appeares are none of yours for not one of the Countrey came in to his succour King Henry incensed with this bold attempt of the king of Scots called his High Court of Parliament acquainting them with the necessity hee had of a present warre to revenge this indignity offered him by the Scots and thereupon requiring their ayde by money had a subsidie of sixscore thousand pounds readily granted him and then in all haste a puissant Army is provided and under the conduct of the Lord Dawbeney sent into Scotland but before hee arrived there hee was suddenly called back by reason of a commotion begun at Cornwall for payment of the Subsidie lately granted which though it were not great yet they grudged to pay it The Ring-leaders of this commotion were Thomas Flammock a gentleman leâ—â—ned in the Lawes and Michael Ioseph a Smith who laying the blame of this exaction upon Iohn Morton Archbishop of Canterbury and Sir Reynold Bray as being chiefe of the Kings Councell exhorted the people to take armes and having aâ—sembled an Army they went to Taunton where they slew the Provost Peryâ— one of the Commissioners for the Subsidie and from thence came to Wells intending to goe to London where the King then lay who having revoked the Lord Dawbeney appointed Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey after the death of the Lord Dinham made Lord Treasurer of England to have an eye to the Scots and if they made invasion to resist them In the meane time Iames Twychet Lord Audley confederated himselfe with the Rebells of Cornwall and tooke upon him to bee their Leader who from Wâ—lls went to Salisbury and from thence to Winchester and so to Kent hoping there â—o have had great ayde but found none for the Earle of Kent the Lord of Aburgâ—â—â— Iohn Brook Lord Cobham Sir Edmond Poynings Syr Richard Guildford Sir Thâ—â—as Bourchier Iohn Peachy and William Scott were ready in Armes to resist them whereupon the Rebels brought their Army to Black-heath foure miles distant from Lâ—ndâ—n and there in a plaine on the top of a hill encamped themselves whereof when the King had knowledge hee presently sent Iohn Earle of Oxford Henry Bouâ—â—â—ier Earle of Essex Edmond de la Poole Earle of Suffolke Sir Riceap Thomas and Sir Hâ—â—fry Stanley to inviron the hill on all sides that so all hope of flight might hee takâ—n from them and then set forward himselfe and encamped in St. Georgeâ— fields where for encouragement he made divers Bannarets The next day he sent the Lord Dawbeney to set upon the Rebels early in the morning who first got the bridge at Debâ—ford Strand though strongly defended by the Rebels Archers whose arrowes were â—eported to bee a full cloath-yard in length but notwithstanding the Lord 〈◊〉 comming in with his Company and the Earles assayling them on every side they were soone overcome In which conflict were slaine of the Rebels above 〈◊〉 thousand taken prisoners a very great number many of whom the King pâ—â—doned but of the chiefe Authors none for the Lord Audley was drawne from Newgate to Tower-hill in a coate of his owne Armes paynted upon paper reversed and all torne and there on the foure and twentieth day of Iune was beheaded Thomas Flammock and Michael Ioseph were hanged drawn quartered and their heads and quarters pitched upon stakes set up in London and other places Of the Kings Army were slaine not above three hundred It is memorâ—ble with what comfort Ioseph the black-smith cheered up himselfe at his going to execution saying that yet he hoped by this that his name and memory should be everlasting so deere even to vulgar spirits is perpetuety of Name though joyned with infamy what is it then to Noble spirits when it is joyned with Glory In the meane time the king of Scots taking advantage of these troubles in England invaded the
Frontiers forraged the Bishoprick of Durham and at last besieged the castle of Norham whereof Richard Fox then Bishop of Durham was owner who thereupon sent presently to the Earle of Surrey acquainting him with this Invasion Whereupon the Earle taking with him Ralph Earle of Westmerland Thomas Lord Barnes Ralph Lord Nevill George Lord Strange and many other Lords and knights and an Army of little lesse then twenty thousand men besides a Navy whereof the Lord Brooke was Admirall set forward against the Scots and not only forced the Scots to raise their siege of Norham Castle but followed them also into Scotland where he overthrew and defaced the Castle at Cawdestraynes the Tower of Heâ—eâ—hall the Tower of Edington the Tower of Fulden and at last by composition tooke the strong Castle of Hayton and rased it to the ground At the Earles being at Hayton the King of Scots sent to him Marchemont and another Herald requiring him at his election either to fight with him with their whole Armies or else they two to fight in single combat upon condition that if the victory fell to the Scotish king the Earle should deliver for his Ransome the Towne of Barwick Whereunto the Earle made answer that the Town of Barwick was the King his Masters and therefore not for him to dispose of but for his offer of single combat he willingly accepted it and thought himselfe highly honored by such a match But King Iames of Scotland had no meaning to performe either one or other but privily in the night fled back into Scotland and then the Earle returned to Barwick In the meane time one Peter Hyalâ—s a man of great learning and policie was sent Ambassadour to the King of Scots from the King of Spaine to mediate a Peace between the two kings of of England and Scotland who finding the King of Scots conformable to his motion found after the King of England who was never averse from Peace upon honourable Conditions no lesse enclining to it and so a Truce was concluded for certaine yeeres upon conditition that Perkin Warbeck should be sent out of the Scotish Dominions About this time the Lord of Camphyre and others sent from Philip Archduke of Austria and Duke of Burgundy came to king Henry for a conclusion of Amity and to procure the English merchanâ—s resort againe to his Country for king Henry some time before upon displeasure with the Flemings but specially with the Lady Margaret for abetting Perkin Warbeck not onely had banished all Flemish wares and merchandizes out of his Dominions but had also restrained all English merchants from having any traffick in any of their Territories causing the Mart for all English commodities to be kept at Callice but now upon this invitation and having found it had been a great hinderance to his owne Merchant-adventurers and thereupon some insurrections had risen he willingly condiscended to their Request and so the English resorted againe into the Archdukes Dominions and were received into Antwerp with generall Procession so glad was that Towne of the Engglish-mens returne In this eleventh yeere of the Kings Reigne dyed Cicely Dutchesse of Yorke mother to king Edward the fourth at her Castle of Berkhamstead being of extreme age who had lived to see three Princes of her body Crowned and foure Murthered she was buried at Fâ—driâ—gâ—am by her Husband Shortly after the Truce concluded between England and Scotland Perkin Warbeck was commanded to depart out of the Scotish Dominions who thereupon with his wife and familie sayled into Ireland where understanding that the Cornish-men were ready to renue the warre againe he thought best not to let pâ—sse so faire an occasion and thereupon having with him foure small ships and not above six-score men he sailed into Cornwall and there landed in the moneth of September and came to a Town called Bodmyn where with faire words and large promises he so prevailed with the people that he had gotten to him above three thousand persons to take his part and then made Proclamations in the name of King Richard the Fourth as sonne to King Edward the Fourth and by the advice of his three Counsellors Iohn Heron a bankrupt Mercer Richard Skelton a Tailour and Iohn Astley a Scrivener determined to attempt first the winning of Exceter which with great violence he assaulted and the Townsmen with as great valiantnes defended whereof when the King heard he sent the Lord Dawbeny to their rescue but before he came the Lord Edward Courtney Earle of Devonshire and the valiant Lord William his sonne accompanied with Sir Edmund Carew Sir Thomas Trenchard Sir Courtneyâ— Sir Thomas Fulford Sir Iohn Halâ—well Sir Iohn Croker Walter Courtâ—ey Peter Edgecombe William St. Maure with others came to their ayde upon whose comming Perkin left the siege and retired to Taunton where he mustered his men as though he meant to prepare for battell but finding his number to be much diminished foâ— of six thousand which he had at Exceter many were fled from him when they saw no Great ones to take his part he began to distrust his case and heâ—â—ing withall that the king with a great Power was at hand about midnight with threescore horse-men in his company he departed in post from Taunton and tooke Sanctuary in a Town called Beauly neere to Southampton When king Henry heâ—rd that Perkin was fled he sent after him to the Sea-side to stop his passage and apprehend him But the messengers that were sent when they came to St. Michaels 〈◊〉 though they found not Perkin yet there they found his wife the Lady Katherine Gourdon whom they presently brought to the king a beautifull young Lady to whom in honour of her birth and commiseration of her beauty the king allowed a competent maintenance which she enjoyed during the kings life and mâ—ny yeeres after king Henry being come to Exceter stayed there a few dayes about examination of the Rebellion and execution of the chiefe Offendours of whom there being a great multitude and all of them craving pardon the king caused them all to be assembled in the Church-yard of St. Peter where they all appeared barâ—-headed in their shirts and halters about their necks whom the king viewing out of a window made for the purpose after he had paused a while made a speech unto them exhorting them to obedience and then in hope they would afterward be dutifull Subjects he pardoned them all whereat they made a great shout crying 〈◊〉 God save king Henry though some of them afterward like ungratefull wretches fell into new Rebellions All this whiâ—e Perkin was in Sanctuary and the King thinking himselfe in danger as long as he was in safety set a Guard about the place to keepe him for escaping whereby Perkin was so restrained that at last hee submitted himselfe to the kings mercy and was thereupon sent to the Tower to bâ— there in sâ—fe custodie This doâ—e king Henry appointed Thomas Lord Dâ—rcy Sir Amyâ—s Pawleâ— and Robert Sherbâ—â—â—â—
Deane of Paulsâ— to be Commissioners for maâ—ing enquiry of the Offenders 〈◊〉 for assessing their Fines which they did with great severity to some with great mildnesse to others to all with equity 〈◊〉 was now the fourteenth yeer of the kings Reigne when one Sebastian â—â—bato â— Geâ—â—â—a's Sonne born â—t Bâ—iston perswaded the king to man and victuaâ—â— a ship at Bristow â—o search for 〈◊〉 stand which he said he knew to be replenished with rich Commodities who setting forth with three other small shâ—ps of London merchants returned home two yeerâ— after when he had made a large discovery westward and would have gone to 〈◊〉 if the Mariners had not forced him to return a likewise siâ— years before one Christopâ—er Columbus a Spanyard made the first discovery of America Perkin being in the Tower and carefully guarded yet found me â—s to escape and fled to the Priory of Sheen neer Richmond where discovering himselfe to the Pryor of that Monastery he begged of him for Gods sake to get the kings Pardon foâ— his life which the Prior effected but then was Perkin brought to the Court at Westminster and was one day set fettered in a paire of Stocks before Westminster-hall and there stood a whole day the next day he was set upon a like Scaffold in Cheape-side and there standing the whole day also hethen read openly his confession wrâ—tten with his own hand wherein he declared his Parentage and the place of his Birth and all the passages of his Life and by what means he was drawn to make this attempt After this he was committed againe to the Tower and care taken he should be better looked to than he was before But all the care notwithstanding once againe Perkin attempted to escape and drawing into a Confederacy with him the young Earle of Warwicke by faire words and large promises so corrupted his keepers Straâ—gwish Blâ—wet Astwood and long Roger servants to Sir Iohn Digbie Lieutenant of the Tower that they intended to have slaine their Master and set Perkiâ— and the Earle of Warwicke at liberty But this practice was soone discovered â—o that Perkiâ— and Iohn a Water sometime Major of Corke in Ireland one of Perkiâ—s chiefe founders were on the sixteenth day of November arraigned at Westminster and condemned and both of them on the two and twentieth day were drawn to Tyburne and there hanged where Perkiâ— tooke it upon his death that the Confession he had formerly made was true soon after also Blewet and Astwood two of the Lieutenants men were in the same place executed On the one and twentieth day of the same month Edward Plantagemet Earle of Warwicke was arraigned at Westminster before the Earle of Oxford then High Steward of England not for consenting to breake Prison but for conspiring with Perkin to raise Sedition and destroy the king and upon his Confession had Judgement and on the eight and twentieth day of the same month in the yeer 1499. was brought to the Scaffold on the Tower-hill and there beheaded This Earle of Warwick was the eldest Sonne of the Duke of Clarence and was the last Heire male of the name of Plantagenet and had been kept in the Tower from his very Inâ—ancy out of all company of Men and fight of Beasts so as he scarcely knew a Hen from a Goose nor one beast from another and therefore could never know how to practice his escape of himselfe but by Perkiâ—s subtlety for which cause the king favoured him so farre that he was not buried in the Tower but at Bissam by his Ancestours And thus ended the designes of Perkiâ— Warbeck which had troubled both the Kingdome and the King the space of seven or eight yeers a great part of the Kings Raigne But in the time of Perkiâ—s being in the Tower another like practice was set on foot for an Augustiâ—e Frier called Patrick in the County of Suffolk having a Scholler named Ralph Wilford a Cordwayners Sonne he caused him to take upon him to be the Earle of Warwicke lately by great chance gotten out of the Tower and they going together into 〈◊〉 when the Frier perceived some light credit to be given to him he then stuck not to declare it openly in the Pulpit desiring all men to assist him But this practice was soone discovered and both the Mr. and the Scholler were apprehended attainted the Scholler Wilford was hanged on Shrovetuesdâ—y at S. Thomas Waterings and the Frier was condemned to perpetuall Prison for at that time so much reverence was attributed to holy Orders that a Priest though â—e had commited Treason against the king yet had hâ—s life spared And this practâ—â—e was some cause to exasperate the king against the Earle of Warwicke who though innocent in himselfe yet was nocent in pretenders and besides king Ferdinand of Spaiâ—e with whom at this time there was a Treaty for marriage of his Daughter to Prince Arthur had written to the king in plaine terms that he saw no assurance of his Sonnes succession as long aâ— the Earle of Warwicke lived and thus all things unfortunately concurred to bring this innocent Prince to his end In the fifteenth yeer of his Reigne partly to avoide the danger of the Plague then raigning in England but chiefely to conferre with the Duke of Burgoigne about many important businesses the King and Queen sayled over to Callice where at an enterview between him and the Duke at Saint Peters Church without Callice the Duke offered to hold the kings sturrup at his alighting which the king by no meanes would permit but descending from horse-back they embraced wiâ—h great affection â—nd after Communication had between them the King and Queen in the end oâ— Iuâ—â— returned into England In his seventeenth yeer â—wo great Marriages were solemnized the Lady 〈◊〉 of Spaine was sent by her Father king Ferdiâ—aâ—d with a puissant Army of Sâ—â—ps into Eâ—gland where she arrived at Plimouth the second day of October and on the fourteenth of November afterâ— was espoâ—sed openly to Prince Arâ—hur both beâ—ng clad in white He of the age of â—â—fteen yeers shee of eighteen at night they were laid together in one Bed where they lay as Man and Wife all that night when â—oâ—ning appeared the Prince as his servants about him reported called for drinke which before time he had not used to doe whereof one of his Chambâ—rlaines â—sking 〈◊〉 the causeâ— he answered merrily saying I have been this night in the middest oâ— Spaâ—â—â— which is a hot Country and â—hat makeâ— me so dry though some write thaâ—â— grave Matron was laid in bed between them to hinder actuall Consummationâ—â— Tâ—e Ladies portion was two hundred thousand Duckets her joynture the 〈◊〉 part of the Principality of Wales Cornwall and Châ—ster At this Marriage was grâ—â—â— solemnity and Royall Justings during which time there came into London 〈◊〉 Earle a Bishop and divers other noble personages sent from the king of Scots 〈…〉 conclusion of a Mariage before treated of
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 â—â—xely 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 â—revill Thomas Marow George Edgore Lewis Pollard Guy Palmes and William Fairfax who kept their feast at the Archbishoâ—s 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 asâ—uming 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 coursâ—s 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 thâ—ng 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 sâ—rvice at such a time as this and chiâ—fly 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 Memorandâ—m 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 â—aid 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
〈◊〉 and founded the Chappell at Maclesfield in Cheshire where he was borne Also in his time Stephen Granings Major of London founded a free Grammâ—r Schoole 〈◊〉 VVolverhampton in Staffordshire where he was borne and gave lands sufficient for a Master and an Usher leaving the oversight to the Merchant-Taylours in London Thiâ— Town of VVolverhampton commonly so called is originally and rightly called 〈◊〉 hampton upon this occasion The Town was antiently called Hampton to which a noble woman named VVilfrune a widdow sometime wise of Athelâ—s Duke of Northampton obtained of King Ethelred to give lands to the Church there whâ—ch she had founded and thereupon the Town tooke the addition of the said VVilfrune In this Kings time also Iohn Collâ—t Deane of Pauls founded Pauls Schoole in the Church-yard there Casualties happening in his time IN his first yeere happened the Sicknesse called the Sweating-sicknesse which though it continued not long yet tooke away many thousands and in his two and twentieth yeer the like Sweating-sicknesse happened againe but by reason of Remedies found in the former took away fewer In his second yeer Wheat was sold for three shillings the Quarter Bay-salt at the like price In his seventh yeer Wheate was sold at London for twenty pence the Bushell which was counted a great dearth In his tenth yeer Wheate was sold at London for six pence the Bushell Bay-salt for three pence halfe penny Nantwichâ—salt â—salt for sixpence white Herrings nine shillings the Barrell red Herrings three shillings the Cade red Sprats six pence the Cade and Gascoigne wines for six pounds the Tâ—â— In his fifteenth yeer Gascoigne wine was sold at London for forty shillings the Tunne a Quarter of Wheate foure shillings and Bay-salt foure pence the Bushell The two and twentieth of August 1485. the very day that King Henry got the victory of King Richard a great fire was in Bread-street in London in which was burnt the Parson of Saint Mildreds and one other man in the Parsonage there In his tenth yeer in digging to lay a new foundation in the Church of Saint Mary Hill in London the body of Alice Hackney which had been buried in the Church a hundred seventy five yeeres before was found whole of Skin and the joynts of her Armes pliable which Corpes was kept above ground foure dayes without annoyance and then againe buried In his twelveth yeere on Bartholomew day at the Towne of Saint Neâ—des in Bedfordshire there fell Hayle-stones that were measured eighteene Inches about In his thirteenth yeer on the one and twentieth of December suddenly in the night brake out a fire in the Kings lodgings being then at his Manour of Sheeâ— by violence whereof a great part of the old building was burnt with hangings beds Apparell Plate and mâ—ny Jewells In his fifteenth yeer the Town of Babraâ— in Norfolke was burnt Also this yeer a great Plague happened whereof many people died in many places but specially in London where there died in that yeer thirty thousand In his twentieth yeer Alum which for many yeers had been sold for six shillings a hundred rose to five nobles a hundred and after to foure marks In his two and twentieth yeer the Citty of Norwich was well neere consumed with fire Also in the same yeer in Iuly a gallery new builded at Richmond wherein the King and the Prince his Sonne had walked not an houre before fell suddenly downe yet no man hurt The great Tempest which drave king Philip into England blew down the Golden Eagle from the Spire of Pauls and in the fall it fell upon a signe of the Black-Eagle which was in Pauls Church-yard in the place where the School-house now standeth and battered it and brake it downe This the people interpreted to be an ominous Prognostick upon the Imperiall House as indeed it proved for this king Philip being the Emperours sonne arriving in Spaine sickned soon after and being but thirty yeeres of age deceased upon whose decease his wife Queen Iohn out of her tender love to him fell distracted of her wits Of his wife and children HE maried Elizabeth eldest daughter of King Edward the Fourth being of the age of nineteene yeeres whom two yeeres after his Mariage he caused to be Crowned She lived his wife eighteen yeeres and dyed in Child-bed in the Tower of London the eleventh of February the very day on which she was borne and is buried at Westminster in the magnificent Chappell and rich Monument of Copper and Guilt which her Husband had erected He had issue by her three Sonnes and foure Daughters his eldest sonne Arthur was born at Winchester the twentieth day of September in the second yeere of his Reigne and dyed at Ludlow at fifteen yeeres old and a halfe and of this short life some cause may be attributed to his Nativity being borne in the eighth moneth after conception He was buried in the Cathedrall Church of St. Maries in Worcester where in the South side of the Quire he lies enâ—ombed in Touch or Jet without any remembrance of him by Picture His second sonne Henry was borne at Greenwich in â—ent on the two and twentieth day of Iune in the seventh yeere of his Fathers Reigne and succeâ—ded him in the kingdome His third sonne Edmund was borne in the tenth yeere of his Fathers Reigne and dyed at five yeares of age at Bishops Hatfield and lyes buried at St. Peters in Westminster His eldest daughter Margaret was born the nine and twentieth day of November the fifth yeer of her Fathers Reigne and at fourteen yeers of age was married to Iames the fourth King of Scotland unto whom she bare three Sons Iames the fifth Arthur and Alexander and one Daughter which three last dyed all of them young and after the death of her husband king Iames slaine at Flodden field in 〈◊〉 against the English she was remarried to Archibâ—ld Dowglâ—sse Earle of Augus in the yeer 1514. to whom she bare Margaret espoused to Mathew Earle of Lenox Father of the Lord Henry who died at the age of nine moneths and lyeth interred in the upper end of the Chancell in the Parish Church of Stepney neer London Her second Sonne was Henry Lord Dâ—â—nley reputed for personage the goodliest Gentleman of Europe who married Mary Queen of Scotland the Royall Parents of the most Royall Monarch Iames the first King of great Britaine Her third Sonne was Charles Earl of Lenox Father to the Lady Arbella King Henries second Daughter the Lady Elizâ—beth was borne in the yeere 1492. at three yeers of age died and was buried at Westminster His third Daughter the Lady Mary had been promised to Charles King of Castile but was married to Lewis the twelveth King of France who dying three moneths after she was then married to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke His fourth Daughter the Lady Katherine was borne in the yeer 1503. in the eighteenth yeer of her Fathers Reigne and dyed â—n Infant Of his Personage and Conditions HE
was of Body leane and spare yet of great strength of statuâ—e somewhat higher than the common sort his Eyes gray his Teeth single his Haire thinne of a faire complexion and pleasing countenance Concerning his Conditions â—e had in him the virtue of a Prince and of a private man affable yet reserved We might say he was Politick if not rather that he was Wise for though he used 〈◊〉 of Cunning sometimes yet solid Circumspection more He loved not Warre but in case of necessity alwayes Peace but with conditions of Honour Never â—â—y Prince was lesse addicted to bodily pleasures of any kinde than he Three pleasures he had but in three Cares One for Safety another for Honour and the third for Wealth in all which hee attained his end His great respect of the Church was seen by his great imployment of Church-men for through the hands of Bishop Morton Bishop Foxe and his Chaplaine Vrswick the greatest part of all his great negotiation passed He was Frugall from his youth not Covetous till ancient and sickly and therefore what defect he had in that kinde must be attributed to age and weaknesse This City of London was his Paradise for what good fortune 〈◊〉 befell him he thought he enjoyed it not till he acquainted them with it His Parliament was his Oracle for in all matters of importance he would aske their advice and he put his very Prerogative sometimes into their hands He was no great lover of women yet all his great fortune both Precedent and Subsequent came by women His own title to the Crown was by a woman His Confirmation in the Crown was by a woman His Transmission of the Crowne to his Posterity was by a woman The first by the Lady Margaret descended from Iohâ— of Gaunt the second by the Lady Elizabeth eldest Daughter of King Edward the fourth the third by the Lady Margaret eldest Daughter of himselfe King of England and maried to Iames the Fourth King of Scotland by meanes whereof as he was the Prince that joyned the two Roses in one so he was the Founder of joyning the two Kingdomes in one And lastly it may be said of him as was said by one of Augustâ—â— Caesar Hic â—ir hic est tiâ—i quem promitti saepius audis for Cadwalloder last king of the Britaines seven hundred yeeres before had Prophesied of him and of later time King Heâ—ry the Sixth plainly fore-shewed him Of his Death and Buriall IN the two and twentieth yeer of his Reigne he began to be troubled with the Goute but a Defluction also taking into his Breast wasted his Lungs so that thrice in a yeer and specially in the Spring he had great fits and labours of the Tissick which brought him to his end at his Palace of Richmond on the two and twentieth day of April in the yeer of 1508. when he had lived two and fifty yeers Reigned three and twenty and eight moneths Being dead and all things necessary for his Funerall prepared his Corps was brought out of his Privy Chamber into the great Chamber where it rested three dayes and every day had there a Dirge and Masse sung by a Plelate Mitred and from thence it was conveyed into the Hall wherein it remained also three dayes and had a like service there and so three daies in the Chappell Upon Wednesday the nineth of May the Corps was put into a Chariot and over the Corpes was a Picture of the late King laid on Cushions of Gold and the Picture was apparelled in the Kings rich Robes with a Crown on the head and a Ball and Scepter in the hands when the Chariot was thus ordered the Kings Chappell and a great number of Prelates set forward praying then followed all the kings Servants in Black then followed the Chariot and after the Chariot nine Mourners and on every side were carried Torches to the number of six hundred and in this order they came from Richmond to St. Georges field where there met with it all the Priests and Religious men within the City and without the Major and Aldermen with many Commoners all cloathed in Blacke met with the Corpes at London-bridge and so the Chariot was brought throught the City to the Cathedrall of St. Paul where the Body was taken out and carried into the Quire and set under a goodly Hearse of Wax where after a solemne Masse was made a Sermon by the Bishop of Rochester The next day the Corps in like manner was removed to Westminster Sir Edward Haword bearing the kings Banner In Westminster was a curious Hearse full of lights which were lighted at the comming of the Corps and then was the Corpes taken out of the Chariot by six Lords and set under the Hearse which was double railed when the Mourners were set Gartâ—r king at Armes cryed For the Soule of the Noble Prince king Henry the seventh late king of this Realme The next day were three Masses solemnly sung by Bishops and after the Masses was offered the kings Banner and Courser his Coat of Arms his Sword his Target and his Helm and at the end of the Masse the Mourners offered up rich Palls of Choath of Gold and Bodkin and when the Quire sang Liberâ— me the Body was put into the Earth then the Lord Treasurer Lord Steward Lord Chamberlaine the Treasurer and Comptroller of the kings houshold brake their Staves and cast them into the Grave Then Gartar cryed with a loud voice Vive le â—oy Henry le â—â—itiesme Roy d'Angleterre de France syre d' Irlande and thus ended the Funerall Of men of Note in his time OF Men of Valour and Armes they are to be seene in the History of this Kings Reigne For men of letters in his time of forreigners were Sancts Paguiâ—â—s a great Hebrician Leonicenus Gattinaria Cabellus and Optatus Phisitians Augustinus Niphus Iacobus Faber Stapulensis and Pighius Philosophers Bembusâ— and the famous Clerke Rheudin who restored againe the knowledge of the Hebrew Tongue Of our own Country there lived in his time George Rippley a Carmelite Frier of Boston who wrote divers Treatises in the Mathematicks and after his death was accounted a Necromancer Iohn Erghom borne in Yorke a Black-Frier studious in Prophesies as by the Title of the workes he wrote may appeare Thomas Mallorie a Welshman who wrote of King Arthur and of the round Table Iohn Rouse borne in Warwickshire a diligent searcher of Antiquities and wrote divers Treatises of Historicall Argument Thomas Scroope sirnamed Bradley of the Noble family of the Scroopes entred into divers orders of Religion and after withdrew himselfe to his house where for twenty yeeres he lived the life of an Anchorite and after comming abroad againe was made a Bishop in Ireland and went to the Rhodes in Ambassage from whence being returned he went bare-footed up and downe in Nâ—rfolk teaching the ten Commandements and lived till neere a hundred yeeres old Iohn Tonâ—eys an Augustine Frier in Norwich who
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 Statuâ—es 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 manâ—er 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 Mundâ—y 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 Wâ—ereupon the Lord Darcy and all his men went aboord their ships but Henry Guilford Wolâ—tan Brâ—wne 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 Guilâ—ord 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 Saâ—oy Daughter unto Maximilian the Emperour and Governesse of Flandeâ—s and other the Low-countryes pertaining to Charles the young Prince of Caâ—tile 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
accompaniâ—d with his sonne in law the Lord Clinton Sir Matthew Browne Sir Iohn Digâ—y 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 fiâ—e 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 Thomâ—s Gray Marquesse Dorset was appointed to go and with him the Lord Howard Sonne and heiâ—e to the Earle of Sâ—rry 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 Bâ—râ—ord and Sir Richard Cornwall his brother William Hussey Iohn Melton William Kingstâ—n Esquires and Sir Henry Willoughby with divers others to the number of ten thousand who taking ship at Southampton oâ— the sixteenth of Maâ—â— 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 â—one 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 contentmeâ—t In the mean time the Englishmen forced to feed much upon Garlick and 〈◊〉 drink of hoâ—t 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
of Terwyn where he strongly fortified his Tents with Ordâ—ance 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 â—heir absence and do some great exploit upon Callice and therupon with a thousand men came to Newâ—haâ— 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 raâ—some 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 â—â—d 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 Auâ—â—â—â— 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 â—â—e 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 twenâ—eth 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 Reâ—eward 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 Magâ—ificence 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 inâ—ited them solemnly to his citie of Tourney whom at their coming he brought into the towne in great
for which boldnesse I humbly intreat â—our 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 Henâ—y 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 Canterâ—ury 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 alwaâ—es give him â—nie 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 Shâ—rdich 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 reasoâ—s 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 spectâ—tours 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 Praâ—ks 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 shippiâ—g was conducted by the Duke of Norfolke the Marquesse Dorset the Bishop of Durhamâ— the Earle of Surry the Lord De la ware the Loâ—d 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 solemâ—ized 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 Neâ—â—ll
to come on land was to have disswaded the King from any Enterview with the French King but when he saw him â—o forward in that jourâ—ey he then onely endeavoured to perswadâ— him that he should put no trust in the French Kings words and with great guiâ—ts and promises prevailed with the Cardinall to joyne with him in this perswasion The last of May the Emperour tooke his leave and the same day the King made saile from Dover and landed at Callice together with the Queen and many Lords and Ladies The fourth of Iune the King and Queen removed from Callice to his Princely lodging beside the Towne of Guysnes the most Royall Building that was eâ—er seene likewise Francis the French King had his lodging prepared close to the Towne of Ard in a strange but most magnificent fashion Both Kings had given authority and power to the Cardinall to affirme and confirme â—o bind or unbind whatsoever should be in difference betweene them no lesse an honour to the Cardinall then a confidence in the Kings On Thursday the seavenâ—h of Iune the Kings met in the vale of Andren so magnificently attired both themselves and all their followers that from thence it was called â—he campe of cloath of Gold Heere they spent that day in loving complements and at night departed the one to Guysnes the other to Ard. On Satureday the ninth of Iune were set up in a place within the English pale two Trees of honour with stately roomes and stages for the Queens and thither the two Kings came most Royally accompanâ—ed wherein most magnificent manner they performed Acts of valour both on fooâ—e and horseback and after them all the great Lords both of France and England did the like this solemnity of Justs and Maskes was continued to the foure and twentieth day of Iune at which time the Kings and Queenes tooke leave of each other the French King and Qâ—eene removed to Ard the King and Queene of England to Callice where he remained till the tenth of Iuly and then ridings â—oward Graveling was by the way met by the Emperour and by him conducted thithet and there in most royall manner enteâ—tained whereof when the French King heard he began from that day forward to have King Henry in a kinde of jelousie as though to love him and the Emperour both were inconsistent and could not stand together On Wednesday the eleventh of Iuly the Emperor and his Aunt the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Savoy came with the King of England to the town of Callice and there continued with Feasting Dancing and Masking till the fourteenth of Iuly In which time all the Articles of the league tripartito betweene the Emperour and the Kings of England and France were reviewed to which the King of France had so fully condiscended that he had sent Monsieur de Roche to the Emperor with Letâ—ers of credence that in the word of a Prince he would inviolably observe and keepe them all all which notwithstanding he dispenced with his conscience afterward in breaking them all On Saturday Iuly 14. the Emperor tooke his leave and went to Graveling the King with his Queene returned into England It was now the twelfth yeer of King Henries reigne when being returned from Callice he kept his Christmas at Greenwich with great magnificence on twelfth day he and the Earl of Devonshire maintained a solemn Justs against al commers The Cardinal had long born a grudg against the Duke of Buckingham for speaking certain words in his disgrace and now hath made his way for reveng for the Earl of Surrey Lord Admirall who had maried the Dukes daughter the Cardinall had caused to be sent Deputy into Ireland and the Earle of Northumberland the Dukes speciall friend he had caused upon certain suggested crimes to be Imprisoned so as the Duke having his friends sequestred from him he lay now open to accusations and accusations shall not long be wanting for the Duke having some time before put from him in displeasure one Charles Knevet that had been his Surveyar and inward with him him the Cardinall gets to him to see what he could get out of him against the Duke And whether it was out of desire of revenge or out of hope of reward or that the matter was so indeed this Knevet confessed to the Cardinall that the Duke had once fully determined to make away the King being brought into a hope to be King himselfe by a vaine Prophesie which one Nicholas Hopkins a Monke of an house of the Chartnar Order besides Bristow called Henton somtimes his Confessor had opened to him and as for the Cardinall that he had often heard the Duke sweare he would punish him soundly for his manifold misdoings And now had the Cardinall matter enough for Accusation which he so aggravated to the King that the King bid him do with him according to Law Hereupon the Duke is apprehended and brought to the Tower by Sir Henry Marney Captain of the Guard the fifteenth of April and shortly after in Guild-hal before Sir Iohn Brugge then Lord Major was indited of divers points of High-treason the substance whereof was that in the second yeer of the Kings reign and at divers times before and after he had imagined and compassed the Kings death at London and at Thornbery in Glocestershiâ—e and that in the sixth yeer of the Kings reign he went in person to the Priory of Henton and there had conference with the foresaid Nicholas Hopkins who told him he should be King and that he had often said to the Lord Aburgayne who had maried his daughter that if King Henry died without issue he would look to have the Crown himself Vpon these points hee was arraigned in Westminster-hall before the Duke of Norfolk sitting then as high Steward of Englaâ—d the Duke of Suffolk the Marquesse Dorset the Earls of VVorcester Devonshire Essex Shrewsbury Kent Oxford and Darby the Lords of Saint Iohns de la ware Fitz-water Willoughby Brook Cobhaâ— Herbert Morley The Duke pleaded for himself til he swet again but al booted â—ot for by these Peeres he was found guilty and condemned and so on Friday the seventeenth of May was led by Iohn Keyme and Iohn Skevington Sheriffes of London to the scaffold on Tower-hill and there beheaded The Augustine Friers took his body and head and buried them This Edward Bohun Duke of Buckingham was the last high Constable of England the greatest place next the high Steward in the kingdome whose Power extended to restrain some actions of the King He was also Earl of Hereford Stafford and Northampton he maried Elianor the daughter of Henry Earle of Northumberland and had issue Henry Lord Stafford Father to Henry Lord Stafford laâ—e living and three daughters Elizabeth maried to Thomas Hâ—ward Earl of Surrey Katherine maried to Ralph Nevil Earl of Wesâ—merland and Mary maried to George Nevill Lord of Abuâ—gaâ—enie In this meane while a new Warre was begun between the Emperour and
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 〈◊〉 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 Fleâ—â—â—gs for Inhauâ—â—ing his Coyne in Flanders which caused much money to be conâ—ayed 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 â—ell 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 â—one 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 â—ame â—â—stant should put into the Emperours hands the Dolphyn of France â—nd with him either the Duke of Orleance his second sonne or else twelve priâ—cipall Lords of France whom the Emperour should name and that there should be between them a League and perpetâ—all coâ—federation 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 â—ad with her in Dower eleven hundred thousand Duckeâ—sâ— 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 perniâ—ious president and that which made the King a way afterward to make a generall suppression of all religioâ—s 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 Duâ—chy of Lancâ—ster 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 Rochâ—ord 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 â—usts 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 daâ—ced 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 seâ—t 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 â—arried 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 Oâ—thes 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 Angâ—lo and there cooped him up abused the Cardinals and put them to grievous ransomes spared neither Sacred places nor Religious persons but commitâ—ed all manner of barbarous and inhumaine cruelty These insolencies of the Emperours Army committed against the Pope â—ogether 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 Heâ—ry to fall off from amity with the Emperour and his falling off from the Empeâ—our cause sufficient â—o 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 â—uyen 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
into the Court which her Gentleman-usher Master Griffith hearing told her Madam you are called wel said she it makes no matter I will not tarry go your way and thus she departed and never after would appear in any Court but appealed from the Cardinals to the Pope himselfe The Queen being gone the King said I confesse she hath bin to me the most dutifull and loving wife that ever Prince had and if it were â—ot for this scruple of my conscience I would not leave her for any woman living and having now referred the judgement of the cause to these Commissioners I should be most glad they could finde the marriage between us to be in such sort lawfull that with obedience to the Law of God we might continue together for I take God to witnesse there is nothing I more desire This said the King rose and the Court was adjourned to another day for notwithstanding the Queens Appeal from which she would by no meanes be drawn the Cardinals continued their Session weekly heard all of both sides the Point that was chiefly stood on was whether Prince Arthur had ever had carnall knowledg of her or no the Kings Councell alleadged he had and proved it first by Prince Arthurs speech the nexâ— morning after his mariage that â—e had bin that night in the midst of Spain and then by the words of the last Dispensation Vel forsan Cognitam the Queens Advocates alleadged the contrary appealing to the Kings owne conscience whom the Queene charged that he knew her to be a Virgin when he married her though to say the truth iâ— were strange Prince Arthur and she having lyen five moneth together and hee no lesse then almost sixteene yeeres old But whilest Arguments were thus urged on both sides and no certainty could appeare the King sent the two Cardinals to the Queene lying then in Bridewell to perswade her she should submit her selfe to the Kings pleasure and not stand so peremptorily to her Appeale The Cardinals coming to her found her at work amongst her Maids with a skaine of white thred about her necke who having heard their message answered That in all other things she would willingly submit her selfe to the Kings will but in this which concerned her honesty and the legitimatenesse of her children she durst not but would relye upon the wisdom and pietie of both their Fathers who she knew would never have assented to the marriage if there had bin the least scruple of unlawfulnesse in it and otheâ— answer she would not give Upon their returne to the King when he perceived she could not be removed from her opinion he commanded the Court to goe on so that at last it came to judgement which every man expected should be the next day At which day the King came thither but in so secret manner that he might heare and not be seene where the Kings Councell at the Barre calling for Judgement Cardinall Campeius as being chiefe Commissioner stood up and said I finde the case very doubtfull and the party Defendant standing to her Appeale I will therefore give no Judgement till I have conferred with the Pope and therefore I adjourâ—e the Court for this time according to the order of the Court of Rome which heares no Causes judicially from the last of Iuly till the fourth of October at which protraction of time King Henry was not a little angry and the Duke of Suffolk being present in a great rage said it was never merry in England since we had Cardinals amongst us Soon after this the Cardinall tooke his leave of the King and returned to Rome he was indeed commanded so to doe by the Pope who would else most willingly have gratified King Henâ—y that had bestowed upon him the Bishoprick of Salisbury Whilst these things were in acting Cardinall Woolsey had an inkling of the Kings affection to Anne Bullen daughter of the Viscount Rochford and that the Divorce once passed he ment to marry her which Match because for many reasons he misliked one perhaps because she was a Lutheran he sent privily to the Pope that by no means he should give sentence for the Divorce till he had framed the Kings minde another way for his desire was that the King should marry the Dutchesse of Alanson the French Kings sister This packing of Woolsey was not so closely carried but that it soone came to the Kings knowledge and the King finding him a rubbe in his way whom he expected to have expedited his proceeding began to thinke it necessary to remove him and to take him off from that greatnesse which had made him so presuming and indeed he made short worke with him for soone after he sent the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke to him for the Seale which yet he would not deliver to them till they brought him a Warrant under the Kings owne hand When the Seale was brought to the King he delivered it to Sir Thomas Moore Speaker then of the Parliament the first Lay-man that bore that Office in any memory and in his roome was chosen Speaker Thomas Audley Attourney of the Dutchie Woolsey now removed from his Chauncellourship was in the Parliament then holden charged with points of treason but that charge was so cleerely taken off by his servant Thomas Cromwell who was then of the House that the Cardinall was acquitted to the great commendation of Cromwell both for abilities in himselfe and faithfulnesse to his Master After this the King being informed that all those things which the Cardinall had done by his power Legantine were within the case of Praemenire he caused his Attourney Christopher Hales to sue out a Praemunire against him and thereupon the two Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke were sent unto him to let him know the Kings pleasure was he should goe to Asher a House neere to Hampton-Court belonging to his Bishopricke of Winchester and there to reside whereupon the Cardinall having first delivered up all his Moveables to the Kings use the greatest store and richest that was ever knowne of any Subject went presently to Putney by water and from thence rode to Asher where he and his Family continued three or â—oure weekes without either Bed Sheetes Table-loathes or Dishes to eat their meat in or money wherewith to buy any but what he was forced to borrow of the Bishop of Carlile After this his matter for the Praemunire being called upon in the Kings Bench his two Atturnies confessed the Action and thereupon had Judgement to forfeit all his Lands and Goods and to be out of the Kings protection but the King of his clemency sent him a sufficient Protection and left him the Bishopricks of Yorke and Winchester with Plate and stuffe convenient for his dignity His Bishopricke of Duresme was given to Doctor Tunstall Bishop of London his Abbey of Saint Albans to the Prior of Norwich and the Bishopricke of London to Doctor Stokestey Embassadour then beyond the Seas In this meane while
Margaret Dutchesse of Savoy aunt to the Emperour and the Lady Loyis Dutchesse of Angoulesme Mother to the French King met at Cambray to treat of a Peace between the Emperor the Pope and the Kings of England and France where were present Doctor Tunstall Bishop of London and Sir Thomas Moore then Chancelour of the Dutchie of Lancaster Commissioners for the King of England after long debating through the diligence of the said Ladies a Peace was concluded and was thereof called The Womans Peace and was indeed as fickle as women for it was soone broken and neither of the Princes trusted the other ere the more for it King Henry before this time had beene wholly ruled by the Cardinall and by the Clergie but now growing sensible of that errour he called his high Courâ— of Parliament in which the Commons complained sharply of their grievances against the Clergie specially in six things The first for that they exacted unreasonable summes of money as due fees for the probate of mens last Wils and Testaments in so much that Sir Henry Guildford Knight of the Garter and Comptroller of the Kings House declared openly that he and others being Executers to Sir William Compton payed for the proâ—ate of his Will to the Cardinall and the Archbishop of Canterbury a thousand markes The second the extreame exaction which spirituall men used in taking of corps or mortuaries The third that spirituall men became Farmours of great Granges and Farmes to the prejudice of Husbandmen and Graziers The fourth because many Abbots Pryors and other spirituall men kept Tan-houses and bought and sold wooll cloath and other wares as temporall Merchants The fifth because such Clergy men as had the best livings would take the uttermost of their right and yet live in the Court or in Noble mens or Bishops houses where they spent nothing The sixth because diverse ignorant men amongst them held ten or twelve Benifices to themselves severally and yet lived not upon any one of them but kept great schollers at small pension These things before this time might not be touched because the Bishops were Chancelours and had all the rule about the King but now the King looking better into â—he matter gave way to these complaints whereupon the Burgesses drew up three Bils one of the probate of Testaments another for Mortuaries and the third for Non-residence pluralities and taking of farmes by spirituall men The bill of Mortuaries passed first the House of Commons and was sent up to the Lords within two dayes after was sent up the Bill of probate of Testaments at which the Archbishop of Canterbury and aâ—l the Bishops much frowned but specially Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester who rose up and said my Lords you see what Bills come dayly from the Common House and all is to the destruction of the Church for Gods sake consider what a realme Bohemia was and when the Church went downe then fell the glory of that Kingdome Now with our Commons is nothing but downe with the Church and all this mee seemeth is for lacke of faith onely When these words were reported to the House of Commons they tooke the matter very hainously and thereupon sent their spâ—aker Thomas Audeley with thirty of the House to the King complayning what a dishonour to the King and to the whole Realme it was to say that they which were elected for the wisest men of all Shires should be charged to lack faith which was all one as to say they were Infidels and no Chrystians so as what Acts or Laws soever they made should be taken as Laws made by Paynims and Heathen and not worthy to be kept by Christian men And therfore humbly besought his Majesty to call the said Bishop of Rochester before him to give accompt of the words he had spoken Wherupon within few daies after the King sent for the Bishop and acquainted him with the Commons complaint against him who excused himselfe by saying he meant the doings of the Bohemians was for lack of faith and not the doings of the House of Commons of which excuse the King sent word to the House by Sir William Fitz-Williams Treasurer of his houshold but it pleased the Commons nothing at all After divers meetings between the Lords and the Commons about the Bils of probate of Testaments and Mortuaries the temporalty laid to the spiritualty their owne lawes and constitutions and the spiritualty defended them by prescription and usage to whom a Gentleman of Grays-Inne made this answer the usage hath ever been of theeves to robbe on shooters hill is it therefore lawfull whilst these Bils were in debate an Act was passed which released to the King all such summes of money as he had borrowed at the Loane in the fifteenth yeere of his Reigne which Bill at first was much opposed but the most part of the House being the Kings servants it was at last assented to which once knowne in the Country abroad made much murmering and the Parliament to be ill spoken of for every man counted it as a sure debt so as some made their Wils of the money and some turned it over in satisfaction to their creditours To qualifie which grievance the King granted a generall pardon for all offences certaine excepted and was a meanes also to have the three Bils passed one for probate of Testaments another for Mortuaries and the third against plurality of Benefices Non-residence buying and taking of farmes by spiritual persons though this last with some qualifying During this Parliament the King created Viscount Rochford Earl of VViltshire the Vicount Fitz-VVater Earle of Sussex and the Lord Hastings Earl of Huntington By this time the Lords of the upper House had drawne certaine Articles against the Cardinall and sent them downe to the House of Commons the chiefe wherof were these First that without the Kings assent he hath procured himselfe to be made a Legat by reason whereof he tooke away the right of all Bishops and spirituall persons Secondly that in all his writings which he wrote to Rome or to any foraign Prince he wrote Ego et Rex meus I and my King so preferring himselfe before the King Thirdly that without the Kings assent hee carried the great Seale of England with him into Flanders Fourthly that having the French-pox he presumed to come and breath upon the King Fifthly that he caused the Cardinals-hat to be put upon the Kings Coyne Sixthly that he would not suffer the Kings Clerke of the Market to sit at Saint Albanes Seventhly that he had sent infinite store of treasure to Rome for purchasing of his dignity These Articles were read in the House and if not otherwise proved yet confessed afterward under the Cardinals owne hand which added to the former Praemunire all his Lands and goods were seized on to the Kings use This Parliament being ended the King removed to Greenwich and there kept his Christmas with his Queene Katherine in great state for though this
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 thoâ—e 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 Dâ—ctor Lee and others to â—isit 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 â—â—mber 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 thoâ—sand 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 â—ifteenth 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 Norâ—olke 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 beheâ—deâ— on the Tower-hill Queen Anne her selfe on the nineteenth of May on a Scaâ—fold 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 Norâ—olke 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 â—arnest 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 Whiâ—â—onâ—ide 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
but neither yet was there an end of Commotions for in the latter end of this eight and twentieth yeer the Lord Darcy the Lord Hussey Sir Robert Constable Sir Iohn Bulmer and his wife Sir Thomas Percy brother to the Earl of Northumberland Sir Stephen Hamilton Nicholas Tempest Esquire and others began to conspire although each of them before had been pardoned by the King but this as being but the fagge end of Commotion was soon suppressed the Lord Darcy was beheaded on the Tower-hill the Lord Hussey at Lincolâ—e Sir Robert Câ—nstable was hanged in cheins at Hull Sir Iohn Balmers Paramout was burnt in Smithfield and most of the other were executed at Tyburne Tantae molis erat so great a matter it wasâ— to make the Realme be quiet in so great innovations of Religion This yeer on Saint Georges-feast the Lord Cromwell was made Knight of the Garter and on the twelfth of October which is Saint Edwards-eveâ— at Haâ—ton-Court the Queen was delivered of a sonne but with so hard a labour that she was faine to be ript the child was named Edward whose Godfathers at the Christning were the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Norfolke his Godmother was his sister the Lady Mary at his Bishoping his Godfather was the Duke of Suffolk on the eighteenth of October he was made Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester but the birth of his sonne brought not so much joy to the King as the death of his Queene brought him sorrow for within two dayes after she died and was buried at Winsor and â—o much was the Kings grief for her death that he continued a widdawer two yeeres after It is not unworthy the relating what a miserable dissolation befell the family of the Geraldynes or Fitz-Garrets Earle of Kildare in Ireland about this time for Gerald Fitz-Garret who had been ten yeers Deputy in Ireland upon complaint of some fault was sent for over into England where not making a satisfying answer he was committed to the Tower but before his commiâ—g over had with the Kings leave left Deputy there his own sonne a Young-man of not above twenty yeers of age but yet ripe of understanding and fit for the plaâ—e this young Lord hearing that his father was committed prisoner to the Tower and soon after as the rumour encreased that he was put to death in rage to be revenged rose up in Armes and having five Unckles in the Couâ—try men of great estimatioâ— drew them though some of them unwillingly to take his part amongst other outrages he committed the Archbishop of Dublin was slaine in his presenceâ— the Father in the Tower hearing hereof with very griefe died the Sonne and his Uncles upon the Kings sending aâ— Army were all either taken or submitted and being sent for over into England those of his Unckles that against their wils had been drawn into the Action had good hope of their lives till entring the ship of passage which was called the Cow they then presently dispaired because of a Prophesie that five sonnes of a certaine Earl should be carried into England in the belly of a Cowe and never after return and indeed it fell out true for through the malice of their adversaries exasperating the King against them and saying there would never be quietnes in Ireland as long as any of the Geraldines were left alive they were all put to death one onely sonne of the family remained a youth of thirteene yeers of age who though at that time sick of the smal-pox yet made shift to save himselfe by flight fled first into France and frighted from thence afterwards into Flanders and driven from thence at last into Italy where prâ—oected by Reginâ—ld Poole ar that time made Cardinall by Pope Iulie the third he was afterward by this meaneâ— restored to his dignity and his patrimony This yeere Edward Seymour Viscount Beauchamp the Queens brother was created Earl of Hartford and Sir VVilliam Fitz-VVilliams Lord Admirall was created Earl of Southamton Master Paulet was made Vice Treasurer Sir Iohn Russell was made Controller of the Kings House and diverse Gentlemen were made Knights In February diverse Roodes were taken downe by the Kings commandement as the Roode of Boxeley called the Rood of grace which was made with vices to move the eyes and lips also the Rood called Saint Saviour at Bermondsey Abbey in Southwarke aâ—d diverse others in May a Frier Observant called Frier Forrest who had taken the oath of Supremacy himselfe yet privately perswaded others that the King was not supreme head of the Church was thereupon examined and for his defence said that he took the oath with his outward man but his inward man never consented to it but this answer served not his turn from being condemned and on a paire of Gallowes prepared for him in Smithâ—â—eld he was hanged by the middle and arme-holes all quick and under the Gallowes was made a fire wherewith he was consumed a little before his executioâ— a huge great Image was brought to the Gallowes fetched out of Wales which the Welch-men had in great reverence called Darvell Gatheren of which there went a Prophesie that thiâ— Image should set a whole Forrest on fire which was thought to take effect in â—erring this Frier Forrest on fire and consuming him to nothing In September by the speciall motion of the Lord Cromwell all the notable Images unto which were made any speciall Pilgrimages and offerings were taken downe and burnt as the Images of Walsingham Ipswicâ— VVorcester the Lady of VVilsdon with many other and forthwith by meanes of the said Cromwell all the orders of Friers and Nunnes with theirs Cloysters and Houses were suppressed and put downe also the shrines of counterfeit Saints amongst others the shrine of Thomas Becket in the Priory of Christ-church was taken to the Kings use and his bones scull and all which was there found with a peece â—roken out by the wound of his death were all burnt in the same Church by command of the Lord Cromwell and the one and twentieth of October the Church of Thomas Becket in London called the Hospitall of Saint Thomas of Acres was suppressed the sixteenth of November the Black-friers in London was suppressed the next day the VVhite-friers the Gray-friers and the Monkes of the Charter-house and so all the other immediately after 〈◊〉 three Abbots resisted the Abbot of Colechester the Abboâ— of Reding and the Abbot of Glastenbury who therefore were all taken and executed The foure and twentieth of November the Bishop of Rochester Preached at Pauls-crosse and there shewed the blood of Hales affirming it to be no blood but honey clarified and coloured with saâ—â—ron as it had been evidently proved before the King and Councell The number of Monasteries suppressed were six hundred forty five besides fourescore and ten Colledges one hundred and ten Hospitals and of Chantries and free Chappels two thousand three hundred seventy foure But now to make amends
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 indiâ—ed 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 Neâ—ill 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 coâ—tent 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 tâ—e Bishops had urged their arguments and could not prevaile then the King tooke him in hand hoping perhaps to have the honour of conâ—erting 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 obstinâ—te 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 endeaâ—oured aâ—â—arnâ—stly to provide â—or defence aâ—d to that end rode himselfe to the Sâ—a-coast◠〈◊〉 them fortifiâ—â— and in needfull places Bulwarkes to be erected Hee câ—used hiâ— Naâ—â—eâ—â— be rigged and to be in readinesse at any short warning he câ—â—sed Musters â—â— be raken in all sheeâ—es and lists of all able men in eâ—ery Countâ— in Lâ—â—â—don specially where Sir William Forman the â—hen Mâ—jor â—â—â—â—ified the number of fifteene thousand not that they were 〈…〉 but that so many were ready prepared and these on the eight of May the King himselfe saw Mustered in Iames Parke where the Citizeâ—s â—â—â—ove 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 comendâ—â—ion It was now the one and thirtieth yeere of King Henriâ—s 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 suiâ—our 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 â—he Pope both of one minâ—e Many about the King were forward for thiâ— Maâ—ch but the Lord Croâ—well specially and indeed it concerned him more then any other that the King should take a Protestant wife seeing 〈◊〉 actions hâ—d 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 â—ot like them long Hereupon such meanes was used that Embâ—ssaâ—ours came from the Duke of Cleve to conclude the March and theâ— the elevâ—nth of December the Lady her selfe in grâ—at 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 Staâ—e the greatest that ever had beene seene On Twelfth day the Marriage was â—olemnized the Archbishop of Canterbury did the office the Earle of Oversteine a German Lord gaâ—e 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 broâ—her to the Lord Montacute Sir Adrian Foskew Thomas Dingley Knight of Saint Iohns and divers others were attainâ—ed 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 Sâ—aple and for so much as the said Cook during all the Parliament served the Speâ—ker in tâ—at 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 ceâ—se 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 maâ—kes 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 â—â—gliâ—h against the Scots partly for receiving and maintaining diverse English Rebâ—ls 〈◊〉 into Scotland and partly for invading â—he Engliâ—h Borders but still wâ—en the King of Englanâ— was preparing to oppose them the Scottish King would send Embassadours to treâ—t of reconcilement till at last â—fter mâ—nâ— delusory prankes of the Scots the King of England no longer â—nduriâ—g such abuses sent the Duke of Norfolke his Leivtenaâ—â— Generall accompanied with the Earls of Shrewsbury Darby Cumberland Surrey Hartâ—oâ—d Aâ—â—us 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 Ocâ—ober entred Scotland where staying but eigâ—t dayeâ— onely he burnt above eighteen Towneâ— Abbeys and Castles and then without â—aving batâ—aile offered for want of victuals returned to Barwick â—â— soon as â—e was returned comes abroâ—d the King of Scots raiseth a power of fifteen thousâ—nd 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 Daâ—â—es with Iack of Musgrave setting upon them with onely an hundred Lightâ—horse and Sir Thomas Wharton with three hundred put them to flight upon a conceiâ— thâ—â— the Duke of Norfolke with all his Army had beene come iâ—to those partâ— where were taken prisonerâ— of the Scots the Earl of Cassill and Glencâ—â—ne the Lord Maxwell Admirâ—ll of Scotland the Lord Flemming the Lord Soâ—erwell the Lord Oliâ—haâ—t the Lord Gray Sir Oliver Sincleeâ—e 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 mâ—n and some women also had three or foure prisonerâ— in their hands at which overâ—hrow 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 Counsâ—ile conceived that â—hiâ— daughter would be a fit match for his sonne Prince Edward thereby to make â— perpetuall union of the two Kingdomes and to â—his purpose they conferâ—ed 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 â—hereupon sâ—t at liberty and suffered â—o return home Comming into Scotland 〈◊〉 acquainting the Earl of Arraine wiâ—h the motion who was chosen Goverâ—our of the young Queen and of the Realme tâ—e matter with great liking was entertained and in Parliament of the three estâ—tes in Scotland the marriage was confirmeâ— and â— peace between the two Reâ—lms for ten yeerâ— waâ— proclaimed and Embassâ—dours sent into England for sealing the conditions But Beton Archbishop of Sâ—int 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 Fleeâ—e 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 huâ—dred sâ—ile 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 maâ—ched 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 â—orse besides foot lay in the way to impeach their passage but they were so assailed by the Harquâ—butars 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 â—o faâ—our and therefore unlesse they would deliver the Towne absolutely without any condition he would proâ—eed 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 tâ—at 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
Holecraft Sir Edward Dorrell Sir Francis Hothome and otherâ— to the number of at least threescore in Lieth Haven they seized upon all the Scottish Ships whereof two were of notable fairnesse the one called the Salamander given by the French King at the mariage of his daughter into Scotland the other called the Unicorne made by the late Scottish King the ballast of which two ships was Cannon-shot whereof they found in the Towne to the number of fourscore thousand On the fifteeâ—th of May their Army and their Fleeâ— departed from Lieth both in one houre having first set the Towne on fire and burned it to the ground from Lieth the English Army marched to Seaton from thence to Haddington from thence to Dunbar from thence to Ranton all which Towns and Castles with diverse others they burnt and utterly defaced and on the eighteenth of May came to Barwick not having lost in all the journey above fourteen menâ— In the meane time in King Henries five and thirtieth yeer on Trinity sunday a new league was entred into and sworne between the King and the Emperour at Hampton-court to be both offensive and defensive In this yeer Proclamation was made whereby the people were licensed to eate white meats in Leâ—t but streightly forbidden the eating of flesh whereupon shortly after the Earle of Surrey with diverse other Lords and Knights were imprisoned for eating of flesh contrary to the proclamation The third of Iune this yeer there came ouâ— of Ireland three Lordâ— of whom Obrine was here created Earle of Thonmoâ—d which hoâ—our his posterity injoyeth to this day Mack William a Bary was created Eaâ—le of Clanrinckford and Mack Gilparick was made Barron of Ebranky King Henry had already had five wives all of them Maides and no good luck with any of them he will now therefore try his fortune with a Widdow aâ—d therupon the twelveth of Iune in the five and thirtieth yeere of his Reigne hee took to wife the Lady Katherine Par widdow of the Lord Latimer late deceased who was then proclaimed Queen but how lucky would this maâ—ch have proved if the King had longer lived God knowes seeing in the short time of three yeers they lived together it was no smal danger she escaped which though it hapenned not till a yeer or â—wo after this time yet will not unfitly be spoken of in this place that so her story may come together this Queen as being an â—arnest Protestant had many great adversaries by whom she was accused to the King to have Hereticall books found in her closet and this was so agravated against her that they prevailed with the King to signe a warrant to commit her to the Tower with a purpose to have her burnt for Heresie this warrant was delivered to Wriothsley Lord Chancelour and he by chance or rather indeed by Gods providence letting it fal from him it was taken up and caried to the Queen who having read it went soone after to visit the King at that time keeping his chamber by reason of a sore leg being come to the King he presently fel into talk with her â—bout some points of Religion demanding her resolution therin but she knowing that his nature was not to be crost specially considering the case she was in made him answer that she was a woman accompanied with many imperfections but his Majesty was wise and judicious of whom she must learne as of her Lord and Head not so by Saint Mary said the King for you are a Doctor Kate to instruct us and not to be instructed by us as often we have seen heretofore indeed Sir said she if your Majesty have so conceived I have been mistaken for if heretofore I have held talke with you touching Religion it hath bin to learn of your Majesty some point whereof I stood in doubt and sometimes that with my talke I might make you forget your present infirmity aâ—d is it even so Sweet heart quoth the King why then we are friends and so kissing her gave her leave to depart But soon after the day was appointed by the Kings warrant for apprehending her on which day the King being disposed to walk iâ— the Garden had the Queen with him when suddenly the Lord Chancelour with forty of the Guardâ— câ—me into the Garden with a purpose to apprehend her when as soon as the King saw he stept to him and calling him knave and foole bid him avaunt out of his presence the Queen seeing the King so angry with him began to intreat for him to whom the King said ah poore soule thou little knowest what it is he came about of my word sweet heart he hath bin to thee a very knave and thus by Godâ— providenâ—â— was this Queen preserved who else had tasted of as bitter a câ—p as any of his former wives had done About this time King Henry and the Emperour sent Garter and Toyson dâ—or kings at Armes to demand performance of certain Articles of the French King which if he denied they were then comanded to defie him but the French King would not suffer them to come within his land and so they returned wherupon King Henry caused the sâ—id demandâ— to be declared to the French Embassadour at Westminster aud in Iuly sent over six thousand men under the leading of Sir Iohn Walloppe accompanied with divers Knights Gentlemen Sir Thomas Seymour was Marshal of the Army Sir Robert Bowes Treasuror Sir Richard Cronwal Captain of the horse and Sir George Carew his Lieutenant There were likewise Sir Thomas Palmer Sir Iohn Rainsford Sir Iohn St. Iohn and Sir Iohn Gascoigne Knights that were Captains of the foot Their Comission was to joyn with the Emperor and together to mâ—ke war upon France The third of August open waâ— was proclaimed in London between the Emperor the King of England on the one part and the Fâ—eâ—ch King on the other as mortal enemy to them both and to all other christian Princes besides as he that had confederated himselfe with the Turk Sir Iohn Wallop marching forth of Callice with his Army joyned with â—â—e Emperors Forces who together went and besieged Landersey a Town lately fortified by the French lying within the borders of the Emperors dominions to raise this siege the French King had raised a mighty army with which he came on as if he ment to give the Emperor battaile and thereupon the Emperor raising his siedge with a purpose to encounter him the French King tooke the opportunity to put men and victuals into the town which was the thing he intended and having done this the night following departed with his army and then the Emperour seeing him gone and finding the winter coming on and no hope of sudden geâ—ting the Town being now newly supplied he also broke up his Army and returned home This yeer the sunday before Christmas the Lord William Parre brother to the Queen who had maried the daughter and heire of Henry Bourchier Earle of Essex was
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 VVestminsâ—er 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 aâ—d 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 â—loore 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 Jâ—dged 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 ofâ—entimes 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 langâ—ishing 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 sinâ—es 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 â—or 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 fiâ—ished 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 â—amous 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 â—he Chronocles of Froysard out of French into English Henry Standish Bishop of Saint Assaph who wâ—ote 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 Sâ—vish 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 Thomâ—s 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 serâ—ing in the Garrison of Callice wrote a Chronicle of his time and died in the â—eer 1541. Sir Thomas VViat Knight who wrote divers matters in English-meeter and translâ—ted 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 homiâ—is 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
in the time of King Edward had refused to signe a writing for disinheriting the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth a fact worthy at least of a kinde remembrance from the Lady Mary now Queene yet now for that at a quarter Sessions in Kent he gave charge upon the statutes of King Henry the eight and King Edward the sixth in derogation of the Primacy of the Church of Rome he was first committed to the Kings Bench then to the Counter and lastly to the Fleet where he grew so troubled in minde that he attempted with a Pen-knife to kill himselfe and being afterward recovered of that hurt and brought to the Queenes presence who gave him very comfortable words yet could never come to be quiet in his minde but in the end drowned himselfe in a River not halfe a mile from his house the River being so shallow that he was faine to lye groveling before he could dispatch himâ—elfe of life And now another sprinkling of mercy came from the Queene for the Marquesse of Northampton and Sir Henry Gates lately before condemned to dye were now pardoned and set at liberty The Lady Iane also was allowed the liberty of the Tower not without hope of life and liberty altogether if her father the Duke of Suffolke had not the second time been cause of her destruction About this time also a Synod was assembled for consulting about matters of Religion and the point specially of the reall presence in the Sacrament The Prolocutour was Doctor VVeston and of the Protestant side were Iohn Almer and Richard Cheyney both Bishops afterward in Queene Elizabeths time also Iohn Philpoâ— afterward burnt Iames Haddon and others After long disputation where reasons were not so much weighed as voyces numbred the Papall side as having most voyces carried it and thereupon was that Religion againe restored and the Masse commanded in all Churches to be celebrated after the ancient manner It was now the yeer 1553. when Queene Mary was come to the age of seven and thirty yeers and therefore high time now to thinke of marriage at least if she meant to have issue of her body but a hard maâ—ter it was to finde a husband in all points â—itting for her yet three at this time in common fame at least were taken into consideration one was the Lord Courtney Mâ—rquesse of Exceter a goodly Gentleman and of Royall blood but there was exception against him because inclining as was thought to Lutheranisme another was Cardinal â—oole of a dignity not much inferiour to Kings and by his Mother descended from Kings but there was exception against him also because foure and fifty yeers old as old a Batchelour as Queen Mary was a maid and so the lesse hope of issue betweene them but the third if he might be had was without exception and this was Phillip Prince of Spaine the Emperour Charles his eldest sonne with whom being a Spaniard she was the fitter matched as being by the Mother a Spaniard her selfe And now very oppertunely came in the beginning of Ian. Embassadors into England about it amongst others the Couâ—â— of Egmond Admirall of the Lâ—w Countryes and Iohn of Memorancy Lord of Curryers whose message was so kindely entertained that the marriage in short time was absolutely concluded though it seemed something strange to many that she should now be wife to the sonne who thirty yeers before should have been wife to the father But so it is Queenes are never old so long as they are within yeers of bearing children And indeede the match was concluded with conditions of farre more advantage to Queeâ—e Mary then they were to King Phillip as on the fourteenth of Ianuary Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancelour of England openly in the Presence Chamber at Westminster declared to all the Lords and Gentlemen there present for it was agreed that after the marâ—iage King Phillip should have the Title of all the Queenes Dominions and be assumed into fellowship of the government but yet with reservation to the Queene of all Priviledges and Customes of the Kingdome and free disposition of all Offices and Honours as likewise the Queene should be assumed into the fellowship of all the Kings Dominions and surviving him should have a Joynture of two hundred thousand Pounds a yeer Then for the issue betweene them if she had a Sonne that he should inherit the Low Countryes and Burgundy and King Phillips sonne Charles which he had by a former wife should inherit all his Dominions in Italie and Spaine but if his sonne Charles should fail without issue then the sonne he should have by Queene Mary should inherit his Kingdomes of Italie and Spaine also And the like good provision was also made for daughters But notwithstanding these great â—dvantageâ— of the maâ—ch yet such was the precipitant rashnesse of some that thinking themselves wiser then the Queene and the Councel they sought by all meanes to oppose the match giving out that it â—ended to bring England under the yoke of Spaine and to make the Countrey a slave to strangers This was the generall murmuring of people but the first that shewed himselfe in Armes was Sir Thomas Wyat of Kent who having communicated the matter with the Duke of Suffolke the Lady Ianes father with Peter Caroe a Knight of Devonshire and divers others intended onely to make secret provision but not to stirre till Prince Phillip should be come that so their cause of taking armes might have the better colour On the fifteenth of Ianuary Robert Dudley sonne to the Duke of Northumberland was arraigned at the Guildhall of high Treason who confessed the indictment and had judgement given by the Earle of Sussex to be drawen hanged bowelled and quartered But now in counsels communicated to many it is a hard matter to have counsell kept and Sir Peter Caroe finding that their plot was discovered fled privily into France where lurking for a time he was afterward taken at Bruxells and brought captive into England as likewise at the same time and place Sir Iohn Cheeke King Edwards Schoolmaster was taken who being drawne by terrours to embrace the Papall Religion with very griefe afterward of his errour pined away and dyed Sir Peter Caroe lived many yeers afâ—er and dyed in Ireland though it be falsely recorded they were both burnt for Religion in Iune of this yeer Wyatt hearing of Sir Peter Caroes flight and that all their purpose was discovered was driven before his time to enter into armes giving out for the cause that it was not to attempt any thing against the Queene but onely to remove ill Councellours and chiefly to repell Prince Phillip least by this mariage the Kingdome should come in subjection to the Spaniard With Wyatt were joyned Sir Henry Isley Sir George Harper Anthony and William Knevet and divers other Gentlemen of the County against him were the Lord Abuegaveny Sir Thomas Cheyney Lord Warden of the Ports Sir Sobert Southwell Sheriffe of Kent Sir
mercy and gave them their Pardon of which number were Master Rudston of Kent Sir Iames a Crofts the Lord Iohn Gray brother to the Duke of Sufâ—olke and some others About this time a little before and after were advancements in honour the Lord William Howard Lord Admirall of England was created Baron Hoâ—ard of Eâ—â—ingham Sir Iohn VVilliams was created Baron of Tames Sir Edward North was created Baâ—on of Chartleigh Sir Iohn Bridges was created Baron Chandowes of Sudeley Gerrard Fitz Garret was created Earl of Kildare and Bâ—ron of Ophelley and not long after Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Horse was created Viscount Mountagâ—â— It is scarce worth remembring that in the end of this firâ—â— yeer of â—he Queens reignâ— one Elizabeth Croâ—t a wench of eighteen yeeres old was by prâ—ctice put into a Wall and thereupon called the Spirit in the Wall who with a whistle made for the purpose whistled out many seditious words against the Queene the Prince of Spaine the Masse Confession and such other Points for which she did Penance standing upon a skaffold at Pauls Croâ—â—e all the Sermon time where she made open confession of her fault There had beene good store of Laymens blood shed already and now the times is comming to have Clergie mens shed and for a preparative to it on the tenth of Aprill Cranmâ—r Archbishop of Canterbury Nicholas Ridley laâ—e Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer late Bishop of Worcester are conveyed from the Tower to Oxford there to dispure with Oxford and Cambridge men in points of Religion but specially of the Eucharist the Oxford men were Cole Chaâ—scy Pye Harpsefield Smith and Doctor Weston Prolocurour the Cambridge men Young Seaton Watson Atkinson Fecknham and Sedgewicke the Disputation ended which we may well thinke as the matter was carried went against the prisoners on the twentieth of Aprill they were brought again on the Stage and then demanded whether they would persist in their opinion or else recant and affirming they would persist they were all three adjudged Hereticks and condemned to the fire but their execution we must not looke for till a yeere or two hence but in the meane time we have Iohn Rogers the first Martyr of these time burnt at London the fourth of February after whom the ninth of February Iohn Hooper late Bishop of VVorcester burnt at Glocester after him Robert Ferrar Bishop of Man burnt at Carmarden after him Iohn Bradford with many others and then the two famous men Ridley and Latimer no lesse famous for their constant deaths then their religious lives both burnt at Oxford the sixteenth of October This rising of VVyat had beene a Remora to the Queenes marriage and now to avoid all such obstacles hereafter the Queen in Aprill called a Parliament wherein were pâ—opounded two things one for confirmation of the Marriage the other for restoration of the Popes Primacie This latter was not assented to but with great difficulty for the six yeers reigne of King Edward had spred a plantation of the Protestâ—nt Religion in the hearts of many but the Proposition for the marriage was assented to readily but yet with the adding of some conditions which had noâ— beene thought of in the former Articles First that King Phillip should admit of no Stranger in any Office but onely Nativesâ— secondly that he should innovate nothing in the Lawes and Customes of the Kingdome Thirdly that he should not carry the Queen out of the Realme without her consent nor any of her children without consent of the Councell Fourthly that surviving the Queeâ— he should challenge no right in the Kingdome but suffâ—r it to descend to the next heire Fiftly that he should carry none of the Jewels of the Realme out of the Kingdome nor suffer any Ships or Ordnance to be removed out of the Realme and lastly that neither directly nor indirectly he should cause the Realme of England to be intangled with the warre betweene Spaine and France All things being thus agreed on the Earle of Bedford Lord Privie Seale the Lord Fitzwaters and divers other Lordâ— and Gentlemen are sent into Spaine to fetch over Prince Phillippe who arrived at Southampton the twentieth of Iuly in the yeere 1554. and the three and twentieth came to VVinchester where the Queene met him and the five and twentieth the marriage betweene them there was openly solemnized the desparity of yeeres as in Princes not much regarded though he were then but seven and twenty yeeres of age shee eight and thirty at which time the Emperours Embassadour being present openly declared that in consideration of that mariage the Emperour had given to Prince Phillippe his sonne the Kingdomes of Naples and Hierusalem and thereupon the solemnity of marriage being ended Garter King of Heraulds openly in the Church in the presence of the King the Queene and the Lords both of England and Spaine solemnly proclaimed the title and stile of these two Princes as followeth Phillip and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England France Naples Hierusalem and Ireland Defenders of the Faith Princes of Spaine and Scicily Archdukes of Austria Dukes of Millany Burgandy and Brabant Counts of Habspurge Flanders and Tyroll After this the King and Queene by easie journeys came to Winsor Castle where the King was instal'd Knight of the Garter and the Earle of Sussex with him The eleventh of August they removed to Richmond the seven and twentieth to Suffolk-place in Southwark and the next day to London where the stately shews that were made may well enough be conceived without relaring from hence after foure dayes they removed againe to Richmond where all the Lords had leave to depart into their Countries and indeede so many departed that there remained not an English Lord at the Court but the Bishop of Winchester from Richmond they removed to Hampton-court where the Hall door within the Court was continually kept shut so as no man might enter unlesse his errand were first known which might perhaps be the fashion of Spain but to Englishmen seemed very strange About this time Cardinall Poole sent for by the King and Queene came over into England and had come sooner but that the Emperour fearing he might prove a corrivall with his sonne Phillip had used meanes to stop his passage but now that his Sonnes marriage was past he was content to let him passe who though he came from Rome with the great authority of a Legat â— Latere yet he would not but come privately into London because his Attaindour was yet upon Record an Act therefore was presently passed to take it off and to restore him in blood for passing of which Act the King and Queene in person came to the Parliament house whither a few dayes after the Cardinall came himselfe which was then kept in the great Chamber of Whitehall because the Queen by reason of sicknesse was not well able to goe abroad and here the King and Queene sitting under the cloath of Estate
spare her Father the Duke of Suffolkes life till his second offence gave her just provocation The goodnesse of her nature might be seene in the badnesse of her fortune who tooke nothing so much to heart as unkindnesse of friends the revolt of Callice and the absence of King Phillip being the two chiefe causes that brought her to her end Of her Death and Buriall THE conceit of her being with childe had kept Physitians to looke into the state of her body so as her distemper at first neglected brought her by degrees into a Dropsie to which was added a burning Feavour brought upon her by a double griefe one for the long absence of King Phillip who had now beene away a yeer and a halfe the other and perhaps the greater for the losse of Callice as she forbore not to say to some about her that if they looked into her Heart being dead they should finde Callice there She began to fall sicke in September and dyed at her Mannour of Saint Iames the seventeenth of Novembâ—r in the â—eer 1558. when she had reigned five yeers four moneths and eleven dayes Lived three and forty yeers Her Body was interred in a Chappell in the Minster of Saint Peters Church at Westminster without any Monument or other Remembrance Men of note in her time OF Men of Valour in her time there were many as may be seen in the Story of her Reâ—gne but to name some for example there was William Herbert Earle of Pembrooke the chiefe assistant of King Phillip in the winning of Saint Quintins there was William Lord Gray of VVilton Captain of Guysnes who though he yeelded the Town yet more out of tendernesse to his Souldiers then out of feare of his Enemies which he would never else have yeelded up and to speake of one of a meaner ranke there was Sir Anthony Ager who in defence of the Town of Callice lost his life but not till he made the Enemie turne their backes and flye Oâ— learned men also there were many as Iohn Rogers borne in Lancashire who Translated the Bible into English with Notes Richard Moryson Knight borne in Oxfordshire who wrote divers Treatises Robert Record a Doctor of Physicke who wrote a Booke of Arithmaticke Câ—â—bert Tunstall of a worshipfull Family in Lancashire though base borne whoâ—e Ancestours came into England with the Conquerour as his Barbour and â—herefore hath three Combs his Armes Bishop first of London and after of Dâ—â—ham who wrote divers learned Workes Richard Sampson Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield who wrote certaine Treaâ—â—ses Lucâ—s Shepheaâ—d borne aâ— Colechester in Essex an English Poet Iane Dudley daughter â—o Henry Gray Duke of Suffolke wrote divers excellent Treatises VVilliam Thomas a VVâ—lshman who wâ—ote the History of Italie and other things Iames Brookes and Iohn Standish both of them writers in defence of the Popes Doctrine VVilliam Peryn a black Fryer who wrote in defence of the Masse and also divers Sermons Henry Lord Stafford sonne to Edward Duke of Buckingham who amongst other things which he wrote Translated a Booke out of Latine into English intituled Differentiaâ— which Booke as some thinke was first compiled by Edward Foxe Bishop of Hereford Iohn Hopkins who translated divers of Davids Psalmes into English Meeter which are to be found amongst those appointed to be sung in the Church THE RAIGNE OF Queen Elizabeth QUeen Mary dying on Thursday the seventeenth of November in the Yeer 1558 her sister the Lady Elizabeth of the age of five and twenty yeers the onely surviving childe of King Henry the eighth by undoubted Right succeeded Her in the Crown which happened in a time of Parliament Nicholas Heath Arch-bishop of York and Lord Chancellor sent to the Knights and Burgesses in the Lower House to repair immediately to the Lords of the Upper House to whom he signified That Queen Mary was that morning dead and therefore required their Assents to joyn with the Lords in proclayming Queen Elizabeth which accordingly was done by the sound of Trumpet first at Westminster and after in the City of London The Queen was then at Haâ—fieldâ— from whence on Wednesday the three and twentieth of November she removed to the Lord North's house in the Charter-house where she stayed till Monday the eight and twentieth of November and then rode in her Chariot thorow London to the Tower where she continued till the fifth of December and then removed by water to Somerset-House in the Strand from whence she went to her Pallace at Westminster and from thence on the twelfth of Ianuary to the Tower and on the fourteenth of Ianuary to Westminster to her Coronationâ— where it is incredible what Pageants and Shews were made in the City as she passed On Sunday the five and twentieth of Ianuary she was Crowned in the Abbey Church at Westminster by Doctor Oglethorp Bishop of Carlile with all Solemnities and Ceremonies in such case accustomed At this time to honour her Coronation she conferred more Honour then in all her life after William Parre degraded by Queen Mary she made Marquesse of Northampton Edward Seymor whose father had been Attaynted she made Earl of Hertford Thomas Howard second son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk she made Viscount Bindon Sir Henry Carie her Cousin German she made Baron of Hunsdon and Sir Oliver St. Iohn she made Baron of Bletsho And now the Queen though she were her self very wise yet would not trust and it was a great point of wisedome that she would not trust to her own wisedome and therefore she chose Counsellors to assist her In which number she took Nicholas Heath Arch-bishop of York William Pawlet Marquesse of Winchester L. High Treasurer Henry Fitz Alan Earl of Arundell Francis Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Edward Stanley Earl of Derby Wil. Herbert E. of Pembroke Edw. L. Clinton L. Admirall and William L. Howard of Effingham Sir Thomas Cheyney Sir William Peter Sir Richard Sackvyle and Nicholas Wootton Dean of Canterbury all which had been Counsellors to Queen Mary and were of her Religion But then to make a counter-poyse of Counsellors of her own Religion she joyned with them William Parre Marquesse of Northampton Francis Russell Earl of Bedford Sir Thomas Parry Sir Edward Rogers Sir Ambrose Cave Sir Francis Knolles and Sir William Cecill late Secretary to King Edw. the sixth and a little after Sir Nicholas Bacon whom she made Keeper of the Great Seal And having thus provided for her State at home she seeks correspondence with Princes abroad To the Emperour Ferdinand she sent in Embassage Sir Tho. Chaloner to the King of Spain in the Low-Countreyes the Lord Cobham to the Princes of Germany Sir Henry Killigrew Sir Aemygill Wâ—ad to the Duke of Holst and another Ambassadour to the King of Denmark There were also Ambassadours sent to the Pope to the State of Venice and to the French King with whom at this time there was a Treaty of Peace holden at Cambray between the Kingdoms of France England and
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 Scoâ—land 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'Aâ—male 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
be with childe by Edward Seymoure Earl of Hertford who being at that time in France was presently sent for and being examined before the Archbishp of Canterbury and affirming they were lawfully married but not being able within a limited time to produce witnesses of their marriage they were both committed to the Tower where she was brought to Bed and after by the Connivence or Corruption of their Keepers being suffered sometimes to come together Shee was with childe by him again which made the Queen more angry then before so as Sir Edward Warner Lieutenent of the Tower was put out of his place and the Earle was fined in the star-chamber five thousand pounds and kept in prison nine yeers after Though in pleading of his Case One Iohn Hâ—les argued They were lawfull man and wife by virtue of their owne bare Consent without any Ecclesicsticall Ceremonie The Lady a few yeers after falling through grief into a mortall Sicknesse humbly desired the Queens Pardon for having married without her knowledge and commending her children to her clemency dyed in the Tower At this time the King being under Age dissentions amongst the Peeres grew hot in Erance of which there were two Factions Both pretending the cause of Religion of the One the Duke Guise a Paipst was Head of the other the Prince of Conde a Protestant but while Delirant Reges Plectunter Achiui while these Princes are at variance the people suffer for it and chiefly as being under the weaker protection the Protestant Party where upon Queene Elizabeth having well learned the Lesson Tum tua res agitur partis cum proximus ardetâ— and fearing least the flaim of their dissention might kindle a fire within her owne Kingdome sent over Sir Henry Sidney Lord Presiden of Wales into France to endeavour by all possible means their reconcilement which when hee could not effect and perhaps it was never meant he should effect it but onely to see what invitations would be made to the Queen for her assistance she thereupon at the moan of the afflicted Protestants sent over an Army of six thousand Souldiers under the Conduct of the Earl of Warwick in assistance of the Prince of Conde and other Protestant Lords who delivered to him the Town of Newhaven to hold in the King of France his name untill such time as Calice were restored But the Prince of Conde marching to joyn with the English Forces was by the Duke of Guise interrupted and taken prisonerâ— which had been a great disappointment to the English but that the Duke of Colin joyned with him besieged Caen in Normandy and took it togeâ—her with Bayeux Faleise and Saint Lo. The French Hostages that were pledges for the payment of five hundred thousand Cowns if Calice were not restored were remaining still in England who perceiving there was like to be War with France prepared secretly to get away but being ready to take Shipping were discovered and brought back again In the mean while the Prince of Conde drawn on with a hope to marry the Queen of Scots and to have the chief Government in France during the Kings Minority concluded a Peace with the King and with the Guises so as now all French as well Protestants as Papists required to have Newhaven delivered up But the Earl of Warwick perceiving the â—icklenesse of the French Protestants First to make suâ—e to draw him into France and now upon so slight occasion to require him to be gone he shutteth all â—rench both Protestants and Papists oâ—t of the Town and layes hold of their Ships the French on the other side make ready to set upon the Town saying They fought not now for Religion but for their Countrey wherefore it was meet that both Protestants and Papists should joyn their Forces seeing they had already concluded a Peace betwixt themselves And hereupon the Duke of Memorancy sent a Trumpetter to the Earl of Warwick commanding him yeeld the Town who making answer by Sir Hugh Pawlet That he would never yeeld it without the Queens leave he thereupon besieged the Town and with great violence of Battery sought to get it by force Which Queen Elizabeth hearing she sent a Commission to the Earl of Warwick to yeeld it up if upon honourable Conditions which soon after was accordingly done after the English had held it eleven months and then the Earl without any dishonour for yeelding up a Town which the Pestilence made him no lesse unwilling then unable to hold he returned into England but that which was more dolefull then the losse of Newhaven he brought the Pestilence with him into England The recovery of this Town not onely made the French to triumph but hereupon the Chancellor of France pronounced openly That by this Warre the English had lost all their Right to Calice and were not to require it any more seeing it was one of the Conditions That neither of the Nations should make Warre upon the other which was the Point stood upon by the King of France and his mother when Queen Elizabeth sent Sir Thomas Smith to demand Calice to be restored At this time there were such crosse designes amongst the Princes of Christendome that a very good Polititian could hardly understand their Ayms The Duke of Guise being slain in the Civill Warre the Queen of Scots Dowry was not paid her in France and the Scots were put off from being the Kings Guard This exceedingly displeased the Queen of Scots but then to please her againâ— and for fear lest hereupon she should apply her self to the friendship of the English her Unkle the Cardinall of Lorrain solicites her afresh to marry Charls Duke of Austria offering her for her Dowry the County of Tyroll The Queen of Scots to make use of her Unkles fear and perhaps to bring Queen Elizabeth into an opinion of depending upon her acquaints her with this motion and therein requires her advice Queen Elizabeth not willing she should marry with any forraign Prince perswades her to take a husband out of England and particularly commended to her the Lord Robert Dudley whose wife a little before had with a fall broke her neck promising withall that if she would marry him she should then by Authority of Parliament be declared her successour in case she dyed without issue But when her Unkles and the Queen-Mother were informed of this motion they so much disdained the Marriage with Dudley that so she would refuse that Match and perseverein the friendship of the French they offered to pay her the Dowry money that was behinde and to restore the Scots to all their former liberties in France And as for the King of Spain he had indeed a Ligier Embassadour here in England but rather by way of complement and to watch advantages then for any sincere love which he began now to withdraw from the English as suspecting them to intend a Trade to the West Indies And now the French Protestants may see what they brought upon
the Commissioners made unto her certain Propositions of Agreement First That the Treaty of Edinborough should be confirmed then That she should renounce her Right and Title to England during Queen Elizabeths life or any children of her body lawfully begotten then That she should send her sonne for a Hostage into England with other six Hostages such as the Queen should nominate then That the Castles of Humes and Fast-castle should be held by the English for three yeers with some other To which Propositions the Queen of Scots for the present gave a provident answer but referred the fuller Answer to the Biship of Rosse her Ambassadour in ENGLAND and some other Delegates who afterwards allowing some of the Propositions and not allowing others the Treaty came to nothing but the matter rested in the state it was before Aâ— this time Philip King of Spain had contracted Marriage with Anne of Austria Daughter to the Emperour Maximilian his own Neece by his Sister who was now setting Sayl from Zealand towards Spain when Queen Elizabeth to testifie her love and respect to the House of Austria sent Sir Charls Howard with the Navy Royall to conduct her thorow the Briâ—ish Sea And now was the twelfth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign finished which certain Wizards had made Papists believe should be her last but contrary as if it were but her first a new Custome began of celebrating the seventeenth day of November the Anniversary day of her Raign with ringing of Bells Tiltings and Bon-fires which Custome as it now began so it was never given over as long as she lived and is not yet forborn so long after her death At this time in Ireland Connagher ô Brien Earl of Towmond noâ— brooking the severe Government of Edward Fitton President of Connaght entred into Consultation with some few to raise a new Rebellion which being at the point ready to break forth was strangely discovered for the day before they meant to â—ake up Arms Fitton knowing not at all of the matter sent â—hâ— Earl word in friendly manner That the next day he and a few friends with him would be his Guests The Earl convinced by his own conscience imagined that his Intendments were revealed that Fitton would come as an enemy rather then a Guest Out of which feareâ— he presently set Sayle into FRANCE where repenting himselfe seriously of his fault he confessed the whole businesse to Norris the Queenes Embassadour in France and by his intercession was afterward pardoned and restored In Ianuary the thirteenth yeer of her Raigne Queen Elizabeth in royall pompe entring the City of London went to see the Burse which Sir Thomas Gresham had lately built for the use of the Marchants and with sound of trumpets and the voice of a Herald solemnly named it the Royall Exchange A few dayes after for his many great services she made Sir William Cecill Baron Burgley There were now about the Scottish affaires in the name of the King of of Scots the Earle Morton Peruare Abbot of Dumformelin and Iames Mac-Gray whom when Queen Elizabeth required to shew more clearely for what causes they had deposed the Queen they exhibited a long and tedious Commentary wherein with a certain insolent liberty they endeavoured to prove by the ancient Right of the Kingdom of Scotland that the people of Scotland were above the King and urged Calvins Authority also That Popular Magistrates are constituted for the moderation of the Licentiousnes of Princes and that it is lawfull for them both to imprison Kings and upon just causes to depose them This writing the Queen could not reade without indignation but to the Delegates she gave this Answer She saw no just cause yet why they should handle the Queen in such manner and therefore willed them to think upon some course out of hand how to allay the dissentions in Scotland Hereupon in Sir Nich. Bacons house Keeper of the Great Seal a Proposition was made to the Bishop of Rosse the Bishop of Galloway and Baron Levingston delegates for the Queen of Scots that for the security of the Kingdom and the Qu. of England it were requisite that before the Queen of Scots should be let at libertie The Duke of Castle-Herald the Earle of Huntley and Argyle the Lord Humes Heris and another of the Barons should be delivered for Hostages and the castle of Dumbriton and Hâ—â—eâ— yeelded up into the hands of the English for three yeers But they made Answer that to yeeld up great personages and such fortifications as were demanded were nothing else but to leave the miserable Queen utterly destitute of faithfull friends and naked of all places fit for guard and defence yet they offered to give two Earls and two Barons for Hostages till two yeers were expired which not being accepted they straightway gathered and spoke it openly That now they plainly perceived the English meant to keepe the Queen of Scots perpetually prisoner and likewise to break off the Treaâ—y seeing they rigorously demanded such securitie as Scotland was not able to make good And now Queen Elizabeth seeing that nothing could be done for her owne the King and Queen of Scots safety unlesse Both Factions in Scotland consented she held it fit that the Lords of Scotland should themselves appoint some chosen persons to compound the matter While matters in England proceeded in this sort the Queenes partie in Scotland was hardly used Frythâ— the strongest castle in Scotland was taken and I. Hamilton Archbishop of Saint Andrewes the Duke of Castle-Heralds brother as an accessary to the murder of Dâ—â—lye was hanged without being arraigned according to Law In England the Queen of Scots had all her servants taken from her except Tenne only and a Priest to say masse with which indignities the Queen of Scots provoked causeth a large Commentary of her Counsels with certain love-letters to the Duke of Norfolk to be carried to the Pope and the King of Spain by Ridolphuâ— which being brought first to the Duke Higford one that waited on the Duke in his bed chamber had copyed out but being commanded to burne them he hid them under a Matt in the Duke Bed-chamber and that it should seeme purposely Ridolphus to daw on the Duke to be Head of the discontented Partie in England aggravated to him the wrongs he had sufferedâ— how against all law he had been kept a long time in prison and now to his great disgrace was not Summoned to the Parliament he exhibited to him a Catalogue of such of the Nobilitie who had vowed to Assist him he shewed how the Pope so the Catholick Religion might be promoted would himself undergo all the charge of the Warre and had already layd down an hundred thousand Crownes whereof himself had distributed twelve thousand amongst the English that were fled he promised that the King of Spain would send four thousand horse and six thousand foot to his Assistance to these reasons the Bishop of Rosse added That it was an
his fault shall deserve The Bishop alleâ—dged for himself That he had not violated the Right of â—n Ambassadour Via Iuris but Vâ—â— Factâ— to use his own words and therefore adviseth them not to use harder measure to him then was used to the English Ambassadours 〈…〉 in France Râ—ndoll and Tâ—mwoâ—th in Scotland who had raised Rebellions there and were open Abettors of the same and yet had no greater punishment then to be gone at a time limitted When they began to urge him what the English had testified against him he lovingly requested them to give no credit to itâ— forasmuch as by a received Custome which hath the force of a Law The Testimony of an English man against a Scot or of a Scot against an English man is not to be admitted but after some other altercations the Bishop is led away to the Tower and kept close prisoner At this very season Matthew Earl of Lenox Regent of Scoâ—â—and the Kings Grand-father was by the adverse party set upon at unawares who having yeelded himself to David Spense of Wormester that was then very carefull to defend him together with him was slain by Bell and Câ—ulder when with great industry he had governed the Kingdom for his Grand-childe about fourteen months In whose room Iohn Areskin Earl of Marâ—e by common consent of the Kings Faction was chosen Regent of Scotland who being a man of a quiet disposition through extreme grief of the mâ—ny troubles he sustained in the place departed this life when he had governed thirteen months And now a Parliament was held at Westminster wherein besides a Law for preventing of the treacherous endeavours of seditious subjects another Law was made That if any one during the Queens life by Books written or printed shall expressely affirm That any iâ— or ought to be the Heir or Successor of the Queen besides the naturall Off-spâ—ing of her Body or shall to that purpose publish print or dispersâ— any Book or Schedules he and his favourâ—rs shall for the first offence suffer a yeers imprisonment and the losse of one half of his goods and if they offend again they shall be in a Prâ—munirâ— A Law also was made by which to be reconciled to the Sea of Rome was made Treason and it was pronounced against the Queen of Scots That if she offended again against the Laws of England it might be lawfull to question her as the wife of a Peer of the Kingdom of England But here the Queen interposed her Authority and would not suffer it to be enacted About this time in May a solemn Tilting was performed at Westminster where thâ— Challengers were Edward Earl of Oxford Charles Howard Sir Henry Lee and Chriâ—â—â—pher Hattâ—n Esquire who all did valiantly but the Earl of Oxford best Assoon as the Parliament was dissolved a Consultation was held Wheâ—her Iohn Story Doctor of the Laws the Duke D'Alva's Searcher who somtime before was by a wile brought into England being an Englishman born and having in Braâ—ant consulted with a forâ—aign Prince about the invading of England were to be held guilty of high Treason It was resolved aâ—firmatively whereupon he is called to the Bar and indicted of Treasonâ— That he had consulted with one Presâ—all a Conjurer to make away the Queen That he cursed her dayly when he said Grace at Table That he shewed a way to the Secretary of Duke D'Alva how to invade England c. where he affirming That the Judges had no power to meddle with him for that he bâ—longed not to the Queen of England but was the King of Spain's sworn subjectâ— is neverthelesse condemned by the Foâ—m of Nihil dicit forasmuch as no man can renounce the Country wherin he was born nor abjure his Prince at his own pleasure and finally executed after the manner of Trayâ—ors Ireland at this time was indifferent quieâ— for Sir Iohn Perot President of Munster had brought Iames Fitz Morris to submit himself and crave pardon Sidney the Lord Deputy returned into England and Sir William Fitz Williams who had marryed his sister succeeded in his room It was now the fifteenth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign when Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk on the sixteenth day of Ianuary was brought to his Tryall at Westminster-Hall where sate as Commissioners George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury made High Steward of England for that day Reynold Grey Earl of Kent Thomas Ratcliff Earl of Sussex Henry Hastings Earl of Huntington Francis Russell Earl of Bedford Henry Herbert Earl of Pembrâ—â—k Edward Seymor Earl of Hertford Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester Walter Devereux Viscount of Hereford Edward Lord Clinton Admirall William Lord Howard of Effingham Chamberlain William Cecill Lord Burley Secretary Arthur Lord Grey of Wilton Iames Blunt Lord Mountjoy William Lord Sands Thomas Lord Wentworth William Lord Borough Lewis Lord Mordant Iohn Pawlet Lord St. Iohn of Bâ—sing Robert Lord Rich Roger Lord North Edmund Bruges Lord Châ—ndois Oliver Lord St. Iohn of Blâ—tsho Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst and William West Lord de la Ware After silence bidden Sir Owen Hopton Lievtenant oâ— the Tower is commanded to bring the Duke to the Bar and then the Clerk of the Crown said Thomas Duke of Norfolk late of Keningale in the County of Norfolk Hold up thy hand which done the Clerk with a loud voyce readeth the crimes laid to his charge That in the eleventh yeer of the Queens Raign he had trayterously consulted to make her away and to bring in forraign Forces for invading the Kingdom Also That he dealt with the Queen of Scots concerning Marriage contrary to his promise made to the Queen under his hand writing Also That he relieved with money the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland that had stirred up Rebellion against the Queen Also That in the thirteenth yeer of the Queens Raign he implored Auxiliary Forces of Pope Pius the fifth the Queens professed enemy of the King of Spain and the Duke D'Alva for the freeing of the Queen of Scots and restoring of the Popish Religion And lastly That he sent supply to the Lord Heris and other the Queens enemies in Scotland These Indictments being read the Clerk demanded of the Duke if he were guilty of these crimes or not Here the Duke requested he might be allowed to have Counsell But Catiline chief Justice made answer That it was not lawfull Yet saith the Duke I have heard that Humphrey Stafford in the Raign of K. Henry the seventh in a Cause of Treason had one assigned to plead for him To which Dyer chief Justice of the Common-Pleas made answer That Stafford had Counsell assigned him concerning the Right of Sanctuary from whence he was taken by forceâ— but in the Inditement of Treason he pleaded his own cause After this the Duke yeelding to be tryed by the Peers first Barham Serjeant at Law then Gerard the Queens Atturney and lastly Bromley the Queens Solicitor enforced the crimes objected against him to
all which the Duke made colourable answers but most of them being proved by sufficient testimony he asked upon occasion Whether the subjects of another Prince who is confederate and in league with the Queen are to be accounted the Queens enemiesâ— to which Catiline answered They were and that the Q. of England might wage War with any Duke of France yet hold firm Peace with the French King When it grew towards night the L. high Steward demanded of the Duke if he had any more to say for himself who answered I rely upon the equity of the Laws After this the Lords withdrawing a while and then returning the Lord Steward beginning at the lowermost asked them My Lord de la Ware Is Thomas Duke of Norfolk guilty of these crimes of High Treason for which he is called in question He rising up and laying his hand upon his breast answered guilty in like manner they answered all After this the Lord Steward with teares in his eyes pronounced sentence in forme as is used A few dayes after were Barnes and Mather executed who conspired with one Herle to make away certaine of the Councellors and to free the Duke but Herle revealed the businesse presently to whom Barnes when hee saw his Accuser brought forth smilingly said Herle thou wert but one houre before mee else I had beene in thy place for the accuser and thou in my roome to be hanged at the same time with them was hanged also Henry Rolfe for counterfeiting the Queens hand But though the Duke were now condemned yet the Queen was so tender of his case that it was foure Moneths after before he was executed at last on the second of June at eight of the clock in the morning he was brought to the Scaffold upon the Tower-Hill and there beheaded At this time and upon this occasion a Parliament was Assembled wherein amongst other Lawes it were Enacted that if any man shall go about to free any person imprisoned by the Queens expresse Commandementâ— for Treason or suspition of Treason and not yet Arraigned he shall lose all his goods for his life time and be imprisoned during the Queens pleasure if the said person have beene Arraigned the Rescuer shall forfeit his life if condemned he shall be guilty of Rebellion In the time of this Parliament the Queen created Walter Devereux Earl of Essex being before but Viscount Hereford because he was descended by his Great-grand-mothers from the Bourchiers and made the Lord Clinton who had large Revenues in Lincolnshire Earl of Lincoln Also she called forth Iohn Paulet of Basing the Marquesse of Winchester's son Henry Compton Henry Cheyney and Henry Morris for Barons by Summons Within ten dayes after the Dukes death William Lord De-la-ware Sir Ralph Sadler Thomas Wilson Doctor of the Laws and Thomas Brumley the Queens Solicitour were sent to the Queen of Scots to expostulate with her That shee had usurped the Title and Arms of the Kingdom of England and had not renounced the same according to the agreement of the Treaty at Edinburgh That shee had endeavoured the marriage of the Duke of Norfolke without acquainting the Queene and had used all forcible meanes to free him out of prison had raised the Rebellion in the North had relieved the Rebels both in Scotland and in the Low-Countries had implored Aids from the Pope the King of Spaine and others had conspired with certaine of the English to free her out of Prison and Declare her Queen of England Lastly that she had procured the Popes Bull against the Queen and suffered herself to be publikely named the Queen of England in Forreigne Countries All which accusations she either absolutely denyed or else fairly extenuated and though as she said she were a free Queen and not subject to any creature yet she was content and requested that she might make her personall answer at the next Parliament About this time the King of Spain by his Embassadour here complained to the Queen that the Rebels of the Netherlands were harboured and entertained in England contrary to the Articles of the League whereupon the Queen set forth a severe Proclamation That all the Dutch who could any wayes be suspected of Rebellion should presently depart the Realm which yet turned little to D'Alva's or the King of Spains benefit For hereupon Count Vander-Mark and other Dutch going out of England surprized the Brill first then Flushing and afterwards drew other Towns to Revolt and in a short time excluded the Duke D'Alva in a manner from the Sea And this errour to suffer the Protestant party to get possession of the Sea-towns hath been the cause they have been able to hold out even all this long time against the King of Spain And now many military men having little to do at home got them into the Netherlands some to Duke D'Alva but the far greater number to the Prince of Orenge The first of whom was Thomas Morgan who carryed three hundred English to Flushing then followed by his procurement nine Companies more under the conduct of Humphry Gilbert and afterward it became the Nursery of all our English Souldiers At this time Charls the French King setting his mind wholly at least seeming so upon the Low-Country War concluded a peace and entred into a league with Queen Elizabeth which was to remain firm not only during their two lives but between their successors also if the sâ—ccessor signifie to the surviver within a yeer that he accepteth it otherwise to be at liberty It was likewise agreed what aid by Sea or Land they should each of them afford to other upon occasion and for ratification of this League Edward Clinton Earl of Lincoln and Admirall of England was sent into France with whom went the Lord Dacres Rich Talbot Sands and others The French King likewise sent the Duke of Memorancy and Paul Foix iâ—to England with a great train that the Queen in the presence of them and the Embassador in Ordinary might sweare to the league which she did at Westminster the seaventeenth of May in the yeer 1572. The day after she made Memorancye Knight of the Garter Memorancye whilst he tarryed in England made intercession in his Kings name that what favour could be without danger might be shewed to the Queen of Scots and then made much a do again about the marriage with the Duke of Angiou but being hopelesse to make conclusion thereof by reason of the diversity of Religion he returned into France for now was great provision making ready for the mariage between Henry King of Navarre and the Lady Margeret the French Kings Sister to which solemnity with notable dissimulation the Queen of Navarre and the chief of all the Protestants were allured being born in hand that there should be a renovation of love and a perpetuall peace established The Earl of Leicester likewise and the Lord Burleigh were invited out of England and out of Germany the sons of the Prince Elector Palatine under
colour of honour but indeed that they might be intrapped and they and together with them the Protestant Religion at one blow if not clean cutt off yet receiveâ— deadly wound For the marriage being celebrated there presently followed that cruell Massacre at Paris and the terrible slaughter of the Protestants throughout all the Cities of France but to set a shew of equity upon the fact Edicts and Proclamations were presently set forth that the Protestants had plotted a wicked conspiracy against the King the Queen Mother the Brethren the King of Navarre and the Princes of the blood Royall and to keep the thing in memory Coyne was presently stamped upon the one side whereof was the Kings picture with this Inscription Virtus in Rebelles on the other side Pietas excitavit justitiam But the King of France notwithstanding all the shew hee made of Piety escaped not the Divine revenge for before the yeer came about hee fell sick of a bloody Flixe and afterwards with long and grievous torments ended his life A little before this Mota Fenell Embassador to the King of France being in England by vertue of an order from the Queen Mother of France propoundeth to Queen Elizabeth at Kenelworth two dayes before the Massacre in that Kingdome the marriage of her youngest sonne Francis Duke of Alenson for the Queen Mother had been told by some cunning men that all her sons should be Kings and she knew no way for it but this Bâ—t Queen Elizabeth by reaâ—on of the disparity of age modestly excused her self For he was scarce â—eventeen yeers old and she was now past eight and thirty yet she promised to consider of it and Alenson did not leave to prosecute the â—â—it At tâ—is time Thomas Percy Earl of Northâ—mberland who first Rebelled and afterwards fled into Scotland was for a sum of money delivered by the Earl of Morton to the Lord Hunsdon Governour of Barwick and a while afâ—er was beheaded â—t York And now as these two great Personages the Duke of Norfolkâ— and the Earl of Northumberland were taken away by a violent death so three other great Personages were at this time tâ—ken away by a naturall death First Wâ—llâ—am Paulet who from a private man came by degree to be Marquesse of Winchester lived to the age of within three yeers of a hundred and could reckon a hundred and three of his children and his childrens issue after he had held the pâ—ace of Lord Treasurer of England above twenty yeers in whose roome succeeded Sir Wâ—lliam Cecill Lord Burleigh then dyed Edmund Earle of Darby famous as well for his hospitality and good house-keeping as for his skill in Surgery and Bone-setting then dyed Sir William Peter who being descended from an honest stock at Exceter in Devonshire was Privy Counsellor and Secretary to King Henry the Eight Kiâ—g Edward the Sixth Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth who plantâ—d himself in Essex where he purchased greaâ— possessions whose son Iohn was by King Iames made Baron of Writle in that Country And now Qâ—een Elizabeth having formerly borrowed money oâ— her Subjects she thankfully repayd it which wonne her no lesse love then if she had given it and more love she gained also at this time by two Proclamations by one of which she commanded Noble men to observe the Law of keeping Retâ—iners by the other she restrained Informers who under colour of spying out Crown Land concealed by private persoâ—s sacralegioâ—sly seized upon the Lands of Parish-Churches and Alms-Houses piously endowed by the Queens Ancestors And more Love and Honour also she gained at this time by two acts of Justice the one that she satisfied the English Merchants out of the goods which were detâ—ined belonging to the Dutch and restored the rest to the Duke D' Alva and make a full transaction with the Merchants of Geneva for the monâ—y intercepted the other that she freed England at this time of the debts which her Father and her Brother had run into in forraign partâ— and were increased by yeerly interest and caused the obligations of the City of London which had so often been renued to be given in to the great rejoycing of the Citizens The Spanish affairs growing now very turbulent in the Netherlands Flushing lost the towns of Holland revolted and the Spanish Navy vanquished by the Zelanders Duke D'Alva against his will began to shew more kindnesse towards the English so as in the month of Ianuary the trade which in Anno 1568. had been forbidden was now allowed again between the Dutch and the English for two yeerâ— but those two yeers expired the English removed their trading to the confederates Stateâ— The last yeer in the month of November a daughter was born to the French King to whom he requested Queen Elizabeth to be God-mother who theâ—eupon sent William Somerset Earl of Worcester into France with a Font of massy Gold to stand as her Deputy at the Christning Hereupon and for that the Queen promised to observe the League strictly the French King and the Queen mother began to affect her more and more and the Duke D'Alenson wrote sundry love-letters to her the French King and His Mother interceding for the mariage with all earnestnesse It is true the Queen conceived divers reasons why it was fit for her to marry but the Courtiers for their own ends disswaded her as much from it at last the Queen Mother of France was wonderfull importunate that her sonne Alenson might have leave to come and see herâ— whereunto being wearyed with continuall Letters and Messages she gave her consent but upon condition that hee should not take it for any disgrace to him if hee returned without obtaining his suit But as soon as Queen Elizabeth had notice that his brother Henry was elected King of Poland and that the King of France was very sick shee gave intimation to Alenson by Edward Horsey Governour of the Isle of Wight that hee should not make too much haste into England but should first procure a peace by some meanes or other in France and declare by some notable Argument his good will towards the Protestants thereby to be the more welcome Ghest into England Hereupon a peace was concluded in France and in certain places the Protestants were allowed to exercise their Religion and then again the French King and the Queen Mother used all their endeavour to have the marriage go forward for they were very desirous thâ—t Alenson who was of a crooked and perverse disposition and prone to raise tumults might bee removed out of France and withall they requested of Queen Elizabeth that if the Duke of Angiou took his voyage into Poland by Sea hee might have publike caution to sail through the British Ocean To this last request she not only consented with all alacrity but also made offer of a Fleet to conduct him thither In the mean while Alenson fell sick of the Meazles which his mother signified to Queen Elizabeth by Count Rhets excusing him
thereupon for not coming into England as he had determined The Count found the Queen at Canterbury where she gave him Royall intertainment and Matthew Parker Archbishop of Canterbury Royall intertainment to them both All this while since the death of the Earl of Marre there had been no Regent in Scotland but now by the procurement of Queen Elizabeth chiefly Iames Dowglas Earl of Morton is made Regent who when his Authority in a Parliamentary Assembly was established Enacted many profitable Laws for the defence of Religion against Papists and Hereticks in the name of the King But the proâ—ection and keeping of the Kings Person hee confirmed to Alexander Areskin Earl of Marre to whom the custody of the Kings in their tender yeers by speciall priviledge belongeth though hee were himself in his Minority Upon these conditions That no Papists nor factious persons should be admitted to his presence An Earl should come with onely two servants attending him A Baron with onely one All other single and every one unarmed The French King in the mean time sent his Embassadour Mounsier Vyriar to corrupt the Earls of Atholl and Hâ—ntley with large promises to oppose the Regent Queen ELISABETH as much laboured to defend him but though by the ministery of Killigrew shee had drawn Iames Hamilton Duke of Castle-Herald and George Gourdon Earl of Huntley and the most eminent of that Faction upon indifferent conditions to acknowledge the Regent yet VVilliam Kâ—râ—â—ld Lord Graâ—nge whom Murray when hee was Regeâ—t had made Goveâ—nour of Edingborough Castle The Lord Humâ—s Lydington the Bishop of Dunkeld and others would by no meanes admit of the Regents Government but held that Castle and fortified it in the Queen of Scots name having Lydington for their Counsellor herein and trusting to the naturall strength of the place and to the Duke D' Alva's and the Fâ—eâ—ch Kings promises to send them supplies both of men and money Now when these persons could by no meanes drawne to accept of conditions of peace and to deliver up the Castle to the Regent Queen Elizabeth who could in no case endure the French in Scotland suffered her self at length to be intreated by the Regent to send Forces Gunnes and Ammunition for assaulting of the Castle upon certain conditions whereof one was that ten Hostages should be sent into England to be security foâ— returning the men and Munition unlesse by the common hazard of War they should chance to miscarry The conditions being argued on William Drury Marshall of the Garrison at Barwick with some â—reat Ordnance and Fifteen hundred Souldiers amongst whom were some noble Voluntiers George Carie Henry Carie Thomas Cecill Heâ—ry Lee William Knolles Sutton Cotton Kelway VVilliam Killigrew and others entred into Scotland and besieged the Castle which after three and thirty dayes siege was delivered up to the Regent for the Kings use with all the persons that were in it amongst whom Kircald Lord Grange and Iames his brother Musman and Cook gold-smiths who had counterfeited Coyne in the Castle were hanged although to redeem Granges life a hundred of the Family of the Kircalds offered themselves to be in perpetuall servitude to the Regent besides an annuall Pension of three thousand Marks and twenty thousand pounds of Scottish money in present and to put in caution that from thence forth he should continue in duty homage to the King but it would not bee accepted Humes and the rest were spared through Queen Elizabeths mercifull intercession Lydington was sent to Leith where hee dyed and was suspected to bee poysoned A man of the greatest understanding in the Scottish Nation and of an excellent wit but very variable for which George Buchanan called him the Camelion And now from this time Scotland began to take breath after long Civill Warres and as well the Captaines of both parties as the Souldiers betook themselves into Swedeland France and the Low-Countries where they valorously behaved themselves and wonne great commendation As for Iohn Lesle Bishop of Rosse he was now set at liberty but commanded to depart presently out of England and being beyond the Sea he continued still to sollicite his Mistresse the Queen of Scots cause with the Emperour the Pope the French King and the German Princes of the Popish Religion who all led him on with faire promises but performed nothing For indeed he in whom he had greatest confidence which was the Duke D' Alva was at that time called away partly out of Jealousie of State as being thought to grow too great and partly out of opinion that by his cruelty he made the people to revolt and therefore in his place was sent Ludovicus Zuinga a man of great Nobility in Spain â—ut of a more Peaceable disposition then D' Alva â—ow this man did all good Offices to win Queen Elizabeth to him and minding his owne Affairs only would not intermeddle with the Scottish or English matters About this a frentick Opinion was held by one Peter Bourcheâ— a Gentâ—eman of the Middle-Temple that it was lawfull to kill them that opposed the truth of the Gospell and so far was he possest with this opinion that he assaulted the famous Seaman Captain Hawkins and wounded him with a dagger taking him for Hutton who at that time was in great favour with the Queen and of her privy Counsell whom he had been informed to be a great Adversary to Innovations The Queen grew so angry hereat that she commanded Marshiall Law should be executed upon him presently till her Counsell advised her that Marshiall Law was not to be used but in the Field and in turbulent times but at home and in time of Peace there must be Legall proceedings Hereupon Bourchet was sent to the Tower where taking a brand out of the fire he strook it into the brains of one of his keepers named Hugh Longwroth and killed him for which fact he was condemned of murther had his right hand cutt off and nayled to the Gallows and then himselfe hanged After the violent death of this Varlet we may speake of the naturall death of two great persons First William Lord Howard of Effingham Son of that warlike Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk by his second wife Agnes Tilney This William was made a Baron by Queen Mary and Lord High Admirall of England and by Queen Elizabeth Lord Chamberlain till such time that being taken with age he yeelded up that place to the Earl of Sussex and was then made Keeper of the Privy Seal which is the fourth degree of honour in England His Son Charles succeeded him in the Dignity of his Barony who was after made Lord Chamberlain to the Queen and then Lord High Admirall of England A while after him dyed Reginold Grey Earl of Kent whom the Queen a yeer before of a private man had made Earl of Kent when as that Title from the death of Richard Grey Earl of Kent who had wasted his Patrimony and was elder brother to this mans
the Queens leave he might take up Ships and Marriners to goe against the Hollanders and Zelanders but this she would not grant Then hee made suite that the Queen would please not to take it in evill part if the banished persons of the English in the Low-Countries served the King of Spaine in a Sea-Fight against the Hollanders and that they might have free accesse to the Ports of England to buy provision for ready money But this shee would not grant neither Then he made request that the Dutch who were Rebels against the King of Spaine might be put out of England but neither would shee grant this as being an Action voide of Humanity and against the Lawes of Hospitality yet because shee would not be thought to violate the old Burgundian Law shee Commanded by Proclamation that the Shipps of the Dutch which were made ready should not go forth of the Haven nor yet the Dutch who had taken up Armes against the King of Spaine enter into the Ports of England and by name the Prince of Orenge and Fifty other the prime of that Faction and this shee did the more willingly because Zuinga at the intercession of Wilson the English Embassador had removed the Earle of Westmerland and other English Fugitives out of the Dominions of the King of Spaine and had also dissolved the English Seminary at Doway though in stead thereof the Guises through the procurement of Pope Gregory the thirteenth set up another Seminary at Rhemes And at this time the Prince of Orenge perceiving his Forces but small and thinking himself too weake for the King of SPAINE and little hope of ayde from England he entered into Consultation with the Confederate States to whose protection they were best and in the most security to betake themselves The Princes of Germany they knew were not all of one minde parted from money very hardly and did not every way nor would not by no meanes possible accord and concurre with them in their Religion and therefore they were not so fit Then the French they saw were intangled in a Civill War and so had enough of their owne to do besides the old grudges and heart-burnings that vvere between the French and Dutch and therefore neither were they so fit There remained then the English as the fittest of any if it might be obtained seeing they were Neighbouss of the same Religion and of a Language not much different strong in shipping and rich in Merchandize Hereupon considering the commodiousnesse of the English Nation they send into England Philip Marnizie of S. Aldegond Ianus Dowsa William Nyvell and Doctor Melsen who in an honourable Ambassage offer the Countries of Holland and Zealand to be possessed or protected by the Queen forasmuch as she was descended from the Princes of Holland by Philip wife of Edward the third daughter of William of Bavaria Count of Hanonia and Holland by whose other sister the hereditary Right of â—hose Provinces came to the King of Spain To this offer the Queen takes time to answer and at last having maturely advised of the matter her Answer was this That as yet she conceived not how with safety of her honour and an upright conscience she could receive those Provinces into her protection much lesse assume them into her possession but promised She would deal earnestly with the King of Spain that a well conditioned Peace might be concluded Presently upon this Zuinga Governour of the Low-Countries died after whose death the States of Brabant Flanders and the other Provinces took upon them the ancient Administration and Authority in the Common-wealth which the King of Spain was fain to confirm to them till such time as Iohn of Austria were come whom he determined to make Governour there In the mean time Queen Elizabeth in behalf of the King of Spain sent William Davyson in Ambassage to those Provinces to exhort them to be peaceable and quiet which yet by reason the Spanish Souldiers were so outragious little prevailed In England all was calm and quiet for all this yeer onely a difference fell out between Sir Iohn Forster Governour of Berwick and Iohn Cormichill Keeper of Liddesdale in Scotland In composing whereof the Regent of Scotland having given Queen Elizabâ—th some discontentment was fain to come unarmed before the Earl of Huntington appointed the Legate for England at Bonderod and so the matter was taken up and the Regent ever after continued constant in observing the Queen and to his great commendation restrayned the Freebooters of the Borders to the great good of both Kingdomes This yeer there died in Scotland Iames Hamilton Duke of Castle-Herald and Earl of Arran who was great Grand-childe to Iames the second King of Scots by his daughter appointed Tutor to Mary Queen of Scots and designed Heir and Governour of the Kingdom during her minority At this time the Earl of Essex is come into Ireland again whâ—re having done good services and being in the midst of Victory he was on a sudden commanded to resigne his Authority in Ulster and as though he were an ordinary Commander is set over three hundred Souldiers which disgrace was wrought by his adversaries in Court to the continuall peâ—plexing of his milde spirit And now is Sir Henry Sidney the third time sent Deputy into Ireland who going into Ulster there came to him and submitted themselves Mac Mahon Mac Guyre Turlogh Leynigh the O Conors and O Moors the Earl of Desmond and the rebellious sons of the Earl of Clanricard all whom he received into favour and with great commendation administred the Province At this time the Spaniard in the Low-Countries began to deal roughly with the people and haryed the Inhabitants with all manner of spoyl and injury Antwerp the most famous Town of Traffick in all Europe was miserably pillaged the English Merchants houses rifled insomuch that the States were enforced to take up Arms and Messengers were sent to all neighbouring Princes and to Q. Elizabeth was sent Monsieur Aubigâ—y both to shew her upon how necessary and just causes they had taken up Arms and also to borrow of her a great sum of money the better to enable them to resist the Spaniard But she being certainly informed That they first sued to the French King for help denieth the request yet promiseth to intercede earnestly with the King of Spainâ— for peace And in that imployment she addressed into Spaine Iohn Smith cosen German to King Edward the sixth a man of Spainsh behaviour and well knowne to the King of Spaine who was liberally received by the King and with such wisdome retorted the contumelious speech of Gasper Quiroga Archbishop of Toledo and the Spanish Inquisitors who would not admit in the Queenes Title the Attribute of Defendor of the Faith that he had gained great thankes from the King of Spaine himself who requested him not to speake of it to the Queen and gave severe command That the Title should be admitted And now by this time
was Iohn of Austria come into the Low-countries with a large Commission for he was the Naturall sonne of the Emperour Charles the fifth to whom the Queen sent Edward Horsey Governour of the Isle of Wight to Congratulate his coming thither and to offer help if the States called the French into the Netherlands yet at the same time Swevingham being exceeding importunate on the States behalfe she sent them twenty thousand pounds of English mony so well she could play her game of both hands upon condition they should neither change their Prince nor there Religion nor take the French into the Low-countries nor refuse a Peace if Iohn of Austria should condiscend to indifferent Conditions but if he embraced a Peace then the money should be paid back to the Spanish souldiers who were ready to mutiny for lack of pay So carefull she was to retaine these declining Provinces in obedience to the King of Spaine At this time a Voyage was undertaken to trie if there could be found any sea upon the North part of America leading to the wealthy coast of Cathaia whereby in one Comerce might be joyned the riches of both the East and West parts of the worlde in which voyage was imployed Martyn Frobysher who set saile from Harwich the eighteenth of Iune and the ninth of August entred into that Bay or sea but could passe no further for Snow and Ice The like expedition was taken in hand two yeers after with no better successe About this time died the Emperour Maximilian a Prince that Deserved well of Queen Elizabeth and the English who thereupon sent Sir Philip Sidney to his sonne Ridolphus King of the Romanes to condole his Fathers death and congratulate his succession as likewise to doe the like for the decease of the Count Electour Palatine named Frederick the third with her surviving sonne And now Walter Deveruex Earl of Essex who out of Leicesters envie had bin recalled out of Ireland was out of Leicesters feare as being threatned by him sent back again into Ireland but with the empty title of Earl Marshall of Ireland with the grief whereof he fell into a bloody Flux and in most grievous torments ended his life When he had first desired the standers by to admonish his sonne scarce tenne yeers old at that time to have alwayes before his eyes the six and thirtieth yeer of his age as the utmost terme of his life which neither himself nor his father before him could out-go and the sonne indeed attained not to it as shall hereafter he declared He was suspected to be poisoned but Sir Henry Sidney Deputie of Ireland after diligent search made wrote to the Lords of the Counsell That the Earl often said It was familiar to him upon any great discontentment to fall into a Flux and for his part he had no suspition of his being poisoned yet was this suspition encreased for that presently after his death the Earl of Leicester with a great sum of money and large promises putting away Dowglasse Sheffield by whom he had a son openly marryed Essex his widdow For although it was given out That he was privately marryed to her yeâ— Sir Francis Knolles his father who was well acquainted with Leicester's roving loves would not believe it unlesse he himself were present at the Marriage and had it testified by a publike Notary At this time also died Sir Anthony Cook of Gyddy-Hall in Essex who had been School-master to King Edward the sixth and was no lesse School-master to his own daughters whom he made skilfull in the Greek and Latine Tongues marryed all to men of great Honour one to Sir William Cecill Lord Treasurer of England a second to Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the Great Seal a third to Sir Thomas Hobby who died Ambassador in France a fourth to Sir Ralph Lowlet and the fifth to Sir Henry Killigrew At this time the sons of the Earl of Claâ—ricard who scarce two months before had obtained pardon for their Rebellion fell into Rebellion again but were by the Deputy soon supprest and William Drury newly made President of Munster reduced the whole Provice to good Order except only the County of Kerry whither a number of Vagabonds were gotten trusting to the Immunities of the place For King Edward the third made Kerry a County Palatine and granted to the Earls of Desmond all the Royall Liberties which the King of England had in that County excepting Wreckby Fyre Forestall and Treasure Trouâ—e The Governour notwithstanding who wisely judged that these Liberties were granted for the better preservation of Justice and not for maintenance of outragious malefactors entred into it and violently put to flight and vanquished the mischievous crew which the Earl of Desmond had placed there in ambush The Earl in the mean while made great complaints of Drury to the Deputy and particularly of the Tax which they call Ceasse which is an exaction of provision of Victualls at a certain rate for the Deputies Family and the Souldiers in Garrison This Tax not he onely but in Leinster also many Lords refused to pay alleadging that it was not to be exacted but by Parliament but the matter being examined in England it appeared by the Records of the Kingdome That this Tax was anciently imposed and that as a certain Right of Majestie a Prerogative Royall which is not subjected to Laws yet not contrary to them neither as the wise Civilians have observed Yet the Queen commanded to use a moderation in exactions of this nature saying She would have her subjects shorn but not devoured It was now the yeer 1577 and the twentieth of Queen Elizabeths Raign when Iohn of Austria pretending to Queen Elizabeth nothing but Peace yet is found to deal secretly with the Pope to peprive her of her Kingdome and himself to marry the Queen of Scots and invade England of which his practices the Prince of Orange gives Queen Elizabeth the first intelligence Whereupon finding his deep dissembling she enters into a League with the States for mutuall defence both at Sea and Land upon certain Conditions but having concluded it because she would not have it wrongfully interpreted as though she meant to foster a Rebellion in the Netherlands she sent Thomas Wilkes to the King of Spain with these Informations That she had alwayes endeavoured â—o keep the Low-Countryes in obedience to the King of Spain had perswaded even with threatnings the Prince of Orange to accept of Peace but withall if the King of Spain would have his Subjects obedient to him she then requests him to restore their Priviledges and to remove Iâ—hn of Austria from the Government who not onely was her deadly enemy but laboured by all means to bring the Netherlands into utter servitude If this be granted by the King of SPAIN she then faithfully promiseth That if the States perform not their Allegiance to him as by their Promise to her they are engaged to doe she will utterly forsake them and bend
her self with all her Forces to compell them While Wilkes in Spain unfoldeth theâ—e 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 â—owland Iâ—nkes 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 Ophâ—liâ— 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 Lâ—chlin 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 theâ—e 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 Nâ—â—â—â—â— fought most valiantly and had three horses sâ—ain under him as also 〈◊〉 the Scot Bingham and William Mâ—râ—ham Now for comfort â—o the afflicted Provinces there came at that â—â—me into the Netherlands the Count Swâ—â—zenberg from the Emperour Mâ—nsieâ—â— Beâ—â—â—â—â—re from the French King and from the Queen of England the Lord Cobham and Walâ—ingham with Commission to procure conditions of Peace but returned without doing any thing for that Don Iohn refused to admit the Proâ—estanâ— Religion and the Prince of Orange refused to return into Holland About this time Egrâ—mâ—â—d Râ—â—cliffe 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 aâ—gry 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 Maâ—â—hew 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
the Siege but afterward 〈…〉 with Verdugo the Spaniard at Nâ—rthone even when the Vi 〈…〉 gotten Roger Williams having put the enemies to flight 〈…〉 of the War turned Norris is vanquished wounded and a great 〈…〉 his men slain amongst whom were Cotton Fitzâ— Williams and 〈…〉 Commanders Here it must not be omittedâ— That the English 〈…〉 the dwellers in the Northern parts of the World were hither 〈…〉 Drinkers and deserved praise for their sobâ—iety in these Dutch 〈…〉 to be Drunkards and brought the vice so far to over-spread 〈…〉 â—ome that Laws were fain to be enacted for repressing it 〈…〉 whilst the States and the King of Spain conâ—end about a few 〈…〉 the Low-Countries he seizeth upon the whole Kingdom of Porâ—â—◠〈…〉 For the last yeer Henry King of Pâ—â—tingall dying many Compe 〈…〉 allenge the Kingdom as the Duke of Savoy the Prince of Par 〈…〉 Natharine Bracant and the Queen of France But Philip King of 〈…〉 son of Henries eldest sister putting the case to his Divines and 〈…〉 and adjuring them to pronounce to whom of Right it belonged 〈…〉 For him whereupon he sent Duke D'Alva who put to 〈…〉 â—â—tonio whom the people had elected King and within seventy dayes 〈…〉 all Portingall The Queen of France angry hereat and enviously be 〈…〉 the King of Spain's Dominions thus enlarged being now Master 〈…〉 gall the East Indies and many Islands besides adviseth amongst 〈…〉 Pâ—â—â—ces Queen Elizabeth to bethink themselves in time of restrayn 〈…〉 â—o excessive Dominions Whereupon the Queen received Don 〈◊〉 and lâ—vingly relieved him which she thought might be done without 〈…〉 breath of the League with Spain seeing Don Antonio was descended of 〈…〉 Blood and of the House of Lancaster and that no Cauâ—ion was 〈…〉 â—eague That the Portuger should 〈◊〉 be admitted into England And now the Queen-Mother of Franoâ— and the King her son moâ—e 〈◊〉 then ever pursue the Maâ—ch with Alanson now Duke of Aâ—gio◠〈…〉 transacting whereof they sent in Ambassage into Englandâ— Francis 〈◊〉 Prince of Câ—sseâ— Marshall of France and many 〈◊〉 Honoâ—rable Personages who were entertained with great respect a 〈◊〉 being purposely built at Westminster for that use Royally furnished â—â—tings and Justs proclaimed by Philip Earl of Arundel Frederick Baron 〈◊〉 Windsor Sir Philip Sidney and Sir Fulk Grevill against all comeâ—sâ— The â—â—â—â—gates that were to confer with the French concerning the Marriage 〈◊〉 Sir William Cecill Lord Treasurer Edward Earl of Lincoln Lord Adâ—â—â—â—ll Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester Sir Christopher Hatton and Sir 〈◊〉 Walsingham Secretaryâ— by whom Covenants of Marriage were at â—â—th agreed on First That the Duke of Angioâ— and the Queen of Engâ—â—â—â— within six weeks after the ratification of the Articles should contract â—â—trimonyâ— and the rest most of them such as were before agreed on in the â—arriage between Queen Mary and King Philip chiefly consisting in conferâ—â—ng Honour upon the Duke but Power upon the Queen It was also arâ—â—ed That all paâ—ticulars should be ratified within two Monthsâ— by the â—â—â—thfull Promise and Oath of the French King for him and his Heirs and â—eservation also was added apart with the Hands and Seals of every 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Delegates That Queen Elizabeth is not bound to finish the Marriage â—â—till she and the Duke have given each other satisfaction in some 〈◊〉 and have certified the French King of the same within six weâ—ksâ— Beâ—ore those six weeks were expired Simier Secretary to the Couâ—â—â—ll is 〈◊〉 into France to require the King of France his Confirmationâ— The 〈◊〉 will not hear him but presseth to have the Marriage accomplished 〈…〉 was contracted and that nothing else was to be done â—iâ—â—ier on the 〈◊〉 side sheweth by the Articles That a League offenâ—â—â—e and defensive 〈◊〉 first be concluded This the French King disclaymeâ—h Whereupon Wâ—lsinghams is presently sent â—o compose this differanâ—e who joyntly with Henry Câ—bham the Embassâ—â—our in ordinaâ—â—â—â— and Simier alleadgeth to the French King these Particâ—lâ—â—s That Queen Elizabeth for no other reason was willing to marry but for the â—atisfaction 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 wâ—â— makes the wiâ—est of her subjects to be now against the Maâ—ch 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 offeâ—â—â— and defence be agreed on The French King willingly accepted of â—â—e Lâ—aguâ— defensive but of the offensive he would heare no speech till thâ— marriage were finished Noâ— long aftâ—râ— the French Dâ—kâ— himself came into England having with good successe raised the Siâ—ge of Câ—â—bray he was here received with as great humanity as he couâ—â— wâ—sh and nothing omittedâ— where by he might judge himselâ— to be truly welcome Insomuch thâ—â— in November when the Anniversariâ— of the Quâ—â—â—s 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 Aldegâ—nd 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 privâ—ly plotted to crosse the Maâ—ch Hâ—â—ton the Vice-Chamberlain and Secretary Walsingham frâ—â— and are enraged as if the Kingdom the Queen and Religon were now utterly ovâ—â—throwne The Maids of Honour and Ladiâ—s that were familiar wiâ—â— thâ— Queen made grievous lamentation and so 〈◊〉 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 â—nâ—erâ—ain 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 wâ—ose 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 Maâ—ie against the Aâ—thors and dispersers of Seditious Writings though the cheife Lawyers and Judges of the Kingdom could not agree concerning the fâ—â—ce of that
Sâ—aâ—ue Hereupon Stubâ—â—s and Page were brought to the Scaffâ—ld made of purpose in the Market place at Westminster and their right hands with a Butchers knife and a malleâ— cut off by the wrest the Printer was pâ—â—donedâ— At that time Stubbs when his right hand was cut off uncovered his head with the left and cried out God save the Queen to the great amazement of all the beholders At this time the Queene upon importunate suite of her Counsell gave way â—hat Edmund Campian Ralph Sherwin and Alexaâ—der Bryant Priests should be called to the â—arre who being accused by vertue of a Law made in the five and twentieth yeare of King Edward the Third to have plotted the ruine of the Queene and Kingdome to be adhering to the Pope the Queens enemy and coming into England to raise Forces against the State were then condemned of High-treason and accordingly executed Campian after he was convicted being demanded First whether Queen Elizabeth wâ—re a lawfull Queen would make no answer afterward Whether he â—ould stand for the Queen or for the Pope if he should send an Army against the Queen he plainly professed That he would be of the Popes side â—nd witnessed so much under his hand After this some other Papists upon the like occasion were also put to death which the Queen rather necessaâ—ily than willingly assented to as being unwilling to force the conscience of any These and the like exorbitancies of Papists were cause that new â—â—d strict Laws were enacted against them the Parliament following which began the next Ianuary The French Duke after three moneths abode in England took his journey in February into the Low-Countries whom the Queen her self brought on his way as far as Canterburyâ— and then commanded the Earl of Leicester the Lord Charles Howard Hunsdon Willoughby Windsor Sheffield Sir Philip Sidney Sir Francis Russell Sir George Bourchier and some other prime knights to accompany him to Antwerpe where he is made Duke of Brabant Limbâ—â—rg and Lorraine for the Dutch had long before removed the King of Spains Government and quitted the people from their oath of Allegiance that it might be in their power to choose any other Prince Heâ—e the Duke of Anjou gave free leave to exercise the Roman Religion to as many as would swear Fealty to him and abjure the King of Spains authority but â—fter all having spent a great masse of money with which he was supplied from England and observiâ—g that only vain and empty titles were conferred upon him while the States held all the Dominion in their own hands he rashly enterprized an assault upon Antwerpe and some other Towns and shortly departed without any great matter performed At this time Queen Elizabeth as well to get her some friends as she had procured her selfe many enemies received into the Order of tâ—e Garter Fredericke the Second King of Denmarke to whom she employed Sir Peregrine Bertye whom she had lately made Lord Willoughby of Eresby to Invest him But now to prevent the Duke of Guyses designe in Scotland which was to make use of the Duke of Lenox favour with the King to withdraw his affection from the English William Reuthen whom the King had lately made Earle of Gowry endeavoured with others by all means to remove Lenox and the Earl of Arran from the King and so while Lenox was gone from Ferth where the King at that time was to Edinburgh and Arran was also absent on a journey The Earls Gowry Marre Lindsey and other taking the opportunity invited the King to the Castle of Reuthen and there detained him not permitting him to walk abroad All his trusty servants they removed from about him Arran they cast in prison enforced the King to call home the Earl of Angus and to send away Lenox into France who being a man of a soft and gentle disposition for the Kings safety readily consented and not content with all this they compelled the King by his Letters to Queen Elizabeth to approve and allow of this his thraldome The Queen of Scots in the mean while bewailing her own hard fortune and the distresse of the King her Son layeth open the same in a large letter written to the Queen in French With which letter Queen Elizabeth being somewhat affected sent unto her Robert Beale Clerk of the Councell to expostulate with her concerning the querulous writing and joyntly with the Earle of Shrewsbury to treat of the setting her at liberty And indeed serious consultation was held at the Councell Table about it and the most were of opinionâ— that upon certain conditions she should have her liberty but the Scottish of the English faction opposing it nothing was effected Soone after this the King sent Colonell William Steward and Iohn Colvill to Queen Elizâ—beth profering all manner of respect and observance and requesting her advice for quieting the tumults in Scotland and also for his contracting of marriage At which time news was broughâ— that the Duke of Lâ—nox was dead in France who departing this life â—t Paris even at the very point of death as oftentimes before made open profession of the Proâ—â—stant Religion thereby confuting those who had maliciously traduced him for a Papist After whose death when the surprizers of the King were lift up in their own conceits as thinking they had him safe enough He on a sudden though scarce eighteen yeers of age with some few others conveyed himselfe to the Castle of St. Andrews to whom the Nobility presently repaired bringing Armed Bands with them as fearing some danger might befall him Afterwards in fair words he advised some of his surprizers to go from the Court for avoyding of tumults and promised them pardon if they woâ—ld crave it But Gowry only asked pardon and submitted himselfe using this distinction That he had not offended in matter buâ— in forme onely and then the King sent for the Earle of Arran to the Court and respected him as his intimate friend imploying him to compose the differenâ—es amongst the Nobility and to purge the kingdome and his own Court from civill dissensions Whiles he is sedulous in these cares comes Sir Francis Walsingham from Queen Elizabeth to advise him not to be led away by evill Councellours to the destruction of both kingdoms He findeth the King accompanied with the flowr of the nobility and beholdeth another maner of Majesty than he looked for in Scotland Plaâ—ing Audience given him he put the King in minde of what the Queen out of Isocrates in private Letters had formerly admonished him That a Prince must be such a lover of Truth that more credit may be given to his bare word than to anothers oath and in many words advised him to beware now in his youth of evill Councellours and alwayes to be like himselfe The King answered That he was an absolute Prince and would not that others should appoint him Councellors whom he liked not but that he had long since devoted the first-fruits of his amitie
out of zeal to the Romane Religion a little before he had taken up Arms with the Rebells and exhorting the Earl of Ormond his neighbour to do the like who drew his Linage from St. Thomas of Canterbury he used these wâ—rds to perswade him That if Saint Thomas of Canterbury had not dyed for the Church of ROME thou hadst never been Earl of Ormond for King HENRY the second to expiate the murther of THOMAS Bâ—CKET gave large Lands in Ormond to his Predecessors The beginning of the next Spring certain Scots together with Gowry plotted again to surprize the King pretending onely a care of Religion and to remove ill Councellors from him but the King having intelligence of their practise used means by Colonell Steward to have Gâ—â—ry taken and cast into prison whereupon Marre Glames Angus and other of the confederates flie into England and beseech the Queen to commiserate their estate who had incurred the Kings displeasure to do her and the Kingdom of England service The King on the other side accuseth them to the Queen of haynous crimes and requires to have them delivered up into his hands But Secretary Walsingham who bore great good will to these men sent Letters with a Command That they should be safely admitted into Linds Ferme otherwise called The holy Island where Huâ—sdon being Governouâ— there and great addicted to the King of Scots resisted Walsinghams Command alleadging he could not satisfie the Secretary in this point unlesse the Queen gave expresse Command Hereupon grew a Dispute Whether a Secretary of State might not transact a businesse of State without speciall Commission from the Prince How this Case was determined is uncertain but sure it is the Scots came not thither though some favour they had shewed them here in England In the mean time Gowry was tryed by his Peers at Sâ—eclyn where being accused of many Treasons though he gave colourable answers to them all yet was found guilty condemed and beheaded whose head his servants sewing to his body committed to the Grave About this time were practises plotted against Queen Elizabeth in behalf 〈◊〉 the Queen of Scots chiefly by Francis Throgmorton eldest son of Iohn â—â—â—â—gmorton Justice of Chester who came to be suspected by reason of â—etters sent to the Queen of Scots which were intercepted Upon his apâ—â—â—hension Thomas Lord Paget and Charles Arundel privately stole away 〈◊〉 France grievously complaining against Leicester and Walsingham for â—â—ienating the Queen from them and using such wiles that scarce any mâ—n was able to live in safety Henry Earl of Northumberland and Philip Earl of Arundel were confined to their houses his wife committed to the â—â—stody of Sir Thomas Shirley William Howard the Earls brother and Heâ—â—y Howard their Unkle brother to the Duke of Norfolk were examined about Letters from the Queen of Scots and many Statagems were set on foot dangerous to some particular persons but necessary as should 〈◊〉 for the Queens security Certain it is That now the malice of the Papists against the Queen brake forth more violently than ever before for in printed Books they stirred up the Queens own servants to â—ttempt the like upon her that Iudith did on Olephernes The Author of these Books could not be found but the suspition lay upon one Gâ—egory Martin sometime of Oxford and Carter a Statioâ—er who printed the Books suffered for it And whereas the Papists every where â—â—aduced the Queen for cruelty she desirous alwayes to leave a blessed â—â—membrance behinde her grew extremely offended with the Commissioners for Popish causes taxing them of too much cruelty insomuch that they were fain in a printed Declaration to cleer themselves protesting That they questioned no man for his Religion but onely for dangerous attempts against the Queen and Stateâ— and that Câ—â—pian himself was never so Racked but that he could presently walk up and down But all this gave not the Queen satisfaction but she commanded the Commissioners to forbear tortures and the Judges other â—uâ—ishments and not long after when seventy Priests were taken and some of them condemned and the rest in danger of the Law she caused them all to be Shipped away and sent out of England The chief of whom were Gaspar Heywood the great Epigrammatist's son the first â—esuite that ever set foot in England Iames Bâ—sgrave Iohn Hart and Edâ—â—â—d Rishton At this time Mendoza the Spanish Ambassadour was thrust out of England for joyning with Throgmorton in his Treason against the Queen whereupon Sir William Waad was sent to the King of Spain to satisfie him how ill Mendoza had discharged the Office of an Ambassadour here in England who when the King admitted him not to his Presence but in a slighting manner putting him off to his Councellors Waad taking it in great disdain boldly said That it was a declared Custome among Princes though in heat of War to give Ambassadours audience and thereupon stouâ—ly refused to â—â—clare his Ambassage and so returned into England unheard The greatest matters laid to Mendoza's charge were gottâ—n out of Throgmorton's Confession for when he was in danger to be apprehended he sent to Mendoza a box of Writings and when his Châ—sts were searched there were found two Scrowls one with the names of the Ports of England and in the other the names of the Nobility and Gentry in England that favoured the Romish Religion These when Thâ—ogmorton saw brought forth he said they were counterfeited and â—tood to it upon the very Rack but being brought to the Rack the second timeâ— he then confessed all That Morgan by Letters out of France had given him information that the Catholike Princes had decreed to invade England and with the help of the Duke of Guise to free the Q. of Scots and that nothing was now wanting but mony ayd in England and that for procuring of this Charls Paâ—eâ— under the counterfeit name of Mope was sent into Sussex where the Duke of Guise intended to land and that he had imported all this matter to Mendoza and intimated the names of the Ports and of the Noble-men that should assist But being arraigned at the Guild-hall he denyed all this again saying He had spoken so because he would not be Racked again Yet being condemned to die he flying to the Queens mercy confessed in a manner all he had before relatedâ— and then at the Gallows went about to deny it again So false to it self is the minde of man when it is divided between hope and fear and lies under the burden of a guilty conscience Sir William Wade being returned from Spain was employed to the Queen of Scots about a Treaty begun two years before To whom the distressed Queen sincerely professed That she devoted her service and her selfe to the Queen of England and made solemne promise That if the former Treaty might go on she would mediate with the King her Son to receive into favour the Earl of Angus and the other Scottish Lords and would charge
the Bishops of Rosse and Glasco her Agents in France to have no further to do with the English Fugitives These things Qâ—een Elizabeth heard gladly and thereupon sent Beale to the Queen of Scots who joyntly with the Earl of Shrewsbery should signifie unto her That if she continued still in the same minde as she had delivered to Waad Sir Walter Mildmay should come out of hand â—o her and Treat concerning her liberty but withall she commanded Mildmay and Beale to dive into her as well as they could to know what practises the Duke of Guyse had on foot To that which she had spoken to sir William Waad the Queen of Scots made a wary answer but to that concerning the Duke of Guyse she plainly confesseth That being sickly heâ— selfe and weak of body she had committed her selfe and her Son to the Protection of the Duke of Guyse her dear Cosen of whose intendments she knoweth nothing nor if she did would she disclose them unlesse she might be sure of her own liberty Lastly she requesteth That being a free and an absolute Prince she may not be worse handled than Queen Elizabeth her selfe was when she was a subject and kept in prison by her Sister These things had a hearing but no feeling and the rather by a strange accident for Creighton a Scottish Jesuit sayling from the Lâ—w-Countries and taken by Dutch Pirats had certain papers which he tore and threâ— away which thrown over-boord and by the winde blown back into the ship miraculously as Creighton himselfe sayd they were brought to sir William Waad who patching them together with much labour and cunning discovered by them some new intendments of the Pope the King of Spainâ— and the Guyse about the Invading of England Whereupon and upoâ— divers other rumors the better to provide for the safety of the Queen a number of her Subjects the Earl of Leicester being the foremost men of all ranks and conditions bound themselves mutually to each other by their oaths and subscriptions to persecute all those to the very death that should attempt any thing against the Queen which league of theirs they called the Association The Queen of Scoâ—s who presently apprehended that this Association was entred into for her destruction maketh this proposition by Nave her Secretary to the Queen and the Councellâ— That if she might have her liberty granted and be assured of the Qâ—eenâ—â—ove she would enter a strict league and â—mity with her and passing by all matters of offence esteem and honor â—er above all the Princes of the Christian World yea and saving the ancient League betwixt Fraâ—ce and Scâ—â—laâ—d she would her selfe be comprehended in tâ—e Association and a League defensivâ— against all that should go about to injure the Queen Herewith Queen Eliâ—abeth was wonderfully pleased and at that time cerâ—â—â—nly had an inclination to grant her freedom Bâ—t see what malice can do for many in Englandâ— but specially the Scoâ—s of 〈◊〉 â—dverse party endeavoured by all means to hinder it exclaiming That 〈◊〉 Queen could be no longer in safety if the Queen of Scots were set at liberty That both Kingdoms were utterly undone if she were admitted into 〈◊〉 â—oynt Government of the Kingdom of Scotland and that the reformed â—â—â—â—gion lay a bleeding if Papists were admitted within the Court walls 〈◊〉 was this all but the Scottish Ministers in their Pulpits loaded the 〈◊〉 of Scots with all manner of contumelies slandred the King himselfe and 〈◊〉 Councell in most bitter manner and being cited to appear before him 〈◊〉 saying That the Pulpits were exempted from all Regall Authority and that Ecclesiasticall persons were not to be censured by the Prince but 〈◊〉 their own Consistory directly against the Laws made the year before in Paâ—liament whereby the Kings Authority over all persons whether Eccleâ—â—â—sâ—icall or Secular was confirmed and namely That the King and his Councell were Supream Judges in all Causes and that whosoever refused 〈◊〉 bâ— tryed by them should be holden guilty of High-treason all Presbyâ—â—â—â—â—s and Lay-conventicles forbidden Parity of the Clergy taken away 〈◊〉 the authority of Bishops restored whose Calling the Presbyteries had condemned as wicked and Antichristian And lastly all scurrilous Libels â—â—â—inst the King and his mother prohibited namely the Scottish History of George Buchanan and his Dialogue De Iure Regni apud Scotos At this time upon her adversaries suggestion the Queen of Scots is taken from the Earl of Shrewsbery and committed to the custody of sir Pawletâ—nd â—nd sir Drue Drury and that on set purpose as some were perswaded to drive her into abrupt and desperate attempts and indeed upon this she grew more importunate with the Pope and King of Spain to hasten their inâ—â—ndment whatsoever became of her as ill indeed was like to become of her if it be true as some sayd that Leicester sent out assasinats to make her â—way but that Drury detested the villany and would grant them no â—â—cesse And how to alienate Queen Elizabeth utterly from her it is suggested to 〈◊〉 That Allen for the Catholicks of the Clergy Inglefield for the Layity â—nd the Bishop of Râ—sse for the Queen of Scots with consent of the Pope and the King of Spain had joyntly combined to depose her and to bar the King of Scotland from his hereditary Right to the Crown of England and to marry the Queen of Scots to an English Noble-man of the Romish Religion and him the English Catholikes should chuse King of England and the Pope confirm the Election and all this upon the credit of Hart the Priest but who this English Noble-man should be that should marry the Queen of Scots could not be found though Walsingham were very busie to seacrh iâ— out the fame went upon Henry Howard the Duke of Norfolks brother â—ho was a single man a great Papist and of high estimation amongst the Catholikes This yeer died in Exile and misery Charles Nâ—vill who was in the Rebellion of the North the last Earl of Westmerland of this Family a House from whence descended many Noble Personages six Earls of Westmerland â—wo Earls of Saliâ—â—â—â—y and Warâ—iâ—k an Earl of Kent a Maâ—quesse Mountâ—cut◠〈◊〉 Duke of Bedford Baron Ferrers of 〈◊〉 the Lord Latymer the Lord of 〈◊〉 one Queen and five Dutchesses to let passe Counteâ—â—es and Baronneâ—ses an Arch-bishop of York and a numerous company of other Lords In Eâ—glâ—nd died none of â—eckoning this yeer but onely Plâ—â—den the famous Lawyer but in France â—he Duke of Angiâ—â— died of griefâ— aâ—d in Holland William Prince of Orange shot into the body with â—hree Bullets by one Bâ—lthâ—sâ—r Gerard a Burgundian It was now the yeer 1585 and the eight and twentieth of Queen Elizaâ—â—â—â—â— Raign when to tiâ— the French King more neerly to her whom the 〈◊〉 â—â—fore she had received into the number of the Knights of the â—arter she sent the Earl of Derby into France to invest him with the Robes and Ornaments according to
his countenance for he was of an extraordâ—â—ary beauty with the husks of green Wall-nuts and when they were halâ— starved went to the houses of the Bellamies neer Harrow on the hill who were great Papists There they were hid in Barns and put into a Counâ—â—ey habit but notwithstanding all their shifting within ten dayes after they were discovered and brought to London The other Complices were soon after taken most of them in the Suburbs of the Citie Salisbury and Travâ—â—se in Cheshire and Iones in Wales who harboured them in his house after he knew they were Proclaimed Traitors Windsor only was never heard of Many dayes were spent in the examination of them who cut one the others throats with their own confessions All this while the Queen of Soits and her servants are so narrowly looked to by Pawlet that she knew nothing of all these passages Assoon as they were apprehended Thomas Gorge was sent to acquaint her with the whole matter which yet he did not do till she was got on horse-back to Ride a hunting and was not then suffered to return buâ— in shew of curtesie was carried up and down to see the Houses of the Gentry thereabouts In which mean while Iohn Manners Edward Acton Richard Bagot and Sir William Waad took Nave and Curle the Queen of Scâ—â—s Secretaries and the rest of her servants and delivered them to Keepers apart that they might have no speech between themselves nor with their Lady the Queen of Scots Then they break open all doors and such Desks and Boxes as they found with any papers in them they set their seals upon and sent them to the Court In which being broken open before the Queen were found a number of Letters from Forreign parts the copies likewise of Letters sent to severall persons and threescore Alphabets at least of private Characters as also Letters to her from some of the English Nobility containing great proffers of love and service which the Queen notwithstanding took no notice of but passed over in silence according to her Motto Video Taceo I see and say nothing Gifford now who had all this while served their turn is sent into France but ere he went hence left an Indenture with the French Ambassador here in England with instructions that he should deliver no Letters to the Queen of Scots or the Fugitives in France but to him that exhibited an Indenture matching with that the which he sent underhand to Sir Francis Walsingham The twentieth oâ— September seven of the forenamed Conspirators were Arraigned and pleading guilty were condemned of High-treason Two dayes after seven other were called to the Bar who pleaded not guilty but notwithstanding were found guilty by their own confessions and condemned Pollie only though he were privie to all passages yet because he had disclosed many things to Walsingham was not called in question The twentieth day of the moneth the first seven in St. Giles Fields where they were wont to meet were hanged cut down instantly their privy members cut off and themselves yet living and beholding it were in cruell manner bowelled and quartered namely Ballard Babington Savage who the roap breaking fell dowd from the Gibbet and was presently taken by the hangman his privie members cut off and bowelled while he was perfectly living Barnwell Tichburne Tilney And Abbington The next day the other seven were drawn to the same place and executed in the same fashion but in a more gentle manner by the Qâ—eens speciall charge who detested the former cruelty for they were to hand till they were quite dead Salisbery first then Dun then Iones Chernoâ—k Traverse Gage and with them Hierome Bellamâ— who had concealed Babington after he was Proclaimed Traytor whose brother being guilty of the same fact had strangled himselfe in Prison When these men were executed Nave a Frenchman and Curle a Scots-man Secretaries to the Queen of Scots were examined concerning the Letters the copies of Letters and priviate Characters found in the Queen of Scots Closet who under their own voluntary subscriptions acknowledged that they were their own hand writings dictated in French by the Queen her self taken by Nave turned into English by Curle and copied out in secret Characters Hereupon Sir Edward Wootton was sent out of hand into France to make known to the King the order of the Treason and to shew him the copies of the Queen of Scots Letters confirmed by the testimony of sundry of the English Nobility that the French King might see what dangerous plots were by Charls Paget and the English Fugitives contrived against the Queen of England And now what should be done with the Queen of Scots was a great consultation wherein the Councellours were not all of one minde some conceived That it were not good to take any rigorous course against her but only to hold her in fast custody both for that she was not Authour of the Treason but only conscious to it and because she was crazie and not likely to live long Others out of a care of Religion were of opinion To have her forthwith Arraigned and put to death according to the Law Leicester thought it better to have her poisoned and sent a Divine to Walsingham to prove it lawfull but Walsingham protested against that course A difference then arose amongst them by what Law to proceed against her Whether by the Law of the 25. of Edward the Third In which they are Pronounced guilty of Treason who plot the destruction of the King or Queen raise War in his Dominions or adhere to his Adversaries Or else by the 27. of the Queen Enacted a year since Their opinion at last prevailed who thought best to proceed against her by this latter Law as being indeed in this case provided Whereupon divers of the Lords of the Privie Councell and other of the Nobility are Authorized by the Queens Letters to enquire by vertue of that Law and passe sentence against all such as raised Rebellion Invaded the Kingdome or attempted any violence against the Queen These Commissioners therefore upon the 11. day of October repaired to Fotheringay Castle in Northamptonshire where the Queen of Scots was then held prisoner and the next day sent unto her VValter Mildmay Pawlet and Edward Barker publick Notary who delivered her the Queens Letters which having with a setled countenance read She sayd It seems to me strangeâ— that the Queen should lay her Command upon me to hold up my hand at the Bar as though I were a Subject seeing I am an absolute Queen no lesse than her selfe but howsoever I will never do any thing prejudiciall to Princes of my degree nor to my Son the King of Scotland After many meetings she standing still upon her innocency and upon her exemption from answering as being an absolute Prince and specially for yeelding to be tryed by the English Laws of which One she sayd had lately been made of purpose for her destruction It was at last told her
into the Town their own Army sickly Victualls and Powder failing and that which most of all Sir Francis Drake not bringing the great Ordnance as he promised they departed from the Suburbs of Lisbon towards Cascais a little Town at the mouth of the River Tagus which Town Drake had taken this meane while who excused his not coming to Lisbon by reason of the Flatâ— he must have passed and the Castle of Saint Julian Fortified with fifty pieces of great Ordnance Neer this place they found threescore Hulkeâ— of the Hause towns of Germany laden with corne and all manner of Munition which they took as good prize towards their charges in regard the Queen had forbidden them to carry Victualls or Munition to the Spaniard From hence they set sayle toward Virgo a forlorne Town by the Sea-side and pillaging all along that Quarter returned for England having lost in the Voyage of Souldiers and Marriners about six thousand yet not so much by the Enemy as by eating of strange fruites and distemper of the Climate It concerns the state of England to look at this time into the state of France for while those things were in doing between Spain and England the Popish Princes of France under pretext of defending the Catholike Religion entred into a combination which they called The holy League The purpose whereof was to root out the Protestants and to divert the Right of Succession to the Crown of France For they bound themselves to each other by oath to suffer no person but a Catholike to be King of France which was directly to exclude the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde if the present King without issue male should fail The head of this League was the Duke of Guise who having given some overthrows to the German Forces that came into France in aid of the Protestants was immeasurably extolled by the Clergie and others and grew to such a height of reputation that entring into Paris he made the King glad to leave the City and in an Assembly at Bloys to make him great Master of the French Cavalery and to consent by Edict to the cutting off the Protestants So as the King standing now in fear of him used means at last even in the very Court to have him murthered and soon after the Cardinall his brother to be strangled Hereupon so great a confusion followed that the people every where disobeyed the Magistrates and spoiled the Kings very Pallace at Paris Some Cities affected a Democrâ—cie others an Aristocracie but few liked of a Monarchy The Confederates in the mean while made a new Seal usurped the Royall Authority seized into their hands the best fortified places intercept the Kings Revenues call in Spanish Souldiers and in all places denounce war and violence against the King And the King in this case being forced to flye to the Protestantâ— for succour they then most wickedly by one Iames Clement a Monk made him away The King being ready to dye Declareth the King of Navarre to be his lawfull successor but the Confederates would exclude him as an open Heretick and yet whom to make choice of they cannot well agree some would have the Duke of Lorraine as being descended from the ancient Kings of France some thâ— Duke of Savoy as borne of the French Kings daughter a Prince Poâ—eâ—t and Couragious others would have the Duke of Guises brother that waâ— murtheredâ— others the King of Spain but the greatest part gave theiâ— voices for the Câ—rdinall of Bourbon who was one degree neerer alâ—yed to the slain King then the King of Navarre his Nephew He therefore was presently proclaimed King of France with the Title of Charls the Tenth but he being a Priest the King of Navarre also was at the same time proclaimed King of France who abode at Diepe a Sea Town of Normandy and doubted not to drive the Cardinall easily out of France The King of Navarre being thus raised in Dignity but weake in means implored Aid of the Queen of England offering to make a League Offensive and Defensive the Queen out of a pious respect to a King of her own Religion sent him presently two and twenty thousand pound sterling in Gold such a summe of Gold as he professed he had never seen at one time before and withall supplyed him with four thousand Souldiers under the command of Peregrine Lord Willoughby for Colonells she appointed Sir Thomas Wilford who was made Marshâ—ll of the Field Iohn Boroâ—ghs Siâ— William Drury and Sir Thomas Baskervyle and gave them a months pay in hand Hereupon the Confederates whom the King had vanquished â— little before at Arques beyond all expectation began to quaile and the day before the Arrivall of the English they vanished away with this addition of Forces the King marcheth to Paris and being ready to enter the Citie causeth a retreat to be â—ounded as loath to have spoile made of a Citie which he hoped shortly should be his own Afterwards by the assistance of the English he wonne many Towns and then having marched at least five hundred miles on foot he gave them leave after a long winters service to returne into England In which Voyage of men of note dyed Captain Hunnings but of a naturall death also Stubbs he whose right hand was cutt off for writing the book against the Queens marriage and Sir William Drury slain by Master Boroâ—ghs in a single Combat where the quarrell was that he being but a Knight would take place of Boroughs that was the younger son of a Baron contrary to the Lawes of the English Gentry About this time Iames King of Scots with Queen Elizabeths good liking Espoused Anne the daughter of Frederick the second King of Denmarke by his Deputy but she afterward sayling for Scotland was by tempest cast upon Norway and there through continuall stormes forced to stay so as the King in the winter season set sayle thither that the marriâ—ge according to his vow might be accomplished within the yeer some were of opinion that those stormes were caused by witch-craft and was confirmed indeed by some witches taken in Scotland who confessed they had raised those stormes to keep the Queen from landing in Scotland and that the Earl of Bothwell had asked Counsell of them concerning the Kings end who was thereupon cast into prison but in a short time breaking loose occasioned new stirs in Scotland This yeer many Noble personages dyed Frances Countesse of Sussex sister to Sir Henry Sidney Sir Walter Mildway Chancellour and Vice-Treasurer of the Exchequer William Somerset Earl of Worcester so numerous in his off-spring that he could reckon more children of both Sexes then all the Earls of England Also Iohn Lord Sturton Henry Lord Compton and at Bruxels the Lord Paget At this time the Queen who was alwayes frugall strained one point of Frugality more then ever she had done before for upon the information of one Caermarden though Burleigh Leicester and Walsingham were
offended that credit should be given to such a one and themselvâ—s neglected she raised Thomas Smith the customer from thirteen thousâ—nd pounds yeerly to two and forty thousand pounds and at last to fifty thousand It was now the yeer 1590. and the three and thirtieth of Queen Elizabeths Raigne in which the Earl of Cumberland made a Voyage to the Indies where he laid levell to the ground the Fort of the Isle of â—iala and brought away eight and fifty Pieces of great Ordnance This yeer was fatall to many Noble personages first dyed Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick son to Iohn Duke of Northumberland without issue After him Sir Francis Walsingham Secretary a man more skilfull in the Politicks then in the Oeconomicks more cunning in managing matters of the publick State then of his own private estate which he left so mean and dyed so much indebted that he was fain to be buryed by night without aâ—y Funerall pomp in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul leaving behinde him one onely daughter famous for her three husbands all of them the goodliest men of their time the first Sir Philip Sidney the second Robert Earl of Essex the third Richard Burgh Earl of Clanricard by King Charls made Earl of Saint Albans Within two Moneths after Wâ—lsingham dyed Sir Thomas Randolâ— who had been fourteen times sent in Embassage to severall Princes yet was never rewarded with any greater dignities then the Chamberlainship of the Exchequer and the Postmastership of England Soon after him dyed Sir Iohn Crofâ—s who had done good service in Scotland in Edward the sixths time in Queen Mary's time was condemned of high Treason in Queen Elisabeths time set at liberty and made Comptroller of her house After him dyed George Talbot the seventh E. of Shrewsbury of this house he was made Earl Marshall of England and left behinde him a memoriall of Wisdom and Integrity Lastly dyed Thomas Lord Wentworth the last of the English that had been Governour of Calice In Ireland at this time Hugh Gaveloc so called because he had been long kept in Fetters the naturall son of Shan O Neale accused Hugh Earl of Tir-Oen for holding private consultations with certain Spaniard who in 88 were by Shipwrack cast upon the coast of Ireland Tir-Oen to prevent the Accusation took the said Hugh and when others refused to do it took a cord and with his own hands strangled him Hereupon he was sent for into England and came and upon pardon obtained solemnly undertook in presence of the Queen at Greenwich to maintain the peace with Turlogh Leynigh Not to usurpe the Title of O-Neale nor any authority over the Gentry about him to reduce the Territory of Tir-Oen to the form of a County and civil behaviour and many such matters giving hostages for his true performance and indeed for a time he observed all things very duly This trouble allayed another arose for soon after this Hugh Roe Mac-Mahon a Potentate in the Territory of Monaghan compelled those under his jurisdiction to pay him tribute whereupon the Deputy caused him to be taken and tryed by a Jury of common Souldiers and then to be hanged up dividing his lands amongst certain English and some of the Mac-Mahons reserving a certain yeerly Rent to the Crown of England by this means thinking to extinguish the Power and Title of Mac-Mahon But hereupon O-Rork fearing hee should be served in like manner took up Arms against the Queen whom Bingham President of Connacht soon distressed and drave into Scotland and at the Queens request was by the King delivered up into his hands It was now the yeer 1591. and the Four and thirtieth of Queen Elisabeths Raign when she carefull lest Britain should come into the Spaniards hands sent Edmund York into France to advertise the King to take care thereof and promising to send him Forces to that end if he would some Towns where they might be in safety Hereupon he named Cherburg Granvile or Brest as the fittest and it was agreed that Three thousand English should be sent into Brittainy and Picardy but in the mean time Henry Palmer was sent to Sea with certain Ships who seized upon Thirteen Spanish Ships as they were returning from Nova Francia And now Roger Williams with a Company of Six hundred Souldiers passeth over to Diepe in Normandy and Sir Iohn Norris with the rest of the Forces hasted into Britain soon after Roger Williams with his own Six hundred and the help of Charter Governour of Diepe put to rout the Confederates that had blocked up the passages whose valour the French King in his Letters to the Queen highly extolled Whereupon growing more couragious and not minding his charge which was to stay at Diepe he accompanyed the King to the very Suburbs of Paris where in honour of his Nation he sent a Challenge to the Spaniards to encounter Two hundred Pikemen of the English and a hundred Musquetiers with as many Spaniards in open Field After this the King of France acquainted the Queen that he had a purpose to set upon Roan or New-haven before the Prince of Parma should come into France and thereupon requested her to send Four thousand English into Normandy which upon certain conditions she willingly did and sent them under the Command of Robert Earl of Eâ—sex accompanyed with Sir Thomas Leighton and Sir William Killegrew as his Counsellours When the Earl came into France he found that the King was at Noyon and in Normandy no preparation for the War at all which seemed strange and much troubled him but by and by Sir Roger Williams comes to him from the King requesting him to come to Noyon that they might confer concerning a course of War Thither the Earl made a tedious journey and being come thither the King told him he was now of necessity to go himself into Champaigne but promiseth to send Marshall Biron and the Duke of Montpensier forthwith to him to lay siege to Roan Hereupon the Earl returned to his Tents expecting their coming but neither of thâ—m â—â—me which troubled the Earl more then before so as being weary now 〈◊〉 doing nothing he made himself one approach to Roan where hiâ— Brother Wâ—ltâ—â— Devereux was unfortunately slain Indeed the affairs of the â—ing of Frâ—nce were at this time upon so uncertain terms that before he could â—â—t 〈◊〉 hâ— had resolved something still intervened that diverted him for which by his Letters he excused himself to the Queen of England and by the mediation of the Eaâ—l and Mornay Lord du Plessie whom to that end he sent into England obtained new supplies and then besieged Roan At this time was memorable the prodigious cariage of one Hacket born at Oundale in Northamptonshire a mean fellow of no learning whose first prank was this That when in shew of Reconciliation to one with whom he had been at variance he imbraced him he bit off his Nose and the man desiring to have his Nose again that it might
be sowed on while the wound was green he most villanously eat it up and swallowed it down before his face After this all on a â—udden he took upon him a shew of wonderfull holinesse did nothing but hear Sermons and getting Scriptures by heart â—â—d counterfeting Revelations from God and an extraordinary calling and â—rew to be so magnified by certain zealous Ministers and specially of one â—â—â—ard Coppinger a Gentleman of a good house and one Arthington a great admirer of the Geneva Discipline that they accounted him as sent â—rom Heaven and a greater Prophet then Moses or Iohn Baptist and finally that he was Christ himself come with his fanne in his hand to judge the world And this they proclaimed in Cheapside giving out that Hacket participated of Christs glorified body by his especiall Spirit and was now come to propagate the Gospel over Europe and to settle a true Discipline in the Church of England and that they themselves were two Prophets the one of Mercie and the other of Judgement with many other such incredible blasphemies whereupon Hacket was apprehended and arraigned and at last hanged drawn and quartered continuing all the time and at his death his blasphemous Assertions Coppinger a while after starved himself to death in prison Arthington repented and made his Recantation in a publike writing Besides these other also at this time opposed the established Government of the Church of England crying down the calling of Bishops with whom sided some Common-Lawyers also affirming that the Queen could not depute nor these men exercise any such Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction and that the Oath Ex Officio was unchristian But the Queen conceiving that through the sides of the Prelates she her self was shot at suppressed them what she could and maintained the Government formerly established About this time the Lord Thomas Howard with six of the Queens ships having waited at the Azores six whole Moneths for the coming of the Spanish Fleet from America was at last set upon by Alphonso Bassano with three and fifty ships sent out for the Convoy of the American Fleet where Richard Granvile Vice-Admirall being in the Revenge and separated from his company was so hemmed in by the Spanish ships and so battered with great shot that most of his men being slain his Main-mast cut off himself sore wounded in the head he commanded to sink the ship that it might not come into the Spaniards hands but this being countermanded by most voices it was agreed to yeeld it to the Spaniards upon condition that the men should be set at liberty Granvile himself was carryed into the Spanish Admirall where within two dayes he dyed not without praise of his very enemies Thus the great ship called the Revenge was yeelded but had so many leaks in the Keâ—l that soon after it was cast away in a storm and the losse of this one ship the English soon made good upon the Spaniards by taking many of theirs About this time also Cavendish who in the yeer 1578. had sailed round about the world now with five ships bent his course toward the Magellan Straits but by reason of foul weather was not able to passe them being driven to the coast of Brasile was there cast away And now enmity increasing daily between Spain and England two Proclamations were set forth one prohibiting upon pain of high-Treason to carry Victuals or Munition into any of the King of Spains dominions Another forbidding all persons to entertain any in their houses till inquiry made what they were lest they might entertain Popish Priests who at this time came swarming into England by reason the King of Spain had lately founded a Seminary at Valledolid for the English At this time dyed Sir Christopher Hatton Lord Chancelour whom of a mean Gentlemans house the Queens favour had raised to this height of Dignity a goodly personage of body of Noble but no aspiring spirits the onely of all the Queens speciall Favourites that dyed a Batchelour and therefore left William Newport his sisters son his heir who erected for him in Pauls Church a sumptuous Monument After his death the keeping of the great Seal was for certain Moneths committed to the Lord Burleigh Treasurer Hunsdon Cobham and Buckhurst Afterward Puckering the Queens Sergeant at Law was elected not Chancelour but Keeper of the great Seal At this time also Brian O-Rork the Irish Potentate was arraigned at Westminster his Indictments were For raising Rebellion against the Queen for dragging her Picture at a horse tail for giving the Spaniards entertainment which things being told him by an Interpreter for he understood no English hee said Hee would not be tryed unlesse the Queen her self in person sate to judge him Yet being told that it was the Law hee onely said If it must be so let it be so and so condemned was executed at Tyburn as a Traitour whereof hee seemed to make as little reckoning as if it had but been in jest And now this yeer the Queen made the Colledge of Dublin in Ireland an University which was formerly the Monastery of All-Saints endowing it with power to confer Scholasticall Dignities At this time Sir Iohn Pâ—rot who had been Deputy of Ireland and done good service there was yet by the malice of Adversaries of whom Hatton was one called in question before the Baron Hunsdon the Lord Buckhurst Sir Robert Cecill lately made a Councellour Sir Iohn Fortescue Sir Iohn Wolley and some of the Judges His Accusations were first that he had spoken opprobrious words against the Queen saying Shee was illegitimate and cowardly secondly that hee had fostered notorious Traitours and Popish Priests thirdly that hee held correspondence with the Prince of Parma and the Queens enemies To the first of which he confessed that in his passion he had spoken of the Queen unadvisedly for which hee was infinitely grieved the rest hee denyed And all men knew he was never Popishly affected His Accusers were one Philip Williams sometime his Secretary Denys O-Roghan an Irish marryed Priest whose life hee had saved and one Walton a fellow of no worth or Reputation Yet the crimes being urged against him by Popham and other Lawyers till eleven a clock at night hee was at last condemned of high Treason but Sentence waâ— not pronounced till twenty dayes after and yet was not put to death but dyed a naturall death in the Tower hee vvas a man of a goodly personage stout and chollerick and one whom many thought the Queen had the more reason to respect for her father King Henry the Eighths sake The Earl of Essâ—x after a tedious Winters siege in Normandy challenged Monsieur Villerse Governour of Roan to a single combate who refusing to meet him hee then returned into England being called home by the Queen whose favour by his long absence might else have suffered prejudice And now the King of France hearing that the Prince of Parma was coming iâ—to France once again was fain to flye to
the Queen for succour to whom upon certain conditions she granted an Army of four thousand men and some great Ordnance with which Sir Iohn Norris was sent into France whom yet the French King imployed not as was agreed to the great displeasure of the Queen But as for the Prince of Parma's coming into France hee was prevented by death when hee had governed the Netherlands under the Spaniard fourteen yeers a Prince of many excellent parts and whom Queen Elisabeth never mentioned but with honour And now Queen Elizabeth considering that the King of Spaines chiefe strength was in his Gold of America sends forth Sir Walter Ralegh with a Fleet of fifteene Ships to meete with the Spanish Fleet who passing by a Promontory of Spain received certain intelligence that the Spaâ—ish Fleet was not to come forth that yeare Whereupon dividing his Navy into two parts whereof the one he committed to Sir Iohn Burâ—â—â—ghs the other to Sir Martin Forbysher he waited other opportunities when soon after a mighty Caraque came in view called The Mother of God which from the Beake to the Sterne was a hundred threescore and five foot long built with seven Decks and carrying six hundred men besides rich Merchandize This great Vessell they took and in it to the â—â—lue of a hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling over and above what the Commanders and Sea-men pilfered This yeare the Queene going in Progresse passed through Oxford where she was entertained by the Schollers with Orations Stage-Plâ—yes and Disputations and by the Lord Buckhurst Chancellor of the University with a sumptuous Feast At her departure She made a Latine Oration wherein she vowed a vow and gave them counsell Her vow was That as she desired nothing so much as the prosperity and flourishing estate of her Kingdome so she as much wished to see the Universities and Schools of learning to flourish likewise Her Counsell was That they would serve God above all not following the curiosity of some wits but the Lawes of God and the Kingdome That they would not prevent the Lawes but follow them nor dispute whether better Lawes might be made but observe those which were already Enacted This year dyed Anthony Browne Viscount Montacute whom Queene Mary honored with this Title because his Grandmother was Daughter and one of the Heirs of Iohn Nevill Marquesse Montacute who though he were a great Roman Catholike yet the Queen finding him faithfull alwayes loved him and in his sicknesse went to visit him There dyed at this time also Henry Lord Scroope of Bolton Knight of the Garter and long time Governour of the Westerne Border toward Scotland At this time Henry Barrow and his Sectaries condemning the Church of England to be no Christian Church and derogating from the Queens Authority in matters Ecclesiasticall he the sayd Barrow as Ring-leader of the rest was put to death in terror to all such disturbers of the peace of the Church About this time by reason of the Queens correspondence with the Turk to the end her Subjects might have free Trading in his Territories It was maliciously given out by some that she had excited the Turke to a War against the Christians which caused the Queen to write to the Emperour shewing him the falsenesse of this report wherein she gave him full saâ—â—sfaction And now a constant report came into England That the King of France had already embraced or was ready to embrace the Romish Religion which so much troubled the Queene that she presently sent Thomas Wilkes into France with reasons if it were not too late to divert him from it But before Wilkes came the King indeed had openly professed the Romish Religion at the Church of Saint Denis in Paris of which his Conversion he declared the causes to Wilkes at large shewing the necessity of it unlesse he would suffer himselfe to be utterly thrust out of the Kingdome And the French AMBASSADOR signifying as much to the Queene in great perplexity She writ to him to this effect Alas what grief what anxiety of minde hath befallen me since I heard this news was it possible that worldly respects should make you lay aside Gods feare â—â—uld you thinke That He who had hitherto upheld and kept you would now at the last leave you It is a dangerous thing to doe evill that gâ—od may come thereof But I hope your minde may alter In the meane while I will pray for you and beg of God That the hands of Esau may not hinder the blessing of Jacob. To this the KING Answered That though he had done this in his owne Person out of necessity yet He would never be wanting to those of the Reformed Religion but would take them into his speciall care and Protection And now was Richard Hasket condemned and executed for Treasoâ— being sent from the English Fugitives beyond Sea to perswade Ferdinand Earle of Derby Sonne to Henry newly deceased to assume the Title of the Kingdome by right of Descent from Mary Daughter to Henry the Seventh and threatning him that unlesse he undertooke this enterprize and withall concealed him the Abettor he should shortly dye in most wretched manner But the Earle fearing a trap was layd for him revealed the matter yet the fellows threating proved not altogether vaine for the Earle within foure Moneths dyed a most horrible death This yeare Death had his tribute payd him from the Nobility for there dyed Henry Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex and three renowned Barons Arthur Grey of Wilton Henry Lord Cromwell and Henry Lord Wentworth besides Sir Christopher Carlile whose Warlike Prowesse at Sea and land deserves to be remembred In IRELAND at this time divers great men in Connaght Rebelled and Tuâ—logh Leynigh being dead Tir-Oen assumed to himselfe the title of O-Neale which in IRELAND is more esteemed than to be called EMPEROVR But upon a sudden dissembling his disconteâ—t hee submitted himselfe to the DEPVTY and promised all obedience Iâ— was now the yeare 1594 and the seven and thirtieth of Queen ELIZABETHâ— Raigne when the good correspondence betweene the King of Scots and Queen ELIZABETH gave the Papists small hope that ever he would prove an Instrument to restore the Catholike Religion Whereupon they began to bethinke themselves of some English Papist that might succeed the Queene but finding none of their owne Sect a fit person they fixed their thoughts upon the Earl of Essex who alwayes seemed a very moderate man and him they devised to have some right to the Crowne by Descent from Thomas of Woodstocke King EDVVARD the Thirds Sonne But the English Fugitives were for the Infanta of Spaine and desiring to set the King of Scots and the Earle of Essex at ods they set forth a Book which they Dedicated to Essex under the name of Doleman but was written indeed by Parsons Dolemans bitter Adversary Cardinall Allen and Francis Englefield The scope of which Booke was to exclude from Succession all persons whatsoever and how near soever Allied
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 wiâ—h 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 conspiâ—ed against the life of the Queen they were all condemned and Exeâ—â—â—ed 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 Câ—llenâ— 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 â—tuffe 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 â—tinck 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 Edâ—ond 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 â—ver 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
to him with whom to confer Sir William Godolphine is sent to whom he complained of cowardise and he feared treachery of the Irish and therefore although he wanted nothing to hold out the Siege and did daily expect great Forces from Spain yet was willing to make a Composition whereupon at last it was agreed The Spaniards should yeeld up Kinsale to the Deputy as also the Castles and Forts at Baltimore Bere-Haven and Castle-haven and should depart with life and goods and Colours displayed The English at a reasonable price should furnish them with Ships and provision into Spain and that they should not carry Arms against the Queen of England till they were arrived in Spain c. And now the Spaniards being driven out of Ireland the Queen to prevent their coming again sendeth out Sir Richard Levison and Sir William Mâ—â—son with eight Ships of her own and some smaller Ships of War to attempt something upon the Coast of Spain On the nineteenth of March Levisâ—n hoyseth Sayl and Monson afterward having in vain tarryed behinde for some Dutch Ships to joyn with them Levison in the mean time lighted upon the Spanish Navy of eight and thirty Ships which brought the Treasure from America and set upon them but to no purpose When Monson was come with the rest of the Fleet they had certain notice That a mighty Indian Caraque of sixteen hundred Tun and richly laden was upon the Coast of Portugall There indeed they found it but it lay close under a Fort attended with eleven Gallies and the Caraque it self appeared as big as a Castle yet they resolved to fire it if they could not take it The next day they thundered so violently against the Gallies that within seven hours the Marquesse of St. Crosse together with Portugall Gallies which he commanded withdrew themselves two of them were taken and fired and in them was great store of Powder which was going for the Low-Countries And now Levison signified to the Captain of the Caraque That the Gallies which they trusted to were driven away and therefore if they now refused mercy they must expect none hereafter After much speech to and fro it was at last agreed That the Caraque with the Ordnance and Merchandise should be yeelded up Thus the English having a fair winde returned homeward with a Booty to the value of a Million of Duckets by the Portugall account and not past five of their men lost in the Voyage At this time there arose a Contestation amongst the Popish Clergy here in England for the Jesuites and the Secular Priests made bitter Invectives in their writings one against the other The originall of the Priests quarrell was That Blackwell one wholly at the beck of the Jusuites was set over them as Arch-Presbyter who first of all despoiled them of their Faculties and when they appealed to the Pope caused them to be declared Schismaticks and Hereticks They in sundry Books extolled the Queen very highly as one that dealt mildly alwayes with the Catholikes till such time as they set all in a combustion in England and by their Treasons caused most severe Laws to be enacted against the Catholikes Parsons they traduced as a Bastard an Equivocator and a Traytor Whether they contended thus in good earnest or in jest only is hard to say but the Bishop of London politickly nourished the contention and all he gained was this That the Queen and her Councell finding them dangerous to the Common-wealth both the one and the other upon Penalty of the Laws were by Proclamation commanded to depart out of the Kingdom presently In France the Marshall Biron for entring into dangerous attempts against the publike Peace was arraigned and lost his head His confession brought some other into danger and amongst them the Duke of Bulloign of the Protestant Religion that when he was cited he durst not appear but fled into Germany Hereupon the King of France sendeth to Queen Elizabeth complaining that the Duke held his Marriage unlawfull and the Popes Dispensation nothing worth pronouncing his son Illegitimate had destined the Prince of Conde to the Succession of the Crown and conspired the destruction of the prime of the Nobility The Queen by her Legier Ambassadour adviseth the King not too credulously to entertain those reports as doubting these suggestions might proceed from some of the Spanish Faction Hereupon the King grew very angry saying The Queen held a better opinion of the Duke then he deserved and that he was one of the chief Architects of Essex his Treason and being questioned by the King about it was not able to deny it About this time also the Duke of Savoy by cunning slights and open force practised against the State of Geneva and the Queen relieved them with a great sum of money gathered amongst the Clergy and Laity all over England And now the Earl of Tyrone perceiving himself in a desperate estate resolved to sue for mercy and promised at last to submit his life and Fortunes to the Queens pleasure absolutely without condition Hereupon being admitted to the presence of the Deputy at the very entry of the room he fell on his knees and then passing on a few steps prostrated himself again saying I confesse and crave pardon for my great fault against God and a most bountifull Prince my dread Soveraign I fly to the Queens mercy as a sacred Anchor permitting her to dispose of my life and Fortunes at her pleasure Upon this his submission the Deputy commanded him to go aside and the next day took him along to Dublin with him meaning to bring him into England that the Queen might deal with him according to her Royall pleasure But before he could come into England the Queen died Her TAXATIONS IN a Parliament holden the first yeer of her Raign a Subsidy was granted of two Shillings eight pence the pound of Goods and four Shillings of Lands to be paid at two severall Payments of every person Spirituall and Temporall In her sixth yeer in a Parliament holden at Westminster one Subsidy was granted by the Clergy and another by the Laity together with two Fifteenths and Tenths In her eighth yeer in a Parliament then holden there were offered to her four Subsidies upon condition she would declare a Successor but she refused their offer and directly remitted the fourth Subsidy which they had granted saying It was all one whether the money were in her Subjects Coffers or in her own In her thirteenth yeer in a Parliament then holden towards her charges of repressing the Northern Rebellion there was granted her by the Clergy a Subsidy of six Shillings in the pound and by the Temporalty two fifteens with a Subsidy of two shillings and eight pence in the pound In her six and thirtieth yeer a Parliament was holden wherein was granted by the Clergy two whole Subsidies and by the Laity three besides six Fifteens and Tenths but it was put into the Act That this great Contribution
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 Sâ—ssex 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 gaynâ—s of his usuall practiceâ— hee grew to a greater wealth then was usuall for Physitions King Iames had distributed the meaner Order of Knighthoâ—d 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 Monâ—ieur 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 â—une 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 Sâ—â— Thomas Waterings and there hanged and quartered About this time the Honourable Charles Lord Montjâ—y 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 Garâ—er upon the like imployment soone after he sent the Lord Spenâ—er 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 TreasoÌ„s 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 Genâ—lement 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 hâ—ve done Indeed the great
favour which King Iames at his first comming to the Crown shewed to the Earle of South-Hampton was like to breed no good blood in those that were his oposites and it was said how true I know not that as the King had sent to enlarge the Earle of South-Hampton and apointed him to meet him upon the way So when he heard of an Intention that the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Ralegh had to meet him he sent them word they should spare their labour But why there it were so or no it seemes they found some â—ause of discontentment and discontentment will never want Complyces and by this meanes was the composition of this Tâ—eason made up and thereupon were apprehended Henry Lord Cobham and George Brook his brother Thomas Lord Grey of Wilton Sir Walter Ralegh Sir Griffith Markham and Sir Edward Parham Knights Bartholmew Brookesby and Anthony Copley Gentlemen William Watson and William Clerke Priests But though they were apprehended in Iuly yet they come not to their arraignment till November following for by reason of the sicknesse which was then hot in London the Terme was put off till Crastino Martini and then to be kept at Winchester in Hamp-shire only the Courts of the Exchecker Wards Liveries and the Dutchy of Lancaster were kept in the Kings Mannour at Richmond in the County of Surrey and so in the fourth of November following all the foresaid Delinquents were removed from the Tower of London and other Prisons by strong Guards to Winchester and there arraigned whose Indictment was for Conspiring 1 To kill the King 2 To raise Rebellion 3 To alter Religion 4 To subvert the State 5 To procure Invasion by Strangers Concerning the first Point it was proved that the Lord Grey intended to obtaine the levying of two thousand men for defence of the Low-Countreyes and with them to seize uâ—on the King and Prince and take the Lords of the Counsaile in their chambers For the other Points It was proved that the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Ralegh met at S Martins in the Fields and there consulted about raising Sedition mooving Rebellion altering Religion subverting the State and to set up the Lady Arbella And particularly for the Point of subverting the State It was proved that Watson was designed to be Lord Chancellor George Brooke Lord Treasurer Sir Griffin Markham Secretary and the Lord Grey to be Master of the Horse and Earle Marshall of England and for effecting of these Treasons It was proved that Waston the Priest had devised Oaths in writing by which all parties were bound to keep them secret And for the last point It was proved that Sir Walter Ralegh was appointed to treate with Count Aramberg for six hundred thousand Câ—owns and the Lord Cobham to go to the Arch-Duke and to the King of Spaine to perswade them to assist the Lady Arbella These things being proved against them on the dayes in which they were severally Indicted the most which was replied in mitigation of their fault was first by Waston who affirmed it could not be Treason because the King was not yet Crowned and then by the Lord Grey that it was but a verbal matter and never took effect and therfore could be no Treason but these assertions being both refuted they were al except Sir Edwâ— Parham who only was acquitted on their severall dayes of inditement found guilty of Treason and had Iudgement accordingly The Priests Watson and Clerk were executde at Winchester the nine and twentieth of November George Brooke was beheaded the fift of Decemb. but then the hand of Iustice stayedâ— and this was the course which the K. held in shewing mercy After the death of the three before named he signed three other warrants for the execution of the late L. Cobham the Lord Grâ—y and Sir Griffin Markâ—hâ—m on a certain day then following but before that day came he privately framed another warrant written with his own hand to the Sheriffe who was then Sir Benjamin Tichburne by which he countermanded the former Warrants and that there might be no notice taken of it he sent it by Mr. Iohn Gybbe a Scotch-man and one utterly unknown to all the company appointing him to deliver it so that it might not take effect til after their severall confessions and at the very point of their Execution which was accordingly performed At which time it was a wonderfull thing to see how the Delinquents falling on their knees lamented their misdoings and most of all how they extolled the Kings unspeakable mercy But though thus pardoned yet were they carryed back to the Tower where the L Grey not long after dyed and in him was extinct that Barony which had formerly broâ—ght forth many valourous worthy men Sir Griffin MarkhaÌ„ after some time was set at liberty passed beyond sea wher he lived long after in meane account The Lord Cobham likewise was afterward discharged of imprisonment but deprived of his Estate lived divers years after in great pennury and in him ended that noble Family which had flourished in great honor many Ages Sir Walter Ralegh was kept in the Tower where to his great honour he spent his time in writing and had bin a happy man if he had never beene released But such is our state that no mans fortune is understood whether it be good or bad untill it be discovered by the Event But in this meane time many things had passedâ— for his Majesty having deferred the Feast of St. George untill his being at some of his owne houses held now the said Feast at Windsor the second of Iuly where the Prince was installed Knight of the Garter as also the Duke of Lenox the Earle of South-Hampton the Earle of Mâ—rre and the Earle of Pembrooke and at the same time were elected the King of Denmark and the Duke of Wirtenberg though their investing have been spoken off before And now was preparation made for the Kings Coronation and for a preparative unto it hâ— first restored the Earle of South-Hampton and then raised in honor these following Sir Thomas Egerâ—on Lord Chancellourâ— he made Baron of Elsemere Sir William Russell Baron of Thornâ—ugh Sir Henry Grey Baron of Grobye Sir Iohn Peter Baron of Writtle Sir Iohn Harington Baron of Exton Sir Henry Denvers Baron of Daâ—sey Sir Thomas Gerard Baron of Gerads Bromely in the County of Stafford and Sir Robert Spenser Baron of Wormeleyton After this he conferred inferiour Orders and made Knights all the Iudges and Serjeants at Law all Civilians and Clerkes of the Signet all his Gentlemen Vshers and divers other and lastly made Knights of the Bathe threescore and two most of them Noble mens sons and the rest Gentlemen of speciall worth These things done on the five and twentieth of Iuly being St. Iames day the King and Queen were together crowned and anoynted at Westminster by the hands of Iohn Whitegift Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in presence of the Nobility and other namely Sir Robert Lee Lord
Major of London in a gowâ—e of Crymson Velvet his brethren the Aldermen in gownes of Scarlet and twelve principall Citizens admitted to attend on them all other Citizens stayed from passing thither either by water or by Land by reson of the sicknesse and the first of Aâ—gust following all suitors were by Proclamation forbidden to repayâ—e to the Count till the winter following At this time the King forgot noâ— a deliverance he had formerly had which though it were had in Scotland yet he would have notice of it taken in England which was his deliverance from the conspiracy of the Goâ—ries on the fift day of August three yeâ—â—es before and thereupon Friday being the fift of August was by commandement appoâ—â—â—ed to be kept Holy day with Morning Prayer Sermons and Evening Prayer thâ—t day and Bonfires â—t night which was then and after during his life solemnely oâ—â—erved King Iaâ—â—â— had in hiâ— aâ— it were two Persons one as he was King of Scotland and in this he was in perfect amity with â—he King of Spainâ— another as he was King oâ— England and in this he had some difference with Spaine but he as Rex pacificâ—â— â—â—oke the best from both and was altogether for the Olive branch and thereupon when at his comming into England he found letters of Mart granted against Spaniards he first caused them all to be called in and then consâ—nted to a Treaty of perâ—it reconcilment In which Treaty handled at London the 18 oâ— August 16â—4 The Commissioners for the King of England were Thomas Earle of Dorset Charles Earle of Nottingham Charles Earle of Devonshire Henry Earle of North-Hampton and Robert Viscount Cranbourne For the King of Spaine Iohn de Velasco Constable of Castile Iohn de Tassis Earle of Villa Mediaâ—a and Alexander Robidius Professor of the Law in the Colledge of Millaine For the Archdukes Charles Count of Aramberg Iohn Richardoâ— President of the Privy Counsaile and Lodowick Verreikin principall Secretary by whom a Peace being concluded and contained in many Articles The Somer following the King of Spaine sent Don Iohn de Velesco Constable of Castile and Duke of Fryas also Pedraca de la Syerra his great Chamberlaine accompagnied with diverse Marquises Earles and Barons who comming into England were by the Earle of Devonshire on the nineteenth of August brought to the Court where the King in his Chappell in the presence of the â—ommissioners and other English Lords the Duke of Fryas holding the Kings hands between his tooke his Oath upon the holy Bible religiously to obserue and keep all the Articles of the Peace and League agreed upon and in March following being now the third yeare of King Iames Charles Earle of Nottingham Lord high Admirall of England was sent into Spaine to take in like manner the King of Spaine's Oath who accompanied with three Barons and many Knights Gentlemen and other to the number of six hundred and fifty the fifteenth of Aprill arrived at Groyne from whence he was conducted to Valledolid three hundred miles off where the King of Spaine then kept his Court enterteined in all places as he passed at the King of Spaine's charge with so great provisions and such demonstration of love and gladnesse that it plainly shewed the Spaniards were as glad of our friendship as we of theirs The Lord Embassadour being come to Court He caused Thomas Knoll Esquire to deliver the presents sent from the King of England which were siz goodly Horses with saddles and saddle cloaths very richly imbrodered whereof three for the King and three for the Queen two crossebows with sheafes of arrowsâ— foure fowling pieces inlaid with plates of Gold and a couple of Lyme hownds of singular qualities which the King and Queen in very kind manner accepted and then on the thirtyth of May the Lord Embassadour being sent for the King came forth into a large room where having a little Table set before him and a Bible very reverently laid upon it together with a Crucifix The Archbishop of Toledo read the Oath at the reading whereof the Lord Embassadour held the Kings hands between his and the King kneeling down layd his hands upon the Book and after his Oath subscribed to the Articles formerly concluded Whilst the E. of Nothingham was thus imployed in Spaine the right honorable Edward Earle of Hartford was likewise sent Embâ—ssador to Albertus and Isabella Archdukes of Austria to take their Oaths for confirmation of the said Articles of Peace which were taken at Bruxell the first of May with great State and solemnity After which as the Earle bestowed on the Archduks servants to the full summe of three thousand pouns So the Archduke at his departy bestowed upon the Earle a Iewell worth nine hundred pounds and a suite of Arms worth three hundred and bore his charges all the time of his stay at Bruxels And now was King Iames truly Rex Pacificus Peece and amity with all Princes of Christendome which few of his Auncestors ever were A little before this in the Month of August in the yeare 1604 the strong Town of Ostend in Flanders after above three years siege and the slaughter of a hundred and twenty thousand men of both sides and in defense whereof Sir Francis Vere Generall and his brother Sir Horatio Vere had shewed great Valour was by the Marquis Spinola taken for which Service the King of Spaine made him Duke of Santa Severina and Lord Generall of all his Forces in the Low-Countryes It was now the third yeare of King Iames his Reigne when he kept Saint Georges Feast at Grenwich and there made two new Knights of the Garter namely the High and Mighty Prince Duke Ulrick heire of Norway and brother to our gracious Queen Anne and the right Noble Lord Henry Howard Earle of North-Hampton And upon the Saturday following in the Hall at Grenwich being richly hanged with Arras he created three Earles one Viscount and foure Barons namely Sir Robert Cecil Viscount Cranbourne he created Earle of Salisbury Thomas Cecil Lord Burley his eldest brother he created Earle of Exceter and Sir Philipe Herbert yonger brother to the Earle of Pembrooke he created Earle of Montgomery then Robert Sidney Baron of Penshurst Lord Chamberlaine to the Queen he created Viscount Lisle Sir Iohn Stanhope Vicechamberlaine to the King he made Lord Stanhope of Harington Sir George Carew Vicechamberlaine to the Queen he made Lord Carew of Cloptonâ— Master Thomas Arundell of Devonshire he made Lord Arundell of Wardez and Master William Cavendish he made Lord Cavendish of Hardwick About this time a strange fancy possessed the braines of a professed Physition one Richard Haidock of new Colledge in Oxford who pretended to preach at night in his sleep in such sort that though he were called aloud or stirred and pull'd by the hands or feet yet would make no shew of either hearing or feeling And this he did often in the presence of many honorable persons that came to heare him
Wright Francis Tresham Guido Fawkes and at last Sir Edward Digby all earnest Papists and all bound by Oath and by receiving the Sacrament to be secret For effecting of this plot they hired a house close adjoyning to the Upper house of Parliament where they were to dig thorow a Wall for the fit placing of their Powder About Candlemasse they had wrought the Wall halfe thorow when suddainly they heard a noyse in the next room which made them feare they had beene discovered but sending Guy Fawkes who went now under the name of Iohn Iohnson as Master Percies man to see what the matter was he brought word that it was a Cellar where Sea-Coles had beene layd and were now a selling and the roome offered to bee let for a yearely rent This roome therefore as most fit for their purpose being right under the Parliament House Master Percie presently went and hired laying into it twenty barrells of powder which they covered with Billets and Faggots for being discovered Thus the first part of the plot was put in a good readinesse It now remained to consider what was to be done when the blow should be given for though the King and Prince might be slain yet the Duke of York and the Lady Elizabeth should still be safe and so they should bee no nearer their end than now they were This work therefore for surprizing the D. of Yorke Percie undertook and for surprizing the Lady Elizabeth they agreed upon a match of huâ—ting neare to Dunchurch under colour whereof they would draw company together and surprize her at the Lord Haringtons house in Warwick-shire where she then lay and then proclaime her Queen and so be sure to have all things done as they would themselves Thus farre their bloudy plot went fairely on and had perhaps gone on so still if they had continued onely bloudy but now a tendernesse of heart tooke some of them lest their friends should perish together with the rest and this tendernesse overthrowes them for to prevent such promiscuous slaughter a Letter was framed and sent to the Lord Mounteagle sonne and heire to the Lord Morley brought him by one of his Foot-men which hee received from an unknowne man in the street The Letter was this My Lord out of the Love I beare to some of your friends I have a care of your preservation therefore I would wish you as you tender your life to forbeare your attendance at this Parliament for God and man have concurred to punish the wickednesse of this time And thinke not slightly of this Advertisement for though there bee no appeâ—râ—ce of any stirre yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament and yet shall not see who hurts them This Councell is not to be contemned because it may doe you good and can doe you no harme for the danger is past as soone as you have burnt this Letter and I hope you will make good use of it My Lord having read the Letter though much perplexed yet went presently to the Court at White-hallâ— the King being then a hunting at Royston aâ—d delivered it to the Earle of Salisâ—â—â—ie principall Secretary of State and the Earle having read it acquainted first the Lord Chamberlaine with it and then the Lord Admirall the Earle of Wâ—rcester and Northampton who as soon â—s the King was returned from Huntingâ— acquainted him with it the Earle of 〈◊〉 telling hiâ— thâ—â— he thought it must be written either by a foole or by a mad 〈◊〉 because of those words for the dâ—â—ger is past as soone as you â—ave 〈◊〉 thiâ— Letter â—or iâ— the daâ—gâ—r-wâ—re so soâ—ne past what needed 〈◊〉 warniâ—gâ— But th◠〈◊〉 considering it more deeply apprehended presently some violent 〈◊〉 and thâ—t it must be some suddaine danger 〈◊〉 blowing up with powder and thereupon commanded than diligent search 〈◊〉 be made in the Parliament house and all other roomes and lodgings 〈◊〉 adjoyningâ— which search was made by the Lord Chamberlaine accomâ—â—nyâ—â— with the Lord Mountâ—â—gle who entring the Cellar under the upper 〈◊〉 â— found there great store of Faggots and Billets which was answered to 〈…〉 Mr. Pâ—rcie's owne provision but then it being considered why such stoâ—e 〈◊〉 be laid in for Mr. Percie who used to make but little stay in Towneâ— and â—hereuâ—on more diligent search being made there was found under the Billets one of the Barrells of powder and after that all the rest being six and thirty â—ogâ—ther with other instruments fit for their purpose and then spying the 〈◊〉 Fâ—wkes to stand suspitiously they apprehended him and found in his pocket a peece of Touch-wood a Tynder boxe to light the Touch-wood and a Watch which Mr. Percie had bought the day before to trie the short and long burning of the Touch-wood which he had prepared to give fire to the traine of powder The plot being thus discovered yet the most of the confederates met at Dunchurch as they had agreed where they divulged many detestable untruths against the King and State signifying withall that they were there met for advancement of the Catholike cause hoping thereby to have drawne many to joyne with them in their Rebellion but this availed them noâ—â—ing for first Sir Richard Verney high Sheriffe of Warwick-shire chased them from thence and then Sir Richard Welsh Sheriff of Worcestershire knowing them to be entred into Master Littleton's house at Walbach beset them round where Cateâ—â—iâ— and Percie issuing forth were both slaine with one shot of a Musquet and after them both the Wrights Iohn and Christopher were likewise slaine outright Thomas Winter was taken alive all which time Francis Tresham remained still about the Court offering his service for their suppression but being suspected was examined and sent to the Tower where he confest all and within a few dayes after dyed of the Stranguâ—ie On the seven and twentieth of Ianuarie following a Commission was directed to divers Lords and Iudges of both Benches for tryall of the rest of the Confederates namely of Thomas Winter Guydo Fawkes Robert Keyes Thomas Bates Robert Wintâ—r late of Hoodington in Warwick-shire Esquire Iohn Graunt late of Yorthbrook in the Countie of Warwick Esquire Ambrose Rookwood late of Staningfield in Suffolk Esquire Sir Edward Digby late of Gotthurst in Buckingham-shire Knight who were all condemned and had judgement to dye and on the thursday following Sir Edward Digbie Robert Winter Graunt and Bates were accordingly drawn hanged and quartered at the west end of Pauls Church in London and on the friday the other foure namely Thomas Winter Keyes Rookwood and Fawks were executed in the Parliament yard at Westminster Of all whom none was so much lamented as Sir Edward Digbie and indeed worthily for he was a goodly personage and of excellent parts and had it seemes beene cunningly drawne in and bound to secresie by Oath when he little thought of any such treason The seventh of November the Earle Northumberland upon suspition of being acquainted with
the plots was first commanded to keep his house and after a while committed to the Tower And thus was this great plot discovered and the Plotters punished to the great rejoycing of all people insomuch that even the King of Spain's and Arch-dukes Embassadors made Bonfires and threw money amougst the people in token of joy And at this time on the fourth of Ianuarie the Spanish Embassador delivered a Present to the King from the King his Master namely six Iennets of Andalusia with saddles very richly imbroydered and saddle-cloathes of cloth of Tissue One of which Iennets was snoe white and had a Maine which reached to the ground But this was a Present sent before any knowledge had of the Powder Treason but as soone as that was knowne there was presently another Present sent from the Queen of Spain to the Queen of Englandâ— of purpose to congratulate the Kings happy deliveâ—ance from the intended Powder Treason and the Present was brought by Dâ—â— Ioâ—n de Mendosa which was a Roave of Murrie Sattin imbroydered all over with Amber leather and upon the leather in every sâ—ame and skirt twice imbroydered about with gold the fore-part whereof was set with eight and forty tagges three inches long of beaten gold hollow within and filled with Amber-greece also two large Chaines of Amber-greeceâ— Two Carkanets of Amber-greece a velvet Cappe with gold Buttons curiously enammeled and a girdle suteable to the Buâ—tons all which were presented together in a large vessell of gold in forme of a â—ason so as it seemes there was none rejoyced more for the overthrow of this plot for the Catholike cause than the Catholike King himselfe And now King Iames not to be unmindfull to the Lord Monteagle for being the meanes of discovering this treason he gave unto him in Fee Farme of Crowne land 200 l. a yeare to him and his heires and 500. l. a yeare besides during his life and not to be unthankfull to God for the deliverance he caused the fifth of November being the day of the discovery to be kept holy whith Prayers and Thanksgiving to God which was then solemnly performed and hath beene since and is likely for ever to be continued But in the midst of this great joy there was suddenly spread a rumour of greater sorrow for on Saturday the two and twentieth of March newes was brought to the Court for certaine that the King was slaine at Oking twentie miles from London stabbed with an invenomed knife whereupon the Court gates were presently shut and double guard set in all places about London and all mens mindes were infinitely distracted but within two houres all these clouds were cleane dispersed and the Sun began to shine out againe and it was certainly knowne that the King was safe and in perfect health for which a Proclamation was presently set forth to signifie it to the people and that afternoone the King came himselfe to White-hall where thousands of people ravished with joy came flocking to see him and so generall was the rejoycing that the Spanish Embassador gave Sir Lewis Lewkâ—â—r Mr. of the Ceremonies a chaine of gold of good value for bringing him the newes Though afterward it was thought by some that this rumour was but politickly devised to make the Parliament and people more tender of the Kings safety and by making them more sensible what a treasure they had of his life to make them more willing to part with their treasure for his living as indeed this Parliament they did giving more Subsidies then are usuall The eight and twentieth of March following Henry Garvet Provinciall of the English Iesuites was arraigned in Guild-hall for concealing the foresaid treason where he had Iudgement to be hang'd drawne and quartered and accordingly on the third of May was drawne from the Tower to the west end of Pauls Church and there executed At his death he confessed his fault asked forgivenesse and exhorted all Catholikes never to attempt any treason against the King or State as a course which God would never prosper On Tuesday the twentieth of May were enstalled at Windsor Knights of the Garter Robert Cecill Earle of Salisburie and Thomas Howard Viscount Byndon both of them honourably attended but the Earle of Salisburie beyond ordinary proportion There was yet a Fag end of the late powder treason behind to be examined whereupon two Barons of the Realms namely Henrie Lord Mordant and Edw. Lord Sturton were brought from the Tower to the Star-Chamber and there not charged indeed with any poynt of the treason but onely reflectingly because they neglected to appeare at the Parliament according to their summons for which neglect onely without any further charge they were fined to pay to the King the Lord Mordant ten thousand Marks and the Lord Sturton six thousand and to be prisoners during the Kings pleasure But on the 27. of Iune Hâ—â—rie Earle of Northâ—mberlaâ—d was likewise brought from the Tower to the 〈◊〉 Chamber and more directly charged with circumstances concerning the 〈◊〉 specially in regard of Thomas Percie whom hee had admitted to bee 〈◊〉 of the Kings Gentlemen Pentioners without ministring unto him the Oath oâ— Supremacyâ— knowing him to be a Recusant for which and some misprisions he was fined to pay to the King thirty thousand pounds to forfit all his Offiâ—â—â— and to be kept prisoner during the Kings pleasure as indeed hee continued mâ—ny yeares and at last released was yet confined It was now the 4. yeare of King Iames his Reigne and was a time of Princely â—iâ—itation for this Summer the 17. of Iuly Christianus King of Denmarke brother to the Queen having beene long expected with eight ships came into the River of Thames and Anchored before Graves-end to whom the next day King Iames with Prince Henrie and divers of his Lords went by Barge and conducted him to London where he stayed till the twelfth of August following in which time he was entertained with all the magnificence that could be deâ—vised the King and he riding in great state thorow the City where Pageants in many places were erected and aâ—ter he had beene shewed the chiefe places about Londonâ— as namely the old Exchange the Tower the Monuments at Westminster and had gone up to the top of Pauls had beene feasted by the King by the Earle of Salisburie foure dayes together at Theobalds had seene Tilting Fencing wrastling and many other pastimes on the twelfth of August conducted by the King the Queen and Prince with many other great Lords he departed to his ships and in eight dayes arrived at home A hapy thing when Princes can converse together like private persons and are not kept asunder with jealousies of State After the King of Denmarks departure on the 23. of September arrived at London Francis Prince of Vaudemount third sonne to the Duke of Lorraine accompanyed with seven Earles ten Barons forty Gentlemen of quality and six-score common persons who all the five and twentieth of September went
by Coach to the King at Hampton Court where foureteen dayes together they were feasted and royally entertained and then returned But these Festivalls were follwed with a little disturbance for in May the yeare after great Assemblies were gathered together in Northampton-shire Warwickshire and Leicester-shire throwing downe Inclosures at first without any particular head but at last rose up a base fellow called Iohn Reynolds whom they named Captaine Pouch because he had a great leather Pouch hanging by his side who affirmed to the Company that in that Pouch he had sufficient to defend them against all cummers but when hee was afterward apprehended and his Pouch searched there was nothing found in it but a piece of green Cheese Proclamation was made commanding them to surcease their disorder But this prevailed nothing till the King sent Henrie Earle of Huntington Thomas Earle of Exceter Edward Lord Zouch and Sir Edward Coâ—ke Lord Chiefe Iustice of England to suppresse them by force of Armes and to punish the Levellers according to the nature of their offences some by Death as for Treason some by Fines as for Routs but Captaine Pouch was made exampler On Friday the twelfth of Iune his Majesty attended with divers Lords dyned with the Lord Major Sir Iohn Wats who after dinner presented him with a purse full of Gold and humbly besought his Majestie that he would be pleased to bee free of his Company the Cloath-workers To which the KING graciously condiscended and thereupon called to Sir William Stone Master of the Company and said Stone give me thy hand and now I am a Cloath-worker And in token of my speciall favour to this fraternity I doe here give to this Company a brace of Bucks yearely for ever against the time of the Election of the Master and Wardens at which time also many Lords and Gentlemen were made Free of the Cloath-workers On Thursday the 16. of Iuly the King and Prince with many Lords dined at Merchant Tâ—lâ—rs-Hall where the Master and Warden of that Society presented the King with a Purse of Gold giving him humble thankes for gracing their Fraternity with his â—oyall presenceâ— and therewithall shewed him a Roll wherein were Registred the names of seven Kings one Queene 17 Princes and Dukes two Dutchesses one Archbishop one and thirty Eearles threescore and six Barons seven Abbots seven Pryors with a great number of Knights and Esquires who had been free of that Company which His Majesty graciously accepted but told them that he himselfe was already free of another Company but the Prince his son should be free of theirs and that he would see the Garland put on his head whereupon the Master presented the Prince also with a purse of Gold which he graciously accepted and said that not only Himselfe would bee free of the Merchant Tailorsâ— but the Lords also that were with him should do the like all which was performed with great solemnity The fourth of Iuly this yeare Sir Thomas â—nevet was called by Writ to the Parliament by the name of Baron of Estrick the next day Sir Iulius Caesar Chancelor of the Exchecker was sworne a Privy Counsellor and the sixteenth of November fallowing Sir â—ervis Clyfton Knight was called to the Parliament by Writ by the name and title of Baron of Layton Brameswold whose only daughter and heire was soon after married to Eysme Steward Baron of Aubigny in France sole brother of the Duke of Lâ—nox whom he afterward succeeded in that Dignity About this time Hugh Earle of Tervon most ungratefully and utterly forgetfull of the Kings great clemency to him together with Teâ—rconell Hugh Baron of Dungaunon and divers other Irish Lords fled into the parts beyond Sea with a purpose to solicite forreign Princes against the King and to offer the Kingdom of Ireland to the Pope which was presently signified to the Realm by Proclamation On the Eleventh of Aprill this year George Iervis a Seminary Priest and the three and twentieth of Iuneâ— following Thomas Gâ—rnet a Iesuit were both executed at Tybourn Thomâ—â— Garnet having the favour offered him to be pardoned if he would but take the Oath of Allegeance which he refused The nineteenth of Aprill at Whitehall died Thomas Earle of Dorset Lord Treasurer whose death because he dyed suddenly as he sate at the Counsell-Table was by some untowardly interpreted but being dead and his head opened there were found in it certain little bags of water which whither by the strayning of his study the night before in which he sate up till eleven a clock or otherwise by their own maturity suddenly breaking and falling upon his braine caused his suddain death So certain it is that death comes not always by determinate steps but sometimes per saltum and we all cary about us the causes of suddain death though unsensible of them till we be unsensible This Lord was of excellent parts and in his place exceeding Industrious and I have heard many Checker men say there never was a better Treasurer both for the Kings profit and the good of the subject The twentith of May at Windsor were made two Knights of the Gaâ—ter George Earle of Dunâ—arre and Philip Earle of Moâ—â—gâ—mery but the Earle of Dunbarra within a yeare or two after left both his honor and his life but not his life without honour having been a faithfull servant and a wise Counsellor to the King and was honorably Interred in the Church at Westminster About this time were many famous English Pirates that stuck not some of them to turne Turks and lived in great state at Tunis of whom the chiefe were Wâ—rd Bishop Sir Francis Verney and Glâ—â—â—â—le whom after many depredations and outragious acts at Sea partly the King of Spaine suppressed and partly the King of Eng. and 19 of their associâ—tes being taken were hanged aâ— Wapping Also at this time in the Strand on the North side of Durham house where â—â—ood an old long stable Robert Earle of Salisbury now Lord Treasurer of Engâ—â—â—d caused to be erected a stately Building which upon Tuesday the tenth of Aprill in the yeare 1609 was begun to be richly furnished with wares and the next day after the King the Queene and Prince with many great Lords and Ladies came to see it and then the King gave it the name of Britteines â—urse On the eight of May this year the King by Proclamation prohibited all forreine Nations that after August they should not fish upon any of the Coasts of England Scotland or Ireland nor the Isles adjacent without the speciall Licence from the Commissioners in that behalfe Ordained At this time the making of Allum which heretofore with great charges had been fetched from forreigne parts was by diverse that laboured in it and now lastly by Sir Iohn Burchier brought to perfection in England and therupon the King prohibited upon paine of confiscation any Allum to be brought from beyond the Seas and took the whole traffick therof to himself And now the
say by a â—â—â—â—oned Tansey sent him to eat some by a poysoned Glyster ministred unto 〈◊〉 but howsoever effected it wasâ— for which Fact Sir Iervis Elvis then Lieuâ—â—â—â—â—â— of the Tower and three or fouâ—e other of inferiour condition were put to death the Lady and Earle themselves were arraigned and condemned but â—horough the Kings great clemency had their lives spared but in such a sort spaâ—edâ— as was to them no lesse grievous than death it sâ—lf 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 paâ—ts 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 exâ—raordinary 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 pasâ—ages 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 pâ—â— iâ— off himselfe After him Sir Richard Wâ—ston from Chancelour of the Exâ—heâ—â—â—r 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 Fataqâ—e Fâ—rtunasque Virum so rare as that there was never any President of the like Also the five and twenteth of Iune 1612. the Lord Sâ—nquer a Nobleman of Scotland having in a private revenge suborned Robert Carlile to murther Iohn Tuâ—ner 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 Crâ—ightâ—â— 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 seâ—t 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
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 Bâ—â—quetting-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 yeâ—res 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 Hâ—â—â—â— who waâ— also invited and expected could not come being newly fallen exceâ—ding sick of a popular malignant feavour which raigned that yeare in most parts of this Land whereof on the sixth of November between seven â—nd 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 proâ—ing 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 â—or 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 â—â—â—endent Fata nec ultraâ— esse sineâ—t 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 perhaâ—s 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 Westminâ—ter 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 Windâ—or and at the same time was Grave Maurice enstalled by his Deputy Count Lodâ—wick 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 beâ—eâ— 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 Nâ—ttingham 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 Flâ—shing 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 buâ—ied 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 Baroneâ—s 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
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 â—4 of October an exemplar pennance was imposed upon Sir Peckâ—all Brâ—â—kas 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 Thâ—â— Chamberlain Francis Moâ—râ— Thomas Attow Iohn Moâ—re Francis Harvie Charles Chibbourn and Tho. Richardson and in Trenity Terme before there had two other been called namely Sir Randal Creâ— of Lincolâ—s 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 attonemeâ—â— 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 Denâ—igh-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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 Lisâ—â— 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 Montagâ—e 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 Londoâ—ers 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 â—elverton 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 Montagâ—â— Lord Chiefe Iustice of the Kings Beâ—ch 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 â—e 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
he had left very able men to sit at the Helme there in his absence yet he knew that as it is the Masters Eye that makes the Horse fat So it is the Prince's presence sometimes that keeps out many distempers in a State that would otherwise creep inâ— and now when in his staying six Months there he had seen all things well setled both in the Ecclesiasticall State and in the Temporall and made it appeare that he resided not in England out of any neglect of Scotland but to the end he migt be in the place of most conveniency to both Kingdoms on the fifteenth of September he returned to London not more to the griefe of the Scots to leave him than to the joy of the English to receive him so much was King Iames as a just and wise Prince beloved of both the Nations Now comes to be related a matter of speciall observation Sir Walter Râ—wlegh had lived a condemned man many yeares in the Tower and now his Destiny brought him to his end by liberty which it could not do by imprisonment for out of a longing for liberty he propounded a project to the King upon which as he was a well spoken man and of a great capacity he set such coulours of probability especially guilding it over with the Gold he would fetch from a Mine in Guyana and that without any wrong at all to the King of Spaâ—ne if he might be allowed to go the Iourney that the King if he gave not credit that he could performe it at least gave way that he should undertake it and thereupon with diverse ships accompanied with many Knights and Gentlemen of quality he set forward on the Voyage but when after long search or shew of search no such place of Treasure or no such treasure could be found whether it were that he thought it a shame to returne home with doing nothing or that his Malus Genius thrust him upon the Designe He fell upon Saint Thâ—mâ— a Towne belonging to the King of Spaine sacked it pillaged it and burnt it and here was the first part of his Tragicall Voyage acted in the death of his eldest son the last part was Acted in his own death at his returne For Gundomore the Spanish Lieger did so aggravate this fact of his to the King against him that it seemed nothing would give satisfaction but Rawlegh's head without which he doubted there would follow a breach of the League between the two Nations Rawlegh excused it by saying that he was urged to it by the Spaniards first assaulting of him and besides that he could not come at the Myne without winning this Town but Gundomor was too strong an Adversary for him and the King preferring the publique Peace before the life of one man already condamned gave way to have the Sentence of his former Condemnation executed upon him and thereupon brought to the Kings Bench Baâ—â—e he was not newly Arraigned or Indicted as being already Mâ—rtuus in Lege but only hath the former Sentence averred against him and so carryed to the Gate-house and from thence the next morning to the Parliament Yard a Scaffold was there erected upon which after fourteen yeares reprivall his head was cut off at which time such abundance of bloud issued from his vâ—iâ—es that shewed he had stock of Nature enough left to have contiâ—ued him many yeares in life â—hough now above threescore yeares old if it had not been taken away by the hand of Violence And this was the end of the great Sir Walter Rawlegh great sometimes in the â—â—vour of Queene Elizabeth and next to Drake the great scourge and hate of the Spaniard who had many things to be commended in his life but none more than his constancy at his death which he tooke with so undaunted a resolution that he might perceive he had a certaine expectation of a better life afteâ— it so farre he was from holding those Atheisticall opinions an aspersion whereof some traducing persons had cast upon him About this time King Iames made a progresse to the Vniversity of Cambridge who delighted with the Disputations and other scholasticall exercises he stayed three whole dayes and could have been content to have stayed as many yeares for next being a King he was made to be a Scholler In the yeare 1619. being the seventeenth yeere of King Iames his Raigne that knot of love which above twenty yeares had beene tyed betweene him and his Queene was by death dissolved for on Tuesday this yeere the second of March Queen Anne dyed at Hampton Court whose Corps was brought to Denmark house and from thence conveighed to Westminster wherein the Royall Chappell with great solemnity it was interred a Princesse very memorable for her vertue and not a little for her Fortune who besides being a Queene was so happy as to be Mother of such admired children as she brought into the World But the dissolving of this knot cast the King into an extreame sicknesse and after some recovery into a Relaps from which notwithstanding it pleased God to deliver him as having yet some great worke to doe This yeare on Munday the third of May one Mr. Williams a Barrister of the Middle Temple was arraigned at the Kings Bench for civilling and for writing Bookes against the King and upon Wednesday following was hanged and quartered at Charing Crosse. But an action of another nature was performed this yeare the seventeenth of Iuly not unworthy the relating which was this that one Bernard Calvert of Andover rode from St. Georges Church in Southwarke to Dover from thence passed by Barge to Calice in France and from thence returned back to Saint Georges Church the same day setting out about three a clock in the morning and returned about eight a clock in the Evening fresh and lustiâ— In the yeare 1621. a Parliament was holden at Westminster wherein two great examples of Iustice were shewed which for future terrour are not unfit to bee here related One upon Sir Gyles Montpesson a Gentleman otherwayes of good parts but for practising sundry abuses in erecting and setting up new Innes and Alehouses and eâ—acting great summes of money of people by pretence of Letters Patents granted to him for that purpose was sentenced to bee degraded and disabled to beare any office in the Common-wealth though he avoyded the execution by flying the Land but upon Sir Erancis Michell a Iustice of Peace of Middlesex and one of his chiefe Agents the sentence of Degradation was executed and he made to ride with his face to the horse tayle thorough the City of London The other example was of Sir Francis Bacon Viscount St. Albans Lord Chancelour of England who for bribery was put from his place and committed to the Tower but after some few dayes enlarged in whose place Doctor Williams Deane of Westminster was made Lord Keeper The Count Palatine being now strengthned with the allyance of the King of Great Brittaine was thought a fit
into England of purpose to visite the Shrine of Saint Thomas where having paid his Vowes he makes Oblations with many rich Presents The like many Princes since that time have done and many Miracles are reported to have beene done at his Tombe which yet may be unbeleeved without unbeliefe and with Faith enough Another difference in this Kings dayes was betweene the two Arch-bishops of England about the jurisdiction of Canterbury over Yorke which being referred to the Pope he gave judgement on Canterburies side Also in this Kings dayes there was a Schisme in the Church of Rome two Popes up at once of whom Alexander the third was one which Schisme continued the space of almost twenty yeares Also in this Kings dayes one Nicholas Breakespeare borne at Saint Albans or as others write at Langley in Hartfordshire being a bondman of that Abbey and therefore not allowed to be a Monke there went beyond Sea where he so profited in Learning that the Pope made him first Bishop of Alba and afterward Cardinall and sent Legate to the Norwayes where he reduced that nation from Paganisme to Christianity and returning backe to Rome was chosen Pope by the Name of Adrian the fourth and dyed being choaked with a Fly in his drinke In his dayes also Heraclius Patriarch of Hierusalem came to King Henry desiring ayde for the Holy Land but not so much of money as of men and not so much of men neither as of a good Generall as himselfe was to whom King Henry answered that though he were willing to undertake it yet his unquiet State at home would not suffer him with which answer the Patriarch moved said Thinke not Great King that Pretences will excuse you before God but take this from me that as you forsake Gods cause now so he hereafter will forsake you in your greatest need But saith the King if I should be absent out of my kingdome my own Sonnes would be ready to rise up against me in my absence to which the Patriarch replyed No marvaile for from the Devill they came and to the Devill they shallâ— and so departed Also in this Kings dayes there came into England thirty Germans Men and Women calling themselves Publicans who denyed Matrimony and the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Lords Supper with other Articles who being obstinate and not to be reclaimed the King commanded they should be marked with a hot iron in the forehead and be whipped which punishment they tooke patiently their Captaine called Gerard going before them singing Blessed are ye when men hate you After they were whipped they were thrust out of doores in the Winter where they dyed with cold and hunger no man daâ—ing to relieve them This King after his conquest of Ireland imposed the tribute of Peter pence upon that kingdome namely that every house in Ireland should yearely pay a penny to Saint Peter Workes of piety done by him or by others in his time THis King Founded the Church of Bristow which King Henry the eighth afterward erected into a Cathedrall He also Founded the Priories of Dâ—ver of Stoneley and of Basinwerke and the Castle of Rudlan and beganne the Stone Bridge over the Thames at London He caused also the Castle of Warwicke to be builded Maude the Empresse his Mother Founded the Abbey of Bordesly In his time also Hugh Mortimer Founded Wigmore Abbey Richard Lucye the Kings Chiefe Justice laid the Foundation of the Coventuall Church in the honour of Saint Thomas in a place which is called Westwood otherwise Lesâ—es in the Territory of Rochester in the new Parish of Southfleete He also builded the Castle of Anger in Essex Robert Harding a Burgesse of Bristow to whom King Henry gave the Barony of Barkeley builded the Monastery of Saint Augustines in Bristow In the tenth yeare of his Raigne London Bridge was new made of Timber by Peter of Cole-church a Priest Robert de Boscue Earle of Leycester Founded the monastery of Gerendon of Monkes and of Leycester called Saint Mary de Prate of Chanons Regular and his Wife Amicia Daughter of Ralph Montford Founded Eaton of Nunnes In the two and twentyeth yeare of his Raigne after the Foundation of Saint Mary Overeyes Church in Southwarke the Stone bridge over the Thames at London beganne to be Founded towards which a Cardinall and the Arch-bishop of Canterbury gave a thousand Markes Aldred Bishop of Worcester Founded a Monastery at Glocester of Benedictine Monkes Casualties that happened in his time IN the Eleventh yeare of this Kings Raigne on the six and twentyeth day of Ianuary was so great an Earth-quake in Ely Norfolke and Suffolke that it overthrew them that stood upon their feet and made the Bells to ring in the Steeples In the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne there was seene at Saint Osythes in Essex a Dragon of marveilous bignesse which by moving burned houses and the whole City of Canterbury was the same yeare almost burnt In the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne the Church of Norwich with the houses thereto belonging was burnt and the Monkes dispersed At Andover a Priest praying before the Altar was slaine with Thunder Likewise one Clerke and his Brother was burnt to death with Lightning In the three and twentyeth yeare a showre of Blood Rained in the Isle of Wight two houres together In the foure and twentyeth yeare the City of Yorke was burnt and on Christmas day in the Territory of Derlington in the Bishopricke of Durham the Earth lifted up it selfe in the manner of an high Tower and so remained unmoveable from morning till evening and then fell with so horrible a noyse that it frighted the Inhabitants thereabouts and the earth swallowing it up made there a deepe pit which is seene at this day for a Testimony whereof Leyland saith he saw the Pits there commonly called Hell-kettles Also in the same yeare on the tenth day of Aprill the Church of Saint Andrewes in Rochester was consumed with fire In the eight and twentyeth yeare of his Raigne Barnewell with the Priory neare unto Cambridge was burnt In the thirtyeth yeare the Abbey of Glastenbury was burnt with the Church of Saint Iulian. In the yeare 1180. a great Earthquake threw downe many buildings amongst which the Cathedrall Church of Lincolne was rent in peeces the five and twentieth of Aprill And on the twentieth of October the Cathedrall Church of Chichester and all the whole City was burnt This yeare also neare unto Orford in Suffolke certaine Fishers tooke in their Nets a Fish having the shape of a Man in all points which Fish was kept by Bartholomew de Glanvile in the Castle of Orford sixe moneths and more he spake not a word all manner of meates he did gladly eate but most greedily raw Fish when he had pressed out the juyce oftentimes he was brought to Church but never shewed any signe of adoration at length being not well looked to he stole to the Sea and never was seene after In the yeare 1188. on
the Londoners King Iohn with an Army went into the North parts and comming to Wallpoole where he was to passe over the Washes he sent one to search where the water was passable and there himselfe with some few passeth over but the multitude with all his Carriages and Treasure passing without Order they cared not where were all Drowned With the griefe of which dysaster and perhaps distempered in his body before he fell into a Feaver and was let blood but keeping an ill dyet as indeed he never kept good eating greene Peaches and drinking sweete Ale he fell into a loosenesse and grew presently so weake that there was much adoe to get him to Newarkeâ— where soone after he dyed Though indeed it be diversly related Caxton saith he was poysoned at Swiâ—â—sheads Abbey by a Monke of that Covent the manner and cause this The King being there and hearing it spoken how cheape Corne was should say he would ere long make it dearer and make a penny loaâ—e be sold for a shilling At this speech the Monke tooke such indignation that he went and put the poyson of a Toade into a cup of Wine and brought it to the King telling him there was such a cup of Wine as he had never drunke in all his life and therewithall tooke the assay of it himselfe which made the King to drinke the more boldly of it but finding himselfe presently very ill upon it he asked for the Monke and when it was told him that he was falne downe dead then saith the King God have mercy upon me I doubted as much Others say the poyson was given in a dish of Peares But the Physitian that dis-bowelled his body found no signe of poyson in it and therefore not likely to be true but howsoever the manner of his death be uncertaine yet this is certaine that at this time and place he dyed on the 19. day of October in the yeare 1216. when he had Raigned seventeene yeares and sixe moneths Lived one and fifty He was buryed his bowels at Croxton Abbey his body at Worcester under the High Altar wrapped in a Monkes Cowle which the superstition of that time accounted Sacred and a defensative against all evill Spirits Of the prises of things in his time NEitheir is this unfit to be recorded in Chronicles to the end comparison may be made betweene the time past and the present as in the time of King Henry the second a Quarter of Wheaâ—e was sold for twelve pence a Quarter of Beanes or Oates for a groat Neitheir is the price of Silver it selfe much lesse altered for an ounce of Silver was then valued but at twenty pence which is now valued at least at five shillings Whereof Philosophers must tell the reason for seeing scarcity makes things deare why should not plenty make them cheape Of Men of speciall Note in his time IN Military matters there were many famous men in his time as Robert Fits-Roger and Richard Mount-Fitchet with many others but chiefely two whose Acts make them specially memorable the one was Hubert Burgh whom K. Iohn had left Governour of Dover Castle of whom it is related that when Prince Lewis of France came to take the Towne and found it difficult to be taken by force he sent to Hubert whose brother Thomas he had taken prisoner a little before that unlessâ— he would surrender the Castle he should presently see his brother Thomas be put to death with exquisite torments before his eyes but this threatning moved not Hubert at all who more regarded his owne loyalty then his brothers life then Prince Lewis sent againe offering him a great summe of money but neither did this move but he kept his loyalty as inexpugnable as his Castle The other was Robert Fits-Water of whom it is related that King Iohn being with an Army in France one of his knights in a great bravery would needs make a challenge to any of the French Campe that durst encounter him in a Combat when presently comes forth this Robert Fits-Water and in the encounter threw horse and man downe to the ground whereof when King Iohn heard By Gods tooth saith he he were a King indeed that had such a Champion whereupon some that stood by saying to him He is Sir a servant of your owne it is Robert Fits-Water whom you have banished Whereupon his sentence of banishment was presently reversed and the King received him as he well deserved into speciall favour In matter of Literature also there lived many famous men in the Kings Raigne as Geoffrey Vinesaufe Simon Fraxinus alias Ash Adam Dorensis Iohn de Oxford Colman sirnamed The wiseâ— Richard Canonicus William Peregrine Alane Tewksbery Gervasius Dorobernensis Iohn Hanwill Nigell Worker Gilbert Holland Benet de Peterboroughâ— William Parvus a Monke of Newburgh Roger Hoveden Hubert Walter Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Alexander Theologus Gervasius Tilberiensis Gyraldus Cambrensis Iohannes Devonius Walter Mapis Radulphus de Diceto Gilbert Legley Mauricius Morganius Iohn de Fordeham William Leycester Ioceline Brakeland Roger of Crowland Hugh White alias Candidus who wrote an History intituled Historia Petroburgensis Iohn de Saint Omer Adam Barking Iohn Gray an Historigrapher and Bishop of Norwich Walter of Coventry Radulphus Niger and lastly Simon Thurvay who for his pride in Learning but more for his blasphemies against Moses and Christ became at last so utterly ignorant that hardly he could read a letter of the booke THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE THIRD Of his comming to the Crowne and of Acts done in his Minority KING Iohn being dead his eldest soone Henry was next to succeed who being but nine yeares old though he were capable of having his Right yet he was scarce câ—pable of understanding his Right especially there being another at that timâ— to whom a great part of the Kingdome had sworne Allegeance But those Lords who had beene constant to the Father notwithstanding his faults were more tender of the son who was altogether innocent and whose gracious aspect gave no small hope of a better disposition Amongst all which Lords there was none of eminent in worthinesse none so neare him in Alliance as William Marshall Earle of Pembroke who had married his Aunt and he drawing the rest of the Lords together with a solemne Oration in behalfe of the young Prince so confirmed them and so ordered the matter that on the twenty eight day of October in the yeare 1216. he was Crowned at Glocester by Peter Bishop of Winchester and Ioceline Bishop of Bathe in the presence of Guallo the Popes Legat and many Lords and Bishops and the said William Earle of Pembroke by a generall consent assigned Protector of the Realme during the Kings Minority In which place the first thing he did was to give notice of the new Kings Coronation to all the Countries round about and proclaime pardon to all offenders that within a time limited should come and submit themselves to him In the meane time
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-biâ—hop 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 â—als 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 Gâ—scogne 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 Simâ—â— 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