small a number forth with retired and with continuall assault so sharply oppressed the besieged for many dayes that hee scarcely gaue them leasure to take breath By meanes whereof they were almost tired and so worne out that small hope of long resistance was left vnto them except they were in due time rescued and relieued by the King To giue his Highnesse intelligence whereof it was resolued That one of them in the depth of the night must giue a desperate aduenture through the Scottish Campe. This proiect seemed so full of imminent perill and danger A braue attempt with fortunate successe that euery one of the inferiors refused the attempt So that the braue Knight himselfe considering aduisedly in what case the Castle stood and pitying the distressed estate of the comfortlesse Countesse his sister who expected nothing but villainous abuse if it were yeelded with a setled resolution vndertooke the iourney And being gallantly mounted vpon a swift courser he speedily posted through all the thousands of his enemies And in the morning hee informed Dauid by such passingers as hee did meete that very quickely hee should heare newes of him againe The Castle is brauely assaulted and defended The siege is raised The Scots knowing that it was no time to linger and yet being desirous to reuenge the great disgrace which their Armie had receiued againe and againe furiously assaulted the Castle and in them they performed many braue feates of Armes which witnessed their eager longing to haue wonne it but they were still repulsed and beaten backe with many incredible slaughters of their Souldiers The King comes to late for the Scots are gone and were compelled to raise the siege and with great speede to hasten into their owne Countrie King Edward the very day of their departure had trauelled a long and wearie iourney thinking to haue met them there But he failed of his purpose for which hee was much grieued Yet by the mediation of diuers Honourable personages A Truce a Truce was concluded on for a few Moneths But to be enlarged for two yeares if the French King without whose leaue the Scots could make no Peace would consent thereto The French King liked the motion well and gaue freedome to the Earle of Salisburie For whom the Earle of Morret was by kiâ—â— Edward set at libertie And though king Edward tooke but little pleasure in this Truce The causes why the King consented to this Truce yet he was the more easily drawne to consent thereto because at the same time he had Warres in France Gascoyne Poyters Paynton Britaine and else where All which daily consumed as much Treasure as he could get The king when hee perceiued that the Scots were gone from the Castle disarmed himselfe and with ten The King makes loue to the Countesse of Salisburie or twelue Lords and Knights entred into the Castle where the excellent beautie and modest behauiour of the sweete Countesse of Salisburie so inflamed his heart that by secret and amorous wooings he endeauoured to perswade her to ease his passions with her loue But the vertuous Lady first with milde and kind intreaties Shee cares not for it and afterwards with quicke and nipping reprehensions striued to make the king to see his owne errour But such was his desire and her denials were so peremptorie and resolute That discontentedly the King left her cashired his Armie and returned backe againe And hauing for many yeares together beene vexed The King keepes a solemne Feast and toyled in sundrie Warres hee intended to recreate himselfe his Lords his knights and chiefest Martialists with such pastimes and sportings as men of Warre tooke greatest pleasure in Wherefore hee proclaimed a solemne Feast to continue many dayes and generally inuited therunto the valiant men of his owne and of forraine Nations and Kingdomes proposing the exercise of feates of Armes Strangers repaire into England at the appointed time By meanes whereof many Noblemen and such as were of best renowme for Chiualrie repaired into England from many Countries excepting France and were with all magnificence courtesie and loue receiued and entertained by the King Martiall sportings and by all his Court But in those heroicall sportings by an euill and an vnfortunate accident Sir Iohn Lord Beamount The Lord Beamount slaine a valiant Knight of this Realme who formerly had taken the last King and Sir Hugh Spencer the yonger in a fisher before the Castle of Bristoll was slaine This Royall feast and these warlike pastimes ANNO. 18. A ParliameÌ„t The Prince of Wales is Created being thus finished a Parliament was assembled at Westminster wherein the king Created his eldest Sonne Edward Prince of Wales and vnto him was giuen by a free and generall consent Commissioners for the imployment of the Subsidie money foure fifteenes by the Laitie and three by the Clergie but with this condition that no part thereof should be conuerted vnto any other vse then only to the furtherance of the warres of France And certaine Lords and some others of principall note were then selected to whom the only care and charge of that imployment should belong ANNO. 19 The next yeare following king Edward to increase vertue and valour in his Nobles to enlarge his Amitie and Friendshippe with the States and Princes of forraine Countries deuised and established a new order of knight-hood confining the number of them to twentie and six of which himselfe and his Successors were to be Presidents and called them knights of the honourable Order of the Garter The order of the Garter deuised and established The Rites and Ceremonies of which order are euery yere solemnized with Princely magnificence in the kings Castle at Windsor to Gods glorie and the honour of all such as are dignified with that degree And thus king Edward hauing a while recreated himselfe with such Princely delights as exercised his Martialists in feates of Armes to the pleasure and good contentment of his people He now beganne againe to thinke vpon his affaires with France and to make his Forces better knowne to the Frenchmen then formerly they had beene An Armie sent into Gascoyne For which purpose he leuied a faire Armie which by his Cousin the Earle of Darby was landed and directed in Gascoine with such discretion and with such valour that hee not only acquited himselfe right nobly by way of defence against Philip the French king but daily wonne from him his Cities Townes Castles and his Forts and filled his hands so full that whilest the said Earle remained there hee laboured in vaine to catch at anie thing which belonged to king Edward Iaques Dartuell At the same time Iaques Dartuel whom fortune from a low beginning had raised to the greatest command that euer any man before him had in Flanders notwithstanding that Loys their Earle then personally did liue among them secretly purposed to disherite the said Earle and to make
Seigniories of Callice Marguise Sandgate and Coloigne 4. And lastly That in regard thereof King EDWARD The Title to the Crowne of France is relinquished As well in the behalfe of himselfe as of his Successours Kings of England should vtterly renounce and leaue both the name and title to the Kingdome of France And for the performance of these Articles ANNO. 34 How the obseruation of this Peace was ratified The King and Prince returne into England Charles the Regent of France and the Prince of Wales in the presence of six Knights of either Nation receiued the holy Sacrament at the high Altar and then King Edward and his sonne returned into England and were with all complements of loue and kindnesse entertained and feasted at the Tower of London by the French King who was conueyed from thence to Callis The French King feasteth them The two princes sweare Hostages where according to agreement he remained foure moneths and then King Edward repaired to him and both of them at a high Masse solemnly swore to obserue performe and keepe the said Articles and the peace And King Iohn for the hostages of his Ransome deliuered to King Edward foure Dukes seauen Earles ten Barons many Knights and two of the worthiest Burgesses of euery great Citie in France and tooke a most friendly leaue of the King and of the Prince of Wales and departed towards Boleine King Iohn was a prisoner foure yeares he hauing remained a prisoner more then foure yeares And King Edward with his sonne returned into England bringing with them their honorable Hostages who were with all humanitie and kindnesse feasted and entertained by the King and by his Nobilitie and were permitted freely to vse all sports pastimes and exercises for pleasure and contentation as they pleased ANNO. 37 Three Kings doe visite King Edward King Iohn dieth in England The Blacke Prince liueth in Burdeaux ANNO. 40 The causes of King Edwards future losses in those Countries Peter King of Castile is deposed by Henry the Bastard King Charles the fifth taketh part with Henrie the Bastard The Blacke Prince being victorious resetleth Peter in his Kingdome About two yeares after king Edward was at one time visited for loue and kindnesse onely and for no businesse at all by three Kings that is to say by king Iohn of France Dauid the king of Scots and by the king of Cyprus and were with all munificent bountie and liberalitie feasted and honored by the King but king Iohn fell sick and dyed in the Sauoy and his body was conuayd vnto S. Dennis in France where with great pomp and princely ceremonies it was buried The next yeare following the noble Prince of â—ales and his wife being very gallantly attended and prouided went vnto Burdeaux where he liued and gouerned the kings Prouinces thereabout and elsewhere in France to the great contentment and good liking of the Nobles and commons of those Countries In the fortith yeare of king Edwards raigne an vnfortunate businesse was taken in hand by the valiant Prince of Wales which albeit it were performed with great resolution and was rewarded with deserued honor yet within few yeares by reason of a future accident it was the occasion that king Edward lost a great part of his territories in France and it was thus Peter the true and lawfull king of Castile was in the field ouerthrowne put to flight and dispossessed of his Crowne by Henry his Bastard Brother who was assisted by Charles the fifth the sonne of Iohn the deceased king of France This poore distressed king in his wants and miserie repaired to the Prince of Wales for ayd who for his restoring and vpon large and faithfull promises of liberall pay and great rewards conducted an armie into Castile And albeit that the Spanish and the French forces were in number four times more then the Princes were yet in a bloudie battaile the most of them were slaine and the rest were put to flight And king Peter was againe restored to his Crowne and setled in his kingdome by the Prince who returned againe to Burdeaux with great honor But not long after Henry the Bastard Henrie the Bastard taketh and slaieth Peter Peters two heires married to Iohn of Gant and Thomas of Woodstocke The want of pay was the Prince his ouerthrow This Taxe mard all being newly supplied with fresh forces warred with such great furie and violence vpon king Peter that he subdued him and to preuent all future claymes and troubles which he might make he caused him to be put to death But his two daughters and heires were after marryed vnto Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and to Thomas of Woodstock two of king Edwards sonnes By reason of king Peters death the Prince his souldiours being hopelesse to receiue their promised pay and large rewards and being oppressed with many wants daily petitioned the Prince to supply their need But he finding none other meanes to support their necessities nor being stored with money to relieue their pouertie imposed contrary to the customes of those Countries diuers Taxes vpon the inhabitants of Aquitaine which so highly did displease them that the Lords thereof complained of this sharp noueltie to the French king who flatly contrary to the Articles not long before concluded on for peace betwixt England and France arrogated to himselfe the Soueraignty ouer the Prince The French King breakes the League and his Dominions in France and sommoned him to appeare before him at Paris So that the peace and those agreed Articles were broken by the French king The Prince sommoned to appeare at Paris Warres proclaimed Almost all do reuolt from the Prince The mutabilitie of fortun An vnfortunate yeare and warres were againe proclaymed betweene England and France But before the Prince of Wales could enable his forces for a strong defence the inhabitants of those Countries for the most part reuolted from him and dayly yeelded their Townes Cities Forts and Castles into the hands of the French king So that king Edward who for the space of forty yeares together was most honorable and more fortunate then any other Christian Prince by gayning of incredible victories vpon the Scots and French Nation within the compasse of one yeare without blowes lost almost all his Commaund in those Prouinces which by the said agreement and articles of peace were allotted and by solemne oath assured vnto him King Charles of France forgetting what he had sworne ANNO. 43 The French Name and pleasing himselfe thus quietlie to be made the Lord of all those Countries which were assigned to king Edward conceiued strong hope not only to defeat him vtterly of all these Countries but also to vex him at home in his owne kingdome And for that purpose he furnished a strong Nauie with which he kept the Narrow Seas But king Edward to driue those forces back againe sent his sonne Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Iohn of Gant with an
released by the King without ransome hauing slaine more than six thousand of his enemies of which thirtie and six fell by his own sword obtained a famous victorie And because the Earle Douglas in a single combate with the King himselfe performed the part of an approued and of a worthie knight the King granted him his libertie without ransome The next day following the King and all his armie with great deuotion and reuerence gaue thankes vnto Almightie GOD for their good and honourable successe Thanksgiuing vnto God The Earle of Worcester is beheaded and then he caused the Earle of Worcester to be beheaded and manie others being ring-leaders in that Rebellion to be drawne hanged and quartered and did set their heads vpon London Bridge The Prince marcheth into Wales Owen Glendor forsaken by his companions He is famished to death And the King intending forthwith to pursue and prosecute his good fortunes for the surer setling of his estate in future time sent the Prince of Wales and his whole armie into Wales But when hee came thither his chiefest enemie Owen Glendor was vtterly forsaken by his whole companies and shrowded himselfe in the Woods and being compassed round about by the Princes forces who eagerly hunted to apprehend him hee was miserably famished to death and manie of his associates being taken were put to death and then the Prince returned joyfully to the King The Earle of Northumberlands voluntarie submission Now whilest the Prince was thus busied in Wales Henrie Percie Earle of Northumberland came of his owne accord and submitted himselfe to the Kings mercie protesting and swearing with manie oathes That he was neuer made acquainted nor intermedled in those Treasons And though the King conceiued not the least thought which might excuse him yet for that time hee entertained him with smooth words and with a smiling countenance and suffered him to come and to goe at his pleasure because he had in his possession the Castle of Barwike and other places of great strength A Chalenge sent by the Duke of Orleans to king Henrie When all these Troubles had found an end Lewis Duke of Orleance brother to the French King being prowd and vainglorious sent a Chalenge to King Henrie requiring him with one hundred chosen men at armes of his Kingdome in some indifferent and conuenient place to fight with him and with the like number of Frenchmen for honours sake But the King with great discretion and wisdome made him this answere King Henries discreet answere That his former actions in warlike employments could clearely acquite him from the infamous name and title of a Coward And that Kings ought not to be so carelesse of their Countries and of their people whome GOD had committed vnto their charge and gouernment as to fight for anie cause except it were for the furtherance or for the maintenance of true Religion or in defence of their Rights or to defend their Kingdomes from forraine enemies or to reuenge their wrongs and for such like important causes And also that a Soueraigne and an annointed King by the Lawes of Armes and of Honor was not bound to answere anie Chalenge in the field except it were made vpon good cause by his Equall in Dignitie and in Office And yet hee further added this That hee would at all times be verie readie to repulse and to represse anie violence or wrong which the Duke should dare rashly or vnaduisedly at anie time to attempt against him or anie of his people The Duke A rash attempt had a disgracefull end being ouer-passionate when he receiued this discreet and mild answere with all expedition besieged the Towne of Vergie in Guian and remained there for the space of three moneths and somewhat more In which time hee offered manie sharpe assaults and much violence but receiued as manie stout repulses as he could well endure And in the end hauing lost manie of his best men and chiefest friends he was compelled disgracefully to raise his siege and to returne into France The Duke of Burgoine also supposing that the instabilitie of king Henries estate at home The Duke of Burgoyne attempteth the regaining of Callice could not permit him to leaue his Kingdome and to warre abroad obtained leaue of the French King to attempt the regaining of Callice to the French For which purpose he procured a puissâ—nt Armie in which he had six thousand valiant men at armes fifteene hundred crosbowes and twelue thousand ordinarie Souldiers on foot But when the French Kings Councell were informed of the great preparations made in England by King Henrie to defeat them and had maturely considered of the difficultie yea almost of the impossibilitie of this attempt the said Duke was commanded to desist from his intended seruice He is required to desist whereat hee was much grieued and did coniecture that the proud Duke of Orleans and some others had discouraged the King in that businesse because they were iealous that by his valour hee would winne too much honour and renowne Experience teacheth vs that as the highest Trees are subiect most to bee hurted by a storme ANNO. 6. A new Rebellion secretly plotted but discouered so the greatest Estates are in greatest danger to be shaken by Enuie An euident poofe therof appeared plainly in the whole course of this Kings Raigne For no sooner was hee freed from one mischiefe but incontinently he was threatned by another And though he had now escaped the great dangers of two former Treasons and Rebellions and had beene victorious ouer the Scots and the Welch Rebels and had out-faced the French who if they had dared would haue attempted high Atchieuements at Callice and in Aquitaine and in Guian yet was he now againe in hazard to haue beene turmoiled with an other Ciuill Warre at home which secretly was plotted and contriued by Henrie Percie Earle of Northumberland Richard Scrope Archbishoppe of Yorke Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall and by the Lords Hâ—stings Faulconbridge and Bardolf and by diuers others But as in such like cases it often falleth out The King sodainely surpriseth the Traitours so this Traiterous Conspiracie was secretly reuealed to the King who came so vnexpectedly with an Armie into the North that ere anie man reported the newes of his comming hee surprized the said Lords the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Bardolf excepted and strake off their heads But the said Earle fled into France from whence hee came afterwards into Scotland The Prince warreth in Scotland prosperously where hee was promised to be aided against the King But to preuent such mischiefes as those intendements did threaten the Prince of Wales was sent into Scotland with an Armie where he burnt and spoiled without controlment at his owne will and pleasure and recouered to the Kings vse the Castles of Barwicke and of Anwicke and enforced the Scots to craue a truce which was granted vnto them for a few monethes and then
was himselfe stabbed with a dagger 10. E. 4. and slain in the Tower of London by the said Richard Duke of Glocester And not long after 10. E. 4. the Duke of Clarence was found dead in his bed he hauing beene drowned in a Butte of Malmesie not without the Kings consent as it was supposed And thus open and ciuill warres by the sword and the common Executioner with his axe and inueterated enuie and malice with bloudie hands bereaued and tooke away the liues of the greater number of the most renowned and valiant Noblemen Captaines and Gentlemen of this Realme THE HISTORIE OF KING EDVVARD THE FIFTH IF our memories be pleased to take a reuiew of the life and actions of the late deceased King Edward the Fourth Edward the Fourth described wee may thereon make this pretie abbreuiate and short collection That hee was of a goodly personage and of a kingly presence That he was very strong and passing valiant not proud in prosperitie nor deiected with aduerse fortune That hee was moderately pleasant and merie That he was pleasing to his Nobles familiar with his souldiers and amiable to his inferiour subiects That he was mercifull to offenders and fauoured all such as did well That he was very wise discreet prouident and soundly aduised in all his actions Yet was he somewhat too credulous and too wanton and in his latter daies more couetous then formerly he had beene By many worthy endeuours he expressed how much hee longed for his peoples loue His affabilitie and by one action hee more particularly declared it then by all the rest For in the next Summer before he died hee required the Lord Maior of London and his brethren to repaire to his Castle of Windsour where hee then lay And when they expected some extraordinarie imploiment in State affaires because so many of them were called thither not troubling them with any businesse either great or small priuate or publike nor requiring of them any supplies from their plentie hee royally feasted banqueted and entertained them not only with the choisest best and most costly delicates that could bee gotten but also hee gladded them vnspeakably with his owne presence and companion-like behauiour Hee afterwards carried them into his Parke where the thicke fall of fat Deere besides many other things gaue them warrant of their kinde welcome And at their departing from him he sent such great store of venison into the Citie for the friendly feasting of their neighbours there that nothing euer won him more heartie loue among his subiects of that place He left behinde him two sonnes Edward who being of the age of thirteene yeares vnfortunately succeeded him in this Kingdome and Richard Duke of Yorke who was two yeares younger and fiue daughters namely Elizabeth who afterwards maried King Henry the seuenth and was mother to King Henry the eighth and Cicilie Bridget and Katherine whose fortunes seldome laughed and Anne who maried Thomas Lord Haward who after was created Earle of Surrey Richard Duke of Glocester described The said noble King when he died left behinde him but one brother namely Richard Duke of Glocester who was by common report a monster in nature For he had many teeth when he was borne He was exceedingly deformed in the composure of his bodie for of stature he was but low crooke-backed his left shoulder was much higher then the other his visage was vncomely his complexion swart and browne he was exceeding strong yet much withered in his left arme he was violent fierce and bloudily cruell a good souldier discreet to order well and politicke to rule Hee was very hastie and forward in great expeditions and weightie actions yet wise and well aduised before hee would attempt to fight He was ambitious beyond measure and his desires for soueraigntie had no bounds What he contriued were it good or bad hee would by one meanes or by another assuredly effect it Hee made his conscience in all things to serue his will though his will could not bee obtained without the effusion of guiltlesse bloud He would oftentimes make himselfe poore by his lauish bountie to such as wickedly serued his turne and would againe quickly enrich himselfe by pilling and by polling of ciuill and of honest men Hee was so cunning a dissembler that hee would accompanie most familiarly and iest pleasantly with such as hee inwardly hated in his heart Hee spared no mans death whose life resisted his vngodly purposes nor punished any man for any offence if his wickednesse might be applied to his seruice This ambitious this fierce and this cruell man in his brother King Edwards daies as wise men did coniecture directed his aime to make himselfe a King 10. E. 4. For he with others murdered Prince Edward the eldest sonne of King Henry the Sixth 10. E. 4. and with his owne hand hee slew the same King when he was a prisoner in the Tower and was consenting as the world blabbed to the death and destruction of his elder brother George Duke of Clarence in the same place 10. E. 4. King Edwards death and the minoritie of his two sonnes Richard aimeth to the Crowne gaue him fit opportunitie to worke mischiefe which first of all he resolued to prosecute by the reuiuing of olde grudges betwixt the Queenes kindred and the Kings although the last King in his death-bed had reconciled them and made them all friends For he knew that where malice and hatred are of counsell there no good action or sound conclusion can be expected And by this practise he endeuoured first to make him selfe equall with the best and then to be the best of all Wee must also now obserue that at the time of King Edwards death the young Prince in his owne person kept his residence and Court at Ludlow in the dominion of Wales that by his presence he might restraine the Welshmen from such outragious enterprises as oftentimes their licentious and bad manners incited them to commit And the protection of his person was by the last King appointed to Anthonie Earle Ryuers the Queenes brother and by the mothers side Vncle to the said Prince And her allies and her kinsfolkes did now possesse all roomes and offices of honour and of profit about him hee being King which the Duke of Glocester much maligned and so scorned it that in his conceits he contriued how he might thrust them all out of those places For which purpose hee oftentimes secretly and seriously conferred with Edward Duke of Buckingham and Richard Lord Hastings who was Chamberlaine to the last King To them hee discouered the meane descent of the Queene and of her kinsfolkes in respect of theirs and told them plainly that if those Vpstarts remained so neere vnto the King in his youth they would through his fauour be so powerfull when he came to his full age that all their honours their possessions and their liues would be in danger to be made
good respects hee cheerefully consented to his request First because by all likelihood and probable coniecture this mariage would establish a perpetuall peace betwixt those two Kingdomes And secondly because if issues males and females failed of the bodies of his two sonnes then the Kingdome and the Crowne of this Realme descending to the said Ladie Margaret and to her issue would draw the Scottish King into England as vnto an estate of greater power magnificence honour and riches whereas if she were ioined to a Prince equall or exceeding her father in those respects this Kingdome would then wait vpon the greater and more worthie and so might be guided gouerned directed and commanded by a Deputie or a Substitute which would bee derogatorie from the maiestie of such a Monarchie and Common-weale These Halcyon daies Prince Arthur dieth which made King Henry fortunate and happie were suddenly exchanged into daies of heauinesse and of sorrow for Prince Arthur within fiue moneths after he was maried departed out of this troublesome and transitorie vale of miserie and was buried with great pompe and incredible lamentation both of the Nobles Gentlemen and common people in the Cathedrall Church within the Citie of Winchester by whose decease without issue his brother Henry Duke of Yorke without Creation was Prince of Wales 1502. as vnto him of right that dignitie did belong and appertaine and the next yeare after he was created Earle of Chester by his Father The King not long after by an honorable attendance of Lords Knights Ladies and men and women of especiall note and qualitie sent his eldest daughter the Ladie Margaret into Scotland to her espoused husband Iames the Fourth who receiued her vpon the limits of his owne Kingdome from the Earles of Surrey and Northumberland and was the next day maried to her in his Citie of Edenburgh 1503. to the great reioicing of the people of both those Nations Now when King Henry had thus ouercome his enemies and the Rebels and had settled himselfe in peace 1504. hee determined to plucke downe the high stomackes and stout courage of his people The King taketh aduantage of forfeitures vpon Penall Lawes supposing that their wealth and riches occasioned their rebellions and was the cause that many enormous insolencies were done and committed in the Common-weale And by that meane hee also intended to enrich himselfe And the plot whereby he intended to effect it was by taking of the aduantage of the breach of Penall Lawes Empson and Dudley And the principall charge of that polling businesse hee committed to Sir Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley men learned in the Law but ready enough to execute the Kings commands in a worser matter if occasion did so require These two being attended by troupes of base Informers Promoters Catch-poles Cheaters Knaues and cousening Rascals Many are vndone prosecuted and persecuted many of the Kings good Subiects to their vtter ruine and ouerthrow insomuch that many people in euery Shire of this Kingdome by their oppressions waxed poore and were vtterly decaied in their estates But the Kings Coffers were filled his Bagges were stuffed and those two gracelesse and cruell Cormorants got to themselues the Deuill and all But no remedie there was to cure this maladie for the King authorized them and they so rigorously and so vnconscionably executed their tyrannie that no man could assure himselfe that hee was free and without the danger of their lash 1605. In the 21. yeare of K. Henries raigne Elizabeth Q. of Castile wife to Ferdinando K. of Aragon and Spain died without issue male of her bodie so that her Kingdom not being deuidable among sisters according to the custome of that Countrie discended to her eldest daughter the Ladie Iane The King and Queene of Castile doe come into England by a storme wife to Philip Arch-Duke of Austria and Duke of Burgoine so that hee being King of Castile in her right prepared a Nauie of strong and well appointed ships and entred into the Sea purposing to take the possession of his new Kingdome But by the violence of an outragious storme himselfe with his Queene was driuen into Waymouth in Dorset shire where at his landing hee was receiued by Sir Thomas Trenchard a worthie Sir Thomas Trenchard entertaineth them at his house and a compleate Knight who instantly importuned the King to accept of the entertainment of his house vntill King Henrie were certified of his being there which courteously he did Whereof when he had louingly accepted hee was conducted thither and feasted like as hee was a King The Knight forthwith sent diuers Posters to King Henrie who being much gladded by this newes because the said King and he were vnfained and faithfull friends They are entertained by the King forthwith sent for his better direction and attendance the Earle of Arundell and some others who inuited him and his Queene and their Companie to the Kings Court which was then at his Castle of Windsor of which great courtesie he accepted with a kind hart and as he came within fiue miles of the Castle he was met by the Noble Henrie Prince of Wales who was accompanied by diuers Earles Lords Knights and Gentlemen of choice reckoning aad account and within halfe a mile of his iournies end the King himselfe with the greatest part of his Nobilitie Ladies and Personages of great worth and honour being richly apparrelled and brauely mounted met him likewise where kind salutations and friendly greetings proceeded from the heart and were performed with most exquisite complements of loue that by any could be imagined From the Kings Castle of Windsor the King conducted him and his Queene to the Citie of London where nothing was omitted that anie deuise or cost could make sumptuous thereby to expresse the heartie welcome of such beloued guests And thus when with great contentment mirth and pastime the King and he had spent some dayes they renewed the League which was betwixt them and taking kind farewels each of other the said King and Queene imbarked themselues againe lanched into the Sea and safety arriued according to their owne wils But not long after King Philip and his wife died and that Kingdome discended to Charles his eldest sonne From this time forwards King Henrie waxed sickly weake 1506. and infirme and by meanes thereof the two scourgers of the Common-weale Empson and Dudley tooke larger libertie to extend their villanies then was giuen to them and did oppresse torment and vex the People of this land But when the King perceiued that his time was short 1507. hee depriued them of their authoritie remitted and pardoned all offences committed against his penall Lawes and enlarged all prisoners The King waxeth sickly His deeds of charitie which were in durance for any offence treason and murder excepted only he also paid the debts of all such as for trifling and smal summes were prisoners in any Ward and gaue certaine
the Second created Lord of Wallingford Earle of Cornwall and Glocester and died without issue being executed by the Barons Hugh Spencer the younger was by King Edward the Second created Earle of Glocester and was executed at London E. 3. Hugh Awdley Lord Awdley of Helie Castle was by King Edward the Third created Earle of Glocester and died without issue R. 2. Thomas Plantagenet surnamed Thomas of Woodstocke the sixth sonne of King Edward the Third was by his father created Earle of Essex Buckingham and Northampton and by King Richard the Second his nephew hee was created Duke of Glocester but was murdered at Calice in prison for reprouing the King friendly of his faults R. 2. Thomas Lord Spencer the grand-childe of the aforenamed Hugh Spencer was by King Richard the Second created Earle of Glocester and died without issue male H. 4. Humfrey Plantagenet the fourth sonne of king Henrie the Fourth being Earle of Pembroke was by his father created Duke of Glocester and died without issue E. 4. Richard Plantagenet the sonne of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke and brother to King Edward the Fourth was by the same King created Duke of Glocester Hee was also King Richard the Third and died without issue Hartford H. 2. ROger de Clare Earle of Clarence was by King Henrie the Second created Earle of Hartford Richard de Clare his sonne enioied both those Earledomes Gilbert de Clare his sonne was Earle of Clare Hartford and of Glocester Richard de Clare his sonne enioied those three Earledomes Gilbert de Clare his sonne succeeded in those honours Gilbert de Clare his sonne succeeded and died without issue male Ralphe de Mounthermer who maried Ione of Acres one of the daughters of king Edward the First E. 1. was by him created Earle of Glocester and of Hartford he dyed without issue Edward Saint-Maure alias Seymour H. 8. was by king Henrie the Eight made Viscount Beauchamp and Earle of Hartford hee was Vncle and Protector to king Edward the Sixt by whom hee was created Duke of Somerset and lost his head Edward Saint-Maure alias Seymour his sonne Q. Eliz. was by Queene Elizabeth created Viscount Beauchamp and Earle of Hartford and he now liueth Hereford WIlliam Fitz Osborne Conq. who first perswaded the Conqueror to vndertake that weightie businesse was by him created Earle of Hereford and Lord of the Isle of Waight because he made the first Conquest thereof Roger Fitz-Osborne his sonne who succeeded was attainted of Treason and dyed a prisoner without issue Miles Fitz-Water was by King Henrie the First H. 1. created Earle of Hereford Roger Fitz-Water his sonne succeeded and dyed without issue Walter Fitz-Water his brother was Earle and dyed without issue Henrie Fitz-Water his brother succeeded and dyed without issue Humfrey Bohun was by king Henrie the Third H. 3. created Earle of Hereford and of Essex Humfrey Bohun succeeded his father in those Earledomes Humfrey Bohun his sonne was Earle after him Humfrey Bohun his sonne was his successour in those Dignities Iohn Bohun his sonne was Earle and dyed without issue Hurmfrey Bohun his Nephew viz. the sonne of William brother to the said Iohn was Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton and dyed without issue Male. Thomas of Woodstock the sixt sonne of king Edward the Third E. 3. married Eleanor the eldest sister of the said Humfrey and was by his Father created Earle of Hereford Essex Buckingham and Northampton he was afterwards by his Nephew king Richard the Second created Duke of Glocester and was murdred in prison at Calice because he informed the king friendly of his faults Humfrey Plantagenet his sonne was Earle and dyed without issue Male. Henrie Plantagenet surnamed Bullingbroke the sonne and heire apparant of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster being Earle of Darby was by his Cosen R. 2. king Richard the Second created Duke of Hereford and was afterwards king Henry the Fourth Humfrey Stafford was Earle of Stafford Northampton and Hereford and was by king Henrie the Sixt created Duke of Buckingham but he lost his head Huntington Conq. WAldolf a Saxon married Iudith the Conquerors Neece and was by him created Earle of Huntington hee dyed without issue Male. Simon de S. Lize otherwise Saint-Leger married Mawld one of the daughters of Waldolf Rufus and was by William Rufus created Earle of Huntington and Northompton and hauing issue Simon hee dyed Dauid Prince of Scotland and sonne to Malcolme the Third being Earle of Northumberland Steph. and Cumberland was by king Stephen made Earle of Huntington for Simon was but a child and vniustly kept from his Inheritance Henrie Prince of Wales assoone as Dauid his father was king of Scotland enioyed the Earledomes of Northumberland Cumberland and Huntington After the death of King Stephen the said Simon being sonne to the said Simon entred into his Earledomes of Huntington and Northampton and enioyed the same in peace during his life Malcolme Prince of Scotland and sonne to the before named Henrie because the rightfull Earle of Huntington was in his minoritie was by king Henrie the Second H. 2. made Earle of Huntington as he was Earle of Northumberland and of Camberland William his brother being Prince of Scotland and Earle of Northumberland Cumberland and of Huntington made warres vpon King Henrie the Second after he was king of the Scots and was taken prisoner in the field ransomed and lost those honors Simon de S. Lize otherwise Saint-Leger the third of that name was by king Henrie the Second restored to his Earledome of Huntington and was also Earle of Northampton and died without issue Dauid the brother of the aforenamed William was by the fauour of king Richard the Second restored to the Earledome of Huntington R. 1. Iohn his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Huntington and died without issue male He was surnamed Scot. William Clinton was by king Edward the Third created Earle of Huntington and died without issue E. 3. Guischard a Gascoigne borne in Angolesme R. 2. was by king Richard the Second created Earle of Huntington and died without issue Iohn Holland halfe-brother to King Richard the Second R. 2. was by him created Earle of Huntington and Duke of Exeter and lost his head for conspiring against king Henrie the Fourth Iohn Holland his sonne was restored to his Earledome by King Henrie the Fifth H. 5. and by king Henrie the Sixth to his Duchie of Exeter Henry Holland his sonne was attainted when king Edward the Fourth raigned and was drowned on the coast of Calice Thomas Grey sonne in Law to king Edward the Fourth was by him created Marquesse Dorset and Earle of Huntington Thomas Grey his sonne succeeded in those honours William Herbert the eldest sonne of William Herbert whom king Edward the Fourth had made Earle of Pembroke E. 4. was by the same King made Earle of Huntington George Hastings Lord
And the King for reuenge resolued to haue burnt the Citie of London 74. But it is redeemed by sute and by money 75. The Earle of Glocester with the base off-skome of London do much mischiefe But by the Prince his entreatie all is pardoned 76. The Earle of Glocester is by the King furnished to goe a warfare in the holy land Hee giues it ouer And Prince Edward vndertaketh it he is trecherously wounded but recouereth The King dyeth and he returneth with much honor into England 77. King EDWARD the First THe French King feareth his valour and therefore inuiteth Lluellen to rebell against him in Wales 79. By promises that hee shall marie with the Ladie Eleanor the banished daughter of the banished Earle of Leicester who for succour was his guest 80. The King taketh her in her passage towards Wales the King marcheth towards Lluellens Armie He submitteth himselfe sweareth to be loyall and is wiued 80. He rebelleth againe and he and his brother are both beheaded 81. King Edward is chosen as soueraigne Lord to decide the controuersie and debate touching the Right to the Crowne of Scotland which many Competitors do striue for 81. That Kingdome is surrendred into his hand and he decides the doubt and conferres the Kingdom vpon Iohn Bayliol 83. Hee strippeth the Church and Church-men and is disliked of them especially for enacting of the Statute against Mortmaine 82. Iohn Bayliol being vngratefull inuadeth England But King Edward winnes from him the Castle and Towne of Barwike and slayeth 25000 of his Men. 83. He surrendreth Scotland and King Edward gouernes it by a Lieutenant and placeth all Officers of state therein 84. The Scots rebell againe and are subdued 84. They rebell once more Thirtie and two thousand of them are slaine 85. They doe homage and fealtie to King Edward 85. Iohn Bayliol at the Popes request is set at libertie his subiects doe againe rebell against England The King entreth into Scotland and the Castle of Eastervlnie in which the Scottish Nobilitie for their safeguard inclosed themselues being summoned is yeelded to King Edward 85. Hee sweareth them to his obedience and for a monument of his victories he bringeth from thēce the Chaire in which their Kings were vsually Crowned 86. Hee enquireth of the extortions done by his Officers and correcteth them 86. Prince Edward is committed to prison and his vnthriftie Companion Pierce Gaueston is banished 86. Wales and Cornwall are giuen to the Prince 86. The Pope claymeth the soueraigntie of Scotland but King Edward reiecteth and scorneth his claime Robert le Bruze vsurpeth in Scotland so that King Edward the fourth time goeth in his owne person into Scotland The Vsurper flyeth into Norway and King Edward dyeth 86 87. King EDWARD the Second HE breakes his Oath and recals Gaueston Hee doateth on Gaueston Makes him Earle of Cornwall and hee doth all in all whereat the Nobles are displeased 89 90. The King through Gauestons wicked counsell liueth lewdly and forsaketh the Companie of the Queene 90. Gaueston hath the custodie of the Kings Iewels and conueies many of them into Ireland 90 The people murmur at Gauestons authoritie and wicked courses The King reiects good counsell Yet at last Gaueston is banished into Ireland The King comforts him and sends him money and Iewels 91 The King is so sad for his departure that at the request of the Nobilitie in hope of amendment he is recalled 92 By reason of his insolencie hee is againe banished into Flanders but is recalled and waxeth more scornefull then he was before 92 The Lords despairing of redresse doe strike off his head 92 The King to despight his Nobilitie entertaineth the two Spencers who are worse then Gaueston and doe perswade him to more leaud and vngratious courses 92 The King and his Nobles doe not agree Robert le Bruze taking aduantage by the Kings euill gouernment vsurpeth in Scotland He is againe crowned King and ouerthroweth king Edward 93 Iohn Poydras is discouered to be a counterfet and is put to death 93 Barwike is betraied to the Scots 93 The Scots do ouerthrow King Edward the second time 94 The King being intreated will not put the Spencers from him 94 The Nobles in Parliament doe stand on their Guard 95 The Spencers are banished for euer 95 The Nobles complaine for the younger Spencers Piracies but the King maketh sport at it and recals them from their exile They scorne the Barons who fight but are ouerthrowen 96 Twentie and two Barons are beheaded 97 The elder Spencer is made Earle of Winchester and Sir Andrew Harkley by whose principall seruice the Barons were ouerthrowen and who was made Earle of Carlile consorting with the Scots who had almost taken the King and enforced him to flie lost his head 98 The Queene being oppressed by the Spencers goeth into France and carrieth the Prince with her Shee is well entertained by the French King her brother But he is bribed by the Spencers and so is the Pope who conspire her deliuerie to King Edward And shee with her sonne doe flie into Arthoys 99 The Queene and Prince doe land in England The Nobles repaire to her with an Armie and the King is strangely taken prisoner The Earles of Arundel and Winchester are beheaded 100 And Hugh Spencer the younger being carried to London is disgraced and cruelly executed as a Traitor 100 The King is committed deposed his sonne is crowned and the old King is murdered by the practise of Sir Roger Mortimer who was too familiar with the Queene For which offence shee was honourably imprisoned thirtie yeares and more before shee died 105 King EDVVARD the third HE goeth with an Armie into Scotland to correct them for their insolencie in his fathers daies The Natiues flie into the woods and the King returneth 103 Hee concludeth a dishonourable peace with Scotland by the counsell of Sir Roger Mortimer whom he createth Earle of March and marieth his sister Iane to the King of Scots sonne named Dauid He releaseth the Tenure Soueraigntie homage and the fealtie of Scotland and deliuereth vp the great Charter called Ragman which testified their tenure of the Kings of England 104 The Earle of March procureth the Kings vncle the Earle of Kent to be beheaded and is himselfe executed as a Traitor 104. 105 The King and the French King doe iarre about the Kings homage for the Duchie of Guyan 105 The Kings title to the Kingdome of France was now first broached 105 He recouereth Barwicke from the Scots and maketh Edward Bayliol King 106 In his owne person he settleth the gouernment of Scotland 106 The King seekes aid of forraine Princes for his French wars 107 And is by fauour made Vicar Generall of the Empire and is thereby enabled to winne Iaques Dartuell with the Flemings and the Princes of Germanie to ioine with him 108 He filleth his coffers 108 The French King staieth his Armie from going to the Holy Land to fight with England 108 King Edward
kingdome and finding that manie inconueniences did daily presse him with much dishonor and disgrace because he intermedled not with the Temporalties of Bishoprickes when they were vacant nor with the inuesture of Bishops as his Ancestors had done and being informed That those things were inseparable incidents vnto his Crowne and that his neglect to vse them depriued him not of his Right vnto them resolued That he would not any longer forbeare to chalenge and to put in practise those things which so justly did belong vnto him Whereat Anselme the Archbishop of Canterburie was much displeased and did vtterly refuse to consecrate such new Bishops as had receiued their Inuestures from the king But Gerald then Archbishop of Yorke cheerefully performed that Ceremonie vpon the kings commaund This new quarrell transported Anselme the second time from England vnto Rome Anselme goeth to Rome the second time complaineth to Pope Pascal the second The Archbishop preuaileth where he complayned to Pope Paschal the second of those and of manie other wrongs all which were controuerted and debated with the strongest oppositions on either partie But two yeares after Anselme with the licence and fauour of the king returned and in a Synod of the Clergie holden by him in London by the Popes authoritie it was enacted That from thenceforth no Temporall man should giue Inuesture to any Bishop by the Crosse and Ring Within three yeares after Anselme died and the Temporalties of that Dignitie being seized into the kings hands The King entreth vpon the Temporalties of the Archbishop of Canterburie were for the space of fiue yeares taken receiued and conuerted to the kings vse And if at anie time as hee was often hee were entreated by the Bishops to conferre that See vpon some other his answere was That he onely kept it for a sufficient and a worthie man In the yeare of our Lord one thousand one hundred and eight hee erected the Bishopricke of Ely The Bishoprick of Ely founded in Anno 1108. and endowed it with large and honourable Possessions which wonne him much fauour with the Pope and procured him the loue of his owne Clergie Thus when the King for a few yeares had enjoyed the benefite of an happie Peace Normandie inuaded and held all Normandie subject to his owne commaund his tranquilitie and his pleasure were enuied by Lewis le Grosse then king of France who first of all procured Fulke Earle of Angeou vpon a weake pretence to seize vpon the Countrey of Mayne and then animated Baldwyne Earle of Flanders to declare against the king in Armes for the with-holding of a yearely pension of three hundred markes which the Conquerour gaue onely vnto Baldwyne the fifth Earle of Flanders during his life But the same had afterwards beene payd to his Sonne and Nephew by the courtesie of the succeeding kings because the Conquerour had beene well assisted in his Warres with England by the said Baldwyne the fifth All these made strong preparations to inuade the Kings Duchie of Normandie But the newes thereof rowsed the King from his bed of ease The King sayleth into Normandie preuaileth filled him full with Princely resolutions occasioned him to passe the Sea with an Armie of rough and tough Nobles Gentrie and common Souldiors And shortly after his landing loosing no time he set vpon the Earle of Angeou and his associates And after he had beaten him soundly on euerie side he enforced him to saue himselfe by a shamefull flight Another victorie And neere vnto the Towne of Nice which was surprized and holden by the King of France King Henrie encountred the other two This Battaile was made famous by the continuance of nine houres and was on all parts fought with such eager and manlike resolution that albeit the King of England wonne the Field and had the long chase of his flying enemies yet he boldly and truly would confesse that hee then fought not for victorie but for his life A peace is concluded At length when the heat of Anger was well quenched and when manie lay cold on the floore of death who in their life times had blowne the coales of contention betweene those foure Princes A Mariage they all were reconciled vnto peace and the King married to his eldest sonne William the daughter of the said Fulke But in their journey towards England the said young Princes Richard and Marie Countesse of Perch two others of the Kings children his Neece Lucie A great misfortune with her husband the Earle of Chesier and more than an hundred and fourescore others were vnfortunately drowned by the carelesse folly of the drunken Mariners Drunkennes This vnexpected newes being accompanied with manie millions of sorrowes and of dolefull passions much grieued the King but made him not heartlesse as most Princes would haue beene in the like case The Kings admirable patience For Wisdome had sufficiently instructed him with patience to sustaine and beare those burthens which could not by any meanes be shaken off And likewise the King was at that time affoorded but little leisure to fixe his cogitations on those mishaps because the obstinate Rebellion of the Welchmen drew him vnwillingly into a new Warre For when he saw and perceiued that though he were a King yet vrgent necessitie commaunded him to Armes and that Iustice did require him by the Sword to judge and to execute those lewd and gracelesse Malefactors The Welchmen rebell and are subdued hee marched with a strong Power into Wales when the Rebels trusting ouer-much to their owne valour which little or nothing at all helpeth in Treasonable Plots and Imployments resolued to abide the vtmost push of their fortune which yeelded to the King a speedie and a successefull end of those Warres For with little danger and as small a losse he gaue them the ouerthrow and permitted the wastfull deuouring swords of his associates to surfet vpon the carkasses of those Rebels whome neither gentle vsage nor former executions of that nature could persuade to performe those duties which good subjects doe owe vnto their Prince Then returned the King loaden with much honour Maulde the kings daughter married to the Emperour Henrie the fifth and was joyfully receiued by all his people especially by Mauld his daughter whome he forthwith sent to be married vnto the Emperour Henrie the fifth her affied husband with a princely portion of Siluer and of Gold which in the nature of a Taxe was leuied vpon the common people of their Land which he tooke for an ayde towards her marriage And the same custome Aid purfiâ—e marrier for the marriage of the eldest daughter of the Kings of this Realme hath beene and is continued vnto this day At the same time he deuised and ordered the manner and fashion of a Court in Parliament Anno 1114. The High Court of Parliament fâ—â—â—t established at Salisburie in April appointing it to consist of the three
and had found more fidelitie and seruice in strangers borne than in those his owne subjects in milde and in gentle sort accepted of their submission pardoned their transgressions and restored them to their Honors and to their Lands Peace And by these meanes this Realme was disburthened of the French Nation and a quiet peace began to salute the King and his people who now found some leysure to looke vp and to refresh themselues as Fishes doe in a faire calme after they haue beene tumbled and tossed in the Waters by an vnquiet Storme 1212. The Councell of Lateran The Pope intending to make these his proceedings with King Iohn in England a president vnto other Princes assembled a generall Councell at Lateran wherein hee published them all at large together with the said kings Grant of his Kingdome to the Pope Princes excommunicated and their Prouinces and Kingdomes interdicted and his said regrant and the Tenure thereof to be of the Church of Rome And in the same Councell Otho the Emperour Peter king of Arragon and Raymond Earle of Tholouse and diuers other Princes were excommunicated and others were interdicted together with their Kingdomes and their Prouinces for Heresie as it was pretended A Popish Policie But the certaine scope of this craftie and cunning packing tended to none other end than onely to make temporall Princes subiect to the Popes correction and consequently to enrich himselfe and his successors Auricular Confession Transubstantiation Damnation with their spoyle In the same Councell also Auricular Confession and Transubstantiation were established and decreed and therein it was enacted That such as spake euill of the Pope should be damned in Hell and that no man should be Emperour Emperour vntill he had sworne his Homage to the Pope and had receiued his Crowne from him And thus all these troubles hauing had from the fourth yeare of King Iohns Raigne as long a continuance as the Troian Warres were at last ended Peace after tenne yeares warre But the Clergie would in no sort bee heartily reconciled to the King For such was their secret grudge and spleene towards him that vnder the colour of much seruice and dutie as hee lay in the Abbey of Swansteede not farre from Lincolne hee was poysoned by a Monke of the Order of Saint Bernard who to make his match sure King Iohn is poysoned and to auoid jealousie and suspition first dranke vnto the King and poysoned himselfe for companie And thus died King Iohn when he had raigned aboue seuâ—nteene yeares and lyeth buried at Winchester In the seuenth yeare of his Raigne hee transported a puissant armie of valiant men of armes and common souldiors 1205. into Ireland Ireland and with great resolution and courage he reduced that Nation to their former obedience from which with insolent obstinacie they had reuolted And in the ninth yeare by a new Charter 1208. A Maior in London hee enabled the Citizens of London to make their annuall choice of a Maior and of two Shirifes for the better Gouernement of that Citie And the yeare following London Bridge the Bridge of Stone was there built ouer the Riuer of Thames This King was verie wise politike and wonderfull valiant 1209. not to be subdued but by Death A descriptiâ—n of King Iohn nor wearied with anie Trauaile nor would be discouraged with more than ordinarie Dangers Hee fought manie successefull Battailes both at home and abroad yet was hee not alwayes fortunate For by meanes of the Popes quarrellings Philip of France wonne from him the greatest part yea almost his whole Duchie of Normandie and vexed him exceedingly at home in his owne Kingdome Hee was liberally bountifull and benigne to all Strangers but sparing in his gifts to his owne subiects And some reason hee had to be the more close-handed towards them because the most of them better louing France than their owne Countrey and caring more for the French King than for him who was their Soueraigne Lord and Master gaue him little stomack and courage to aduance them as otherwise no doubt hee would haue longed and desired to haue done Hee left behinde him foure sonnes viz. Henrie who succeeded him Richard who was elected King of the Romans William of Valentia and Guido Disnay and three daughters viz. Isabell married to Fredericke the Emperour the second to William Marshall Earle of Worcester and the third to the Earle of Leicester THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE THIRD AFTER the death of King Iohn Henrie his sonne being of the age of nine yeares was crowned King and the Protection of him A Protector and of this Realme was committed to the Earle of Glocester who hauing married one of the Kings aunts and being well learned politicke and wise temperate and valiant administred the Lawes and Iustice vprightly to the people So deepe an impression had confidence made in the hearts of Philip of France and of Prince Lewis his eldest sonne The French King againe inuadeth England that the Kings Minoritie Traiterous friends and their owne good fortune would make them the Soueraigne Lords of this kingdome that no former Commandements or Curses from the Pope preuailed to make them vtterly to abandon and to forsake this kingdome For their Hope 's fed them with this conceit that their new repaire hither and the daily disturbance and trouble which by their meanes should vnjoynt the Peace and the good Gouernment of this Commonweale would and in the end should shake it with a continuall feauer and make it hopelesse of all recouerie or reliefe sauing onely by their meanes And vpon this Proiect they landed fresh forces within this Land But the new Protector was not idle in his charge For his Preparations were expedited with great celeritie and judgement and with such forces as he had leuied he manfully opposed himselfe against all Encounters of the French The Welchmen take part with the French and of the Welch which obstinately adhered to the French part But the best successe by Warres in a distempered and in a mutinous Estate giues little cause of boasting to eyther part For the slaughter of manie friends and kinsfolke affoording the Victorie cannot chuse but bring with it a sorrowfull remembrance of their vntimely end and beget manie wishes that their vndutifull Errors hauing beene reformed they were aliue againe The Pope curseth again Honorius the Pope being truly informed how obstinately the French and the Welch Nations being assisted with some English daily warred and spoyled within this Realme not onely confirmed the authoritie of Guallo the Legate but by him he thundred more sharpe and terrible Curses against them all than formerly hee or his predecessors had done Whereunto hee added new Excommunications Depriuations and other bitter Censures of the Church of Rome His curses are not cared for Hereupon Prince Lewis with his confederates seemed to be peacefull for a while and made an outward shâ—w
as if hee onely waited for a fit oportunitie to depart Yet in the meane time king Philip his father with great care and cost prepared new Forces for his aide and shipped them for this Realme But Hugh de Burgh being a man prouident Hugh de Bergh preuaileth on the sea and truly valiant and being chiefe Master of the fiue Ports hauing fitted a strong Fleete of good Shippes and furnished them to the proofe with choice Mariners and expert men of Warre encountred them brauely vpon the Sea and with such hardie blowes so fiercely did assayle them that beeing altogether vnable to resist him they submitted themselues and all their Shippes vnto his mercie The French are absolued and doe returne This noble Exploit being thus attended by Victorie forthwith drew Prince Lewis to a milde entreatie of Peace So that being absolued by Guallo and receiuing good summes of money to further his returne he surrendred all such Forts Castles and Townes as hee had taken and with his companies sayled into France leauing his English friends who had supported his Estate and part in all these Warres to the censure of the Lawes and to end their miserable dayes with sundrie executions and strange deaths The Common-weale being now suffered to breath A Parliament and hauing found some leisure to prouide fitting medicines to cure such maladies as distempered her estate required that a Parliament might be sommoned which was graunted King Edwards lawes restored and in it the ancient Lawes of King Edward were reduced and restored to their former vigor and strength And the Grand Charter in those dayes called Magna Charta comprising sundry laws Magna Charta which were both easefull and commodious to the common people was ratified and confirmed And whereas the Wardships of the heires of such of the Kings tenants as died Warships marriages Ann. 902. Ann. 1056. seized of any lands by them holden in Knights seruice was graunted to King Edgar during their minorities and their marriages were afterwards granted to King Edward the Confessor Those lawes which a long time had lien asleepe were now reuiued and awaked and were restored to their former vse In the same Parliament also a voluntarie Taxe was frankely giuen to the King A voluntarie Taxe partly to discharge such debts as former warres had occasioned and partly to leuie new forces to be conducted by Richard the kings brother for the recouering of Poyters and of Gascoyne which of late yeers most iniuriously and with too much violence had been vsurped and taken from King Henries predecessors by the French King The Parliament being ended the said Taxe An Armie transported into Gascoyne c. with great celeritie and without contradiction by any was soone leuied so that the Kings Coffers were replenished with siluer and with gold and all requisits were carefully prouided and a gallant Armie of couragious men of warre were assembled and safely transported Richard recouereth Poyters and Gascoine With which Richard the Kings brother did almost wonders subduing where he found resistance and seizing vpon Lordships Towns Forts Castles and other defenced places quietly and without blowes where no head was made against him So that within few moneths such was his valor and good fortune he recouered both those Prouinces wholly for the king and returned with much honor into England But the kings absence from those places The French King winneth Poyters Perigot c. ministred opportunity to the French king to be vnfriendly and daily to make wars roads incursions and inuasions into those Prouinces which without colour of right he endeuored to subdue So that hee refusing no aduantage which might in any sort further his desires suddenly led a new Armie into Poyters and quickly made himselfe the Lord thereof And then he marched into Pierigot and Aluerne and other places in Guian where he did the like But king Henry sent thither another Armie A new Army transported with which his brother Richard Earle of Cornwall fought many cruell and sharpe battailes and in the most of them Fortune assisted him with good successe and all things afforded him great hopes A peace is concluded that hee should recouer whatsoeuer in his absence had been lost But in the height of all these broyles a friendly peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Richard returned safely into England The causes of dislike betwixt the K. and his Barons These troubles being thus ended and peace gladding the hearts of all such as had been tired with those warres vnkinde iealousies began to breed much hart-burning betwixt the King and his own Barons for that as they conceiued the King reposed little confidence in their faith neglected their seruice and societie and applied himselfe and his fauours wholly vnto strangers whom neither alliance nor Countrie bound to performe any dutie towards him nor would be found trustie when the hand of his bountie and liberalitie was closed vp The King reconcileth himself to his Barons And the King perceiuing their discontent entered into the secret closet of his owne breast and tooke a strict examination of his owne dealings And finding them to bee such as iustly might displease he reformed his error remoued the causes of those dislikes and louingly reconciled himselfe to his Nobles Iohn Scot Earle of Chester dieth About this time Iohn Scot Earl of Chester died without issue male hauing foure daughters heirs From them the king resumed into his own hands that Earledom and all the Territories belonging thereunto which he augmented with large additions of yearely reuennues and many Regall Priuiledges Liberties and Honours And for a recompence and by way of exchange he gaue vnto those Ladies many Honors Lordships Castles and Mannors which exceeded their owne in true value And hauing married Prince Edward Chester and Wales annexed to the Kings eldest sonnes his sonne to Elyanor sister vnto the King of Spain he gaue vnto him the Prouince of Guyan the Lordship of all Ireland and created him Earle of Chester and Prince of Wales which two later dignities he then annexed to the eldest sonnes of the Kings of this Realme The murdering of the King is attempted And not long after a Clerk dwelling in Oxford counterfeiting a kind of madnesse attempting to murther the King for which purpose in the depth of the night he crept in at the window of the Kings chamber in which most commonly hee lodged But failing of his purpose because the King lay not then there hee was taken examined confessed his villanie and by the course of law being condemned he was put to a cruell death The French King breaks the league We haue heard before that a peace was concluded between the Kings of England and of France but the French kings were alwaies secretly or openly malicious to the Kings of this Realme because they had certaine Territories and Prouinces in France which bordered on their Countries And
his Brother King Richard and Edward the young Prince beleeuing nothing what was written and deepely disdaining that Subiects should rule and correct their Soueraigne Lord and Master and determining to reuenge those disgraces which their stomacks no longer could endure proclaymed an vtter defiance to the Barons and with their Armie met them in Sussex neere to the Towne called Lewys The battaile of Lewis where betwixt them was fought so fierce and so cruell a battaile that the father spared not the sonne nor the sonne the father All kindred and alliance was there forgotten 47. 1262. the common Souldior held himselfe to be as good a man as the greatest Lord. Honour was there set at nought and Manhood being oppressed with Multitude could make no shew Hee who was most valiant was soonest made breathlesse and the Coward found no oportunitie to runne away He who could strike deepest wound manie and kill most obtained the chiefest praise Pitie and Compassion were skorned and laughed at and all remorse was vtterly exiled from them None mediated betwixt them but their swords and their best Reconciler was death Lamentable were the sighes and the groanes the plunges and the pangs of such as bleeding breathed forth their liues and euerie man fought with such an obstinate resolution as if but one onely man at the last should be left aliue At length the two kings The two Kings and the Prince with manie others are taken prisoners Prince Edward and manie Knights and Gentlemen of choice account and of the best worth were taken prisoners and more than twentie thousand men were slaine in this Battaile And thus Furie triumphing in bloud was contented at length to hearken vnto Reason and they who could scarcely set their feete vpon the ground by reason of the multitude of dead carkasses which as thicke as stones lay before them 20000 men are slaine were now pleased to take breath and to conferre vpon conditions of Peace And in the end it was agreed That the King should by new Articles A new conclusion for Peace and by the renewing of his Oath confirme the authoritie graunted to the Twelue Peeres and all the said Ordinances and Lawes with this Caution notwithstanding That two Lords of the Spiritualtie and two Lords of the Temporaltie should take a strait examination and view of them and if in their judgements it were needfull that anie of them should be reformed full power to them was giuen to alter and to change what they thought fit And if they dissented in their opinions it was then further ordered that the Duke of Britaine as Vmpier should haue power to arbitrate and to end the doubt The two Kings are set at libertie Hâ—stages giuen and the Prince was one This being on both parts consented to and concluded the two Kings left both their eldest sonnes for hostages with the Barons who sent them to the Castle of Douer where they remained about nine moneths Then did the King with all conuenient expedition summon his High Court of Parliament In which so strongly was the continuance of the said Lawes and Ordinances made at Oxford vrged A Parliament that they were then againe ratified and confirmed and the king though much against his will tooke an Oath to maintaine them and the authoritie of the Twelue Peeres The former Lawes and Ordinances are againe confirmed vntill according to the said former referment they should be reformed if anie thing in them were found to be amisse And all such as in those Warres or otherwise had in anie sort maintained them receiued their pardon from the king And hereupon the two yong Princes were enlarged The Hostages are enlarged But not long after so great a variance touching those Ordinances grew betwixt the two Earles of Leicester and of Glocester the two Generals of the Barons Faction that nothing but mortall Warre had decided their controuersie Discord betweene the Earles of Leicester and of Glocester if the King had not interposed his authoritie and mediation to make them friends A faire oportunitie well watched and taken But the young Prince Edward taking much aduantage by reason of this jarre departed secretly from the Kings Court consorted to his companie the Earles of Glocester and Warreyne Sir Roger Mortymer and manie other renowned men for the Warre And all these raysed a new Armie in Wales The Prince rayseth an Armie ANNO 48. 1263. The Barons doe the like And the Earle of Leicester conceiuing that his surprisall and ruine was conspired to preuent his owne danger and misfortune did the like And not long after the two Armies met neere to Euersham in Worcestershire and fought together so maliciously and with such bloudie resolutions that in short time manie thousands among them were slaine For Death taking part with both spared neyther but striuing to make her gaine by their losse The battaile of Euersham insulted proudly in the Armie and bragged most when she did most harme But in the end the Barons were discomfited The Barons are ouerthrowne and Symon Earle of Leicester with his eldest sonne and Sir Hugh le Spencer and manie others of great account were slaine and the rest fled The common souldiors that preuailed despightfully mangled the dead carkasse of the Earle cutting off both hands and feete and sending them into diuers Shires to their friends as Trophies of their Victorie And others among them being more inhumane and barbarous cut off his head and his priuie members and placed them on eyther side of his nose This ouerthrow did vtterly defeat the Barons and depriued them of all their hopes and it so reuiued the melancholie King that now he began againe to be sensible of his owne strength and resolued with all speede possible to breake those chaynes with which so lately hee was so strongly bound And for the effecting thereof A Parliament hee assembled his High Court of Parliament In which no man dared to speake otherwise than as the King spake So that those former Ordinances and Lawes which were made at Oxford in the Madde Parliament The former Decrees are all made void and the authoritie of the Twelue Peers and all Patents Commissions and Instruments whatsoeuer which tended to the establishing or ratifying of those affaires were by the Kings expresse commaundement brought forth and were publikely damned cancelled and made void And thus King Henrie regained his former libertie and power to say and to doe in all things as he pleased The King resolueth to burne the citie of London When this Parliament was ended the King perhaps by the instigation of his brother Richard King of the Romans who was cruelly wronged by the baser sort of the inhabitants of London without anie cause by him giuen as before it is mentioned resolued vtterly to wast and to consume with fire his Citie of London because as hee alledged the Rulers and the Inhabitants thereof had alwaies despised him and
Scotland the Low Countries Gascoyne Guyan and elsewhere and then he displaced those corrupted Officers and placed better in their steads The Prince is committed to prison and Pierce Gaueston is banisht Cornwall and Wales giuen to the Prince 29. 1300. Peace betwixt England and Scotland The Scots doe sweare obedience The Popes claime to be high Lord of Scotland and his command to King Edward About the same time Doctor Langton then Bishop of Chester complained grieuously to the King vpon Edward the yong Prince who by the lewd aduice and instigation of Pierce Gaueston his loose and gracelesse companion brake forcibly into his Parke and made hauocke of his game for which the Prince was committed to prison and Gaueston was banished the land and required not to return on paine of death And the next yeere after Edmund Earle of Cornwall sonne to Richard King of the Romans died without issue so that that Earldome reuerted to the Crowne which together with the Principalitie of Wales the King gaue vnto Prince Edward his eldest sonne and heire apparant to his Crowne In the three and thirtieth yeer of King Edwards raigne a generall peace was proclaimed betweene England and Scotland and Robert le Bruse and many other knights Lords and Earles of that Country came into England and voluntarily swore their fealtie and their homage to the king yet before one yeare was fully expired the said Lord Bruse and many others secretly procured from the Pope an instrument in writing by which the Pope made claime to the kingdome of Scotland as holden of his Church of Rome and the king was thereby peremptorily required to surcease from all demands of Tenure and of Soueraintie ouer it The Kings message to the Pope But the king by the aduice of his Nobles signified by his Embassadors to the Pope That the Signiory and Lordship of the said kingdome of Scotland did only belong to the kings of England and not vnto the See of Rome nor vnto any other and therefore he prayed him to reuoke his said Instrument and vniust claime for that both hee and his Nobles were resolued to maintain his right and lawfull inheritance therein with the vtmost expence of their goods lands and liues But whilst those things were thus handling Robert le Bruse doth vsurp in Scotland The King in his owne person the fourth time subdueth the Scots The vsurper flieth into Norway The King dieth Robert le Bruse by the Popes consent caused himself to be crowned king of that Realm which occasioned king Edward the fourth time to enter into Scotland with a puissant Armie where he so largely extended his valor and with the sword so fiercely deuoured the Inhabitants which ioynd with their vsurping king that they were compelled with extraordinarie tokens of subiection and humilitie to yeeld themselues to the kings mercie And Robert le Bruse finding no meanes to make good his false title to that Crown secretly withdrew himselfe and fled into Norway where he remained vntill king Edwards death which happened soone after when hee had raigned victoriously almost thirty fiue yeeres THE HISTORIE OF KING EDVVARD THE SECOND AFTER the Kings death his sonne Edward succeeded and was crowned King His tall and comely Personage An euill King graced with outward Majestie seemed to promise manie blessings to ensue But his Maners being grossely corrupted by lewd and gracelesse companions were so lasciuious and vnbefitting the condition of a King that he became burthensome to his Nobilitie and almost a skorne to his inferior subjects For hee neglected the societie and the counsell of such as were wise and graue and consorted himselfe with his owne Minions by meanes whereof he put in practise euerie loathed thing wherein hee could either take pleasure or expresse his follie So that his euill Gouernment made his Kingdome to be vnfortunate and himselfe a president of wretchednesse to succeeding Ages as in the discourse of his Historie it will more particularly appeare No sooner was his head adorned with his Imperiall Crowne Pierce Gaueston but his heart longed for Pierce Gaueston the wicked corrupter of his youth and the professed enemie of all honestie and vertue For albeit that he was exiled by the last King The King breakes his Oath to recall Gaueston who tooke an Oath of this his Successor neuer to permit him vnpunished to come backe againe into England yet the remembrance of his villanies consorting with the Kings bad nature and euill disposition was a quicke messenger for his returne Pierce Gaueston is all in all And his arriuall so aboundantly replenished the Kings conceits with extraordinarie joy that nothing else in comparison of it gaue him anie contentment Neither could anie man besides him expect for anie gracefull entertainement from the King The Nobles tell the King of his Oath The Noble men who perfectly knew how wickedly this Gaueston was enclined perceiuing that the King doted on him and that his affections towards him were vnlimited being perplexed with inward griefe and fearing the Ruine which through his insolencie threatened the subuersion of the whole Realme emboldened themselues to put the King in minde of his oath But as his conscience troubled him not for the breach thereof So their disliking encreased his desires towards Gaueston and to make him great For Gaueston alone and none but Gaueston was likely to doe all in all and frowne hee that frowne would the King cared not who was displeased hee was resolued that Gaueston should be great And therefore hee first Lorded him with the Baronie of Wallingford Gaueston is aduanced and soone after he created him Earle of Cornwall and made him the sole and onely Commander ouer his Iewels and his Treasure In which Office so absolute was his power and so cunning was his craftie head to prouide in the time of his prosperitie for aduerse fortune which might ensue that secretly he conueyed beyond the Sea a faire Table and Tressels He conueyes the Kings Iewels out of the Realme all made of beaten gold and manie rich and precious Ornaments and Iewels to the great hurt and prejudice of the King and of this Realme Hee also tooke much pleasure to feede the Kings fancies with great varietie of new delights The King liueth loosely and lewdly and by his example hee enured him to Banquet Drinke and to Carowse beyond measure And his dishonest persuasions and enticements made him carelesse of the Bed and of the societie and fellowship of Isabell his Religious and vertuous Queene the daughter of the French King Philip the faire and sister to his Successor Charles the fourth and trayned him to the adulterous consortship of wanton Curtizans and shamelesse Whores The Queene in vaine seeketh to reclaime the King The Queene who sorrowed hereat beyond measure reposed all means for redresse of those her vnsufferable wrongs in her prayers vnto God and in her modest wooings for her Kings loue But all her endeuours
Spencers who were more deer to him then his Queen and children How the king loued the two Spencers The two Spencers are banished for euer and all his friends beside and in the end among many other things it was by the whole Parliament enacted That they should bee exiled during their liues and neuer bee licensed by the king to returne againe into England This being thus concluded the Barons who longed to see the two Spencers vnder saile caused certaine Ships to bee prepared in which they were embarked and sent away So that now all men were well pleased except the King whome their absence vexed at the heart The King hateth his Barons and in all things he endeuoured plainely to expresse his hatred and his anger towards the Barons who had enforced him to consent vnto their banishment And to expresse the same more fully he was informed that the younger Spencer had strengthened himselfe with a few good Shippes The younger Spencer becomes a Pyrate and that he lay as a Grand Pyrate coasting vpon the Narrow Seas robbing ransacking and spoyling the Marchants and all Nations who passed by them but especially and chiefely such as were of this Kingdome And although great sute was made vnto the King that a conuenient Fleet might be prepared for his surprizall and that hee might be produced vnto judgement The grieued Lords complain but the King laughs and receiue such punishment as the Lawes of this Kingdome appointed for the cutting off of such a notorious Theefe yet the King smyled and was inwardly glad to heare this newes and turned a deafe eare to their request and was so farre off from prouiding to fetch him in that pardoning all his offences The Spencers are recalled and honored and to despight his Barons hee recalled them both from their Banishment and honoured them with more Dignities Offices and Authoritie than euer he had done before ANNO 13. This thing being thus strangely performed by the King and the daily vnsufferable injuries and insolencie of the two Spencers who skorned and derided the Nobles as being vnable to controll them The Spencers doe skorne and deride the Nobles or to doe them anie harme were sufficient warnings to the Barons to looke vnto themselues and to prouide for their owne safetie before it were too late Wherefore seeing that neither entreatie nor Law could right their wrongs they raysed a strong Armie The Barons doe rayse a strong armie and boldly marched into the field And the King with the two Spencers and some others of the Nobles did the like And after manie sharpe Bickerings and Encounters both their Armies met The King doth the like and fought on either part with such obstinate desire to reuenge that he was supposed to be the most valiant man among them who could and did drench his sword deepest in the most bloud A cruell Battaile The Noblemen now forgat that vndutifully they fought against their Soueraigne Lord and the King would not by anie meanes know that his Tyrannie had compelled them to take Armes Kindred Alliance Countrey Religion Neighbourhood nor anie other respect now preuailed to winne fauour but furie made them trust to their weapons and death stickled the controuersie betwixt them The Barons are ouerthrowne In the end when manie of the Barons and thousands of their adherents were slaine they fled and were pursued by the King who obtaining the victorie neuer ceased the pursuit vntill he had taken the Earles of Lancaster Hereford and manie other Lords of which hee caused two and twentie to loose their heads in sundrie places of this Realme Twentie and two Lords beheaded to the great astonishment of the rest and to the terror of the vulgar sort Thus when this hauock was made of the Nobilitie and when this victorie had puffed vp the two Spencers with intollerable insolencie and pride they made no good vse of their good fortune The two Spencers wax more insolent and proude for the amendment of their liues or better counsailing of the King but as tyrants they now did all in all as they themselues listed and their will was the best law And then presuming that all things should be ordered as they listed they procured the King to holde his high Court of Parliament at Yorke The Prince of Wales created Sir Hugh Spencer the elder made an Earle A great tax in which hee created Edward his eldest sonne Prince of Wales and Duke of Aquitaine He also created Sir Hugh Spencer the Father Earle of Winchester and Sir Andrew Harkley whose extraordinary seruice was a principall meanes of the Barons late ouerthrow Earle of Care-Liele He also exacted the sixt pennie of all Temporall mens goods and moueaables inhabiting in England Wales and in Ireland to defray and to support his intended warres against the Scots The people doe murmur but the leuying therof enforced the common people to grudge and to murmure affirming That they were altogether impouerished by dearth and famine and almost vndone by reason of the disordred gouernment of the King The Scots being secretly informed that King Edward was resolued to inuade their Countrey ANNO 15. The Scots do inuade Ireland The Scots are ouerthrown and to reuenge those indignities and those wrongs which by the incursions and inuasions of Robert le Bruse their vsurping King he had receiued endeuoured to diuert his purpose another way so that they entred into Ireland with a copious Armie But the king who was not ignorant of their determination made such prouision against their landing there that the greater number of those assailants were slaine and the rest being vtterly ouerthrowne were compelled to flie vnto their Ships and shamefully to returne into their owne Countrey The King entereth into Scotland with an Armie The king was now perswaded that scarcely any strength could withstand so great a power as hee had leuied and that the Scots should now be called to a strict account for all their inroades incursions inuasions murthers robberies and spoyles And for the effecting thereof he conducted his Armie into Scotland where the Nobles and the other inhabitants of that land being armed well and being in number many thousands for many daies by continuall preparations made a shew to giue battaile to king Edward when as indeede they meant nothing lesse The Scots do retyre into the Woods Mountaines For when King Edward approached neere vnto them they craftily yet stoutly and strongly retyred manie myles and at length withdrew themselues into the Woods Forests and Mountaines where they soone cloyed wearied and wasted the English forces The English Armie is tyred out partly with the vneasinesse of those passages and partly with such Stormes Tempests Raine Hayle Snow Frosts and other distempered weather as vsually in those places were too bitter and too sharpe The Kings Armie is afflicted And besides all this the want of victuals and other necessaries so
grieuously afflicted the Kings Armie with mortalitie and death that not hauing performed anie thing worthie a Kings care and trauaile he began to retyre which when the Scots perceiued they pursued and hunted him with much crueltie and violence So that finding his forces to be broken The King is pursued and flyeth and his Armie scattered the Scots gaue a bold onset vpon the King himselfe and enforced him to saue his life by an ignominious flight and to leaue behinde him his Treasure The King loseth his Treasure and prouisions Ordinance and all his best prouisions whereat they made great jolitie and mirth This last disaster and this last danger which King Edward by a shamefull flight escaped was principally occasioned by Sir Andrew Harkley Sir Andrew Harkley Earle of Carlile beheaded whome the King had created Earle of Carlyle for his great seruice in his behalfe against his Barons in their late ouerthrow for hee hauing secretly receiued from the Scots a great summe of money for a bribe practised to betray the King for which offence he lost his head The Queene flyeth into France and carrieth the prince with her The Queene knowing that the two Spencers enuied her deepely at the heart and that by their persuasions the King refused to keepe her companie and solaced himselfe too too wantonly with lewd and lasciuious strumpets and pitying the late slaughter and bloudie executions of verie manie of the Nobilitie and perceiuing that the affaires and businesse of the Commonweale were made slauish and seruile to all misfortunes taking with her the young Prince Edward her sonne fled into France to her brother King Charles She is kindly entertained by her brother the King by whome shee was receiued louingly and was recomforted by earnest promises and oaths That by his assistance and at his costs her wrongs and this whole Kingdomes ruines should be repaired And not long after the Barons by their letters offered their best seruice to her and to the Prince her sonne The Barons doe offer her their seruice and did protest That if shee could returne strengthened onely with the helpe of one thousand valiant men at armes they would thereto adde so great a strength as should suffice to make the two Spencers feele the smart of their vnsufferable follies This proffer exceedingly rejoyced the Queene The Spencers do bribe the French King with the Kings Money and Iewels The French King checketh the Queene his sister The Pope and his Cardinals are bribed Sir Robert Earle of Arthois a friend to the Queen The Queene and Prince flye into the Empire They are kindly entertained by the Earle of Henault The Queene and Prince doe land in England ANNO 19. 1325. The Nobles Commons doe repaire to the Queene and Prince The Bishop of Exeter beheaded by the Londoners The King goeth toward Wales The Londoners take the Tower and daily fedde her conceits with fresh hopes of fortunate successe at the last But the two Spencers greatly fearing the euent of her returne if the French King should take her part and making the Kings Coyne and his Treasure their best Aduocates to plead their case so corrupted King Charles and his Councell of Estate with vnvaluable presents of Gold of Siluer and of rich Iewels that not onely all aide and succour was denyed to her by her owne brother but in verie sharpe and in quicke manner shee was by him reproued and blamed as being foolishly afraid of her owne shadow and as hauing vnwisely and vndutifully forsaken the companie of her Lord and kinde husband The Pope likewise and manie of his chiefest Cardinals being by like rewards engaged by the two Spencers required the French King vpon the penaltie of Cursing to send the Queene and the young Prince her sonne to King Edward And doubtlesse shee had vnnaturally beene betrayed by her owne brother if secretly and speedily her selfe and her young sonne had not been conueyed into the Empire by Sir Robert of Arthois her neere and kinde cousin and friend where they were with vnexpected and extraordinarie joy receiued and welcommed by the Earle of Henault and by Sir Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont his brother who being accompanied with three hundred Knights and selected men of Armes went with her and with her sonne into England Vpon the first intelligence giuen of their landing the Lords and Barons with gladded hearts and lustie troupes of resolued Gallants who were soundly and at all points armed repaired euerie day to the Queene and Prince and hourely their forces were encreased So that the King hauing notice of these new troubles left the Gouernment of the Citie of London to his chiefest Treasurer Walter Stapleton then Bishop of Exeter who was an inward friend to the two Spencers and a professed enemie to the Queene and hated generally by the inhabitants of that Citie and the King hasted vnto the Marches of Wales for the present leuying of an Armie But hee was no sooner on his journey but the Londoners skorning the Gouernment of their prowd and insolent Commander apprehended him and without anie lawfull proceedings or judiciall Sentence caused his head to be smitten off at the Standard in Cheape and then they suddenly and with great violence rushed into the Tower of London where they slew all such as they found there and kept both it and that Citie to the vse of the Queene and of the young Prince her sonne The King changeth his purpose The King fortifieth Bristoll The Queene winneth Bristoll The King is besieged in the Castle Est ineuitabile Fatum A strange matter The King and Sir Hugh Spencer the younger are taken The Castle of Bristoll yeeldeth Sir Hugh Spencer the father and the Earle of Arundell are beheaded The Queene and Prince doe march toward London The younger Spencer is publikely derided He is cruelly executed As soone as King Edward was resolued and informed of this Reuolt hee desisted from his intended purpose and posted vnto Bristow and fortified it in the strongest manner that hee was able and committed the defence thereof to the Earle of Arundell and to Sir Hugh Spencer the father and himselfe with Sir Hugh the sonne entred into the Castle there and were determined to defend it with all their strength But within few dayes after the said Citie was besieged assaulted and wonne by the Queene and by the Barons who committing the two Earles and diuers others of the chiefest note vnto safe keeping besieged the Castle in such sort that the King and his Minion distrusting the euent stole away secretly in the night and put themselues into a little Fisher-boat Yet such was the will and pleasure of GOD to make them to know him by their future miseries that euerie day for a weeke and more the same Boat by reason of a contrarie winde was driuen backe neare to the said Castle Which being at length perceiued and obserued by the Lord Beaumont hee chased the Fisher-boat with a small vessell
could inherit the Crowne but King Edward in regard that he was a Male though the descent of the Males was interrupted by a Female viz. by Queene Isabel his mother pretended that in right the Crowne of France was his and could not be depriued thereof by humane lawes The state of this question standing thus Sir Robert de Arthois Earle of Richmond daily whispered it into the Kings eare and with such forcible reson and perswasions so vrged the same that now the King beganne to thinke on nothing more then how to attaine to the Crowne of France Secrecie is the best fartherer of great negotiations The Counsell of the Earle of Henalt is craued Aâ—de promised to the King The King is made Vicar generall of the Empire This busines as it was of extraordinarie waight and importance so it required the best secrecie vntill it were plotted wel For which purpose K. Edward by priuate messengers letters craued the aduice counsel of the Earle of Henalt his wifes father and brother-in-law to the French King and of Sir Iohn of Henalt Lord Beaumont his brother and of sundrie other great States and Princes of the Empire who not only counselled him by his sword to prosecute his right but made him offers of their assistaÌ„ce by their best means They also procured King Edward by a solemne instrument in writing to bee created the Vicar Generall of the Empire by reason whereof he had the power to command the Nobles and the common people of those Countries to further his purpose and his doings ANNO 11. Whilest these things were thus contriuing in England and whilst king Philip de Valoys little thought that his kingdome and Crowne were aimed at The French King maketh incredible prouision to Warre in the Holy-land or that his strength should bee trâ—ed with English warres he by the importunitie of Pope Benedict the eleuenth prepared such an Armie to haue made warres in the Holy-land as neuer before was conducted by anie Christian Prince He also committed the gouernment of his kingdome vnto his eldest sonne Iohn Duke of Normandie To whom by reason of his youth hee added for assistance a discreet wise and a graue Councell And when he had thus prouided and setled all thinges needfull for his huge armie The French King altereth his purpose and for the maintenance therof for three yeares space the reports of king Edwards claime and purpose began as a sodaine storme to breake forth and to be knowne Wherupon king Philip assuring himselfe that in his absence the English Armie would very litle regard such forces as should be left behinde and that his departure would encourage manie who hunted after nouelties and change rather to make offers of their seruice to his enemies He prepareth against England then to performe that dutie which by subiects was due vnto their king And knowing That it would be a ridiculous thing by dangerous attempts to winne honour abroad and to neglect the safetie of his owne kingdome and estate at home he desisted on the sodaine from prosecuting his journie into the Holy land and prepared strongly to defend himselfe against king Edward King Edward fils his Coffers and his claime And on the other side king Edward to the ende that nothing might be wanting when time should serue By manie politike deuices leuied such inestimable summes of monie Want of Money in England That for want of coyne among the common people a fat Oxe was sold for a noble a fat sheep for six pence sixe Pigeons for a pennie and a quarter of wheat for two shillings When he had thus done hee with Queene Philip his wife sailed into Flanders The King and Queene doe saile into Flanders where they remained all that winter and at Antwerp The king oftentimes conferred at length concluded with the Princes and States of Germanie and of those Prouinces He enleageth himselfe with the Germans and Belgicks vpon all things touching his said intended warre So that after his returne hee leuied a strong Armie King Edwards Armie which with his assisting friends consisted of seuen and twentie thousand chosen fighting men with which strength he landed in France King Edward landeth in France when the Sommer was almost spent The French King taketh the field The French king hauing an Armie which consisted of threescore thousand souldiors and being accompanied with the three kings of Behayne Nauarre and of Scotland with fiue Dukes Six and twentie Earles and more then foure thousand Lords and knights brauely entred into the field where hee found king Edward sufficiently prouided to shew himselfe a valiant man But whilest each Armie gazed on the other A woman parteth a great affray and expected manie houres which part should giue the first stroke of the battaile Behold and wonder and a strange wonder For betwixt both those Kings vpon the motion and through the mediation of the Ladie Iane Countesse of Henalt sister to King Philip and mother to King Edwards wife not a blow was giuen but on a sodaine Both the Armies were dissolued and King Edward with his friends and Nobles returned into England In the fourteenth yeare of King Edwards Raigne ANNO. 14 1339. The Germans incorporate themselues with King Edward in his Warres Vpon what conditions the Flemings ioyned with King Edward Hee quarters the Armes of France The French doe burne in England hee sayled into Flanders where at Brusels he met with the greater number of the Princes of Germanie who of their owne accords with heartie loue and forwardnesse incorporated themselues with king Edward in those his warres against France And at the instance of the king the said Princes entreated the Flemmings to joyne with them in that Enterprize and seruice whereunto they seemed willing to condiscend if king Edward would entitle himselfe king of France and would quarter the Armes of France with the Armes of England and would as king of France release vnto them a bond of two millions of Floreynes wherein they stood obliged not to wage anie warre against the king of France Whereunto the king yeelded and did performe all thinges according to their desires And thus hee consorted to his part the Germans and Flemmings in those affaires by promises oathes and by a solemne instrument in writing vnder their hands and seales Whilest king Edward was thus busied abroad the French kings Nauie landed many thousand men at Southhampton who ransacked the Towne and consumed it with fire and the like outrage and crueltie they exercised in the Countries thereunto adioyning The king immediately vpon his returne out of Flanders Summoned his high Court of Parliament in which A Parliament that nothing needfull might be wanting to furnish and to maintaine his warres with France a Subsidie of the fifth part of all his Subiects moueable goods was granted to him and the ninth part of their Corne A great Taxe Together with a large custome
with three hundred men at armes vnder the Banner of Sir Walter of Mannie brake forth out of the Castle and furiously rushed vpon the Frenchmen who attended for better newes But when they did perceiue that they were deceiued they resolued to acquit themselues like men and for an houre and more so they did But when manie of them were slaine the rest fled and were thus depriued both of their manie and of their hope In this conflict the King himselfe encountred hand to hand with the Lord Eustace of Rybamount Sir Eustace Lord Rybamont a right hardie and valiant knight and was by him twice stooped on his knees But skorning to yeeld to anie base conceit or froward Fortune hee aduanced himselfe so nobly A noble King and in such sort redoubled his courage and his strength that in the end he tooke the said Sir Eustace prisoner with his own hand the said Lord not knowing with whom he had so sharply contended But the King making him to know all released him without Ransome promised him future fauours and dismissed him with a Princely reward About the same time the French king Philip of Valoys died The French King dieth ANNO 24. Iohn is Crowned King of France The Kings Victorie at Sea Guyens is yeelded to the Callicians ANNO. 25 ANNO. 27 A Duke of Lancaster Created How Iohn of Gaunt became Duke of Lancaster A Combate appointed betweene the Duke of Lancaster and the Duke of Brunswicke A reconciliation The Marts for England remooued from the Flemings and his sonne was crowned King In the beginning of his Raigne hee created Sir Charles a Noble man of Spaine Earle of Angolesme because he entred into the narrow Seas on the French behalfe with a powerfull Fleet and miserably spoiled robbed and rifled the English Marchants and exposed them to much crueltie With him king Edward fought and compelled him to flie hauing lost manie of his chiefest men and two and twentie of his best ships And about the same time the Castle of Guyens was yeelded to the Kings people of Callice and in the seuen and twentieth yeare of his Raigne hee created his Cousin Henrie of Bullinbrooke who was Earle of Darby Duke of Lancaster with whose daughter and heire the kings sonne Iohn of Gaunt afterwards married and was Duke of Lancaster in her right He also created Sir Roger Stafford Earle of Stafford The said Duke vpon some misinformation that hee should publish some disgracefull wordes of the Duke of Brunswicke was by him challenged to a single Combate before king Iohn of France whereof hee gladly accepted and at the appointed time they both being throughly fitted for that purpose entred with hautie courage into the Lists for the triall of their cause But they both of them were reconciled by the French King to the great contentment and honour of the Duke of Lancaster notwithstanding that he was an Englishman and a subject to his Enemie King Edward during the time of the aforesaid Truce had vsed all friendly meanes to reconcile the Flemmings and to draw them from the French to his owne part but finding that al his endeuours proued vaine and that no courtesie could winne them hee withdrew from them all his Marts for Marchandizing which Iaques Dartuell had procured for them Which thing in a short time became exceeding hurtfull and prejudiciall to the Flemmings And now the time of the former Truce with France being long since ended King Edward leuied a puissant Armie of his most expert and approued men of warre The Blacke Prince landeth in Gascoyne with an Armie which hee committed to the charge and Gouernment of his sonne the Noble and Valorous Prince of Wales sirnamed the Blacke Prince Who being accompanied with manie Earles Lords Knights and Gentlemen of name He preuaileth The French King lâ—uieth a huge armie departed out of England and landed in Gascoyne where hee ransacked spoiled burnt and consumed Villages Townes Cities Forts and Castles in all places as hee passed by without any resistance or defence But King Iohn of France intending to â—op this Torrent and making no doubt but that the multitude of his souldiers should giue him an easie Victorie ouer so small a Companie as the Prince conducted Ten thouâ—anâ— men only 〈◊〉 English Armie which exceeded not tenne thousand men Leuied a huge Armie which hee assembled from all places subiect to his Dominion And being accompanied with Philip his yonger sonne and with the Flower of all the Chiualrie of France He marched with great strength ANNo 30 1355. The Battaile of Poyters against the Black Prince whom he found neere vnto Poyters readily prepared in the field to receiue him The French armie was diuided into foure Battailes who as their turnes or lots came fought with much valour but with little vse of their great skill For the thicke shot of the English Archers galling vnmeasurably their great Horses was the cause that quickly they brake their order and their array which suddenly bred such a totall disturbance in the whole armie The French men are disordred that themselues as waues of water doe in a turbulent and in a tempestuous Sea ouerwhelmed each others so that such as were downe were troden to death by their owne friends who could not auoid them such as would presse forward to make good proofe of their valour were repressed by such as did retire And such as did recoyle were stopped and hindred of their purpose by those who could not choose but resist their comming backe Notwithstanding the French Kings owne Battaile which was better ordered then all the rest encountring with that Battaile of the English armie in which the Prince of Wales was performed most rare and wonderfull feates of Chiualrie King Iohn is a most valiant Prince which to the vtmost of their powers they encreased being extraordinarily animated thereunto by the matchlesse valour and fortitude of their King who like a worthie Knight for his surpassing valour and courage exceeded all his Nobles for performance of that day The Braue valour and resolution of the English But the Blacke Prince and his Battaile whom no disorder troubled striuing almost beyond the abilities of men to winne honour and to saue them selues remained vndaunted spirits And as dangers pressed forth so did they with incomparable manhood driue them backe againe making the Frenchmen know by their miserable experience that they could not so much as dreame of any flight The Blacke Prince his vow nor of yeelding but were so greedie of the best honour that nothing but Death or Victorie could content them The Prince himselfe vowed that through the helpe of Almightie God he would that day performe the part of a good Knight And to say the truth such were his vnmatchable deedes of armes so hautie was his spirit so pleasing was his example and so cheerefull were his encouragements to his whole armie that euery one among them striuing to imitate his valour
Armie landeth at Callice and marcheth to Burdeaux He beates the French King ANNO. 44 An other Armie sent into France The English doe preuaile with an armie into Callice who to the terror and spoyle of the Frenchmen marched from thence vntill he came to Burdeaux to the Prince his Brother without opposition or resistance wasting and hauoking in all places as he passed by sauing that he was once met with and encountred by king Charles who being soundly beaten was enforced to retire and to giue free passage to the Duke King Edward as much as in him lay though hee beganne to grow old yet he was very carefull of those affaires For as soone as his sonne Iohn of Gaunt was gone out of England hee sent another Armie vnto Saint Omers which was conducted by Sir Robert Knowles who marching through those adiacent Countries with fire and sword depopulated it yea almost vntill he came to the Citie of Paris And then hee marched into the Earledome of Angeou where hee wonne the strong Townes of Vaas and Ruylly and sundrie others thereabout But the French king being informed that there was great dissention in the English armie betwixt Sir Robert Knowles and the Lords Fitz-water and of Grauntson rushed vpon them sodainly with an armie and finding their mindes diuided and their forces by great disorder broken Dissention caused the Englishmens ouerthrow preuailed against them and slew about one thousand Englishmen Whereupon the said Townes which they had taken were againe yeelded into the French kings hands He also following the good hap of his fawning Fortune sent another armie into the Prouince of Guyan ANNO. 45 where the Prince was weakly assisted and his Townes and Castles daily reuolted from him King Edward being much perplexed with the common reports of his declining Fortune ANNO. 46 and being resolued to doe his best to preuent the worst assembled his high Court of Parliament at Westminster A ParliameÌ„t wherein to supply his wants and to giue better strength and furtherance to his French Warres the Temporaltie with much cheerefulnesse granted him a Subsidie of fifteene thousand pounds A Subsidie granted and the like summe hee requested of the Cleargie who were contented to giue him faire words but no monie Whereat he was so much displeased The Clergie will grant none The Clergie disgraced ANNO. 46 The Earle of Pembroke defeated and taken at Sea that wheras at that time the Bishops and the Cleargie men were chiefly honoured with all Places and Offices of Honour and of Profit and of Commaund disgracefully hee depriued them and dismissed them all and placed more thankfull Subjects of the Laitie in their roomes King Charles had now besieged the Towne of Rochell almost one whole yeare For whose reliefe and to remoue the siege king Edward sent the Earle of Pembroke with an armie to the Sea but hee was encountred fought with and put vnto the worst by Henrie the vsurper of Castile who in fauour of the French king and thankfully to requite his former loue when hee assisted him against king Peter kept the narrow Seas with a strong Fleet. In this fight the Earle himselfe and one hundred and threescore others were taken Prisoners manie men were slaine The French King winnes Rochell c. and the rest who escaped returned altogether discomforted into England And vpon the certaine report of this disaster The Towne of Rochell Angolesme Xants and Saint Iohns of Angley and diuers other Prouinces were giuen vp vnto the French king Sir Iohn de Mountford Duke of Brittaine perceiuing that good successe accompanied the French king in all his actions beganne to feare ANNO. 47 Iohn of Gant and the Duke of Britaine oppose themselues against the French King They waste the Countrey ANNO. 48 left in the height of his prosperitie he would attempt some quarrell against him Wherefore Hee fortified his Countries and then came into England and offred his assistance to K. Edward who forthwith leuied a strong armie and commited it to the gouernment of his sonne the Duke of Lancaster Who being accompanied with the Duke of Brittaine landed at Callice and with sword and fire wasted the whole Countrie vntill hee came to Burdeaux where the Duke of Lancaster found his brother the Prince of Wales exceeding sicke who made him Gouernour of all King Edwards Prouinces And hauing scene all such Noble men as hee could command Iohn of Gant is made Gouernour The sicke Prince commeth into England ANNO. 49 ANNO. 50 to take their solemne oathes for the performance of their duties and obedience to his brother the Duke he sailed into England After whose arriuall three parles for peace betwixt England and France were entertained vpon the motion and by the mediation of Pope Gregorie the eleuenth But not one of them was made fruitfull with any fortunate successe In the last yeare of King Edwards Raigne in a Parliament holden at Westminster the King required a Subsidie from the Cleargie and from the Temporaltie of his Kingdome towards the supporting of his warres The Lower house of the Parliâ—ment complaine vpon the K ngâ— euill Officers But the Lower house of that assembly complained grieuously against the Lord Latimer chiefe Chamberlaine to the King and of manie other of his Officers for that they not only misled the King in his old age but also vnthriftily spent and consumed the Treasure of his Kingdome Wherefore they refused to yeild vnto the kings demand except those euill Officers might bee displaced and better men setled in their roomes Which being by the king through the important perswasions of the Prince consented vnto he cheerefully obtained his demand And now approched the ends of these two famous .1376 and most worthie Princes the Father and the Sonne For the Prince of Wales died the eight day of Iune The Blacke Prince dieth in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand three hundred threescore and sixteene when hee had liued fortie yeares and lieth buried at Canterburie The King restoreth his euill Officers And no sooner was hee dead but king Edward verie vnaduisedly to his great dishonour and to the great discontentment of his people remoued from him such new Officers as in the late High Court of Parliament were established and placed neere about him and restored the Lord Latimer Richard is Created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester King Edward dieth and all the rest to their former Offices and places And finding himselfe exceeding weake by reason of his sharp and grieuous sicknesse he created his Nephew Richard Sonne to the Prince deceased Prince of Wales Earle of Chester and Duke of Cornwall and committed the Regencie of his kingdome to his son Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster died when he had raigned fiftie yeares and somewhat more THE HISTORIE OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND RICHARD the second being the Son and heire of the Blacke Prince ANNO. 1. 1377.
father Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Vncle to the king died the descent of which Dutchie would haue made the said Duke a potent Prince But the king refreshing his humours with new practises of secret reuenge and that hee might keepe him lowe vniustly seized vpon all the Lordships The King wrongeth Henrie the new Duke of Lancaster and Possessions belonging to that Dutchie and vpon all the moueables of his said deceased Vncle and shared and distributed them among his Sycophants and wicked Counsellours Which tyrannous and wrongful dealing so much displeased his vncle the Duke of Yorke and his cousin the Duke of Aumarle Edmund of Langley and Edward his sonne More wicked Counsellors to the King Scrope Bushe Bagâ—t Greeâ—e The King farmeth his Kingâ—â—me and sayleth into Ireland The Iourney câ—st h m â—â—s Crowne and his life ANNO 23 The Duke of Lancasâ—â—r landeth in England His companies encrease to a strong Armie He is râ—ceiued iâ—to Loâ—â—â—â— He 〈◊〉 into the Wâ—â—â— King Riâ—â—â—â— returâ—â—â—â— He 〈…〉 Three of the w â—ked Counsellors wâ—re bâ—â—eaded The Kings 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 to the Dukâ— that presently they left the Kings Court and retyred themselues to their owne houses At this time King Richard was wholly mis-led and lewdly directed in all his doings and negotiations by his principall fauourites Sir William Scrope Earle of Wilshire Sir Iohn Bushe Sir Iames Bagot and Sir Henrie Greene by whose aduice without the consent of his priuie Counsellors of Estate he leuied a strong Armie farmed to them for certaine yeares his whole Kingdome and all his Reuenues belonging thereunto and sayled into Ireland where hee behaued himselfe so valiantly that hee subdued that rebelling Nation and by his seueritie he compelled them to be willing to obey But in his absence his banished cousin Henrie of Bullingbroke Duke of Hartford and of Lancaster together with his old friend and exiled companion Thomas Archbishop of Canterburie returned into England to make clayme to his Duchie of Lancaâ—ter His first landing was in the North where such was the singular loue and the great affection of the Noblemen and of the common sort of people towards him partly in regard of his noblenesse and vertues and partly in regard of the Kings disordered courses in his gouernment that they all with extraordinarie chearefulnesse and alacritie flocked vnto him well armed and in great troupes So that within few dayes his companies were encreased to a strong Armie with which hee marched peaceably and in good order vnto London and was receiued entertained and feasted there with much honour and great joy And from thence he went into the Westerne parts of this Kingdome the people in all places where hee came being heartily gladded with much contentment with his doings But in the meane time King Richard who was returned and had quickly leuied great forces which hee conducted against the Duke perceiuing that euerie day his subjects fled from him and voluntarily offered their seruice to the Duke and being certainely informed that Sir William Scrope Earle of Wilshire Sir Iohn Bushe and Sir Henrie Greene three of his wicked Counsellors and vpon whome he most of all relyed were taken and had lost their heads despairing of anie safetie to be gained by force and violence of his owne accord hee came vnto his cousin the Duke of Lancaster confessed publikely his owne insufficiencie and weakenesse to rule and to gouerne well praysed the Dukes rare and singular vertues and his absolute worthinesse to be a King and proffered to make him an absolute Surrender of his whole Kingdome if hee would accept thereof A faint refusall But the Duke though hee much affected the wearing of a Crowne yet because hee hoped that the fauour of the Nobilitie Gentrie and of the common People would freely cast that burthen and Dignitie vpon him with greater safetie and assurance of continuance refused to accept thereof and protesting with manie pleasing speeches That he onely desired to enioy his owne Patrimonie and to reforme such things as were amisse hee caused the King with verie honourable and respectiue attendance to be guarded to the Tower of London The King is sent to the Tower and then hee assembled a Parliament in which among sundrie other things were publikely proposed these ensuing Articles concerning the euill Gouernment of the King The Duke summoneth a Parliament Articles proposed in Parliament against the King 1. INprimis That hee would not permit the said Duke of Hartford who was so much wronged for his good aduice and counsell touching the Kings Gouernment to fight the Combate against the falsely accusing Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke and yet banished him vniustly for six yeares 2. Item That albeit vnder the Great Seale of his Kingdome he had licenced the said Duke of Hartford at his departure out of England to make his Atturney to proceed for him in his causes of Law yet hee being gone the King would not permit anie man to deale for him in his absence 3. Item That verie vncharitably he prohibited all his Nobilitie and all others to be sutors vnto him for the said Duke of Hartfords returne from his vniust banishment vpon the forfeiture of their liues and goods 4. Item That after the death of Iohn of Gaunt the Kings vncle father to the said Duke and Duke of Lancaster hee had wrongfully seized into his hands all his moueables whatsoeuer and had diuided and shared them among his gracelesse and wicked Counsellors and had also by like iniustice seized all the possessions of the said Duchie of Lancaster which rightfully did belong to the said Duke of Hartford into his owne hands and kept the profits thereof to his owne vse 5. Item that colourably as a good friend to Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterburie who was falsly accused of high treason to the King as he sat next to him in the higher house of Parliament hee persuaded the said Archbishop to make no answer at all in defence of the said accusation nor repaire anie more to the same house protesting that neither the said accusation nor his silence nor his absence should be hurtfull or preiudiciall vnto him and yet banished him out of the Realme not hauing examined the said surmised treason 6. Item that whereas his Chancellour had refused in an vniust matter to grant a prohibition vnder the great Seale of England the King himselfe to peruert the due course of Iustice and of right granted the said prohibition vnder his priuie seale and straitly required that it should be executed and obeyed 7. Item that most vnnaturally and cruelly hee had procured Thomas Mowbray to smother to death betwixt two fetherbeds the Kings most noble and most renowned vncle Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Glocester when wrongfully and without anie good cause hee was a prisoner at Callice and afterwards dignified the said murderer first with the Earldome of Nottingham then with the Office of the Marshall generall of England and last of all
sonne and heire vnto Iohn of Gaunt the yonger brother of the said Lionel was elected and crowned king And forthwith hee created his eldest sonne Henrie Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and summoned his High Court of Parliament in which an order was prescribed and set downe for the safe keeping and for the honourable attendance and maintaining of Richard the late king But his deposing imprisonment and all the former proceedings which were had against him Iohn Bishop of Carleyl condemneth the former proceedings against King Richard were in the same Assembly publikely condemned and reprooued by Iohn Bishop of Carlile as hatefull vnto God trayterous towardes the wronged king and infamous among good men For he auerred boldly That if he were not a good king yet more iniurie was done vnto him then ordinarily is done to Murderers and to Theeues because they are not as he was condemned before they had made their answere to the obiected crime before Iudges which were indifferent The Bishop of Carleyl is attached and pronounced their iudgement vpon good proofe But assoone as hee had ended his speech he was attached by the Earle Marshal and committed to strait Prison in the Abbey of Saint Albons And then among manie other things in the same Parlament done the Crowne of England was entailed to King Henrie The Crowne is Entayled and to his heires for euer Treason plotted to be acted at Oxford Assoone as this Parliament was ended such of the greatest Lords as made the fairest shew of publike applause and ioy for the High dignitie which King Henrie did possesse conspired by Treason to take away his life at a solemne Iusts to be holden in the Citie of Oxford whereunto the King was inuited and promised to bee present because hee conceiued that the same Triumph was so appointed for his honour and for his delight This Treacherie was cunningly plotted and contriued by the Conspirators who by Indentures vnder their handes and seales had bound themselues each vnto other both for secrecie and also for the resolute effecting and performing thereof all which they solemnly confirmed by their Oathes The confederates The Confederates in this Treason were the Kings Cousin German Edward Plantagenet Duke of Aumarle sonne and heire apparant to Edmund of Langley Duke of Yorke Thomas Holland Duke of Surrie and Iohn Holland his brother Duke of Exeter both which were halfe brothers to King Richard Iohn Montague Earle of Salisburie Hugh Spencer Earle of Glocester Sir Thomas Blunt and one Magdalen who was sometimes a Chamber-wayter to the deposed King and both in stature and in countenance and in his behauiour was not much vnlike him All these Conspirators the Duke of Aumarle onely excepted met at Oxford at the appointed time being strongly guarded and honourably attended The Treason was strangely discouered by lustie Archers and other valiant men But the absence of the said Duke was by his Associates wondred at for which their was good cause For as hee sate at Table with the Duke his Father one Labell of a part of the said Indentures appeared at his bosome by which the olde Duke drew forth the whole writing And hauing read the same hee caused his Horse to bee made readie because hee intended with all poasting speed to make this newes knowne vnto the King But his guiltie The Duke of Aumarle confesseth all to the King and perplexed Sonne perceiuing that his Father would reueale this secret and knowing that now the least delay might extraordinarily hasten his danger being brauely mounted with all celeritie he out-rode his Father and came to Windsor Castle to the King who was preparing for his said iournie and without anie tedious discourse or lingring ceremonies He is pardoned hee reuealed to his Maiestie the whole conspired Treason and freely obtained his owne pardon It now behoued the King to change his course and so hee did For presently he rode to the Tower of London The King raiseth an armie where he tooke a present and a perfit view of all such thinges as were behoofefull and necessarie to an Armie And then he leuied a strong power purposing to defend himselfe and to surprise those grand Traytours if he might But when the Conspirators were informed that all their Plot and Treason was reuealed Magdalen was King Richards counterfeit They caused the said Magdalen to bee attired in Royall Robes and to faine and affirme himselfe to bee King Richard And with him and all their Troupes which were verie warlike and strong they marched towardes London resoluing to oppose themselues in the field against the king But king Henrie knowing that those Lords both in bloud and for their power The King marcheth towards the Traytors were more then ordinarily great was not ignorant that his best meanes to represse and vanquish them consisted in the quickest expedition and dispatch which hee could make Wherefore with a bold and with a kingly courage hee marched speedily towardes them with twentie thousand wel-armed men The newes of the kings approach being voiced among the companies which were conducted by the conspiratours so perplexed The Traiterous Lords are left by their companions and so amazed them that verie cowardly they ranne away and left those Lords comfortlesse and destitute of all aide So that the most of them were apprehended and not long after were put to death in sundrie places of this kingdome The Lords flâ—e and are taken and executed and the rest being surcharged and ouer-burdned with feare and sorrow not long after dyed Thus was king Henrie happily deliuered from this danger And lest the like Treason for king Richards sake might at an other time bee attempted against his person he caused him to bee murdered in the Castle of Pomfret Charles the sixt resolueth to releue his Sonne in-law King Richard as in the end of the discourse describing his Raigne and Historie more particularly it doth appeare When the French King Charles the sixt Father-in-law to king Richard was truely informed what had beene done in England hee was much grieued at the vnsufferable wrongs which were done vnto him and did intend as a faithful friend in his extremities to relieue his lamentable Estate and to be pittied miseries And for that purpose hee sent his letters of defiance to king Henrie and brought an Armie Royal into Piccardie with which he resolued to make sharp Warre within this Realme He desisteth when he heareth of King Richards death A French Armie An English Armie But when hee certainly knew that the poore distressed and afflicted King was dead and that it was too late to doe him anie good hee dissolued his Armie and proceeded no further in that businesse Yet to reuenge those wrongs hee was verie hopefull to surprise manie Townes Cities and Castles in Aquitaine and in Guyan And to effect the same not long after hee leuied other Forces encreasing them to a great
Armie And King Henrie to withstand him did the like But the English Armie landing in those Countries before the French King was in a readinesse and being boldly commanded and conducted by the Lord Percie Earle of Worcester vnto Sir Thomas Knowles the King of Englands Lieutenant there The French King giueth ouer his enterprise and they hauing taken the fealtie and the homage of the Lords of those Prouinces for their obedience and alleageance vnto King Henrie caused the French King to change his mind and dishonourably to disband all such companies as hee had leuied Yet for all this King Henrie still distrusting the weakenesse of his vsurped title and endeuouring to support it with a more sure foundation entreated the French King Charles the sixt to giue in marriage his daughter Isabel sometime King Richards wife vnto his eldest sonne Henrie Marriages with France are seldome fortunate Prince of Wales But her father obseruing that marriages betwixt England and France were but seldome fortunate denied the kings request whereupon she was conueied into France with Princely attendance and great honour And not long after shee was married to her Cousin Charles the eldest sonne of Lewes Duke of Orleance her Vncle. The aforesaid Treason conspired against the king by the aforesaid Lords and the late preparations of the French King first to haue inuaded the Kingdome of England and secondly to haue wrought wonders in Aquitaine and in Guyan and the frequent speeches which euerie where were vttered touching the manner of the Kings attaining to the Crowne animated the Welchmen and the Scots to shew themselues troublesome neighbours vnto the King Owen Glendor rebelleth For in Wales Owen Glendor a bold Squire with manie hundreds of his lawlesse and vnciuill companions entred into Armes and did much harme in the Marches which bordered neere vnto them Against whom Edmund Mortimer taken and sharply imprisoned the Lord Gray of Ruthen and Edmund Mortimer who was the true and rightfull Heire of the Crowne conducted their Forces and fought with him But they both were taken Prisoners and the said Edmond was by him kept close in a darke Dungeon which was both cold and vnhealthie where hee was ouerburdened with daily wants and much miserie All which were with the greater extremitie laid vpon him because king Henrie his Cousin should bee enforced the sooner to redeeme him with a great Ransome Wherein because the King was too too slacke and negligent hee was entreated and vrged by his Lords The King would not redeeme him but especially by the distressed Earles kinsmen the Percies But vnto them all he turned the deafe eare rather desiring his destruction then holding it safe for him to set him free The Scots also inuaded the Northerne parts of this Kingdome The Scots inuade but King Henrie with a puissant Armie entred into their Countrie and reuenged his wrongs euerie where with fire and sword at his owne pleasure The king curbeth them But because the Winter was extraordinarily wet and cold hee dissolued his Armie and with great honour victoriously he returned backe But as soone as hee was gone the angrie Scots being in number twentie thousand at the least entred with barbarous crueltie into England vpon the Northumbers The Scots againe doe inuade Henrie Hotspurre ouerthroweth them His great Prisoners but were gallantly encountred by Sir Henrie Hot-spurre the sonne and heire apparant of Henrie Percie Earle of that Prouince who with tenne thousand lustie and braue men gaue the Scots such a bloudie ouerthrow that he slew of them more then tenne thousand in the field and tooke aboue fiue hundred Prisoners among whome Mordake Earle of Fyffe Archibald Earle Douglasse Thomas Earle of Murrey and Robert Earle of Angus were the chiefe The next yeare following ANNO. 1. The Frenchmen spoyled by a storme at Sea the French King sent for Wales to assist Owen Glendor in his rebellious enterprises twelue hundered Lords Knights and Gentlemen of good accompt that they might be leaders and directors to those disordered Traytors But the winds not being answerable to their desires were so contrarie at the Sea and a storme so violently encreased that twelue of their greatest shippes with all their men and furniture were swallowed into the Sea and the rest with great difficultie returned into France This misfortune so animated the English Nation The English doe deride the French that they beganne euerie where to talke of and to iest at the French King because all his warlike expeditions had still beene vnfortunate and disastrous and though they threatned much Twelue thousand Frenchmen sent into Wales yet alwayes they vanished as a cloude The report whereof so whetted and exasperated his resolutions to doe some memorable seruice that forthwith hee sent vnto the said rebelling Welchmen an armie of twelue thousand men who safely landed and ioyned with ten thousand of that Nation The King marched into Wales This Armie occasioned King Henrie to prepare soundly for his safetie For hee was well assured that if anie neglect or want of skill or of courage should giue them the least aduantage whatsoeuer then his Crowne would be shaken and manie miseries would threaten his ouerthrow Wherefore hee in his owne person marched with a strong and with a compleat Armie into Wales But assoone as the Frenchmen had certaine notice of his comming they thought it was high time for them to aduise what course to take perchance not because they were distrustfull of their owne valour and resolution but because the inconstancie of that turbulent and fickle Nation when danger did appeare affrighted them fully with feares and with doubts least they would flie into the Woods and craggie Mountaines and forsake them when they should craue the best performance of their helpe The Frenchmen flie to their ships And so strongly did this doubtfull feare possesse them that suddenly like men amazed and heartlesse they ranne vnto their ships and not hauing performed anie manner of seruice whatsoeuer disgracefully and cowardly they returned into France The King is victorious without blowes Hereupon the Welch Rebelles desperatly shifting for themselues fled euerie man his owne way so that king Henrie found those Traiterous multitudes dispersed and quite vanished and would not be fought with Wherefore hee dissolued his great armie and returned in peace without blowes The King marrieth the Dutches of Britaine The King makes great friends abroad ANNO. 3. The King requireth the Percies to deliuer to him their Scotish Prisoners They refuse it The Percies resolue to set Edmond Mortimer at libertie and to restore him to the Crown Afterwards King Henrie tooke to wife Iane the widdow of Iohn the deceased Duke of Brittaine and gaue Blanch his eldest daughter in marriage vnto William Duke of Bauier the sonne and heire apparant of the Emperor Lewes of Bauier And some few yeares after hee matched Philip his yongest daughter with the King of Denmarke For his daily
the Prince returned to the King The King in danger to be taken on the Thames by French Pirates The Lord of Camoys in trouble cleareth himselfe ANNO. 9. A valiant Sheriffe And now it chanced that as king Henrie passed ouer the Riuer of Thames from Kent into Essex vnder the conduct of the Lord of Camois hee was almost taken by the French Pirats for which cause the said Lord was suspected and attached as a Traitour and receiued his due triall by his Peeres but was clearely acquited of that offence and receiued into fauour In the ninth yeare of this kings Raigne the Earle of Nothumberland and the Lord Bardolfe animating the Scots to a new war entred with them into Northumberland and did much mischiefe whereupon king Henrie leuied a strong armie and by great iournies trauailed to encounter them But before his comming forth they were fought with and ouerthrowne by Sir Ralph Rokesby then Shirif of that Countie who tooke the said Lords and manie others and smote off their heads and sent them for presents to the king ANNO. 11 Thomas is made Duke of Clarence Iohn Duke of Bedford Humphrie Duke of Glocester The King prepareth to Warre in the Holy land The King falleth â—kâ— His Crowne is placed on his Pillow In the eleuenth yeare of his raigne he assembled his high Court of Parliament in which he created his three yonger sonnes Thomas Duke of Clarence Iohn Duke of Bedford and Humfrey Duke of Glocester and enacted manie Lawes which were helpefull and profitable to this Common-weale And from that time forth vntill hee died hee enioyed a happie peace and rested from all hostilitie and warres both at home and abroad And to expresse his thankfulnesse to God for all his goodnesse and great bountie towards him hee made great and costly preparations of men monie victuals and armour and shippes and all other thinges requisite and needfull and purposed to haue waged warres with the Turkes in the Holy-land But whilest he busily imploied himselfe in those affaires hee was attached by a deadly apoplexie and being neere vnto his last end hee caused his Crowne to be placed by him vpon his pillow least peraduenture in his extremitie of sicknesse it might bee deliuered to some other who had better right thereto then hee had But when his attendants verily supposed that he was dead the yong Prince of Wales seized vpon his Crowne Whereat the king started vp The Prince seized on the Crowne The Kings speech to the Prince and raysing himselfe vpon his armes he demanded who it was that had taken away his Crowne The Prince answered that it was he and then he fell backe into his bed and fetching a deepe sigh and sending forth manie pensiue groanes My sonne quoth he my sonne what right I had vnto this Crowne and how I haue enjoyed it God knoweth and the World hath seene Comfort your selfe in God good Father said the Prince The Crowne you haue and if you die The Prince has answere The King dieth I will haue it and keepe it with my sword as you haue done And within a short time after king Henrie died in the six and fortieth yeare of his age when he had raigned almost fourteene yeares And his bodie was carried to Canterburie where with all Princely and due requisites it was buried THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE FIFTH IT is well knowne That King Henrie the fifth whilest he was but a Prince associated to himselfe diuers vnthriftie and lewd companions A wilde Prince but a wise King by whose instigation among manie other vnworthie passages in his fathers dayes hee smote the Lord chiefe Iustice of England in the face for which offence he was imprisoned and dismissed of the Presidentship of the kings Councell and to his great griefe and disgrace was succeeded therein by Thomas Duke of Clarence his younger brother But when hee was crowned king hee disposed himselfe into a new course qualifying his behauiour with such heroicall vertues as might beseeme both his Person and his Honour He banisheth his loose companions and banished from his Court his loose and base consorts after he had enabled them to liue by such gifts as were proportionable to their callings He also elected for his Councell and into places of Iustice and publike Gouernment such as were wise discreet His good choice of good Gouernors He reformeth the Clergie He ruleth the Laitie learned and temperate well able to rule themselues and to command others He painefully laboured to reforme Pride Couetousnesse and such other grosse abuses as were crept into the Church among the Clergie and enjoined them strictly to frequent Praier Preaching to Hospitalitie and to the sincere seruing of Almightie GOD. And by the administration of his Lawes with moderate seueritie hee made the Laitie tractable in the performance of their duties And to settle his Estate in peace and in tranquilitie at home so that neyther the Scots nor the Welchmen should molest him when hee was busied in his Warres abroad hee erected diuers Castles He erecteth Castles in the frontiers of Scotland and of Wales Bulwarkes and other Fortifications vpon their frontiers and so disposed of them that with manie thousands of able men and skilfull Captaines to command them he was still readie and powerfull with great violence and force to suppresse and qualifie such rebellious Insurrections as they might make King Richards bodie remoued to Westminster In the first yeare of his Raigne with great pompe and solemnitie hee brought the bodie of King Richard the second from Langley vnto Westminster and buried it by Queene Anne his first wife 2. 1413. A motion in Parliament to suppresse Religious Houses In the second yeare hee held his High Court of Parliament at Leicester in which hee was importunately petitioned to suppresse the Religious Houses of this Kingdome because they being ill vsed were made the Nurseries of Idlenesse Gluttonie Lecherie and of Pride and were the Cages of vncleane birds The Reuenewes which belonged to those Houses were proportioned to yeeld vnto the Kings Cossers the annuall Rent of twentie thousand pounds and would also for the encrease of the Kings power and strength maintaine fifteene Earles fifteene hundred Knights and more than six thousand men at Armes besides a great number of Almes-houses for the poores reliefe The Clergies policie to quench this fire To diuert this streame into another Channell the fat Abbots Priors idle Monkes wanton Friers and the puling Nunnes procured Henrie Chichley then Archbishop of Canterburie in a verie learned and excellent Oration to discouer to the King his Right and his Title to the Crowne of France The Kings title to the Crowne of France set abroach to refresh him with confident hopes of good successe to direct him into a course answerable to his hopes and in the Clergies behalfe and for the furtherance of those Warres to offer vnto the King an incredible masse of money
8 1419. Philip Duke of Burgoine the sonne and heire of the deceased Duke insomuch as that in his dumpish and melancholie passions and in the heat of his furie he once determined to seperate himselfe from the bed and companie of his guiltlesse wife onely because she was sister to the Dolphin But being more grauely aduised by his Counsellors as his sorrowes waxed faint so his affection towards her encreased strength and shee was entertained with his best loue This new Duke of Burgoine and Earle of Flanders He attempts to conclude a Peace being verie wise and politike behaued himselfe courteously and friendly to King Henrie and practised all means by which he might conclude a firme and a setled Peace betwixt the Kings of England and of France And in those his endeuours he was the more powerfull First because his wife was daughter to the said French King His means to further it Secondly because his wiues sister the Ladie Katharine who could doe all in all with Isabell the Queene her mother passionately longed to be espoused to King Henrie Thirdly for that the said Queene who by the Dolphin was depriued of all her Treasure as formerly you haue heard could not endure to heare of him nor could abide his presence Fourthly because the Dolphin was more subtile cunning craftie and reuengefull than politike wise and valiant And lastly because this late horrible and inhumane Murder made him odious and infamous yea to his owne friends This Peace being againe and againe consulted and debated on betwixt the Queene the Duke and diuers of the greatest Nobilitie in France vpon the one part and the Embassadors of King Henrie vpon the other part and being brought to some maturitie and ripenesse it was resolued That King Henrie should meete with Charles the sixt the French King Queene Isabell his wife and with the Ladie Katherine An enterview and their Nobilitie and Councell at Troys in Champaine which with all expedition hee did being accompanied with his two brothers Thomas Duke of Clarence and Humfrey Duke of Glocester and with the Earles of Warwike Salisburie Huntingdon Longeuyle Tankeruyle and Ewe and diuers other noble and great men But to preuent the worse and to foresee dangers before they happened King Henrie is guarded by his Armie A Peace is concluded The King is married and proclaymed Regent and Heire apparant of Frāce he was soundly guarded with fifteene thousand men And within few dayes after their enterview a firme Peace was proclaymed and the King with honourable solemnitie and triumphant sportings was married to the said Ladie Katherine and was published to be the onely Regent and Heire Apparant to the Crowne of France in both those Kingdomes The chiefest Articles in briefe were these The Articles on which the Peace was concluded 1. FIrst That the two Great High and Mightie Princes King Charles and Queene Isabell should be entitled the Father and the Mother of King Henrie and should be by him and by his wife honoured and respected with that reuerence which such an alliance did require 2. Item That the said King Charles during his life should hold and enioy quietly and in peace his Royall Dignitie Crowne and Reuenewes of all France And that all Writs Processes Commissions and all such like Proceedings should passe vnder his Name and Seale as King And that the said Queene Isabell if she suruiued her husband should hold and enioy during her life her Title and Estate and all such Lordships Rents and Reuenewes in France as of late were holden and enioyed by Queene Blanch sometimes the wife and Dowager of King Philip great grandfather to King Charles 3. Item That Queene Katherine should haue in England a Dower of twentie thousand markes by the yeare vnto which she should be enabled and assured with all conuenient speede 4. Item That during the life of King Charles King Henrie should not in anie wise be styled with the name and dignitie of the king of France and that the French king whilest hee liued should write him and entitle him in French thus Nostre trechier filz Henry Roy Dengleterre Heretere de France And in Latine thus praeclarissimus filius noster Henricus Rex Angliae Haeres Franciae 5. Item That after the death of King Charles the Crowne and kingdome of France should wholly and entirely come he and remaine to king Henrie and to his Heires for euer 6. Item That in regard that king Charles by reason of his manifold infirmities occasioned by much sicknesse was made vnapt and vnable to administer by his owne directions the affaires and businesses of his kingdome king Henrie should be Regent and should rule and gouerne France as he pleased for the kings honour and for the profit and commoditie of that Region and Common-weale 7. Item That the Court of Parliament of France should be kept and bee ordered in like sort and should bee supported with the same Priuiledges Customes Estate and Power as in all former times had beene vsed and accustomed 8. Item that king Henrie should carefully and faithfully doe his best endeuour to assist as well the Peeres as the people in the attayning and getting of all such things as in right and by the Lawes and Customes of that kingdome did belong vnto them and should protect and defend all the Rights Preheminencies Lawes and Possessions of the Clergie of the kingdome of France 9. Item That King Henrie should support and preserue all the subiects of France against all forraine Enemies suppresse and beat downe all intestine and in-bred Quarrels Debates Insurrections and Ciuill Warres encrease the prosperitie and peace of France and administer Iustice without partialitie vnto all sorts and degrees of people whatsoeuer 10. Item That King Henrie should place into the Roomes and Offices of Iustice and of Receits and of Gouernment such persons as shall be wise discreet faithfull and sufficient to minister and to manage those things which should be committed to their charge 11. Item That King Henrie should speedily endeuour with his best helpes to reduce the Dolphin and the Earle of Arminake late Constable of France to the obedience of King Charles and all such others as did with them rebelliously maintaine ciuill Dissentions in the Common-weale 12. Jtem That King Henrie should cause all the Peeres Nobles Gentrie Clergie Townes Cities and Burgesses of France to take a corporall Oath for their obedience to King Charles during his life And after his death to King Henrie and to his heires And to admit none other Regent or King nor to conspire any thing against his or their Persons or Estates but should reueale all mischiefes which should be contriued and practised for his or their hurt or destruction 13. Item That such Possessions as King Henrie should winne from anie person disobedient to King Charles excepting onely in Normandie should bee employed and conuerted vnto the onely vse and benefite of the French King But if the offendours doe
said Earle should euer remaine with him as a prisoner the King was somewhat pacified and neuer after attempted to haue him in his owne power King Edward being now at ease and enioying a blessed peace both at home and abroad with all forraine Princes did many things which highly aduanced his honour The Duke of Burgoine is thrice in one yeare ouerthrowen and were very profitable to the Common-weale But the Duke of Burgoine who by nature was vnconstant hastie turbulent and wholly addicted to the warre was in this yeare ouerthrowen in three seuerall battailes which he fought against the Suâ—sses 1. In the first at Granson where hee lost his honour and his wealth 2. In the second at Morrat where hee lost his honour and his men 3. And in the third at Nancie where he lost his honour his riches his men and his owne life About this time the Duke of Clarence brother to King Edward was suspected accused and condemned of high Treason for that he with many others had secretly contriued the Kings death The Duke of Clarence imprisoned and murdered and thereupon hee was returned a prisoner to the Tower But within few daies after hee was wickedly drowned in a Butte of Malmesie not without the Kings notice as most men did suppose Hee left behinde him but two children Edward and Margaret which Edward was created Earle of Warwicke and was executed for High Treason in the raigne of King Henry the Seuenth And Margaret who being wife and Dowager to Richard de la Pole Earle of Salisburie was put to death for Treason in the raigne of King Henry the Eighth The King in the fiue last yeares of his raigne vtterly changed his former humours For whereas before that time he had beene bountifull and liberall The King changeth his forme of gouernment of the Common-weale Penall lawes He lost the loue of his Subiects loued magnificence and honourable hospitalitie he now began to be so wretched couetous and miserable that to get money and to augment his treasure hee extraordinarily vexed and troubled his subiects by inflicting vpon them the execution of penall lawes by meanes whereof hee as quickly extinguished and quenched their heartie loue and good affection towards him as water doth the fire In the twentieth yeare of his raigne hee much desired that the mariage which the French King had promised betwixt the Dolphin and his daughter 1480. 20 might be consummate for which purpose he sent an honourable Ambassage into France willing them to tell the French King that he had broken his promise and his oath for that hee had not sent for the said Ladie into France within one yeare after the concluding of the said former Articles Lewys the eleuenth But Lewys the French King returned friuolous excuses and promised very shortly to send for her when as indeed hee meant nothing lesse For such was his nature and such were his euill qualities that where he might procure any benefit or aduantage to himselfe he would pleasantly flatter plentifully reward and assuredly deceiue A mariage intended with Scotland About this time Iames the Third King of Scots seeming earnestly to desire that the Ladie Cicilia one of the Kings daughters might be giuen in mariage to Iames his eldest sonne sent his Ambassadours into England And King Edward supposing that hee had meant plainly and knowing that by such an alliance his owne estate would be the better secured did not only grant his request but forthwith to supplie his present wants hee disbursed to him great summes of money for part of his said daughters portion Money is conditionally disbursed but yet vpon this condition that the same should be repaied if afterwards king Edward disliked and would dissolue that match When all those things were concluded securitie giuen and the money paid the king of Scots very treacherously sent an Armie into the Northerne parts of this kingdome which burnt spoiled The Scots inuade the Northerne parts Glocester marcheth with an Armie against the Scots The Castle of Barwicke is besieged Glocester entreth Scotland and spoileth at his owne will Peace is granted on certaine conditions and slew in euery place as it passed by whereupon king Edward as well to represse his furie as also to correct his infidelitie and follie sent against him the Duke of Glocester with a strong Armie of one and twentie thousand men who first of all by force entred into the Towne of Barwicke and then besieged the Castle which was valiantly kept and defended by the Earle Bothwel The Duke not purposing to imploy his whole strength in that place left the Lord Stanley there with foure thousand men and with the residue of his forces hee entred into Scotland whither the Scottish king was for feare retired killing burning and spoiliâ—â—â—n all places at his pleasure and compelling the king to hide himâ—â—â—fe in the strong Castle of Maydens within the Citie of Edenburgh The Nobilitie of Scotland perceiuing the miserable estate of their wasted and poore Countrey sent vnto the Duke and craued peace which he granted vpon these foure conditions 1. First that full amends and restitution might be made and giuen to king Edwards subiects for all such dammage iniurie and wrongs as by their last incursions they had sustained 2. Secondly that the Scottish king would againe restore his owne brother the Duke of Albanie who was in the English Armie vnto his especiall fauour and to all his honours dignities offices and possessions in that kingdome 3. Thirdly that the Castle of Barwicke should be yeelded vp or not rescued from the siege wherewith it was then compassed 4. And lastly that repaiment might be made of all such sums of money as king Iames had receiued of king Edward vpon the motion for mariage with his daughter to the son and heire apparant of the king of Scots or that good securitie might be giuen by the Prouost and Citizens of Edenburgh for the said repaiment if before a prefixed day king Edward did giue them notice that there should not be any further prosecution concerning the said mariage The Nobilitie of Scotland knowing the state of that kingdome to be vnable to performe the first demand to pacifie the Duke of Glocester and to preuent the ruine and destruction of their natiue kingdome yeelded vnto the latter three And for the due obseruing of them they sent vnto him such an Instrument sealed and subscribed by the King and them as he had required And to the Duke of Albanie was sent a free pardon and restitution was made vnto him of all things accordingly as the Duke of Glocester had desired Whereupon the said two Dukes taking a friendly farewell each of other departed the one into Scotland and the other vnto Barwicke where the Earle of Athol being of nothing more assured then that by his King and Countrimen he should neuer be releeued by composition surrendred the Castle into the Dukes hand The Castle of
Lord Hastings who litle dreamed that he should in the like maner haue died at the same time This Execution being thus dispatched the Protector caused those Armed to seise vpon the Cardinall Archbishop of Yorke and vpon the Bishop of Elie and vpon the Lord Stanley and some others all which were seuerally committed to seuerall Prisons in that place And presently the Protector and the Duke of Buckingham A had shift thrusting themselues into vile and vncomely harnesse as if necessitie had compelled them to shift themselues into the first and worst that came vnto their hands They sent for diuers worthie Citizens of London and required them with all posting speed to repaire thither which they did And vnto them the Protector passionately related that his death was conspired and that his life should haue beene taken from him as he sate that morning in Counsell with the Lords by the Lord Hastings and by his wicked complices if by sudden force and violence he had not preuented that mischiefe and so much they were required to tell their friends that they might haue true notice of the cause of this sudden broile and execution in the Tower And within two houres after that the Lord Hastings was depriued of his head a solemne and a long Proclamation written with a faire hand in parchment and being vnder the Great Seale of England was brought into the Citie and with great solemnitie proclaimed there by an Herald of Armes But by all circumstances it was coniectured by all wise men that the same was indited written and sealed some daies before Doctor Shaas Sermon Thus when the wicked Protector had impiously cut off the heads of those Lords who would still haue kept him backe from doing of too much mischiefe if they had liued hee caused Doctor Shaa a man more learned then vertuous and as wicked in practises as the Protector was who did instruct him in a Sermon the Sunday following at Pauls Crosse to blazon the honourable birth and parentage of the Protector to relate his vertues to commend his valour to weaken the fame and honour of the deceased King Edward by reason of his lasciuious wantonnesse with Shores wife and with many others to bastardize all his children as being borne in adulterie and out of lawfull mariage for that King Edward was solemnly contracted as he affirmed vnto the Ladie Elizabeth Lucie whom he begat with childe before such time as hee maried with the Ladie Elizabeth Grey and also because hee was in the person of Richard the great Earle of Warwicke before his said mariage affied vnto the Ladie Bona sister to Carlot the wife of the French King He also accused the Protectors owne mother of great incontinencie when King Edward and George Duke of Clarence his two elder brothers were begotten And thus he striued to make euery one crooked besides himselfe who was most crooked of all And in conclusion the Doctor applying his speech to the worthinesse and goodnesse of the Protector he supposed that the people could not chuse but receiue him for their vndoubted soueraigne Lord and King and therefore hee striued to prepare the multitude to haue shouted out when the King came in and to haue cried King Richard King Richard but he failed of his purpose for euery man was silent and more surprised with wonder then with applause to see and to perceiue how cowardly how vnnaturally and how wickedly these affaires and businesses were carried not to continue the Protector to be a subiect any longer but to be a King And the next day in the Guildhall of London the Duke of Buckingham by like arguments endeuoured to make the Protector the rightfull and vndoubted heire and inheritor of the Crowne The Duke is now King Richard And albeit that the Townesmen tooke no contentment in this message nor did by their voices assent to that which to them was deliuered yet against their willes the Duke of Buckingham procured them the next day to goe with him and with many other Lords to Baynards Castle to the Protector where they offred to receiue him for their lawfull King and praied him to vndergoe that burden But oftentimes he refused to grant them their request But at last he granted it And thus he gained and wonne by their perswasions his hearts desire THE HISTORIE OF KING RICHARD THE THIRD WHen King Richard had taken vpon him the gouernement of this Kingdome and was crowned instead of noble and prince like courtesie Cowardly dissimulation be applied himselfe to all basenesse striuing thereby but all in vaine to winne the loue and fauour of his people And not seeming to take any notice that the Lord Strange son and heire apparant to the Lord Stanley intended to raise an Armie in the North because his father had beene wronged and was then imprisoned by the King but pretending that he loued him when he might punish him hee did not only set him at libertie but also made him the Steward of his owne house He also enlarged the Archbishop of Yorke D. Morton committed but committed Doctor Morton Bishop of Elie as a prisoner to the Duke of Buckingham who was afterwards a principall meanes of his confusion and of King Richards destruction as in the sequell of this Historie more particularly it shall appeare Nobles created The King to make himselfe strong by conferring of great honours vpon others created his onely childe Edward who was of the age of ten yeares Prince of Wales and Iohn Howard who was both valiant in the field and wise in counsell was by him created Duke of Norfolke And Sir Thomas Howard his eldest sonne was made Earle of Surrey The Lord William Barkley was aduanced to the Earledome of Nottingham And Francis Lord Louel whom he entirely loued was made Viscount Louel The French King despiseth King Richard And when hee had as hee imagined so surely settled his estate that froward fortune could not change it by his Ambassadors he made offer to Lewys the French King to conclude a peace But Lewys so much detested his bloudie cruelties and his murders that hee would not vouchsafe to see the Ambassadors which hee sent nor to heare the message which they brought This frumpe and some others so pinched him at the heart and the Deuill tooke such an aduantage of him by reason of his ambitious and wicked minde that he supposed he could neuer be reputed and truly honoured as a King so long as his two harmelesse and poore nephewes drew any breath as though so horrible and so execrable and bloudie a murder could winne him loue and reputation among his discontented people The two yong Princes are murdered Thus whilest his head forged this vile and villanous conceit he made his progresse towards the Citie of Glocester as if hee only intended by his presence to honour that place from whence his former title of dignitie was deriued strongly perswading himselfe that if this vngodly and
defend themselues that poore Perkin began to hang downe his head and being troubled with melancholicke passions filled the aire with sighes and groanes and was perplexed at the heart being weary of his match The King commeth into the West Countrey with an Armie The King who had beene speedily informed how violently that Citie was enuironed and how couragiously the Rebels were resisted so carefully regarded it and the inhabitants thereof that with a faire Armie he himselfe in his owne person marched towards the Rebels with all speede But before hee could come neere vnto them Edward Courtney Earle of Deuonshire and the Lord William his sonne Sir Wymond Carew Sir Thomas Trenchard Sir William Courtney Sir Thomas Fulford Sir Iohn Halwell Sir Iohn Crocker Walter Courtney Peter Edgecombe and their lustie followers repaired to the said Citie of Exeter and intended to giue such good helpe and assistance to the inhabitants thereof that the Rebels leauing the siege marched into Somersetshire The siege of Exetâ—r is â—ed Perkin Wâ—â—beâ—â—â—â—â—egâ— Tawnton where they besieged the Towne of Tawnton But the King vnderstanding that they were remoued from the Citie and where they then were directed his course towards Tawnton he hauing with him in his Armie Edward the young Duke of Buckingham who was a Prince of haughtie courage and of a gallant resolution Giles Lord Dawbeney his chiefest Chamberlaine Robert Lord Brooke Lord Steward of his house Sir Alexander Baynam Sir Maurice Barkley Sir Robert Tame Sir Iohn Guise Sir Robert Poynts Sir Henry Vernon Sir Iohn Morâ—â—mer Sir Thomas Tremaile Sir Edward Sutton Sir Amias Paulet Sir Iohn Sapcots Sir Hugh Lutterel Sir Francis Cheyney and sundrie other Knights and Gentlemen of great place and valour Perkin and the Rebels site But when Perkin Warbecke and his fellow Captaines heard of the Kings approche they fled with threescore horse vnto Beauly neere to South-hampton where poore Perkin and most of those his companions entred into the Sanctuarie and registred their names there but the residue of them were taken prisoners by the Kings light horsemen and being brought into the Kings Armie for examples sake vnto others they were ordered and executed by the martiall law in sundrie places in the Westerne parts But the rude rabble which were left behinde perceiuing that their Ring-leaders had left them The common sort of Rebels are pardoned and were run away fell downe vpon their knees craued mercie promised faith and loyaltie in future times and not only receiued the Kings pardon but were reuiued by his expressing of much fauour and graâ—e towards them This victory being thus obtained without blowes the King King Henry commeth to the Citie of Exeter with his greatest Lords and the brauest Gallants in his trayne came to the City of Exceter and was lodged in it certaine daies where he commended and thanked the inhabitants for their faithfull and valiant seruice promised them the fulnesse of his fauour The King giues his Sword to the Citie of Exeter and for an addition of Honour to that City gaue vnto them his sword from his owne side and commaunded that in future times and in all publike places within that Citie it should bee borne before the Maior as formerly and for the like purpose his noble predecessor King Edward the fourth had done Then the King intending to make a finall end of these ciuill warres sent some of his chosen Captaines Perkin Warbecke is brought to the King with certaine bands of armed men to apprehend poore Perkin who compassed the Sanctuarie at Bewly round about so that he recounting with himselfe his sundrie mishaps and his hopelesse fortunes to be a King yeelded himselfe and was brought vnto the King who carried him as his prisoner vnto London where albeit hee was closely kept and narrowly watched by diuers of the Kings Guard yet hee escaped But being daily and hourely searched for Perkin escapeth and is taken againe hee voluntarily committed himselfe to the Abbot of Shene neere to the Kings Palace of Richmond intreating him to haue compassion on him and to procure for him the Kings pardon He is stocked He is committed to the Tower which hee did Then was hee brought to the Kings Court at Whitehall where all his base descent and ignoble pedegree being in a paper fully written and pinned vpon his backe hee was stocked one whole day so was he the next morning vpon a high scaffold in Cheape-side within the Citie of London from whence hee was committed a close prisoner to the Tower He practiseth to escape and to conuey away the young Earle of Warwicke Hee being in prison there corrupted by infinite promises of honourable aduancement the seruants of Sir Iohn Digbie Lieutenant of the Tower to suffer him and Edward the young Farle of Warwicke who had been a prisoner from his infancie to escape But this plot being discouered Perkin Warbecke was shortly after by the due course of Law condemned for High Treason Perkin Warbecke beheaded and was executed at Tyburne within two daies after and the young Earle of Warwicke who consented to haue escaped likewise being altogether innocent of all crime and onely affecting libertie which men beasts birds and fishes doe naturally desire was indicted arraigned conuicted and adiudged guiltie of the like offence and was executed on a Scaffold at the Tower Hill The young Earle of Warwicke is beheaded His death much blemished the fame and reputation of King Henry who being mercifull and compassionate by nature and hauing extended it oftentimes vnto notorious malefactors now to worke his owne securitie and without any iust offence would not pardon him who all his life time had beene so secret a prisoner restrained from all companie and from the view of this vaine and transitorie world that he scarcely knew a Capon from a Goose nor euer attempted any thing which might offend the King sauing only to set himselfe at large 1500. As soone as these businesses were thus ended Arthur the noble Prince of Wales being of the age of fifteene yeares was by an honourable deputation betrothed to the Ladie Katherine daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine Prince Arthur marieth Katherine daughter to Ferdinando King of Aragon shee being of the age of eighteene yeares and the next yeare after with triumphant ioy and princely entertainment he receiued her into England and was maried to her in Pauls Church within the Citie of London And not long after Iames the Fourth King of the Scots vsed the mediation of Richard Fox 1501. then Bishop of Durham but shortly after translated vnto Winchester that hee might haue to wife the Ladie Margaret the eldest daughter of King Henry the Seuenth The Kings eldest daughter affied and after maried to Iames the fourth King of Scots And though the King for many important reasons might haue bestowed her vpon the greatest and most honorable Kings or Potentates in the Christian world yet for these
store of money and of faults By the same authoritie Wolseys intollerable pride hee also sequestred vnto himselfe the probate of all Wils and Testaments and such was his intollerable pride by reason of his Legantine authoritie that when before and after meat he washed his greasie fists he was at his Lauatorie attended and serued by Dukes and Earles for that purpose This his example of hawtinesse made the Clergie of this Land so prowd and insolent that their industrious labours which formerly they applyed to the studies of morall Vertues and of Diuinitie were now imployed to deuise curious fashions in their behauiour in their apparell and in their dyet 1520. King Henrie and his Queene in the twelfth yeare of his Raigne resolued to trauaile into France for loue and friendships sake to glad themselues with the societie of the French King King Henrie and his queen goe into France Francis the first and of his Queene For which iourney it cannot well bee reported what cost in apparell what prouision for attendance what furniture for horses what charges for iewells and what preparations for rare banquetings and Princely gifts were made both in England and in France And when the appointed time drew neare the King and the Queene being accompanied with the Cardinall of Yorke and with many Dukes Earles Lords Knights Gentlemen and faire Ladies of principall reckoning and accompt sayled from Douer and safely came to Calice and the French King and his Queene with their Royall and goodly traine came to Arde. And because it was intended that the peace which was betwixt the two Kings should be inlarged and confirmed King Henrie appointed the Cardinall to goe before him to the French King and to conferre with him touching that matter For which purpose hee gaue vnto him by his Letters Patents Two large commissions vnder the great Seale of his Kingdome of England full power and absolute authoritie in all points to doe therein as he himselfe listed The Cardinal going to the French king The Cardinall being infinitely prided by reason of this vnreasonable and vnlimited authoritie and power which hee had gotten tooke his iourney towards Arde being attended on by some hundreds of Lords Knights Esquires and Gentlemen all which were clothed in crimson Veluet and ware chaines of gold and with as many Yeomen and Groomes whose apparell was made of rich Skarlet Now when he came vnto Arde hee was Royally entertayned by the French King and also by all the Nobilitie of his Court who gaue their attendance on the King But when the French Counsell had viewed his Commission and the vnlimited extent thereof The French King by their aduise and counsell graunted to him the like authoritie and commission A Princely meeting in all respects vnder the great Scale of France which hee dissemblingly refused vntill hee was licenced by King Henry to accept thereof After this great honour vnto him done both the said Kings and their Queenes met together diuers daies in the Valley of Andren where they feasted banqueted cheered and gladded each other and with great bountie communicating their rich gifts each one to the other and to the great men and Ladies of each others Nation they tooke an vnwilling and a friendly leaue and King Henry with his Queene and honorable traine returned to Calice and from thence into England where they were receiued with much ioy But in the meane time the Cardinall so earnestly gaped after honour and the reuerence of the people that hee did little or nothing touching the said peace Now must wee vnderstand that all places and all Countries were filled with the frequent reports of warre to be made betwixt the Emperour and the French King The Cardinals â—arâ—e Commission with both which Princes King Henry was in league by meanes whereof King Henry sollicited amitie and peace Whereupon it was concluded that the Commissioners of those three great Princes should meet together at Calice where that matter should be debated and concluded if possibly it might be King Henry the more to honour and to exalt his Cardinall gaue vnto him and to the Earle of Worcester and to the Lords S. Iohn Ferrers and Harbert and to the Bishops of Durham and Elie and to Sir Thomas Bulleine Sir Iohn Peche Sir Iohn Hussey Sir Richard â—yngfield and Sir Henry Guilford Knights and vnto such others as hee made Commissioners for that purpose as large and as ample power and authoritie touching that businesse as by any meanes could be deuised or by any words be vttered and then being fully furnished and prouided this proud Cardinall with his Colleagues whom hee respected as his vnderlings passed to the Tower Wharfe thorow the Citie of London The Carâ—â—naâ—â— is â—â—â—ored and in his passage was met by the Lord Maior Aldermen and by the Companies in their seuerall Liueries who did vnto him all honour and reuerence and then proceeding forwards he with the rest of the Commissioners and their Attendants tooke their Barges landed at Grauesend and comming to the Citie of Canterburie the Arch-bishop The Cardinal is receiâ—ed with Prâ—â—â—ssiâ—n The King 〈◊〉 he should bee honoured and the prime ones of the Clergie of England met the proud Cardinall without the Cities Gates with a solemne Procession and magnified him as a King Then being shipped at Douâ—r he with his companie safely arriued at Calice where hee was too much elated and made too arrogantly proud by receiuing of too much reuerence and honour yet all was done by the Kings command Thither also resorted the other Ambassadors and betwixt them often conferences were had But the Commissioners of the Emperour were stiffe and the French were stout The Cardinall goeth to the Emperors Court The proud Cardinall not contenting himselfe with such honors as formerly had beene giuen to him would needs proclaime and publish his greatnesse in the Emperour Maximilians Court at Brudges where hee hoped to receiue the greater esteeme because hee had with him the Great Seale of the Kingdome of England He had the great Seale of England with him which neuer before that time any Chancellor dared to transport beyond the Seas out of this Realme For this purpose hee entreated some few daies absence of the Commissioners of the two other Princes that in the meane time he might visit the Emperour for hee pretended that their personall presence and conference might greatly further and expedite that businesse Wherefore being accompanied with foure hundred and threescore horse hee passed by Graueling His great state The Emperor meeteth him Dunkerke Newport and by Odenburgh and was euery where met and saluted by the Noblemen and Gentrie of those Countries And comming towards Brudges hee was met one mile out of the Towne by the Emperour himselfe and by the Prime and Flower of all his Court where the Emperour did him the more reuerence principally for two causes First because hee was informed of the large extent of his
handfull so much disturbed the patient disposition of the Scottish King that with melancholy and inward griefe he dyed within few weekes after Marie queen of Scots Leauing behinde him as to succeed his only daughter and heire Queene Marie a child who was then but newly borne When the newes of this Kings death was voiced to the Scottish Prisoners it is not to be maruailed at if pensiue sorrow and anguish much appaled them for a while But at length making a vertue of necessitie and recomforting themselues with some hope which they conceaued of future happinesse they counsailed king Henrie to procure their said yong Queene to be by the State of Scotland A motion for mariage giuen in mariage vnto Prince Edward his son For the furtherance whereof they all protested swore and promised to imploy their best trauailes and their chiefest friends Scottish prisoners released The King so thankfully entertayned this their motion and profered seruice for the furtherance thereof that he not only enlarged them all without ransoms but also gaue vnto them rich and great gifts for which they were exceeding thankfull and departed ioyfully into their owne Countrie The French men breake the peace Now must we know that as the Scots without cause had made breach of the former peace so did the French King who suffered his subiects vpon the Seas to robbe and spoile the Marchants of this kingdome And thereupon King Henrie permitted his subiects to doe the like Diuers complaints for these iniuries and wrongs The Marchants are vexed were first made vnto the French King because his subiects had first transgressed but he neither afforded answere redresse or recompence therein And by reason of this debate and variance betwixt the two Kings the Marchants of either Nation were arrested and imprisoned and their goods and marchandizes were attached and seised on in each Kingdome Likewise the French and English Embassadors were for a time restrayned of their liberties but were quickly set at large againe yet still the poore Marchants on either part were compelled to pay the reckoning although they fared ill and were enforced to sustaine punishment for the faults of other men Such was the iniquitie of those times wherein Warre and Rapine did beare the chiefest sway Vnthankefull Frenchmen and such were the miseries which harmelesse men sustayned because Peace and Iustice were not suffered to moderate betwixt Right and Wrong For the French King did vtterly forget in what a desperate case his kingdome stood when King Henrie vpon the humble supplication of the Queene Regent and of his Nobles when he and his children were prisoners in Italie gaue vnto him peace Wherefore to correct his monsterous ingratitude and to be reuenged of daily wrongs The King to defie him sent his Heralds towards France But the French King would not in any sort permit them An Armie sent into France to come into his kingdome Whereupon King Henrie vnder the principall command of Sir Iohn Wallop Sir Thomas Seymour and Sir Richard Cromwel transported a strong Armie who presently vpon their landing besieged the Towne of Landersey Landersey besieged and by continuall battries and fierce assaults brought it into some necessities and danger but the French king knowing well the distressed estate in which the Towne then stood in his owne person with a huge Armie came to releeue it by meanes whereof the English Generals raised the siege The siege abandoned and made themselues strong and ready to encounter the French King in battaile of which hee made great brags This expectation of a bloudy skirmish caused the English Armie who would not then disorder nor incumber themselues with other imploiments to suffer the said Towne to be newly victualled and releeued But in the middest of the night before it was intended by the English Armie that this battaile should haue beene fought the French King being shrowded in the darke ran away and all his companies returned with speede vnto their owne Countries insomuch that for that time no more was done but by command the English Armie returned into England In this meane while A mariage concluded with Scotland the aforesaid motion concerning the mariage of the young Prince with the Infant Queene of Scotland was so well applauded and entertained by the Scots that in their Parliament it was first concluded and then confirmed by an Instrument in writing vnder the hands and seales of their Nobilitie and ratified by their oathes that the said intended match should bee effected and that their young Queene for that purpose should bee conueied into England But within few moneths after by the secret and cunning plots and practises of the French King the Nobilitie of Scotland neglected their Law their promise and their oath which occasioned King Henry with all speed to make new and vnwonted preparations and prouisions The Scots doe breake their oath not onely to inuade that Countrey but also to make warre vpon his enemie the King of France And to effect his purpose in that behalfe first he sent a puissant Armie which was transported in two hundred warlike ships into Scotland An Armie spoileth Scotland vnder the generall command by Sea of his high Admirall the Viscount Lisle and vnder the generall command by land of the noble and right valiant Earle of Hartford All these ships safely entred into the Fryth where they tooke many good Vessels which were exceeding seruiceable to their proceedings And then was the whole Armie set on land and being well ordered into three battailes and marching towards Leyth they first tooke view of six thousand Scottish horsemen with whom they encountred for a while But when the Scots perceiued that the Englishmen tooke more delight to fight with courage then to dallie as being fearefull of their liues they made a quicke retrait and suddenly fled away leauing their Artillerie and that Towne to their enemies who appropriated to themselues euery good thing which they found there and then consumed the towne with fire From thence they marched towards Edenborough the principall Citie of that Kingdome But on the way the Prouost and some of the chiefest Burgesses of that Towne made offer to the Earle of Hartford Generall of the Field to deliuer to him the keies conditionally that he would preserue it from fire and suffer the souldiers and the Inhabitants thereof with bagge and baggage to depart But the Generall made answere thus That hee was sent into that Countrey to take reuenge vpon that Nation because their Nobilitie with one consent by the peruerse and vnfriendly instigation of the French King had violated their owne Law their promise and their oath touching the mariage agreed on to be solemnized betweene Prince Edward and their young Queene And therefore if all the Souldiers and all the Inhabitants of that Citie would come disarmed into the open Field and yeeld their substance and their liues to bee ordered according to his pleasure and will he
by meanes whereof when the ship turned the Ordinance ran backe to the one side and bare the port holes vnder water so that the sea violently and abundantly flowed in and in a moment swallowed vp both ship Captaine Men Ordinance and all other things there to the great griefe and sorrow of the King himselfe and of all such as were present and beheld it The Lord Dambalt high Admirall of France being by certaine poore Fishermen whom he had taken informed that the King in his owne person being accompanied with an infinite number of valiant men of warre expected and longed to be made victorious and rich by their landing feared to hazard all his fortunes in so desperate and hot a seruice Wherefore be hoised Ancors and without Fame or Honor returned basely into France Now must wee know The Scots invade England that no sooner was King Henrie departed out of England to the siege of Bullein as wee haue heard but the Scottish Nation obseruing their old custome entred riffled spoiled and burnt many Houses Villages and small Townes in the marches of England without pitty Wherefore King Henrie after his returne resolued to correct their madnesse and their folly and to take reuenge for those iniuries and wrongs And for that purpose he sent the Noble Earle of Hartford into that Kingdome An Armie sent into Scotland with an Armie of twelue thousand men where hee hauoked Men Townes Castles and the Countrie in such a furious and fierce manner that the Scots were extremely damnified thereby and thousands of them were vtterly vndone About the same time the valiant Lord Lisle Lord high Admirall of England Treport entred into and landed within the Hauen of Treport and burnt the suburbs of that towne and many other houses Villages and Townes which bordered vpon the Sea coasts And at his returne from thence as a rich prey he caried with him many Ships Barges Boats and Vessels which he found there Now like as after many ruffe and boisterous stormes a sweet and a delectable calme doth follow so after these busie conflicts and martiall contentions The Duke of Northfolke and the Earle of Surrey committed whereof wee haue already taken a perfect view A peace was louingly concluded and ioyfully proclaymed betweene the two kingdomes of England and of France But this joy as in humane affaires it often hapneth was quickly checked with an other sorrow for the most victorious faithfull and euer to be honored Captaine the Duke of Northfolke and his sonne the most illustrious Earle of Surrey both which in this Kings raigne performed many memorable and braue seruices in Scotland England and in France were sodainely apprehended and sent vnto the Tower For none other thing but because they quartered and bare in their Escoucheon certaine Armes which were pretended properly and only to belong vnto the King and Prince which Armes notwithstanding they and their Auncesters timeout of minde had so borne without controlment reproofe or check For this offence the said Earle was indicted of high Treason arraigned thereon and tryed by a Iurie of Knights and Gentlemen The Earle of Surrey beheaded and not by his peeres because he was no Lord of the Parliament by whom he was found guiltie and then receiued his iudgement and lost his head to the great griefe and sorrow of many thousands who lamented the causelesse death of such a worthy man as had so well deserued of the King and of the common weale The King dieth But the Duke his father by reason of the Kings sicknesse and death which followed shortly after was preserued by God from that danger for better fortunes He is described The Presence of this King was amiable and Princely for hee was somewhat more then ordinarie tall strongly limmed proportionably composed faire in his complexion nimble and full of agilitie in his yonger yeares and alwaies as resolutely valiant as a man might bee Hee had a pregnant and a sharpe wit and was generally held to bee well learned because hee could and vsed to speake well He was exceeding humble and passing stout applying the former to gentle spirits and opposing the latter against prowd insolent and rough Mates He was bountifull and magnificently liberall if occasion so required Yet in regard that hee was a man He was not free from all faults For he was too too much familiar and conversant with wanton and light women And delighted too much in varietie and in change as most men did coniecture because he had sixe wiues From two of them he was seuered because his mariages were held to be void frustrate and of no force other two of them for the obiected crime of incontinencie lost their heads A fifth died in her child-bed and the sixt escaped fairely by his death Finally hee oftentimes much pleased himselfe to be ouer-familiar in the swaggering companie of loose Fellowes yet in most respects he was a famous a worthie and a most noble King Thus ended he his life and thus doe I conclude this Historie of these twentie Kings hoping that some other who shall be better able will with more sufficiencie write the rest FINIS THE SVCCESSIONS OF THE DVKES AND EARLES OF THIS KINGDOME OF ENGLAND FROM THE CONQVEST vntill the twelfth yeare of the famous Raigne of the mightie Monarch King IAMES THE FIRST THOV SHALT LABOR FOR PEACE PLENTIE LONDON Printed by W. Stansby for Henrie Fetherstone 1615. Princes of VVales since the Conquest Iohn Speede 97 1 EDward Caer-Nervon sonne to King Edward the First afterwards king Edward the Second 2 Edward of Windsour sonne to king Edward the Second afterwards king Edward the Third 3 Edward the Black Prince sonne to king Edward the Third 4 Richard of Bordeaux sonne to the Black Prince afterwards king Richard the Second 5 Henrie of Monmoth sonne to king Henrie the Fourth afterwards king Henrie the Fifth 6 Henrie of Windsour sonne to king Henrie the Fifth afterwards king Henrie the Sixth 7 Edward of Westminster sonne to king Henrie the Sixth 8 Edward of Westminster sonne to king Edward the Fourth afterwards king Edward the Fifth 9 Edward Plantagenet sonne to king Richard the Third 10 Arthur Tuther sonne to king Henrie the Seuenth 11 Henrie Tuther sonne to king Henrie the Seuenth afterwards king Henrie the Eighth 12 Edward the sonne of king Henrie the Eighth afterwards king Edward the Sixth 13 Henrie the sonne of king Iames. 14 Charles the sonne of king Iames. THE SVCCESSIONS OF THE DVKES AND EARLES OF THIS KINGDOME OF ENGLAND From the Conquest vntill the twelfth yeare of the famous Raigne of the mightie Monarch King IAMES the First Albemarle and Holdernes EVDO Sonne to the Earle of Champagne married one of the Conquerours sisters Conq. and was by him created Earle of Albemarle and of Holdernes Stephen their sonne succeeded and was Earle of Albemarle and of Holdernes William surnamed Le Grose being his sonne succeeded K. Steph. and was Earle of Albemarle
Calice and there murdered Humfrey Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Buckingham Northhampton and Essex and died without issue Humfrey Stafford Lord of Brecknocke and Holdernes H. 6. and being Earle of Stafford was by King Henrie the Sixth created the first Duke of Buckingham Henrie Stafford his sonne being Lord of Brecknocke and Holdernes was Earle of Stafford and Duke of Buckingham and was beheaded by King Richard the Third Edward Stafford his sonne being Lord of Brecknocke and Holdernes and Earle of Stafford by restitution from King Henrie the eight was the third and last Duke of Buckingham H. 7. and was beheaded whilest King Henrie the Eighth raigned Cambridge E. 3. IOhn of Henault brother to William Earle of Henault and vncle to Queene Philip the wife of King Edward the Third was by him created Earle of Cambridge But hee reuolted to the French King and thereby lost his honour E. 3. William Marquesse of Iulier Bergen and Cleueland was by King Edward the Third created Earle of Cambridge E. 3. Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Edmund of Langley being the fifth sonne of King Edward the Third and Duke of Yorke was by his father created Earle of Cambridge Edward Plantagenet his sonne was Duke of Yorke and Albemarle Earle of Rutland and of Cambridge and being slaine in the battaile of Edgingcourt he died without issue Richard Plantagenet his brother was Earle of Cambridge and had issue Richard Richard Plantagenet was Lord of Clare and of Wigmore Duke of Yorke and Earle of Vlster March and Cambridge and was slaine in his warres against King Henrie the Sixth Edward Plantegenet his sonne succeeded him in all those honourable dignities and was afterwards King Edward the Fourth Chester Conq. HVgo Lupus Viscount of Aurenges in Normandie nephew to the Conquerour was by him created Earle Palatine of Chester Richard Lupus his sonne succeeded and died without issue Ralphe Meschynes being the sonne of Margaret the sister and heire of Hugo Lupus was by King Henrie the First created Earle of Chester H. 1. Ralphe Meschynes his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Chester Hugh Meschynes surnamed Keuelitocke because hee was there borne succeeded his father in the Earledome of Chester Ralphe Meschynes surnamed Blundeuile his sonne being Lord of Little Britaine was Earle of Chester Lincolne and of Richmond K. Iohn Iohn surnamed Scot was by King Iohn created Earle of Chester and died without issue male Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Crowch-backe the second sonne of king Henrie the Third and brother to king Edward the First H. 3. was by his father created Earle Palatine of Chester Edward the Prince sonne and heire apparant to king Edward the First was by his father created Earle Palatine of Chester E. 1. Duke of Cornwall and Prince of Wales He was afterwards king Edward the Second Edward the Third was in his fathers daies created Earle Palatine of Chester Duke of Cornwall and Prince of Wales E. 2. and was afterwards king Edward the Third Edward Plantagenet surnamed The Blacke Prince the eldest sonne of king Edward the Third was in Parliament created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester Richard Plantagenet sonne to the Blacke Prince was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and was after that king Richard the Second Henrie Plantagenet the eldest sonne of king Henrie the Fourth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill he was king Henrie the Fifth Edward the sonne of king Henrie the Sixth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill hee was shamefully murdered Edward Plantagenet the sonne of king Richard the Third was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and died without issue Arthur Tuther the eldest sonne of king Henrie the Seuenth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and died without issue Henrie Tuther the second sonne of king Henrie the Seuenth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill he was king Henrie the Eighth Edward Tuther his sonne was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill he was king Edward the Sixth He died without issue Henrie Stewart the eldest sonne of the illustrious Prince King Iames the First was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and died without issue Charles Stewart his brother is Prince of Wales Duke of Yorke Cornwall and Rossay and Earle Palatine of Chester Clarence K. Steph. GIlbert de Clare was by king Stephen created Earle of Clarence Roger de Clare his brother succeeded and was Earle of Clare Richard de Clare his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Clare E. 3. Lionel Plantagenet the third sonne of king Edward the Third was by his father created Duke of Clarence He had no issue male but his daughter and heire Philip was maried to Edmund Mortimer Earle of March from whom the Familie of Yorke did lineally descend H. 4. Thomas Plantagenet the second sonne of king Henrie the Fourth was by his father created Earle of Albemarle and Duke of Clarence George Plantagenet the third sonne of Richard Duke of Yorke and brother to king Edward the Fourth was by him created Duke of Clarence and was murdered in the Tower Cornwall CAndor a Briton was Earle of Cornwall at the time of the Conquest and did homage to the Conquerour for the same Candor his sonne was the second Earle of Cornwall Conq. Robert Earle of Mortaigne in Normandie was by the Conquerour created Earle of Cornwall William his sonne being Earle of Mortaigne was also Earle of Cornwall K. Steph. Reynold the base sonne of king Henrie the First was by king Steuen created Earle of Cornwall H. 2. Iohn the second sonne of king Henrie the Second was by his father created Earle of Cornwall He was afterwards king Iohn H. 3. Richard the second sonne of king Iohn was by his brother king Henrie the Third created Earle of Cornwall Hee was also king of the Romans Henrie Plantagenet his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Cornwall and died without issue E. 1. Edward Plantagenet the eldest sonne of king Edward the First was by his father created Prince of Wales Earle Palatine of Chester and Duke of Cornwall and hee was afterwards king Edward the Second Pierce Gaueston a Gascoigne borne E. 2. was by king Edward the Second created Lord of Wallingfold and Earle of Cornwall and Glocester He was beheaded by the Barons because hee misse-lead the king He died without issue Iohn Plantagenet second sonne to king Edward the second E. 2. was by his father created Earle of Cornwall He died without issue Edward Plantagenet the eldest sonne of king Edward the Second E. 2. was by his father created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester which hee enioied vntill hee was king Edward the Third
Edward Plantagenet surnamed The Blacke Prince E. 3. was by his father king Edward the Third in Parliament created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester Richard Plantagenet sonne to the blacke Prince E. 3. was by his Grandfather king Edward the Third created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester which hee enioied vntill he was King Richard the Second Henry Plantagenet the eldest sonne of king Henry the Fourth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill he was king Henry the Fifth Edward the sonne of king Henry the Sixth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and was murdered Edward the sonne and heire apparant of King Richard the third was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and died without issue Arthur Tuther the eldest sonne of king Henry the Seuenth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and died without issue Henry Tuther his brother enioied the Principalitie of Wales the Duchie of Cornwall and the Earledome of the Palatinate of Chester vntill he was king Henry the Eighth Edward Tuther the sonne of king Henry the Eighth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill hee was King Edward the Sixth Henry Stewart the eldest sonne of King Iames the First was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill hee died without issue Charles Stewart his brother is Earle Palatine of Chester Duke of Rossay Yorke and Cornwall and Prince of Wales Cumberland Conq. RAlphe Meschynes a Norman was by the Conquerour created Earle of Cumberland and Carlile H. 8. Henry Lord Clifford Bromflet and Vessey was by King Henry the Eighth created Earle of Cumberland George Lord Clifford Bromflet and Vessey being his sonne was Earle of Cumberland and died without issue male Francis Lord Clifford his brother is Earle of Cumberland Darbie Conq. WIlliam Peuerell base sonne to the Conquerour was by him created Earle of Darbie and of Nottingham William Peuerell his sonne succeeded in those Earledomes K. Steph. Robert de Ferrers Lord of Tedburie and Earle of Ferrers and of Nottingham was also Earle of Darbie William de Ferrers succeeded his father in those honours William de Ferrers his sonne was Lord of Tedburie Chartley and Groby and Earle of Ferrers Nottingham and of Darbie Robert de Ferrers his sonne possessed his fathers dignities Hee was disherited because he sided with the Barons against King Henrie the Third Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Crowch-backe being Earle of Lancaster second sonne to King Henry the Third and brother to king Edward the First H. 3. was by his said father created Earle of Lecester and of Darbie Thomas Plantagenet his sonne being Earle of Lancaster Lecester Lincolne and Salisburie was by descent Earle of Darbie and died without issue Henry Plantagenet his brother was dignified with all those honours Henry Plantagenet his sonne enioying those Earledomes together with the Earledomes of Albemarle and Holdernes was by king Edward the Third created Duke of Lancaster E. 3. And his daughter and heire named Blanch was maried to Iohn of Gaunt the fourth sonne of the same King Iohn Plantagenet surnamed Iohn of Gaunt being Duke of Lancaster Earle of Leicester Lincolne and Salisbury was also Earle of Darby Henrie Plantagenet surnamed Bullingbroke being his sonne was Duke of Lancaster and Hereford and Earle of Leicester Lincolne and of Salisbury he was likewise Earle of Darby and was king by the name of king Henrie the Fourth Thomas Stanley Lord Stanley whose Father Thomas was by king Henrie the Sixth made Lord Stanley was by king Henrie the Seuenth created Earle of Darby H. 7. Thomas Stanley his Grand-child viz. the sonne of his sonne Henrie who married Ione the daughter and heire of Iohn Lord Strange and Knoking being Lord Stanley and Strange was also Earle of Darby Edward Lord Stanley Strange and Knoking being his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Darby Henrie Lord Stanley Strange and Knoking being his sonne was Earle of Darby Ferdinando Lord Stanley Strange and Knoking being his sonne was Earle of Darby and dyed without issue Male. William Lord Stanley Strange and Knoking his brother is now Earle of Darby Deuonshire RIchard de Bruer surnamed Richard of the Heath being a Norman was by the Conqueror created Earle of Deuonshire Conq. hee dyed without issue Adela de Bruer his sister and heire Conq. was by the Conqueror created Viscountesse of Deuonshire Baldwine de Riuers being Earle of Exeter H. 2. was by King Henrie the second created Earle of Deuonshire Richard Riuers his sonne succeeded in those honors Baldwine Riuers his sonne was Earle after him and dyed without issue Richard Riuers his brother was Earle and dyed without issue William Riuers surnamed de Valentia was their Nephew and heire was after them Earle of Deuonshire Baldwine Riuers his sonne was Earle of Deuon Iohn Riuers his sonne being Earle dyed without issue Isabel Riuers surnamed de Fortibus being the Generall heire of the Earles of Deuonshire did enioy the said Earledome Shee married one who was named William de Fortibus Earle of Albemarle and Lord of Holdernes by whom shee had a plentifull issue But King Edward the Third would not permit them to enioy the said Earledome of Deuonshire Hugh Courtney Knight who was descended from the before named Earles of Deuonshire E. 3. was by King Edward the Third created Earle of Deuonshire Hugh Courtney his sonne was Earle after him Edward Courtney surnamed the Blinde who was the sonne of Edward the sonne of the last Hugh Courtney was Earle of Deuonshire Hugh Courtney his sonne was Earle of Deuonshire Thomas Courtney his sonne being Lord of Okehampt in Deuon was also Earle of Deuonshire Hee tooke part in the warres with King Henrie the sixt and being taken prisoner at the battaile of Towton in Yorkeshire he lost his head E. 4. Humfrey Stafford Esquire was by King Edward the Fourth first made Lord Stafford of Southweeke and afterward Earle of Deuonshire and because he cowardly left the field at Banbury in the ciuill warres at Bridgewater hee was beheaded by the commandement of the said King Edward Courtney Lord of Hackham being Cosen and heire to the said Thomas Courtney H. 7. was by king Henry the seuenth created Earle of Deuonshire William Courtney his sonne married the Lady Katherine one of the daughters of king Edward the Fourth and was Earle of Devonshire Henrie Courtney his sonne was Earle of Deuonshire and by his Cosen German king Henrie the Eight H. 8. hee was created Marques of Exeter but lost his head Q. Ma. Edward Courtney his sonne was by Queene Marie restored to the Earledome of Deuonshire but dyed at Padua without issue K. Ia. Charles Blunt Lord Mountioy was by King Iames the First created Earle of Deuon he dyed without issue
second husband Hugh de Brun H. 3. was by his halfe-brother King Henrie the Third created Earle of Pembroke Aymer de Valentia his sonne was Earle of Pembroke and was by King Edward the First made Vice-roy of Scotland and died without issue Laurence Lord Hastings was by King Edward the Third created Lord of Abergauenny and Earle of Pembroke Iohn Lord Hastings and Abergauenny was Earle of Pembroke Iohn his sonne succeeded and died without issue Humfrey Plantagenet the youngest sonne of King Henry the Fourth H. 5. and brother to King Henry the Fifth was by his brother created Earle of Pembroke and Duke of Glocester He was also Protector to his Nephew King Henrie the Sixth and died without issue H. 6. William de la Pole was by King Henry the Sixth created Earle of Pembroke Earle Marquesse and Duke of Suffolke Iaspar of Hatfield the second sonne of Owen Tuthar and of Queene Katherine his wife widow to King Henry the Fifth and being halfe-brother to King Henry the Sixth H. 6. was by him created Earle of Pembroke and by King Henry the Seuenth Duke of Bedford He died without issue E. 4. William Herbert was by King Edward the Fourth made Lord of Cardisse and Earle of Pembroke and was slaine at Banbarie field William Herbert his sonne succeeded and resigned the said Earledome to King Edward the Fourth Edward the Prince being sonne and heire apparant to King Edward the fourth E 4. was by his father created Earle of Pembroke Flint and March He was King Edward the Fifth Anne Bullen H. 8. who was afterwards maried to King Henry the Eighth was by him created Marchionesse of Pembroke and lost her head William Lord Herbert sonne to Richard Herbert who was brother to the last Earle William E. 6. was by King Edward the Sixth created Earle of Pembroke Henry Lord Herbert his sonne succeeded in those honours Williom Lord Herbert his sonne is Lord of Cardiffe Fitz-Hugh Marmion and S. Quintens and Earle of Pembroke Richmond EVdo was by the Conqueror made Lord of Middleham and Earle of Richmond Conq. Allen Fergaunt surnamed The Red being his sonne was Lord of Middleham and Earle of Britaine and of Richmond He died without issue Allen surnamed The Blacke being his brother succeeded him and died without issue Stephen his brother possessed all those honours Allen his sonne by descent enioied the said dignities Conan his sonne succeeded him and had issue Constance Geoffrey Plantagenet the third sonne of King Henry the Second maried the said Constance and was in her right Earle of Richmond Arthur Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Richmond and died without issue Ralphe Blundeuile being Count Palatine of Chester K. Iohn was by King Iohn created Earle of Richmond Peter Earle of Sauoy who built the Sauoy H. 3. was by King Henrie the Third created Earle of Richmond Iohn de Dreux Duke of Britaine sonne to Iohn the first Duke of Britaine was by King Edward the First created Earle of Richmond E. 1. Iohn de Dreux his sonne was Earle of Richmond Iohn de Dreux his sonne succeeded and died without issue Robert de Arthoys sometimes Earle of Arthoys but disinherited by Philip de Valoys the French King E. 3. was by King Edward the Third created Earle of Richmond Iohn Plantagenet the sonne of King Edward the Third being surnamed Iohn of Gaunt being Duke of Lancaster E. 3. was by his father created Earle of Richmond Henry of Bollingbroke his sonne was Duke of Lancaster and Hereford and Earle of Richmond vntill he was King Henry the Fourth Ralphe Lord Neuil of Rabie Castle the first Earle of Westmorland was by King Henry the Fourth created Earle of Pembroke for his life only H. 4. Iohn Plantagenet Duke of Bedford and brother to King Henry the Fifth H. 4. was by his father created Earle of Richmond He died without issue H. 6. Edmund of Hadham called Edmund Tuthar the eldest sonne of Owen Tuthar and of Queene Katherine his wife the widow of King Henry the Fifth and daughter to Charles the Sixth of France and halfe brother to King Henry the Sixth was by him created Earle of Richmond He maried Margaret the daughter and heire of Iohn Beauford Marquesse Dorset and Duke of Somerset who was the sonne of Iohn Beauford who was the sonne of Iohn of Gaunt by Katherine Swinsford his third wife and had issue Henry who was king Henry the Seuenth Henry Tuthar their sonne was Earle of Richmond vntill hee obtained the Crowne and was King Henry the Seuenth H. 8. Henry Fitz-Roy base sonne to King Henry the Eighth was by him created Earle of Nottingham and Duke of Richmond and died without issue in the sixteenth yeare of his age Rutland EDward Plantagenet the sonne of Edmund of Langley the fifth sonne of King Edward the Third and Duke of Yorke was by his cosen King Richard the Second created Earle of Rutland R. 2. and Duke of Albemarle After his fathers death he was Duke of Yorke and was slaine at Agencourt field Edmund Plantagenet brother to Edward who was afterward King Edward the Fourth was Earle of Rutland and died in his childhood without issue being slaine H. 8. Thomas Mannors Lord Roos of Hamlake Beluoyr and Trusbut was created Earle of Rutland by King Henry the Eighth Henry Mannors his sonne succeeded his said father Edward Mannors his sonne enioied those honours and died without issue male Iohn Mannors his brother succeeded him Roger Mannors his sonne enioied those honours and died without issue Sir Francis Mannors his brother is now Lord Roos Hamlake and Trusbote and Earle of Rutland Ryuers RIchard Wooduile of Grafton Knight maried Iaquet the widow of Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France and daughter to Peter of Luxenburgh Earle of S. Paul He was by King Henry the sixth made Lord Ryuers Afterwards king Edward the Fourth maried his daughter the Ladie Elizabeth Grey the widow of Sir Iohn Grey deceased by whom he was made Lord Treasurer of England and Earle Ryuers He and his sonne Iohn were slaine by the Commons in an vprore Anthonie Wooduile his sonne being Lord Scales and Earle Ryuers was by King Richard the Third beheaded vniustly at Pomfret Castle and died withour issue Richard Wooduile his brother succeeded him in that Earledome and died without issue Salisburie STephen Patrick of Eureux was by the Conquerour created Earle of Salisburie Conq. William his sonne was Earle of Salisburie and died without issue male William Longspée the base sonne of King Henry the Second by the faire Rosamond Clifford his Concubine R. 1. was by King Richard the First his halfe-brother created Earle of Salisburie William Longspee his sonne was Earle of Salisburie after his father and was slaine in the warres in the Holy Land Henry Lacy was by King Henrie the Third created Earle of Salisburie H. 3. and died without issue Thomas Plantagenet the sonne of Edmund
otherwise Edmund of Langley the fifth sonne of King Edward the Third R. 2. was by his father created Earle of Cambridge and by his Nephew King Richard the Second he was made Duke of Yorke Edward Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Rutland and Duke of Albemarle and of Yorke and was slaine at Agincourt Field Richard Plantagenet his brother another of the sonnes of the said Edmund was Earle of Cambridge March and Clare Richard Plantagenet his brother was Duke of Yorke c. and was father to King Edward the Fourth and was slaine in the warres against King Henry the Sixth Edward his sonne was Earle of March and Vlster and Duke of Yorke He deposed King Henry the Sixth and was himselfe King Edward the Fourth Richard Plantagenet his younger sonne was Duke of Yorke E. 4. and was with his brother King Edward the Fifth murdered in the Tower by king Richard the Third Henry Tuthar the second sonne of King Henry the Seuenth H. 7. was by his father created Duke of Yorke and himselfe was King Henry the Eighth Charles Stewart the only sonne and heire apparant of the illustrious Prince King Iames the First is now Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall Yorke and Rossay and Earle Palatine of Chester The Nobilitie of ENGLAND ranked according to their degrees and creations THe Marquesse of Winchester EARLES 1 EArle of Arundell 2 Earle of Oxford 3 Earle of Northumberland 4 Earle of Shrewesburie 5 Earle of Kent 6 Earle of Darbie 7 Earle of Worcester 8 Earle of Rutland 9 Earle of Cumberland 10 Earle of Sussex 11 Earle of Huntington 12 Earle of Bathe 13 Earle of Southampton 14 Earle of Bedsord 15 Earle of Penbroke 16 Earle of Hartford 17 Earle of Essex 18 Earle of Lincolne 19 Earle of Nottingham 20 Earle of Suffolke 21 Earle of Northampton 22 Earle of Dorset 23 Earle of Salisburie 24 Earle of Exeter 25 Earle of Mountgomerie VICECOVNTS 1 VIcecount Mountague 2 Vicecount Lisley 3 Vicecount Rochester 4 Vicecount Cramborne BARONS 1 LOrd Abergauennie 2 Lord Audeley 3 Lord Zouch 4 Lord Willoughbie of Eresbie 5 Lord Laware 6 Lord Barkley 7 Lord Morley 8 Lord Stafford 9 Lord Scroope 10 Lord Dudley 11 Lord Sturton 12 Lord Herbert of Chepstow 13 Lord Darcy of the North. 14 Lord Mounteagle 15 Lord Sands 16 Lord Vaux 17 Lord Wyndsor 18 Lord Wentworth 19 Lord Mordant 20 Lord Cromwell 21 Lord Euers 22 Lord Wharton 23 Lord Rich. 24 Lord Willoughbie of Parham 25 Lord Sheffield 26 Lord Paget 27 Lord Darcy of Chiche 28 Lord Howard of Effingham 29 Lord North. 30 Lord Chandos 31 Lord Hunsdon 32 Lord S. Iohn of Bletsho 33 Lord Burleigh 34 Lord Compton 35 Lord Norris 36 Lord Howard of Walden 37 Lord Knowles 38 Lord Wotton 39 Lord Elsmer Lord Chancelor of England 40 Lord Russell 41 Lord Grey of Groby 42 Lord Peter 43 Lord Harrington 44 Lord Danvers 45 Lord Gerard. 46 Lord Spencer 47 Lord Say and Sele 48 Lord Denny 49 Lord Stanhope 50 Lord Carew 51 Lord Arundell of Warden 52 Lord Cauendish 53 Lord Knyuet 54 Lord Clifton The names of Baronets made by his Maiestie at seuerall times as followeth 1 SIr Nicholas Bacon of Redgraue in the Countie of Suff. Knight 2 Sir Richard Molleneux of Sefton in the Countie of Lancaster knight 3 Sir Thomas Manucel of Margan in the Countie of Clamorgan knight 4 George Sherley of Staunton in the Countie of Leicester Esquire 5 Sir Iohn Stradling of S. Donats in the Countie of Clamorgan knight 6 Sir Francis Leake of Sutton in the Countie of Darby knight 7 Thomas Pelham of Laughton in the Countie of Sussex Esquire 8 Sir Thomas Howghton of Howghton Towre in the Countie of Lancaster knight 9 Sir Henry Hobart of Intwod in the Countie of Northfolk knight 10 Sir George Booth of Dunham Massie in the Countie of Chester knight 11 Sir Iohn Payton of Iselham in the Countie of Cambridge knight 12 Lyonel Talmach of Helmingham in the Countie of Suffolke Esquire 13 Sir Gervase Clifton of Clifton in the Countie of Nottingâ— knight 14 Sir Thomas Gerard of Bryn in the Countie of Lancaster knight 15 Sir Walter Aston of Tyxhal in the Countie of Stafford knight 16 Sir George Trenchard of Woluâ—ton in the Countie of Dors knig 17 Philip Knevit of Buckinham in the Countie of Northfolk Esquire 18 Sir Iohn Strangewayes of Melbury in the Countie of knight 19 Sir Iohn S. Iohn of Lydeard Tregosâ— in the Countie of Wiltesh kt. 20 Iohn Shelley of Michelgroue in the Countie of Sussex Esquire 1 SIr Iohn Sauage of Rock-Sauage in the Countie of Chest knight 2 Sir Francis Barrington of Barrington Hall in Essex Knight 3 Henry Barkley of Wymondham in the Countie of Leicest Esquire 4 William Wentworth of Wentworth Woodhouse in the Countie of Yorke Esquire 5 Sir Richard Musgraue of Hartley Castle in the Countie of Westmerland knight 6 Edward Seymor of Bury Castle in the Countie of Devon Esquire 7 Sir Moyle Fince of Castwel in the Countie of Kent knight 8 Sir Anthony Coap of Hanwel in the Countie of Oxford knight 9 Sir Thomas Vavasor of Skellingthorp in the Countie of Lincolne knight 10 George Greysley of Drakelow in the Countie of Darby Esquire 11 Paul Tracy of Stanway in the Countie of Gloster Esquire 12 Sir Iohn Wentworth of Gosfield in the Countie of Essex knight 13 Sir Henry Bellasis of Newborough in the Countie of Yorke Knight 14 William Constable of Flamborough in the Countie of York Esquire 15 Sir Thomas Leigh of Stoneley in the Countie of Warw. knight 16 Sir Edward Noel of Brooke in the Countie of Rutland knight 17 Sir Robert Cotton of Cunnington in the Countie of Huntington Knight 18 Sir Robert Cholmondleigh of Cholmondleigh in the Countie of Chester knight 19 Iohn Molleneux of Teuershalt in the Countie of Notting Esquire 20 Sir Francis Wortley of Wortley in the Countie of York knight 21 Sir George Sauile the elder of Thornhil in the Countie of Yorke knight 22 William Knyneton of Myrraston in the Countie of Darb. Esquire 23 Sir Philip Woodhouse of Kemberley Hall in the Countie of Northfolke knight 24 Sir William Pope of Wilcot in the Countie of Oxford knight 25 Sir Iames Harington of Ridlington in the Countie of Rutl. knight 26 Sir Henry Sauile of Metherley in the Countie of Yorke knight 27 Henry Willoughby of Ryseley in the Countie of Darby Esquire 28 Sir Robert Dormer of Wing in the Countie of Bucking knight 29 Lodwick Tresham of Rushton in the Countie of Northampton Esq 30 Thomas Blundeuel of Dene in the Countie of Northampt. Esquire 31 Sir George Saint Paul of Snacrefford in the Countie of Lincolne knight 32 Sir Philip Tirwhite of Stamesfield in the Countie of Linc. knight 33 Sir Roger Dallison of Lawghton in the Countie of Linc. knight 34 Sir Edward Carre of Slesford in the Countie of Lincolne knight 35 Sir Edward Hussey of Hommington in the Countie of Lincolne knight 36 Le Strange Mordont of
ouerthrowne in one yeare 289 Iohn Earle of Oxford 144 Oxford Earle P PAgeants 376 Pandulphus 55. 56 Partialitie 71 Pardon craftie 153 Parents honored 43 Paris is English 204. and reuolteth 229 Parliament and the King striue 142. 143 Parliament the first 23 Parliament once a yeare 142 Parliament complaines 133 Parliament threatned 143 Parliament makes a King 160 Parliamentum insanum 60 Parliament breakes vppe suddenly 256 Parliament wronged by Bishop Fisher 382 Pawlet made Lord Saint Iohn 406 Peace 52. 64. 285. 333 336. 364. 392 Penall lawes 290. 351 Penance 42 People wasted 14 Percies 171. 362. 363 Percies will not deliuer Scottish Prisoners 67 Percies doe ransome Edmund Mortimer 169 Percie Sir Thomas 406 Periury 232 Perkin Werbeck 337. c. Peter Landoys 289. 315 Petition of the Rebelles 404 Pickering 363 Pilgrims holy 405 Piracie 96 Pitie 44 Plantagenet Geoffry 24 Plantagenet Arthur 51 53 Plimouth 136 Poydras 93 Pollicies 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 12. 18 23. 29. 35. 82. 117. 140 212. 215. 233. 246. 250 299. 331. 339. 340 408. Pollicies touching Warbeck 339. 340. 341 Pollicies touching Lambert 331 Pollicie touching Cade 247 Pollicie by fire 347 Pomfret 301 Pontlarch 241 Popham Sir Iohn 113 Pope 14. 15. 18. 53. 150 curbed 401 Popish blindnesse 57 Popish pride 54 Poynings 341. 361 Poysoned 59 Poyters 63 Practises of Richard Duke of Glocester 299. c. Premunire 380. feared by the Cleargy 388 Prerogatiue crossed 66 Presumption 140 Prey rich 395 Pride 396 Pride of Longchamp 46 47. 48 Primacie 7 Prince of Chester Prince imprisoned 86 177 Prince of Wales 114 Prince reclaimed 177 Prior Iohn 364 Prisoners Marcarus 7 Edwinus 7 Egelwinus 7 Mowbray 13 Curthose 20 Belesme 20 King Stephen 29 Queene Elianor 43 King Richard the first p. 48 Bayliol 84 The Prince 86. 177 Queene Isabel 105 King Dauid 122 King Iohn of France 127 Earle of Pembroke 132 King Richard the second pag. 156 Edmund Mortimer 166 French Pris slaine 185 Lord Talbot 222 Lord Scales 222 Lord Hongerford 222 Duke of Suffolke 222 King Henry the Sixth 257. 266. 281 King Edward the fourth 271 Duke of Burbon 277 Duke of Orleance 235 Scottish prisoners 413 Mordack Earle of Fife 167 Archibald Douglas 167 Earle Murrey 167 Priuie Seales 397. 398 Proclamations 192. 276 387 Proclaimed heire of Fra. 141. 200. 204 Proscribed 248. 319 Protector 61. 251 Protector displaced 240 Q QVartered 345 Queen Anne beheaded 403 Queene Katherine beheaded 410 R RAgman 104 Ramsey 136 King Richard the First ransomed 48 Douglas ransomelesse 171 King of Scots ransomed 214 Duke of Burbon ransomed 227 Duke of Orleance ransomed 235 Edmund Mortimer ransomed 164 Queene Margaret ransomed 283 Raine 405 Rebellions 6. 7. 10. 11. 12 13. 20. 22. In London 71. 76. Lluellen 80 Wat Tilar 137. In Kent 277. Owen Glendor 166. Percies 170 171. In Ireland 241. Iacke Cade 247. 264. 273. 328. 334 Cornishmen 345. 347. 349. In Yorkshire 269. In Lincolnshire 404. In the North 405. In Ireland 407 Rebels flie 405. quietly depart 405 Reconcilement 64. 279 Reformation 66. 69. 64 153 Regents 43. 201 Regent dieth 228 Regent drowned 358 Religious houses 178. 374 403. 403 Repayment 327 Repeales 4. 263. 328 Repentance 8. 353 Reprofe 167 Reseisure 35. 34 Resolution 15. 34. 95 Restitution 18 Returne vnlicenced 358 359 Reuenge 49 Reuolt 214. 242. 244 Renulph 81 Ribamont 124 Riceap Thomas 344 King Richard the First valiant 46 47 Rich Souldiers 191 King Henry the Second Rich 37 Richmond Earle in danger 289. 317. sweareth 320. landeth 323 and is victorious 325 Rifling 389 Roan 192. 193. 197. 241 Robberies 14. 18. 33 Robin Hood 50 Robinet of Bonuile 187 Rochford 400. 410. 411 Bolloigne Viscount Rochford 385 Rokesbie 174 Rosamond Clifford 37 Rosbrough 112. 130 Rowclif 363 Rufus staine 16 Russell Lord 406 Rutland murdered 281 Rutland Earle 400 Ryuers 256 S SAnctuarie 302. 303 304 Saluo honore Dei 41 Sands 365. 396. 397 Sarum secundum vsum 7 Sauadge 324 Scales 218. 222. 257. 258 Scot Earle of Chester 64 Scottish homage 11. 214 Scots 25000. slaine 83 Scots sweare obedience 86 Scots ouerthrowne in Ireland 97 Scots ouerthrow K. Edw. the Second 93 94 Scots inuade England 11 28. 111. 122. 167. 171. 251. 291. 361. their crueltie 343. They inuade 345. and are slaine 346. 412 Scots misuse the French 147 Scots aide Warbecke 342 345 Scottish King slaine 363 Scotland surrendred 81 82. 84 Scotland gouerned by England 84 Scotland wasted 346 Scotland inuaded 97. 103 306. 111 147. 174. 412. 415. 416. 419 Scotland disposed by King Edward the Third 106 Scotland claimed by the Pope 86 Scottish King ransomed 214 Scottish tenure released 106 Scottish chaire 86 Scottish prisoners 413 Scroope 155. 173. 180. 265 Sea victories 62. 110. 125 188. 189 Seales Priuie 394 Secrecie 107 Secundum vsum Sarum 7 Securitie 221. 271 Seisure 3. 35 Seymour Earle of Hartford 406. 415 Seymor Sir Iohn and Ladie Iane 403 Shawes Sermon 408 Shepard Iacke 137 Sherborne Sir Henrie 361 Ships 300. taken 56 500. Ships 188 1200. Ships 146 Ships in Sandwitch 256 Sheepe 268 Sheriffe of Northumberland 174 Shoreswife 309 Shrewesburie Earle 392 Shrines destroied 406 Sicknesse 181 Slaine King William Rufus 5. 16 Malcolme 11 King Edward the Second 101 King Richard the first 50 King Richard the second 160 Simon Montfort 74 Lord Beamont 113 Peter of Castile 131 Wat Tilar 140 Vere Duke of Ireland 149 Prisoners French 185 Thirtie six slaine by King Henry the Fourth 171 Edward Duke of Yorke 187 Richard Duke of Yorke 259 Duke of Suffolke 187 Iohn Earle of Shrewesburie 249 Earle of Salisburie 220 Clarence 206 Earle of Warwicke 281 Arundell 226 Marquesse Montacute 281 Courtney Earle of Deuon 283 Wooduile 333 Iames the Fourth King of Scots 362 Stafford 329 Humfrey Duke of Buckingham 257 Thomas Lo. Egremount 257 Iohn Viscount Beamont 257 Northumberland 260 Westmorland 260 Lord Dacres 260 Lord Welles 260 Lord Clifford 260 Somerset Sir Charles 360 Spencers 92. 94. 96. 99 Northumberland 334 Spencer chiefe Iustice 74. 68 Speeches 194 195. 209 Spencers executed 100 Souldiers vnlicensed returne 358. 397 Sonnes disobedient 36 Southampton Earle 406 Stafford Earle 181 Stakes 183 Stanley 341. 344 Stapleton B. of Exeter 99 Stapleton 363 Stoutnesse of K. H. 8. 404 Strangers Marchants 34 251. 138 Subiects dutie 35 SubmissioÌ„ of K. Io 56. 66 Submission of the Barons 58 Submission of King Richard the Second 155 Submission of Londoners 75 Submission of Lluellen 80 Supremacie 403 Duke of Suffolke 237. 238. 244. 392. 418 Duke of Suffolke warreth valâ—antly in France 396 Surfet 24 Surrey beheaded 420 Surprisall 173 Sussex Earle 385 Swanus 6 Swimming 48 149 Sword giuen to Exeter 349 Sydney 362 T TAle-bearers 227 Talbots name terrible 226 Talbot 106. 324 Talbot slaine 220 Talbot Gilbert 192 Talbot Lord George 360 Taxes 5. 10. 97. 109 Taxes causing rebellions 6. 7. 136. 333. 335. 343 Taxes lost Aquitaine c. 130 Taxes pleasing 12. 52. 189 Taxes released 18. 28 Taxes not demanded 37 45 Tax on Wools and Hides 83 Tempest Nicholas 406 Temporalties 20. 21 Terryll 312 Terwyn 360. 361 Thankfulnesse 24. 297 Thanksgiuing 171. 186 190. 282. 325 Theeues 50. 93 Thorp 258 Thwaits 396 Title to France 105. 107 relinquished 129 Title King of Ireland 410 Title Defensor Fidei 357. 393 Tournay taken 361. redeliuered 380 Trade restored 346 Translation 7 Transubstantiation 58 Traitor Archb. of Cant. 151 Treasons 64. 164. 180 226 Treason to speake c. 409 Treason at Oxford 164 Traitors 145. 173 Trecherie 152. 213 252 Trenchard 352 Treport 364 Tresham 283 Tresilian 147. 149 Troyl-Baston 86 Tuthar 260. 249 Tylar Wat. 137 Tylney 362 Tyron Earle 410 Tyrwyn taken and burnt 361 V VAlour 33. 46. 47. 124 Vaughan 283. 307 Vere 142. 149. 242 Vernoyle 205 Vicar generall 107 Victorie in Castile 130 King Edward the Fourth victorious 281 Victorie without blowes 168 Victorie miraculous 216 Victorie ouer the Percies 171 Victories at Sea 62. 110 125. 188. 189 Vicegerent Cromwell 406 Victuals cheape 108 Visited by three Kings 130 Vmfreuyle 192. 206 Vniuersitie opinions 386 Vnthankfulnesse 14. 44 Vnthankfull Frenchmen 414 Vsurpers Rufus 9 Henricus Primus 17 Stephanus 27 Edwardus Tertius 101 Henricus Quartus 160 Henricus Quintus 177 Henricus Sextus 211 Richardus Tertius 311 W WAights 18 Wales 86. Prince 114 Wallop 364. 396 Warres in the Holy Land 45. c. 77 Wars with Arthur Plantagenet 51 Hee is drowned 53 Wars incommodious 272 Wars with Charles the Emperour 401 Ward Sir Christopher 362 Wardships 63 Warbeck 337. c. Warlike discipline 35 Warwicke Protector 251 Warwicke slaine 281 Warrens 18 Watermen 258 Welles 260. 273 Welshmen rebell 11. 12. 13. 22. 80. 81. 83. 84. 85 166 Wenlocke 283 Wharton Lord 412 Whipped 42 Wife a good one 43 Willoughbie 363. 183. 392 Witchcraft 236 Wiues paid for 24 Wooduile 231. 333 Woods in Wales burnt 81 Woolsey 365. c. vntill pag. 388 Wounding 77 Worcester Earle 392 Wryothesley 417 Errata PAg. 305. lin 4. for daughter to the Dukes son reade son to the Dukes daughter Pag. 324. lin 3. for George Stanley reade George Talbot
subdued 6. He plucks downe Churches Religious houses and Townes for his pleasure in hunting to make the New Forest and enacteth tyrannicall Lawes for the preseruing of his Game 5. His eldest sonne Robert Curthois rebelleth and puts him to the worst in Normandie but is reconciled 7. He warreth in France successefully 7. He falleth sick and repenteth of his crueltie to the English Nation and dyeth but his body can hardly obtayne a place to bee buried in pag. 8. King WILLIAM RVFVS HIs crueltie to the English Nation 10. Hee flattereth them in his distresse but requiteth them vnthankfully when his turne is serued 10 11. The Welshmen doe rebel 11 12. His valour 13. Hee pilleth and pooleth the Church 14 15. He yeeldeth when the Pope peremptorily commandeth 15. He is fortunate in his warres in Normandie 15. In the New-Forest which his Father had made by the ruine of many Churches Religious houses and Townes 5. Hee was slaine being mistaken for a Deere as he hunted 16. King HENRY the First HIs policies and Lawes 18. He yeeldeth to the Pope and restoreth Church liuings dignities and liberties not for conscience sake but because Robert his eldest brother troubled him for his Crowne 18. He invadeth Normandie and preuaileth and plucketh out his brothers eyes 20 21. Hee curbeth and ransacketh the Church Church-men and makes them pay for enioying of wiues whether they haue wiues or no. 20. Anselme and Thurstone appeale against him to the Pope and he yeeldeth 20 23. He is patient and very thankefull 24. He is lasciuious he surfetteth and then dyeth 24. King STEPHEN HEe vsurpeth the Right of Mawld the Empresse and breaketh his oath 27. He is very liberall 28. He refuseth and releaseth the paiment of Dane-gilt and of all other taxes he honoreth the Clergie and giues vnto them large restitution and exempteth all Clergie men from the authoritie of the Temporall Magistrate 28. Mawld the Empresse invadeth and taketh him prisoner he is enlarged for the Duke of Glocester The Empresse is besieged in Oxford and escapeth by a policie in the snow 29. He is againe inuaded by Henrie Short-Mantell the Sonne of Mawld the Empresse Prince Eustace his sonne is drowned They two compound and King Stephen dyeth 30 31. King HENRY the Second HIs great courage 34. He refineth the Lawes and deuiseth the Circuits in which Nisi prius and other law causes are decided 34. He destroyeth Castles to preuent Rebellions 35. He reseiseth things giuen by his Predecessors 35. He exerciseth his people in martiall Discipline in times of Peace 35. Hee Conquereth Ireland 36. His children are rebellious and punished by God 36. His Riches 37. His amorous affections to Rosamond 37. He is vexed by Thomas Becket who is slaine 37. He is accursed 40. He doth Penance He is whipt And dyeth 42. King RICHARD the First FOr his valour hee is termed Cuer de Lyon 44. His piety and compassion to his Mother and to distressed prisoners 44. His bountie 45. Hee warreth gloriously in the holy Land 45. He winneth Cyprus twice pag. 46 47. Iarres arise betwixt him and the French King and Leopold Archduke of Austria wherupon they depart and doe leaue him 46 47. He is stiled King of Ierusalem 47. By swimming he saueth his life but is taken Prisoner Ransometh himselfe and returneth into Normandie from the holy Land Hee warreth successefully against the French King in his owne Country and returneth into England 48. To pay his Ransome and to relieue his wants he ransacketh Religious houses and reseiseth such things as formerly he sold to get mony 49. He besiegeth the Castle of Chalons and is reuengefully wounded to death He taketh the Castle Pardons the offendor slaies all the rest and then he dyeth 49. King IOHN PHILIP the French King raiseth against him Arthur Plantagenet who demāds the crown 51 The King goeth twice into Normandie and puts the Frenchmen to flight 52 53. He looseth Normandie 53. 1202. His quarrell and vnspeakeable troubles with the Pope 53. Hee forbiddeth all appeales to Rome 54. Foure of his owne Bishops doe interdict him and he seiseth vpon their lands and goods Hee is accursed and his kingdome is by the Pope giuen to Philip the French King He taketh an Oath of Allegeance of his Subiects He inuadeth the Scots and they doe submit themselues 55 56. Philip of France prouideth to inuade him but looseth three hundred ships 56. King Iohn without the knowledge of his Nobilitie or Counsell submitteth himselfe on his knees to Pandulphus the Popes Legate and resigneth to him to the Popes vse his Kingdom and his Crown and after a few daies receiues it as a gift 56. His people doe despise and forsake him 57. Lewys the Dolphin in his Fathers Right by reason of the Popes donation inuadeth England The Pope accurseth him and his father and protecteth King Iohn and his kingdome Hee also accurseth such of the Nobilitie of England as sided with the French by reason whereof the Commons robbe rifle and forage both their goods and lands Miserie makes them to submit themselues 57. The Dolphin is expelled 58. The King hath peace and is poisoned by a Monke 59. King HENRY the third LEWYS the Dolphin disturbs him in England The French attempt to inuade but are ouerthrowne at Sea 63. They are accursed absolued and doe leaue this kingdome The king restoreth the ancient Lawes 63. He warreth in Angeou and elsewhere 63. And concludeth a Truce 64. His Barons and he doe iarre but are reconciled 64. The league with France is broken 64. King Henrie hath the worse in the new warres 65 66. Hee warreth with his Barons 66. Insanum Parliamentum 66. The commission of the twelue Peeres 66. They exercise their Authoritie 67. It is confirmed wherefore the King sayleth into France 67. * 1258. He releaseth his Title and his Right in Normandie and is confirmed Duke of Guyan 68. He procureth two Bulls from the Pope The Lord chiefe Iustice is displaced 68. He publisheth the Popes Bulls against the twelue Peeres and the Londoners take an Oath to assist him 69. The Barons raise an Armie and doe write vnto the King and he answereth them 69. The Barons Armie is ioyfully receaued into London 70. The controuersie is referred to the French King who is accused to be partiall 70 71. The Barons fight with the Prince and doe ouerthrow him 71. Richard King of the Romans being wronged is angrie 71. * 1262. The bataile of Lewis in which the Barons tooke the two Kings and Prince Edward prisoners and more then twentie thousand men were slaine 73. An agreement is made and the Prince is one of the Hostages The commission giuen to the 12. Peeres is confirmed and the Hostages are enlarged 73. A discord betwixt the Earles of Leicester and Glocester 73. Occasioned the ouerthrow of the Barons in the battaile of Euersham 74. ** 1263. The Barons are executed 74. The Commission of the twelue Peeres is by Parliament dissolued
transporteth his Armie into Flanders and ioining with his consorts he marcheth into France with 27000. men The French King takes the field 108 Iane Countesse of Henault mother to the Queene of England and sister to the French King parts the fray without blowes 109 * 1339. King Edward quartereth the Armes of France and coines his money with the like stampe 109 Hee taxeth his people and borroweth much money 109 As hee passed towards Sluce with his Armie hee met with and ouerthrew the French Nauie 110 Hee with his associates doe besiege Tournay But the saide Countesse procures a Truce 111 The Scots doe rebell The King marcheth against them A truce is made but they doe breake it They doe inuade and burne Durham 111 The valiant exploit of Sir William Montague The Castle of Ronsborough is besieged The King marcheth against the Scots and they flie 112 He concludes a truce with them Hee returnes proclaimes a Feast and martiall exercises and sports 113 Subsidies are granted but Commissioners are made to receiue and to imploy it 114 * 1344. Hee deuiseth the noble Order of the Garter 114 Iaques Dartuell is murdered because hee would haue disherited the Earle of Flanders to preferre the Blacke Prince 114 By his death King Edward lost the Flemish aide But hee is the more resolued in his attempts 116 The French King besiegeth Aguilon with 100000. men The King takes Harflew Louiers Cane and many other things and harroweth and burneth in Normandie at his pleasure 117 He passeth with his Armie ouer the Riuer of Some 118 The battaile of Cressey 119 * 1345. The numbers of slaine men and prisoners 121 King Edward besiegeth Calice and the French K. with 200000. men could not releeue it The King winnes it and peopleth it with his owne Nation 123 The Scots inuade England in the Kings absence and King Dauid is taken prisoner 123 The King himselfe surpriseth the Frenchmen who came to receiue Calice 124 The Calicians take Guyens 125 The Blacke Prince winneth the battaile of Poyters and brings King Iohn and his younger sonne prisoners into England 126 The whole English Armie is made rich 128 The Dolphin allowes not his fathers agreements with King Edward 128 Hee is enforced to craue peace which is granted vpon conditions 129 The King relinquisheth the French title and right 129 A taxe leuied by the Blacke Prince and the not paying of his Souldiers occasioned his great losses in Guyan Aquitaine c. 130. 131 Whereto ciuill dissention must be added 132 The Earle of Pembroke is taken at Sea 132 The Kings euill Officers 133 The Blacke Prince dieth 134 The King dieth 134 King RICHARD the second THe summarie of his euill gouernment 135 Wat Tilars Rebellion 137 Their insolencie and madnesse 137 Their entertainment in London 138 They doe burne rifle and commit Sacriledge 138 Their behauiour at the Tower and at Mile-end-greene 139 Their Captaine is slaine They prepare for reuenge but doe flie 140. 141 Fifteene hundred of them are executed 141 The Kings euill Counsellors 142 Fifteenes in a Parliament are denied 142 The Lower House will depart except the King in person will come to them 142 Michael de la Pole is displaced from his Chancellorship 144 Commissioners are appointed to order the Kings Officers and the King sweareth to obserue it 144 The Commissioners are reputed to be Traitors 145 The Scots and French doe make a bad voyage into Wales and in the meane time the King with 68000. men spoileth Scotland 145 The Frenchmen well rewarded by the Scots 145 The French King prepares an Armie of 1200. Ships to inuade and to conquer England and King Richard makes incredible preparations to confront him 146 The French Armie vanisheth and comes to nought 147 The petition of the Nobilitie is denied by the King Wherefore they doe raise an Armie 147 The King cannot get an Armie out of London 148 On the Kings faire promises the Armie is dismissed Hee performes nothing so that a new Armie is leuied and receiued into London 149 The Duke of Ireland flieth is slaine by a Bore and is buried like a King 149 The Kings fiue euill Counsellors and some Iudges are condemned as Traitors 149 Iohn of Gaunts iourney valour and fortunate successe in Spaine 150 The King marieth the French Kings sister and deliuers vp Brest for which his Vncle the Duke of Glocester reproueth him but his death is plotted and hee is murdered 151 The flattering Speaker of the Parliament grosly deifieth the King 151 A strange Commission 152 The King in his vanitie will be stiled Prince of Cheshire 152 The Duke of Norfolke vntruly informeth the King against his cosen Henrie Bollingbroke Duke of Hartford for which hee is challenged to a single combat 153. 154 They are both banished 154 Iohn of Gaunt dieth and his son Henrie Bollingbroke now Duke of Lancaster in the Kings absence in Ireland landeth in England and raiseth an Armie The King returneth and leuieth his forces 155 But his people daily shrinke and steale away from him by meanes whereof he submitteth himselfe to the Duke 155 Articles are proposed against him for his euill gouernment which are by him confessed vnder his hand in the Parliament Hee resigneth his Kingdome and is deposed Henrie of Bollingbroke is crowned King And King Richard valiantly resisting is wickedly murdered 160 King HENRY the Fourth IOHN Bishop of Carlile stoutly reproueth King Henries doing openly in the Parliament house 163 The Crowne is entailed 164 Treason at Oxford 164 The Traitors flie and are executed 165 Owen Glendor rebelleth 166 And taketh Roger Mortimer the rightfull heire apparant to the Crowne prisoner and the King refuseth to ransome him 166 The Scots rebelling are ouerthrowen by Henrie Hotspurre who will not deliuer his prisoners to the King 167. 168 The Frenchmen doe aide the Welsh Rebels in shew but doe flie to their ships when the King commeth 167. 168 The Percies doe ransome Roger Mortimer and ioining with Owen Glendor they intend to make him King 169 They leuie an Armie and doe publish Articles against K. Henry The Scots doe aide them but are all ouerthrowen And in that battaile the King himselfe slew six and thirtie men 1401. 171 Dowglas is enlarged without ransome 171 Glendor is forsaken of his companions and is famished in the woods 172 The Duke of Orleance his challenge is stoutly refused by King Henrie 172 And disgraced 173 The Duke of Britaine is commanded by the French King to abandon the siege of Calice 173 Diuers Lords doe practise a Treason which is discouered and most of them are put to death 173 The King warreth againe prosperously in Scotland 173 Hee was in danger to bee taken on the Thames by French Pirates 174 Sir Ralphe Roksbie Sheriffe of Northumberland valiantly ouerthrew the Northerne Rebels and chopt off their heads before the Kings comming thither 174 He createth his younger sonnes Dukes and prepareth to warre in the Holy Land but falleth dangerously
Crowne is setled by Parliament The Scots ouerthrow and doe sley the Duke of Yorke in the b 1460 battaile of Wakefield 259 The yong Duke of York winneth the field of Queene Margaret 260 He is by the Queen ouerthrown and the King is enlarged 260 The Dukes newe Armie consisting of 49000. men the Queens new Armie consisting of 60000. men The c 1460 Queene is ouerthrown in the battaile of Towton 260 The King to winne fauour with the king of Scots deliuereth to him the Castle and the Towne of Barwike and the Duke of Yorke is crowned King 261. King EDWARD the Fourth IN Parliament hee repealeth all former Acts which attainted him and his friends of high treason 263 He is troubled by wars raised against him by Queene Margaret in which he preuaileth 265 He taketh especiall * 1462 care for the Common-weale 266 King Henrie is taken prisoner 266 The Earle of Warwick becomes his Enimie because he wronged him in the choice of his wife 267 George Duke of Clarence taketh part with Warwick against his brother King Edward 268 The a 1467 Yorkshire-men doe rebell 269 King Edward is taken prisoner and escapeth 271 The discommodities of Warre 272 A new b 1468 Rebellion in which the Rebells were ouerthrowne 273 Warwick and Clarence flie to Calice and finde bad entertainment 274 Prince Edward sonne to King Henrie the sixth marieth the second daughter of the Earle of Warwick 275 Clarence secretly revolteth to King Edward his brother 275 Warwick landeth in England where his forces doe so encrease that king Edward flieth 277 King Henrie is enlarged and by Parliament the crowne is intailed to him 277 King Edward landeth in England and breaketh his oath made to the citizens of Yorke 278 Hee and his Armie are ioyfully receiued into the citie of London 280 Hee triumpheth victoriously at Barnet field 280 The Queene Margaret leuieth another Armie and is ouerthrown in the battaile of Tewkesbury 282 King Henrie being murdered is brought open faced into S. Pauls Church 283 King Edward hath new wars in France and the Duke of Burgoine breaks promise with him 285 A peace for nine yeares is concluded for which the Duke of Burgoine is angrie with the King who cares not for it 286 The bountie of the French King to the English Armie 288 Henrie Earle of Richmond is by the Duke of Brittaine deliuered to King Edwards Ambassadours but Peter Landoys freeth him 289 The Duke of Clarence being a prisoner is murdered 290 King Edward changeth the forme of his gouernment and by executing of penall statutes he enricheth himselfe but looseth his peoples loue 290 He hath new warres with Scotland but on certaine conditions he grants him peace 291 The French King breaks all his Articles annexed to the last concluded peace wherefore King Edward leuieth a new Armie but falleth sick and dyeth 292 The Description of King Edward 297 King EDWARD the Fifth HE was a child when his father dyed 297 His Vncle Richard Duke of Glocester aimeth to haue his crown 299 He practizeth mischiefe against the Queene Mothers kindred 300 He betrayeth them and bereaueth them of their liues 301 307 The Queene Mother with her children taketh Sanctuarie 302 The Duke of Glocester is made Protector 302 By subtiltie he getteth the yong Duke of Yorke out of prison and sends the King and him to the Tower vnder pretence of greater safetie 302 Hee with the Duke of Buckingham practizeth their destruction 304 305 His villany at the Tower 306 His friend the Lord Hastings is beheaded because hee will not consent to that murder 307 Doctor Shawes flattering sermon 308 Richard Duke of Glocester is made King 309 King RICHARD the third KIng Richard by base flatterie endeuoureth to make a bad matter good 311 Doctor Morton Bishop of Ely is committed to the custodie of the Duke of Buckingham 311 King Richard is despised by the French king 312 The two young Princes by the villanous procurement of King Richard are murdred 312 The reasons which might haue disswaded him from that wickednesse are examined 313 His only sonne by death is taken from him 315 Doctor Morton by flatterie insinuateth himselfe into the inward loue and familiaritie of the Duke of Buckingham and hauing with him resolued on the destruction of king Richard hee escapeth and flyeth into Flanders from whence hee giues good intelligence of all King Richards proceedings to Henrie Earle of Richmond 315 Hee moueth him to marrie the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Edward the Fourth which hee protesteth to doe 317 King Richard had almost gotten into his hands the Earle of Richmond but Peter Landoys freeth him 317 The Duke of Buckingham and the K. do leuie two strong Armies but the fight is deferred by a sodain floud The Welshmen forsake the Duke he flyeth he is proscribed he is betraied by his owne seruant and looseth his head 318 Peter Landoys would haue betrayed the Earle of Richmond to king Richard but hee and his doe escape hardly into France where they are comforted and aided 320 King Richard by flatterie and bribes gets King Edward the Fourth his children into his owne possession and maketh loue to his owne Neece the said Lady Elizabeth 322 His owne wife sodainly dyeth and he reviueth his incestuous sute to his said Neece who wittily protracteth that businesse 323 False newes from France makes him secure 323 The Earle of Richmond landeth in England and the King and he are with their Armies in Bosworth field 323 King Richards people cleaue not to him 324 Hee is desperate in fight but is slaine by the Earle himselfe and his body is vsed with great despight by the common people 324 325 Henrie Earle of Richmond is proclaimed and crowned King by the souldiers in the open field wher his Enimie lay dead And in the same place Hee with his whole Armie doe thanke GOD. 325 King HENRY the Seuenth KIng Henrie the Seuenth as he had sworne vniteth the two diuided houses of Lancaster Yorke by his mariage with the Lady Elizabeth King Edward the Fourth his eldest daughter 327 He causeth the Crowne to be intayled 328 He maketh Yeomen of his Guard and is thankfull to his friends 327 He repaieth the French King the Duke of Britaigne 328 He repealeth Acts of Attainders makes good lawes and granteth a generall Pardon 328 He suppresseth Rebells 329 Lambert the counterfaited Earle of Warwick by force and policie is taken 329 330 331 King Henrie the Seuenth takes part with the Duke of Britaigne against the French King 332 333 The Earle of Northumberland leuying of a Tax is slaine by the people 333 334 The Rebells flie and are punished 334 Maximilian being aided by King Henrie the Seuenth comes not forth yet King Henrie alone warreth against the French King 335 The King demaunds a Benevolence 335 He besiegeth Bullein and granteth a peace 336 Perkin Warbeck the counterfaited Duke of Yorke vexeth king Henrie 337 He is supported
did begin For Robert Duke of Normandie conceiuing himselfe to be much wronged by a supposed breach of the Kings former promises resolued to transport a faire Armie into England for the regayning of his Right but the King purposing rather to aduenture offensiue Warres abroad A good Policie than with assured losse to defend himselfe at home gathered a strong power of able and willing men of warre with which he sayled into Normandie The French strengthen Robert Duke of Normandie against the King But Philip of France so friendly backed the Duke in those employments that the English forces found themselues too weake to doe him any harme So this vnexpected resistance compelled the King to cast his plot into a new mould and by sleight and policie to effect that which by open violence he could not doe Wherefore not making himselfe ouer-much beholding to long deliberation he sent many of his chiefest Commanders into England who with more than ordinarie diligence and speede in short time waged a strong Armie of twentie thousand men who being readie to be embarked were vnexpectedly greeted with this faire offer A politike and a pleasing Taxe That such of them as would seuerally giue tenne shillings to the King towards his leuying of new forces in Normandie should be dismissed from that journey This demaund in regard of each particular giuer was not great but the entire value thereof when it was collected amounted to a good summe because there were few or none who by this payment procured not their discharge And the French King being secretly corrupted with the gift of the greater part of this money made present choise rather to shrinke from his kinde friend Quid non Regina pecunia than to assist him at his neede so that the good Duke being left alone and yet accompanied with the sensible apprehension of his owne defects and making a vertue of his necessities contented himselfe to subscribe to the commaund of his aduerse fortune A composition For making an enforced Peace with his brother and pawning to him his Duchie of Normandie for tenne thousand pounds himselfe in person with other Christian Princes waged warres in the Holy Land The Welchmen rebell As soone as the King was returned into England the Rebels in Wales summoned him to a new Warre which he vndertooke with great celeritie and with much valour But the craggie Mountaines the steepie Hils the thicke Woods and the watrie Marishes vnto which the Welchmen vsed continually to flye vpon euerie feare of danger so toyled and tyred the English forces that the King to encrease his strength and to furnish himselfe with more fitting meanes to subdue those Rebels was compelled without honour to returne But those his new preparations were interrupted by another Rebellion in the North The Earle of Northumberland rebelleth which was occasioned and conducted by Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland who madly expressed the malecontentednes of his disordered passions because the King as he conceiued had not requited his seruice done vpon Malcolyne the King of Scots with any worthie or condigne reward A couragious King But such was the haughtie spirit and courage of the King that those vnexpected troubles which benummed the senses of the vulgar did set an edge vpon his valour making him to scorne feare and to entertaine hope and animating him with a setled resolution to dare fortune to doe her worst For he no sooner saw his reuolted subjects of the North The Rebels subdued but he loaded them in such sort with blowes and wounds that such as fled not he made a prey vnto death or made them miserable examples to their friends who might bemoane them but could not release them of their losse of Eares Eyes Hands Noses or Feete Thus did the King beate downe their pride and tooke the Earle as hee fled and sent him to the Castle of Windsour where hee was committed to a strong Prison Then did the King with new strength march againe into Wales The King could not subdue the Welchmen in two Expeditions but his former mishaps were presidents to his later successe For albeit that Furie made him more aduenturous than Reason gaue him warrant in regard that his magnanimous spirit could not digest the counter-checks of such a scattered Rabble yet when hee had weakened his strength and impaired his Armie by the losse of manie valiant men vpon the vast and desolate Mountaines which affoorded him nothing but Repentance he was enforced farre against his will the second time to returne leauing the Welch Rebels vncorrected and therefore exceedingly emboldened in their sinne Whose insolencies bred in the King such a strong resolution to reuenge that foure yeares after when they suspected not any approaching danger he sent against them the two Earles of Shrewsburie and of Chester with a strong Power The Welchmen sodainely inuaded are ouerthrowne who finding them rioting in the Isle of Anglesey set vpon them slew diuers wounded more suffered few to escape and such as were taken prisoners were eyther executed with manie Torments or dismembred with such Depriuements as happened to the Rebells in the North. ANNO 10. Now when the King by the helpe of the English Nation had obtained many memorable victories against the Scots Welchmen and the Northren Rebels An vngratefull King and by their assistance had in such sort established his affaires that all feare of future perils was quite banisheâ— imitating the example of some vnthankfull Mariners who by the goodnesse of a sound Ship hauing escaped the boisterous rage of an hideous Tempest will leaue her in the Roade subject to the furie of the windes and to the violence of the waters Hee not onely forgot his honourable atchieuements by their meanes but vnthankefully he requited them who had freed him from manie vnspeakable dangers For as in former times so now againe he dis-heartened them The English Nation is miserably oppressed by manie intollerable exactions new impossitions and mercilesse oppressions turning their longings after Libertie into a seruile Bondage their expectations for Fauour into Despaire and their Plentie into such Pouertie that though those Times gaue them leaue sorrowfully to bewayle their griefes yet Hope administred to them no comfort for Reliefe Yea such was his impietie Extreame couetousnesse in a King and such was his couetous desire by all vnjust meanes to enrich himselfe that impiously he sold for money the greatest and the best Promotions both in Church and in Commonweale and did prohibite Anselme then Archbishop of Canterburie to assemble any Conuocations or Synods for the well ordering of the Clergie or for the correcting of such as did offend without his leaue and licence by meanes whereof he secretly filled his coffers with much Treasure The Archbishop of Canterburie robbed rifled These indignities and these irreligious practises were sharpely reprehended by Anselme yet found he no reformation of those monstrous abuses Wherefore being
vnable anie longer to support so ponderous a burthen both to his Conscience and also to his Estate he resolued to forsake the Realme and appeale to Pope Vrban the third Appeale to Rome though by the King he was prohibited so to doe But in the beginning of his journey as he passed towards Douer himselfe The King likely to haue been excommunicated and all his followers by the Kings vncharitable appointment were euilly entreated and robbed of their chiefest wealth Yet went he forth and at Rome complained to the Pope who forthwith would haue excummunicated the King had hee not formerly pronounced that Sentence against the Emperour Henrie the fourth who was the first Christian Prince Soueraigne that euer was excommunicated by anie Bishop of Rome The Emperor Henry the fourth was the first excommunicated Christian Prince and by his Clergie he was aduised to see the end and effect of that Sentence and should not heate anie more yrons before he saw how the former would be quenched Manie Letters and sundrie Messengers were sent vnto the King Commaunds from Pope Vrban the third admonishing him not to intermeddle anie more with the inuesting of Bishops by giuing to them the Crosse Ring and Pastorall Staffe nor with the Temporalties of anie Ecclesiasticall Promotions either when they were vacant or otherwise Nor should prohibite the assembling of anie Conuocations or Synods touching the Churches affaires and businesse Nor should prohibite the execution of anie Canons albeit they were not by Regall authoritie confirmed But the King little respected those Commaunds The King regards not the Popes commaunds and stoutly answered That touching them all hee would still doe as hee pleased and would not loose so faire a flower belonging vnto his Crowne But whilest these businesses were thus acted the King was oftentimes sharpely rebuked by Ralph the Bishop of Chichester The King is reproued and is the worse for those vnjust grieuances and wrongs which were offered to the Archbishop and his followers at the time of their departure towards Rome But like as a man the deeper he is wounded the more impatient he is to be soundly searched so the King knowing his offence to be impious and vngodly refused to be admonished and in stead of reforming of those things which had been done amisse he heaped many disgracefull wrongs vpon the good Bishop and his Diocesse within which of his own wilfull obstinacie and because hee would proclaime his will to be a Law hee suspended many Churches and conuerted their Reuenewes to his owne vse But his later meditations better informing him than his former neglect and vnaduised passions The King repenteth he not onely receiued the Bishop into his extraordinarie grace and fauour but enriched him and his See with many honourable Priuiledges and Princely gifts Yet afterwards he banished him out of his Kingdome It happened that as he hunted in the New-Forest he was informed that the Frenchmen had compassed the Citie of Constancia in Normandie with a Siege which was both strong and dangerous Whereupon leauing his Sports his Nobles Wonderfull courage and all his Companie with great expedition he posted towards the Sea and without any preparations fitting for such a journey he leapt into a Barke and commaunded the Mariners to weigh their anchor and to hoyse their Sayles But such was the furious violence of a boysterous storme that not daring to doe what they were commanded they refused to obey Whereat the King was much enraged and did enforce them to yeeld to his resolued humor affirming That they had neuer heard that a King was drowned by the distemper of anie winde And such was his fortunate Passage in a time so dangerous and so much were the Frenchmen daunted with the vnexpected newes of his suddaine landing Fortunate successe that instantly they abandoned the Siege and by their quicke departure preuented the hazard which they much doubted ANNO 13. And within two yeares after his returne into England and in the thirteenth yeare of his Raigne as he hunted in the said New-Forest The King slaine as he hunted which his Father had made and which himselfe had enlarged by depopulating of sundrie Townes Villages and Farmes and with the vtter ruine of manie Churches Chappels and Religious houses he was slaine with an arrow which being shot vnto a Deere vnfortunately glanced vpon him as not long before his Nephew Richard and Sonne vnto Duke Robert of Normandie had beene there slaine And thus ended the troublesome yet victorious Raigne of King William third sonne to the Conqueror who being of a wanton disposition neglecting marriage and daily solacing himselfe among his whores and concubines died without any lawfull issue of his bodie He was of a comely stature firmely compacted in his limbes very strong actiue and healthie exceeding lecherous and couetous of an high courage and nobly valorous constant in his resolutions scorning Fortune and all Troubles Thus he liued and thus he died getting much and suddainely leauing all THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE FIRST WHEN King William the second died Robert ANNO 1100. his eldest brother fortunate in all his proceedings sauing onely in his Succession to this Crowne warred victoriously as manie other Christian Princes did in the Holie Land where in regard of his honourable deedes and heroicall actions he refused to be made King of Ierusalem By meanes of his absence a fit oportunitie was offered vnto Henrie his youngest brother to sit as King in his Throne whereunto without labour or difficultie he ascended through the fauourable affection of the Nobles and common People whose hearts were the more firmely engaged to his seruice because he was borne in England after his father was crowned King and also because his singular Wisdome rare Learning milde Disposition and princely Vertues were plaine and apparant demonstrations that his Gouernment would be accompanied with honorable Atchieuements gracefull safe and profitable both to the Church and also to the Common-weale No sooner was he crowned and proclaimed King but Wisdome did informe him A true vse of Riches That it was expedient that his Estate should strongly be supported against the hazards of future Time and his brothers Title Wherefore hauing seized vpon the plentifull heapes of the last kings Treasure he dispersed them frankly into the hands of such Good policies worthie of a noble King and to be noted as vpon all occasions and in all dangers were able to affoord him their best counsell and the best reliefe Then hee dignified such as were great with the greatest Offices and with ample Titles of much Honour And mitigated the rigour of the former new Lawes and promised restitution of the old His care was great that in Weights and in Measures there might be no defect but that all in all places should be fewred by such Standards as he had made He also acquited the People from the Taxe of Dane-gelt and from all other vnjust
Estates of which himselfe was the Head So that his Lawes being made by the consents of all were not disliked of anie It chaunced that about fiue yeares after the death of Anselme Ralph Bishop of Rochester The King inuesteth the Archbishop of Canterburie was by the King appointed to succeede him and notwithstanding all former Counsels Decrees Commaundements Letters and Threatenings from the Pope he receiued his Inuesture from the King Then died the Archbishop of Yorke To which See Thurston the kings Chapleine should haue beene preferred Pride But Pride hauing a more large rule and dominion in him than Lowlinesse and Humilitie hee refused to sweare obedience to the See of Canterburie which his predecessors had both sworne and performed And because the king disliking his obstinacie would not inuest him he appealed and went to Rome where by the fauor of some Cardinals Thurston inuested by the Pope The King is highly displeased Thurston preuaileth and the King yeeldeth who had the Popes Censure at their commaund he so preuailed that the Pope not onely freed him of his said obedience and subjection but also inuested him and gaue him the Pale whereat the king was extraordinarily displeased and prohibited his returne But in the end the Popes threatenings menacing nothing but Curses Suspensions Excommunications and such like he was permitted to returne and to enjoy the dignitie of his Place In the seuen and twentieth yeare of his Raigne died the Emperour Henrie the fifth not hauing anie issue by Maulde the Kings daughter and heire At which time shee being aged about foure and twentie yeares Mauld the Empresse married to Geoffrey Plantagenet and being much sued vnto by most of the greatest Princes of the Christian World the king to strengthen his Realme against the kings of France married her to Geoffrey Plantagenet the sonne and heire apparant of Fulke then Earle of Angeou By whome she had issue three sonnes Henrie who was after Stephen king Her issue Geoffrey and William This faire off-spring enriched the king with the truest endowment of good content for that as he conceiued he saw in them the setled continuance of his Line in the Crowne of this Realme An oath to maintaine the succession of the Crowne in the Kings Line And to make it the more sure within the space of fiue yeares hee tooke three solemne Oathes of his Nobilitie and greatest Officers of his kingdome That with their best aduice and with the hazard of their goods lands liues and fortune they should support and maintaine the succession of his daughter and of her heires The King surfeteth and dieth Finally when he had raigned more than fiue and thirtie yeares he surfetted on a Lamprey of which he languished a few dayes and died and was honourably buried in the Abbey of Reading which himselfe had founded This king was Wise Learned Milde Valiant and Iust beyond most of his Predecessors more enclined to Peace than vnto Warre so that hee made Warre his Champion stoutly to chalenge his Rights and to reuenge his Wrongs He neuer leuied but two Taxes vpon his People the first was to maintaine his Warres against the king of France and the second was to preferre his daughter in marriage with the Emperour He waxed rich with his owne and yet he was very liberall but he onely extended his bountie to such as merited it by their publike Seruice and hee confined his Gifts within the Limits of Thrift and of Measure He established Lawes which were profitable to such as were vertuous but sharpe vnto malefactors who did transgresse against whome he caused them to be put in execution with more Seueritie than Mercie he being persuaded that Pitie extended to such as were wicked hardened them in their sinne and too much encouraged such as nothing but correction could either terrifie or reforme To his friends he was a sure Pillar whereunto in all necessities they might boldly leane and to his enemies he was rough and stiffe vntill time presented occasion of more loue and then he was verie flexible and easie to be reconciled And as he would neuer forget good seruice done nor anie good turnes performed for him so would he seldome or neuer take rest vntill by some worthie gift or correspondent requitall he had shewed himselfe thankfull to such as deserued well He was too lasciuious in his course of life vsing manie concubines by whome he had twelue knowne bastards He erected the two Bishoprickes of Ely and of Carelyle and founded the Monasteries of Circester Reading and Shyrborne with the Priorie of Dunstable and some others all which he beautified with manie Priuiledges and Possessions answerable to their Dignities and Charge Yet did he not retaine the chiefest roome in the Clergies loue because that after the death of Anselme hee rejected the Popes Decrees to which he had formerly subjected himselfe and inuested Bishops receiued Homage of Prelates seized their Temporaltieâ—â—hen their Sees were vacant gaue no allowance to any Canons of the Church except they were ratified and confirmed by the King compounded with Priests for annuall pensions to keepe their wiues or to take them though vnto them the holy estate of Matrimonie was forbidden which pensions he enforced them to pay whether they had wiues or no. Thus in this King ended the issues males of the Conquerour and the Crowne of this Realme was deuolued to his generall Heires THE HISTORIE OF KING STEPHEN THe experience of all Ages hath made sufficient proofe Stephen vsurpeth that the eager appetite which most Men haue to gaine Wealth and Riches hath made them carelesse to performe those common Duties which doe belong to Honestie and to Right But if a Kingdome may be obtained though with the breach of a most solemne Oath no scruple is then made For the desire of Soueraignetie and to enjoy a Crowne makes men play fast and loose and to hazard the losse of their Soules by the wilfull periurious violating of their Faith This proued too true at this time For albeit that Stephen Earle of Boloigne the sonne and heire apparant of Stephen Earle of Bloys and of Adela the Conquerours Daughter was one of the chiefest The former Oath is forgotten whome king Henrie the first had obliged by manie solemne and publicke Oathes to further the succession of Mauld the Empresse being his Daughter and of her children yet when the king was dead hee finding that all the Nobles though sworne as himselfe was applyed themselues to wait vpon his pleasure he either vtterly forgot or at least he cared not for the vowes of former times but caused himselfe to be crowned king And so well was hee instructed by the former examples of his Progenitors that as they did so did hee endeuour by Wisdome and by Policie to lay a sure Foundation to his Estate And because Riches are the Synewes and the Strength of the strongest Kings Good policie hee therefore to enrich himselfe seized vpon the
Treasure of his vncle The Kings liberalitie the last deceased King Which hee closed not vp in Chests or in Bagges as idle Archers doe their Arrowes in their Quiuers when for their honest recreation they should shoote but with a large and an open hand hee bountifully disposed of them among such as eyther by Armes or by Counsell were best likely to stand him in the greatest stead He also created sundrie Noblemen and dignified manie others with the honourable Title of Knighthood whose loue by those meanes he procured And because benefits receiued doe more please the vulgar and common sort of People than Right or Reason can doe he therefore released vnto them the Dane-gelt and all other extraordinarie Burthens and Exactions whatsoeuer causing a large Charter thereof and of the mitigation of the Seueritie and Penalties of sundrie Lawes to be made and bound himselfe by a solemne Oath to keepe and to obserue the same He also renounced the future Seisures of all Ecclesiasticall Dignities and Promotions Priuiledges graunted to the Clergie when they should become vacant Hee gaue to the Church and Church-men such gracefull and profitable Priuiledges and Immunities as they would demaund And among other things he freely exempted them from the authoritie of the Temporall Magistrate for all offences whatsoeuer except the Ordinarie should bee pleased that hee should deale therewith Finally he endeuoured to doe all things justly and pleasing vnto all Castles and Fortresses erected To preuent suddaine Eruptions Rebellions and Incursions tending to the generall disturbance of the common Peace by hauing manie strong and fortified places for good defence himselfe erected manie Forts Fortresses Bulwarkes and Castles and licenced his Nobles and his Gentrie and Clergie to doe the like He gaue vnto Dauid the King of Scots and vncle to Mauld the Empresse because hee should not second her in her demaunds The Scots flattered by the King or warlike attempts the whole Prouince of Cumberland and created his eldest sonne Henrie Earle of Huntingdon Yet notwithstanding not long after in her quarrell hee entred into the Northren parts of this Kingdome The King of Scots ouerthrowne by the Archbishop of Yorke which hee tormented with fire and sword But in the end he was encountred by Thurston then Archbishop of Yorke who compelled him being pursued with vnspeakable dangers to flye into Scotland and to leaue behinde him dead vpon the ground more than tenne thousand men of his Armie In the sixt yeare of his Raigne Mauld the Empresse Mauld the Empresse landeth in England being accompanied with her base brother Robert Earle of Glocester landed with an armie in England and was quickly strengthened and emboldened in her Enterprise by the plentifull accesse of manie of the English and of Raynulph Earle of Chester with a lustie crew of bold and forward Welchmen Hereupon the King imposing no confidence in delay but Experience instructing him that aduised Expedition is the chiefest enabler of good successe leuied a strong armie and marched with good resolution against the Empresse and her Forces who greeted him with such Musicke as her warlike Troupes did gallantly present So that a cruell and a bloudie Battaile with equall hopes for manie houres was fought betweene them But at length King Stephen ouerthrowne the Kings common Souldiors striuing faintly and as cowards rather endeuouring to saue themselues by flight than manfully to defend their King did basely leaue the King who with his Nobles and Gentrie scorning to turne their backes maintained their part with as much courage as manhood could affoord King Stephen taken prisoner till in the end the King was taken and committed to the Castle of Bristoll where hee remayned a prisoner about the space of three moneths and was at the last deliuered King Stephen is set at libertie to free the Earle of Glocester who had beene taken and was imprisoned by the Queene After this victorie thus obtained the Empresse with manie honourable Triumphs and Solemnities was receiued into the Cities of Circester Oxford Winchester and London The Londoners attempt to surprize the Empresse But the Londoners desiring the Restitution of King Edwards Lawes and not obtaining their request consulted to surprize the Empresse and to deliuer her vnto the King By meanes whereof good counsell aduised her to flye which suddainely she did and came vnto Oxford Where within few dayes and vnexpectedly shee was enuironed with a strong Siege So that despaire of good successe dis-heartening her The Empresse besieged in Oxford and teaching her a readie meanes for her escape taking the benefit of the Snow which at that time lay thicke vpon the ground she with her chiefest complices apparrelling themselues in white linnen secretly issued forth A politike flight and posting with all speede towards the Sea they embarked themselues and sayled into Normandie Manie yeares together after these turmoyles this Realme enjoyed a blessed Peace And in the seuenteenth yeare of this Kings Raigne died the most valorous and hardie knight Raynulph Earle of Chester Henry Short-Mantel heire apparant to the Empresse and so did Geoffrey Plantagenet husband to the Empresse And Henrie surnamed Short-Mantle her eldest sonne tooke to wife Elianor the daughter and heire of the Earle of Poytou which Elianor not long before for neerenesse in bloud and after she had borne him two daughters was diuorced from Lewis the seuenth then King of France So that Prince Henrie was now Duke of Normandie in the right of his Mother Earle of Angeou by descent from his Father and Earle of Poytou in the right of his wife by whome not long after he also had the Earledome of Tholouse This worthie Prince by manie of his friends and valiant men of Warre who longed to haue employment in so faire a journey was incited to leuie a strong armie and to transport them into England and by their helpe and the assistance of other wel-willers to attempt the recouerie of his Right and the rather for that king Stephen and Eustace his onely sonne did now begin to warre vpon manie of those who held their Castles for the Prince his vse His strong Expectation and hope to be enthroned in this Kingdome through the fauour of diuers Lords and Commons of this Realme easily persuaded him to lend a listening eare to their whisperings So that to giue vnto them good content and to forward the attayning of his owne desires Henry Short-Mantel inuadeth England hee raysed a strong power of willing and able men of Warre Which beeing brauely conducted by noble Captaines well skilled in those Affaires arriued safely in England where King Stephen and his sonne disdained to be idle for they had prouided with an equall strength to encounter him Both armies had daily newes the one from the other they threatned much did somewhat but it was but little Yet in those Expeditions Eustace the kings sonne by misaduenture was vnfortunately drowned Prince Eustace drowned
which ouercame the king with infinite passions of sorrow and extreame griefe But it made a quiet end of this quarrell For now the king not hauing anie sonne which might succeed him was well pleased to lend a listening eare to the faire proffer of a friendly Peace The quarrell is compâ—unded ended And thereupon hee adopted Prince Henrie for his Sonne proclaymed him to bee the Heire apparant of his Crowne gaue him manie honourable and kingly Gifts assured him of his vnchangeable loue and friendship And by these meanes all Armes were cast aside and Peace triumphed hauing gotten a certaine and a sure Victorie with few blowes And the Prince with his followers returned into Normandie where they were with much honour and incredible joy receiued And the next yeare after king Stephen died King Stephen dieth The Saxons bloud restored to the Crowne of England See the descent in the Raigne of King Henrie the first when hee had raigned almost nineteene yeares and lyeth buried in the Abbey of Feuersham in Kent which himselfe had founded And by the happie Succession of this Henrie the Saxon Bloud was againe restored vnto the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE SECOND WHEN Henrie was returned into Normandie the French King fearing least Time and his Fortunes would make him too puissant and too great for his bordering Neighbours and intending to deale roughly with him before he should be the absolute Master and Commander of his owne strength very iniuriously seized vpon diuers of his Fortresses and Castles in Normandie and elsewhere which questionlesse ought to haue beene subiect to his Gouernment But Henrie being wise Henry Short-Mantels valour and courage and full of courage and heroicall Magnimitie and foreseeing that if hee should shrinke as a coward and not make himselfe knowne by his valour to the world when the wrongs which were done vnto him were too apparant raysed a faire Armie and for the regayning of one of those his Castles he girded it round about with a strong Siege And whilest he was thus employed to winne his right He sayleth speedily into England but first winneth the Castle which he had besieged the newes of King Stephens death came freshly vnto his eares And to preuent such vsurpation as oftentimes in the absence of the lawfull Kings depriueth them of their Crownes he was by his neerest and dearest friends aduised to abandon the Siege and without tarrying to transport himselfe into England But his answere was full of discretion and true valour to this effect A resolute speech The Kingdome of England quoth hee shall henceforth be at my commaund in despight of those who dare to crosse mee most And so shall these intruding Frenchmen ere I goe hence This Resolution redoubled his honour among his friends and so it did among his enemies For when the besieged were informed what he had said and determined fearing the euent if obstinately they should detaine him there too long they surrendred the Castle and submitted themselues to his mercie who receiued it and them with a fauourable and gracious acceptance And then giuing such directions as both the time and occasions did require and being accompanied with manie Lords and Gentlemen of the best and chiefest ranke he sayled with a prosperous winde into England where not long after hee was crowned King The singular zeale and loue which he bare to the furtherance of Iustice and to the execution thereof appeared manifestly by two Actions of his The King reformeth the Lawes performed the one in the beginning and the other towards the later end of his Raigne For first hee made an especiall choise of certaine men who were verie honest vpright and best learned in the Lawes of this Realme by whose industrious labours and trauailes hee refined and reformed the common Lawes making them to be more tolerable and profitable vnto his People England diuided into Circuits into which Iudges were sent to ease the people And towards the end of his dayes hee diuided his whole Kingdome into six seuerall Circuits and for the administration of Iustice and for the tryals of Causes betwixt men and men for the better ease and comfort of his Subiects hee appointed certaine Iudges twice in euerie yeare to ride and to trauaile through those Circuits which course and order is carefully continued at this day Strangers banished and the cause why Hee also banished the greatest part of Strangers who in those dayes by multitudes flocked hither and by their extraordinarie Sparing and painefull Industrie procured to themselues much Wealth and beggered such as were Natiues borne Oath-breakers banished Hee also exiled manie of the Nobles who contrarie to their publike Oathes Duties and Consciences had more than ordinarily adhered vnto King Stephen beeing fully resolued That the Cogitations of their owne Guiltinesse in that behalfe would neuer suffer them to be heartie and faithfull vnto him Hee differed much from the opinion of his last predecessor Castles politikely razed and ouerthrowne and affirmed That strong Forts and Castles erected and maintained in the Heart or Bodie of a Kingdome did rather animate great men vpon all displeasures to reuolt than in anie sort containe them within the bounds and limits of their Obedience and of their Dutie wherefore he caused them to be rased for the greater number to the ground Hee also seized into his owne hands such Territories Manors He seizeth on Crowneâ—ands formerly giuen away Lordships and Possessions as his Predecessors had eyther giuen or sold from the Crowne holding it to be the dutie of euerie Subiect to refuse the Gift or Purchase of such things as doe so immediately concerne the Honour and Maintenance of the King Nota. And the like he did in the Northren Parts where many great Men commaunding almost as they listed had wrought themselues and their Posterities into manie Honors Castles and Manors without title which in truth and in deed appertained to the King Hee also resumed into his owne hands the Prouinces of Cumberland and of Northumberland together with the Earledome of Huntingdon which Dauid the King of Scots and Henrie his sonne had receiued as a gift from King Stephen because they should not intermeddie in the furtherance of his mother Mauld the Empresse to her Right and Crowne In the thirteenth yeare of his Raigne Geoffrey the Kings yonger sonne is Duke of Britaine he married Geoffrey being one of his younger sonnes vnto Constance the daughter and heire apparant of Conaccus Duke of Britaine who died not long after and left vnto them that Duchie He also affied his younger sonne Richard vnto Adela one of the daughters of Lewis the King of France and married his daughter Mauld vnto Henrie Duke of Saxonie Mauld the Empresse dieth And about the same time the Empresse his mother died Hee loued Peace though he were passing valiant because hee found it to be pleasing and profitable Peace
he wanted oportunitie yet he resolued to push hard for the Crowne if Time and Fortune would present it to him This king for his inuincible valour and haughtie courage was esteemed to be almost matchlesse in the Christian world so that he was surnamed Cuer de Lyon Cuer de Lyon or the Lyons Heart And to say the truth he was such a one as vpon good aduice and counsell dared to attempt anie thing if it were honourable to be atchieued and possible to be done His fathers Treasure enriched him exceedingly with great store of Siluer and of Gold And such was his contempt of Riches A bountifull King and such was his Bountie to such as either deserued well or left in him anie impression of Noble worth that he bestowed on them great Gifts with such alacritie and cheerefulnesse that in short time he vnbowelled all his Bagges and Chests little foreseeing that future Businesses might require the expence of more than the great Plentie which was left vnto him and that when he wanted he should be enforced to make hard shift to relieue himselfe In the beginning of his Raigne The King resolueth to warre in the Holy Land vpon the Popes motion the Pope sollicited him with strong perswasions and manie promises of his Blessings to wage Warre in his owne person against the Turkes in the Holie Land and to attempt the winning of Ierusalem from the Infidels and vnbeleeuing Men who maliciously opposed themselues against the Incarnation Passion and Ascension of Christ Iesus Which journey he vndertooke because Frederick the Emperour Frederick Philip Leopold and Philip the second surnamed Augustus king of France Leopoldus then Archduke of Austria and manie other Christian Princes had engaged themselues both with Men Money and all other Prouisions to further those Attempts And thereupon he entred into Couenants with the king of France and the rest of that Vnion Their Couenants and Agreements That their generall meeting should be in Sicilia and that such Wealth and Bootie as GOD and good Fortune should make them Owners of should equally be shared and diuided among them and theirs These things being thus concluded although the kings profuse Expences and great Gifts exceeding measure had made him bare and needie yet would he not burthen his People with anie Taxe to supplie his wants The King in his wants would not taxe his people But raysing great summes of Money out of his owne Estate among other things he sold his Castles of Barwick and of Rokesbrough to the king of Scots for tenne thousand pounds and the Lordship and Earledome of Durham vnto Hugh then Bishop of that See for much money He leuieth money of his owne State He also enriched himselfe with Siluer and with Gold by the Sale of sundrie Honors Lordships Manors Offices Priuiledges Royalties and other things vnto such as parsimonie and sparing had made Owners and Possessors of great plentie and did protest His willingnesse to vndertake this voyage That for the performing of so great and honorable a Seruice he was not vnwilling to sell his Citie of London if anie were of abilitie to buy it rather than he would be chargeable vnto others And thus the king hauing furnished himselfe with all prouisions fit and necessarie for his journey and hauing leuied a strong Armie in which were manie Lords William Longchamp made Regent of England Knights and Gentlemen whose resolutions encreased his hopes of good successe he committed the principall Gouernment of his Kingdome vnto William Longchampe then Bishop of Ely who not long after was made the Popes Legate The King departeth And then he sayled with his whole Armie to the Isle of Cyprus which with braue courage after manie hot and dangerous Encounters hee wonne and sold the same to the Knights Templars for thirtie thousand Marks He winnes Cyprus and sells it for 30000 marks And from thence according to his former appointment he transported his Armie into Sicilia where he met with Philip the French king and vpon their first enter-view they pleased each other with manie passages of familiaritie and of loue But this faire Sunne-shine was quickly vayled and couered with a cloud of skorne and discontentment A iarre betweene the King and Philip King of France For when the French king was denyed to haue anie part or share with king Richard in his atchieuement of the Isle of Cyprus both because hee was absent when it was taken and also because it was affirmed by king Richard That their Couenant extended onely to such things as they should winne and gayne in the Holie Land he waxed angrie and vsed manie high and disdainefull tearmes and made publike shew of inward discontent King Richard neglected the French Kings anger All which king Richard did set at nought and told him to his face That doe what he dared he should not be a partner in that Bootie It stood not with king Philips honour to waxe cold so soone in this great Enterprize whereon the eyes of all the Christian World were fixed and dastardly to returne home But howsoeuer hee had disposed of himselfe and of such Forces as hee commanded yet king Richard was resolued to goe forth so that Necessitie enforcing them to some agreement they proceeded in their Iourney The Christian Princes doe preuaile In which they all and their Confederates performed manie honourable and wonderfull deedes of Armes terrifying and daily diminishing the Turkes Numbers and Forces with continuall slaughters and giuing them but little leysure or courage to resist And among manie other strong Townes Forts Castles and Garrisons of great strength and importance which they conquered they wonne after a long and a sharpe Siege by maine Batteries and resolute Assaults Acon wâ—on the stoutly defended Citie of Acon Vpon the walls whereof a forward knight aduanced the Banner and the Colours of Leopold the Archduke of Austria King Richard trampleth on Leopolds colours But king Richard skorning that too much Grace and Honour should be done vnto the Duke and his owne deserts be thereby blemished he hauing first of all entred into the Citie ranne vp vnto the Wall plucked downe that Banner and those colours and trampled them with his feete Wherat the French King was much displeased and gaue his tongue libertie to speake great things The French King is angrie But King Richard neglecting his frownes and laughing at his discontent affirmed that in so doing hee had onely righted himselfe of those Iniuries which were done to him And that if any were disposed to looke sower thereat hee was carelesse of his anger King Richards courage and in the field would be ready to maintaine his doings against any The French King swelling at the heart to see King Richard thus carelesse resolute and bold The forces of the Empire and of the French King and of Leopold do leaue K. Richard And seeming to distrust least by some secret
league or other compact betwixt King Richard and the Turkes some danger might assaile him and his followers Hee tooke an vnkind leaue and carying away with him all such troupes as belonged to the Emperour to Leopold and to himselfe hee left the King of England and returned home This his departure discomforted not King Richard But with his owne Souldiours King Richard preuaileth and with the forces of some other Christian Princes who submitted themselues to his direction and Gouernement hee persisted in those Warres and prosecuted his attempts with such constancie and heroicall magnanimitie that he preuailed and became Victorious when the greatest dangers assaulted him most to make him feare And among many other things which boldly he attempted hee returned vnto the I le of Cyprus He winneth Cyprus again and by force hee valiantly wonne it from the Knights Templers vnto whom he had formerly sold it and then exchanged it for the Citie of Ierusalem with Guy of Lesingham the last Christian King who held and did possesse it By meanes whereof He is stiled King of Iaerusalem King Richard was stiled King of Ierusalem and so were many of his successours long after Thus while he became victorious England is badly Gouerned and daily triumphed ouer the Turkes miseries his Kingdome of England was badly Gouerned at home by the Bishop of Ely to whom hee had committed the charge thereof For hee being the Grand-child of a Ploughman and the sonne of a Cow-heard in the North Asperius nihil est humili quam surgere in altū and being aduanced to that Bishoppricke and made Lord Chancellour of England Legate to the Pope and Protector of all this Realme tyrannized as himselfe listed ouer all sortes of people Exercised on them strange and vnusuall oppressions both in the Church A begger on horse-backe will ride and also in the Common-weale and was so infinitely ambitious and so proud that he would neuer ride abroad for his pastime and for his recreation except hee were attended and waited on by a thousand horse and more and was serued by the sonnes of the greatest Nobles in this Land vnto whom he gaue in marriage with some portions diuers of his base and rusticke kinne The ambitious Bishops fall But at length he grew to bee so contemptible lothsome and vile in all the peoples eyes that fearing what would be the sequell of his vnlimited insolencie and pride He resolued to forsake this Kingdome And comming for that purpose into Douer He disguiseth himselfe and is dragged on the Sands disguised in the habit of a woman and hauing vnder his arme a piece of Country-cloth which hee offered to the sale hee was descried and discouered and by the common people was furiously and shamefully dragged and drawne vpon the Sands and was afterward sent vnto London where the Lords and greatest Nobles committed him to the Tower in which he remained vntill the kings returne He is restored and then he was restored both to his libertie and Offices But shortly after as he trauelled towards Rome he died He dieth whereat much joy was conceiued generally by the Englishmen Of these Affaires and of his euill Gouernment king Richard was informed in the Holie Land as also of the great discontentment of his brother Iohn The causes which hastened king Richards returne for that the Bishop of Ely and not himselfe was in the kings absence made Gouernor of this kingdome and how that he had seized manie of the kings Townes Forts and Castles into his hands and onely wanted the peoples fauour to make himselfe a king He likewise was informed what Sallyes Inrodes and Inuasions the French king after his returne home had made in Normandie thereby to reuenge himselfe of those pretended iniuries and wrongs which he supposed he had receiued from king Richard in the Holie Land These Tidings thus concurring and the good desire which king Richard had to preuent the ruine of his owne Estate enforced him when he possessed the greatest hopes of Conquest to conclude a peace with the Turks for three yeares King Richard saueth his life by swimming He is taken prisoner and sold to the Emperour Henry the sixt He is ransomed He reuengeth his iniuries vpon the French king But in his returne he was by the violence of a raging storme compelled after a dangerous shipwrack to saue his life by Swimming neere vnto Histria which lyeth betweene Aquileia and Venice and comming to the Territories of Leopold in Austria he was taken prisoner and by him sold to the Emperour Henrie the sixt the sonne of Frederick for threescore thousand Marks who taking of him good securitie for his Ransome assessed vnto one hundred thousand pounds did set him at libertie So that with speedie journeyes he poasted vntill be came into Normandie where he raysed a strong Armie and marched furiously into France and reuenged himselfe soundly of all such iniuries and wrongs as in his absence were done vnto him by the French king And then he reduced to his subiection all such Peeres in Normandie as by the Frenchmen in his absence had beene taken from him Thus whilest the King was busied abroad his brother Iohn Duke Iohn submitteth himselfe to the King his brother and is pardoned Earle of Lancaster repaired to him and not onely submitted himselfe to his grace and mercie but voluntarily surrendred to him all such Forts and Castles as he had seized into his hands excusing himselfe as being prouoked and enforced to disloyaltie by the extraordinarie pride and insolent behauiour of William Longchampe Bishop of Ely who vnworthily had disordered the gouernment of the whole Realme Vpon which submission and his contrition for his offence he obtained not onely the kings pardon but also his especiall grace and fauour Then did they both come into England He vseth vniust means to pay his Debts and Ransome where the king to make payment of his Ransome ransacked the Treasures of diuers Religious Houses and grieuously taxed the People and summoned his High Court of Parliament in which he caused himselfe to be againe crowned King He is crowned anew And to augment his owne Estate hee resumed into his hands all such Honors Lordships Manors Castles Offices and Priuiledges He resumeth the Lands which he sold and payes nothing for them as he had formerly sold to his owne subjects for his supplyes and enforced the Buyers to content themselues with such profits thereof as they had taken Then fourescore thousand pounds of his Ransome were payd Leopold is accused and releaseth part of the Kings Ransome but the residue was discharged by Leopold who was accursed by Pope Innocent the third for that hee had iniuriously made king Richard a prisoner in his returne from his Warres in the Holie Land Then the king raysed a new Armie and transported it into France and from that time forward he ceased not with variable successe to warre with the
French king vntill at length taking a priuate view of the besieged Castle of Chalons neere to Lymoys The King warreth in France he was descried by a common souldior who so grieuously wounded him with an arrow that within three dayes after he died when he had raigned almost nine yeares and was buried at Founteuerard in France at his fathers feet He is slaine After hee was wounded as is before mentioned hee wonne the Castle by terrible assaults and caused all such as he found therein to be slaine except the malefactor who being demanded by him how he dared to shoot vnto the person of a king made answere That in those Warres he had lost his father and his brother Vltio Diuina and that he was exceeding glad that fortune had so assisted him in his reuenge Then when he expected nothing but a present terrible death The King pardoneth him who slew him the king gaue him his pardon and caused him to be safely conducted out of his Armie In the beginning of this Kings Raigne certaine Out-lawes to the number of one hundred and more being resolued and desperat men whose chiefest leaders were named Robin Hood and Little Iohn robbed and spoyled in diuers places of this Land Robin Hood and Little Iohn They neither hurted nor much wronged anie except they would runne themselues into danger by resistance They attempted against none Honest Theeues but against such as being rich gayned by vsurie or gaue no entertainement by good Hospitalitie to their Neighbours and to the poore They spared all women and were bountifull benefactors to such as stood in need Thus they continued diuers moneths vntill their chiefest Leader Robin Hood by meanes of a sharpe sicknesse being let bloud and being betrayed bled himselfe to death And then the whole Rout of this theeuish Companie was dispersed and the Malefactors secretly repaired home to their owne houses THE HISTORIE OF KING IOHN IOHN PLANTAGENET Earle of Lancaster in his owne Right and Earle of Glocester in the right of his wife and being the yongest sonne of King Henrie the second succeeded and was crowned king albeit that Arthur Plantagenet his nephew Arthur Plantagenet was lawfull heire and sonne to Geoffrey his elder brother was then liuing The whole course of this Kings Gouernment was accompanied with continuall troubles and his two Persecutors were Pope Innocent the third The Kings two persecutors and Philip the second then King of France The French King feared the greatnesse of Englands strength and the prosperitie of this Kingdome was hurtfull vnto his eyes The French king taketh part with Arthur against King Iohn and glad he was if at anie time the least occasion would offer him some seruice to further his designes against King Iohn For proofe hereof he protested a world of loue to the said Arthur informed him of his Title to the Crowne of England and of his vndoubted right to the Duchies of Normandie and of Britaine animated him to rayse his spirits and to aduance his courage to winne them all If he were destitute of Friends which might aduise and counsell him he and his Nobles would supplie that want if he stood in need of Siluer and of Gold to feede and to nourish the great bodie of that Warre he should be supplyed with sufficient store And if he would haue valiant men to fight for him and for those his Rights hee would supplie him with manie thousands who should aduenture to spend their best bloud in his Quarrels These large and friendly proffers which indeede proceeded rather from a jealousie which the French King had of himselfe by reason of King Iohns Greatnesse than from anie inward affection or heartie loue which hee bare vnto Arthur the lawfull and the rightfull Heire of this Crowne and the longing desire which made this young Gallant hopefull of those great atchieuements persuaded him verie easily not onely to accept of the French Kings friendship but also to vse his aide So that partly by the helpe of the Normans and partly by the French Kings meanes Arthur Plantagenet leuieth an armie hee leuied a puissant Armie and wonne diuers places both of Worth and of Strength in Normandie But the Kings Lieutenant and his other Agents in that Duchie defended themselues valiantly persisted in their Duties and fought it out diuers times King Iohn goeth into Normandie with an Armie vntill King Iohn himselfe came into that Countrey with a strong Armie and fought manie cruell Battailes with his Nephew But oftentimes it falleth out that by Warre which is the enemie of Peace Peace it selfe is procured For when those two Princes had exchanged store of blowes and when their Armies had made hauocke each of other and death had drenched her selfe in their bloud they entred into certaine Capitulations for Peace A peace is concluded which for a short time gaue them some respit of breathing But the same was againe interrupted by Philip the French King The peace is broken by the French kings meanes who promised Arthur a doubling of his strength and fed him with much assurance of prosperous successe and made him confident to renew those Warres And hereupon the French King carried a faire Armie into Normandie with which hee spoyled ransacked and depopulated manie places in that Duchie But King Iohn who wanted nothing but money to encounter with so peruerse an enemie was warned by his Lords Gentlemen and the inferiour sort of his common people That shame would wait vpon him for his neglect in suffering his Honour to be trampled on and his Territories in such sort without blowes to be taken from him And to whet the dull edge of his courage The Englishmens forwardnesse to buckle with the French deiected by reason of his wants they voluntarily and freely granted him a large Taxe to support his necessitie and euerie lustie Ladde boldly proffered his seruice to buckle strongly with the French By these meanes King Iohn was quickly furnished and strengthened both with Money and with Men King Iohn passeth into Nâ—rmandie the second time with an Armie and with a strong Armie he landed in the Duchie of Normandie where his numbers were euerie day augmented by the repaire of manie thousands who were well appointed and did resolue with him to expect the same lot and the same fortune And not long after the two Armies met and fought together with such desperate boldnesse The two Armies fight that each of them tooke pleasure to giue blowes wounds death Each of them rejoyced in the ruine of the other and those solemne spectacles of sorrow which would haue made others sad gaue them occasion of much mirth But things which are violent cannot long endure This fearefull storme must bee changed into a pleasant calme The Frenchmen flye And so it was For the Frenchmen were discouraged and fled and Arthur the Kings Nephew and the rightfull Heire vnto his Crowne Arthur is sent
prisoner to Roan He is drowned This Warre ended was taken prisoner and sent to the Castle of Roan where leaping from the walls with an intent to escape he was drowned in the Ditch And thus ended his Life his Title and those Warres But the next yeare following the French King himselfe pretending Title to the said Duchie of Normandie raysed an exceeding great power and so sodainely and with such furie The French King sodenly wâ—â—â—eth all Normandie did inuade it that wanting present meanes of resistance the whole Duchie to preuent vtter desolation and ruine yeelded and subiected it selfe to the French king And now began the Kings other Enemie The quarrell bâ—twâ—xt the King and the Pope Pope Innocent the third to play his part and to vexe him more dangerously than Philip of France had done And the occasion which he entertained to effect his purpose was this Hubert the Archbishop of Canterburie died and the Monkes of Saint Augustines in that Citie without the kings Licence or knowledge and about midnight elected Raynold a brother of their owne to succeed him and tooke of him an Oath forthwith to trauaile vnto Rome and there to procure his inuesture and to receiue his Pâ—lâ— from the Pope The king being thereof informed by manifest shewes made knowne his inward dislike of those their vnaduised doings So that vpon his motion and to appease his wrath they newly elected Iohn Gray who was then Bishop of Norwich And incontinently the king vpon his owne charge sent Letters and Embassadours vnto the Pope entreating him to ratifie his last choice But in the meane time a new Schisme or Faction did appeare For the Suffragan because hee was not made acquainted nor an actor in either of the said two Elections made suit to the Pope to displace them both Popes doe seldome or neuer grant to any Kings their reasonable requests But the Pope imitating the proud example of his Predecessors who coueted to swimme against the Streame and seldome or neuer granted anie kings request least they should in some sort be thought to be yeelding neglected the kings entreatie and confirmed him that was chosen first The king stormed because he was so slenderly regarded And diuers of those Monkes to please the king refused to receiue him that was by the Pope confirmed contesting against their owne choice because it was made in the night and not in the open day But the rest affirmed That such a choice was not meerely voide and in it selfe a Nullitie but remayned good vntill by Iudiciall proceedings and by a Sentence it were pronounced to be void At length this question and this doubt was controuerted and disputed on in Rome and thereupon the Pope making a colourable shew to content the King to please the Monkes and to end this Schisme but indeede to preferre Stephen Langton the Cardinall of Chrisogone to that Dignitie aduised the said Monkes to elect the said Stephen Stephen Langton is chosen Archbishop of Canterburie on the Popes motion and against the commandement of the King The King perceiuing well what was intended and meant thereby required the said Monkes not to proceed to the said Election nor to deale anie further in that businesse But verie vndutifully they neglected to content or to obey the King and with them the Papall Commandement tooke place and Stephen Langton a man plyant to the Popes humour was elected Archbishop of Canterburie This later choice so sharpely exasperated the king that by his Letters to the Pope he protested plainely That from thenceforth he would take a strict account of all such of his subjects whatsoeuer as for anie matters concerning Right or Iustice should be gadding vnto Rome The King forbiddeth Appeales to Rome And did alledge That he had Bishops Prelates Nobles and Magistrates of his owne who could and should according to the Lawes and Customes of his Kingdome decide and determine all Controuersies and Doubts which should arise either in the Church or in the Commonweale And that he would rather expose himselfe to a thousand deaths then basely as hee was required make himselfe and his Kingdome seruile and subject to the Popes insolent and peremptorie Commands The Pope according to his custome and fashion not onely answered prowdly The Popes prowd and peremptorie answer Foure Bishops authorized to interdict the King That the Election of the Cardinall should stand but required the King to giue him the quiet possession of his See to recall such Monks from banishment as he had exild and to restore to them their goods on which hee had seized by reason of their last choice and did authorize foure Bishops within this Land to interdict and to curse the King and his Realme if hee refused to doe as by the Pope he was enioyned The King perceiuing that those foure Bishops were much elated by reason of their new authoritie and that they thought the time to be long ere the King had replied and signified his intent and resolution seized vpon their lands and goods The King seizeth on the foure Bishops lands and goods and did proclaime That he resolued to take the like course with all such as receiued any Promotions Inuestitures or Ecclesiastical degrees from the said Cardinall or went vnto Rome vpon any occasion without his license or did appeale for any cause thither or did attempt to put in execution any commaund from the Pope within his Kingdome The Pope being aduertised hereof sent into England his two Legats Pandulphus and Durant men of prowd spirits and prone to put in practise al things as they should be required These two perswaded the King to be reconciled to Stephen Langton The Popes Legats curse the King and his ayders to the foure Bishops and to the Prior and the Monks of his Couent of S. Austins and to restore to them their Places Lands and Goods that peace and amitie by meanes of his so doing might be renewed betwixt the Pope and him The King fearing to be accursed and being desirous to preuent future inconueniences yeelded and promised to perform all whatsoeuer was required except it were to allow the said Election of the said Cardinall and protested faithfully That if another might be chosen hee then would with all speed and expedition preferre him to some other Bishoprique or better place of Dignitie within his Realme But the two Legats in steed of gratifying the Kings request pronounced the Popes curse not only against him but also against all such as gaue him attendance or things necessarie or kept him company They likewise absolued all his subiects from their oathes dutie and seruice towards him and required all Christian Princes to make warre vppon him as vpon the arch and grand enemy of the Church of God This Kingdom is giuen to the French King The Pope also pronounced and published against him his sentence of depriuation and gaue his Crown and his Kingdom to Philip the French King if by any
secret plot or open violence and hostility he could expell or murther him These were the fruits of this vnholy holy Father the Popes Religion and Gouernment And this vsurping arrogancie was a badge of his vnsufferable pride in that he presumed to do what no earthly creature can do nor what a Christian ought to attempt to do against the Annointed of God and against such a one as the Almightie hath placed in a Kingdom to gouerne and to rule his people The King confronteth the Pope and his Legats The King was not as yet terrified with this Thunder but was in good hope that all those Fulminations would quickly flash and as soone vanish away as the Lightning doth And being thoroughly resolued to confront the Pope and his busie Legats in contemning them and their greatest power He taketh an oath of his people he took a solemne oath of his Subiects for his defence and their faithfull seruice And then with a strong Armie he entered into Scotland against King Alexander the second because he had receiued supported and maintained diuers of his Clergie He carrieth an Armie into Scotland and others who adhering to the Pope and magnifying his vsurped authoritie within this kingdome had forsaken the King and as Rebells and Out-lawes fled vnto him for succour The Scots submit themselues But the Scotish King perceiuing that Fire and Sword gaped greedily to deuoure both him and his Countrie submitted himselfe with great humilitie and reuerence to king Iohn and without further trouble hee was reconciled to his Grace and Fauour The French king hoping and endeuoring to possesse himselfe of the Popes gift which was not his to giue and gladding his owne heart that now he had gotten some colour to warre in England vppon king Iohn The French King prepareth for England prouided a great Armie to inuade this Realme But by the wisedome valour and circumspection of the king and by Gods assistance Three hundred of his Ships are taken three hundred of his Ships being loaden with Corne Victualls and other requisits for the warre were surprised and by meanes thereof king Philip was at that time robbed of his vaine hope King Iohn fainteth The Pope notwithstanding ceased not but euer and anon hee accursed the king againe and againe insomuch that he feared lest vtter ruine and his ouerthrow did attend him Wherfore suddenly He asketh pardon and resigneth his kingdom to the Pope without the consent of his Nobles or aduice of his Councell of Estate vpon his knees before Pandulphus the Legat hee confessed his disobedience to the Pope craued Pardon and by a publique Instrument in writing vnder his hand and seale hee resigned his Crowne and his kingdom to the Pope which Pandulphus kept the space of foure daies to the Popes vse The Pope regranteth And then he gaue the Kingdome and the Crowne againe to King Iohn and to his heires reseruing a Tenure thereof to the Church of Rome with an yeerely tribute of one thousand marks This base submission and subiection of his The King is despised and forsaken so alienated from him the deere affection of diuers of his Nobles and men best skilled in Chiualrie that they reuolted from his seruice and fled vnto his enemie the French King whose head was building of Castles in the aire and who made new and large preparations and prouisions to make Lewes his sonne the sole King and Monarch of this Kingdome And when all things were in a readinesse Prince Lewes of France inuadeth the young Prince with a strong Armie came into England and was oftentimes encountred with sharpe blowes but yet he did much harme And the Pope being by his Legats informed in what case King Iohn and his Realme stood required the French King and Prince Lewes his sonne and all others who adhered to their part of what estate or condition soeuer they were forthwith to desist and cease from all hostilitie and warre because both King Iohn and his kingdome were reconciled to his fauour and to the Church and the Crowne of his Realme was holden of the See of Rome Contention between the Pope and the French King So that by conscience and by the lawes of God and of Men he ought to be protected and defended by him and by his authoritie and power But the French refused to obey affirming That no king without the free consent of his Nobles Prelats common people could giue vnto any other his kingdom nor the protection of his Subiects which were committed to him by God and consequently The Pope curseth that this kingdome was not holden of the Church of Rome nor ought to be defended or protected by her This answere so startled the Pope whose will may not willingly meet with the least resistance that incontinently he sent Guallo the Cardinall of St. Martins into this Realme who accursed Philip the French king and Prince Lewes his sonne and such of the English Nobilitie as took part with them and all their Complices and adherents The wiser sort among them little respected what was done by the said Cardinall but the common people The effects of the said curs and the ordinarie degree of Souldiers whose deuotions more depended vpon feare then vpon their knowledge were so amazed and daunted with those sharp and sudden curses that leauing their Leaders and the Field they returned home to their houses and to their Ships Robbery stealth and oppression And the poore Natiues of this Realme knowing that diuers great Lords were vnder the censure of this curse entered into their houses fields and grounds robbing and spoyling and bearing and driuing away whatsoeuer they could find and take they being so far off from doubting or disputing with their owne consciences whether therein they did well or no Popish blindnesse that they supposed their so doing tended immediatly to the glorie of Almighty God and that their stealths and Robberies were meritorious and pleasing in his sight The reuolted Lords are distressed By these means those Lords and Nobles were much perplexed and pinched with great distresse and were likely to be starued to death because they wanted all necessaries belonging vnto life and knew not how to relieue their owne wants Neither durst anie other by reason of those Curses and of their Treasons to relieue them They submit them elues So that at length when all friends and when all other remedies did faile Necessitie which is the most imperious Commander of all those ouer whome she tyrannizeth enforced them to prostrate themselues at the Kings feet to confesse their vndutifull reuolt and to craue his pardon They are pardoned and receiued into fauor The King who by nature was gracious and full of pitie and being more willing to forgiue than to punish such as in the highest measure had offended him albeit he had by their assistance giuen to his enemies beene oppressed with infinite miseries
of London by their Letters they importuned the answer of the Mayor and Citizens thereof Their Letter to the citie of London whether they resolued to support the said Ordinances and Lawes and the authoritie of the Twelue Peeres or no protesting before God and assuring them that they themselues meant not nor intended any other thing And that if any matters of substance contained in them were defectiue or could iustly be condemned it should receiue sound reformation with all conuenient speede That Letter was sent by the citie to the King These Letters being thus receiued were postingly sent vnto the King who demaunded of the said Mayor and Citizens whether they would support those lawes and the Twelue Peers or no who stoutly answerd that they would in regard that by the Kings consent they had taken their oathes to that purpose The cities answer to the King and also to the Barons They are ioyfully receiued into London The Kings deuice faileth him The King vnmeasurably stormed at this answer but none other could hee get and the same answer was by them sent vnto the Barons who therupon proceeded in their march and were with much ioy and kindnesse receiued into the Citie The King plotting to defeat those Lords and to dissolue their Companies by a slight proclaimed that himselfe and the greater number of the Barons were agreed and did require that in regard thereof all Armes might be laid aside that his peace might be preserued and no further feare or terror might amaze his people But this notwithstanding the Barons marched with their whole Armie vnto the Kings Castle of Windsor where they found many alians whom the Prince had placed there in seuerall Offices and roomes Officers remoued those they rifled of their goods and remoued them from thence whereat the King was much displeased And the Lords of his Councell labouring to content him ordered that those goods should be restored to those alians The Councels order disobeied The controuersie is referred to the French kings censure and that from thenceforth none but the King himselfe should presume to place or to displace any of his meniall seruants But the Barons vtterly refused to obey their order yet vpon the Kings motion they gaue consent that all those debates controuersies and sharp displeasures should be referred to the censure and iudgment of the French king Lewis the ninth This conclusion sheathed all swords The French Kings decree appeased for the present time all those Iarres and gaue good contentment to eyther part and as time gaue leaue those businesses were controuerted before the said King and reasons were vrged to the proofe on either side vntil at length it was by him decreed that all the said Ordinances and Lawes should be anihilated and made voide and that from thenceforth no authoritie or power should be left in the Twelue Peers This sentence was so displeasing to the Barons The French King is accused of partialitie His Decree is reiected that they publikely accused the French King of grosse partialitie and smoothing with King Henrie and so absolutely did they refuse to obey his order and so strongly were they bent to maintaine whatsoeuer had been in Parliament established that they repaired againe to the marches of Wales and leuied a new Armie The Barons leuie a new Armie and in their passage toward London they robbed spoyled and burnt the houses Lordships and goods of Sir Roger Mortimer who aboue all others counsailed the King to withstand them and the Prince whose lustie youth was furnished with much valour leuied another Armie with which hee marched towards the Barons The Prince doth the like and each of them so fitted and disposed their iournies that those two Armies greeted each other with warlike salutations and fought together without remorse or pittie so that in the end The Prince is ouerthrown diuers of the Princes most potent friends and best souldiers being slaine and his part discomfited they all were enforced to flight to saue their liues and to leaue the Barons masters of the field After this victorie they marched forth and came to London where they were receiued with as great kindnesse as before The Barons are receiued into London A mad tumult The two Captains called the two Constables of London Richard king of the Romans being grossely wronged is thereby made the Barons enemie but some of the vnder sort of the inhabitants of the Citie despising gouernment and intending vnder the colour of these broiles to doe some mischiefe elected two brain-sicke Captaines and called them the Constables of the Citie and did agree that at the toling of the great Bell in Paules Church as many as would partake with them should be in a readinesse to put into execution whatsoeuer those Constables should command and though much paine and labour was taken to disswade them from their wicked purpose and intent yet their longing desires after spoyles and their resolution to bee lawlesse vpon the touling of the said Bell transported them furiously eight miles Westward from London to the house and possessions of the Kings brother Richard King of the Romans which they ruinated and carried away with him all his moueable goods there found whatsoeuer This insolent outrage thus wickedly committed by the headles multitude furthered the succeeding warres For whereas before that time the vertuous and milde king Richard king of the Romans and brother to king Henrie in regard of his neere alliance with Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester had with all his power and best endeuours mediated a peace betwixt the Barons and the King now was he so exasperated and rowsed from his peacefull humor that he became a professed enemie both to the Barons and also to the Citie of London And King Henrie hauing intelligence that Sir Peter Mountfort had raysed a strong Armie at Northampton on the Barons behalfe The King obtaineth a victorie and being resolued to make some tryall of his fortunes in regard of the apparant iniuries and wrongs which daily were practised to his disgrace leuied a strong Armie and marched thither and by maine assaults he tooke the Towne surprized Sir Peter Mountfort and Symon the eldest sonne of the Earle of Leicester and manie others and sent them all to sundrie Prisons to be disposed of as he should please And on the other side the Barons who being exceeding strong and nothing at all discouraged with this pranke of vncertaine fortune but preferring the dutie of worthie subiects to their Soueraigne before their hopes which expected fortunate successe wrote their Letters to the King The Barons Letter to the King and with all humilitie and submissiue protestations confirmed their fidelities and assured him That they intended nothing but the performance of their Oaths by supporting those Ordinances and those Lawes which in Parliament had beene established at Oxford for his Highnesse good and for the welfare and profit of the Commonweale But the King
taken part against him with the Barons in their Warres Whereupon such of the Nobilitie and others as were neere in fauour and next about the person of the King besought him instantly to abstaine from so foule a deede which would not onely much weaken his Estate and Kingdome but also make him infamous through the World and vnto all succeeding Ages Their suite was earnest and their reasons to persuade were vnanswerable yet the King protested No intercession can preuaile That his determination should be vnchangeable and that his Iustice vpon such rebellious Caitiues should be a president to terrifie all peruerse and obstinate Traitors and Rebels in future times And this his resolution justly occasioned the Citizens of London to quake at the indignation of their angrie King so that they perceiuing that his rage and furie could not be mitigated caused an Instrument in writing to be made and ratified it with their common Seale The submission of the Londoners by which they confessed their Rebellion humbly craued pardon and without anie restraint or exception wholly submitted their Lands their Goods and their Liues together with the whole Citie to the kings Grace and Mercie This Instrument they sent vnto Windsour by diuers of the chiefest and richest inhabitants of the Citie The citizens committed to prison and giuen away by the King who were prepared with all humilitie to haue presented it vpon their knees But so fierce was the Kings wroth towards them and so implacable was his anger that he reputed none of those to be his friends who interposed themselues as Mediators in their behalfes Neither would hee vouchsafe to admit anie one of them to come into his presence but caused them forthwith to be cast into prison and fiue of the chiefest of them together with all their Lands and their Goods hee gaue vnto the Prince and all the others he gaue to other of his attendants who burthened them with heauie seruitude and much miserie and tooke from them what they pleased leauing to them the least part of their owne Thus when the King had a little auenged himselfe The Prince procureth the Kings pardon and fauor and time had cooled the heat of his passionate humour he hearkened to the importunate intercession of the Prince and receiued the Citie and all the inhabitants thereof into fauor and onely tooke of them a fine of one thousand marks and restored them to all their Liberties and Customes which for their transgression were seized into his hands The King also vpon the Princes entreatie The fiue Ports are pardoned pardoned the inhabitants of the fiue Ports who finding Iustice to be fast asleepe whilest the Barons warres outragiously disturbed the whole Estate and Kingdome robbed rifled and spoyled on the Seas both their owne neighbours and Countrey-men and also all Nations whom they met without any difference or respect And lest the King should be too much troubled with the frequent complaints of such as had beene wronged by them or his Courts of Iustice pestred with the multitude of such sutors the King commanded that none of the offenders should be impleaded elswhere but onely in the Courts of those Ports by meanes wherof there were but few that complained because none of them had any hope to haue recompence or redresse there And now though those intestine troubles and ciuill warres which like an outragious fire dispersed in the heart and middest of a well compacted Citie endangered the whole estate of this Kingdome and Common-weale were thus appeased The Earle of Glocester being vnrewarded thinketh on mischiefe and although Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester by his reuolt from the Barons and by his adhering to the Prince and to his complices had greatly furthered the good successe which had made the King to enioy a blessed peace yet was the said Earle so little trusted that he neither found fauour nor reward but the little respect which was had of him and his cold entertainment at the Court made him desperate of all good fortunes and inflamed his heart to work reuenge The rascality of London do flock vnto him This furie carried him headlong vnto the Citie of London where no sooner was his discontented humour made known but the rascall and the baser sort forgetting the great calamitie which that famous Citie did endure and the great fauours which so lately they had receiued from the King flocked in troupes about him They do mischiefe and boldly committed many grieuous outrages within the Citie And then they went vnto the Kings Palace at Westminster which they rifled spoiled and ransacked without meane or measure This rude beginning prognosticated the sudden accesse of another ciuill warre which might haue bred as much danger as any of the former had done The Prince procureth a large pardon but the Prince againe interposed himselfe an earnest mediator betwixt the King and all the said offenders and procured a large and a free pardon for the Earle Thus this dangerous fire was soone quenched and good preuention in due time did wisely cut off all occasions of future warre and at the same time and by the like meanes the King pardoned many decaied and out-lawed Gentlemen who in the heat of those broiles had committed many robberies and spoiles in diuers places of this kingdome The Earle of Glocesters request And not long after the Earle of Glocester despairing of all inward grace and fauour from the king and being desirous as it seemed by deedes of Chiualrie to make himselfe famous among the enemies of Christ requested that he might be sent with an Armie to make warre in the Holy-land This motion though it tended to much expence and great charge yet it pleased the King exceedingly because he knew that the Earles busie head and turbulent spirit would still be plotting and deuising of new broiles An Armie raised to be conducted into the Holy land by the Earle of Glocester and hurly-burlies at home wherfore he caused a faire Armie to be raised and furnished it with all necessaries fit and requisit for so long and for so dangerous a iourney But when all things were in a readinesse the Earle fained many excuses which tended to ouer-much delay which caused him to be lesse regarded by the King and to bee in great dislike with all others But Prince Edward being full of youth and courage The Earle is dismissed worthily from that charge and longing greedily to hoist his Sailes in the Sea of Honour and by aduentrous deeds of Knight-hood to equall his name with those who were accounted most valiant in the world by his earnest suite and trauell obtained the conducting of that Armie The Prince vndertaketh it and doth perform it Their happie successe and transported it into the Holy-land where his sword wrought wonders and his Armie bred such terror and admiration among the Turkes that they would seldome or neuer aduenture themselues against the Christians in
that quarter where the Prince serued And to saue themselues from his furie vpon his comming thither they raised their siege from the Citie of Acon The siege of Acon raised which for a long time they had continued with more then a hundred thousand men And seeing that his death could not be hastened by force and violence in the open field The Prince was villanously wounded they attempted it by poysonings and other secret villanies which tooke no effect But at length a dogged Sarazen grieuously wounded him with an enuenomed Knife yet after much paine and great danger hee escaped death But in his absence his father King Henrie died and was buried at Westminster The King dieth when he had raigned more then fiftie and six yeers whereof the Prince was quickly informed and therfore by great iournies hee safely returned with great honour into ENGLAND THE HISTORIE OF KING EDVVARD THE FIRST WHEN Edward surnamed Longshankes was informed of his fathers death he made quick preparations for his returne from the Holie Land The new King returneth from the Holie Land and by great journeyes trauailed vntill he came into England where with the generall applause both of his Nobles and common People hee was crowned King when he was of the age of fiue and thirtie yeares Wee haue heard how when The French kings practise against King Edward and where Symon de Mountford Earle of Leicester Henrie his eldest sonne and sundrie other Barons were slaine in the last Battaile betweene them and the last King And it is true that after his ouerthrow the Ladie Elianor his daughter with manie others of his allies and kinsfolkes were sentenced to Exile and departed into France where they were courteously receiued by the French king Philip the third surnamed the Hardie whose kind entertaining of them proceeded not so much from his owne bountie and naturall disposition to Liberalitie as it did from an opinion which hee conceiued That in so doing hee should gaine the loue and good liking of manie English Lords who being discontented with the last Kings Gouernment were not well pleased with his sonne who had crossed them in most of those affaires And moreouer he knew the noble valour and courage of King Edward to be so eminent that it was now high time to craue counsell of Wisdome and of Policie how and by what meanes he might preuent him from making himselfe more great And because Reason and common Experience taught him That hee whose owne house is on fire will rather imploy his endeuours to quench that flame than to set his enemies house on fire also hee therefore practised secretly with Lluellen the most valiant Lluellen of Wales sueth to the French King to haue in marriage Elianor the exiled daughter of the late Earle of Leicester and greatest in dignitie among the Welchmen that he with those inhabitants would rebell if at anie time anie Warres were but likely to be attempted against the French Nation by King Edward And this his plot was much furthered by the exile of the aforesaid Ladie Elianor who being by reason of her misfortunes in the disposing and power of the French King was with great importunitie desired in marriage by the said Lluellen to whome vpon those conclusions and agreements especially shee was sent with honourable attendance and rich gifts She is sent towards Wales But king Edward being secretly informed both of the said purpose and of her passage towards Wales wisely preuented his owne danger and intercepted her on the Sea She is taken at Sea and detained her as his prisoner By meanes whereof Lluellen whose best Rhetoricke to persuade was by open Warre and Rebellion entred into the field with manie thousands Lluellen rebelleth who were more readie to robbe and to steale than to reclayme themselues and to be mindfull of their dutie to their Prince The King rayseth an Armie The King likewise on his part purposing to make his first voyage terrible to the Welchmen for examples sake to that fickle Nation leuied so strong an Armie that by all conjectures the Welchmen were altogether vnable to resist him And it seemed they thought so too For their chiefest Captaine and Leader partly for the loue which he bare to his longed-for Ladie and partly to preuent those fatall dangers which knocked at his dore vnexpectedly submitted himselfe to the Kings Grace Lluellen voluntarily submitteth himselfe and yeelded himselfe to be disposed of wholly and onely at the Kings pleasure and vowed and protested with manie great and solemne Oathes That his obedience should be constant Lluellen voweth and sweareth loyaltie and his sword alwaies readie to serue the King both against France and against all others in future time if he might be made happie with the Kings fauour and haue the enjoyment of his Ladie Lluellen is pardoned fauored and wiued The King whose heart was euer enclined to mercie and more desired by affabilitie to winne an enemie than to conquer him by blowes and supposing that his loue to his Mistresse would be a stronger bond to strengthen his allegeance than anie other thing freely granted him his pardon his fauour and his wife And thus those Warres which menaced the death of manie thousands were quietly ended without the effusion of anie bloud But within few yeares after Lluellen Lluellen rebelleth by the wicked persuasions and enticement of his brother Dauid a man more contentious than prouident and lesse valiant than mutinous and yet one whome the King did extraordinarily loue and fauour rebelled against the King and fought with Sir Roger Mortymer manie sharpe and aduantagious battailes Lluellen and his brother are taken and beheaded But at length Gods judgements hastening Traytors to a shamefull end both of them were taken and their heads as Trophies of the victorie were sent vnâ—â— the King who caused them to be set vpon the Tower of London for a terror vnto others and there they remained long after But notwithstanding all this yet the naturall disposition of the Welchmen so strongly preuailed and so blind they were and vnable to foresee their owne ruine The Welchmen rebell againe and againe that within few moneths after they rebelled twice and by manie slaughters and strange executions they were subdued and compelled to obey And because their Warres were rather maintained and cherished by shiftings and by startings into the huge and vast Woods which made those Rebels more disordered They are subdued and confident to saue themselues when greatest danger did approach the King caused those Woods to be hewen downe Their woods are burned and to be consumed with fire By meanes whereof they were reduced to a more ciuill kinde of life They become more ciuill and began to practise diuers commendable Occupations Arts and Sciences and tooke some pleasure from thenceforth to liue like honest men In the eighteenth yeare of King Edwards Raigne The King of Scots breaketh
proued nothing at all For the beames of her excellent vertues could not pierce the thicke clouds of his vanities neither could her teares or her groanes mollifie his hard heart which surfetted vpon too much plentie of loathsome sinnes The common people gaue large libertie to their Tongues The people talke of the Kings euill life to speake and to talke reproachfully and to the Kings disgrace Hee knew it well he heard it and cared not for it but was resolued to perseuere in those vngodly courses which by Pierce Gaueston were contriued and proposed vnto him The Noblemen and such as by reason of their Offices and Places were of the Kings Councell did in their particulars aduenture manie times secretly to informe him of the lewdnesse of Pierce Gaueston and that both strangers and also his owne people did strangely speake of him and of his Gouernment which was altogether eclipsed by the foule interposition of his vices betwixt himselfe and it But their labour was quite lost The King cares not for good counsell and their fidelitie was requited with vnthankfull frownes rather testifying his determination to continue subject though he were a King to his follies than in anie sort to amend anie thing which was amisse When nothing could preuaile either to reforme the King A petition for Gauestons banishment or to make him carelesse of Pierce Gaueston the Lords and Barons of this Kingdome began seriously to consult and to take another course For they preferred their generall Petition to the King wherein they plainely discouered the foulenesse of his faults and the sorrow of his best affected subjects for that his Majestie more than was fitting or comely was guided and gouerned by Pierce Gaueston and earnestly entreated him to be pleased for the preuenting of such mischiefes as were otherwise likely to ensue to banish that lewd Companion both from his Court and Kingdome The King perceiuing that his Nobles were resolued to vrge his consent vnto Pierce Gauestons Exile agreed though vnwillingly thereunto yea in such a displeased humor graunted he their request that thereby they might well vnderstand Gaueston is banished into Ireland The King sends comfortable messages vnto Gaueston Gaueston is made Gouernour of Ireland The King sends him Iewels and Money that his heart subscribed not to their desires But away he was sent into Ireland Where he was no sooner arriued but by messengers sent to him by the King he was required to be jocund and chearefull in his banishment for that his absence should in the end be recompenced with greater honours and more gracefull fauors than hee had formerly receiued And for a pledge thereof the King appointed him to be the chiefe Gouernour and highest Commander in that Countrey and sent him such store of Plate Iewels and Coyne both of Siluer and of Gold that he might well thinke that his banishment was but an honorable Embassade and an occasion thereby presented by good fortune to the King to make him the more potent and more rich The Nobles doe sue for his returne And besides all this the Kings discontented passions so swayed in him and Gauestons absence so much perplexed him that his Nobles being in hope of future amendment of all things which had beene done amisse Gaueston is recalled and to please the King freely and of their owne accords moued the King for his returne But when he came back againe Gaueston is wicked and insolent so strongly and so strangely was hee supported by the publike fauors and vnremoueable loue of the King that with greater insolencie and pride than before hee practised manie more notorious villanies than euer he had done Gaueston is banished againe He is recalled So that by meanes of the incessant importunitie of the Nobles hee was againe banished into Flanders where hee remained not long but the king called him backe againe Those his Exiles thus procured by the Lords and Barons of this kingdome and their consents to call him home againe might haue reclaymed him from his foule and grosse errors if wisdome and vertue had in anie sort beene entertained by him Gaueston boasteth of his wicked courses But in stead of changing his bad nature into good qualities hee tooke an extraordinarie delight to glorie in his owne sinne and to boast how he mis-led the king He also skornefully despised the greatest Nobles of this Land He skornes the Nobles and abused them at their faces and by vntrue informations which priuately and behind their backs he gaue vnto the king he caused them to be frowned on and did all things in such a disordered fashion without controlment that the Barons with one consent being hopelesse of redresse The Barons strike off Gauestons head and being vnable anie longer to support such a despised burthen besieged him being in a strong Castle which they wonne and to redeeme the kings honour The King is impatient for Gauestons death and to procure their owne liberties and the welfare of the Commonweale they caused his head to be smitten off But so highly was the king displeased thereat that alwaies from thenceforth he endeauoured nothing more than by crueltie and by tyrannie to reuenge his death The King fauoreth the two Spencers And then to anger his Nobilitie he entertained into his nearest familiaritie and counsailes the two Spencers Sir Hugh the father and Sir Hugh the sonne men as gracelesse and as odious to the Lords and common people The Spencers are as bad as was Gaueston as the other was Their aduice enclined the king to prosecute his lewd and wanton course of life among lasciuious and wanton Whores and Concubines and to set at naught the sweet companie of his modest and vertuous Queene which made him a skorne to forraine Princes and batefull in the sight of all honest men The fruits of euill gouernment Yet the king in despight of his greatest Lords supported the two Spencers in all things which they would take in hand But his euill gouernment both of himselfe and of his kingdome The King and his Nobles are at variance reuiued new discords betweene the king and his Barons and by meanes thereof the affaires and businesses of the Commonweale were ill managed and such as lay in wait to aduance their Estates by reason of this dissention had now gotten fit oportunitie to put in practise what they pleased Among which Robert le Bruce returning from Norway into Scotland was joyfully receiued there Robert le Bruse being recrowned inuadeth England 7. 1313. The Battaile of Estreuelyne and was the second time crowned king of that kingdome And then he leuied a strong Armie with which he entred into the Marches of England foure or fiue dayes journey and with fire and sword miserably wasted and desolated those Countries vntill hee was encountred by the king and compelled to retyre But king Edward fighting a Battaile with the Scotish power within the borders of
their owne Countrey receiued the ouerthrow and hauing seene the slaughter of manie thousands in his Armie among which were Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester The King receiueth a great ouerthrow and two and fortie other Lords and more than threescore knights and Baronets besides two and twentie men of Name who were taken prisoners hee was compelled for his owne safetie shamefully to flye and with dishonourable successe to returne againe into England The King flyeth Where he was eftsoones perplexed and put to much trouble by the vntrue and desperate attempt of one Iohn Poydras a Tanners sonne dwelling in Exeter Iohn Poydras discouered and executed who boldly affirmed himselfe to be the truly begotten sonne of the last king and said That he was changed in his Cradle by his Nurse for a Carters child and offered diuers colourable proofes for the same and among the rest he strongly instanced vpon the vnworthie and base conditions of the king sorting to none so fitly as vnto one of obscure and of common birth This his clayme and bold assertions quickly abused the eares and the hearts of the vulgar and drew manie of them for want of wisdome and obedience to flocke vnto him as to their king But at length he was apprehended and hauing confessed his Treason and his folly and being arraigned conuicted and condemned hee was executed according to his deserts At the same time also Barwike betrayed to the Scots the strong and almost impregnable Castle of Barwike was trecherously betrayed into the hands of Robert le Bruse the vsurping king of Scots and such a generall scarcitie of all sorts of Victuals and such a Murreine of all kinds of Cattell so punished the people A famine Theeues beare great sway that the like before among them was neuer seene And diuers notorious and bold Theeues to the number of two hundred at the least being cloathed in Friers weeds of gray without respect of person or of sexe The Scots inuade England robbed and spoyled the Inhabitants of the North. But in the end they were taken and according to their deserts were put to death The Scots also raised a new Armie and with great violence and furie they entred England The Famine grieuously increaseth where besides the great afflictions occasioned by that watre the Inhabitants of those Countries were so pinched and plagued with famine that in many places those who liued scarcely sufficed to interre their dead and the rest to preserue their liues were compelled to sustaine themselues in the great extremitie of their hunger by eating of Rats Mice Cats Dogges Horses and such like The King is ouerthrown the second time by the Scots A miserably distressed people The King intending to suppresse the Scots and to correct them for their insolencie and folly encountred them with his whole Armie but receiued a notorious ouerthrow and being scornfully checked and disgraced by his bold and sawcie enemies hee returned home again with great ignominie and shame leauing his poore subiects in the North so miserably distressed and vnrelieued as euer any people were forsaken by an vnworthie and a carelesse King The vse of this History Of these disgraces and of these troubles we make this profitable vse That as the heroicall vertues of excellent Princes are crowned with many blessings from aboue so for the iniquitie and hainous transgressions of wicked and vngodly Kings both themselues and their people likewise are seuerely punished by God before whom Princes must fall as well as the common subiects except their true and heartie repentance being ioyned with the amendment of their liues doe in season procure his mercie and his fauour The Nobles endeuour reformation The Peeres and the Nobles of this Kingdome perceiuing that the diseases of the Common-weale did daily encrease and growe more dangerous determined like good Physitians narrowly to search out the causes of these maladies and to finde some remedie to cure them before it were too late They complain on the two Spencers The miserable examples of all kinds of wickednesse which presented themselues vnto their view emboldned them to informe the King That the two Spencers and their misguiding of the State by whom only and by none other the King was counsailed and directed were the immediat occasioners of all those mischiefes and calamities which miserably afflicted and tormented the whole Kingdome They plainly tolde him That such was their interest in the Kings person and in his gouernment of his people that they were bound in honour and for conscience sake to informe his Highnesse of all such misdemeanors committed by any of his subiects as tended to the subuersion of the State and the disturbing of the common peace therof and then they became importunat sutors to his Maiestie That he would be pleased to put from him the two Spencers who corrupted him with monstrous vices and made him altogether carelesse of those duties which by Almightie God were required at his hands They told him likewise That as subiection belonged to the people so the King was bound to protect them and that vnconscionably and most dishonorably he had left his Commons in the North to the rage and rigor of the Scots The resolution of the Nobles touching the two Spencers and to all extremities of hunger and of other wants and that if he pleased not vpon their humble entreaty and request to cassier those two gracelesse Counsailors of their places and from his seruice they then must and would presume to doe it though it were with the hazard and perill of their owne liues The king could not choose but hearken to this grieuous and true report For as it was founded and grounded vpon conscience and on duetie so was it maintained with a constant resolution to reforme that which was amisse He bit his lip thereat and his countenance proclaimed his discontentment The King frowneth on his Nobles Inwardly he meditated and deuised how he might surprise those Noble-men who most of all stomacked the two Spencers whom so immoderatly hee did loue yet inwardly his tongue gaue the Barons a pleasing answere so that hee forthwith sommoned his high Court of Parliament A Parlamēt and pretending a reformation of all things that were conceiued to be amisse he gladded the hearts of his Nobles and Commons exceedingly But the Lords and Barons although they reioiced much that the time would shortly come The Nobles do stand vpon their guard in which these matters should be substantially debated on yet were they iealous and suspected lest the king intended their surprisal in that solemn meeting wherfore the greater numbers of them repaired vnto London beeing strongly garded with a braue Armie of sufficient and gallant men which were all cloathed in a like Liuerie whereat the king was highly displeased but most of all it grieued him that hee knew the Barons would haue their owne wil by taking and separating from him the two
and boarded her and found in her the King and Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne whome they so much desired and brought them to the Queene who presented them before the Castles view and vpon the sight of them the besieged yeelded the possession of their Fort into the Queenes hands Then were the heads of Sir Hugh Spencer the father Earle of Winchester and of Iohn Earle of Arundell whose daughter was married to the younger Spencer smitten off And the King being committed vnto honorable and safe keeping the Queene with the young Prince her sonne beeing accompanied with the Barons and a strong Armie marched towards London carrying with them Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne as a slaue before whom certaine vnworthie and base Fidlers vpon Pypes which they had made of Reedes skornfully played skipped and sung in euerie Towne which they passed through And being come to the Citie of London hee was fast bound vpon the top of an high Ladder and his priuie members and his heart being seuered from his bodie and burned his head was forthwith cut off and set vpon London Bridge A iust reward for their wickednesse Thus GODS judgements pursued those two vngodly and ambitious caitiues by whose lewd aduice and euill counsell the King forsooke the bed and companie of the Queene his wife liued wickedly made hauocke of his Nobilitie neglected his common People permitted his Enemies to his disgrace to triumph and to insult ouer him and gouerned more like a Tyrant than a King And thus those times of Trouble being now againe blessed with a happie Peace Sir Iohn of Henault and his companie are feasted and rewarded the Queene bountifully feasted and rewarded Sir Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont and all his associates who taking leaue departed and were receiued into their Countrey with much joy and great honour And then the Queene and the young Prince to reforme such things as were amisse A Parliament and to settle a better course of Gouernment within this Land assembled an High Court of Parliament at Westminster In which the King by a generall consent was deposed The King is deposed Prince Edward crowned King and being verie honourably respected and attended he was committed to the Castle of Killingworth and Prince Edward was crowned King And not long after the King being remoued to the Castle of Corff was wickedly assayled by his Keepers who through a Horne which they did put into his fundament pierced his guts with a burning Spit and murdered him The old King is murdered when hee had raigned almost nineteene yeres THE HISTORIE OF KING EDVVARD THE THIRD EDVVARD the third being of the age of fifteene yeares and crowned King whilest his deposed father liued was chiefely directed in his younger yeares by the aduice and counsell of Queene Isabell his mother and of his vncle Edmund of Woodstock Earle of Kent and of Sir Roger Mortymer Sir Roger Mortymer wickedly procured the murder of the old King which knight to interesse himselfe more especially in the Queenes loue traiterously conspired and procured the murder of the last king by the monstrous villanie and barbarous crueltie before mentioned In the second yeare of this kings Raigne Robert le Bruse the busie vsurping king of the Scots denounced Warres against him and his kingdome which occasioned the leuying of a strong Armie King Edward inuadeth Scotland which consisted of foure and fiftie thousand men with which the king himselfe being accompanied with Sir Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont and fiue hundred Lords Knights and Gentlemen strangers his associates marched into Scotland The Scots flye into the Woods and Mountaines Where he hunted and chased his enemies from Marish to Marish from Wood to Wood from Hill to Hill and from Mountaine to Mountaine for the space of one moneth and more yet by reason of the Scots cowardise which made them to skulke and runne from place to place tyring out the English Armie The King returneth The King marrieth Philip daughter to the Earle of Henault A Parliament Persons attainted A dishonorable peace with Scotland Their tenure is released The Charter called Ragman deliuered vp A marriage with Scotland Sir Roger Mortimer created Earl of March He is too familiar with Queen Isabel He procureth the Kings vncle to be beheaded Articles against Sir Roger Mortimer The King with his whole companie not hauing performed any memorable seruice returned home and shortly after took to wife the Ladie Philip yongest daughter to William Earle of Henault his cousen german in the third degree and assembled his high Court of Parliament at Northampton in which among other passages the two deceased Spencers and Walter Stapleton the late Bishop of Exeter were attainted of high treason And then the King by the directions of his mother and of Sir Roger Mortimer concluded a dishonorable peace with the Scots and released to them their homage fealtie and seruices to him due for that Kingdome and deliuered vp to them the Grand Instrument or Charter called Ragman which vnder the hands and seales of their late King and of the Nobilitie of Scotland testified their tenure and subiection to the Kings of this Realme and then hee married his sister Iane vnto Dauid the sonne and heire apparant of Robert le Bruse the vsurping Scottish King and created Sir Roger Mortimer Earle of March whereat his Nobles were exceedingly discontent And such was this new Earles inward malice and hatred vnto the Kings vncle the Earle of Kent and so powerfull was he with the King by reason of his too much familiarity with his mother Queen Isabel that he neuer desisted from his wicked and vngodly plottings vntill he had bereaued him of his head But God permitted not this wretched man to sway long in his vngodly courses For within few moneths after he was accused by the State for these horrible and hainous crimes 1. Imprimis For that hee had wickedly plotted and procured the murther of the Kings father 2. Item For that by his false accusations and sinister counsaile he had caused the King to cut off the head of his said vncle who was truly Noble Religious valiant honest and a strong pillar to the Common-weale 3. Item For that too too familiarly he conuersed with Queene Isabel the Kings mother to her iust reproach and the dishonor of the King 4. Item for that hee receiued of the Scots a bribe of twentie thousand pounds for which he procured the Kings retreat out of Scotland and the releasement of his Signiorie and homage due for that Kingdom 5. And lastly because hee had deceitfully cousened and beguiled the King of his Wards and Treasure conuerting all to his owne vse For these his wicked Treasons and horrible transgressions Sir Roger Mortymer attainted and Executed Queene Isabel sequestred The Kings Homage for Guyan required The King would not doe Homage in such sort as it was required The French King is angrie The Kings Homage againe required It is sent
vpon Wolles to bee paid two yeares before hand The leuying of which Taxe turned the prayers of the People into Curses The King borroweth Money because they were altogether vnwilling to pay the same Hee also by way of lone borrowed huge summes of money of his richest Subiects and the Citie of London disbursed for him twentie thousand markes New coine with the French arms quartred King Edwards Fleet and Armie The battell of Sluce The King also coined great store of siluer and of gold on which he quartered with his owne the Armes of France in the first place and instamped him thereon King of England and of France He also prepared a fleet of two hundred Saile of Ships and throughly appointed them to the proofe and then he leuied an Armie often thousand selected men of warre all which he embarqued and passing with them towards Sluce he fortunatly met with the French fleet which consisting of Frenchmen Piccards Genowayes and of other Nations amounted to the number of fortie thousand men The Kings victory at Sea among which were they who not only had robbed and rifled many English Marchants on the narrow Seas but also had burned South-hampton and the Countries thereabout as lately you haue heard The King being full of magnanimitie and valour resolute in his purposes and reckoning of the French as of his subiects and inferiours in Armes especially vpon the Seas and hopping by his good successe not onely to winne honor among the Princes and States of his confederacie and purposing if hee might to strike a terror in the French Nation concerning those warres set vpon their whole Nauie with such an incomparable courage and bold spirit that after a long a fierce and a bloudie fight very few or none of the French Ships escaped but were by him either taken or sunke into the Sea King Edward landeth at Sluce The King on his part hauing receiued but little losse his prisoners he sent into England but himselfe the next day landed at Sluce where he was triumphantly receiued by the Inhabitants and Countrey who with great ioy and infinit commendations congratulated his happie and victorious successe He rides to Gaunt And from thence he rode to Gaunt where his Queene lay And about the space of one moneth after hee being accompanied with seuen Earles eight Bishops eight and twentie Baronets two hundred Knights A huge Armie foure thousand men of Armes and nine thousand Archers of his owne Nation and with the Duke of Brabant who commanded twentie thousand of his followers and with Iaques Dartuell the famous Fleming Iaques Dartuell a famous Fleming who conducted threescore thousand men of those Prouinces and with the Duke of Guelders the Marquesse of Muse the Earles of Iullers Mouns Sauiens and of Henault the Lord Faulquemont and many thousand Almaines He strongly besieged the Citie Tournay which was with great resolution and valor manfully defended for the space of tenne weeks Tournay besieged in al which time the French King appeared not for their defence But by the importunat mediation of the aforenamed Iane de Valoys mother to the Queen of England to the Duchesse of Iullers and to the then Earle of Henalt A huge Armie was dissolued vpon the motion of a woman and sister to the French King a truce was concluded for one yeere which was afterwards renewed for one yeare more Thus was the siege broken vp and euery one returned to his owne home Now whilst the King had thus employed himselfe in the Low-countries and in the Empire and in France The Scots reuolt from their King and from king Edward The Scots disliking Edward Baylyol their King because hee would not in any sort oppose himselfe against the King of England who so highly had aduanced him and leauing to him onely the name but no honour due to a King rebelled against king Edward And gained into their possessions almost all things whatsoeuer which hee in his former Warres had wonne from them But king Edward scorning to bee checked by the lawlesse disobedience and insolencie of the Scots The King leadeth a huge Armie into Scotland leuied an Armie of sixe thousand horsemen and fortie thousand on foote with which he marched into Scotland And those Inhabitants hauing intelligence of these vnresistable preparations and and being apprehensiue of their owne weaknesse craued and obtained a Truce for foure Monethes vpon condition to surrender to king Edward A Truce whatsoeuer in his absence they had taken from him And also to submit themselues if within that time Dauid their deposed King returned not out of France for their defence But before the time of Truce was expired Dauid returned secretly and being safely landed in Scotland The Scots inuade England he raised an Armie of more then threescore thousand men with which hee entred into Northumberland spoyling robbing wasting burning and killing without compassion in all places whereon hee set his foote New-Castle is besieged vntill hee came to New-Castle vpon Tyen which hee girded about with a strong siege But in the depth of the night two hundred resolued gallants issued foorth A bold brauado And vpon the suddaine entred into the Earle of Murrayes Tent which they ransacked slewe many and caried the said Earle a way with them to the great amazement and terrour of the Scottish Campe. The day appearing was their true informer of all things which in the night had hapned The siege is raised And Dauid purposing a bloudy reuenge for this dishonour done vnto him caused the Castle to be continually assaulted But the Scots were manfully repulsed by the defendants whose vndaunted spirits had banished all feare In so much that Dauid being vnwilling to spend there too much time in vaine raised his siege and marched to the Citie of Durham Durham taken burnt which he tooke ransacked and burnt and slew all the men women and children which did inhabite and were found there From thence the Scottish Armie marched forth and passed by the strong Castle of Rowsbrough A valiant exploit by Sir William Mountagew which then belonged to the Earle of Salisburie who was a prisoner in France In this Castle was his faire and admirably beautifull Lady and it was kept by Sir William Mountagew his brother who for his wisedome and for his valour was a most renowned Knight When he had narrowly viewed the Scottish March hee expected their vtmost furie in their returne and therefore hee determined to giue him a present taste of his man-hood So that he issued forth with fortie Horsemen well appointed and fell vpon their Rereward and slew of them more then two hundred and tooke from them one hundred and twentie horses which were loaden with the richest of those booties which they had taken at Durham and safely returned and caried them into the Castle The Castle of Rosbrough is besieged Dauid disdaining thus to bee beaten by so
Prince Edward of England the great Lord and master of those Countries Malum consilium consultori pessimum And to effect what therein hee did intend hee called a generall Councell of the Lords and great men of those Territories and appointed the place of their meeting to bee at Sluce where hee also procured the presence of king Edward and of the Prince his sonne To draw these States together he proposed nothing publikely but the necessitie of a sound conference touching their proceedings with the King of England against France And within the Hauen there the place of Councel was in King Edwards great ship called the Katharine But vnexpectedly to the Flemish Lords Iaques Dartuell discoursed boldly and at large of the great Honour Prowes and valour of King Edward and of the yong Prince his Sonne And by many circumstances and deuised arguments hee endeauoured to extenuate the worth of their owne Earle as being altogether vnfit and vnable to be a Lord of so great a coÌ„mand and in the conclusion of his speech hee strongly striued to perswade them all to depose the Earle Loys and his posteritie and to adde an inuincible strength to their Estates by electing and chusing the Prince of England to be their Master and great Lord. The Nobles and the great men of Flanders being now made eare witnesses of Iaques Dartuells attempt Displeasing Counsell And inwardly detesting to leaue vnto a future age a memoriall of such treacherous infidelitie and wrong made answere that albeit no people in the world did more then they respect King Edward Nor more affect the aduancement and the Honour of the Prince his Sonne Yet this motion could not preuaile except the Natiues and common people of those Countries who had as large an interest as they in the deposing of the said Earle and in the disposing of his Lordship and command would willingly assent thereto And though in their heartes they intended and ment nothing lesse yet to make faire weather for the present time They told the King that they liked the motion exceeding well and that they would foorthwith depart vnto the seuerall places of their habitations and would informe the people of this proiect and do their best endeauours to perswade and to incourage them to consent thereunto And hauing promised the King that at the end of one Moneth they would returne againe with their full answere to the said motion And hauing mutually performed all complements requisite for a kind farewell they departed thence But when this newes was diuulged and when it was publikely knowne what Iaques Dartuell had proposed No trusting to the peoples fauour Iaques Dartuell is hated and murdred both he and his practise were inwardly detested and so hated that he was not esteemed to be a true borne Fleming who had the least inclination to giue any furtherance thereunto Yet notwithstanding such was the great confidence which this great Commaunder reposed in the fauour of the common people and such was the resolution of him whose authoritie before that time was vnlimited and whose prosperitie was equall to the greatnesse of a potent King that his presence would worke wonders and change the minds of the common people That to make triall of his power in that behalfe he came to Gaunt But as he passed through the streetes he might well perceiue that his entertainment was nothing correspondent to his former wel-comes and that the countenances of the Inhabitants bewrayed their inward contempt and loathing both of him and of his despised motion And no sooner was hee entred into his house but by many thousands of mutenous and armed Swaggarers it was compassed round about and then was hee rayled on with the foulest words and reuiled with the most bitter termes that either their hearts could deuise or their tongues vtter So that hee perceiued that it auailed him not to looke bigge nor to presume by his authoritie to appease their rage Wherefore at a great window of the house hee began mildly and with humble termes to pleade in his owne excuse and promised to giue them a full satisfaction vpon what grounds points and reasons he had vnaduisedly conceiued that motion But the sight of him whom in former times they loued and honoured as an Angell was now so lothsome and so vile and his words were so vnpleasing to them that with dirt and stones they beate him from the window King Edward looseth many powerfull friends assaulted his house brake it open entred in and slaughtered him with a thousand wounds And thus died that great Commander of the Flemings who for his power and absolute authoritie among them had neuer his equall in those Countries And by these meanes King Edward not onely lost a sound and a potent friend But euer after that time the hearts of the Flemings more fauoured the French King then they did him At the same time also his noble and worthy friend and vncle Sir Iohn of Henalt Sir Iohn of Henalt reuolteth to the French Lord Beamont reuolted from him and adheared to the French King because King Edward vpon some priuate vnkindnesse conceiued did with-hold and keepe from him a Pension which for his faithfull and good seruice hee had formerly giuen and duly paid vnto him And though King Edward did daily growe more strong in his hopes A valiant King to possesse himselfe of the Crowne of France yet the losse of some great friends being his associates in those Warres made him indeede more weake yet those his misfortunes so little auailed to discourage him that it increased his magnanimitie and his resolutions to maintaine those his Warres with the greater helpes of his owne strength ANNO. 20 Aguillon is besieged by 100000. men Now was the King informed that Iohn the eldest Sonne of the French King had strongly besieged the Castle of Aguillon in Gascoyne wel-neere with an hundred thousand men within which were the Noble Earle of Pembroke and the renowned Knight Sir Walter of Manny and diuers others of especiall note and place The King transporteth an Armie into Normandy Whereupon King Edward leuied the number of fourteene thousand men which he and the Prince his Sonne being accompanied with eight Earles fifteene Barrons and a great number of braue Knights and gallant Gentlemen by the aduice and counsell of Sir Godfray Lord Harcourt a French banished Noble man of great wisdome and wonderfull valour in the Warre caried into Normandie and with them he besieged the rich and strong Towne of Harflew Harflew is taken but because the English Armie seemed terrible in the sight of the Inhabitants it was not defended but the King tooke it without blowes and gaue the spoyle thereof to his common Souldiers so that he filâ—ed their Purses with Crownes and thereby prepared them with the greater courage Diuers towns and Castles are taken and resolution for more dangerous attempts So that within few dayes after hee wonne rifled and spoyled the
rich Townes of Cheirbrough Mount-brough and Quarenâ—ue and the Castle there Then King Edward marched foorth in great strength through that Countrie Normandie harrowed by King Edward being hedged in on the one side by his Marshall the Lord Harcourt and fiue hundred chosen men of warre which hee commanded and by his other Marshall on the other side with a like number And with such seueritie ransacked spoiled burned and haâ—owed all places as he passed by The English Armie is rich The English Armie increaseth that euerie coÌ„mon souldier was now a rich man and the Kings Armie was encreased and now consisted of nineteene thousand fighting men with which he pitched before the city of Cane in which were the Earles of Tankeruile and of Ewe Besides the Earle of Guyens who being high Constable of France had gathered and brought vnto that place manie braue and approued men at Armes and made a flourishing shew as if hee meant to issue forth and to giue battaile to the King But feare possessing his heart he made but a faint resistance The Citie of Cane is taken and in short time and with litle losse the Citie was taken and ransacked by the English souldiers who conueighed all their spoiles into England Sir Thomas Holland Loureys is taken Why King Edward medled with no walled Townes nor Castles in the Prouince of Eureux In the yeelding vp of this Citie First the three Earles submitted their fortunes to Sir Thomas Holland a valiant English Knight who had but one eye of whom the King bought them for tenne thousand markes in Gold and receiuing them as prisoners into his Armie hee marched to the Towne of Loures which hee quickly won and then entred into the Prouince of Eureux all which he wasted spoiled and burned without pittie the walled Townes Cities and Castles only excepted with none of which hee medled â—east by them his strength should bee deminished before hee met with the French King who had solemnely sworne and protested that King Edward should not returne into England before a battaile fought between them Many towns wonne by the English After this King Edward in his march wonne Gisours Vernon Saint Germans in Lay Mountrell Saint Clowde Rely and the whole Countrie about Roan Pont de' Larch Nants Newlench Robboys Fountaine Poys and Vimew in all which places he found but weake resistance King Philip of France hauing true intelligence that King Edward with al his Armie was within two leagues of Paris The French King forsaketh the Parisians left that Citie and went to S. Dennis where his Armie lay perswading the Parisians that King Edward dared not to looke them in the face but they beleeued him not and feare made them greatly displeased with their king Those of Amyens are slaine and taken Neere about the same time Sir Godfrey Lord Harcourt being one of King Edwards Marshals encountred with certaine Burgesses of Amyens whom the French king had appointed to come vnto Paris for the better defence therof if neede should so require and though they defended themselues with much valor yet at length twelue hundred of them were slaine and the rest being taken prisoners were brought vnto the king The English Armie so eagerly pursued the happinesse of their fortune That they possessed the whole countrie through which they passed yea euen to the gates of Aubeuile The English Armie is inuironed on the suddaine and of Saint Valary yet were they vnawares enuironed with the Riuer of Some on the one side and with the French Kings armie consisting of more then an hundred thousand men on the other side The place wherein he was promised him no manner of aduantage if he should fight but many inconueniencies presented themselues vnto him So that hee consulted with his Prisoners if anie of them could direct him to any Ford where he might transport his Armie among whom one who was named Gobyn of Grace Gobyn of Grace directed him to a conuenient passage But when the King came thither it was defended by twelue thousand of the French Kings Armie Yet notwithstanding when the Sea was ebbed King Edward with the Prince and the whole Armie did put themselues into the water and so did the French men on the other side King Edward passeth through the riuer of Some and slaughtereth the French so that they all encountred pell mell in the midst of the Riuer and fought with such desperate resolution on either part that manie a man was striken downe being slaine or by that meane was drowned But at length the Frenchmen being much wasted by the sword fled and the Englishmen slaughtered them in the Chase a full league and more And now approached the time in which this journie made by king Edward and his sonne was to be blessed with much honor and happinesse or to be vnfortunate The famous and victorious Battaile of Cressey though hitherto it had proceeded well For the French king being resolued to bee reuenged without pitie and in regard that his Armie contained in number more then six times as manie fighting men as king Edward had and making no doubt Great oddes but that a triumphant victorie should preuent all future danger of Englands claime to the French Crown marched with all his strength in good order of battaile against king Edward Who knowing that only the sword was then to decide the controuersie and to pronounce the judgement entred into a spacious field neere vnto Cressey where he did set his whole Armie in good order and diuided it into three battailes All which hee so imparked behind with carriages and carts that no man was easily able to interrupt or to endanger them in the Reareward The Battaile of the Blacke Prince And when the battaile should begin the first Companies were conducted by the yong Prince who was assisted by the Earles of Warwicke and of Canford and by the Lords of Harcourt Stafford Manny De Lauarre Chandoys Clifford and Bourchier Sir Reynold Cobham Sir Thomas Holland Sir Roger Neuill and manie other Lords knights and Gentlemen of name And in that battaile were eight hundred men at Armes Two thousand Archers and one thousand other lustie and good Souldiers The second battaile was directed by the Earles of Northampton The second Battaile of the English and of Arondel who were accompanied with the Lords Rose Lygo Willoughby Basset Saint Awbin Myleton and De La Sell and by manie other Lords knights and Gentlemen And in this battaile there were eight hundred men at Armes and twelue hundred Archers And the third and maine battaile being placed betwixt the other two was led by the king himselfe who was assisted by many Earles Lords knights Esquires and Gentlemen of the best ranke The Kings Battaile And in that battaile there were seuen hundred men at Armes Two thousand Archers and tenne thousand other common souldiers well approued and expert men of warre The English Armie hauing exercised
themselues in prayer vnto God and moderatly refreshed themselus with som meat and some drinke laid themselues downe vpon the ground thereby to comfort and to ease themselues before they fought But the Frenchmen although they proudly bragged and profferd manie shewes yet for that day they wanted courage to beginne the fight Fifteene thousand Genowayes ouerthrowne But the next morning the French king commanded that fifteene thousand Genowayes with their Crosbowes should giue the first onset vpon the Prince his battaile But eyther for want of skill or else in making king more hast than good speed their disorder was so foule and so grosse That by the English Archers the greater part of them were slaine The maine Battaile of the French Armie is disordered and the rest were soone defeated and compelled to retire In which so violent was their hast and posting that in rude heapes they rushed into the French kings maine battaile and disordered it but were by their owne friendes without mercie put vnto the sword The Prince his Battaile receiueth the Frenchmen to their paine And though the French Armie by reason of their disorder not to bee repaired had little warrant for good successe yet being emboldned by reason of their multituds and being sharp set vpon reuenge aduanced themselus and charged gallantly vpon the English Armie but bent their chiefest strength against the Prince his battel who receiued them with such furie and hardie blowes that thousands of them almost in a moment were made Bond-slaues vnto death The benefit of good order For still the Prince his battaile remained entire and vnbroken By meanes whereof hee made prodigall expence and hauocke of the Frenchmen who being first broken could not obserue anie order at all nor helpe themselues by any ingenious pollicie of Warre And though they fell in great numbers before the Prince his battaile yet their new and copious supplies which alwayes succeeded those who were slaine gaue no leasure nor respit at all to the Prince nor to his assistants to take any breathing Much lesse to refresh themselues So that the braue Prince though he were full of incomparable valour and resolution yet being distressed for want of breath and of some reliefe hee sent to haue some helpe and succour from the King The King would not relieue the Prince his Sonne who inquired of the messinger if he were aliue who answered that he was Then quoth the King report to him from me that he expect no aide For this shall be the day in which hee shall winne his spurres or else shall loose his life For in life or in death hee shall ingrosse to himselfe the whole honour and glorie of this day When Prince Edward was informed what the King had said being vrged by sharp necessitie and animated with fresh hopes of a famous Victorie Hee with his companions in Armes renewed their strength and redoubled their manlike courage And wholly reposing their trust The French Armie is ouerthrowne and confidence in Gods goodnesse and in the edges of their hungrie swordes they fought with such vndaunted spirits that the Frenchmen beganne to flie and were so eagerly pursued That the greater part of their whole Armie lay breathlesse vpon the ground And in the Chace the two Marshals of England encountred with a multitude of the Inhabitants of Beuoys Reignyer An other French companie is slain Aubeuile and of Roan of whom seuen thousand were slaine and the rest by flight had much adoe in sauing of themselues And the next day the said Marshals were recharged by the Archbishoppe of Roan and by the Grand-Pryor of France No misfortune goeth alone who conducted a strong Armie to aide their king They not knowing that the Battaile was alreadie fought and the field lost by their friends With these new forces the English men encountred and contended so proudly that quickly they beganne to flie and were almost all wasted by the sword The number of Prisoners and of such as were slaine So that within the compasse of those two dayes there were slaine on the French part eleuen Princes fourescore Baron twelue hundred knights and more then thirtie thousand souldiours of the common sort And the French king himselfe by speedie flight very hardly escaped with his life The King giues away all the spoyles The whole bootie of this field the king frankly bestowed vpon his Nobles Gentrie and on his whole armie and caused the dead bodies of all such as were honorable and of note to be taken vp The Kings charitie and caried them with him vnto Mountrell where they were buried with much solemnitie and great honour Now when king Edward perceiued King Edward besiegeth Callice that the French king made no preparation at all for a new supply to encounter him hee marched towardes Callice burning spoiling and rifling all places as he passed by The Towne and Castle hee intended not to assault For as it would haue beene full of danger so hee knew the strength thereof to bee such that in assaulting it hee should both loose his labour and his men It therefore gaue him good content Two hundred thousand men in the French Kings armie The French to gird and to compasse it round about with a strong siege Which when he had continued a full whole yeare the French king with a huge army of two hundred thousand men marched towardes Callice But finding euerie passage and way in such warlike sort to bee garded and defended that he could not approach vnto the English armie Hee challenged king Edward to maintaine his honour Kings Challenge by fighting with him a battaile in the Field But king Edward by reason of his long siege hauing spent much Treasure and the Towne and Castle of Callice wanting manie things needfull King Edwards answere and necessary for their reliefe made this answere That his manie and great Victories in France and elsewhere sufficiently cleared him from the suspition of Cowardize and that seeing he had trauelled and spent so much time and monie for the winning of Callice the French king should open all passages by force and then make triall of his Strength before that Towne The French Armie Cashired or otherwise might returne Whereupon the French King not finding any meanes how he might releeue Callice cashired his Armie and retired leauing poore distressed Callice to the mercie of King Edward who daily expected when it should bee yeelded into his hands The Scots inuade England in the Kings absence The Queene fights with them Iohn Copland taketh the King of Scots are ouerthrowne Iohn Copland would not deliuer his Prisoner to the Queene Now whilest the King thus lay before Callice Dauid of Scotland with an Armie of fiftie thousand men by the procurement and furtherance of the French King entred into England and did much harme But the Queene with her Armie consisting only of twelue thousand valiant men confronted him in the
and to winne his fauour redoubled his strength The French Armie is ouerthrowne and with such resolution fell vpon the Frenchmen that they were compelled to giue backe and were so violently pursued that the battaile in which their King fought was now opened and in such sort disordered that the Englishmen entred into the midst of them wounding and killing on euerie side with little or no losse or danger to themselues And at length King Iohn and his yonger Sonne are taken Prisoners by Sir Dennis Morbecke King Iohn scorning to leaue the field yeelded himself his sonne Philip prisoners vnto Sir Dennis Morbeck a Knight of Saint Omers who for a murder forsooke his Countrie and serued for wages with the Blacke Prince In this battaile there were slaine verie manie great men of the Nobilitie and Gentrie of France and aboue ten thousand others Too much desire of Honour and too much couetousnesse The French King is ill vsed were the causes that the French King being thus taken was ill vsed For by reason that more than ten Gentlemen laide seuerall claimes vnto him as to their Prisoner hee was vnciuilly drawne from one to another not without some perill to his life but telling them that he was so great a Lord that hee could make them all rich they were better pleased and brought him to the Prince Who with great reuerence bowed himselfe before the King How the Black Prince receiued and entertained the French King and his Sonne The Blacke Prince bringeth the French King and his Son Prisoners into England Sir Dennis Morbecke reuiued his heauie spirits with cheerfull and with comfortable words feasted him and Phillip his yonger Sonne attended duetifully at his Table lodged him in his owne bed Prouided for him most honourable attendance Supplied all things about him which were wanting and brought them both from thence vnto Burdeaux and from thence into England where hee was ioyfully and royally receiued and wel-commed by the King and Queene and by the Nobilitie of this Kingdome and was entertained with as great magnificence and curtesie as he could expect or wish for And vpon King Iohns owne confession the honour of his taking was by King Edward adjudged to Sir Dennis Morbeck who for his great and good seruice was much thanked and bountifully rewarded by the King In this Battaile besides such as were slaine There were taken prisoners seuenteene Earles thrice as manie Barons Prisoners and so great a number of Knights and Gentlemen of name and of note that euerie English common souldier who had fewest prisoners had two all which A bountifull Prince together with the wohle spoiles of the field the Prince frankely and freely gaue to his companies who valiantly had wonne them by their swords The English Armie are made rich So that there was not a poore man in the English armie but euery one of them had as much Gold and as much Siluer Plate and Iewels as gaue him good contentment for his paines And such was their store and such was their plentie of those thinges that rich and costly Armours and such like warlike prouisions were not taken vp nor cared for at all How the French King was disposed of The French King for a while liued at the Sauoy which by King Edward was sumptuously furnished and beautified with all things necessary for so great a guest And from thence he was remooued to the Castle of Windsor where hee feasted hunted hawked and did all things according to his owne pleasure and will for the space of two yeares the King and the Blacke Prince as often as anie leasure gaue them leaue repairing thither and gladding him with their cheerefull and most friendly companie and with the varietie of manie pleasing sports By meanes whereof true and heartie loue and affection did knit them fast together so that they concluded a friendly Truce to continue for the space of two yeares The honourable prosperitie of King Edward and of the Blacke Prince And thus were King Edward and the Noble Prince his sonne honoured and blessed by Almightie God with such triumphant successe in their warres both in Scotland and in France they then possessing for their Prisoners at one time the Kings of those two Kingdomes and Philip the French Kings younger sonne and many Dukes Earles and Barons as none other Princes in Christendome then were King Dauid of Scotland is released And Dauid the King of Scots after tenne yeares of imprisonment in England was enlarged for a ransome of one hundred thousand pounds to be paid in fiue yeares And vpon his oath neuer againe to beare armes against England and vpon his Homage and Fealtie done for that Kingdome ANNO. 32 and vpon his faithfull promise to doe his best to procure the Nobilitie of Scotland to doe the like he was enlarged and set free ANNO. 33 The Dalphin allowes not his Fathers conclusions King Iohn of France committed to the Tower Not long after King Edward and the King of France entred into a parley for a longer time of Truce But their conclusions and agreements were vtterly disliked by his eldest Sonne Charles then Regent of France and Duke of Normandie and by the whole Baronie of that Countie Whereupon King Edward with all expedition and conuenient speed made greater preparation to make Warre there then hee had done at anie time before And hauing committed the French king and his sonne Philip with honorable attendance close prisoners to the Tower of London himselfe with the Blacke Prince his sonne transported thither a puissant Armie ANNO. 34. King Edward and the Black Prince doe land a puisant Armie at Callice The Regent Dolphin sueth for Peâ—ce and landed at his Towne of Callice and from thence hee marched strongly vnto Rhemes where he besieged the Castle seuen weekes but did not winne it in the end From thence he marched towards Paris and Chartres wasting burning and killing in all places as he passed so that hee compelled the Regent and the Nobilitie of France to become earnest petitioners vnto him for peace which they obtained vpon these Articles ensuing 1. FIrst that King IOHN should pay for his ransom The Articles of the Peace fiue hundred thousand Pounds of sterling money 2. Secondly That from thencefoorth No King of France should aide or assist The Ransom any King of Scotland in any Warre or Rebellion against England And that no King of England should from thencefoorth take part with the Flemings in any expedition or Warre against France 3. Thirdly That the Kings of England should haue and for euer enioy freely without homage and in their owne right their Territories in Gascoyne and in Guyan with the Precincts Castles Forts Townes and Cities of Poyters and Perygrot The Earledomes of Bygrot Poytiau and Guyens the Citie of Lymoges Tharbes Guaire Agen Angolesme Agenoys Rauerne and Caours The Lordship of Xantes Caumesin Hammes Ouy and Mountrell with the
and Robert Tresilian the chiefe Iustice was hanged at Tiborne and the rest of those Iudges had beene hanged in like sort Execution if vpon the importunate and vncessant request of the Queene their liues had not beene redeemed by their banishment Banishment And thus were the threatnings of ciuil wars conuerted into some assurance of prosperitie and of peace ANNO. 12 The Scots do inuade But the next yeare following the Scots inuaded this realme and did much harme against whom great preparations were made by the King who resolued to recompence his owne damage by iust and seuere reuenge A Truce betwixt England France and Scotland for seuen yeares ANNO. 13 Iohn of Gant goeth with an Armie into Spaine But the wisdome and discretion of manie great Estates were such that a Truce was concluded to endure for three yeares betwixt England France and Scotland which shortly after was enlarged for foure yeares more So that now all matters betwixt those three Kingdomes and their Kings being blessed with tranquilitie and with peace the Kings fourth Vncle Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster was suffered by the King to leuie a strong Armie which hee transported into Spaine where he demanded his right to the Kingdome of Castile in the behalfe of Constance his wife who was the eldest daughter of Peter the deposed and slaine king ANNO. 14 How his bran attempts succeeded there His two Daughters are married to the Kings of Spaine and of Portingall In those Warres the Duke and his Armie performed manie honourable seruices and with the assistance of the king of Portugale so preuailed that to conclude a sued for peace the king of Spaine married with Constance the Dukes eldest daughter by his said wife and gaue vnto him eight Waggons loaden with massie Gold and secured him and his wife of the yearely payment of ten thousand Markes during both their liues And then the Duke went into Portugale where he married Anne his yonger daughter to the king of that Countrie and then returned into England with great riches and much honour ANNO. 16 Lawes against the Popes vsurped Authoritie This time of peace betwixt England other nations bred some quarrelling betwixt the king and the Pope who vsurped too too much authoritie and iurisdiction within this Realme Wherefore to preuent such mischiefes as this intolerable sufferance mght beget in a Parliament vpon graue and great aduise it was enacted That the Popes pretended authoritie within this kingdom should cease and be determined and that no appeale for anie matter or cause whatsoeuer should from thenceforth bee made to the See of Rome vpon the penaltie of a premunire which did extend to perpetuall imprisonment and to the forfeiture of the Lands and goods of such as contrarie to that law presumed to offend ANNO. 17 In the seuenteenth yeare of king Richards Raigne his faire and vertuous Queene Anne died ANNO. 19 And about two yeares after the king married the Ladie Isabel daughter to the French king Charles the sixth By reason whereof a peace was concluded betwixt those two kings King Richard marrieth the French kings daughter A Peace for thirtie yeares Brest is yeelded vp The Duke of Glocester reprooues the King for it The death of the Duke of Glocester the Kings Vncle is plotted A Machauillian pollicie Ambition makes euill Princes confident that their Vertues doe deserue much The King intendeth the destruction of his Barrons being gulled with an vntrue report Certaine Lords surprised A ParliameÌ„t A grosse flâ—ttering Speaker The Archbishop of Canterburie is accused of Treason How the king wronged the Archbishop to endure for thirtie yeares And king Richard being too kind but too little aduised of his owne accord and free will surrendred and gaue vp to the Duke of Brittaine the strong Towne and Castle of Brest which verie much grieued and discontented his Nobilitie especially his Vncle Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester who told him plainly that it was not conuenient that without blowes with the said Duke of Brittaine hee should haue departed with that strong Towne and Castle which his ancestors had wonne with the expence of much bloud Whereat the king was so much displeased that in his heart hee causelessely vowed seuere reuenge and in this his hastie passion he was abused and furthered by such of his Fauourites as enuied the estate the vertues and honour of the Duke causing strangers to informe the king flateringly and malitiously that diuers of the Princes Electors intended to haue made him Emperor had not some others of them gainsaid it and alleadged that he was altogether vnfit to gouerne the dispersed Segniorieâ— and Dominions of the Empire who could not rule and command his owne subiects at home The greedie desire which king Richard had to bee magnified and made great by being dignified with the name and power of the Empire and his strong reliance vpon the vntrue report which was suggested vnto him by such as only endeuoured to whet his anger against his Lords armed him with subtletie and with a heartie desire to circumuent his Barons though it were done with the breach of his oath and with the shipwracke of his honour So that pretending much loue and fauour towards them but especially to the Duke of Glocester his Vncle and to the two Earles of Arondell and Warwicke hee caused them to be apprehended when as they imagined they had least cause to feare And hauing so done he assembled his High Court of Parliament In which his basest and his grossest flatterer the speaker of the Lower House named Sir Iohn Bush who was a man of a most proud insolent and aspiring spirit irreligiously profanely and dishonestly in a formall and in a tedious speech attributed vnto the King the highest titles of diuine honour and therefore condemned almost to Hell all such as traiterously had conspired against his Maiestie Among whom hee particularly impeached Thomas Lord Archbishop of Canterburie sitting next vnto the King who made no answere at all thereto because the King himselfe vnder pretence of more then ordinarie loue and fauour had priuatly enioyned him vnto silence and vnto future absence from that Assembly promising and protesting that nothing should be attempted or done against him by anie meanes Yet notwithstanding for want of his presence and of his answere to the said vntrue obiections he was with the Kings consent banished this Realme He is banished Warwicke and Arundell are condemned as Traytors Arundell is beheaded Salisburie is banished and dieth miserably The Duke of Glocester murdered at Callice by Thomas Mowbray Earle of Notingham A weake parliament to grant such an vnreasonable Commission And the two Earles of Arundell and of Warwicke were also condemned of High Treason and shortly after the former of those two lost his head And so had Thomas Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke if by his humble confession of thinges vntrue and vpon his great submission steeped in teares and much
sorrow he had not procured a mitigation of his punishment For hee was confined into the I le of Wight where contrarie to the Kings promise hee endured such miserie and was so grieuously oppressed with the griefe which hee sustained by reason of his great wants that he quickly died But the good Duke of Glocester the Kings Vncle being vnsentenced was sent to Callice where according to the Kings directions Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham betwixt two feather-beds caused him to be smothered to death for which good seruice he was afterwards made a Duke This being done the King procured the Vpper and the Lower Houses of Parliament to make an example without precedent by granting full and absolute authoritie vnto six or eight such persons as he should nominate finally to determine all such causes and to enact them as then remained vndiscussed and not ended there This act not only made him proud but to serue his present turnes he nominated for that purpose such as to please his humour decreed manie thinges which were dishonourable to the King and hurtfull to the Common-weale The King will be called Prince of Cheshire The King also to please his Guard who for the most part were Cheshire men of ordinarie parentage and of base birth caused himselfe verie ridiculously to bee stiled Prince of Cheshire as if it had beene more honourable for him to be such a Prince then to be the King and Monarch of the whole Realme And to adde more strength and liking vnto those thinges which then were done amisse the King bestowed manie honorable dignities vpon some of his best liked Noble-men So that his Cousin Henrie of Bullingbrooke sonne and heire apparant to the Kings fourth Vncle Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and who was at that time Earle of Darby was by him created Duk of Hartford his Cousin Edward Plantagenet being Earle of Rutland Creation of Noblemen was created Duke of Aubemarle and Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham was made Marshall of England and Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Kent was created Duke of Surrie and Sir Iohn Holland his brother being Earle of Huntington was made Duke of Exeter and the Earle of Somerset was created Marquesse Dorset and the Lord Spencer was made Earle of Glocester the Lord Neuil Earle of Westmerland the Lord William Scrope Earle of Wilshire and the Lord Percie was created Earle of Worcester and vpon all these he bestowed many great Lordships Mannors and large reuenewes which of late did belong to his murdred vncle Thomas of Woodstock sometimes Duke of Glocester and vnto the said two deceased Earles of Arundell and of Warwicke He also granted his free pardon to all offendors whatsoeuer A craftie Pardon which inabled the King to much mischiefe fifteene only excepted whom he would not nominate By which vngodly and craftie pollicie hee hedged his Nobilitie â—ound about with continuall feare and made them most seruile and most base For if anie one of them in anie high measure had offended him hee would then pronounce him to bee one of those fifteene who were excepted out of his free and generall pardon and then would put his life vpon triall for supposed and surmised Treason It happned about this time ANNO. 22 that Henrie Bullinbrooke Duke of Hartford and Cousin to the King The Kings Cousin desireth reformation in the King by his friend Tho. Mowbray Duke of Norfolke whom the King did fauour extraordinarily was much grieued daily to heare such slanderous reports as were too commonly noysed of the King partly vpon his too much libertie which beyond the Lawes hee challenged in the course of his Gouernment and partly by reason of his vniust and vnskilfull managing of the weightie affaires and businesses of his Kingdome And though affection by meanes of his neere consanguinitie with the King moued him heartily to wish for and to desire a present reformation of those euills yet could hee not better deuise how hee might effect that which hee so much craued than by making vse of his great familiaritie and acquaintance with Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke who had an extraoâ—dinarie interest in the Kings fauour Wherevpon very priuately and in great secrecie as vnto a most kind and louing friend he imparted the causes of his griefe in that behalfe vnto the said Duke and earnestly entreated him vpon fit opportunitie and at his leasure and as from himselfe seriously to informe the King of the said reports and withall to entreate his Highnesse to extend more grace and more fauour to those Lords who for his honour and the Kingdomes good had both incurred his displeasure and also were with too much extremitie condemned of High Treason But the Duke of Norfolke who more respected his owne preferment than the kings honour and strongly presumed that hee had now gotten fit meanes to advance himselfe by his friends fall related all his sayings to the King A false and an vnfaithfull friend in the rudest and most vnciuill maner which he could deuise and added manie things to his relation which were vntrue and neuer spoken thereby aggrauating an offence which was not committed and incensing the king with high indignation to vow reuenge and punishment when the Duke of Hartfords fidelitie and loyall seruice deserued great thankes and a good reward The King is angrie The Duke of Hartford answereth for himselfe The king was so much vexed and enraged by meanes of these tidinges that nothing could giue him anie contentment in anie thing vntill his Cousin the Duke had made his answere therevnto And being sharply pressed thereunto by the king Such things as in that secret and friendly manner hee had desired might bee reformed he both confessed and iustified But the vntrue suggestions which falsly and malitiously were added he denied The Combat challenged and accepted And to cleare himselfe of them hee challenged the Duke of Norfolke to a single Combate which was by him accepted and consented vnto by the king But when the appointed day was come and the two Dukes were within the Lists readily prepared and aduanced themselues each toward the other for the encounter The King would not permit them to proceed but banished the Duke of Norfolke for euer Banishment who shortly after died at Venice and his Cousin the Duke of Hartford hee exiled for six yeares King Charles the sixt Whereupon Hee sayled into France and was honourably receiued by King Charles the sixth Father to the Queene of England King Richards wife who so effectually iustified him in his said actions and doings and so highly affected his Descent his Personage his Wisdome his Vertues and his right Noble Conditions that he would haue bestowed vpon him in marriage the Daughter of his Vncle the Duke of Berrie if his Sonne-in-law King Richard by extraordinarie sollicitations and by vnusuall meanes had not beene the hinderer thereof Iohn of Gant dieth Not long after this Dukes Banishment his
made him Duke of Norfolk he being altogether vnworthie of so great honor 8. Item that the King to further his last Expedition for Ireland without law without iustice tooke from the Clergie and many Religious houses great store of monie plate iewels and rich ornaments not hauing the owners consent so to doe 9 Item that in the same iournie without the approbation of his Counsell of Estate hee carried with him into Ireland the plate and rich iewels belonging to the Crowne which might haue tended to the great inpouerishment of this Realme 10 Item that in euerie Shire he had secret Intelligencers vpon whose bare information that ane man had repined at the Kings bad gouernement the partie so accused without examination or triall was enforced to procure his pardon by the payment of a grieuous fine 11 Item that by the lewd aduise of his wicked Counsellours hee had deuised manie subtle and craftie Oathes by meanes whereof manie of his honest Subiects had beene vndone 12 Item that by the like aduise and counsell he procured Ruffians and desperate companions to accuse rich but weake men of sundrie falsly-supposed crimes and imagined offences and by meanes thereof enforced them to redeeme the combate with much monie 13 Item that he gaue large gifts vnto wicked and lewd companions who malitiously to aduance their owne Estates animated him against diuers of his Barons who only desired a good reformation of his euill gouernment and imposed diuers Taxes vpon his people to enrich them 14 Item that hee had procured such Records to bee cancelled and imbeselled as testified his extortions and his oppressions vniustly imposed vpon his people 15 Item that he had oftentimes said that the Lawes of his Kingdome were in his owne breast and that vpon this opinion hee had put to death manie of his noble men and some of his inferiour subiects without iust cause 16 Item that most of his writings and letters vnto foraigne Princes and Estates were so craftie ambiguous doubtfull and vncertaine that they could not relie confidently vpon anie thing which he had written 17 Item that in his Parliament holden in the one and twentieth yeare of his Raigne his Cheshire Guard who onely were permitted and suffered to weare weapons committed many Robberies and Murders and yet not one of them was punished or reproued for the same 18 Item that to insinuate fauour with those loose and lewd companions the King had basely and fondly dishonoured his High Estate and Soueraigntie by entitling himselfe The Prince of Cheshire 19 Item that whereas in the same Parliament sundrie great Lords intended liberally and dutifully to haue spoken of such things as were not well ordered to the end that they might haue beene reformed the King in such sort threatned them that for feare of ensuing dangers they held themselues silent and spake not at all 20 Item that hee exacted great fines from the wealthiest of his Subiects for adhearing to the Barons notwithstanding that in full Parliament he had before granted them his free pardon 21 Item that by himselfe and his owne authoritie he had displaced diuers Burgesses of the Parliament and had placed such other in their roomes as would better fit and serue his owne turne 22 Item that contrarie to his solemne Oath and instrument in writing vnder the great Seale of his Kingdome Hee had not only disallowed the Commission granted in the same Parliament to the thirteene Lords to enquire of and to reforme the great abuses and the apparant misgouernment of the Common-Weale But also had exiled beheaded and otherwise executed diuers Noble Men and others who for the Kings honour and for the safetie and welfare of the Common-Weale had procured the said Commission or had executed the said Authoritie according to the trust and confidence in them reposed 23 Item that whereas hee had caused certaine Lawes in the same Parliament to bee made for his owne gaine and to serue his owne turne hee procured the Popes Bulles to curse such as should withstand or disobey them which thing greatly tended to the derogation of his Crowne and was done expressely against his owne law made against the Authoritie of the Pope within this Realme but seuen yeares before 24 Item that hee had displaced lawfull and good Shiriffes and had elected others whom he suffered to continue and to hold the said Office two yeares together and more because their vniust oppressions augmented and encreased his gaine King Richard confesseth all the Articles The transcript of all these Articles and Obiections were by both the Houses of Parliament authentically sent vnto the king who not only confessed them to bee true and acknowledged his owne insufficiencie to rule and to gouerne better but also by a plaine He resignes his Crowne King Richard is deposed Henrie Duke of Lancaster is made King Thomas Arundell restored to the Archbishopprick of Canterburie and exact instrument in writing vnder his hand and Seale hee resigned his Crowne and kingdome to his Cousin Henrie of Bullinbrooke Duke of Lancaster which being read publikely and beeing generally ratified approoued and confirmed by the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and by the Commons in the same Parliament assembled they deposed king Richard and made the said Duke king And his true and faithfull friend and his companion in Banishment Thomas Arundell Archbishoppe of Canterburie being then and there restored to his place and dignitie installed the said Henrie in the kingly Throne And the late King Richard was sent to Pomfret Castle there to bee safely kept and with Princely honour to bee maintained but verie shortly after by the new kings direction and commaundement who feared least his Estate might bee shaken so long as Richard liued hee was wickedly and villanously assaulted in his Lodging King Richard is cruelly murdered by Sir Pierce Exton and eight other armed men from one of which with a Princely courage hee wrested a browne-Bill and therewith slewe foure of his Mischieuous and Vngodly Assailants He was very valiant and with admirable resolution fought with all the rest vntill comming by his owne Chaire in which the base Cowardly Knight himselfe stood for his owne safetie hee was by him striken with a Polle-axe in the hinder part of his head Though hee were an euill King yet no religion warranted those vniust proceedings so that presently he fell downe and died And thus was hee wicredly and treacherously murdered and his bodie buried at Langley but was afterwardes remoued vnto Westminster where it now lieth THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE FOVRTH ALTHOVGH the Crowne of England ANNO. 1. 1399. in right if Richard the deposed king should die without issue was by succession to descend vnto Edmund Mortimer Earle of March the Son and heire of Edmund Mortimer by Philip his wife who was the daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third sonne of Edward the third Yet his Cousin Henrie of Bullinbrooke Duke of Hartford and
troubles and turmoiles at home gaue him aduise to make himselfe more strong by procuring of great friends abroad In the third yeare of his Raigne hee required Henrie Percie Earle of Worcester Henrie Percie Earle of Northumberland and Henrie Hot-spurre his sonne to deliuer vnto him such Scottish Prisoners as they had taken in those last warres But they affirmed stoutly that by the Lawes of Armes and Chiualrie those Prisoners belonged vnto them and thereupon they refused to deliuer them vnto the King By meanes whereof some vnkindnesse grew betwixt the king and them which not long after was made apparant to the World For the Percies now beganne to resolue vpon the restoring of their inthralled Cousin Edmund Mortimer Earle of March both vnto his libertie and also to his Crowne and to depose King Henrie if by anie meanes and endeauours they could bring their purposes to passe Yet for a time they concealed their intent and making none other shew but of naturall kindnesse and friendship to the said Earle in regard of their affinitie and kindred earnestly praied the king to ransome him and to set him free They desire the King to Ransom him because he was vnfortunately taken in his seruice and was oppressed with much miserie But the king not hearkning to their sute nor indeed desiring that he should bee enlarged made answere and caused it to be proclaimed The King wil not but accuseth him that the said Earle had voluntarily caused himselfe to bee taken prisoner so that Rebels hauing him in their custodie and companie might pretend some colour therwith to varnish such Conspiracies and Treasons as secretly they had plotted and contriued against his Crowne and him and that therefore his owne safetie and his good discretion gaue him aduise and counsel not to hearken to their motion but to punish his offence The Percies hauing receiued this answere ANNO. 4. Sir Edmond Mortymer is Ransomed by the Percies and being much grieued with the said Proclamation and being resolued no longer to delay and to deferre the enlargement of the said Earle paid his Ransome to Owen Glendor and redeemed him at their owne cost and secretly entred into such a League of friendship and familiaritie with Owen Glendor Owen Glendor conspireth with the Percies that hee faithfully promised to sticke vnto them stoutly whensoeuer they would attempt the deposing of king Henrie And then the said Lords Percies being by reason of their Scottish prisoners assisted with a multitude of warlike Scots ioyned vnto their part the Earle of Stafford and Richard Scrope Archbishop of Yorke brother to the beheaded Earle of Salisburie and manie others who encreased their numbers with Englishmen and purposed to ioyne with Owen Glendor and his Welch Consorts in the deposing of the king against whom by way of accusation they framed certaine Articles which they published and sent them to him in writing to this effect Articles against King HENRIE 1. INprimis That when hee came into England from his Banishment he tooke an oath only to challenge and to recouer his inheritance and his wiues and not to intermedle with the King nor with the Crowne By reason of which oath diuers loyall and good Subiects to King Richard resorted vnto him not hauing anie treasonable intent But when he perceiued that his strength was so much encreased that he might doe what hee pleased hee wickedly brake his oath and without anie title or right procured himselfe to be made and to be crowned King 2 Item that not only as an Archtraitor hee had imprisoned his naturall and vndoubted Lord and Master King Richard but had caused him wickedly and traiterously to be murdered that with greater securitie hee might enioy his Crowne and his Kingdome 3 Item that euer since the death of King Richard hee had vniustly kept the Kingdome and the Crowne from his Cousin Edmund Mortimer Earle of March who was the sonne and heire of Philip the daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence elder brother to Iohn of Gaunt father to the vsurping King 4 Item that when no want or need compelled him hee had imposed diuers Subsidies and taxes vpon the people to their great griefe and discontentment of which they willingly would but dared not to complaine 5 Item that no iustice could be expected at his hand because contrarie to the oath which hee tooke when hee was crowned he had by letters written and sent into sundrie Shires procured certaine Burgeships for the Parliament all which hee bestowed vpon such as would not faile to serue his turne when opportunitie did serue 6 And lastly that whereas in honour and for affinities sake hee ought to haue ransomed and redeemed his said Cousin the Earle of March from his strait and loathsome imprisonment and the rather for that hee was earnestly solicited so to doe he not only denied the said request but falsly and vntruly published and proclaimed that the Earle himselfe was of his owne accord become a voluntarie Prisoner to the end that Traitors and Rebels ioyning with him might haue somwhat wherewith they might colour such Treasons as they would conspire against him For all which causes and manie others more The Percies doe defie the King they vtterly defied him as a Traytor and as a Vsurper and as an enemie they vowed his destruction and the restoring of the said Earle to his Right The King perceiuing that nothing but strong blowes could end this strife and being persuaded The King rayseth an Armie that if hee became victorious in this Rebellion he should bereaue all his enemies of all hope to preuaile in the like attempts had leuied a strong Armie with which hee marched couragiously against those Lords hoping to meet with them before they should joyne their forces with the Welchmen and so great was his care The battaile of Shrewsburie that he failed not therein of his purpose For both their Armies met neare vnto Shrewsburie and in their first encounter the Scots gaue a braue onset vpon the King But with such hardie violence he receiued them The Scots are ouerthrowne that almost in a moment the greatest part of them were slaine Yet notwithstanding the Lords and their Armie stoutly performed their taske and fought with such admired courage and resolution that they persuaded themselues of good successe vntill the King and the martiall Prince his sonne determining by honourable death rather to be subdued 3. 1401. The Percies are ouerthrowne than to become the laughing stocks of aduerse and froward fortune redoubled their strength and valour and by their particular examples each to the other they so renewed the fight that Sir Henrie Hotspurre and some others of the principall Leaders of those companies and manie thousands more were slaine and his vncle the Earle of Worcester was taken prisoner in the field and the rest fled And so the King with the losse of sixteene hundred of his souldiours The King himselfe slew 36. Douglas is
suffered to passe through the English Armie they miserably perished for want of food betwixt the Gates and the Trenches of their enemies And vpon New-yeares day after the Citie had beene long visited with this famine there issued out at the Bridge-Gate certaine Commissioners Commissioners craue conference with the king who craued conference with some man of authoritie in the English Armie vnto whome the Earle of Huntingdon who was quartered in that part of the Citie sent Sir Gilbert Vmfreuyle their errand was To procure speedie accesse and free returne from King Henrie The commissioners repaire to the King The King was well pleased that twelue of them should bee kindly entreated if they came So the next morning foure Knights foure learned men and foure of the choisest Burgesses of the Towne being all clothed in blacke repaired to the King who beheld them with a countenance beautified with extraordinarie Majestie and Grace and vnto him one of them boldly spake as followeth A proud Speech of a Frenchman to King HENRIE REnowned and great Prince the world is taught to know by good Experience that Kings and Noble Captaines doe winne their chiefest Reputation for their valour and for their fortitude by mastring and subduing of proud enemies and of valiant men by martiall violence and with the Sword and that it is and euer hath beene a notorious Badge of cowardly basenesse in a Prince to make them seruile by Famine and by the scarsitie of food in which kind of crueltie there is neither found Manhood to praise him nor Wit which may in anie sort commend him To the end therefore that your Highnesse may make your selfe equally famous with the greatest Princes for your generous disposition in taming of vs the Souldierie of this Citie by the Sword suffer I pray you the multitude of our diseased and sick folkes and the weaker sort of our men women and Children safely and charitably to passe through your Armie and then if you dare assault our Fortresses and our Walls and if by your valour you fortune to become our Lord you may vse vs at your pleasure and make your self truly and heroically famous among great Men who doe scorne all base attempts and can rellish nothing but vnspotted honor When the King with a troubled mind had heard and considered of this bold bragge he stoutly made this answere The KINGS discreete ANSVVERE FAntasticall and fond Frenchmen thinke you that I am so weake a Scholer in the Art of Warre that I haue not yet learned the Principles in that Science Are not the Sword Fire and Famine the three Instruments with which worthie and renowned Kings Princes and the best Captaines euer haue done and doe still endeuour to subdue their Enemies Doe not all Histories accord in one That the greatest Monarchs and the Grand Commanders of the World haue still atchieued their chiefest Conquests by those three Is not either of them powerfull and able to torment and to afflict the proudest foes And are they not all three being ioyned together of sufficient force to ouercome and to ouerthrow the greatest Nation in the world It was my clemencie and gentlenesse to forbeare to assault your walls because I would not willingly hasten the death of anie except they would wilfully further their owne destruction Neither doe I intend to consume so faire a Iewell as this Citie is in the fire because I desire to preserue it the same being mine owne Inheritance and my Right If then I vse the mildest of these three namely Famine to correct you and to frame and fashion you to my will then may you redeeme your selues from her seueritie if you be so disposed by surrendring of this mine owne Citie into my hands Which thing if obstinately you refuse to doe then would I haue you know That Kings may not bee instructed in Martiall Policies by euerie bold companion who dareth impudently to speake Neither may they permit a Bookish vnexperienced souldior to read vnto them a Lecture of warlike proceedings especially if he be their Enemie as you are mine You desire nay sawcâ—y you require That with my leaue and fauour your sick and starued people may passe into the Countrey through mine Armie and that then I should if I dared by meane assaults attempt the winning of your Towne The world will wonder at your crueltie who haue barbarously and vncharitably thrust out of your Gates multitudes of harmelesse poore and distressed People beeing of your owne Bloud Kindred and Countrey to the intent that I should mercilessely slay and consume them yet such hath beene my clemencie and gentlenesse towards them that oftentimes I haue relieued them with mine owne store But because I doe now finde that your obstinacie is not yet qualified and corrected I will from henceforth abstaine from giuing vnto them anie further comfort and if they perish with extreame famine as they needes must doe their bloud will be required by GOD at your hands who doe most wickedly expose them to those calamities and not at mine who would willingly preserue them if my fauors in that behalfe would not hinder mee from the recouering of my Right Resolue your selues therefore that seeing you remaine still froward they shall not passe through mine Armie but die at your Gates except your hearts beeing mollified you will relieue them and suffer them to spend some part of your victualls And when I shall see cause your Towne shall be assaulted to your paine But your aduise and directions shall not appoint the time for it shall be and rest wholly and only at my pleasure And in the meane time I would haue you know That he who dareth to enter into and thus to passe through all your Countries He who hath alreadie taken though not as large yet as strong Townes as this and hee who by the destruction of your Nobles Captaines and brauest men at Armes hath opened the way thus to besiege your Towne dares also to assault it and little doubts to winne it when he will Thus when the King had spoken and ended his Speech he commanded that those French Commissioners should dine among his great Officers of State and with a frowning countenance hee departed from them and went into his chamber They desire to speake with the King againe When Dinner was fully ended vpon a new consultation had betwixt themselues the Frenchmen became humble Sutors to speake once more with the King who gently admitted them to his presence and then with much submission and humilitie they craued a stay from further violence and a Truce for eight daies that more deliberate aduise might instruct them to resolue what course was fittest for the Towne to take A Truce granted for eight daies the King who loathed all seueritie if mildnesse might obtaine him victorie granted their request and then they departed being thereby much comforted into the Citie Daily and hourely throughout those eight daies the Frenchmen resorted vnto the English Armie and
oftentimes consulted of those affaires with the Earles of Warwike and of Salisburie and with other Commissioners appointed by the King Much was demanded nothing granted nor concluded and yet those eight daies were spent The eight daies are spent The Townesmen againe earnestly entreated That the Truce might be prolonged one day more One day more of Truce craued which was frankly yeelded to them The same day the Multitude and the baser sort of the people within the Citie being informed that nothing was agreed on with hideous shouts The commons doe mutinie in the Towne and fearefull cryes and exclamations accused their Magistrates Captaines and Commanders and threatned to cut their throats because as murderers of their countreymen and brethren they suffered them to starue like dogges thereby supporting the stoutnesse of their owne stomacks and their owne particular estates The Magistrates and the Captaines fearing the euill euent of this vnruly tumult entreated all the Citizens to repaire into the Market place Which when they did they then required of them what they would haue With one consent and with one voice they cryed out That they were resolued to saue their owne liues by yeelding of the Citie to King Henrie Vpon this motion a new Petition was sent vnto the King crauing the continuance of the Truce for foure daies more Which request was granted to them And in the fourth day being about the nineteenth day of Ianuarie all matters were so throughly concluded and agreed on That the strong and faire Citie of Roan Roan is yeelded to King Henries mercie the Inhabitants themselues and all their goods and riches were yeelded to the Kings mercie The rendring of this Citie and of all the aforesaid Townes and manie more did much perplex and coole the courage of the Normans and the Duke of Burgoine who with the discontentment of the Nobilitie ruled both the King and his Countries The Regent plotteth to make peace and to be reuenged on his enemies feared much least these disasters would be layed vnto his charge Wherefore to preuent ensuing dangers which as hee suspected did secretly threaten his Estate he resolued by his best meanes and endeauours first to reconcile the two kings if possibly he could and then to auenge himselfe vpon the Dolphin vpon the Constable and also vpon all such others as he supposed were most likely to do him the greatest harme Vpon the Dukes motion king Henrie with his Nobles and greatest Commanders Many parties but nothing concluded and one thousand braue and gallant souldiors and the French Queene because the king was weake and vnable the Ladie Katherine his daughter and the said Duke with some other Noblemen of France accompanied with the like number met oftentimes and consulted much But whatsoeuer king Henrie did demaund all was denied and all their trauailes sorted to no end Whereat king Henrie was much displeased King Henrie to angrie and taking leaue hee told the Duke That hee would haue the kings daughter the Ladie Katherine for his Wife with all such Seigniories Prouinces and Countries as hee required Or otherwise hee would ere long driue both his Master and him also out of that kingdome The Duke replyed The Dukes answere That those words were spoken with great ease but that he must take much labour and toyle to make them good Now when this practise fayled the Duke vpon faire tearmes reconciled himselfe to the Dolphin The Dolphin and the Regent outwardly reconciled And this their new amitie and friendship was by publike Notaries reduced into a formall Instrument in writing confirmed with both their Seales and was proclaymed with great solemnitie in manie Townes in France yet was it fained and vnfirme as shortly after it appeared But this outward Reconciliation contented not King Henrie because hee was right well assured That their discord and their brawlings would haue giuen an easie passage to his attempts in those Countries yet like an vndaunted Prince hee resolued to trie his further Fortunes with them all King Henrie createth Earles in France Longeuyle Tankeruyle Ewe And in hope of future seruice to be honorably performed he created Giscoyne de Foys Earle of Longeuyle Sir Iohn Gray Earle of Tankeruyle and Sir Iohn Bourchyer Earle of Ewe And then in close and in secret manner hee sent Captaine Bueff brother to the said Earle of Longeuyle with fifteene hundred approued men of Warre to the strong Towne of Ponthoyse Ponthoys taken who before the day appeared with skaling Ladders resoluedly entred into the Towne and possessed the Market place without blowes Which when the Lord Lisleadame the Captaine of the Towne perceiued he fled away with eight thousand of the inhabitants who were receiued into Paris And the next day King Henries brother the Duke of Clarence The Duke of Clarence lay before Paris two daies came vnto the same Towne with fiue hundred gallant and well prepared men of Warre and hauing fortified it and diuided the chiefest of the Spoyles thereof among the braue attempters of this Exploit he marched vnto Paris and lay before it two daies But being vnable with so small a number to assault or much to trouble it hee returned vnfought with vnto Ponthoyse The Parisians are afraid The winning of this Towne immoderately vexed and appalled the Parisians because now the French King had not in his possession anie strong Towne betwixt them and the English Armie All Normandie wonne by King Henry except Mount S. Michael The Duke of Clarence had also taken the strong Townes of Gysors and of Gallyard And within few dayes after all the Townes Cities Castles and Fortresses in Normandie excepting Mount S. Michael onely which neuer was besieged nor assaulted were either taken by force or were voluntarily surrendred to King Henrie who by GODS assistance and his true valour thus reduced the whole Dutchie of Normandie to his Crowne 7 1418. and did enjoy it as his Inheritance and Right The foresaid Iohn Iohn the proud Duke of Burgoine newly seeketh reconciliation with the Dolphin Duke of Burgoine surnamed the proud perceiuing that the Kingdome of France was too too weakely vnderpropped by reason that the friendship lately contracted betwixt himselfe and Charles the Dolphin was but superficiall and not heartie determined in a more submissiue manner to humble himselfe vnto him that thereby their loue taking the deeper root might bring forth riper fruits of Vnitie and of Peace But when they met the Dolphin whose malice was irreconcilable and whom mistrustfull jealousie did stil persuade that the Duke would not be faithfull procured him treacherously to be murdered The Duke is murdered as the said Duke himselfe vpon the like enterview for friendship sake had caused Lewis the Duke of Orleance to be slaine A iust punishment in the tenth yeare of the raigne of King Henrie the fourth This horrible Accident for a while tormented with insupportable griefe Philip Earle of Carolois
voluntarily and chearefully take the aforesaid oath then the said Possessions to bee frankely and freely restored vnto them 14. Item That after the death of King Charles the Duchie of Normandie and all others conquered by King Henry should be obedient and bow vnder the commaund of the Scepter and Crowne of France 15. Item That King Henrie should not burden the subiects of France with any Taxes or Jmpositions but in cases of great and vrgent necessitie and then onely the same to be assessed and leuied according to the custome and manner of France and not otherwise 16. Item That after the death of King Charles the two Kingdomes of France and of England should alwaies soueraignely be ruled and commanded by one Man and not by two Kings and that neither of those kingdomes should be subiect the one to the other but each of them should still retaine vse and enioy their particular Customes Liberties Priuiledges Preheminences Immunities and Lawes 17. Item That all care should bee taken and all prouision made that the subiects of each kingdome as brethren and friends should liue in mutuall loue amitie and peace and each of them to procure by their best meanes the welfare and prosperitie of the other 18. Item That neither the said French king nor king Henrie should conclude any Peace nor make any truce with the falsely entitled Dolphin except they both and the said Philip Duke of Burgoine did all three consent and agree in one so to doe 19. Item that none should be appointed to attend the Person of king Charles but Frenchmen and such as himselfe or his owne Councell should make choise of And that from time to time he should be resident and dwell at his pleasure in the most eminent places of his kingdome 20. And lastly that both the said kings vnder their Letters Patents and all their Nobilitie Clergie Gentrie Cities and Comminalties by Instruments in writing vnder their hands and seales should ratifie and confirme the said Articles and Agreements And that they all should solemnly sweare and vow to maintaine them in all points to the vttermost of their abilitie and power The Articles are proclaymed in England and in France These Articles and these Agreements being thus concluded were ordered accordingly and then with all conuenient expedition were proclaymed both in England and in France The two Kings and all their Nobles and other subjects of account were solemnely sworne to obserue and to maintaine them And then they both They are ratified by solemne Oaths being accompanied with Iames the young but valiant King of Scots the Duke of Burgoine the Prince of Orange one and twentie Earles fortie and fiue Barons and a multitude of Knights Gentlemen and braue souldiors of France of England and of Ireland wasted such Countries and besieged and tooke such strong and well defenced Townes and Castles within the Duchie of Burgoine The King warreth in Burgoine as sided and sorted with the Dolphin As first of all the Towne of Seyne after it had beene besieged fifteene dayes and the Castle there after it had held out six weekes then Molyn vpon the Riuer of Seyne which they tooke after they had enuironed it full seuen moneths and in it were apprehended the Lord Barbason The murderers of Iohn Duke of Burgoine are executed the chiefe Commaunder there and diuers others who were agents and actors in the murdering of Iohn the Proud Duke of Burgoine all which were by the French King sent from thence vnto Paris vnder the guardship of Thomas Duke of Clarence who was newly made chiefe Captaine of that Citie by King Charles The Duke of Clarence is made Captaine of Paris And within few dayes after the said offendors were legally tryed conuicted sentenced and put to death for the said Murder Then the two Kings with their two Queenes and their Nobilitie and Companies went vnto Paris King Henrie is proclaymed Regent and Heire apparant to the Crowne of France where King Henrie was proclaymed Regent and Heire Apparant to the Crowne of France and so was he not long after in London In Paris the two Kings kept their Christmas The French King being verie sickly and weake maintained small Hospitalitie But King Henrie with such heroicall Magnificence rich Plentie and liberall Entertainment so feasted the Nobles Gentrie and Citizens of both the said Kingdomes and was so open-handed to all sorts and degrees of people King Henrie winneth the loue of the Frenchmen that his State and Majestie was admired and his Princely courtesie fast bound vnto him the hearts of the Frenchmen to yeeld vnto him all manner of obedience and of seruice Whilest the two Kings thus remained in Paris The Dolphin and the other murderers are banished a great Assembly by their Authoritie was conuocated thither In which they both sate as Iudges and before them the Duchesse of Burgoine late Wife to her slaine Husband by her Aduocate appealed Charles the late Dolphin and seuen others as murderers of her Lord. But no defence was made for them And not long after a Court of Parliament was kept there In which a solemne Proces was awarded against the Dolphin and the rest of the Accused to appeare at the Marble Table in Paris at an appointed day But they all fayled to obserue that commaund And thereupon they were by the said Court banished the Realme and all the Territories of France and were also depriued of all Honors Names Titles Dignities Preheminences and Possessions whatsoeuer When the late Dolphin had intelligence thereof hee went into Languedock and comforted himselfe with his old friend the Earle of Arminack The Dolphin is aided by his old friend the Earle of Arminake sometimes Constable of France who not only assisted him in his great distresse with Money Munition and with Men but also in his owne person did him all reuerence and tooke his part against all such as professed themselues to bee his Enemies These things being thus accomplished the two Kings their Queenes and Nobles sorrowfully departed each from other And King Henrie King Henrie â—th the state of Frâ— with his Queene went vnto Roan where hee receiued Homage of all his Nobles in the Duchie of Normandie And among others of the Earle of Stafford to whome hee had giuen the Earledome of Perch The Duke of Clarence is made Lieutenant Generall of France and 〈◊〉 Normandie The King the Queene came into England The Queene 〈◊〉 crowned And of Arthur of Britaine vpon whom hee had bestowed the Countrey of Iurye Hee also made his brother Thomas Duke of Clarence Lieutenant Generall both of France and of Normandie and of that Duchie hee made the Earle of Salisburie Deputie to the said Duke And then hee with Queene Katherine his wife departed vnto Amiens and from thence to Callis and so came into England Where they were receiued and entertained with as much triumphant and true joy as could be by subiects expressed towards
of that Towne in the siege whereof hee spent three moneths Pont-Melance regained but at length it was yeelded into his hands and the Lord Grandeuyle by a solemne Oath promised his faithfull and perpetuall seruice to King Henrie but reuolted as soone as he was set at large Sens is taken From thence the said Earle marched into Champaigne besieged and tooke the Towne of Sens and deuoured the surprized souldiors with the Sword The Parisians craue protection The vnconstant Parisians more coueting to make an outward shew of their fidelitie to the English than to be true indeede sent diuers of their greatest and grauest Citizens into England to craue protection and defence against King Charles Who were receiued not onely with a chearefull welcome heartie thankes and bountifull entertainement but also were promised the fruition of much happinesse if they persisted loyall vnto King Henrie About that time the Regent meeting at Amiens with the Dukes of Burgoine and of Britaine 1423. 2 A League renewed The Regent marrieth renewed the League formerly concluded betweene them And to make it the more firme and sure hee married the Ladie Anne of Burgoine sister vnto the Duke The triumphant Shewes and Pastimes which were prepared to augment the honour of this Match The Parisians are vnfaithfull and conspire with the French king persuaded the Parisians in his absence that the Regent attended nothing but Iolitie and Mirth Which conceit of theirs made them trecherously to inuite their longed for King Charles to come vnto them and to receiue that Citie into his hands This newes brought comfort to his soule The trecherie discouered So that hee appointed the day when his desire should bee effected in that businesse But as it euer falleth out where many are of counsell nothing can be secret so some of those Conspirators acquainted the Regent with euerie particular of this Plot Who with his Armie posted vnto Paris with greater expedition than may well be credited and entred into the Citie gates before anie notice was giuen of his repaire thither For this Conspiracie manie of the chiefest confederates were executed publikely with sundrie kinds of death And from thenceforth he mastred the Parisians with English Garrisons The Regent curbeth the Parisians and replenished their Castle Towers Fortresses and Places of Defence and Strength with such English Souldiors as solaced themselues in being froward Commanders and imperious Rulers of the inhabitants of that Citie And likewise by strong Assaults and enforced Compositions hee wonne the two Castles of Pacy and Coursay Pacy and Coursay wonne by the English which were not farre from it both which hee strengthened in like manner Whilest these things were thus acted the Lord William Steward Constable of Scotland the Earle of Ventadore The siege of Crauant is raysed and manie others with a strong Armie besieged the strong Towne of Crauant within the Territories of Burgoigne But the Earle of Salisburie with an Armie of fifteene thousand men rushed fiercely vpon the besiegers and with the losse of one and twentie hundred of his companies and with the slaughter of eight thousand of his enemies hee raysed the Siege and gayned libertie to the Towne The Earle vpon his returne to Paris was substituted vice-Regent of the Countries of France Bry Champaigne and Sir Iohn Fastolfe an approued Knight in Arms was appointed to be Deputie in the Duchie of Normandie Which worthie Captaines performed such noble deedes of Chiualrie and obtayned such vnexpected victories as made them famous their Followers rich and their Countrey renowned in all Kingdomes In the meane time whilest the Protector prouidently endeuoring to preuent the encreasing strength of the Kings enemies in France and to secure the tranquilitie and peace of this Common-weale at home The King of Scots ransomed for a small ransome hee enlarged Iames the young and martiall King of Scots who for manie yeares had beene a prisoner And receiuing of him in the Kings behalfe his homage and his fealtie for Scotland He doth homage for Scotland hee gaue to him in marriage by the consent of all the English Nobilitie the Ladie Iane daughter to the deceased Earle of Somerset and cousin german to the King He is an excellent Prince but vnfaithfull and vnthankefull This gallant Prince by meanes of his excellent Learning and Education in feats of Armes vnder the last King Henrie was better enabled to rule a Kingdome than any of his progenitors did before him In so much that making the best vse of those heroicall vertues with which he was adorned he reduced that Realme into extraordinarie Ciuilitie made his souldiors expert in warlike discipline and his Nation more learned than euer they had been before his dayes Yet was he altogether vnfaithfull and vnthankfull to England his nearest and his dearest friend Prouision an Armie sent into France The Protector who was wise and industrious neuer suffered the Regent in France to complaine of any want For as in former times so now he sent vnto him an Armie of tenne thousand men with much Treasure The Regent and his assistants daily wonne Townes Cities Castles and Forts with prouident policie and true valour But the French King by grosse Flatterie cunning Deuises secret Treacherie Valour was encountred by trecherie and couert Dealings among others possessed himselfe of the strong Townes of Crotoy and some others which were suddainely regayned for true Manhood was encountred with Subtletie and approued Valour with Treacherie and Craft The Duke of Britaine and his brother doe reuolt The Duke of Britaine fearing least the Regent growing strong would at length be Lord of his Countrey basely and perfidiously reuolted to the French King And so did his brother Arthur Earle of Richmond who by King Henrie the fifth was created Earle of Yurye in Normandie Yury in Normandie besieged and made Gouernor of that Towne Whereupon the Regent besieged it and with many secret Mynes violent Batteries and fierce Assaults made it so subject to apparant dangers that the besieged concluded to yeeld it vp if at an appointed day they were not relieued by the French King The Regents resolution For the Regent being throughly resolued to purchase his peace with a short and with a sharpe warre determined to abide battel what force soeuer should be sent to relieue the miseries of that distressed Towne And to further his purpose in that behalfe hee freely permitted messengers to be sent vnto his enemies to informe them of the conclusion which he had made Within few dayes after the Duke of Alanson with sixteene thousand Frenchmen approched neare to the English Campe A cowardly French Armie who did put themselues into a readinesse to receiue him But according to the French fashion he made manie bragging shewes to performe much but on a suddain he cowardly quited the place Vernoyle besieged and wonne by a false report not giuing any one blow and pitched
view of the greater part of the Citie And thereby from time to time did informe themselues The valiant Earle of Salisburie slaine in what case and in what plight the Townesmen stoode And at the same window about two Monethes after the first besiedging of the Citie the Noble Earle of Salisburie looking into the Towne was with a great shot vnfortunately slaine and with his death the Triumphs of the English Nation in France waxed more thinne and the Frenchmen became more victorious then they had beene The Earle of Suffolke maintayneth the siege He being dead the Earle of Suffolke was made Generall in that siedge who finding that all prouisions waxed exceeding scant sent Sir Iohn Fastolfe to the Regēt for new supplies who furnished him at the full and dispatched him and his companies with all speede But in his returne towards the siege the Lord Delabreth with sundrie other Barons Knights and common Souldiers The Frenchmen are defeated Policie to the number of nine thousand at the least intending their ouerthrow presented themselues vnto their view who placing their Cartes and Carriadges furthest backe their Horses next and themselues before and pitching their Stakes behind their Archers vpon the first encounter retyred behinde their stakes On which the Frenchmen on horse-back were receiued goared and miserably slaine And by these meanes their Armie being disordered began to flie So that in the fight and in the chace The Lord Dalabreth and the Lord William Steward Constable of France with two thousand and fiue hundred men were slaine and eleuen hundred were taken prisoners with whom and with rich supplies the valiant Knight and his companions repayred honorably vnto the siege The Battaile of Herrings And this battaile was by the Frenchmen called the Battaile of Herrings because the chiefest prouisions which those Englishmen then had were Lenten stuffes When the besieged heard of this newes and were hopelesse of any succours to be sent for their reliefe from the French King Orleance is offered to the Duke of Burgoine by letters they entreated the Duke of Burgoine to receiue them into his protection as his owne who made them answere That hee would so doe if the Regent would thereunto agree This motion pleased manie of the Regents friends and counsellors because thereby the Dolphin surnamed the French King should not onely be dispossessed of so rich and of so strong a Citie but also because it should be enjoyed by their chiefest friend But the Regent himselfe and some others The Regent will not consent thereto were of another minde and returned this answere to the Duke That seeing for so long a time such great expences and charges had beene consumed by King Henrie to bring that Citie into such extremities as that the besieged became wearie anie longer to be troubled it would sound much to his dishonour and disgrace if any Prince besides him should enjoy the Lordship and the Siegnorie thereof This Answere pierced the Duke of Burgoine at the heart The Duke of Burgoine falleth from the English so that from thenceforth his affections dayly waxed cold and occasioned him in secret to become a well-willer vnto the French King When this Project was reuealed and became fruitlesse The Duke of Alanson relieueth Orleance the Citizens of Orleance craued present succours from the Duke of Alanson who did his best to inspire a new spirit of courage into the French King And so sensible was he of their extremities and so readie to releiue them and so extreamely negligent was the English Armie to attend their Watches in the night The fond securitie of the English because they dayly expected the surrendring of the Citie that in the depth and darknesse of the night he conueyed many thousand men and store of all sorts of prouisions into the Towne And within few daies after the besieged issued forth being brauely resolued to attempt much The Frenchmen preuaile and are beaten These men with strong blowes wonne the Bulwarke at the Bridges end and one more and slew six hundred men whom they found there They also assaulted the Bastyle wherein the Lord Talbot was But with such a wonderfull courage and resolution he issued out vpon them that he massacred their companies on euerie side and enforced them to flye like Sheepe before the Wolfe so that with much losses they hardly recouered into the Towne The siege of Orleance abandoned But the next day the Earle of Suffolke quited the Siege seuered his Armie and sent each companie to his owne Garrison And in their returne the Lord Talbot by maine assault wonne the strong Castle and Towne of Lauall And thus was the faire and the strong Citie of Orleance deliuered from a long and from a sharpe Siege And within few dayes after the Duke of Alanson besieged and wonne the Towne of Iargeaux wherein among others he tooke prisoner the Earle of Suffolke The Earle of Suffolke taken prisoner and one of his brothers and slew Sir Alexander Pole another of his brethren All which prisoners except the former two were slaine by the Frenchmen who contended among themselues to whome those prisoners did in right belong 1428. 7 The Englishmen are ouerthrowne To the Dukes Armie which consisted of three and twentie thousand men there repaired Arthur of Britaine the Earle of Vandosme and sundrie other Noblemen with great and strong troups All these fortuned to meet with the Lords Talbot Scales and Hungerford who conducted fiue thousand men to fortifie the Towne of Meum Betwixt them there were exchanged manie bloudie blowes so that in the end the said three English Lords were taken prisoners Prisoners twelue hundred of their companies were slayne and the rest which escaped hasted vnto Meum and replenished that Towne with abilitie of Strength to resist future Dangers This vnfortunate disaster was accompanied with another mischiefe For no sooner was it published and knowne abroad but that diuers Cities Reuolts to the French King Townes Castles and strong Holds treacherously fell off and submitted themselues to the French king whom these vnexpected good chances not onely elated and made proud but also augmented his good hopes of a speedie end of all his troubles English prisoners especially because the Earle of Salisburie was slaine and the Earle of Suffolke and the Lords Talbot Scales Hungerford and manie other valiant English Captaines were then his prisoners and could not assist the Regents part The French King being thus stomacked and put in heart would not anie longer retayne anie meane or base thoughts but in stead of them he now consulted and deuised how he might recouer the Citie of Rhemes Rhemes that in it hee might with all Solemnities and Prince-like Requisites be crowned King according to the manner and custome of his Ancestors Kings of that Kingdome And to effect those his desires with all conuenient speede he forthwith passed into Champaigne with a great Armie where hee
Counsell But because the most of them were Clergie-men they afforded no manner of redresse where at the Protector was much displeased But to requite him with more vexation and a greater trouble they caused the Lady Eleanor his wife The Protectors wife condemned for witchcraft to be accused and conuicted for conspiring of the Kings death with Witches and such like gracelesse people for which shee was inforced three times to doe publike Penance in the Citie of London and afterwards shee was committed to perpetuall Imprisonment But diuers of her condemned associates were Executed and put to sundrie kinds of death And now to returne to the French Warres King Henrie in regard of former seruices and of future hopes of the like performance Created the Lord Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsburie Iohn created Earle of Shrewsbury A worthy Captaine and sent him into Normandie with three thousand selected men for the better securing of that Duchie In which expedition hee worthily demeaned himselfe and wonne much Honour This yeare the Countesse of Coming in Guyen died without issue and her inheritance was claimed by the French King And likewise the Earle of Arminacke pretended himselfe to be her next heire A mariage offered to King Henrie And to strengthen himselfe the better to gaine his right he offered his Daughter in marriage to King Henrie with the gift of much money and with the surrendring into his hands of all such Territories and possessions within the Duchie of Aquitaine and Guyen as either by Conquest or by discent did belong vnto him The King is offered to the Earle of Arminaks daughter This offer was willingly hearkned vnto and accepted by the King who by his Ambassadors was publikly offered to the said Lady But the French King minding rather to preuent dangers before they come then to remooue them after they were hapned so suddenly inuaded the said Earles Countries and Dominions with an Armie that with small or no resistance hee quickly made himselfe the Owner of them all The King refuseth her The newes whereof so altered and changed the minde and the affections of King Henrie towards his offered Lady that he would neuer after be perswaded to hearken vnto or to thinke vpon that match The grieued compassion which forraine Princes tooke vpon the lamentable distresse of poore France because the bloud of Christians was so vnmeasurably and so vnmercifully shed in those warres incited them to mediate both these Kings to make a friendly peace which was not effected according to their endeuours and desires A truce for eighteene moneths The Earle of Suffolke solliciteth another mariage for King Henry without authority giuen to him A dishonorable match propounded and concluded Reasons why this match was disliked but a truce only was concluded for eighteene moneths In the handling whereof the Earle of Suffolke not warranted by his Commission nor making his associates acquainted with his purpose sollicited a mariage betwixt his Lord and master King Henry and the Lady Margaret cosen to the French King and daughter vnto Reyner Duke of Angeow being the titularie King of Sicilie Naples and Ierusalem With her hee made no demand for any money because her father was but poore nay which was much worse hee consented that if the said mariage might be effected King Henry should freely and frankly release vnto her father all his right and title to the said Dutchie of Angeow and to the Country of Mayne The Lords of France were quickly wonne to hearken to this motion and King Henry was glad at the heart that he should haue for his wife such a faire and fresh Lady as the Earle of Suffolke could neuer praise enough But the Protector strongly opposed himselfe against this match terming her descent to be but Titularie and vrging much the pouertie of her father and told the King that his honour and reputation would receiue many scandals if he should reiect the Earle of Arminaks daughter vnto whom with all due ceremonies he was publikely affied and also that his losse would be lamentable if he released his lawfull and iust title to the Dutchie of Angeow and to the Country of Mayne according to the Earle of Suffolkes vnaduised offer But all his reasons as friuolous were reiected and his counsell was not cared for But the King to gratifie and to please such of his Noble-men as therein enclined themselues to his humour Creation of Lords bestowed on them new Dignities and honours For Iohn Lord Holland Earle of Huntingdon was created Duke of Exeter as his father had beene Humfrey Earle of Stafford was made Duke of Buckingham Henry Earle of Warwicke was made Duke of Warwicke and the said Earle of Suffolke was created Marques of Suffolke Which Marques being very honourably accompanied with great troupes of Lords The new Marquesse fetcheth the yong Queen The King is maried Ladies and other personages of great worth and honour went richly prouided into France and according to his condition receiued the Lady Margaret from the French King and from Reyner her father and conueied her with great pompe and princely magnificence into England where within few daies after she was maried to the King and crowned Queene Now as the prefixed time for the truce drew towards an end so King Henry perceiued that this his new alliance with the French King promised him not any certaintie that it should be enlarged or that he should haue peace For in France fresh supplies were hourely prouided to reuiue the former warre and euery day offered euident demonstrations that nothing was more to be expected then blowes Wherefore to encounter those preparations with the like prouisions the King assembled his high Court of Parlament A Parliament The Marquesse of Suffolks oration His motion in which the Marques of Suffolke in a powerfull glozing and tedious Oration extolled his owne deserts aboue the skies as well in his seruice in the French warres as also in mouing and in concluding the late truce and the Kings mariage He also admonished his Highnesse and the two houses there assembled what preparations for warre were made in France and how behoouefull it was for the King to doe the like And vpon this motion proceeding from his haughtie pride and ambitious minde the whole assemblie became humble suters to his Maiestie A Record made of his acts that not only his said admonition and aduice but also all his said former seruices and doings might in most ample sort be registred among the Rolles of Parliament for the perpetuallizing of his honour and of his name which with wonderfull applause was consented vnto and shortly after he was created Duke of Suffolke He is made a Duke Yet for all this before many yeares were expired he was in the same place accused conuicted and condemned for sundrie treasons Humana caduca misprisions and offences for which he was exiled taken and without law put to death as hereafter wee shall
a Kentish Rebell named Iacke Cade but falsly nominating himselfe Iohn Mortimer made an Insurrection in that Countrey and with his rudely-armed crew and banners displayed he marched towards the King who was then at Greenwich His message to the King But before hee came vnto him by messengers he informed him that hee intended not any hurt against his Royall Person but would displace and punish some of his euill Counsellors who were his flatterers and partiall to their owne friends bitter to their enemies enrichers of themselues oppressors of the common people greedie of too much honour and who for rewards corruptly ordered or rather disordered all things as they pleased When the King and his Counsell had maturely considered of this vndutifull and insolent message he was aduised to encounter them not with faire words which might breed further contempt but with the Sword for ensamples sake that others might by their punishment afterwards take better heede The Kings Armie pursueth the Rebels And thereupon a strong Armie was suddenly prepared of which when the Rebels were informed to gaine aduantage by their valour vnder a false pretence of cowardly feare they retired many miles The Queene who was resolued that this retreat rather proceeded from basenesse then from pollicie and wit sent after them Sir Humfrey Stafford and William Stafford his brother they being accompanied with many lustie Gentlemen and braue Souldiers Some of the Kings forces are ouerthrowen But most of them were quickly slaine by the Rebels who boldly and couragiously confronted them when opportunitie and place gaue them good aduantage to returne This victorie being thus obtained The Rebellion is appeased Iacke Cade to whom multitudes of rude and gracelesse people from many shires daily resorted pressed forth againe and boldly came into Blacke Heath and from thence to London where they did much harme But at length the Kings Generall Pardon was proclaimed by the Archbishop of Canterburie and by the Bishop of Winchester A good policie to all such as were not the Ring-leaders of that vngodly rebellion by means whereof the inconstant and fearfull multitude left their Captains and returned home Then was Iacke Cade proscribed by the King and proclamation was made by which a reward by the gift of one thousand markes was promised to him that could take him aliue or dead The hope of this paiment occasioned very many to make good inquiries and narrow searches after him Iacke Cade is prescribed and slaine so that in the end being found he was slaine as he fought desperately for his life and his head was presented to the King who willingly paid the reward which was promised Thus was this caitiffe destroied and thus was this commotion appeased which threatned destruction to the King and Common-weale Such of the Nobilitie and such of the Commons as could no longer endure or digest the euill gouernment of the Queene and of her adherents The Duke of Yorke commeth into England aduertised the Duke of Yorke who remained in Ireland that a Parliament was neere at hand and praied him to consider what was fittest to be done for the redresse thereof and for his owne good Whereupon he left his deputation in Ireland and returned home and openly conferred with his best friends Iohn Duke of Norfolke Thomas Courtney Earle of Deuonshire Richard Earle of Salisburie Richard Neuill his sonne Earle of Warwicke Edward Brooke Lord Cobham and with diuers others how and by what meanes he might soberly without vsurpation or treason set forth his right and title to the Crowne The causes for which he leuied an Armie After this matter had beene long debated it was concluded that the Duke of Yorke should raise an Armie vnder pretence to remoue the Duke of Somerset from the King and Queene because he ruled them both and the Common-weale too and against him it was publikely alleged that he was an oppressor of the people a deceiuer of the King a secret friend to his enemies a principall occasion that England had lost France Normandie and Aquitaine and had by his manifold treacheries and treasons deserued ill of the Prince and of his Countrey The King raiseth an Armie The King also fearing the worst raised another Armie but being certified from the Duke of Yorke that he intended nothing against his royall person nor against his State but onely craued that in a Parliament the Duke of Somerset might receiue his triall he committed the said Duke for a shew only to the Tower and thereupon the Duke of Yorke expecting fitter opportunitie dissolued his Armie A dissembled pacification and priuately repaired to the King where contrary to his expectation hee met with the Duke of Somerset who accused him of treason The Duke of Somerset accuseth the Duke of Yorke of high Treason He is imprisoned and enlarged for that without the Kings leaue or commandement he had raised an Armie with which he intended to haue murdered the King and to make himselfe the inheritor and possessor of his Crowne And though the Kings iealousie being grounded vpon strong presumptions that it was true caused the King to detaine and keepe the Duke of Yorke as a prisoner yet within few daies after he was enlarged because it seemed vnlikely to the Kings Counsell that his aime was directed to the Crowne seeing that without compulsion he had dissolued his Armie vpon the Duke of Somersets commitment vnto prison when he was strong enough to haue made his partie good against the King by force of Armes in the open field This businesse was the more easily passed ouer by the King because that in the middest of those disturbances the Lords of Aquitaine vpon whose fidelities Guyan and Aquitaine yeelded to King Henry but regained by the French King the French King being departed into France King Henry much relied by secret messengers had made offer to surrender al that Duchie againe into his hands if he would speedily send vnto them a conuenient Armie to defend and keepe it as his owne And thereupon the Lord Talbot Earle of Shrewesburie was sent thither with three thousand selected and valiant men who receiued that Duchie to the Kings vse as it was promised But assoone as the French King had notice of this Reuolt hee marched thither with an Armie of two and twentie thousand men fought with the English Iohn Earle of Shrewesburie slaine slew the most renowned and braue Earle and almost all his followers and in few daies regained all Aquitaine and almost all Guyen into his owne hands The Queene was now deliuered of a faire sonne Prince Edward borne who was afterwards named Edward and liued vntill almost hee came to a mans estate Creation of Lords And neere about the same time King Henry created his two brothers by the mothers side Edmund Tuthar who was father to King Henry the Seuenth Earle of Richmond and Iaspar Tuthar Earle of Pembroke but he died without issue France
assistance Andrew Trollop and Iohn Blunt two of the most approued English Captaines which then liued and had beene best exercised in the warres of France And when they had plentifully increased their Armie partly in Wales and in the Marches thereof and partly by such companies as resorted daily out of the North vnto them The Kings armie they set onwards and came vnto a little Towne called Lud low where the King and diuers of his Nobilitie presented a strong Armie to the view of the Yorkish Faction so that they lay not farre asunder that night But in the euening the two braue Captaines Trollop and Blunt surueying the Kings forces Andrew Trolop and Iohn Blunt flie into the Kings armie and discouer all espied a certaine way and meanes to endanger the King and all his so that it was resolued by the Duke and Earles that their aduice counsell should fiercely be executed the next morning before the King should be able to set his Armie in a readinesse to fight But in the first watch those two Captaines making it a matter burdensome to their consciences not onely to fight against their Soueraigne Lord and King but also to betray him into the hands of his owne subiects secretly fled and came vnto the King to whom they plainly discouered the proiect and the intention of his enemies and aduised him of the best and chiefest meanes how not onely they might be resisted but driuen to the worst And for this seruice they were gently receiued and pardoned and rewarded by the King The Duke and Earles being certified of their Reuolts beganne to be diffident of their good successe and not daring to set vp their rest on the next daies fight they determined to expect another time which might affoord them more suretie and better hopes And taking aduantage by the darknesse of the night The Lords flie in the night they departed from their Armie into seuerall places for the Duke with his younger sonne Edmund Earle of Rutland retired into Wales and from thence they sailed into Ireland The other two with Edward Earle of March eldest sonne to the Duke of Yorke came into Deuonshire and being safely shipped in Ex-mouth Hauen by the fauour and procurement of a worthy Gentleman named Iohn Dynham they sailed to Calice where notwithstanding their misfortunes they were receiued with much ioy The King who reioiced much at their departure coasted the Countries with multitudes of Horsemen to ouertake them but all their labours were in vaine For the present feare which alwaies remained with them gaue them wings to flie He also pardoned the ordinarie souldiers of the Yorkish Faction which were forsaken by their chiefest guides and as sheepe were exposed to a slaughter But their Captaines who were deliuered vp into the Kings hands were executed in sundry places within this Realme Hee also proclaimed the said Lords to be Arch-traitors to him and to his Kingdome confiscated their goods offices The Lords are proclaimed Traitors and their lands committed the gouernment of the Northerne parts to the Earle of Northumberland to the Lord Clifford his trusty friends and made Henry the young Duke of Somerset Captaine and chiefe Commander of his Towne and Castle of Calice Henry Duke of Somerset is made Captaine of Calice Hee was coursly entertained and of the Marches thereof who sailing thither with a purpose to take possession of his new charge and not suspecting that his enemies were there was on his first arriuall well beaten and battered with the great shot and ordinance which from the Castle plaied on him and by those meanes he was compelled to retire and to keepe off The Queene hauing intelligence of this rude and vnkinde entertainment of her new Captaine and great fauourite resolued to send vnto him fresh and new supplies for which purpose some ships of the Nauie Royall were made ready within the Hauen of Sandwich Iohn Dynham taketh some of the Kings ships But the before-named Iohn Dynham disposing himselfe to all seruices which might support the Yorkish Faction and being furthered by the Mariners who highly fauoured and inwardly loued the young and lustie Prince Edward Earle of March and being accompanied with many gallant spirits and braue men boorded the said ships as they lay there at anchor took the Lord Ryuers who was appointed Admirall to conduct them and carried him and those ships to Calice from whence the Earle of Warwicke sailed in them into Ireland The Earle of Warwicke saileth into Ireland and conferred largely with the Duke of Yorke concerning those affaires But in his returne the Duke of Exeter being Admirall of the Seas and hauing vnder his charge a warlike and a strong Fleet making no doubt to haue taken him was much deceiued for his owne Mariners more adhered to the Yorkish faction then to the Kings and shewed themselues to bee exceeding cold and sparing in the performance of their duties He returneth to Calice when neede required their seruice so that the Earle of Warwicke returned back againe safely vnto Calice And now the King vpon good aduice assembled his high Court of Parliament A Parliment Attainders for Treason Preparations against the laâ—â—ing of the Lords in which hee caused all the Lords of the Yorkish Conspiracie to bee attainted of High Treason And lest this Realme might be disturbed by their inuasion or secret entrance diuers Captaines with their companies were lodged in all Townes and Ports which neare adioined to the Sea and were the best likely places for their landing Sir Simon Mountfort likewise who was a right worthie and a valiant Knight hauing vnder his charge diuers of the Kings ships was appointed to keepe and to defend the Cinque-ports But nothing was done in the Kings Chamber or in any other place of greatest secrecie or counsell whereof the said Earles had not certaine and quicke intelligence at Calice wherefore they prouided furnished and strongly manned such of the Kings ships as formerly by the said Iohn Dynham had beene brought thither The Kings Fleet taken in Sandwich in which they sailed and safely arriued within the Hauen of Sandwich and suddenly they tooke Sir Simon Mountfort prisoner vanquished the towne and caried away with them such of the Kings ships as they found there And hauing receiued good intelligence from their friends that nothing was more expected then their returne into England The Lords doe land at Sandwich they prepared for their iourney and arriued the second time at Sandwich and were within few daies assisted by the Lord Cobham and by many Gentlemen and braue souldiers insomuch that their Armie consisted of more then fiue and twenty thousand men with which they marched towards London Their Army But the Lord Scales was sent against them with a small companie to that Citie to defend it and to secure the King of the fidelitie of the Inhabitants thereof when time should serue But the Lord Maior refused to receiue
them The Londoners refuse to receiue the Lord Scales and told the Lord Scales that hee was able enough without his helpe or counsell to keepe that Citie which by the King was committed vnto his charge whereat he was much displeased and went to the Tower from which hee much wronged and damnified the inhabitants of London The King to defend himselfe The King marcheth towards the Lords and to master his rebellious enemies being accompanied with the Dukes of Somerset and of Buckingham and many other Lords Knights Gentlemen and a strong Armie marched towards them And though the King himselfe for necessities sake was personally present yet his minde and cogitations were more religiously bent to his praiers and his desires affected nothing more then quietnesse and peace But the Queene whose heart was manly The Queene encourageth and threatneth and whose anger threatned death with souldier-like termes and speeches cheared vp her followers debased their enemies promised rewards if they deserued well and the seuerest of all punishments to such as fled At length neere vnto the Towne of Northampton the two Armies met the Earle of March being very frolicke The Armies doe meet The battaile of Northampton and in the heat and flower of his youth by the aduice and counsell of the Earle of Warwicke ordered his Armie for the battaile The Queene and her adherents did the like The fight quickly beganne and fiercely continued somewhat more then two houres but at length the Earles became victors The King is ouerthrowen Ten thousand men slaine Slaughter slew more then ten thousand men on the kings part among which were Humfrey Duke of Buckingham Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewesburie Thomas Lord Egremont Iohn Viscount Beamond and many others The Queene with the Duke of Somerset and diuers others Flight taking with them the young Prince fled into the Bishopricke of Durham where they hoped to raise a new Armie or resolued in default thereof to goe into Scotland and to remaine there vntill fortune and their friends should inable them to recouer what they had lost The King taken prisoner The Tower is deliuered to the Lords The King who was left behinde was taken prisoner and conueied by the Earles with great pompe and much honour vnto London and at their comming thither the Tower was deliuered into their possession by the souldiers against the liking and good will of the Lord Scales who attempted to flie from thence disguised in a Whirrie But being discouered by the Water-men he was by them taken The Lord Scales beheaded by the Water-men Tho. Thorpe taken and imprisoned The Duke of Yorke commeth into England A Parliament What the Duke of Yorke did and said in the Parliament house The Duke of Yorkes title and made shorter by the head and his body was negligently left vpon the sands And Thomas Thorpe the second Baron of the Exchequer who mortally hated the house of Yorke purposing in the habit of a Monke with a shauen Crowne to flie vnto the Queene was taken and brought to the Earle of Warwicke who sent him to the Tower where hee remained long after The Duke of Yorke being speedily informed of this victorie left Ireland and came to London and procured a Parliament to be assembled in the Kings name and in the presence of all the Lords in the Vpper House hee sate himselfe downe in the Imperiall Seat and in an eloquent and powerfull Oration hee discouered to the Nobles his rightfull claime and title to the Crowne he being the sonne and heire of Anne the daughter and heire of Roger Mortimer Earle of March sonne and heire to Philip the sole daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third sonne of King Edward the Third and elder brother to Iohn of Gaunt who was father to the Vsurper King Henry the Fourth who was father to King Henry the Fifth who was father to the King who was vntruly named King Henry the Sixth Englands plagues He also related vnto them that because God blessed not his vnlawfull gouernment therefore the Common-weale of England had beene plagued with many mischiefes As first by the murdering and by the executing of many honourable and great Lords Secondly by the slaughter of thousands of the common people in France Normandie and elsewhere Thirdly by ciuill and bloudie warres at home Fourthly by the losse of all Territories beyond the Sea belonging to the Crowne of England excepting Calice and the Marches thereof Fifthly by sudden incursions made by the Frenchmen and by the Scots And lastly by all manner of violence 1460. extortion and oppression practised vpon the poorer sort And in his conclusion hee craued no fauour vnlesse that iustice gaue them warrant The title to the Crowne settled by act of Parliament nor quiet possession of the Crowne except they found his descent and title to be infallibly true When the Lords and the Commons there assembled had with mature deliberation and good aduice debated soundly of this important businesse it was by them all enacted that King Henry should so long as he liued retaine the name and honour of a King and that the Duke of Yorke should be proclaimed to be the heire apparant of the Crowne and should be the Lord Protector both of the Kings person and also of his dominions and countries and that the said Duke should haue the present possession of the Crowne of this Realme deliuered vnto him if at any time King Henry or his friends allies or fauourites in his behalfe attempted the infringing of the said Acts which were agreed and confirmed by their oathes The Duke of Yorke hauing by these meanes gotten the gouernment of the Kings person and of all his dominions into his hands The Lords in Scotland refuse to come to the Duke of Yorke dispatched his letters into Scotland in the Kings name requiring the Queene the Dukes of Somerset and of Exeter the Earle of Demonshire the Lords Clifford and Rosse and such other great men as were fled and remained in that Kingdome to repaire with all expedition to the Kings presence They come on with a great Armie But they all not onely refused to obey this peremptorie command but with an Armie of eighteene thousand Englishmen Scots they marched boldly towards the Kings Court. Whereupon the Duke of Yorke with his younger sonne the Earle of Rutland and the Earle of Salisburie leauing the King in the custodie of the Duke of Norfolke and of the Earle of Warwicke and being accompanied with no more then fiue thousand men directed his iourney towards the Queene They are encountred The battaile of Wakefield Haste made waste The Duke of Yorke ouerthrowen and slaine A blâ—udie fact and met her neere to the Towne of Wakefield where no perswasions or good aduice could preuaile but the Duke of Yorke who euery houre expected the approch of Edward Earle of March his eldest sonne with a strong Armie would forth with
fight which vnfortunately he did for in lesser time then the space of one houre himselfe with almost three thousand of his companie were slaine and his younger sonne Edmund Earle of Rutland being but twelue yeares old kneeling vpon his knees and desiring mercie was cruelly and wickedly stabbed to the heart by the Lord Clifford who horribly did sweare that by that act he would be reuenged for his fathers death And the rest of that small Armie being discomforted confusedly ranne away and saued themselues by flight The Queene who had taken the Earle of Salisburie prisoner caused his head to be stricken off and executed many others The Earle of Salisburie beheaded all whose heads to despight the Yorkish Faction she caused to be set vpon the walles of the Citie of Yorke Which reuengefull deede not long after was requited by the ruine and destruction of the King the Queene the young Prince and of the greater number of such as fauoured and assisted the house of Lancaster and opposed themselues against the rightfull and iust claime of the Duke of Yorke as hereafter we shall heare The new and braue Duke of Yorke being informed of this ouerthrow The new Duke of Yorkes victorie and of his fathers death augmented his Armie which was but small and consisted only of three thousand men with which hee fought with the Kings halfe-brother Iaspar Earle of Pembroke Owen Tuthar his father Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and of Wiltshire and their companies And almost at their first encounter those two Earles fled foure thousand of their friends were slaine many others were taken prisoners Owen Tuthar beheaded The Queenes Armie preuailed The King is enlarged and among them Owen Tuthar father in law to King Henry was one who with some others were incontinently put to death But the Queenes Armie neere about that time hauing fought with the Duke of Norfolke and all his forces compelled them to flie to leaue King Henry behinde them whereat she conceiued much ioy This victorie at the first made her insolent and proud but when she vnderstood how well the young Duke of Yorke had preuailed and that his Armie was now winged with the Earle of Warwickes Regiments and Companies shee with her adherents retired backe into the Northerne parts of this Realme and raised a huge Armie of threescore thousand men The Queenes Armie of 60000. men The Duke of Yorkes Army of 49000. men Towton field 36000. Englishmen slaine The Dukes victorie and neere vnto a Towne called Towton Edward Duke of Yorke the noble and victorious Richard Earle of Warwicke and almost nine and fortie thousand men met with the Queenes Armie where they fought a cruell and a fierce battaile in which more then six and thirtie thousand Englishmen were slaine among which were the Earles of Northumberland and of Westmerland the Lords Dacres Welles and Clifford Sir Iohn Neuil Andrew Trollop and many others The two Dukes of Somerset and of Exeter saued themselues by flight but the Earle of Deuonshire with sundrie moe were taken prisoners The King and the Queene with Prince Edward their onely sonne fled to the Castle of Barwicke and from thence into Scotland where they were courteously receiued and friendly entertained by the young King In recompence of which fauours and in hope of future assistance Barwicke deliuered to the King of Scots King Henry deliuered vnto him the Castle and Towne of Barwicke which the Scots not only much desired but with exceeding great losse and detriment had oftentimes but still in vaine attempted to make their owne This victorie being thus happily obtained the Duke of Yorke rod triumphantly to the Citie of Yorke from whose walles hee tooke the heads of his deceased father and of his friends and causing the Earle of Deuonshire and some others to be executed Execution hee set vp their heads in the same places King Henry being hopelesse of all other helpe and assistance The Duke of Yorke commeth triumphantly into London sent the Queene his wife and the young Prince their sonne to her father Reyner the Titularie King of Sicilia Naples and of Ierusalem praying to vse his best endeuours and diligence to procure him aide and succour from the French King And in the meane time he himselfe remained in Scotland patiently expecting the euent of his future Fortunes THE HISTORIE OF KING EDVVARD THE FOVRTH EDVVARD Duke of Yorke hauing ouerthrowen the King Queen and hauing slaine and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton Field Edward the Fourth proclaimed and crowned King returned triumphantly to the Citie of London and was proclaimed King of this Realme the fourth day of March and was crowned the nineteenth day of Iune then next following In the beginning of his Raigne he remoued from all Offices all such as were voiced to be the oppressors of his people and carefully prouided that all things might be ordered well for their commoditie and profit And in his high Court of Parliament many things were established and enacted for the peace and welfare of the Common-weale A Parliament And all former Statutes which had beene made by the last King Acts for treasons repealed and conuicted him and his adherents of High Treason were defaced cancelled and made void The Earle of Oxford and Sir Awbrey Vere his son and some other Counsellors to King Henry the Sixth Execution being attainted of sundrie treasonable practises lost their heads And to strengthen his part with powerfull and with faithfull friends he created his two brothers George Duke of Clarence Lords created and Richard Duke of Glocester and Sir Iohn Neuil brother to the Earle of Warwicke he created Lord Montacute and Henry Bourchier who had maried the Ladie Elizabeth Aunt vnto the King and was brother vnto Thomas Bourchier Archbishop of Canterburie was created Earle of Essex and William Lord Fawconbridge was made Earle of Kent The Duke of Somerset Sir Ralphe Percie and diuers others being the Kings inueterated enemies perceiuing this settlement of the State Some of the Kings enemies submit themselues but afterwards doe reuolt and finding no hope for reliefe but onely in the Kings grace and mercie voluntarily and humbly submitted themselues to his Highnesse whereupon they receiued his pardon and were entertained with his loue Queene Margaret who with the Prince her sonne was abiding in France by her fathers meanes procured from the French King certaine ships and an aide of fiue hundred men The Queene landeth and flieth into Scotland with which she arriued safely in England at Tyne in the North Country But her successe was vnfortunate for by the Kings friends foure hundred of them were taken prisoners and ransomed and the rest were slaine and the Queene her selfe fled and with much difficultie went into Scotland where shee found such fauour and such friendship that many a lustie Scot accompanied her the King and the Prince their sonne to the Castle of Barwicke where she
came for his repose into the Lordship and Manour of Grafton where the Ladie Iaquet daughter to Peter of Luxenburgh late Earle of S. Paul and sometimes the widow of Iohn the renowned Duke of Bedford and wife to Sir Richard Wooduile Lord Ryuers then lay vpon whom there attended her daughter the faire and fresh Ladie Elizabeth the widow of Sir Iohn Grey who was slaine as hee fought for King Henry at S. Albons in the last yeare of his raigne The King in his absence marieth the Lady Elizabeth Grey This Lady was on the sudden so liked so loued so fawned and doated on by the lustie and young King that for dalliance sake hee resolued to make her his wanton play-fellow if he might But her constant modestie and amorous denials repulsing him from his vnchaste hopes he to obtaine the fruits of his desires without any further delay aduice or counsell tooke her to his wife and created the Lord Ryuers Creation of Lords her father Earle Ryuers and made him high Constable of England Her brother Anthony whom he had made Lord Anthony was by his procurement maried to the sole and only daughter and heire of Thomas Lord Scales and was in her right dignified with that honour Her sonne Sir Thomas Grey was created Marquesse Dorset and was by the Kings motion maried to the Ladie Cicilia the only daughter and heire to the Lord Bonuyle and of Harrington And though this his mariage with the Queene were pleasing for a time yet was it most vnhappie and vnfortunate in the end Euill effects of the Kings mariage For it occasioned his expulsion out of this Realme Secondly the deaths of his true friend Richard the most eminent and valorous Earle of Warwicke and of the Marquesse Montacute his brother Thirdly the slaughter and execution and the murdering of many Nobles Gentlemen and braue souldiers Fourthly the destruction of the Kings two sonnes and almost the vtter ruine and destruction of the Queenes kindred and of her bloud as hereafter in this Historie it shall appeare When the sudden newes of King Edwards hastie mariage was published in France 1464. 4 euery person whom it concerned was highly displeased at this frumpe which thereby hee gaue to his worthiest and dearest friend the Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Warwicke hateth the King and the Earle himselfe by reason thereof conceiued such an inward hatred against the King that in his heart he resolued when time should serue to depose him if he might yet notwithstanding he made faire weather He dissembleth for a time and at his returne seemed rather to make sport at his own disgrace then to take any discontented notice of it The King also who chiefly by this Earle was seated and setled in his Throne endeuoured secretly to abridge him of his authoritie and power because hee feared lest his greatnesse might doe him harme And the Earle although hee staied a while at the Court after his returne out of France yet as long as hee remained there he imagined that he stood on thornes Wherefore hee asked leaue of the King to depart vnto his Castle of Warwicke for his repose and for recreations sake But being come thither his head was busied with new proiects and all his thoughts were imployed how and by what meanes hee might subdue and depose the King The Lady Elizabeth borne And at this time was borne the Lady Elizabeth who was afterwards the wife of King Henrie the seuenth and mother vnto king Henrie the eight The King purposing to gaine the loue of forraine Princes that by meanes thereof he might with the more securitie defend himselfe against Lewis the French King A truce with the Scots who threatned to bee reuenged for the iniurie which by King Edwards marriage was done to him and to the sister of his Queene concluded a Truce for fifteene yeares with the King of Scots Notwithstanding that by the deliuerie of the Queene Margaret hee detained from him his strong Castle of Barwicke He also sent vnto Henrie King of Castiell and vnto Iohn King of Arragon many Cotshall Sheepe English sheep sent to the Kings of Castiell and of Arragon which neuer before vpon any entreatie or request they nor any other Prince could obtaine From which Sheepe such a multitude haue increased that it hath since turned to the vnspeakable preiudice and hurt of this kingdome and Common-weale The King also contrarie to the opinion and good liking of the Earle of Warwicke contracted and afterwards married his Sister the Lady Margaret vnto Charles the Duke of Burgoine The Duke of Burgoine marrieth the Kings Sister as formerly he had done two other of his Sisters to the Dukes of Exeter and of Suffolke The Earle of Warwicke who secretly thirsted for reuenge and thought the time to be long before hee had restored king Henrie the sixt to his libertie and Crowne by faire promises and insinuating perswasions wonne his two brothers the Archbishop of Yorke The Marques of Montacute was still a secret friend to king Edward and the Marques Montacute to take his part But the Marques who was exceeding hardly induced to giue his consent to so ill an intended action performed all things with an vnwilling minde which in the end turned to his owne ruine and to the destruction of his brethren The Earle likewise being right wel assured that the Kings brother George Duke of Clarence secretly enuied the King because he had preferred Anthonie the Queenes brother in marriage with the sole daughter and heire of the Lord Scales The Duke of Clarence ioyneth with the Earle of Warwicke against his brother the King and Sir Thomas Gray her Sonne in marriage with the sole daughter and heire of the Lord Bonuile and Harrington and the Lord Hastings to the sole daughter and heire of the Lord Hongerford was carelesse of his aduancement by such a match watched a fit opportunitie to complaine to the Duke of Clarence of the Kings sullen vngratefulnesse towards him Why quoth the Duke can you my Lord thinke that the King will be thankfull to his friend who is too too vnkind to his owne brethren Thinke you that friendship or good deserts can worke in him more vertuous effects then nature hath afforded him Is hee not now so highly mounted that hee vouchsafeth not to cast downe an eye vpon such as are of his owne bloud Nay who lay in his owne Mothers wombe Are not the allies and kinsfolkes of his Wife preferred by him to all Promotions Dignities Offices and good places And are not his owne brothers and his truest friends who haue fought in many assaults skirmishes and battailes to make him a Soueraigne King neglected vnrewarded and vncourteously shaken off Were my brother of Glocester of mine humour and disposition my Lord we would with your assistance and aide make him to know himselfe better and to set a difference betwixt his auncient and truely dignified Nobilitie and such
in law Charles Duke of Burgoine to prohibit his subiects and his friends from giuing to the said Earle any aide Warwicke is enuied by the Duke of Burgoine helpe or succour and with a Nauie to surprise him The Duke willingly consented to the Kings request First because the said Earle opposed himselfe against his mariage with the Ladie Margaret the Kings sister Secondly because the said Earle loued Lewys the French King whom the Duke mortally hated And lastly because the Earle was so generally beloued of the English Nation that when he was at home he clipped the wings of the Kings authoritie in his owne Kingdome When the Duke of Clarence and the Earle of Warwicke came before Calice Clarence and Warwicke â—eateaâ—â—â—â— at Calice The Duchesse deliuered 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 Mâ—nsieur de Vawcler made Câ—ptaine of Calice A peâ—â—iâ—n is giuen him hauing their wiues and many other Ladies and Gentlewomen with them in stead of friendly entertainment the Earles vnkinde Deputie Monsieur de Vawcler kept their ships off with the great Ordinance of the Castle And though the Duchesse was in ship boord deliuered of a sonne yet would hee not permit that it should be landed or Christned there neither would hee affoord any thing needfull and necessarie in that extremitie to the said distressed Ladie The King tooke so much ioy to heare of this good newes that forthwith by his Letters Patents hee granted the chiefe Captainship of that place to the said Deputie And the Duke of Burgoine so thanked him that he gaue him an yearely pension of one thousand Crownes Yet for all this Monsieur de Vawcler was so vncertaine in all his dealings towards the King that hee aduised the said Earle to direct his course to the King of France and promised to yeeeld vnto him a good account for Calice when time and opportunitie should it require This counsell gaue some hope and contentment to the Earle who intending to do as he directed lanched his ships into the sea The Earle of Warwicke taketh the Duke of Burgoines subiects at Sea The French King is gratious to the Lords where hee met with diuers of the Duke of Burgoines subiects fully loaden with great varietie of rich merchandises of all sorts all which he rifled and tooke away and landed at the Towne of Deepe and from thence by the French Kings inuitation they came to the Castle of Amboys which standeth vpon the riuer of Loyer where hee met them receiued them cheerefully feasted them with great bountie supplied their present wants and faithfully promised to aid and to assist them when time should serue with his best meanes all which hee did not in regard of any grounded loue towards them but because he knew that they were enemies to his enemies King Edward the Duke of Burgoine Queene Margaret and Prince Edward her son together with Iaspar sometimes Earle of Pembroke some others who with him had broken prison in England were fled into France vnderstanding that the Duke of Clarence the Earle of Warwick and others of their friends were friendly entertained in the French Court repaired to them New plotting against K. Edward where they entred into new conferences and communications for the restoring of K. Henry to his Crowne Kingdome and solemnly tooke their oathes neuer voluntarily to leaue each other vntill they had done their best to effect the same And the Earle of Warwicke to make his own part the stronger gaue his second daughter in mariage to Prince Edward Prince Edward maried to Warwickâ—s second daughter This mâ—riage mâ—keth Clarence a secret enemie to Warwicke whereof when the Duke of Clarence had deliberately considered and thought what might be the sequell of this businesse hee euidently foresaw that this mariage and their newly intended warres would be the vtter confusion of him and of the whole familie and house of Yorke For Kings doe alwaies looke with a iealous eie vpon all such as by any possibilitie may lay any leuell towards their Crowne This consideration not without good cause made him very distrustfull of his own fortunes And to preuent a great mischiefe which as hee thought began to threaten him and his estate his loue his heart began secretly to forsake the Earle of Warwicke and that Faction insomuch that hee gaue priuate intelligence to his brother King Edward Clarence his mâ—ssage to the King that at their landing within the Kingdome of England he would be but a faint and a weake enemie in those affaires Thus when those Lords had concluded to returne The Lâ—rds prâ—â—â—â— fâ—rth for England they were with all expedition well furnished with men munition money ships and all things fitting by the French King But being in a readinesse to passe out of the Riuer of Seyne the Burgundians met them with a strong Fleet at the mouth of that Riuer and purposed to defeat them if they might But an euening storme approching with vnwonted rage and furie The Burgundians drowned compelled the Burgundians to runne into the Sea where many of them were drowned some were driuen into Scotland and the rest being all dispersed laboured and toiled hardly to saue themselues The Earle of Warwicke who by letters some few daies before receiued from his friends was certified that his landing was hourely expected and sufficient strength prouided to backe him and his although they came destitute of all other helpes and succours determined to loose no time but making a present benefit to himselfe and his of the Burgundians mishap and hard fortune and leauing the Queene and the Prince her sonne behinde him the next morning entred into the Sea and with much speed and safetie he landed with all his companies and friends at Dartmouth in Deuonshire The Lords doe land at Dartmouth The King was too secure from whence hee gaue speedie notice of his arriuall to his dearest and nearest friends The King so much relied vpon the bold seruice intended by the Burgundians Fleet and not knowing what shipwracke and dammage it had receiued made no preparation at all either to withstand their arriuall or to encounter them after they were landed but hauked hunted and solaced himselfe according to his humour and wonted fashion in the societie and companie of young Ladies and faire maidens to whom his affections were more obliged then to the warres Warwickes Proclamation But the Earle of Warwicke marshalled his small companie in good order and by publike Proclamations which he made in King Henries name he required all men to repaire vnto his aide with money victuall armour and all things needfull for that purpose and valiantly to fight against the Duke of Yorke who as hee affirmed by meere vsurpation and bloudie tyrannie vntruly and falsly called himselfe King He hath a â—uge Armie This politicke practise within few daies increased his small companies to a huge Armie with which they marched towards London And such were the quicke
endeuours and so industrious was King Edward who was compelled by necessitie to make prouision for his owne safetie that hee leuied a strong Armie and went forth with an high courage and with princely valour against the Rebels of his Countrie But being informed that all the Countries Cities Townes and places thorow which his enemies passed were aiders to their fortunes and hearing them oftentimes with loud voices to crie King Henry King Henry A Warwicke A Warwicke and distrusting vtterly the inconstant mindes and dispositions of his owne souldiers his heart failed him The King flieth in the night so that in secret manner and in the night with eight hundred of his best friends he left his Armie and posted into Lincolnshire and when all his hopes of helpe and succour there were spent in vaine they being altogether destitute of money and other prouisions needfull for a iourney into a forraine Countrey tooke shipping and sailed into Holland purposing to remaine with the Duke of Burgoine vntill they might haue good meanes for their returne and to be reuenged on the Earle of Warwicke and of all other their mortall enemies As soone as it was certainly knowen that King Edward was fled a rude multitude of factious Kentishmen delighting tumultuously and in a braine-sicke manner to fish in troubled waters came to the Gates of the Citie of London and would haue entred it A rebellion in Kent but being resisted in their purpose they rifled and robbed the Suburbes burnt diuers houses murdered many people and at Radcliffe and Lime-house they did the like Warwicke subdueth them But by the Earle of Warwickes power and endeuours they were quickly ouerthrowen and punished sharply for their offence which wonne him much fauour and loue among the better sort of the common people The Earle afterwards came to the Tower King Henry is enlarged where he not onely enlarged the deposed King Henry but in most triumphant fashion conducted him thorow the Citie of London to Pauls Church And when he had concluded his deuotions and performed his offrings as the Kings of this Realme haue beene accustomed to doe hee was brought to the Bishops Palace where he kept his Court with great magnificence and much bountie Hee also assembled his high Court of Parliament at Westminster A Parliament Aâ—taindors in which the late King Edward the Fourth and all his principall adherents were attainted of High Treason and all their goods and possessions were confiscate and giuen to the King The Duke of Clarence was by the same authoritie published to be the next heire of the deceased Richard late Duke of Yorke The Duke of Clarence aduanced his father And albeit that hee was but his second sonne yet all that Duchie was settled in him and in his heires The Crowne entailed The Crowne also was entailed to King Henry and to the heires males of his bodie and for default of such issue to the said Duke of Clarence and to his heires Iaspar Earle of Pembroke was also restored to his honour and his lands and so was Iohn Earle of Oxford and many others And the Earle of Warwicke and the Duke of Clarence who were enstiled friends to the King and friends to the Common-weale were established and made chiefe rulers in all things vnder the King The Queene dares not to put into the Sea When these affaires were thus ordered Queene Margaret with the Prince her sonne and their whole traine shipped themselues But so violent were the raging stormes and so furious was the troubled sea that albeit many profers were made yet durst they not to aduenture for that time Whereupon the common people of this Realme of whom the Queene was not beloued murmured and muttered saying that God was not pleased that such a woman as had occasioned so many battailes and such slaughters and executions in England should returne thither to plot more trecherie and to deuise more mischiefe The Duke of Burgoine furnisheth King Edward with money men munition and ships The Duke of Burgoine although he entreated King Edward and his friends kindly yet because hee himselfe had warred with France and feared lest the Earle of Warwicke would busie him with a new warre sent word to King Henry that hee would not in any sort assist his enemie for his returne into England Yet not long after when he vnderstood that King Edwards friends by daily messengers and by letters importunated his returne and had by their faire promise strengthned him with good hopes of fortunate successe hee deliuered to him fiftie thousand Floreines of gold and furnished him with eighteene tall and warlike ships in which he had only two thousand souldiers for seruice on the land 1470. With these small forces hee sailed into England and landed at Rauen-spurre in the Countie of Yorke where his expectation failed him very much King Edward landeth in England A small hope For few or none resorted to him for his helpe but all men there acknowledged themselues to be the friends and subiects of King Henrie This checke though it much troubled him yet was hee not vtterly dismaied thereby for meere necessitie and danger enforced him to march to the Citie of Yorke And in his passage thither He only claimeth his Duchie of Yorke he published to the people and to the inhabitants of that Citie that he came not to lay any claime or to make any challenge to the Crowne but intended only to possesse himselfe of his Duchie of Yorke of which vniustly hee was depriued wherein he affirmed hee ought by the lawes of equitie and right to be assisted and succoured by them and by all good men He sweareth it to the Citizens of Yorke They receiue him and releeue him The Citizens at his first repaire denied his entrance but by reason of a solemne oath which he tooke before them that he only intended the regaining of his Duchie and would remaine a true faithfull and an obedient subiect to King Henry he was receiued entertained and monied at his owne will But when he had staied in that Citie a day or two hee forgat the oath which so lately hee had sworne for hee placed a strong Garrison within the Towne He breaketh his oath He getteth money and wogeth souldiers He had neuer risen by all likelihood if he had beene defeated by the Marquesse and enforced the inhabitants to furnish him with many requisites and prouisions for an Armie And then leauing the Citie which was by strength reserued to his vse he hired souldiers euery where for money as he passed by towards London And in his march he came within foure miles of the Marquesse Montacute his old familiar and trustie friend who being accompanied with braue troupes and companies of valiant men of warre to encounter him gaue vnto him free passage without resistance to march forth so that by easie iournies hee came to Nottingham where diuers Nobles and Gentlemen who fauoured his
Barwicke is deliuered to the Duke of Glocester who making the Lord Stanley the chiefest Captaine and Commander thereof returned ioifully with his whole Armie and was much praised and thanked by the King This good newes from Scotland was quickly checked with a bad out of France The French King breaketh all the Articles of Peace For the French King not only refused to pay vnto King Edward the foresaid tribute of fiftie thousand Crownes by the yeare which was granted to him during his life but also maried his sonne the Dolphin to the Ladie Margaret daughter to Maximilian the sonne of Fredericke the Emperour thereby breaking his oath and infringing those Articles which vpon the last conclusion of peace he had sworne solemnly to obserue and keepe Whereat King Edward iustly conceiued such an high displeasure and hatred against King Lewys that after long and serious consultation with his Counsell K. Edward resolueth to goe with an Armie into France Nobilitie Clergie and Commons he did resolue to passe againe with a royall Armie into France and to reuenge himselfe of all those iniuries and wrongs But whilest those preparations made manifest to the world the Kings intention to make warre hee being either surcharged with deepe melancholie or with some surfet for excesse of diet and of pleasure did oftentimes disquiet him waxed exceeding sicke He sickneth He dieth and shortly after died when he had raigned more then two and twentie yeares Profitable Notes extracted out of the troublesome raignes of King HENRIE the Sixth and of King EDVVARD the Fourth THe whole Kingdome of France was lost in the seuen and twentieth yeare of King Henry the Sixth 27. H. 6. And the next yeare after all Normandie was lost 28. H. 6. 31. H. 6. And in the one and thirtieth yeare of his raigne the Duchie of Aquitaine was quite taken from him It is likewise to be obserued that whilest hee gouerned and enioied Normandie and France these heroicall Nobles lost their liues there that is to say Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisburie 6. H. 6. 12. H. 6. 14. H. 6. 18. H. 6. 31. H. 6. who was slaine at the siege of Orleance Iohn Earle of Arundel who was slaine at the siege of Rue the noble and renowned Lord Iohn Duke of Bedford and Regent of France and Richard Beauchampe Earle of Warwicke both which died of a greeuous sicknesse and Iohn Lord Talbot Earle of Shrewesburie who was slaine at the battaile of Chastilion Besides many braue skirmishes and strong encounters there were fought during his raigne betwixt the two factions and Confederates of the houses of Lancaster and of Yorke fiue cruell and fierce battailes 1. The first was called the battaile of S. Albons 34. H. 6. wherein the Yorkish did preuaile and among others Edmund Duke of Somerset Henry the second Earle of Northumberland Humfrey Earle of Stafford and Iohn Lord Clifford were then slaine 2. The second was termed the battaile of Bloarheath 37. H. 6. in which the confederated Lords wonne the victorie in which the Queenes Generall the Lord Awdley was slaine 3. The third was the battaile of Northampton 38. H. 6. in which King Henry was ouerthrowen In this battaile there died aboue tenne thousand men among which were these Nobles Humfrey Duke of Buckingham Iohn Earle of Shrewesburie Thomas Lord Egremont Iohn Viscount Beamount and the Lord Scales was beheaded 39. H. 6. 4. The fourth was the battaile of Wakefield in which the King was victorious In this battaile there were slaine almost three thousand men among which was the renowned and most valiant Richard Duke of Yorke and many others And certaine prisoners were then taken and lost their heads among which Richard Neuil Earle of Salisburie and father to Richard Earle of Warwicke was the chiefe And at the end of that battaile the young Earle of Rutland named Edmund being of the age of twelue yeares and second sonne to the slaine Duke of Yorke was cruelly murdered by the Lord Clifford 39. H. 6. 5. The fifth battaile was called the battaile of Towton in which the new Duke of Yorke preuailed and in the same there were slaine almost 37000. Englishmen among which were the Earle of Westmerland Henry Earle of Northumberland the Lords Dacres and Welles and many worthie Gentlemen and Knights And the Earle of Deuonshire with some of his Complices being taken prisoners lost their heads 29. H. 6. Whilest this King liued there were also executed for diuers Treasons touching the said two Factions William de la Pole Duke of Suffolke and Iames Fynes Lord Say High Treasurer of England And Humfrey 25. H. 6. surnamed The good Duke of Glocester being Vncle and Protector to the King and being vniustly committed to the Tower for surmised but not for approued Treasons was cruelly murdered in his chamber King EDVVARD the Fourth IN the raigne of King Edward the Fourth there were principally fought fiue battailes betwixt the houses of Lancaster and Yorke 2. E. 4. 1. The first was the battaile of Exham in the North in which King Edward obtained the victorie and tooke these prisoners among many others Henry Duke of Somerset William Taylboys who named himselfe Earle of Kent the Lords Roos Molynes and Hungerford all which were within few daies after put to death 8. E. 4. 2. The second was called Banburie Field in which were slaine aboue 8000. men 8. E. 4. 3. The third was called the battaile of Loose-coats because the souldiers threw off their coats to run away the faster And in it aboue ten thousand men lost their liues 4. The fourth was Barnet field 10. E. 4. in which more then ten thousand died among which were the most renowned Richard Neuil Earle of Warwicke Iohn Marquesse Montacute his brother whom King Edward entirely loued And on King Edwards part there was slaine a noble and a valiant Gentleman named Sir Humfrey Bourchier sonne to the Lord Barnes 5. And the fifth was called Tewkesburie Field in which 3000. 10. E. 4. Englishmen were slaine among which were the Duke of Somerset and the Lord Iohn his brother and the Earle of Deuonshire In this Kings raigne there were beheaded the Lord Stafford 8. E. 4. who left the Earle of Pembroke vpon a priuate falling out in the Field and caried from him part of the Kings Armie The Lord Welles and Sir Thomas Dymocke 8. E. 4. without any offence at all by them done Richard Wooduile Earle Ryuers and father to Queene Elizabeth 8. E. 4. King Edward wife was taken by the Rebels and lost his head And the Lord Wenloke was murdered by the Duke of Somerset 10. E. 4. because he came not to his rescue with his Companies in the field The young Prince Edward eldest sonne to King Henry the sixth 10. E. 4. to please King Edward was cruelly murdered by the two Dukes of Clarence and of Glocester and by some others King Henry the sixth
hainous fact were committed in his absence no man would then repute him to bee guiltie of that mischiefe Sir Robert Brackenburie Wee must be informed here that because from a meane estate hee had raised Sir Robert Brackenburie to the dignitie of Knighthood and had made him Lieu-tenant of the Tower hee coniectured that those his fauours and many more which hee might hope for would haue incited him for his sake to haue committed any villanie whatsoeuer But the loue which this vertuous and good Knight bare to vertue and the great care which hee had to keepe a quiet and a guiltlesse conscience made him to refuse to perpetrate that murder which by the Kings letters hee was peremptorily enioined and commanded to performe Iames Terril Whereat when the King had stormed sworne and cursed like a Fiend hee called to his remembrance that in the Tower there lodged one Iames Terril a man who was needie both in vertue and of good meanes to support his haughtie and his ambitious minde and who was likely for rewards and promotions sake to kill his owne father and his friend To him the King by his letters disclosed the earnestnesse of his desires and promised larger recompence if the fact were done then such a hellish seruice could deserue Thus when he had made him pliant to his will he then by his letters required the Lieu-tenant to deliuer to him the keies of the Tower which he forthwith did And thus euery thing being fitted according to his desires the next night Iames Terril sent Miles Forest Iohn Dighton and two other gracelesse and cruell Executioners into the poore childrens chamber where they wickedly smoothered them in their beds and buried them at the staires foot from whence they were remoued and obscurely bestowed in an vnknowen place The newes which proclaimed that the two young Princes were vnfortunately found dead in their bed so amazed the Nobles and the common people of this Kingdome and so inwardly perplexed the dying Queene that euery place returned Ecchoes of lamentations and of sorrow and euery mans eies sent forth streames of teares in token of their griefe Only the Tyrant and his Confederates for a few moneths solaced themselues in this that Richard was now a compleat King and with admired policie had surely settled him selfe and his posteritie in this Kingdome But wicked and bloudie Tyrant let such as hate thy vices demand of thee some questions and then thou shalt plainly see and be thine owne Iudge whether this land did euer breed a more vngodly monster then thy selfe 1. Could not the infancie and the imbecillitie of those tender and sweet babes who were vnable to resist or to doe thee harme perswade thee to suffer them to liue 2. Could not their innocencie incline thine heart to pitie and to take compassion on them 3. Could not their proximitie of bloud with thine induce thee to spare theirs 4. Could not the confidence which by the Common-weale was reposed in thee make thee faithfull being trusted 5. How came it to passe that thou by violence and by villanie shouldest dare to take away the life of thy Master nay of thy soueraigne Lord and King the annointed of the Lord 6. Could not the shame which the world would spot thee with when thou haddest done it deterre thee from consenting to it 7. Diddest thou not foresee how hatefull thy selfe nay how odious thy name would be vnto all good men when thy wickednesse should be reuealed 8. By Gods Commandement thou wert prohibited to doe murder What then made thee so to neglect and to contemne the precept of thy God that in despight of him and of his Law thou committedst this execrable murder 9. Could not the gastly examples of Gods seuere iudgements wrathfully poured downe vpon such murderers make thee afraid to kill thine owne kinsmen 10. Why should the Deuill and boundlesse ambition carie thee headlong into such a Sea of wickednesse to thine owne ruine and destruction 11. What couldest thou desire to haue which thou haddest not 12. Diddest thou want riches Why the whole treasure of the Kingdome was to be disposed of as thou listedst 13. Diddest thou want lands and liuings Thou couldest not haue wished for any that the King had but with a word thou mightest haue had thy share therein 14. Diddest thou want authoritie to command and to make thee great No thou diddest not for thou swaiedst the Kings person and his whole Kingdome at thy will and pleasure 15. No no. But thou wast destitute of the grace of God which made thee emptie of all goodnesse From henceforth when thou art named the paper the tongue and the care shall sharply accuse thee of innocent bloud yea thine owne conscience shall condemne thee and as a hangman torment and torture thee with paines and punishments which shall not quickly end The punishment of a murderer Euery man already seeth and reioiceth to see how thou art perplexed and canst not be in rest Thou fearest lest thine enemies will subdue thee Thou distrustest thy friends lest they will betray thee Thou eatest little because nothing can doe thee any good Thou sleepest vnquietly in thy bed because visions fantasies and fearfull dreames doe tell thee that except thou speedily doe repent thou must expect vengeance for the guiltlesse bloud which like a monster thou hast spilt Thou art vnpatient with all men because thine owne heart is still troubled Thou bitest thy lippe because thou deuisest how thou maiest doe greater mischiefes Thou settest thine hand furiously vpon thy dagger purposing to kill other because thou art surprised with continuall feare lest euery man will kill thee Thou bendest thy browes and lookest sullenly because no good mans endeuours can content thee What shall wee more say The shortnesse of thy life thy sorrowes whilest thou breathest and the assurance of thy shamefull death doe tell vs that these bloudie facts of thine doe make the earth loth and vnwilling to sustaine so heauie and so bad a burden And therefore to Gods mercie we must leaue thee but cannot leaue as yet to speake of thee vntill the bloud of thy two innocent Nephewes and of all others whom vniustly thou hast slaine be reuenged in this world by thy shamefull death Now when King Richards progresse was ended Good fruits from an euill tree and hee returned vnto London he endeuoured by the making of good Lawes and by executing of them with fauour and with mercie and by his bounteous liberalitie to the poorer sort and by his humilitie gentlenesse and courtesie to insinuate himselfe into the loue and fauour of his people But God who would not suffer him long to enioy his worldly dignitie and honour without crosses depriued him of his only childe the young Prince of Wales K. Richard is made chillesse for whom hee was much greeued Now must wee know that as Doctor Morton Bishop of Elie 1484. 2 was singularly well learned so was he exceeding wittie
politicke and cunning And of all those his qualities hee made such vse Doctor Morton that in the end he obtained his libertie occasioned the Duke of Buckinghams ouerthrow procured the destruction of King Richard conioined by mariage the two Houses of Lancaster and Yorke aduanced the Earle of Richmond to the Crowne and also preferred himselfe to great honour as hereafter it shall appeare The Duke of Buckingham to whom he was a prisoner was not only great in regard of his high dignitie and large possessions He applieth himselfe to the Dukes humour but by his learning and much applauded courtesie hee also wonne the extraordinarie loue and fauour of all sorts and degrees of people in this Kingdome But his wittie prisoner perceiuing that hee was ambitious and greedie of his owne praise and commendation as commonly great men are insinuated himselfe into his especiall loue and fauour by applying his talke and conference to those humours They beginne to be inwardly familiar insomuch that within a short time the Dukes heart conceiued nothing which his tongue reuealed not to the Bishop yea they began to speake their mindes freely each to other touching the bloudie villanies and tyrannie of the King This craftie Bishop likewise to prouoke the Duke not onely to a further detestation of those cruelties Morton raileth on the Vsurper but also to a resolued purpose to depose him first of all recounted how slenderly the Vsurper had rewarded the Duke himselfe without whose aide and countenance he could neuer haue aduanced himselfe ar he did to the Crowne Then he minded him of the instabilitie of the Kings word who restored not to the Duke nor to his sonne the Earledome of Hartford according to his promise in that behalfe Now vnto that he remembred him of the iealousie which the King conceiued of the Dukes greatnesse so that he rather diminished then in any sort graced or augmented his authoritie power Fourthly the vilifying of the honour and reputation of his owne mother making her vnchafte and such a woman as prostituted her bodie vnto strangers in the conception of his two elder brothers King Edward and the Duke of Clarence to make himselfe more legitimate then they Fifthly his vnlawfull and bloudie executing of Anthonie Lord Ryuers Richard Lord Gray Sir Thomas Vaughan and of the Lord Hastings chiefe Chamberlaine to the two last Kings Sixthly his horrible murdering of Prince Edward the eldest sonne of King Henry the Sixth and of the same King and of the Duke of Clarence his owne brother And last of all and the worst of all the bastardizing deposing and murdering of his poore innocent and guiltlesse nephewes which gaue him by wicked vsurpation his passage to the Crowne and Scepter of this Kingdome Mortons motiues All these things when the Bishop had recounted then for a full conclusion to all that had beene spoken he aduised the Duke of Buckingham for the safetie of his owne life and for the preseruation of his Countrey either to make vse of his owne vertues and greatnesse and of the extraordinarie fauour and loue which all the people bare him and to make himselfe their King or otherwise to further the vniting of the two houses of Lancaster and of Yorke by marying of King Edwards eldest daughter the Ladie Elizabeth with the Earle of Richmond the sonne and heire apparant of Margaret Countesse of Richmond daughter and heire to the Duke of Buckinghams great Vncle Iohn Duke of Somerset sonne to Iohn of Gaunt the fourth sonne of King Edward the Third and so to make the said Earle a true and a lawfull King by means whereof the Crowne of this kingdome should not only be settled where iustly it ought to be but also all future occasions of Factions and of Ciuill warres would bee taken cleane away and the world should be quited of such a Monster who was loathed and hated by all good men Buckinghams resolution The Duke of Buckingham although he were ambitious beyond measure and liked well to be stiled by the great name of a King yet because vsurpation must needs haue beene his best title and Vsurpers neuer wanted enuie hee therefore imploied his wits to conclude that match and to make the Earle King When the Bishop by often disputes had thorowly confirmed the Duke in this his resolution Morton would faine be a libertie hee made him a solemne protestation that if he would permit him to goe into his Ile of Elie he then would quickly furnish the said Duke with store of money and of men But the Duke was most desirous of his companie for two reasons First because his escape would vndoubtedly be laid vnto his charge and reuenged if that proiect were not supported with sufficient strength And secondly because by his absence he should be depriued of such a friend as was right well able to aduise and counsell him at his neede The Bishop knowing that whilest he was a prisoner Morton escapeth his head was subiect to King Richards command and that his great familiaritie with the Duke cleared him of all suspition vnmannerly to depart watched his fittest time of opportunitie and being disguisefully apparrelled in base clothes he secretly stole away and came to Elie where hee furnished himselfe among his friends with store of money and other necessaries He flieth into Flanders and then without lingring hee sailed into Flanders where by his counsell and best meanes he animated the Earle of Richmond who was in Britaine His motion and encouragement to the Earle of Richmond and to others to returne into England to take to wife the Ladie Elizabeth King Edwards eldest daughter to depose the Tyrant and to make himselfe a true and a lawfull King He also sollicited by his letters and by secret messengers diuers Noblemen and Gentlemen of this Realme to bee aiding and assisting to the said Earle at his returne And the Earle himselfe so preuailed with Francis Duke of Britaine that albeit King Richard by his Ambassadors had striued by the disbursement and gift of much money rich iewels K. Richard practiseth to get the Earle of Richmond and by franke promises to make him a new Prisoner and consequently to depriue him of all good hope yet the Duke of Britaine as his faithfull and constant friend began to succour him with his best helpes And albeit that this plot deuised by Morton was exceeding secret as all the Conspirators did imagine yet was King Richard acquainted therewith as well as they And therefore K. Richard knoweth Mortons plot Buckingham refuseth to come to tha Court to cut off the Duke of Buckingham from that Faction by violence or else to win him by faire promises to take his part he courteously importuned his companie at the Court But he hauing a guiltie conscience and knowing that King Richard was not niggardly in shedding of bloud nor vsed to spare any man of whom hee doubted or feared submissiuely and with humble
tearmes excused his not comming by reason of his indisposition to trauell occasioned by the infirmitie of his weake bodie The King who could skilfully cast his water perceiued that he was not sicke in bodie but in minde towards him wherefore by letters and sharpe threatnings hee peremptorily commanded and required him to come But the Duke rather desiring to haue a publike enemie then a dissembling friend boldly returned him this answere that hee reputed him to bee a monster a tyrant a murderer his enemie and an vnlawfull King and therefore that he would not come vnto him Armies are raised And knowing that his life was neere ended except he could maintaine what hee had said by strength of armes in open field hee went hastily into Wales and raised a powerfull Armie and in Deuonshire and in Cornwall Sir Edward Courtney and Peter Courtney his brother being Bishop of Exeter did the like So did Sir Richard Guilford and some other Gentlemen in Kent And Thomas Grey Marquesse Dorset who forsaking the Sanctuarie rode into Yorkshire leuied there much people Wherefore King Richard to support his owne estate and to preserue his life and to vanquish his stout and bold enemies raised another Armie These preparations being thus made King Richard marched against the Duke because he accounted him to be the head of this conspiracie and did perswade himselfe that hee should bee quited of all feare if hee could vanquish him before he ioined his forces with his friends The Duke perceiuing the Kings intention resolued brauely to confront him and to dare him face to face for which purpose he determined to lead his whole armie thorow the Riuer of Seuerne at a low foord not far from the Citie of Glocester This floud hastned the Dukes death who consented to the murder of the two young Princes But in the night before he should passe ouer such an incredible abundance of raine fell and the showres so mainly poured downe for ten daies following that not only the Riuer was made vnpassable but also the whole Countrey thereabout was surrounded with an excessiue floud insomuch that grounds villages townes and people were drowned or carried away to the great hurt and preiudice of the inhabitants who greeuously bewailed and sorrowed for their losse This enforced lingring together with the Dukes wants of victuall money and of other necessaries so discomforted the wauering and vnconstant Welshmen that when he thought himselfe sure of their helpe they then ran away and left him alone and he himselfe by perillous and hard shifting was enforced to harbour himselfe neere vnto Shrewesburie in the house of one Humfrey Banaster who was his seruant and whom from a low degree hee had raised to a faire estate authoritie and worship And the rest of the Dukes friends in other Prouinces when they heard the certaintie of the Dukes ill speeding vpon a sudden dispersed all their companies and euery one of them carefully shifted for himselfe and many of them by meanes of their diligence and good fortune entred into the Sea and arriued safely in the Duchie of Britaine among whom were Sir Edward Courtney Peter Courtney his brother Bishop of Exeter Thomas Marquesse Dorset Iohn Lord Welles Sir Iohn Bourchier Sir Edmund Wooduile the old Queenes brother Sir Robert Willoughby Sir Giles Dawbney Sir Thomas Arundel Sir Iohn Cheney his two brethren Sir William Barkley Sir William Brandon Sir Richard Edgecombe and some others The King hauing dispersed this cloud The Duke is proscribed which threatned a terrible storme proscribed the Duke of Buckingham and proposed the gift of a thousand pounds to him that should be the meane to take him whereupon his faithlesse treacherous His seruant betraieth him and vnthankfull seruant Humfrey Banaster betraied him to Iohn Mitton Sheriffe of Shropshire who with a strong Guard of armed men conueied him to Shrewesburie to the King who being examined confessed all in hope of fauour He is beheaded but forthwith and without any legall proceedings or iudgement he lost his head In the meane time whilest these things were in doing Richmond saiâ—â—th for England the Earle of Richmond who neither beard of this misfortune nor of the arriuall of his worthie friends who flying out of England came into Britaine hauing in his companie almost fiue thousand men entred into the Sea and directed his course for this Realme But in the euening after his departure out of Britaine A storme taketh him and he returneth hee was so cruelly beaten with an hideous storme which so suddenly assailed him and his that some of his ships were driuen backe to the place from whence they came others into Normandie and only one of them besides that in which himselfe was remained at the Sea The next day as the Earle came before Pole he perceiued that all the Coasts and hilles adioining were thickly sprinkled with armed men who eagerly attended his arriuall by the commandement of King Richard and diuers practises were vsed to traine him in But because he feared the worst as hee had good cause taking the benefit of a faire winde he returned and landed safely within the Duchie of Normandie Hee is releeued by the French King from whence he sent to the new and young King of France Charles the Eighth desiring that by his free leaue and licence hee might safely passe thorow that Prouince into Britaine who not only granted his request but also pitying his wants and euill fortune releeued and furnished him with much money So he hauing collected his dispersed ships sent them into Britaine and himselfe by land went thither where to his exceeding comfort and great ioy hee met with his distressed friends all which were valiant men and great Commanders in the times of warre With these Captaines hee entred into new consultations and giuing to them his solemne oath to take to his wife the Ladie Elizabeth He taketh an oath eldest daughter to King Edward the Fourth if his successe were fortunate they all became his subiects and honoured him as their King and all of them by the Duke of Britaines aide and succours endeuoured to make readie a new Fleet and such souldiers as they could get for his returne In the meane time King Richard by sundrie executions shortned the number of the Earles friends and procured him and his associates by an Act of Parliament to be attainted of High Treason He is attainted of treason and thereby hee enabled himselfe to seize vpon all their lands and moueables which hee could finde But his cruelties were so inhumane and barbarous that they were condemned in the opinions of all his people who sharply accused Sir Richard Ratcliffe Sir William Catesbie and the Viscount Louel his three minions and wicked counsellors as furtherers and abettors in those mischiefes so that among others one Collingborne was executed as a Traitor for making and dispersing of this short ryme Collingborne executed Richard gaue a Hogge for
his Supporter The Rat the Cat and Louel the Dogge Rule all England vnder the Hogge Now though the Duke of Buckingham could not hurt King Richard for a dead dogge biteth not yet he resolued by new friendship and alliance to make himselfe more strong for which purpose he not only concluded a peace with Iames then King of Scots but also a mariage betweene a neece of his named the Ladie Anne and the Prince of Rothsay the eldest sonne of the said King Hee also attempted once more by lauish prodigalitie to get into his hands the worthie and braue Earle of Richmond He attempteth to get Richmond into his hands and for that purpose he sent his Ambassadors into Britaine to the Duke to offer to him great store of siluer and of gold and all the Rents and the Reuenues of the said Earle and of his Confederates if he would be pleased to giue him the quiet and the safe possession of him The Duke at that time was exceeding sicke so that his High Treasurer Peter Landoys who at S. Maloes had freed the said Earle from the Ambassadors of King Edward the fourth Peter Landoys abase slaue as formerly we haue heard ordered and disposed of all the affaires and businesses of that Countrey wherefore those bribes and promises were made and tendred vnto him and hee being greedie of so great a prey did vndertake with great expedition to effect all things according to their desire But notwithstanding all this secret practising and cunning iuggling this mischieuous plot and intended villanie was by secret messengers reuealed to Doctor Morton Bishop of Elie he being in Flanders D. Morton discouereth the danger and he with all celeritie and posting speed aduertised the Earle of the danger which he was in by meanes whereof and to saue themselues he with his chiefest friends and followers as priuately as they could departed from Vannes and passing thorow the Countrey of Britaine in great haste they came into France Richmond and his friends escape narrowly and presented themselues to the French King who not onely receiued them ioifully as his friends but promised sufficient aid and succour to the Earle for his releefe But in the meane time Peter Landoys supposing that the Earle of Richmond and his associates had left Vannes but for a few daies to visit some inward friends prepared certaine troupes of resolued souldiers well armed at all points pretending in outward shew that they were by him prouided to goe into England for the Earles aid but to say the truth they were only fitted to haue surprised him and his Confederates and to haue transported them all to King Richard But when hee was certainly informed of their escape into France hee was sore troubled and vexed at the heart because he was discouered to be so treacherous and yet could not effect the mischiefe which by him was intended Now when it was voiced abroad that the young French King and his Counsell would assist the Earle in his enterprise to gaine the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme Sir Iames Blunt Captaine of the Castle of Hammes and Sir Iohn Fortescue Porter of the Towne of Calice and Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford who was a prisoner with the said Sir Iames secretly repaired to the Earle who because they were valiant men at armes and skilled much in martiall discipline receiued them courteously and with much ioy When King Richard was by his owne Ambassadors truly assured in what strange manner the Earle of Richmond and his friends had saued them selues by flying into France and that he was preparing of new forces to trie his fortune when he should land and that the French King and his Nobles both fauoured and assisted him and that the Earle of Oxford with the other two were with him his continuall feare gaue him no rest Another villanous practise of King Richards vntill hee had in some sort pleased himselfe by a new deuice And his plot was thus By subtill and craftie messengers he made large profers of massie siluer and of gold besides his earnest promise of much aduancement and especiall fauour to the mother Queene conditionally that shee would commit vnto his custodie and keeping her fiue daughters so that by meanes thereof the Earle of Richmond might vtterly be depriued of all hope to match with the Ladie Elizabeth as he intended for hee strongly perswaded himselfe that if that mariage were by craft and subtiltie preuented few men would then engage themselues to depose him and make the Earle King The olde Queens follie and couetousnesse The vnconstant and the vnprouident Queene whom couetousnesse and ambition had made credulous and willing to beleeue him who in the field had formerly slaine Sir Iohn Gray her first husband vniustly had executed her brother and her sonne and who had not only bastardized her two other sonnes K. Richard is possessed of K. Edwards fiue daughters but had wickedly and villanously caused them both to bee murdered in the Tower accepted of those his gifts and promises and deliuered vnto him her fiue daughters And no sooner had hee gotten them into his custodie but to make his title to the Crowne more sure he longed in his heart incestuously to marie with his owne brothers daughter His incestuous purpose the said Ladie Elizabeth But the life of Queene Anne his wife who was the daughter of Richard Earle of Warwicke and the former wife of Prince Edward the sonne and heire of King Henry the Sixth and whom himselfe and his brother the Duke of Clarence had murdered in King Edwards presence was the onely impediment to that match The Queene suddenly died It must now be diligently obserued that suddenly vncertaine Authors made report that Queene Anne who was not sicke was dead and moreouer King Richard himselfe forsooke her companie and her bed pretending much discontentment and great dislike because she was barren and not likely to haue any more children to establish his succession in the Crowne The Queene who shrewdly ghessed at the wicked intention of her gracelesse husband much greeued and vexed her selfe thereat and whether her priuate conceits that her death was conspired or whether any poison as many did imagine shortned her daies or no it was vncertaine but within few daies after she was suddenly found dead indeed He maketh loue to his owne Neece The King so little regarded the death of his said Queene that presently he began to make loue to the Ladie Elizabeth his owne Neece who being discreet and modest and hating his detested villanies and well considering what perill and danger her selfe and all her sisters were in She makes him hopefull if the Tyrant should rashly be reiected tempered her denials with tempting and alluring lookes and prettily fed his fancie with the musicke of her sweet tongue and instantly requested him not to vrge his sute with too much loue vntill he had defeated the Earle of Richmond of all his hopes
vp in the imitation of all princely entertainment complements and behauiour so that all such as beheld him and his Heroicall Qualities pronounced their sentence that bee was descended of a Noble Familie and that some extraordinarie Fortune was at hand and attended to make him more happie then a thousand others Thus when this Ladie had procured her counterfeited Idoll to bee adored and wondered at by reason of his maiesticall carriage and behauiour she informed him that vnder the name of Richard Duke of Yorke second sonne to King Edward the Fourth her brother shee intended to aduance him to the Crowne of England and to make him King which that she might with the more ease and facilitie effect shee secretly and so substantially taught him in the whole Pedigrees of the Houses of Lancaster and Yorke that within few daies no Englishman was more expert and cunning therein then he Perkin is aided by the Irishmen When shee had thus furnished him according to her will shee caused him to be transported into Ireland where he made himselfe knowen among those Nobles to bee by his birth a great Prince and therin he so artificially demeaned himselfe that by the whole Nation of the Irish he was receiued reuerenced and maintained as their soueraigne and rightfull Lord. The French King sendeth for Perkin Warbecke About the same time the French King who daily expected the landing of an English Armie within his Duchie of Britaine or in some other place subiect to his dominion as formerly wee haue heard intended to disturbe the intention and purpose of King Henry by setting vp of another King in this Realme for which purpose hee sent for Perkin Warbecke into France and promised with all kinde of friendly entertainment to receiue helpe releeue and succour him vntill hee had inuested him into his right and Kingdome No sooner was this mocke-mocke-prince come to the French Court but such was the generall applause of the Frenchmen and so extraordinarie was their madnesse and braine-sicke ioy that the poore Swad could in no wise chuse but imagine strongly that hee was borne to be a King But in the middest of his flattering vaine and foolish hopes the aforesaid peace betwixt the two Kings of England and of France was concluded and this young Nouice fearing lest he should be deliuered to King Henry ran secretly away Perkin flieth out of France The Duchesse honoureth and maintaineth him and came to his Titularie Aunt the Duchesse of Burgoine who receiued him with great ioy and much honour giuing vnto him princely entertainment filling his purse with gold clothing his bodie with costly and with rich apparell and appointing thirtie gentlemen of worth and qualitie as his Guard to giue their daily attendance vpon his fantasticall person Her practise for assistance in England Then shee caused it newly to be published in England that her Nephew Richard Duke of Yorke was yet aliue and liued in her Court and that he according to his right and title to the Crowne of England as being the heire male of the House of Yorke expected the assistance of all his true and louing subiects towards his attaining thereof Perkin is fauoured in England No sooner did this newes wax common among the Vulgar but it was generally beleeued by them and also by diuers others of better ranke and fashion insomuch that many for malice onely and for grudge which they conceiued against the House of Lancaster others because they deemed themselues not to be sufficiently rewarded for their aduentures in King Henries warres against King Richard others because they were ambitious and saw none other meanes to raise their fortunes others because their fancies were easily deluded by nouelties and deuised newes and others because they delighted to fish in troubled waters determined to take his part And vpon that resolution the Conspirators by secret combination sent Sir Robert Clifford a man of much valour wisdome Sir Robert Clifford and great discretion into Flanders to enquire and to search out the truth of the conception birth and parentage of this new-found Duke This Knight after his arriuall and when hee had conferred againe and againe with the busie-headed Duchesse of Burgoine touching this businesse and with an obseruing eie had beheld the young counterfet and had communed oftentimes with him perswaded himselfe that he was the very true naturall and yongest sonne of King Edward the Fourth and so he certified his friends in England by his letters and by meanes thereof euery day fresh reports gat greater strength and credit among such as were willing to be partakers in his fortunes King Henries preparations against Perkins inuasion Wherefore as a sharpe Feuer suffreth not the Patient to take any rest so this fantasticall dreame and vaine imagination troubled King Henry aboue measure and wisedome made him prouident to prepare for future stormes so that he strongly guarded and fortified all places which bordered vpon the Sea and by his letters hee informed the Burgundians and Flemings of the vanitie and falsitie of this deuised foolerie and of this fained King vsing his best meanes both to preuent all ciuill wars and also to withstand all inuasions which might bee attempted against his Crowne and Kingdome And to make himselfe more strong 1493. 9 hee selected and appointed diuers men of wisdome and of worth secretly to flie out of England into Flanders to the Duchesse and to this fained Duke A wittie policie that by their meanes and endeuours bee might haue true intelligence of such as being of name and qualitie conspired to ioine with this ignoble counterfet vpon whose information and after legall trials the chiefest actors in that businesse as Traitors were put to death King Henry also recounting how that by the late breach of promise Maximilian the King of the Romans failed to assist him in his warres against Charles the French King and finding that his sonne Philip Arch duke of Austria and Duke of Burgoine secretly fauouuoured the attempts of the Ladie Margaret concerning Perkin Warbeckes conspiracie The English Mart is remoued from Flanders to Calice A restraint of wares and merchandizes remoued his Mart of English merchandizing from Flanders to his owne Towne of Calice and also he prohibited all men whatsoeuer to bring any Flemish commodities or wares into this Kingdome This restraint notwithstanding the bribing Easterlings were vnder hand permitted to bring into England what they would And likewise King Maximilian and his sonne by strong Edicts forbade and published the confiscation of all English commodities as leather tallow woolles lead tinne and such like if they were brought into those Countries An assault on the Flemings in London This restraining of the Kings owne subiects and that libertie which was allowed to those strangers vexed and greeued the English Merchants at the heart and so it did many others for by meanes thereof a great part of their trade which in former times supported their
summes of monie vnto some poore folkes who had beene vnconscionably deuoured robbed and spoiled He repenteth of his exactions by the penall lawes by those two gracelesse and vngodly Cormorants He also was exceeding penitent and sorrowfull for those wrongs and iniuries which with too much seueritie they had done vnto many 1508. and hee disbursed by way of loane freely and without reward diuers great summes of monie to his Merchants A notable policie By meanes whereof their gaines and his custome were mightily encreased Finally when hee had raigned twentie and three yeares and some moneths and when hee had liued fiftie and two yeeres he died The King dieth and was buried with great solemnitie and honor by Queene Elizabeth his wife in his owne Chappell at Westminster which he had with great cost and skill founded and caused to be built not long before THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE EIGHT KIng HENRIE the Eight 1509. The King marieth his brothers wife being of the Age of eighteene yeares began to Raigne the two and twentieth day of Aprill in the yeare of our Lord God 1509. And being dispenced with by Pope Iuly the second hee maried the Ladie Katherine daughter to Ferdinando King of Aragon Aunt to Prince Charles of Castile who afterwards was Emperor when as not long before shee had beene his brother Prince Arthures wife by which match much trouble afterwards ensued as in this discourse of his gouernement it will appeare In his first beginnings he seemed tenderly to affect his peoples loue and to execute his Lawes with mercie and with compassion The King is gratious to such as wâ—re oppressed by Empâ—on and Dudley And whereas oppression in the end of his Fathers dayes had much vexed and grieued the Subiects of this Land Hee by open Proclamations made it knowne that he would not only heare the lamentable complaints of such as by the Tyrannous Rapine and greedie Couetousnesse of Empson and Dudley and of some other tormenting Promoters had beene vndone but would also redresse and recompence their wrongs By meanes whereof great throngs of People daily resorted flocked and rushed into the Kings Court Among whom many complained most who had least cause but they receiued sharpe punishment for their impudencie and boldnesse and to the rest the King gaue liberall restitution and amends And the more frankely and freely to content such as had beene iustly offended by those extremities after all legall proceedings finished hee caused the heads of those two deuouring Caterpillers to be striken off at the Tower hill Empson and Dudley put to death and the rest of that rascall rabble were disgracefully corrected by the stocks and pillories in sundrie places of this Realme 1511. 3 Thus when the King had well busied himselfe in the settlement of his Kingdome the first two yeares of his raigne hee was by his wiues father Ferdinando craueth and obtaineth aid but did nothing Ferdinando King of Aragon entreated to enter into more turbulent actions by aiding and assisting him against the Moores which willingly he did But by reason of a cessation of those iarres the Englishmen returned out of Spaine hauing beene rudely entertained and spent all The French King warreth on the Pope About the same time the French King Lewys the twelfth by reason of some priuate quarrellings betwixt himselfe and Pope Iuly the second transported an Armie into Italie and by strength and violence as a Conquerour hee possessed himselfe of the faire and rich Citie of Bologna la Grassa and insolently did much harme Whereupon King Henry in fauour to the Pope because he dispensed with his late mariage and was vnited vnto him by more then by the ordinarie bonds of friendship and of loue and because the Pope himselfe was vnable to resist King Henry mediateth a peace but he is neglected Warres betwixt King Henry and Lewys the twelfth or to maintaine his owne quarrell interposed himselfe as an indifferent mediator and as an intercessor for amitie and for peace But the French King tasting the pleasant and the profitable fruits of his successefull fortune and longing to extend his gouernment into so rich a Countrey turned the deafe eare and would not hearken to this motion Whereupon King Henrie whose bodie was young and lustie and whose high heart was replenished with true fortitude magnanimitie and valour made it knowen to the Christian world that as hee scorned to be neglected in so good a suit so he loathed to be idle and a looker on in a time of such negotiation and imploiment and therefore would attempt by his best meanes to withdraw the French Kings warres from the Popes Countries Vpon which resolution forthwith by his Ambassadors hee required the French King to giue vnto him the full and peaceable possession of his two Duchies of Guyen and of Normandie together with his ancient inheritance of Angeow and of Mayne which wrongfully was kept and deteined from his Ancestors and from him The small acquaintance which at that time the French King had with King Henry and the contempt of his youthfull yeeres made him to returne a scornefull deniall to his demand insomuch that King Henrie proclaimed warre against him and prepared daily to send a puissant Armie into Guyan Vpon which occasion and others Defender of the faith and in regard that those broiles were chiefly vndertaken to releeue the Pope King Henry was by him enstiled with this addition to his kingly Title Defender of the Faith This resolution being notified to his father in law Ferdinando King of Aragon who was craftie and cunningly intended Ferâ—inando promiseth aid to King Henry vnder the colour of much friendship to vsurpe and treacherously to winne vnto himselfe the Kingdome of Nauarre for which immoderately his ambitious heart did thirst hee made vnto King Henry a large profer of great assistance and helpe with horses tents carriages ordinance and sundrie other things needfull and expedient for those warres if hee would land his Armie within his Countrey of Biskey and march from thence into Guyan The King who dreamt not of any fraud The Kings Armie landeth in Biskey but was perswaded of good performance of more then had beene offred most thankfully accepted of this great courtesie and sent for the aforesaid purpose ten thousand men into Biskey vnder the principall command of Thomas Gray Marquesse Dorset who was their Generall in that warre But Ferdinando whose owne plot touching the surprisall of Nauarre was not fully perfected Ferdinando yeelâ—s no helpe and who intended nothing lesse then according to his promise to aid the English Armie by flattering messages to the Marquesse maintained his hopes but yet suffered both him and his without imploiment or succour to lie idle to their great dishonour and reproch In the end he prepared a strong Armie The Kingdome of Nauarre taken and conquered by the Spaniards which was conducted by the Duke D'Alva and
Earle of Surrey was no idle person in this businesse But being aided and assisted by his eldest sonne the Admirall who vnderstanding of his Fathers preparations for those warres came from the Sea to New-castle and brought with him one thousand Mariners and lustie fighting men and by the Lords Dacres Clifford Conyers Latymer Scrope Ogel and Lomley and by Sir Edward Stanley Sir William Bulmer Sir Nicholas Apple-yard Sir William Sydney Sir Stephen Bull Sir Iohn Everningham Sir Henrie Sherborne Sir Thomas Metham Sir Marmaduke Constable Sir William Percy Sir Christopher Ward Sir Philip Tylney Sir William Gascoyne Sir Thomas Barkeby Sir Walter Griffeth Sir George Darcy Sir Christopher Pickering Sir Thomas Butler Sir Guy Dawney Sir Iohn Booth Sir Iohn Rowcliffe Sir Iohn Stanley Sir Iohn Normauile Sir Lionel Percie Sir Iohn Willoughby Sir Edward Echingham and Sir Brian Stapleton Knights and by Ralfe Brearton Iohn Laurence Brian Tunstall Richard Bold Iohn Donne Iohn Bygod Iohn Claruis Thomas Fitz-Williams Brian Stapleton Robert Warcop and Richard Cholmley Esquires and by many other Gentlemen or worthie reputation and great valour 26000. fighting men And hauing in his Armie six and twentie thousand men able and fit for warre he marched towards the King of Scots and vpon the ninth day of September in the yeare of our Lord God 1513. in a Field which was called Flodden Flodden field both the Armies came in view each of other The English forces being marshalled in good order made two maine battailes both which were politickly and strongly guarded by their wings And the Scottish Armie was diuided into foure battailes The Scots are ouerthrowen All these after some few skirmishes and the expence of much shot both small and great ioined together pell mell and fell to handie strokes and made such an incredible expression of their manhood by the indifferent exchange of blowes and wounds that many a strong and lustie man was quickly depriued of his life Nobilitie and Gentrie were no priuiledges to protect any man from danger nay from death insomuch that King Iames himselfe fighting couragiously among his people as a common souldier The King of Scots is slaine triumphed ouer the dead carcases or such as by his sword hee had prepared for the graue But in the end he himselfe was also slaine and so were two Bishops twelue Earles fourteene Lords and twelue thousand Knights Esquires Gentlemen and common souldiers of the Scottish Nation And on the English part fifteene hundred and no more were slaine Thus was this Field wonne by the blessing of Almightie God and by the victorious courage and true manhood of the Earle of Surrey and of his sonne and of such Nobles Knights Gentlemen and braue souldiers as in that battaile approued themselues hardie and strong in Armes And the suruiuing Scots finding their chiefest helpe and safetie to consist in the agilitie and nimblenesse of their light heeles forsooke the Field and with more then posting speede they fled and returned with heauie hearts into their owne Countrey King Henry after his returne into England bountifully rewarded such as in France and against the Scots in England Noblemen created had done him the best seruice and some of them he aduanced to higher places by giuing to them an increase of dignitie and of honour For he created Thomas Howard who was then Earle of Surrey Duke of Norfolke and the Admirall his sonne was made Earle of Surrey Sir Charles Brandon being Viscount Lysle was made Duke of Suffolke Sir Charles Somerset being then Lord Harbert and Chamberlaine to the King was created Earle of Worcester Sir Edward Stanley was made Lord Mountegle And the Kings Almoner Thomas Wolsey was created Bishop of Lincolne which fauour hee vnthankfully requited The enclosures about London throwen downe to his owne ruine as hereafter wee shall see In the end of this yeare the inhabitants of Islington Hoxston Shordich and of other Townes and Villages bordering neere to the Citie of London inclosed their Champion Fields in which the Citizens were accustomed for their recreation and pastimes sake to walke runne shoot leape and to vse such like sports at their willes and pleasures with high hedges and wide ditches because they would more priuately appropriate the commodities of those grounds vnto themselues But multitudes of the meaner sort of the Citizens issued forth with mattockes spades shouels and such like tooles of husbandrie with which they ouerthrew the said hedges filled vp those ditches and leuelled the said grounds vsing in them their former exercises and pastimes and so they are enioied at this day 1514. 6 Not long after the Kings returne into England the before named Prior Iohn with his Gallies and some Foists being well manned and prouided Prior Iohn landeth but is well beaten arriued in Sussex and landed in the night and burnt a poore Village named Brigh-helmston But being discouered himselfe wounded in the face with an arrow and diuers of his men slaine he with the rest were compelled to runne into the Sea out of which being drawen into their vessels they returned with small gaine Spoiles in Normandie by Sir Iohn Wallop But to requite their boldnesse the Lord Admirall of England with some few ships and eight hundred souldiers besides the Mariners sent Sir Iohn Wallop to the Sea whose often landing in Normandie was very preiudiciall to the inhabitants for he burnt one and twentie of their Villages and Townes and many boats and ships which were ancoured in Traport and in other Hauens ransacked the Countrey and slew much people And much wondring there was how with so small a number he could land so often and performe such great things A peace concluded The French king marieth with the Kings sister The old French King Lewys the twelfth vnderstanding that the Flemings would not according to their former agreements receaue into their Countrie the goodly faire and vertuous Ladie Marie sister to King Henrie to be espoused vnto Charles the yong Prince of Castile because the Spaniards had not consented to that match by his Embassadors craued peace and became an earnest suter to the King that shee might be his wife whereupon to settle loue and amitie betwixt those two Kings and their kingdomes and to make the said Lady so great a Queene and that shee might be endowed with an yearely pension of ten thousand marks during her life and might againe returne into England if the French King died The King and the said Ladie consented and yeelded to his request And therupon the Duke of Longvyle and such other Frenchmen as had beene taken at the battaile of Tyrwyn were now released and set free And within few dayes after the said Ladie being by the King and Queen accompanied to Douer and there shipped and attended on by Thomas Duke of Norfolke Thomas Marques Dorset and his foure brethren the Earle of Surrey the Lords De la ware Barnes and Mountegle Sir Mawrice Barkley Sir Iohn
Peche Sir William Sandes Sir Thomas Bulleyn Sir Iohn Carre and by many other Knights Gentlemen and Ladies of great worth Shee landed at Bollen where with great magnificence and honor shee was receiued by the Dolphin and by many Lords of France who brought her to Abuyle where shee met with and was married to the King And within few dayes after at Paris The French King dyeth Francis the First The French Queen returneth into England The peace with France renewed shee was crowned Queene The French Nation thinking their King and Countrie to bee happie who to their Queene had the fairest Ladie in the world And at her Coronation the Dolphin vpon a generall challenge formerly made by himselfe Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke Thomas Gray Marques Dorset his foure brethren and two others against all commers erected many honorable and martiall games as the lusts Turnay Barriers and such like All which were performed with great valour and to the great pleasure of the King and Queen But within twelue weeks after the said mariage King Lewys dyed and Francis the first succeeded him in that kingdome And by the Duke of Suffolke the said Queene Mary was brought againe into England where he won her loue All the deeds and actions of Cardinall Wolsey touching this storie are here set together because the discourse of the rest would otherwise by them be too much interrupted and maried her with the Kings consent In the seuenth yeare of King Henries raigne the former peace betwixt him and King Lewys the twelfth was renewed and confirmed with King Francis the first and great amitie and loue was exchanged betweene those two kings It now so chanced that Thomas Wolsey who was borne of base Parentage in the Towne of Ipswich and was first made the Kings Almoner then Bishop of Lincolne and then of the Priuie Counsell succeeded the Archbishop and Cardinall of Yorke who was named Doctor Benbrike in the said Archbishoprick And not long after hee was made Cardinall of Yorke by the mediation and procurement of those two Kings And now because the Kings affections towards him were extraordinarie His authoritie aboue all others eminent his couetousnesse insatiable and his excessiue Pride and Ambition boundlesse and vnlimitted which made him bold and peremptorie to doe all in all From henceforth for many years all things were cōmanded and gouerned according to his directions will vntill his monstrous oppressions and sawcie practizes brought him to ruine and to destruction And least his deedes and his actions by often interviewing should interrupt the other discourse of other occurrences and negotiations hapning in this Kings Raigne We haue therefore thought it conuenient yea necessarie to prosecute the Historie of his proceedings to a conclusion before wee intermedle much with the Narration of other passages and things He intermedles in other mens offices This prowd Cardinall so egerly hunted after authoritie and power to rule and to command all others that not contenting himselfe with his owne offices though they were great Hee intruded malepertly into the Enquirie and determining of such things as properly belonged vnto others but especially into the Chancelorship of this Realme He is made Lord Chancelor The Archbishop of Canterbury vnto whom it appertayned was much troubled with those his intermedlings But being old and perceiuing that the Kings affections were fast bound to his humours and that to crosse with him it was the readie way to crosse himselfe he therefore deliuered vp the Great Seale into the Kings hands who no sooner accepted of it but hee bestowed it vpon Wolsey which fauour and dignitie might well haue satisfied his prowd humour but nothing could For now he being an Archbishop a counsailor of Estate a Cardinall Chancelor of England and the Kings especial Fauourite directed all commanded all and did all He being thus imperiously great Required an accompt of the Captaines Treasurors and other Officers of the kings warres so that some of them who by the Kings conniuence had gotten much by excessiue Bribes excusing themselues He demands accompts and enriched him selfe thereby Hee erecteth new Courts Inriched him and left themselues poore Others whose Estates were more powerfull to please him shared that which vniustly they had gotten And some others who had deceiued the King and had prodigally spent all had nothing left and therefore were punished publikely and exposed to open shame He also erected sundrie Courts of equitie which might more truly be termed Courts of Iniquitie vnder a colour and pretence to heare and to determine the cases of distressed and poore people By meanes whereof the seates of Iustice belonging to the cōmon Lawes were little frequented for a while and by them he gained a masse of treasure to himselfe vntill the people perceiuing that by them hee waxed rich and they poore and that the Sentences and Iudgements of those Courts were not finall but controlable They of their owne accord forsooke them and commended their Controuersies to the censure of the common Lawes In the ninth yeare of King Henries raigne 1517. 9 Pope Leo sent vnto him Cardinall Campeius as his Legate to solicite him as likewise he had done to the Kings of France Spain By subtiltie he is made a Legate and the Princes of Germanie to make warre vpon the Turks But so outragious was the ocean of Wolseys pride that because he knew that Campeius in regard of his power Legantine was to haue the Precedency of place when they two met hee cunningly informed him by certaine Bishops who went vnto him to Calice vnder a fained colour to visite him that his iourney would not be successefull but come to none effect except Wolsey were ioyned in equall authoritie with him in that businesse wherevpon Campeius with all expedition dispatched Messengers vnto Rome by whom within fortie dayes hee receiued a new Commission by which Wolsey was also made the Popes Legate and Commissioner as well as he Cardinall Campeius Then was Campeius admitted to come into this Realme and both those two Legates within few dayes after repayred to the Kings Court at Greenwich hauing two siluer Crosses and two Pillars of the same mettel two Axes gilted with fine gold two imbrodered Cushions borne before them But the Cardinall of Yorke preferred his elder brother to the inferiour place And by an eloquent Oration which by an Italian was made vnto the King he was informed of the substance of their message But to make answere therevnto The King desired respit for a few dayes in which he might be advised and counselled in that matter The Court Legantine Then did Wolsey by his authoritie Legantine erect an honorable Court without the Kings notice or licence and called it the Legantine Court By the authoritie whereof he visited all Bishops and their Diocesses and other Clergie men punishing such as were poore and vnable to giue bribes but enriching himselfe by the enforced bountie of such as had
commission granted by King Henry And secondly because the great seale of the Kingdome of England was in those Countries borne with great state before him which seemed to be the chiefest marke and badge by which King Henry would expresse the extraordinarie trust confidence which he reposed in him when as in truth and indeed hee foolishly and vnaduisedly caried the said Seale with him for his owne glorie without the Kings leaue so that in his absence no Sherifs could be made nor any Writs Commissions or Patents could bee sealed which wronged many particular men and was very preiudiciall to the present estate of the whole Kingdome His Oration Within a day or two after the Cardinals comming to Brudges the Emperour with his Counsell and Wolsey with his Associates seriously disputed and debated of the causes of the iarres and wars intended betwixt his Maiestie and the French King But when the Cardinall perceiued that the Emperour without restitution vnto him made of such of his Castles Forts Townes Cities and Territories as by the French King were detained from him would not incline to any peace hee then like a learned and like a wittie Oratour discoursed largely of the happinesse of peace and of the vnspeakable and insupportable miseries of bloudy war and forgat not to shew vnto the Emperour the kingly strength and puissance of his Soueraigne both in men and also in horses ships armour ordinance and all other materials for the warre And further adding that in regard of the league which was betwixt those two Kings his Lord and master should be vrged to take part with the French King if any violence by any other Prince should be offered to him The Emperour The Emperors answer acknowledging all to bee true whatsoeuer the Cardinall had spoken touching the benefits of peace the incommodities of warre answered that God who had giuen honors and possessions vnto Emperors Kings had includedly in the same gifts appropriated such an inheritable right in them vnto those to whom they were so giuen that he doubted not but with the pleasure of Almightie God they might not onely defend and keepe them with the sword from all Vsurpers and Intruders but might also by force and violence regaine them if iniuriously and besides right they were kept and detained And seeing that all Kings and Princes were bounden to support right and to suppresse al iniuries wrongs he said he doubted little of his vncle King Henries helpe and comfort if betwixt himselfe the French King there were no peace to be made without blowes The Emperors greeuances He also informed the English Commissioners that when his forces hee being at that time but Arch-duke of Austria had ouerthrowen the Armie of K. Charles the eighth at Gingate then the said King to procure his peace desired and espoused the Lady Margaret his daughter now wife to the Duke of Sauoy and vpon the same conclusion of the said mariage hee gaue with her to the said French King a good portion in money with diuers Townes and Castles in Piccardie which were still detained and kept from him notwithstanding that the said King Charles perfidiously refused afterwards to marie her and sent her home He told them likewise that he himselfe being lawfully betrothed vnto the Lady Iane the yong Duches of Britaigne hee trecherously gate her from him and tooke her to his owne wife He shewed them also that whereas the Duke of Gueâ—ders was his Subiect and ought to liue vnder his homage and obedience he by the procurement of the now French King stood out as a Rebell Refusing to be reformed without blowes Hee complained also that the French King trecherously surprized from the house of Castile the Realme of Naples but should restore it againe by friendship or by warre Thus when the Emperour had discoursed and had made an end of speaking the Cardinall replyed little leauing him to his owne will and taking a friendly and a kinde farewell hee returned to Calice where hee againe but more coldly then before debated with those Embassadours vpon the conclusions of a peace But when he perceaued that no such matter could be effected hee tooke his leaue and returned into England and was gratiously welcommed as a friend and liberally feasted as a stranger by the King In the fifteenth sixteenth and seuenteenth yeares of King Henries Raigne this prowd Cardinall vnder the colour of the Kings partaking with the Emperor in his warres against the French king of his owne authoritie and without the Kings commandement granted forth Commissions vnder the great Scale of England into euery Shire and Prouince of the Kingdome and directed them to the principall and chiefest men He granteth strange commissions for taxes and gaue vnto them priuate instructions how and in what sort they should proceed and demeane themselues in the execution of that businesse And by the same Commissions euery man was required to depose the certaine and true value of his Estate And then Of euery fiftie pounds and vpward there was demanded foure shillings the pound And for euery pound aboue twentie and vnder fiftie two shillings And for euery pound aboue twentie shillings vnder twentie pounds twelue pence The payment thereof to bee in money or in plate And in London hee made himselfe the chiefe Commissioner In which he behaued himselfe insolently as a Tyrant not so much to enrich the King as to stuffe vp his owne purse The like Commissions he granted forth against all the Clergie of this Land of whom he demanded foure shillings the pound of all their liuings The commons will not obey These vniust proceedings grieued the Clergie and common People at the heart and generally they refused to submit themselues in that busines Their reasons 1. First because those Commissions were not established nor were grounded vpon the Lawes of this Kingdome and common-weale 2. Secondly because the execution of them would be a dangerous president against the libertie and freedome of this kingdome in time to come 3. Thirdly because many mens credits exceeded their estates and to discouer their inabilities either vpon their oathes or otherwise it might and would tend to the subuersion and vtter ouerthrow both of them and of their Families 4. And lastly because the thing demanded and required to be paid was so much That not one man among ten generally had that value in money or in plate though hee were worth much more And therefore if the King by force of these Commissions should get into his hands all his Subiects plate and money they then should for necessities sake be constrayned to barter and to exchange and chop Lead for Clothes Tinne for Bread and Cloth for Cheese But these reasons preuailed not with the Cardinall but contrariwise he being by a generall Petition entreated to perswade the King to deâ—ist from that course and by the Lawes to deuise some other made this froward and sullen answer That he would
elder brother Campeius to the left hand and then hauing caused their commission publikely to bee read the King and the Queene were cited in their owne persons or by their Proctors to appeare The King by his Proctors submitted himselfe to the Apostolical authoritie and power which by the Pope to the two Legates was giuen But the Queen her selfe being accompanied with many Lords The Queene appealeth Knights Gentlemen Ladies and Gentlewomen and hauing first done great reuerence to the Legates appealed from them as from Iudges which were not competent and indifferent to determine betwixt the Queene and King to the Court at Rome This appeale they allowed not but in the same Court they sate weekely And before them many learned and subtile disputations touching the lawfullnesse and also concerning the insufficiencie of that mariage were daily made before them But the King perceiuing that no quick dispatch was vsed though oftentimes deliberately they consulted came with the Queene into the said Court The Kings protestation where his Maiestie solemnely protested his infinite loue towards her acknowledging her to bee the most amiable louing kinde dutious modest and sweetest wife that he thought was in the whole world And that therefore hee should not take so much ioy and comfort in any thing else whatsoeuer as hee should doe in her if by the lawes of God and Man shee might remayne his wife and therefore for the determining of that question and for the quieting of his troubled conscience he instantly importuned a quick dispatch and a finall end He desireth a quick end Then was the Queen demanded whether shee would stick to her appeale or no who answered yea yet for all that the Court proceeded weekly though safely as before Within few dayes after the King being informed The King is delaied that after the last day of that moneth of Iuly the Legates would not sit any more vntill the fourth day of October Hee was thereat vexed and troubled aboue measure Wherefore at the next sitting hee sent the Dukes of Norfolke and of Suffolke with some other Lords to the Legates requesting them to dispatch their iudiciall sentence one way or other that long delayes might not augment the anguish of his troubled conscience The Dukes in a reuerent and in an earnest manner deliuered their message in the open Court But by Campeius it was answered That there was yearly and of custom a cessation in the Court of Rome betwixt the aforesaid dayes from all Legall proceedings whatsoeuer And that if any sentence in the Interim were giuen it was vtterly void in Law and of no force at all And therefore seeing that their Court was a branch of the Court of Rome they could not vntill the prefixed day intermedle any further in that businesse This answere so much offended Charles the Duke of Suffolke The Duke of Suffolke is angrie that striking his fist vpon the board he swore that the old saying was too too true That neuer Cardinall or Legate did any good in England and therewithall the offended Lords departed and so did almost the whole companie leauing the two Legates to looke one vpon the other The King being thus troubled with an enforced delay Campeius is bound for Rome contented himselfe as patiently as he was able hoping that in October that businesse would haue an end But within few dayes after He was informed that Campeius being sent for by the Pope made great preparations for his returne to Rome Two craftie mates Wherby he perceiued plainly that the two Legates had grosly dissembled with him and that they had secretly plotted these delayes that the matter should not bee definitiuely censured and sentenced by them But in the Court at Rome where infinite costs and charges would bee expended The businesse would be lingred on with arguments and long disputes and that his conscience should bee vnsetled in the meane time And for this cause from this time forward The King hateth Wolsey the King in his heart hated and maligned his vnthankfull dissembling creature base Wolsey whom from a contemptible birth and estate hee had preferred and made Abbot of S. Albons his Almoner a Counsailor of Estate Bishop of Winchester and of Durham Archbishop of Yorke an Embassador to Kings and Princes his Chancelor and a Cardinall And thus this businesse which bee plotted to make himselfe gratious with the King eminent aboue others and to bee reuenged vpon his enemies turned to his owne ruine and vtter destruction in the end Articles against Wolsey For the Kings Counsell and the Nobles of this Land perceiuing that the Kings heart was changed from him were not a little glad because generally he was hated And to presse him downe in his falling they framed against him diuers Articles some demonstrating his excessiue pride others his insulting tyrannie others his greeuous oppressions others his monstrous iniustice others his insatiable couetousnesse others his abominable lecherie others his eager and sharpe courses to reuenge and others his secret and his cunning dealing betwixt the Pope and him whereby his Maiesties regall authoritie and his prerogatiue royall in all things touching the Clergie and Church was made void And thereupon they concluded that he was guiltie of the Premunire Premunire and consequently bad forfeited all his promotions lands goods chattels and his libertie to the King These Articles being reduced into good forme and fit order were by the Nobilitie ingrossed into a booke subscribed with their hands and then it was deliuered to the King who concealed it for a few dayes Campeius taketh his leaue The two Legates not knowing what had passed came to Woodstock to the King where Campeius tooke his leaue to goe to Rome and Wolsey who purposed to haue left him and to haue remayned with the King was frowningly commanded to accompanie his honest brother vnto London where he should be further informed of the Kings minde When they were come thether and from thence were iournying towards the Sea coasts By order and direction from the Councell His chests are broken Campeius his truncks and chests were broken vp and a diligent search was made to finde such letters as they coniectured were by Wolsey sent to Rome But none were found For by a Post they were sent a way a day or two before The Cardinal is indicted The next Terme the King caused his Atturney Generall named Sir Christopher Hales to preferre into the Kings Bench an inditement vpon the Statute of Premunire against the Cardinall vpon the aforesaid Articles which hee performed accordingly And by the Grand Iurie The great Seale is taken from him it was found against the Cardinall Then forthwith the Dukes of Norfolke and of Suffolke were required to take from him the great Seale His goods are seazed which the King bestowed vpon Sir Thomas Moore he also caused Sir William Fitz-Williams Knight of the Garter and Treasurer of his Maiesties
houshold and Doctor Stephen Gardiner his new Secretarie so to gard and so to watch his House and Palace at Westminster that none of his moueables whatsoeuer might bee imbeaseled or purloined or carried away from thence And the Cardinall himselfe being confined to Asher He is confined not farre from Kingston and most of his Attendants being displaced and remoued from him a small allowance of things needfull was appointed to him for his necessarie vse whereat hee infinitely greiued Then was he required by the King He confesseth this indictment His dignities taken from him to plead to the said indictment but by his Atturnie sufficiently authorized vnder his hand and seale he confessed euery materiall point thereof Then the king conferred the Abbie of Saint Albones vpon the Prior of Norwich the Bishoprick of Durham vpon Doctor Tonstall and the Chancellorship was ratified to Sir Thomas Moore But the king of his gentlenesse and in regard of his former fauours towards the Cardinall left vnto him the Arch bishoprick of Yorke and the Bishoprick of Winchester and sent vnto him much plate housholdstuffe and many other things part of that which had bin taken from him to a great value Yet in his heart he remained vnthankfull grudging and malitious towards the king The king in former times had intermedled very litle with the gouernment of this Common-weale for hee was almost altogether ruled and directed by the Cardinall and by the Cleargie of this Land But he now began to be sensible of that errour and to cast away that yoke so that he tooke the raines into his owne hand And first of all he assembled his high Court of Parliament in which the Commons of the Lower house sharply complained of the misdemeanors of the Cleargie But especially in these six things Articles against the Cleargie FIrst because with great extremitie they exacted vnreasonable summes of monie as due fees for the Probate of mens last Wills and Testaments 2 Secondly Because they were excessiuely couetous and cruell in demanding for Mortuaries especiall of such poore people as skarsly left two kine for the maintenance of their wiues and children 3 Thirdly Because their full purses made them to become Farmors of great Granges Bartons and temporall farmes taking them in lease in euery Shire and become Husbandmen and Graziers to the preiudice and hurt of such as were trained and brought vp only to be husbandmen 4 Fourthly Because many of them kept Tanning houses for their priuate gaine and were Brokers Buyers and Jngrossers of Wooll Cloth and other marchandizes snatching vp all and enforcing tradesmen and clothiers to buy those commodities at the second or third hand and at vnreasonable prices 5 Fiftly Because such Clergie men as had the best and the greatest Spirituall liuings did with great extremitie take the vtmost of their rights And yet they liued in the Court or in the houses of Noblemen and Bishops so that they spent nothing in Hospitalitie among their Neighbours Nor did feede their flocke with the milke of Gods most holy and sacred Word 6 And last of all Because diuers ignorant men among them held and enioyed eight ten twelue yea more Benefices and Spirituall promotions to themselues seuerally and yet liued not vpon any one of them but kept great Schollars and learned men at a short commons in one of the Vniversities who were better able to doe more good then they Doctor Fisher wrongeth the lower house of Parliament The Bishops perceiuing that these matters much concerned them and the whole Clergie of this Land strongly opposed themselues against such as exhibited the same complaints In so much that Doctor Fisher Bishop of Rochester being more earnest then well aduised desired the Lords to remember well and to consider that when the Bohemians abused the estate and dignitie of their Clergie they then ruinated and destroyed their Kingdome and Common weale Wherefore hee instantly requested them to bee well aduised before they entertained these obiections For quoth he they are not religious nor doe proceed from Faith When the Commons had vnderstood what the Bishop of Rochester had spoken Then by Thomas Audley their speaker and by thirtie others of the house They informed the King of the said iniurie and wrong Alleaging that if the lower house of Parliament were reputed to want Faith then they were esteemed to bee Heretikes and consequently that all such Bills as they preferred or did passe should bee preferred and concluded on by Panims Pagans and Faithlesse men and so were vnlawfull and vnfit to rule and to gouerne Christians and such as truly and sincerely honored and adored God The King who was much offended They complaine to the King and grieued at the Bishops speech gaue them this gentle answere That hee would vnderstand his meaning concerning those wordes and that with all convenient expedition hee would informe them of his answere And within a day or two after the said Bishop and six others were sent for and the Bishop of Rochester was reprehended by the King But with many solemne protestations hee assured the King that he referred those wordes They proceeded not from faith to the doing deedes and actions of the Bohemians and not to the doings of the lower House which likewise was affirmed by the rest This his excuse was by the King sent to the Commons who spake liberally of the Bishop and repaied their debt with vnseeming termes A bad 〈◊〉 In so much that at a Committee in which the Bishops strongly persisted to maintayne and to iustifie the taking of their Fees for probates of Testaments to be lawfull because the same paiments had beene of a long time vsed a Gentleman of the lower House replyed to the Archbishop of Canterbury That Theeues on Shooters Hill vsed to take purses there Ergo it was lawfull This speech pleased the Commons well For they thought That they had now angred the Bishops as the Bishop of Rochester had angred them Then were the matters aforesaid comprised in the same complaint reduced into formall Bill which being long and substantially disputed on and in some points qualified were assented vnto by both the Houses and afterwards for Lawes established by the King The Booke also which contayned the Articles The articles against Wolsey which were drawne against the Cardinall was sent by the Lords to the lower House In which among diuers other things he was principally accused of these great faults 1 FIrst That by dishonest and cunning reasons hee had deceitfully induced the King to consent that hee should bee made a Legate to the Pope which authoritie did indeede and in effect frustrate and make void all the authoritie and iurisdiction of all other Bishops and Clergie men within this Kingdome and also the authoritie of the King in Ecclesiasticall things and causes 2 Item That in all his letters and other passages to forren Estates and Princes his phrase in writing was Ego Rex meus I and my King
that time procured or which at any time from thenceforth should be procured from the See of Rome whereby the authoritie royall and prerogatiue of the King might in any iot be lessened or diminished should be vtterly void and frustrate in all respects and that the procurers of them should be punished at the Kings will The proud Cardinall Wolsey writes to Rome scorning to bee humbled and trodden downe and purposing to set new broiles and disturbances in the Common-weale to molest the King wrote secret letters to the Pope and to his Cardinals to animate and to exasperate them against the King And they vnderstanding in what a disgracefull plight the Cardinall then stood encouraged him not to faint The answere nor to shew himselfe a coward and a heartlesse man by yeelding to the peruersnesse of his present fortune promising his restauration and that for his sake the King should be effectually crossed in his weightie businesse betwixt the Queene and him Hereupon the Cardinall began to take heart His pride and nothing doubting but that hee should againe bee aduanced if not by the Kings consent yet volens nolens and against his will made great preparation for his enstalment into his Archbishopricke at Yorke which hee intended to solemnize with such magnificence and pompe as the like before had neuer beene seene in that place For which purpose he erected in that Cathedrall Church a stately seat of an extraordinarie height not much vnlike to a Kings Throne He also wrote to the Nobles Knights and chiefest Gentlemen in the North many fawning flattering and kinde letters entreating and inuiting them at a prefixed day to accompanie him at his Instalment to the Citie of Yorke where he prouided for them great cheere not sparing any cost The King who was aduertised what he had written to Rome and what answer was made thereunto and perceiuing that he intended with extraordinarie pompe and state to be installed for which his doings hee had no licence from his Maiestie imagined and therein hee was not deceiued that those great preparations were made of purpose and in an out-facing fashion to confront him Wolsey is arrested Wherefore to preuent his said instalment he sent a commission vnder his great Seale of England whereby he required Henrie the sixt Earle of Northumberland to attach and to arrest the body of the said Cardinall to bring him to the Castle of Sheffield and there to deliuer him to the safe custodie and keeping of the Earle of Shrewsbury which he did Although the Cardinall prowdly checked him and told him that hee was a member of the College of Cardinals in Rome and that neither the King nor any other temporall Prince vnder heauen could or ought to intermedle with him for any cause or matter whatsoeuer Yet for all this assoone as he was gone all his plate His goods are attached goods horses and houshold stuffe were seised on to the Kings vse his Officers were discharged and his Phisitian Doctor Augustine was by Sir Walter Welsh one of the Kings chamber convayed to the Tower Assoone as the King was informed of the executing of his commission he sent Sir William Kingston the Captaine of his Gard and Constable of the Tower with certaine Yeomen of his Gard to fetch the Cardinall to that prison The sight of this Messenger more danted and appaled the Cardinall then all the rest For now he was right well assured that his head was in great danger This feare made him to fall into a sudden sicknesse so that purposely as it was coniectured to dispatch himselfe out of this life hee tooke a purgation which was more strong He dyeth then the weaknesse of his nature could controll by reason whereof he dyed two nights after Thus liued and thus died this Cardinall who was Prowd and Ambitious Wanton and Lecherous Rich and Couetous a Lyar and a Flatterer His description a Tyrant and Mercilesse Forgetfull of his beginnings Disdainefull in his prosperitie and wretched in his end Whose death made the King ioyfull his Nobles iocund and the People glad The Clergie feared the Premunire Hee being thus dead the King by his Councell was informed that all the Clergie of England were guiltie of the Premunire because in all things they had supported and maintayned the authoritie 100000 pounds The Kings Supremacie acknowledged and power Legantine of the Cardinall Wherefore to preuent a mischiefe before it fell vpon them They gaue to the King for their redemption and for their pardon the summe of one hundred thousand pounds And by a publike instrument in writing subscribed and scaled by all the Bishops and Fathers of the Church they plainly voluntarily and willingly acknowledged the King within his owne Kingdomes and Dominions to be the supreme Head of the Church as well in all matters Ecclesiasticall as in all Temporall things and cases whatsoeuer Yet not long after the King diminished their number and their strength as hereafter it shall appeare The Cardinall being thus gone Opinions shewed the King intending nothing lesse then to dance attendance in the Court at Rome caused the said instruments procured from so many Vniuersities together with the opinions of so many learned men and of his two Vniuersities of Oxford and of Cambridge publikely to be shewed in both the houses of his Parliament which being done by diuers honourable Lords both spirituall and temporall he caused them to bee shewed to the Queene and the question to bee demanded of her whether she would relinquish her appeale to the See of Rome and referre her selfe and her cause to any Nobles and Bishops within this Kingdome whose answere was that she would not whereupon the King resoluing in his conscience The King marieth Anne Bullen that his said mariage was void in Law began to bend his loue and kinde affections to a goodly faire and beautifull Ladie in his Court named Anne Bullen Her hee created a Marchionesse of Pembroke and after tooke her to his wife And some few moneths after The King is diuorced from Queene Katherine the Arch-bishop of Canterburie being accompanied with the Bishops of London Bath Lincolne and some others together with diuers Doctors Aduocates Proctors and Officers of the Ecclesiasticall Court repaired to Dunstable where the Princesse Dowager for so shee was then called lay Her the Arch-bishop peremptorily ascited personally to appeare before him in a case of matrimonie The Author returneth to the historie which is interrupted by the relation connecting together of the deeds and actions of Cardinall Wolsey and the like he did for fifteene daies together And then vpon the default and contumacie of the said Princesse the Arch-bishop pronounced the said mariage being against the Law of God to be meerely and vtterly void the Popes dispensation notwithstanding Hauing discoursed of all things memorable which were done by Thomas Wolsey Cardinall of Yorke and concluded the contention touching the mariage of King
their deserts The next yeare the King in Parliament was made and acknowledged to be the supreme head of the Church within all his Countries and Dominions The Supremacie of the King in all Spirituall and Ecclesiasticall things and causes and the Popes Bulles Pardons Indulgences and other Instruments of the like nature were vtterly banished frustrated made void and of none effect validitie or force concerning the King and his Subiects And likewise the First Fruits and Tenths of all Benefices and Ecclesiasticall dignities and promotions were in the same Parliament giuen and granted to the King and to his heires and successors for euer And not long after Queene Anne sometimes the Kings dearest wife was beheaded yet innocently as at her death shee religiously protested and as all men present did beleeue Queen Anne Bulleine beheaded for that it was vniustly surmised and falsly testified that she had incestuously conuersed with and prostituted her bodie to the Lord Rochford her owne brother Execution who likewise with some others receiued the like sentence and were put to death This Tragedie being thus ended The King marieth the King within twentie daies after maried a vertuous and a faire Gentlewoman whose name was Iane the daughter of Sir Iohn Seymor Knight who bare vnto him a goodly Prince named Edward who succeeded and was King But within few daies after his birth the good Queene died We haue formerly heard that Iames the Fourth King of Scots was slaine at Flodden Field And wee must now know that Queene Margaret his wife being the eldest sister of King Henry was maried afterwards vnto Archibald Douglas Earle of Angus who by her had a daughter named Margaret This Ladie the Lord Howard without the Kings notice or consent tooke to wife The Lord Th. Howard is beheaded for which vnaduised boldnesse and offence she being of the bloud royall he was condemned as a Traitor and lost his head The King who within his owne Territories and Dominions daily furthered his owne intentions to abrogate the authoritie power and iurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome The 32. Commissioners procured it by Parliament to be enacted that thirtie and two such persons spirituall and temporall as his Maiestie should vnder his great Seale nominate and appoint should haue authoritie and power to make and establish Lawes and Ordinances Ecclesiasticall which should binde the Subiects of this Kingdome And by the same Parliament all religious houses Petit houses of Religion suppressed whose possessions in yearly reuenue exceeded not the summe of two hundred pounds were suppressed and dissolued and all their scites and possessions whatsoeuer were giuen for euer to the King The booke of Articles The Clergie also at the same time of their owne accord and to insinuate themselues into grace and fauour with the King composed and published in printed bookes certaine Articles for the ordering and gouerning of the Church in which mention was made of three Sacraments only and the rest of them which former times superstitiously receiued and did maintaine were left out of the said bookes A rebellion in Lincolnshire These proceedings of the King and Clergie against the Pope and holy Church were so generally disliked by the rude ignorant and wilfull people that in many places their lauish tongues were witnesses of their inward griefe and discontent so that they publikely affirmed that the Kings Counsell irreligiously and absurdly aduised and directed him amisse and that the soothing smoothing and temporizing Clergie of this Land prophanely and wickedly practised by all meanes possible to extinguish all deuotion and vtterly to subuert the ancient rites ceremonies and commendable gouernment of the Church And in madde humour and franticke fashion the rude and vnrulie people in Lincolnshire to the number of 20000. assembled themselues in armes taking vpon themselues to frame and to deuise better orders for the gouerning of the Church and Common-weale The King marcheth against the Rebels The King who scorned to be thus checked by his owne Vassals and loathing to proue himselfe a coward at home seeing that forraine Nations had found him to be valiant and full of courage leuied a strong and a puissant Armie with which in his owne person he marched with princely magnanimitie against those rebellious people The Rebels petition who as he drew towards them by their petition craued a reformation of those things which lately had beene done and concluded against Religious Houses and against the former and ancient gouernment of the Church which things being consented and yeelded to they solemnly protested their humble dutie and seruice to the King The King is stout But hee who highly disdained that such plaine Swads and rusticke people should presume to giue instructions vnto him and vnto his whole Clergie and Court of Parliament in matters so farre aboue their vnderstanding and capacitie reiected their petition and resolued by an exemplarie course of iustice to be by the sword martially vsed in the open Field to punish and to correct them except one hundred of those their chiefest Conspirators might be sent and deliuered absolutely into his hands This resolution and quicke demand so appalled the fainting hearts of the rude and headlesse multitude that they suspecting each other of being to be sent vnto the King forsooke the Field The Rebels flie Captaine Cobler Execution and with all speed resorted to their owne houses But Captaine Cobler their chiefest Ring-leader being indeed Doctor Makarell with some others were shortly after apprehended and executed according to their merits and deserts The King who now supposed that all things had beene settled in a sure and in a firme peace was suddenly informed of another Insurrection in the North A rebellion in the North. and that their greeuance was grounded vpon the same points and that the number of those Rebels exceeded the number of 40000. men The holy Pilgrims who termed themselues the Holy Pilgrims who intended nothing but the establishing of true Religion and the reformation of great abuses which defaced the gouernment of the Church To encounter these men The Kings Armie and to correct their braine-sicke humour and foolish madnesse the King appointed the two Dukes of Norfolke and of Suffolke and some other Lords with a strong and well appointed Armie to march against them with all speed And the Rebels expressing much ioy because they were to fight came neere vnto the Dukes Armie and before them expressed many signes and tokens of vndaunted courage and desperate boldnesse But in the night before the two Armies intended to haue ioined together in handie strokes A strange accident a little brooke which ranne betwixt them and which with a drie foot might the day before haue beene passed ouer grew so outragiously great and violent by the fall of immoderate and continuall showres of raine that the Armies could not meet as they determined This miraculous pitie and this mercifull compassion
which by Almightie God himselfe was immediately extended towards his people for the preseruation of their liues so effectually wrought in the hearts and mindes of the two Armies that vpon the faithfull promise of the two Dukes The Rebels quietly doe depart home that the Kings free and ample pardon should remit and acquite them all the Rebels left the Field and quietly departed to their owne houses And thus was this Kingdome and Common-weale deliuered the second time without blowes from as great danger and perill as at any time before had threatned the ruine and destruction of the people of this Land By meanes whereof the King waxed more absolute and more strong in his gouernment then he was in former times especially concerning his Clergie and the ordering of the Church wherein hee disposed of all things vncontrolled according to his owne will A third rebellion Yet as a lightning so on a sudden in Westmerland Thomas Tilbie and Nicholas Musgraue with some others for the onely causes aboue mentioned and for none other brake forth into an open Rebellion with eight thousand men against the King But by the Duke of Norfolke many of them were slaine The Rebels ouerthrowen the rest were ouerthrowen and threescore and fourteene of their Commanders and chiefest Actors in that Rebellion were as Traitors by Martiall Law and Iudgement executed in sundrie places in the North. Execution At this time before Henry Courtney Earle of Deuonshire Marquesse of Exeter cosen german to the King and Lord High Steward for that day were brought The Lord Darcy The Lord Hussey Execution touching the Supremacie arraigned found guiltie and condemned the Lord Darcy and the Lord Hussey and both of them were executed accordingly the former for a Murder and the latter for High Treason Likewise Sir Robert Constable Sir Thomas Percie Sir Francis Bigot Sir Steuen Hambleton and Sir Iohn Bulmer Knights William Lomley Nicholas Tempest Robert Aske two Abbots and some others being condemned as Traitors for denying of the Kings Supremacie were executed in diuers places of this Realme Frier Forest and Frier Forest for the same matter and also for maintaining certaine Heresies with an obstinate and vnrepentant resolution receiued the iudgement of a Traitor and of an Hereticke and being hanged in irons vpon a Gibbet he was burnt Noblemen created The King being gratious to some whom he much fauoured and who had deserued well bestowed Titles of Honour on them For the Viscount Beauchampe was created Earle of Hartford Sir William Fitz-William high Admirall of England was made Earle of South-hampton Sir William Paulet Treasurer of the Kings houshold was made Lord S. Iohn The Lord Cromwell is made Vicegerent in Ecclesiasticall matters and things Sir Iohn Russel Knight was made Lord Russel and Sir Thomas Cromwel a Counsellor of Estate Knight of the Garter Lord Priuie Scale Lord Cromwel was made the Kings Vice-gerent in all cases and matters Ecclesiasticall and Spirituall by vertue whereof both in Parliament and elsewhere he had the precedence of the Arch-bishop of Canterburie and almost in all things did all in all so that by reason of that authoritie hee vtterly defaced burnt and destroied all senselesse and dumme Images and Shrines to whom any thing was superstitiously offred or vnto whom Praiers Images and Shrines are suppressed Inuocations or Pilgrimages were fantastically and foolishly made Hee also suppressed the Orders of Begging and Craftie Friers and Puling Nunnes whose houses and possessions came vnto the King And about the same time the Marquesse of Exeter Attainders Henry Poole Lord Montagne and Sir Nicholas Carew of Beddington in the Countie of Surrey Knight of the Garter and master of the Kings horses were attainted and executed for high Treasons especially because that with Cardinall Foole brother to the Lord Montagne they endeuoured to procure forraine Princes in the Popes aide to inuade this Land and to reforme the businesses of the Church by the Apostolicall authoritie of the See of Rome For this offence the said Cardinall being beyond the Seas was by Parliament attainted and within a few moneths after his mother the Ladie Margaret Countesse of Salisburie who was the last of the princely line of the Plantagenets the said Cardinall only excepted for shee was the daughter of George the last Duke of Clarence together with Gerthrude the widow of the late Marquesse of Exeter Sir Adrian Foskew and diuers others were also attainted of high Treason for the same Conspiracie and so were the Abbots of Reading Colchester and Glastenburie with many Monkes Friers and religious men because they obstinately denied the Kings Supremacie and confidently attributed it vnto the Pope And all these except the Cardinall who came not home whilest the King liued were afterwards executed in sundrie places of this Realme Many others also for the same offence suffered the like deaths whose names by reason of their meane estate and vndignified qualities may not in this our Historie challenge a place of particular remembrance Whilest the King was thus busily imploied in cutting off his Subiects heads the great Oneyle and Odoneyle with a rude rabble of sauage Out-lawes wilde Kernes and desperate Irishmen A rebellion in Ireland entred more then twentie miles within the English Pale and did much mischiefe But by the Lord Deputie being the Lord Leonard Gray brother to the Marquesse Dorset they were so well fought with in the open field that he obtained the victorie But such was the nimblenesse of those Rebels that when by blowes they failed to maintaine their match then according to their common vse and custome they swiftly ran ouer the bogges and marshes into the woods and rockes vnto which the more sober and well ordered Englishmen could not approch without apparant hazard and danger to their liues The King who in a manner was wholly directed and gouerned by the Lord Cromwel now Earle of Essex Religious houses suppressed and made high Chamberlaine of England pretended many quarrels against the fat Abbots Priors Monkes Friers Nunnes and Cloisterers of this Kingdome for many exorbitant misdemeanours daily by them committed and done especially because they were abominably lecherous and vnmeasurably idle and slow-bellies fruges consumere nati vnprofitable yea a burden to the Church and Common-weale Those faults the King endeuoured not like a good Magistrate by correction to amend but he resolued with the deluge of his displeasure to wash them cleane away And so he did indeed For his high Court of Parliament which was then holden at Westminster vtterly dissolued and cleerely suppressed all Abbies Monasteries Priories and other religious houses some few being only excepted and gaue their houses scites Lordships and possessions which in yearely reuenue amounted to more then two hundred thousand pounds vnto the King who with his worldly policie to the intent that future posteritie should not bee enabled to restore them backe againe to their former vses exchanged them liberally
Hastings Botreaux and Molines was by king Henrie the Eighth created Earle of Huntington H. 8. Francis Hastings his sonne succeeded in those honours Henry Hastings his sonne being Lord Hastings Hungerford Botreaux Molines and Moeles was also Earle of Huntington George Hastings his brother succeeded and died without issue Henry Hastings the sonne of Francis Hastings who was the sonne of the said George now liueth and doth enioy the said Lordships and Earledome of Huntington Kendall GAscoigne de Fois a Gascoigne borne was at Maunt in Normandie created by king Henrie the Fifth Earle of Longuile and Kendall He reuolted and became French H. 5. Iohn de Foys his sonne maried the Neece of William de la Pole Duke of Suffolke H. 6. by whose mediation he was by king Henrie the Sixth restored But he became French H. 6. Capdaw de Beuffs was by king Henry the Sixth created Earle of Kendall But he reuolted to the French King Kent WIlnotus at the Conquest being brother to King Harold was Earle of Kent But for feare he fled into Denmarke and died without issue Conq. Odo Bishop of Bayon and halfe-brother to the Conquerour was by him created Earle of Kent and he died without issue K. Steph. William de Ipre Earle of Flanders was by King Stephen created Earle of Kent and died without issue Hubert de Burgh being Lord chiefe Iustice of England was by king Henrie the Third created Earle of Kent H. 3. and died without issue male Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Edmund of Woodstocke being sonne to king Edward the First E. 2. and brother to king Edward the Second was by his brother created Earle of Kent but lost his head in the raigne of his nephew king Edward the Third R. 2. Thomas Holland halfe-brother to King Richard the Second was by him created Earle of Kent and Duke of Surrey Thomas Holland his sonne was Earle of Kent and Duke of Surrey and died without issue Edmund Holland brother to the said Thomas was Earle of Kent and Duke of Surrey and died without issue William Neuil Lord Fawconbridge a younger brother to Ralphe Neuil E. 4. the first of that Familie Earle of Westmorland was by king Edward the Fourth created Earle of Kent and died without issue male Edmund Grey Lord Grey of Ruthen was by king Edward the Fourth created Earle of Kent E. 4. Richard Grey his sonne succeeded and died without issue Reynold Grey who was descended lineally from the said Edmund Q. Eliz. was restored to the Earledome of Kent by Queene Elizabeth and died without issue Henry Grey his brother is now Earle of Kent Lancaster IOhn Plantagenet brother to king Richard the First R. 1. was by him created Earle of Lancaster Lecester and Darbie Hee was afterwards King of England Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Crowch-backe the second sonne of king Henry the Third was by his father created Earle of Lancaster H. 3. Lecester and Darbie He maried Blanch the Queene of Nauarre and had issue by her Thomas and Henry Thomas Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Lancaster Lecester Lincolne Salisburie and Dorset and died without issue Henry Plantagenet his brother was dignified with all those honours Henry Plantagenet his sonne enioying all those Earledomes together with the Earledomes of Albemarle and Holdernes was by king Edward the Third created Duke of Lancaster E. 3. His daughter and heire named Blanch maried Iohn of Gaunt the fourth sonne of king Edward the Third Iohn Plantagenet surnamed Iohn of Gaunt enioied all those Earledomes and was Duke of Lancaster Henry Plantagenet his sonne surnamed Bolingbroke held all those Earledomes and was Duke of Lancaster and Hereford and was king Henry the Fourth by deposing of king Richard the Second Lecester LEofrick was Earle of Lecester when Edward the Confessor liued Algarus his sonne succeeded in that Earledome Edwin his sonne was Earle at the Conquest Robert de Beamont was created Earle of Lecester by king Henrie the First H. 1. Robert de Beamont his sonne was Earle after him Robert his sonne surnamed Blanch-Maynes was his successor Robert his sonne was Earle and died without issue Simon de Mountfort was by king Iohn created Earle of Lecester K. Iohn and was slaine at the siege of Tholouse Simon de Mountfort was Earle of Lecester He tooke king Henrie the Third prisoner in the Barons warres But the young Prince Edward set his Father at libertie and slue this Simon with many more at the battaile of Eversham and his possessions were confiscate to the king Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Crowchback second sonne to king Henrie the Third was by his Father created Earle of Lecester Lancaster c. Thomas Plantagenet his sonne succeeded and died without issue Henrie Planagenet his brother possessed all those honors Henrie Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Lecester c. and was by King Edward the Third E. 3. created Duke of Lancaster his daughter and heire named Blanch was married to Iohn of Gaunt Iohn Plantagenet surnamed Iohn of Gaunt the fourth sonne of king Edward the Third married Blanch and was Earle of Lecester c. and Duke of Lancaster Henrie of Bullingbroke his sonne was Earle of Lecester c. and Duke of Lancaster and of Hereford and was afterwards king Henry the Fourth Robert Sutton otherwise Dudley a yonger sonne to Iohn Duke of Northumberland was by Queene Elizabeth created Earle of Lecester and dyed without any lawfull issue Lincolne MArcarus being Earle of Lincolne and Northumberland at the time of the Conquest rebelled and dyed in prison without issue Rufus William de Romara was by King William Rufus created Earle of Lincolne and died without issue Steph. Gilbert de Gaunt was in the right of Avis his wife created Earle of Lincolne and died without issue Male. Lewis Gilbert de Gaunt in the troublesome times of King Iohn was created Earle of Lincolne by the Dolphin Lewes son to the French King Ralf de Meschynes surnamed Blundevile being the sixt Earle of Chester H. 3. was by king Henrie the Third created Earle of Lincolne and of Richmond because he tooke his part against the Barons he dyed without issue Iohn Lacy Baron of Haulton was by king Henrie the Third created Earle of Lincolne Henrie Lacy the sonne of Edmund Lacy sonne to the said Iohn succeeded and was Earle of Lincolne Thomas Plantagenet the sonne of Edmund Crowchback was Earle of Lancaster Leicester Darby and Salisbury Hee married Alice the daughter and heire of Henrie Lacy and was in her right Earle of Lincolne and died without issue Iohn de la Pole the sonne of Iohn de la Pole the second of that name Duke of Suffolke was created Earle of Lincolne E. 4. by king Edward the Fourth and dyed without issue Henrie Brandon the sonne and heire apparant of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke was by his Vncle king Henrie the eighth H. 8. created Earle of Lincolne he dyed
sicke 174 His speech to the Prince his son when he seised on the Crowne 174 He dieth 175 King HENRY the Fifth THis King was vnmeasurably wilde in his fathers daies and was imprisoned and disgraced for striking the Lord Chiefe Iustice on the eare 177 But being King he enriched his loose companions but banished them perpetually from his Court 177 He chose the grauest wisest and best experienced men to be of his Counsell of Estate 177 Hee reformeth the Clergie and the Lay people and erecteth Castles to curbe the Scots 178 A motion was made in Parliament to dissolue religious houses But the Clergie reuiuing the kings title to the kingdome of France and being bountifully liberall doe turne the streame into that channell 178 The King demandeth that Crowne but is scoffed by the Dolphin whom he girdeth by a replie 179 The King leuieth an Armie The French King desireth peace The King yeeldeth on certaine conditions which are denied 180 The Queene is made Regent And as the King is ready to depart his destruction is conspired But the Treacherie was reuealed and the Traitors were put to death 180 The King landeth in Normandie and taketh Harflew His Armie being but 15000. men falleth sicke and is oppressed with many wants Yet the King resolueth to march by land vnto Calice 181 * 1414. He winneth the most famous and the most memorable Battaile of Agencourt 182 The French prisoners were vnwillingly yet miserably slaine 185 He giueth God publike thankes 186 And returneth into England with his great prisoners 186. 187 The new Constable of France is ouerthrowen 187 The French doe besiege Harflew and their Nauie of 500. ships is ouerthrowen And Iohn Duke of Bedford raiseth the siege 188 Ciuill dissention among the French Nobilitie doth further the successe of K. Henries wars 189 Great summes of money are chearfully giuen to the King to maintayne his invasion 189 Nine Carricks of Genoa and Tonque and Cane are taken by the English 191 Most Townes in Normandie doe become English 192 Roan is besieged by the king 192 A proud Roanist dareth him he replies and takes the Citie 197 The French Nobles are outwardly reconciled but not in heart 198 * 1416 Normandie is wonne by King Henrie 198 He marieth the Lady Katherine sister to the French King and is made Regent of France a 1519 is proclaymed Heire apparant to that Crowne 199 200 201 202 203 204. The Kings brother the Duke of Clarence Regent of Normandie and France b 1420 is betraied and slaine in the battaile of Blangy 205 206 The Earle of Mortaigne succeedeth in his charge 207 The King warreth againe in France 207 The Dolphin raiseth his siege from Chartiers and flyeth fearefully from place to place 208 The King falleth grieuously sick exhorteth his Nobles to vnitie and concord and to bee especially carefull to retain the friendship and loue of Philip Duke of Burgoine 209 Hee commends vnto them his yong Infant and their King Directs them for their proceedings in France and then dieth King HENRY the Sixth FRance contemneth the infancie of King Henry 211 Iohn Duke of Bedford is made Regent of France and Humfrey Duke of Glocester is made Protector of the Kings person and of the Realme of England 212 The Regent winneth Townes daily 212 The Parisians are trecherous 213 * 1424 The battaile of Vernoile 215 The Earle of Salisburies valour and name is feared 216 A strange ouerthrow of the French 216 They doe bragge and runne away 217 Townes and victories are daily wonne by the English 218 219 Orleance is besieged and offered to Philip Duke of Burgoine but the Regent will not consent thereto and for that cause the said Duke reuolteth to the French King 221 The battaile of Herings 221 The siege of Orleance is abandoned 222 The Duke of Alanson ouerthroweth the English slayeth the Earle of Salisbury and taketh prisoners the Earle of Suffolke and the Lords Talbot Scales and Hungerford and many others 222 Charles causeth himselfe to bee crowned King of France and is sommoned to a battaile by the Regent hee flyeth cowardly and is hunted from place to place but all in vaine 223 Diuers Nobles of France doe revolt from King Henrie 224. The French King assaults Paris and is well beaten 224 The Parisians doe flatter but are trecherous 225 King Henrie is crowned King of France in Paris 225 England is wondred at for her puissance 225 Treason discouered 226 A Rebellion in Normandie 226 The noble Regent dieth 228 And from the time of his death the English gaine little but doe loose much both in Normandie and in France Richard Duke of Yorke is made Regent 229 Paris is reuolteth 229 Calice is besieged by the Duke of Burgoine 229 But he flyeth in the night 230 The Earle of Warwick is made Regent 231 The French King flyeth in the night 233 Ponthois is taken by the English 234 A parley for peace 234 The Articles proposed are disliked 235 A cruell Armie and a huge on the French part 235 Much is gotten daily and much is daily lost beyond the Seas 235 A truce with France for eighteene moneths 237 An vnworthy marriage concluded for the King by the Duke of Suffolke without Commission 237 Which was the Dukes ouerthrow 246 He will haue his Acts and Counsels registred in Parliament 238 The cause of the losses of France * 1466 Normandie Aquitaine c. 238 The descriptions of the King and Queene 239 The good Duke of Glocester is remoued by the Queen from the Protectorship and is murdered 240 The French wars are neglected and the Truce is broken on both parts 240 Townes are lost Roan yeeldeth to the French King 241 The English are ouerthrowne in field 242 Cane is yeelded to the French King 243 The Duke of Suffolke is accused of treason and banished 244 But is taken at Sea and beheaded 246 The policies of the Duke of York to attaine vnto the Crowne Iack Cade the Rebell flyeth and is proscribed and slaine 247 A pacification but fained betwixt the King and the Duke of Yorke 248 The Duke is accused imprisoned for treason but is enlarged 248 Guyan and Aquitaine are yeelded to King Henrie but are regained by the French 249 The warres betwixt the King and the Yorkists 249 The King is ouerthrowne and taken prisoner in the battaile of * 1454 S. Albons and in Parliament the Duke of Yorke is made Protector 250 Marchant strangers are rifled in London 251 A policie against the Yorkists but it is discouered 252 The King labours for peace but each part dissembleth 252 New Armies are raised 254 The Lords doe flie in the night and are proclaimed traitors 255 The Kings ships twice taken out of Sandwich by Iohn Dynham and the Yorkists 256 The battaile of a 1459 Northampton in which the Queen is ouerthrown and the King is taken prisoner 257 The Duke of Yorks proceedings in Parliament against King Henrie 258 The
and solemnely surrendred his whole Kingdome into King Edwards hands Who forthwith sent the said Scottish King with a strong Guard to the Tower of London but gaue him large allowance both of Libertie and of Attendance and of his Diet. And then he committed the Gouernment of that Kingdome vnto Iohn Warrayne Earle of Sussex and of Surrey and made Sir Hugh Cressingham his High Treasurer and William Earnsley his chiefe Iustice of that Kingdome The King placeth a Gouernour ouer Scotland And hauing confined some of the Rebellious Peeres of Scotland within the Marches of England hee returned triumphantly and with great honour And then King Edward vsing great expedition and much policie for the refreshing and for the renewing of his Armie King Edward sayleth into Flanders and assisteth the Earle thereof transported it into the Territories of Guy then Earle of Flanders against whome Robert Earle of Arthois by the procurement and with the assistance of the French King made sharpe warre And the French King intending to hasten King Edwards returne into England to saue himselfe and his owne Countrey animated the Scots to rebell againe And they because they were factious and readie to doe vnto France all seruice vpon all commaunds The Scots rebell though with the hazard of their liues and of their lands without anie feare or fore-cast of their future miseries did put themselues in Armes But King Edward purposing to greete the French King and his Forces with a Souldiors welcome appointed Henrie Percie Earle of Northumberland and manie other Lords and Gentlemen of the best ranke The Scots are subdued for the repressing of that Rebellion who so manfully banged the Scots that they enforced them to flye out of the field and pursued them with a mercilesse slaughter and reduced the rest to their former dutie and obedience The French King dared not to fight with King Edward The French King perceiuing that his practise with the Scots wanted his hoped successe was not desirous to trie his strength with King Edward in the open field but reposing more confidence in his wit than in his valour hee proposed verie honourable conditions of amitie and loue which by King Edward were accepted and then a generall Peace was proclaymed betwixt them all And thus those Warres by King Edwards meanes and assistance receiued a short end A Peace is concluded which made a shew of long continuance with the expence of much bloud London is restored to her liberties After the Kings returne into England hee restored to the Citizens of London their Liberties which for manie vndutifull misdemeanors had remained forfeited in his hands for the space of twelue yeares The Scots rebell againe And forthwith hee ledde all his Forces into Scotland where a new Rebellion madly raged and could not be suppressed without much strength And being more willing that the execution of Iustice vpon few for examples sake should rather reclayme the multitude than that the Sword should wastfully consume them he required the deliuerie of their Leaders A mercifull King and offered his free pardon to the rest But their froward dispositions preparing them to much more miserie than as yet they had endured animated them obstinately to arme themselues and in warlike fashion to bid Battaile to the King Insomuch that his Highnesse finding his fauours to bee neglected and perceiuing that all extremitie was to be vsed The battaile of Fanrike The Scots are ouerthrowne 28. Englishmen slaine 32000. Scots are slaine set vpon them with such furie and violence that with the losse of eight and twentie of his followers and with the slaughter of two and thirtie thousand of the Scots hee enforced the rest to yeeld and taking a new Oath for their Fealtie and Homage he appeased that Countrey and to the great joy of all his people he returned againe into England Where vpon the earnest entreatie and request of Pope Boniface the eight hee enlarged Iohn Baylyol Who trauailed into France Iohn Baylyol set at libertie to take a view of his Lordships there which according to his owne name were called Baylyols Lands King Edward had no sooner finished these Troubles The Scots doe rebell againe but the Scots were in Armes againe So that the third time hee entred with a great Power into that Countrey where none were so daring or so hardie as to endure his presence The King leadeth an Armie into Scotland But the greater number of the Earles Barons and chiefest Gentlemen of that kingdome had withdrawne themselues into the strong Castle of Estryuelyne which was by them so strengthened that in their judgements it was impregnable This Castle was long besieged by the King Estryueline is besieged in which the Nobles are but to little purpose and hee much doubted least his continuance in that seruice would affoord him but little honor in the end Wherefore to make a tryall how farre his Inuention would take place he caused two paire of Gallowes to be set vp in the Castles view The Kings Policie and with the sound of a Trumpet did proclayme his free Pardon if the besieged did yeeld themselues within three daies but denounced death vnto them all by hanging without respect of Honor A Proclamation or of Person if obstinately they enforced him to continue a longer Siege And hereupon the besieged although they were so strongly immured that they might boldly haue trusted vpon their strong defence yet because they distrusted to be relieued Estryuelyne is yeelded they reposed their confidence in the Kings word and submitted both the Castle and themselues to his grace and mercie The Scots do swear their obedience to K. Edward whereof they had good proofe For taking new oaths for the performance of their obedience and dutie in future times he set them free and at libertie and the like oaths he tooke of all Iustices Mayors and other Officers of Townes Cities Castles and Forts and hauing disposed all things in a comely and in a peaceable order for the good gouernement of that Kingdome The Scottish chairn hee returned into England and brought with him for a memoriall of his great victorie a Chaire of stone in which the Kings of Scotland by common custom receiued their Enstallment and their Crowne which Chaire remaineth in the Kings Chappell at Westminster among the faire Monuments of our famous Kings of this Realme Assoone as King Edward was returned from his iourney he caused a general enquirie which was termed Troile Baston to be made throughout his Kingdome Troy-baston of the misdemeanours and oppressions of his Officers of all sorts A memorable deed done by a worthie King so that the number of the transgressors was such and so great were their offences and their fines so heauie that with their money the King filled his emptie coffers to the brimme discharged his old scores which were very great by reason of his warres in Wales
rather haue his tongue plucked out of his mouth with pinsers His tyrannie then hee would moue any such matter and that the said summes demanded should bee paid or leuied whether they would or no. And in Hampshire the common people so much repyned and grudged at these demands That the Lord Viscount Lysle and Sir Richard Weston and the other Commissioners for that businesse greatly doubted what would ensue thereof Wherefore to pacifie the people Hee by his letters most humbly entreated the Cardinall that the twelfth peny proportioned with the summes before demanded might suffice that thereby future dangers and troubles might bee auoided But when the Cardinall with malignant eyes had pervsed the Viscounts letters he deeply swore that they should cost him his head because in them his presumption did manifestly appeare taking to himselfe leaue and libertie to differ from those instructions which were giuen him Thus was hee requited and recompenced for his good seruice to the King And for his dutious desire to preserue the peace and quietnesse of his Countrie and of this commonweale The Cardinall perceiuing New commissions that the People would not support this heauy burden recalled those Commissions and sent forth others whereby a sixt part of their substance was demanded according to the aforesaid rates The Cardinallis cursed wherto hee doubted not but willingly they would yeeld but they refused not only to submit themselues therein but in euery Shire they cursed the Cardinall to the pit of Hell and were so incensed that much trouble among them was likely to ensue The King who was informed in what strange sort and fashion his people were vsed The commissions are recalled and vnderstanding that euery place was filled with clamors with discontentment and with danger grieued thereat exceedingly And being resolued to reforme what was amisse with all expedition he by his letters which were directed into euery Countie within his kingdom commanded a present cessation of all executions of the said Commissions and protested that they were granted forth without his knowledge or consent and that he would not but by the course of Law require any thing from his people though his wants were great to maintaine his warres A Beneuolence But if by way of a Beneuolence they would of their owne accord enlarge themselues towards him he then would accept thereof and take it as an infallible proofe of their loue and dutie towards their King The Cardinals base flatterie The ambitious Cardinall priuately grudging that the King in his Letters had includedly laid the fault on him and intending to robbe his Maiestie of his peoples good affections towards him and practising to winne it vnto himselfe required the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London to come before him to whom by a subtill and a cunning speech he protested that because hee saw and perceiued that those Taxes were too heauie for them to beare and because in his heart he loued them hee therefore had kneeled to the King and had perswaded him to reuoke the said Commissions and wholly to relie vpon their free beneuolence and good will Wherefore hee courteously aduised them to be voluntarily bountifull and liberall of their owne accord Then with great expedition he dispatched his Letters to that effect into euery Shire and Countie of this Kingdome But in regard that the King in his Letters had protested his ignorance touching the said former taxes therefore the proud Cardinall was still condemned and mortally hated by the people Commissions for the Beneuolence Then forthwith by the incitation of the Cardinall new Commissions for the said beneuolence were made And in the execution of them some of the Commissioners endeuoured fairely to perswade but others of them by rough and vnkinde speeches procured men to giue largely whether they would or no. Yet they preuailed little for the greatest part of the people refused to giue any thing some of them alledging the Statute which was made against the demanding of Beneuolences in the first yeare of the raigne of King Richard the Third and some others alledging for their excuse their pouertie and their want The Cardinall suppresseth some Religious Houses It is now seriously to be obserued that the Cardinall hauing newly erected two Colledges the one in Ipswich where hee was borne and the other in Oxford and intending to make their possessions faire and great as their foundations were wide and large procured a licence from the Pope by vertue whereof as hee was authorized he plucked downe certaine small Abbies Note this Frieries and Religious Houses to appropriate their Lands and Reuenues to those Colledges which example and president first moued the King for other respects within few yeares after to plucke downe all such Religious Houses For if it were religious in the Pope and Cardinall so to doe the King little doubted seeing the grosse enormities and euill life of most of those men but it was likewise lawfull for him to plucke them downe And because the busie head of the Cardinall could not be idle He reformeth the Kings houshold therefore he made the King to beleeue that the estate and condition of his owne house was vnprofitably disordered and out of tune Whereupon for the reformation thereof hee remoued diuers of the Kings menial seruants and houshold officers from their places and bestowed them vpon others whom hee more fancied although they deserued worse Hee also bestowed his Manour of Hampton Court Hampton Court with all such costly buildings as hee had erected there vpon the King in regard whereof the King gaue him leaue to keepe his Court in his Palace of Richmond wherein King Henry the Seuenth did extraordinarily delight These his two actions made him hatefull to the Commons who mutteringly repined saying that the King and they were much abused so to be vsed by a Butchers Dogge At this time the French King became an earnest suter to King Henry to haue in mariage for the Dolphin the Ladie Mary the Kings only daughter and heire apparant to the Crowne The Kings mariage called into question But the said motion was crossed by a double encounter The first was the dislike which the States-men and the Commons of this Realme had conceiued touching that match which publikely they declared by their solemne protestations and frequent speeches that if King Henry should die without issue male of his bodie lawfully begotten as he then had none they would not receiue a Frenchman to be their King because he possessing a greater estate and Kingdome would make this but a seruant and an attendant vpon that The second was a scruple cast in the way as most men thought vpon the secret intimation of the Cardinall in displeasure to the Emperour because by strength hee had not made him Pope by the President of Paris who made it questionable whether or no the Ladie Mary were legitimate and borne in lawfull matrimonie because the King had begotten
her vpon the bodie of the Ladie Katherine Aunt to the Emperour and who had sometimes beene his brother Prince Arthurs wife And from this doubt and from this scruple which before that time was not thought on infinite vexation and trouble did ensue as in this discourse it shall appeare For thereupon the Kings Confessor Doctor Longland Bishop of Lincolne and many other profound Diuines informed the King that almost twentie yeares hee had liued incestuously with the Queene and that now for his conscience sake he ought truly and heartily to repent for that great sinne and to leaue her bed The Cardinallis Ambassador for France The Cardinall who as hee thought had a long time laien lazily at home would now be gadding into France in an Ambassage to the French King the substance whereof was only knowen to the King and him And at his departure the King in the presence of all his Lords embraced him as his familiar friend He is made proud And at that time such was his great estate that passing thorow the Citie of London he was attended by twelue hundred horse And when he came to Calice hee was receiued with as much honour as by the Towne and Garrison could be presented vnto him And at Bulleine among many other deuices to magnifie his greatnesse hee was entertained with two ridiculous Pageants Two ridiculous Pageants 1. In the one of them there was a Nunne called the holy Church vnto whose person and chastitie three Spaniards and three Amaines attempted to offer violence but by a Cardinall she was rescued and deliuered from them all 2. And in the other there was represented a Pope lying on the ground and an Emperour sitting in an Imperiall Throne but a Cardinall plucked him from his seat raised the Pope and placed him therein The French king meeteth him From Bolleine as he came towards Amyens he was met vpon the way by the Prouost and the most substantiall Citizens on horsebacke and by them he was saluted and reuerenced as a King And when he came within halfe a mile of the Citie the King himselfe with his Nobles met him cheerefully embraced him and in a wonderfull and magnificent pompe conducted him to his lodging on the gates whereof was written in large and faire letters Cardinalis pacificus The peaceable Cardinall or The Cardinall of peace And at their departure the proud Cardinall would haue vouchsafed to haue brought the King to his Court but the King would not suffer him so to doe Thus Kings Nobles Times and Places conspired if it had beene possible to haue made him more proud whose heart was so haughtie that he supposed he could neuer be humbled and brought low Then daily almost for the space of three weekes together the French King his Counsell and the Cardinall with his Associates who were obscured by his greatnesse He concludes a peace as the Moone is by the direct opposition of the Sunne conferred seriously and in the end he concluded a peace betwixt the two Kings in the honour whereof and of the proud Cardinall the instrument in which the Articles of the said peace were contained was sealed with a seale purposely made of fine gold whereof he boastingly bragged the next Terme in the Starre-chamber affirming before the whole Assemblie that the peace which by him was concluded was such an absolute perfect and sound peace that it would continue in secula seculorum world without end But the people mutteringly repined thereat saying that England neuer long enioied any benefit by any peace which was concluded with the French whose propertie it was for their aduantage without cause to start aside from any thing which they had said and sworne to performe They also said that to enter into a fained league with the French King the Emperour and his friendship was abandoned and that old enemies were entertained and old friends were vnaduisedly by the Cardinals meanes cast off And therein they spake truly for by the Cardinals enticement and secret perswasions the King without good cause shewed himselfe an enemie to the Emperour and to the Flemings and vnto others of his people although the Emperour by all fitting and beseeming meanes had wooed him to obtaine and to keepe his loue By these iarres thus cunningly broached by the Cardinall in fauour of the Pope and of the French King the question touching the lawfulnesse or nullitie of the Kings mariage was smoothered for a while But not long after The mariage in question such as seemed to bee tender ouer the Kings conscience and prouident to establish the true succession of this Kingdome in a lawfull heire reuiued the scruple and therewithall so busied the Kings cogitations and thoughts that a religious sorrow began to seise vpon him And to auoid the continuance in that incestuous sinne vntill by a iudiciall sentence the doubts were cleared hee refrained from the Queenes bed And the Cardinall to make himselfe more great then he was procured a commission from the Pope to bee directed to him A power Legantine is granted and vnto his ancient brother Campeius that before them as supreme Iudges that question by legall processes and proceedings might bee heard debated on and censured according to the Lawes of God and the Lawes of man These two Legates hauing receiued this commission informed the Queene of their authoritie and power Wolsey is accused and shee in some passion accused Wolsey as the principall brocher of that doubt and the maintainer of that contention partly to bee reuenged thereby vpon her Nephew the Emperour because he would not make him Pope as secretly he had requested him and partly because often times in a most secret louing and gentle fashion shee had admonished and warned him of his couetousnesse and tyrannie of his extortions and oppressions and of his pride and lecherie But hee excused himselfe as if he had beene an honest man The Queene chooseth Counselors The King pretending nothing in this businesse but Truth sinceritie and iustice according to the Lawes of God and Man was well contented that the Queene should make choise of the greatest Clerkes and of the best learned men within his Kingdome to defend and to maintayne her cause Whereupon hee elected William Warham Archbishop of Canterburie And Nicholas West Bishop of Ely who were Doctors of the Lawes and Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester and Henrie Standish Bishop of Alssaph who were Doctors of Diuinitie and some others And they as occasions did require did for her asmuch therein as by wit and learning could be done Now for the prosecuting of this businesse the two Legates caused a stately Court to be erected at the Black-fryers in the great Hal In which for them were placed two Chaires and two great Cushions The King and Queene are summoned couered ouer with cloth of gold And at the appointed day the two Legates tooke their places but the Cardinal of Yorke as his custome was preferred his