gave the Danes many Battels and being of a hardy and couragious temper he greatâ—y raised the drooping hearts of his Subjects raising the Siege of London and worsting their Army four times in open fight so that Canute having Challenged him to a single Duel for the Kingdom he loyfully accepted the offer so that going into an Island called Alney near Glocester they fought valiantly but Canute finding himself over matched and having received some dangerous Wounds he desired a Parly which being granted he said What should move us most Valiant Prince that for the obtaining of a Title we should thus indanger our Lives better it were to lay Malice and Weapons aside and to condescend to a Loving Agreement Let us now therefore become sworn Brothers and divide the Kingdom between us in such League of Amity that each may use the other as his own so shall the Land be peaceably governed and we joyfully assist each other in necessity Upon these words they threw down their Arms and embraced as Friends in the fight of both Armys so that the Kingdom being divided Edmund had the South and Canute the North but in a while after Edrick the Treacherous Duke who had betrayed the Councels of Edmund thinking to ingratiate himself with the Danes run a Spear into the Body of the King as he was easing himself and having by that means killed him he cut off his Head and hastening with iâ— to Canute he cryed Hallsole Monarch of England behold the Head of thy Copartner upon which Canute promised to advance him above all the Nobles of England but whilst the Traytor was big with expectation of honour and preferment he caused him to be Arrested and cutting off his Head fixed it on the Tower advancing him in that sense as he deserved This Edmund was Third Son of Ethelfrid and Fifteenth sole Monarch his Reign exceeded not a year Thus the Great Saxon Monarchy did yield And with her slaughtered King gave up the Field To the Blood-thirsty Danes but three short Reigns Bring back the Saxons and expire the Danes The Danish Monarchy over England and what remarkably happened in the Reigns of the three Danish Kings c. THe Original of the Danes as indeed all Originals is variously reported by Historians some will have that People derived from the Scythians and others from Scandia an Island Northward however when they Invaded England they were populous as it appears by their continual repairing the great numbers they lost for their first Invasion was in the year of our Lord 787 and were about 230 years before they gained the sole Monarchy They were as to their Religion Pagans Canute their first sole Monarch was Crowned at London by Livingus Arch-bishop of Canterbury Anno 1017. he upon his coming to the Crown Banished Edwin Son of Ethelred and sent Edward and Edmund the two Sons of Eumund Ironside to his Brother then King of Sweedâ—n to be made away and proceeded to Mary Queen Emma who had been Wife to King Ethelred and was Sister to the Duke of Normandy upon condition the Heir gotten on her Body should succeed him in the English Throne upon which he assembled the Peers in Parliament at Oxford and there made many good Laws establishing the Christian Religion injoyning that all decent Ceremonies tending to Devotion and Dâ—vine Worship should be observed with reverence that the Lords day should be kept holy and a Clergyman that should kill a Layman or be found guilty of any other notorious Crime should be deprived of his Order and Dignity A married Woman committing Adultery to have her Nose and Ears cut off and a Widow marrying within a Twelvemonth to loose her Joynter and being great in power both by Sea and Land some of his Flatterers would needs go about to perswade him that not only the Earth but the Ocean was obedient to him and that he might raise or calm it at his pleasure and he then being at Southampton to upbraid them caused a Chair to be set on the Sand when the Sea was coming in and placing himself in it commanded the Sea to retire and not dare to wet his Garments but the regardless Waves roaling on dashed him to that degree that he was forced to remove when turning to his Parasites he said You well now perceive all the might and power of Kings is but vanity for none is worthy to have the name of King but he that keepeth Heaven Earth and Sea in obedience to his Will And from that time he declined to wear his Crown causing it to be placed on the Head of Christs Crucified Imageat Winchester and gave many large Gifts to the Church and Church-men building several Churches and going a Pilgrimage to Rome procured the taking off the excessive Charge the English Arch-bishops were at when they took the Pall. He Reigned eighteen years and was the 16. sole Monarch of England being Buried in the old Monastery at Winchester Harold succeeded his Father Canute though he was opposed at his Enterance by Earl Goodwin he was likewife Son to Queen Emma and Crowned at Oxford by Elmothius Arch-bishop of Canterbury using manâ— Dâ— vices to get Edward and Alfrâ—d the two So 〈…〉 into his hunds he decoyed over the latter in his Mothers Name but he landing in hopes to be joyned with the promised Forces was betrayed by Earl Goodwin and the King setting upon his small Forces at Guilford caused them all except every tenth man to be slain and taking Alfrid alive he made his Eyes be put out and fastening one end of his Bowels to a stake he was pricked round with Ponyards till such time as he had drawn out his Guts and so died this poor Prince Nor did he rest here but proceeded to Banish Queen Emma and Confiscate her Goods for reproaching him with the Death of her Son This Harrold was second Son of Canute and the seventeenth sole Monarch of England he began his Reign Anno 1036 and Reigned four years being buried according to Stow at Westminster Hardicanute succeeded Harrold being invited over from Denmark both by the Danes and English and Crowned at London by Elnoth Arch-bishop of Canterbury he caused the Body of Harrold to he digged up and cutting off the Head threw it into the Thames but it being found by some Fisher-men they decently Interred it in St. Clements-Danes so called for its being the chief Burial place of the Danes This King was given much to Eating and Drinking insomuch that he caused his Tables to be spread four times a day with all manner of Dainties and raised a Tax of 32147 pounds to maintain a great Fleet at Sea and in vain Ostentation Earl Goodwin sitted out one with a Golden stern and Men compleatly armed with guilt Arms and Armour but the King hearing the Tax was denied and that Thurston and Feader two of his Collectors were slain by the people at Worcester he expulsed the Bishop and burnt the City but as he was Revelling at a
Wedding in Lambeth he suddenly fâ—ll down dead when he had reigned about two years He was third Son of Canute and the eighteenth sole Monarch he began his Reign Anno 1040 and was 〈◊〉 at Winâ—r and with him fell the Dâ—sh Monarchy in England and the Saxons re-entered to the no small Joy of the people Thus Monarchies and Monarchs rise and fall Whilst worldly Pomp is Fortunes Tennis-ball The Saxon Monarchy restored c. HArdicanute being dead Edward the seventh Son of Ethelred by Queen Emma was sent for out of Normandy where he had taken Sanctuary during the Danish Monarchy and Crown'd upon his Arrival at Winchester by Edsine Arch-bishop of Canterbury Anno 1042. and to gain the greater favour of the people he remitted the Tax of 40000 Pounds a year which had for 40 years been levyed upon all Lands except those of the Clergy by the Name of Dane-Guilt and the better to settle his Kingdom he compiled a Body of wholsom Laws from those of the Mercians West Saxons and Danes still known by the Title of Edward the Confessor's Laws written in Latin his Wars were only with the Welsh Irish and some Danes but those very inconsiderable yet Earl Goodwin being very powerful joyned with his Sons against him and in January a very deep Snow falling which covered the Earth till the middle of March the Cattle and Fowls of the Air were starved in abundance and the Summer produced Lightnings that burnt up the Corn whereupon a Famine ensued and the King at the Instigation of Goodwin and Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury seized upon his Mothers Jewels and committed her Prisoner to the Abbey of Warwick putting her to undergo the Law Ordalium which is to pass over nine hot Plow-shares with naked feet and blindfold laid about a yard asunder which she did without touching them before she knew she was come to the place so that a reconciliation hereupon ensued and this manner of tryal was by way of Purgation for such as were suspected of Incontinency he Imprisoned her for Marrying Canute and not assisting him and his Brothers in their Extremity In this Kings Reign a great Earth-quake happened and Earl Goodwin was choaked at the King's Table with a piece of Bread which he wished might choak him if he had any hand in the Death of Alfrid the Kings Brother He is accounted the first King that ever Cured the King's-Evil he Marry'd Edith Daughter to Goodwin a very Beautiful Lady but had no Children by her being reported never to have Carnally known her and seeing a needy Courtier come into his Chamber one Morning as he lay in Bed with the Curtains drawn and take as much Money out of his Coffer as he could carry he suffered it without speaking but upon his third coming he reproved him of Covetousness charging him to be gone for if Hugoline his Treasurer should come and seize him in the Fact he would be sure to stretch for it and scarce was he gone when the Treasuaer who had casually left open the Coffer came and appeared in a great Consternation at the loss but the King bid him not trouble himself for he that took it had most need of it And lying soon after upon his Death-Bed perceiving those that stood about him to weep he said If you loved me you would not weep but rejeyce because I go to my Father with whom I shall receive the Joys promised to the Faithful not through my merite but the free mercy of my Saviour who sheweth mercy on whom he pleases And giving up the Ghost he was buried at Westminster when he had Reigned 20 Years and 6 Months and 27 Days he rebuilt St. Peter's Westminster and St. Margret's Church made the first Great Seal and was the 19 sole Monarch of England called the Confessor Harrold Son to Earl Goodwin and Sitha his Wife Sister to Swain the younger King of Denmark was upon the Death of King Edward taken for King though he waved the Ceremony of this Coronation and to ingratiate himself with the People lightened the Texes and Behaved himself Courteous and Affable to all Men but he had not long held the Regal Dignity before William Duke of Normandy sent to put him in mind of his Oath which was made during his Imprisonment in Normandy whether in the time of King Edward he had been driven by stress of weather importing that when ever Edward died he should secure the Kingdom for the Norman Duke but Harrold urging what he then did was by constraint and that he conceived himself not obliged to stand to it The Duke prepared to Invade the Kingdom at which time a Dreadful Commet appeared denouncing the Woes and Miseries that ensued for before the Normans arrived a great number of Danes and Norwigeans landed in the North under the Leading of Testo and Harrold Harfrager King of Denmark and spoiling the Country before them marched to York which constrained the King to draw out his Army but being about to pass Stamford-bridge built over the River Derwent his Forces were stopped by a single Dane of Gigantick stature and strength and forty of his Men killed in attempting to remove him but in the end a Soldier getting under the Bridge in a Boat run his Spear through a Creuis and by that means killed him so that the Bridge gained the King gave Battle and overthrew the Enemy with great slaughter killing the Danish King and Tosto his Brother and Olave the Kings Son with Paul Earl of Orkney were taken Prisoners however they upon earnest supplication were suffered to depart the Kingdom in the ships that brought them with the heavy news of their loss but the King had scarce time to consider his advantage before he had News that William Duke of Normandy was Landed with 50000 Men at Pevensey in Sussex on the eigth of September 1066 and fired his Fleet to put his Soldiers out of hopes of return which made Harrold hasten to oppose him who by this time had sent a Messenger to London to demand the Kingdom but they dismissed him with Threats and although the Duke to prevent the effusion of more blood proffered to fight hand to hand yet the King refused it saying It should be tried by more Swords than one Whereupon the Armys advancing pitched in a large Plain and from thence the King sent Spies into the Dukes Camp who being taken were lead from Rank to Rank and made to take a perfect survey of the Army and so dismissed The 14th of October 1366 being come the Armys drew out and faced each other till the Trumpets sounded the Charge when at the first Encounter the Normans were forced to give ground and retire in disorder which the English perceiving and thinking the Battle won carelesly disranked to pursue them which they perceiving and taking that advantage rallied and changed the face of Fortune for the Normans entering the loose squadrons overwhelmed the English with showers of Arrows so that all was turned
business inviting many of the Nobles that he thought disaffected to the King he made them Prisoners in his Palace and by that means constrained them to render their Castles as Ransoms for their Persons which much weakened the Interest of the Empress yet Earl Robert burnt Worcester for holding out against her and the like did Ralph Painel one of her Captains to Nottingham The Empress finding her Measures broken by the crafty Bishop of Winchester hasted to Lincoln but the King followed close and besiged that City and took it yet she made her escape so that new Measures being taken her Forces daily increased insomuch that becoming strong in the Field Robert Earl of Glocester and Ralph Earl of Chester gave the King battle near Lincoln which was maintained with great obstinacy and effusion of blood Victory seeming to incline to neither party till such time as the Kings Horse gave way thought to have been done by treachery however the Foot stood manfully to it but being overcharged and trampled down for want of their Horse to cover them they fled likewise leaving the King who chose rather to die than give back to fight the Battle when with a very weighty Battle-Ax like an inraged Lyon he drove whole squadrons before him killing a great number for wherever he struck the blow proved mortal but in the fury of the Fight having broken his Battle-Ax and after that his Sword he was beaten down with a Massiestone thrown at him and by that means brought under and taken Prisoner King Stephen thus made a Prisoner was carried to Glocester where the Empress expected him and from thence sent Prisoner to Bristol whereupon all but the County of Kent acknowledged her as their Soveraign so that going to Winchester in state she there received the Regal Crown and passing to London she was met with Procession and the Acclamations of the people but the Earl of Glocester Brother to the Empress being taken by some of the Nobles that sided with King Stephen and Imprisoned at Glocester searing if any violent Death befel the King he should run the same Risque he so far solicited the matter that an exchange was made and both the one and the other had Liberty after which the Earl went for Normandy which had revolted from Stephen to raise Forces to secure what was gained but whilst this was doing the Londoners being displeased as not receiving the satisfaction they expected and the Nobles thinking themselves slighted by her the restless Bishop of Winchester set the Nation again into a Blaze of dissention making a strong Party for King Stephen besieging the Empress in the Castle of Winchēster seven weeks and then the better to work his advantage feigning a Peace and causing it to be proclaimed set open the City Gates but she and her followers almost starved out with Famine were scarce departed when he caused them to be pursued in which pursuit many were slain and taken Prisoners and amongst them Earl Robert who by this time was returned with a slender Train and others taking Sanctuary in the Nunnery of Worwell were burnt together with the House nor did the Bishop spare Winchester but fired it for taking part with the Empress The Empress escaping this Storm betook her self to the Castle of the Devizes in Wiltshire but being closely pressed by the prevailing party and out of all hopes of relief she contrived a Stratagem to prevent her falling into their hands viz. Inclosing her self in a Coffin and making it known to a few of her Trusty Friends under pretence it was the dead Body of a Person whom the Besiegers knew to be dead in that place procuring a pass for the burial of it with its Ancestors She was in a Horse-litter carried to Glocester and there joyfully received by those of their Party But finding it not safe to continue there she hasted to Oxford where being straightly Besieged by the King in the depth of Winter and the Suburbs gain'd she found her self in no capacity longer to defend the place but taking the advantage of a Snow that had fallen she put on white Garments and by that means in the dusk of the Evening passed alone undiscovered to Abington on Foot and from thence to Wallingford on Horseback the same Night so sweet is a Crown that no Difficulties or Dangers are thought too much to attain it It was indeed strugled for with various success causing a great deal of blood shed as the Partys prevailed with Burnings and Devastations However that he might assure the Succession of his Son Eustuce he called a Council at London commanded Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury to Anoint him King but having received the Pope's Mandate to the contrary he refused it for which he was obliged to leave the Land and flie to Normandy yet the King for this refusal seized upon his Possessions But shortly after Prince Eustace dying the King became more inclinable to an agreement with the Empress The death of this Prince is by some Historians thus reported viz. Having set fire to the Corn Fields belonging to the Abby of Bury because the Monks refused to supply him with a sum of Money for his present occasion after that at his first sitting down to Dinner upon the first bit of Bread he touched he fell distracted and died in that fit but this seems a Fable of the Monks to terrifie people from medling with their Diana or the abundance of Treasure they in those days of Ignorance scraped to themselves even from those that had far greater need However the Kings hope dying in this Prince he was content to adopt Henry by some called Fitz Empress though indeed Plantaginet for his Son and Successor to whom at Oxford in the great Assembly held there for that purpose the Peers did Homage as to the undoubted Heir and the Prince acknowledged the King as his Father and after whom he was to Reign nor did Stephen live long when this was done for being afflicted with the Illiack pasio and the Haemorhoids worn out with Labour and continual toil left the Crown which he had worn with so much trouble and variety of Fortune to young Henry dying at Dover Anno 1134 and was Buried at Feversham in Kent though afterward his Body only for the value of the Lead that inclosed it was cast into the River by the covetous Sexton This Stephen was King of England and Duke of Normandy third Son to Stephen Earl of Blois by his Wife Adilicia or Alice Daughter to William the Conqueror he began his Reign the second of December Anno 1135 and Reigned Eighteen Years Ten Months and 20 Days and had Issue by Maud or Matilda his Wife Daughter of Eustace Earl of Bulloigne Brother of Godfry and Baldwin Kings of Jerusalem Baldwin Eustace William Maud and Mary he had likewise two Natural Sons Gervas the younger he made Abbot of Westminster Thus in a Tempest liv'd the Warlike King Small rest he found till death the calm did
into the Countrey he was invited to hunt in the Park of one Thomas Burdet Esq where after having caught much Game he by the persuasion oâ— some that were about him killed a white Buck which for its Tameness and comely Form was greatly beloved by the Owner and upon notice it was slain he wished the Horns of it in the Belly of those that advised the King to doe it which being over-heard by some Court Parasites they to curry favour with the King made their Report of it to him with aggravation insomuch that Burdet was tried and cast for High Treason in wishing the King's Death and accordingly beheaded at Tyburn Another Person he caused to be hanged before his own door in Cheapside for saying to a little Youth his Son that if he would mind his Book and be a good Boy he would make him heir to the Crown meaning in all probability his house that bore that Sign c. But now the King worn out with Wars and Women much grieved for the untimely death of his Brother fell sick and sending for the Nobles that were at Court he earnestly desired them to live peaceably together and have regard to his Children in their tender Years forgetting Injuries and Animosities as they tendered the Love of God and their King appointing his Son Edward a Youth of about 12 years of Age to succeed him making the Duke of Gloucester Protectour of his Person during his Minority and then gave up the Ghost on the 9th of Apr. 1483. He had Issue by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter to Richard Woodvile Earl Rivers Prince Edward Richard Duke of Bedford who dyed a Child Richard Duke of York Elizabeth married to Henry VII Ciciâ— married to the Lord Viscount Wells Anne married to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk Bridget a veiled Nun Mary who dyed 1482. Margaret who dyed an Infant Katharine married to William Courtney Earl of Devonshire his base Issue was Arthur and Elizabeth This Edward was King of England France and Lord of Ireland Son to Richard Plantagenet Duke of York he began his Reign on the 4th of March 1460. and reigned 22 Years 1 Month and 5 Days and was the 36th sole Monarch of England he dyed in the 40th year of his Age and the 23d of his Reign his Body was buried in the new Chapel at Windsor whose Foundation himself had laid Thus after bloudy Toils with restless Fate The Warlike Prince does to the Grave retreat The mighty dead now undistinguished lies Death makes the Monarch and the Slave his prize The Reign and Actions of Edward the V. King of England c. EDward V upon the death of his Father was committed to the Care and Tutulage of Sir Anthony Woodvile with whom were joined sundry of the Queens Relations before her Marriage but Richard Duke of Glocester the deceased King's Brother thirsting after Sovereignty laboured to remove them from the Person of the young King and to that â—nd hearing they were bringing him out of the Countrey whither he had retired to be crowned â—t London with a great Power and Train he so â—ealt with the Queen that she sent express word they should save the charge and trouble of so great 〈◊〉 Concourse and urged as Gloucester had insinuated that it would give the Nobility at London apprehensions of danger and occasion of disturbance or discontent and having made the Duke of Buckâ—ngham the Lord Hastings and others his Confidents he marched to Stonystratford and there took â—ho young King by force from the small Train that attended him arresting the Lord Richard Grey Sir Thomas Vaughan and Sir Richard Hawtre in the King's presence nor could his entreaty prevail for their delivery he made Sir Anthony Woodvile now Lord Rivers Prisoner and soon after sent him and the Lord Grey with a strong Guard to a Castle in the North pretending for his Justification of these proceedings that they had a design upon his Life and the Lives of the ancient Nobility that they might have the power of the King and Kingdom in their own hands and to render the report more plausible caused old Armour and rusty weapons to be shewed to the people in his way to London pretending those were the Instruments intended to doe the business The Queen upon the surprising news began to have mortal Apprehensions of the danger the King and her self were in finding how she had been imposed on by the Protectour in forbidding the strength intended for the Guard of her Son's Person and the better to secure her self she removed with her son Richard Duke of York and her Daughters into the sanctuary at Westminster and people werâ— filled with fear and confusion especially when they found the Thames full of Boats with the servants oâ— Buckingham and Gloucester in them to prevent thâ— escape of any persons that way and to prevenâ— their coming to sanctuary however the Archbishop of York comforted the Queen the best he could delivering up the Broad Seal and telling her if anâ— misfortune came to the King he would crown hiâ— Brother and the Duke of Gloucester caused thâ— Lord Hasting Lord Chamberlain to send a Messagâ— to the Archbishop to assure him all would be well but the Queen declared against that Lord as onâ— that sought the Ruine of her Family however oâ— the fourth of May the King came to Town and waâ— in much Pomp conveyed to the Bishop of London Palace where the Dukes of Gloucester Buckingham and other Noblemen swore Fealty to him and by a second Approbation the first was confirmed Protector of the King's Person and Kingdoms Gloucester having made a prosperous beginning fell to strengthening his Party and held divers Councils to contrive what was farther to be done but he found he had as yet but half his Prey in his hands and thereupon he laboured to get the Duke of York into his possession and to that end Consultations were held in the Stra-chamber where it was resolved that for sundry Reasons he should be with his Brother but the Abbat and Archbishop declaring it was no ways reasonable but alltogether dangerous to make a breach upon the sanctuary the latter was appointed to wait upon the Queen to prevail with her for his peaceable delivery and although she used many pregnant Reasons to the contrary yet understanding the Protectour was resolved to have him by force if fair means failed she with much regret and a floud of sorrow delivered him to the charge of the Archbishop and other Lords that attended saying I deliver him and his Brother into your hands of whom I shall require them before God and the World after which she tenderly kissed and embraced the Infant blessing him and weeping over him as a fatal presage of his Misfortune whilst the Child wept as fast the Protectour having gotten him he took him in his Arms and gave him a treacherous Kiss saying Now wellcome my Lord even with all my heart The Prize thus gotten the Councils were removed
But being a Cruel and Desolute Prince he was Killed by his Souldiers after he had continued seven Months in the Throne So that Maximus being then Deputy the Britains felt not the Effects of his Anger and thus Rome wanting a Head Marcus Sylvius Otho entred upon the Stage yet Reigned but three Months and five Days before he made way for Aulus Vitellus who after eight Months Reign was Killed by the Souldiers and Elavius Vespatian made Emperor in his stead So that in these short Revolutions the Britains had Peace yet in this last Reign the Brigantes and Silures were up in Arms but Julius Frontius over-powered them Petilius being Deputy the Famous City of Jerusalem after an obstinate and bloody Siege was Taken by the Romans under the Lâ—ading of Titus Vespatian who succeeded his Father in the Empire after he had Reigned about nine Years and Reigned two years and three months yet we find not that he had any War with the Britains but left the Empire to Domitian his Brother who raised a Persacution against the Christians by the Example of Nero Insomuch that Christianity then beginning to Flourish in this Island many were cut off for the Testimony they bore to their Lord and Master And Julius Agricola being Deputy he upon the Revolt of the Britains gave them â—… and in a fearful Overthrow slew Ten Thousand of them with the Loss of Three Bundred and Forty of his own Men and this is he that first discovered this Country to be an Island and Domitian after about fifteen years Reign dying Cocâ—eius Nerva came to the Throne of Empire being a very Charitable Prince but after ten Months he gave place to Trajan who raised the Third Persecution and Overthrew the Revolting Britains by Spartiaâ—us his Lieutenant Leaving the Stage of Honour after Twenty One Years Six Months when Adrianus was Proclaimed Emperor and although he had no War with the Britains he nevertheless raised a Persecution against the Christians and made the Church of Christ weep Tears of Blood in all Lands whither his Power extended yet he Reigned twenty two years But at length Antonius Pius who Succeeded him restrained re-called his Cruel Edicts yet in his time the Britains rising in Arms were Overthrown by Lollius Urbicus Marcus Aurelius taking next upon him the Administration of the Imperial Power revived the Persecution but had no War with the Britains and giving place after nineteen years Reign Commodius took upon him the Sway of the Empire and now the Almighty smiling upon this Land with the brightest Rays of Divine Love raised up a Christian King and the first that the World had seen viz. King Lucius Son to King Ceilus and Great Grand Child to Arviragius who Married the Emperor Drusius's Daughter and he being more mindful of Religion that dearest part of Government than of any other Consideration the better to Establish the Work so prosperously begun sent two Learned Men to Elutherus then Bishop of Rome to be further Instructed in the FAITH who thereupon sent him Fagarius and Damianus with his Letter in the following words You have received in the Kingdom of Britain by GOD's Mercy both the Law and Faith of Christ you have both the Old and New Testament out of the same through God's Grace by the Advice of your Realm take a Law and by the same through God's Sufferance Rule your Kingdom of Britain for in that Kingdom you are God's Vicar This I have mentioned to shew The honesty and plainness of the Bishops of Rome before they came to be Debauched and Corrupted with Pride and Avarice And this good King so far improved the Advice that he immediately Changed the Seats of the three Arch Flamens and twenty-eight Flamens into so many Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Sees appointing for the first three London York and Gloucester and thereupon the Christian Religion in spite of the Oppressors grew up like a stately Cedar and overspread the Land Helvius Pertinax the next Emperor did nothing of note having but a short Reign not exceeding eight Months and was Succeeded by Didius Julianus who continued not above two Months neither oâ— them having any War with the Britains Yet in the Reign of Septimus Severius the Calledonians were up in Arms and Heraclionus his Deputy not being able to Quell them the Emperor came over in Person yet could not Effect it by reason of the Fortresses and Marshes where they usually Fortified themselves with less than the Loss of fifty thousand oâ— his men and the better to Bridle them he caused a mighty Wall with Towrs to be run from Shorâ— to Shore but being come over a second time upon new Commotions he fell Sick and dyed at York and in his Reign the fifth Persecution was raised against the Christians Bassianus Caracala Reigneâ— after him six years and being made Co-Emperor with his Brother Geta he slew him yet the Britains werâ— not molested during his Reign and then he gave place to Opilius Maerinus who reigned about one year two months and was Succeeded by Heliogabilus a Lude Debauched and Luxurious Emperor whâ— had been formerly Priest to the Son yet he held the imperial Seat four years and then gave Place to Alexander Severus who gave Liberty to the Christiâ—ns to live peaceably and quiet without oppression or persecution but when he had reigned six months â—nd seven days he was killed by the Mutiny of the Almain Souldiers and made way for Maximinus who â—aised the sixth Persecution yet in his time the Briâ—ains were in Peace but three Years put a period to his Reign and Julius Varius Maximus mounted the Throne but he soon after was slain by the Souldiers And Gordianus who succeeded him Reigned but forty days For now the Petorian Souldiers began to commit all manner of Disorders setting the Empire to Sale raising any one to it for Money and then either Killing or Deposing them made room for more Gain and instead of One they sometimes set up Two in Co-partnership as Claudius Puppienus and Celius Balbinus who Reigned only a Year then Antonius Gordianus Reigned and after him Julius Philippus the one Reigning Four and the other Five Years Which short continuance and the Care they had to Secure themselves made them little mind what was done abroad and Lieutenants of Provinces perceiving things go thus unfortunately did not so much trouble themselves in Gathering the publick Taxes as to ingratiate in the Peoples Favour and enrich themselves by Presents and Offerings which were daily made them without runing the hazard of forcing them to Rebel And now Decius coming to the Imperial Seat stirred up by the Enemies of the Church of Christ he raised the seventh Persecution but his Fury continued not for he reigned but two years e're he gave way to Trebonianus and Voâ—usianius who stayed the Persecution and had Peace with the Britains But in two years they gave way to Aelmelianus who reigned not above two months and though Valerianus that succeeded
affirm to be done upon Salisbury plain but however the Nobles thus dead the Juits Angles and Saxons fell on with Fire and Sword killing and destroying all that came in their way carrying a Torrent of Destruction from Sea to Sea so that the poor Britains being utterly disheartned and destitute of a Head fled before them like Flocks of timerous Sheep to the Mountains and Fastnesses many of them living in Rocks Caves and Woods upon such as Nature afforded them to avoid the fury of the destroying Enemy who resolutely bent upon a total Conquest daily sent over for more of their Companions who came in swarms devouring like Locust all the good things of the Land Thus the misery of the Britains renewed and these People began to frame their Government dividing the Country by Lott into seven Parts or petry Kingdoms called from thence The Hepterchie of the Saxons in this order 1. Kent 2. South Saxons 3. West Saxons 4. East Saxons 5. Northumberland 6. Mercia 7. East Angles These they formed into Kingdoms striving as much as in them lay to exterperate the whole Race of the Britains and raise themselves in their places Some may be curious to know the Original of this Transmarine People but Originals of this kind are generally obscure but Historians conjecture they were a branch of the Sacae an Asian People who came into Europe to find themselves better Habitations and planted on the Banks of the Rhine They were upon their arrival in Britain Idolaters worshipping a God for every day in the Week and greatly persecuted those they found to persevere in the Christian Faith And when they went to Battle they had certain Songs prepared to invoke the favour of their Deities and were very unmerciful for they sacrificed every tenth Captive and would admit of no Ransom The Garments of the Saxons were in the form of a Gassock clasped over or pined with wooden Pins their Weapons bended Swords with three notches on the back in the form of a Back-sword but broader with fiat sloaping points and battel Axes using to try the quarrel of a whole Province by single Combate suffering their Virgins to Marry but once and their Men were forbid plurality of Wives except they were Noble and they only for want of Issue Adultry they punished were severly These People going under the Denominations oâ— Saxons Argles and Jutes devided the Kingdom now called England for King Vortâ—gorn being by his Inrâ—ged Subjects over-whelmed with wildfier in his Castle or Pallace as the cause of all their Calamities by gâ—ving at first too much way and countenance to th◠〈◊〉 they parted it out as they found themselveâ— in most power or advantage by birth and Hengist having leave to take his Lot chose Kent and formed it into a Kingdom Stiling himself the first King of Kent begining his Reign 455 and Reigned with great success 34 years and was succeeded by Esca or Oscia from whom the Inhabitants were called Eskins this Prince began his Reign in the year of our Lord 490 and continued it 24 years giving place to Octa who Reigned 23 years and was succeeded by Imerick who somewhat inlarged his Borders and continued his Reign till 562 and during his time was held the second General Counsel at Constantinople for the Establishment of the Church when by the Pious and Exampler lives and Preaching of good Men Christianity that had been trampled on by the Saxons began to revive in Britain so that Ethelbert that succeeded Imerick began to harken to them and upon the Arrival of Austine the Monk and Forty others with him sent by Gregory Bishop of Rome he was Converted and Baptized Anno 596. In the 36th year of his Age and the 4th year of his Reign giving a general Liberty to his Sujects to Renounce their Paganisme so that these good Men by the Kings Appointment setling at Canterbury are reported to Baptize and Convert 10003. in a very short time which prosperous Work by the Influence of Heaven soon over-spread the Kingdom and God accordingly blessed the King with a Long Reign for he continued in his Throne 36 years and then was succeeded by Edbald who at first was averse to the Christians and for fear of him Melitus and Justus fled their Bishopricks but he being Converted by Laurence Arch-Bishop of Canterbury they were recalled but having Reigned 24 years he gave place to Ercombert Anno 5â—2 This King brought Christianity to be highlier prized than before turning the Idol Temples that had been heitherto allowed into places of True Worship commanding the first Lent to be kept that this Kingdom knew but after a Reign of 24 years he dyed and was succeeded by Egbert his Brother who basely Murthered Ethelred and Ethelbert his two Nephews Sons to Ercombert and â—ast the Dead Bodies into the River Medway for which no doubt his Reign was shorter than any before him for he continued it but 9 years ending it by Death 666 and was succeeded by Lothaire who after holding the Scepter of Kent 11 years Engageing in a Bloody Waâ— against Ethelred King of the Mercians and Edrick King of the South Saxons he was shot through with a Dart which put an end to his Life and Reign In his time aâ— third Counsel was held at Constantinople being the 6th General Counsel for the Provision and Establishment oâ— the Church Agathus being Bishop of Rome and Ederick succeeded this Prince he held not the Scepter long before his Subjects upon a disgust took Arms against him and slew him in a pitched Field maintaining themselves against all Opposers So that the Kingdom lay destitute of a Head for the space of six years 〈◊〉 this Kings Reign being the shortest of any Viz. two years only but at the end of 6 years Withred hiâ— Brother for a great sum of Mony payed to Inas goâ— the Possession and Reigned 33 years and there gave place to Egbert who began his Reign 727 in his time there appeared two fearful Commets thaeatning Wars and Desolation which afterward Ensued by the falling out of Petty Princes he Reigned 23 years and was succeeded by Ethelbert Anno 750 who held the Throne 11 years and gave place to Edrick who lost his Life after a Reign of 34 years in a fatal Battle at Otteford against Offa King of the Mercians and in his time another General Counsel was held at Nice and consequently the second General Counsel and then the Kingdom of Kent was Usurped by Ethelbert the third who for that cause being Wared upon by Kenwoolf he was taken Prisoner and crrried into Mercia 〈◊〉 yet he afterward was released and Reigned 3 years giving at the end of that time place to Cuthred whom Kenwolf King of the Mercians Instated in the Thronâ— of Kent Yet his Reign was short terminating in the space of three years and Baldred succeeding him after a long dispute with the Mercian King and 18 years continuance in his Kingdom was forced to flee and leave the Possession
Reigned 9 years and these alternately succeedeâ—… him the one Reigning two years and the other 11 â—… but we find nothing worthy of note in their Reigns This being removed Ceolenuif took the Scepter buâ—… was more given to devotion than to Rule insomuâ—… that at the Expiration of 8 years he layed aside his Royâ—… al Robes for a Monks Habit making him a Cell in aâ—… Holy Island where he lived a Contemplative Life and in his Reign two threatning Commets appeared the one before and the other after Sun rise and seâ—… continuing so to do for the space of 2 Weeks Aâ—… now Egbert took up the Scepter and having held it 2â—… years turned Monk such was the Superstition of thoâ—… times To conclude that by so doing they Merâ—… Heaven Oswulph succeeded Egbert but his Reign waâ—… â—…hort and unfortunate for scarcely had he held it a year but he was Murthered by his Servant at the Inâ—…tigation of his Step-Mother to promote hâ—…r own Son â—…t Mick'e Woughton and Edâ—…lwald took place but in â—…he 6th year of his Reign he was slain by Aâ—…red who â—…teped thereupon into the Throne but at 9 years end â—…or his many Violences and cruel Dealings he was â—…y his Subjects Expeled the Kingdom and Ethâ—…red â—…laced in the Throne but he being twice deposed for â—…is Misgovernment was at last slain by his Subjects â—…nd Alfwald who succeeded him after he had Reigned â—…1 years was Murthered by the Conspiracy of Siga â—…nd Osred succeeded him in the year 789 but after a â—…ears Reign his Subjects Expeled him the Kingdom Thus the Northumbers Kingdom Wavering slood Sometimes in Peace some times in War and Blood There 's nothing stable men and fortune Change Fates unseen Springs can Monarchys unhinge Or make a Kingdom to a Pesant crindge An Account of the Kingdom of Mercia or the Midland Kingdom of the Saxons with the Successon of Kings THis Kingdom more large than the rest contained the Counties of Rutland Lincoâ— Hâ—tington â—eicester Derby Notingham Oxford Châ—shâ—re â—…â—ire Gloucestershire Worâ—â—stershire Sâ—â—â—â—ordshire Beckingâ—amshire Warwickshire Beâ—â—â—â—â—â—shire and â—… â—nd frequently contendâ—d with the rest for the sole Monarchy beginning in the year 582 and continâ—â—out 292 years under the Succession of 20 Kingâ— in â—der as followeth Crida the first of the Mercian Kings began his Reign 582 and being a very wâ—â—likâ— Prince had grâ—sped larger part of the Island than the rest holding it with so hard a hand that nothing could be taken from him during his Reign of 12 years Wibba succeeded him in the Throne who greatly perplexed the Britains and incroached upon the Neighbour Saxonsâ— But when he had reigned 20 years he dyed and Ceorle took place but did nothing of moment Hiâ— Reign lasted only ten years when Pâ—nda the Great and Warlike King of the Mercians came to the Throne who slew in a pitch'd Field Edwin and Oswald Kings of Northumberland Sigesbert Egfrid and Ema Kings of the East-Angles and Expulsed Redâ—wald King of the West Saxons out of his Countries â—… But Fortune not always favouring he in a Battle against Oswye King of the Northumbers ventering tâ— far upon his late Success was there slain when he haâ— reigned about 32 years This great King thus disasterously fallen Penda â—… Wenda took upon him the Government and becamâ— the first Christian King of Mercia But being young and his Step-Mother desirous to prefer her own Soâ— conspired with some of his Nobles against him anâ— procured him to be murthered in the Third year oâ— his Reign but missed her aim for Wolfere a seconâ— Brother was placed in the Throne This Prinâ— conquer'd the West Saxons won the Isle of Wiglâ— and gave it to the King of the South Saxons anâ— altho he before his Conversion had caused his twâ— Sons to be put to death for suffering themselves â—… be Baptized he becoming a Christian greatly â—… mented that Cruelty and caused the Heathen Temples to be converted to the Worship of God and held to found the Abby Church of Peterborough Yâ— he reigned but Four years being the Seventh petâ— Monarch of the Mercians Ethelred succeed him â—… the Throne and warred upon the King of Kent wiâ— great fury insomuch that Blood was shed like Wâ—ter nor did the Churches or Abbies escape his Ragâ— putting Wâ—lfridus out of his Bishoprick of Northumberlanâ— But at last he resigned his Crown to Kenrâ— his Nephew from whom he had unjustly detained it and structen with remorse for the Blood he had shed â—…e turned Monk and dyed in that state his Reign however continued 29 years and in that space two â—…lazing Stars appeared Keâ—red coming to the Throne held the Scepter of â—he Mercian Kingdom in much peace Four years and â—…hen falling into a Melancholly he coveted a Monaâ—…tical Life resigning the Crown to his Cousin Chelred He went to Rome with Offa King of the East Saxons â—…nd Edwin Bishop of Winchester and there dyed a Monk Chelred succeeding Kiâ—…red found a troubleâ—…ome Reign for he was fiercely warred upon by Inâ—…s King of the West Saxons who greatly envyed him â—…o large a Kingdom his Reign continued Seven years â—… he was succeeded by Ethelbald who greatly perplexed â—…he Northumbers by making Incursions into their Country which occasioned Câ—…thred King of the West â—…axons to give him Battle and overthrew him at â—…urford But ingaging him a second time Ethelbald â—…o dealt with the West Saxon Soldiers that they slew â—…heir Master near Tamworth in Warwickshire This King founded the Monastery of Crowland and reigned over the Mercian Kingdom Eleven years and then gave â—…lace to Offa who warred upon â—…rick King of Kent â—…nd slew him at Ottefâ—…rd and so marching from South â—…o North brought all in subjection as he passed overâ—…rowing Kenwolf and his West Saxons near Merton â—…nd made a Ditch of prodigeous length and breadth â—…o be cast up to hinder the Incursions of the Welsh â—…ritains who presuming to throw a part of it down â—…e entered their Territories with Fire and Sword â—…ew Marmodius their King and all his Associetes â—…nd the Danes landing in his time were beat back â—…ith great slaughter He it was that procured at â—…reat cost the Canonization of Alban the Proto â—…artyr of this Kingdom and built a Monastry in the Town of that Name giving a Tenth part of his â—…oods to the Church-men and Poor as an Expiation for the Blood he had shed He began his Reign Anâ—… 758 and continued it 39 years Egfrid succeeded thiâ—… great King and being of a Pious Inclination he restored the Church to all her Antient Priviledges oâ—… which his Father had deprived her but his Reign waâ—… short for it exceeded not four Months Kenwolf succeeded this good Prince and began hiâ—… Reign with a War against Kent whose King he madâ—… Prisoner and gave his Kingdom to Cuthred but at thâ—… Dedication of his new Church at Winchcomb he restored his Royal Prisoner to Liberty and in hiâ—… 22 years Reign did many great
Exploits and waâ—… succeeded by Kenelem But this Prince was unfortunatâ—… in his Youth for having discovered some close Intreagues between his Tutor and Quindride his Sister the latter to prevent his reproofs caused the formeâ—… to Murther him when he had Reigned about threâ—… Months and Cleolwolf who succeeded him reigneâ—… but a year before he was Expulsed his Kingdom by his Subjects at the Instigation of Bernulf who therâ—… upon stepped into the Throne but being warred upon by the West Saxons and East Angles he was slaiâ—… in Battle the Third year of his Reign Anno 831 anâ—… Ludecan who succeeded him felt the like Fate iâ—… the Second year of his Reign from Egbert the Weâ—… Saxon in Conjunction with the East Angles Witlâ—… the next King of the Mercians was overcome â—… Egbert and forced to flee his Kingdom in the Thirâ—… year of his Reign And now the Danes began to peâ—… plex the Coast having an Eye to the Conquest â—… Britain so that they drove Berthulf who succeedeâ—… Wâ—…laf out of the Mercian Kingdom in the Thirteenth year of his Reign And although Brudreâ—… got the Possession of it Anno 852 yet they kept hiâ—… in continual Alarums and notwithstanding at fiâ—… he was Victorious over them yet they returning witâ—… greater Force he was forced to quit the Kingdom when he had reigned about Twenty years and wâ—… the last of the Saxon petty Monarchs in this Kingdoâ—… of Mercia Thus Kingdoms tost by fickle Fortune's hand Must Rise and Fall yet ne'er are at a stand Great things oppress themselves with their own weight And still must yeild to the Decrees of Fate An Account of the Kingdom of the East Angles with their Succession of Kings c. THis Kingdom so named from the Angles that claimed it for their Portion contained Suffolk Norfolk Cambridge and the Isle of Ely and took upon it the form of a Kingdom Anno 373 continuing â—53 years and had the Succession of Fifteen Kings of whom in their order Uffa was the first King of the East Angles who â—etled and founded the Kingdom but was in his beginning very much opposed by the British Princes He Reigned Seven years and gave place by Death to Titulus who Reigned a longer time for some Authors will have it that he held the Scepter of this Kingdom about 32 years Redwald succeeded him â—nd altho upon his coming to the Throne he was a Christian he turned Idolater he assisted Edwin to gain the Crown of Northumberland by slaying Ethelâ—ride in Battle and reigned over the Angles 8 years Expenwald succeeded him This King professed Chriâ—tianity and not being well setled in his Kingdom â—ne Richebert conspired against him and slew him when he had reigned Twelve years And Sigebert succeeded him being a younger Son of Redwald but being given up to a devout Life he after two years Reign resigned his Kingdom and turned Monk But that place could not secure his Life for he was â—lain by Penda Egrick upon the resignation took up the Scepter yet he reigned but four years before Penda overcome his Country and slew him in Battle Anna succeeded him but after a Twelve years Reignâ—… Penda who was a mortal Enemy to the Angles camâ—… again overcome and slew him Upon the unfortunate falls of these last Kings Eâ—…theibert got into the Throne as a favourite of Penda's but he had not reigned about Two years when Oâ—…win King of the Northcumbers slew him in Battle foâ—… taking part with Penda against him And Edelwaâ—… succeeded in the Throne yet he reigned only Eighâ—… yearâ—… before he gave place to Alduâ—… who reigneâ—… Nineteen years and then Eâ—…swoâ—f succeeded in a Reigâ—… of Seven years Beorn reigned after him Twenty foâ—… years and then gave place to Ethelred who reigneâ—… Thirty five yearâ—… yet there is nothing memorably recorded of their Actions And now these petty Kingdoms growing to a period Etheâ—…bert began his Reignâ—… but having displeased the bloody Quindride Wife tâ—… Offa King of the Mercians she prevailed with heâ—… Husband to send for him under pretence of givinâ—… him one of his Daughters in Marriage but having got him in her power she caused him to be put tâ—… death when he had reigned Forty five years anâ—… was succeeded by Edmund in whose time the Danes camâ—… over in great numbers burning and destroying before them insomuch that the King was obliged to shuâ—… himself up in Framingham Castle and after a lonâ—… Seige surrendred it But the Pagan Danes not regarding their Faith having stripped the poor King finâ—… beat him with Câ—dgels then scourged him and afteâ—… that tying him to a Stake shot him to death with Arrows whilst with much Patience and Devotion he suffered the usage calling upon the name of Jesuâ—… and recommending his Soul to his Redeemer thâ—… years of his Reign are doubtfully mention'd however he began to Reign over the East Angles Anâ—… 794 he was afterwards cannonized a Saint and thâ—… Town of St. Edmunds-bury still remains in remembrance of him Thus you the Saxon Hepterchie may view How first it rise and to a period drew To rise more glorious in what does eusâ—e The Saxon Government under sole Monarchs with the Succession if Kings their Reigns and Actions THe Hepterchie of the Saxons appearing very troublesome in their continual Wars amongst themselves and those of the Danes and British Princes who still held out the chief of the last that â—…pposed them during their petty Kingdoms were â—…ortimer Son of Vortinger who reigned Four years Aurelius Ambrosius who reigned Thirty two years â—…ter Pendragon his Brother who reigned Eighteen â—…ears Arthure of whom the Monks have created so â—…any Fables that the truth of his Actions are doubtful who reigned Twenty six years Constantine Son â—…f Cador Duke of Cornwal and Cousin to Arthur who â—…eigned Three years Aurelius Conatus who reigned Thirty three years Vortiporus who reigned Three â—…ears Malgo Cononus who reigned Five years Careâ—…cus who reigned Three years Cadwan who reigned Twenty two years Gadwallo his Son who reigned forty eight years and Cadwallader who reigned â—…leven years These were the Chief of the British Princes who opposed the Saxons and held â—…eir Kingdom for the most part in Wales and the Marches giving them at sundry times many notable â—…verthrows disputing their Country with the Invaâ—…ers till their Power was wasted and the remainder of â—…heir People compelled to betake themselves to the Mountains and Fastnesses Egberts's Fortune prevailâ—…ng he united the seven Kingdoms into one and beâ—…ame the first sole Saxon Monarch causing himself to â—…e crowned at Winchesier giving the whole Country the Name of England and the People the Epethitâ—… of English In the Fourteen year of his Reign thâ—… Danes with thirty three Ships landed in England tâ—… whom he gave battle with such Forces as on the sudden could be raised but was worsted loosing two Dukes two Bishops and most of the Common Soldiers he hardly escaping the Field yet afterwards thâ—… Danes were
interposing as some Authors have it â—…tween two Deuelists he was unfortunately run â—…rough after he had reigned six years Edred succeeding Edmund Anno 946. the Danes beâ—…n to gather courage not without being privately aâ—…mated by some treacherous English and amongst â—…em Weelstan Arch-Bishop of York so that â—… the â—… caused himself to be Crowned King of Northumâ—…rland against whom Edred marched with a great Army but had the Rear of it surprised by the underhand dealing of Woelstan however he made his party good put the Danes to the rout and returned with victory He made St. Germans in Cornwal a Bishops See which was by Canute the Dane translated to Credington and at last setled at Exeter by Edmund the Confessor where â—it at present remains This Edred was Tenth sole Monarch of England and reigned Nine years Edwy succeeded Edred Anno 955 and was crowned at Kingston upon Thames where it is repoted he committed Adultery with a great Lady his near Kinswoman in the sight of his Nobles and afterwards caused her Husband to be slain that he might more freely enjoy her He thrust out the Monks and put married Priests in the places of those that affected a single Life Banished Dunstan who is now stiled a Saint and the same that is reported to have taken a shee Devil by the Nose with a pair of Tongues for disturbing him at his Forge These things turned the Peoples Affections against the King to a degree of laying him aside and swearing Fealty to Edgar which made him pine to death after he had Rul'd Four years and was buried in the New Abby Church at Winchester Edgar began his Reign Anno 159 he recalled Dunstan and outed the married Priests making a Penalty against Drunkenness and the Land at that time being pestered with Wolves he laid a yearly Tribute of three hundred Wolves Heads upon the Prince of Wales and upon the Noble-men and Free-holders according to the largeness of their Possessions so that in a few years they were all destroyed He made it his business once a year to ride the Circuit of his Kingdom to inquire of Abuses done by his Judges in Illegal Actings or those that were done by private Persons one to another inflicting severe punishments on such as he found tardy yet he have himself up to prodigeous Lust insomuch that casting his Eyes upon any Women he liked he would have his satisfaction by fair means or force and killed Ethelwald an Earl and one of his principal Courtiers with a Spear as he was hunting in the Forest because he had married a beauteous Lady Daughter to Duke Orgarus when he had sent him to fetch her for his own use and then took her to Wife He deflowred a Nun called Wolfe-child and got on her a hopeful Brat which was afterwards Sainted by the name of Edith and afterwards another Nun called Ethelflede on whom he begot his Son Edward who succeeded him he had peace except a little bickering with the Welsh all his Reign feared a broad and at home having the greatest Navy of any King before him some Authors reporting it consisted of Three thousand Ships He was crown'd at Kingston upon Thames by Otho Archbishop of Canterbury and reigned sixteen years Edward the Thirteenth sole Monarch of England began his Reign Anno 975 and was usher'd in by a Famine and a Blazing Star with great contentions between the Monks and Married Priests Dunstan taking taking part with the former and Duke Alfarus with the latter and meeting to Dispute in an upper Room the press being great the Flour fell down and many were wounded only Dunstan's Chair stood fixed upon a Post which gave such credit to the Monks who without doubt had contrived the sinking of the Four as appeared by the Chair being fixed that they gained the point and the Married Priests were turned out suffering great necessity no Man daring to entertain or relieve them Soon after this the King going a Hunting and being near the Castle of Queen Elfreda his Mother-in-Law he separated from his Company and went to pay her and her Son a visit But the treacherous Queen to advance her own caused one of her Servants to stab him in the Back whilst he was drinking on Horseback at her Gate whereupon turning his Horse he fled the farther Treachery but not finding his retinue he through lossâ— of blood fainted and falling in the next Wood expired when he had reigned four Years Ethelred the Son of Edgar and Elfreda succeeded Edward who for his slowness in Affairs was Nick-named The Unready he was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames the ordinary Seat of the Saxon Monarchs and upon his Coronation day a Cloud was seen throughout England half resembling Blood and half Fire and in the third year of his Reign the Danes Landed in divers parts of this Kingdom committing great Outrages and much about the same time a great part of London was laid in Ashes The King not being able to oppose the Torrent of the Danish power compounded a Peace for 10000 Pounds a Year but finding their Advantage they soon raised it to 40000 l which 〈◊〉 heavy upon the Nation and was called Danes Guilt oâ— Danes Money nor did this suffice them but they pillaged and ravag'd the Country so extreamly that the King to free his Sublects from the Oppressions they groaned under gave them private notice on St. Brices day to fall upon the Danes in all the Cities and Towns where they quartered which was done with so much secresie that most of them were cut off this being done on the 13 of November Anno 1002. the News flew into Denmark whereupon new swarms came over under the Leading of Swanus who destroyed all before them with Fire and Sword in such a terrible manner that the People fled to the Woods and Mountains and although the King bought his Peace at the price of 30000 Pounds yet not long after they flew 900 Monks and such as were of Religious Orders in Canterbury and having gotten a great sum of Money from the Archbishop Aphegus for his Ransom they notwithstanding stonâ—d him at Greenwich so that the King perceiving their treachery and cruel dealing and that he was no ways capable of opposing their fury he sent Emma his wise with her two Sons to her Brother Richard Duke of â—â—â—mandy and soon after left the Kingdom to follow them but Swanus being stabbed by his own Meâ— and Canutus his Son set up in his stead Ethelred returned but finding many Treasonable Designs carried on against him by Edricus one of his Dukes and a powerful Enemy in the Land which he was no ways able to oppose he died for grief when he had Reigned thirty seven years and was the fourteenth sole Monarch of England Edmund the Eldest Son of Ethelred Sirnamed Ironside succeeded him Anno 1016. and was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames by Livingus Arch-bishop of Canterbury though Canute then Reigned as King at Southampton This Edmund
to Confusion and although they perceived their error too late and casting themselves into a Ring stood to it manfully yet the King as he was rallying them being slain with an Arrow that pierced his Brain as likewise his two Brothers Leofin and Grith with most of the English Nobles and 97974 Soldiers the rest threw down their Arms ond submitted to the Conquerer who from that time took upon him the Kingdom This Harrold began his Reign Anno 1065 and Reigned about 9 Months and 9 Days and was buried at Waltham in Essex Thus Fortunes fickle wheel still turning round Does raise to Greatness and again confound The Reigns of the Kings of the Norman Race and first of William usually called the Conqueror THe Normans knew not their own true Original but found themselves a mixed People composed of Norwigeans Sweeds and Danes taking their denomination from that Northern Climate anciently called Cimbrica Chersonesus and Norway but the Country being supposed too little for the people they drew out their Collonies and sent them abroad under divers Captains to seek their Fortunes in planting a more advantageous soil and having made many descents upon the Coasts of Belgia Frizia England and Ireland under Rollo their Captain a Noble Norman they pitched upon this Nation and had great Wars with the Saxon Monarchs till such time as Rollo in a Dream fancying himself upon the highest Hill in France perceived beneath him a most pleasant Country and that a River stowing from his seat watered it whilst little Birds with red Breasts run to drink at the stream and sung melodiously about him This being Interpreted by a Monk That it was the will of Heaven he should go over and settle himself in that part of France he fancied himself to be in and that there he should be victorious Whether this Interpretation was seigned by the Monk to be rid of so powerful an Enemy or by secret Devination revealed to him we determine not however it wrought so powerful with Rollo that he drew his Forces out of England and passing into France during the Reign of Chales the Simple with continual Wars so far indangered that Kingdom that the King was constrained to make an Alliance with him at no less a rate than giving him his Daughter Gilla in Marriage with the Dutchy of Normandy in Dowâ— This Rollo was Great Grandfather to Richard the fifth Duke of Normandy which Richard was Elder Brother to Robert who was Father to William of whom we are now to speak William the first King of England c. usually called the Conqueror his Reign and Actions c. VVIlliam the Conqueror was Natural Son to Robert Duke of Normandy by Arlotte a Beautiful Woman of mean Birth her Father being no other than a Tanner or Skinner however 't is Recorded That being great with Child of this William she Dreamed her Bowels delated and extended all over Normandy and Britain and as soon as the Child was Born being laid on the Floar strewed with Rushes a Custom amongst the Normans to try the Presage of Fortune he instantly grasped the Rushes in his hands and thence they concluded his future greatness and when his Father died he took upon him the Rule of Normandy and gained England as has hath been already related William the Conqueror began his Reign October 14. Anno 1066. and was Crowned the 25th of the following December by Aldred Arch-bishop of York causing the English Bishops and Barrons to swear Allegiance to him taking himself a solemn Oath to defend the Rights of the Church to establish such Laws as were agreeing to the Constitution of the Kingdom and to see them administred with Uprightness and Justice and supposing himself by this means securely setled in the Throne he went a Progress to be more assured of the Southern Parts but as was passing through Kent to Dover Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Eglesine Abbot of St. Augustines Assembled the Commons to oppose him who placed themselves in a Wood near Swancomb waiting the Conquerors Arrival when perceiving his approach with a slender Train shadowed with Boughs cut down for the purpose they marched against him who supposing himself inclosed with moving Woods was so much surprized that he was neither capable of advancing or retiring but whilst he was considering what it might tend to the Kentish-men now inclosing his Army threw down their Boughs and displayed their Banners when the Bishop and Abbot presented themselves on the behalf of the rest Addressing the Conqueror in the following Speech Most Noble Duke Behold here the Commons of Kent are come forth to meet and receive you as their Soveraign requiring your Peace their own free condition of Estate and ancient Laws if these things be denied they are present to abide the Battle being fully determined rather to die than to part with their Laws or to live servile in Bondage The Conqueror much surprized forbore reply for a time but perceiving the Kentish Men making ready their Weapons and resolute to give Battle knowing himself much Inferiour in number loath to stake a Kingdom upon so small a cast he granted their Demands so that to this day they retain by ancient Custom many Priviledges that other Counties injoy not yet the Conqueror was not so favourable to the English as they expected for after his Coronation he Banished such of the Nobles and Gentlemen as were most likely to oppose him in his Proceedings seizing most of the Estates of the Kingdom and gave them to his Normans whom he most respected or such as had helped towards desraying the Charge of the Expedition depriving Monasteries Bishopricks Cities and Corporations of their Ancient Liberties and Priviledges and then obliged them to redeem them at great Sums of Money constituting new Laws and ordained four Terms when as all Controversies except what was rare and extraordinary were tried in the respective Counties Hundreds or Monthly Moots or Gemotes and to prevent great Meetings which he feared might turn to his prejudice he set out a severe Edict commanding all Persons upon the ringing of a Bell called by the Normans Coverfeu or Coverfire to put out both Fire and Candle exactly at eight of the Clock in the Evening and causing an exact survey of the Lands and Estates of all the people he amerced them accordingly exacting six shillings for every Hide of Land and the Book thus made of every several survey the number of the People and their Abilities is called Doomesday Book nor did he permit any of the English to be in places of Trust and for his pleasure as some will have it though others say it was out of Policy that he might have a Desolate place to Land new Forces out of Normandy if the English should rise in Arms against him he laid waste 36 Parishes with their Churches and made of that Vacancy a large Forrest by him called new Forrest reaching to the Sea-shore and in Circuit 60 Miles he fortified the Tower of London
the Profits and Arrears of the See of Canterbury restored But this restles Prelate taking his time to disturb the Kingdom whilst the old King was in Normandy published the Popes Letters by which Roger Arch-bishop of York and Hugh Bishop of Durham were suspended from their Ecclesiastical Functions for that they had crowned the young King in prejudice to the See of Canterbury and the Bishops of Exeter Sarum and London were cut off from the Church by censure for being Assistants at that Coronation nor would he at the young Kings earnest intreaties but under divers restrictions and hard conditions Absolve them Becket's new insolencies coming to the ear of the old King in Normandy he fell into a great rage and let such words fall that some of his Courtiers interpreting them to intimate the Kings desire to be rid of that proud Prelate contrary to his knowledge Richard Fitzurse William Tracie Hugh Brito and Hugh Norvil passed secretly into England and getting admittance into the Cathedral Church at Canterbury took their opportunity with concealed Weapons to fall upon him as he stood in the Evening Service time before the high Altar and there slew him with a Monk or two that made resistance and thereupon made their escapes This news flying to Rome and the Murther charged upon the King as done by hiâ— order the Pope began terribly to mennace him when he to take off the imputation of guilt not only protested his innocence but offered to purge himself by submitting to the Judgment of such Cardinâ— Legates as the Pope should send upon inquiry intâ— the Fact and the better to quiet the people that began to murmur against him he passed into Irelanâ— with a great Army and finding the several pettâ— Kings divided amongst themselves he made a Conquest of that Kingdom and made himself Lord Ireland Upon the Kings return from the Conquest Ireland he found two Cardinal Legates arrived Normandy by whom he was absolved after giving Oath that he was no ways consenting to the death Becket and declaring his sorrow for having let fâ— words in his anger that might administer any ocâ—sion of committing that crime whereupon the coâ—ditions of his Penance were enjoyned viz. That his own charge for the space of a year he should maâ—tain two huâ—dred Soldiers for defence of the Holy Laâ— That he should revoke all Customs introduced to the 〈◊〉 judice of the Churches Liberties and restore and make up the Possessions of the Church of Canterbury That he should cull home and freely receive all that were in Banishment for Becketg 's cause There were other secret Penances enjoyned which upon his coming over he performed The King notwithstanding the satisfaction he gave the Pope was not at ease for the young King Henry his Son instigated by his Mother the Kings of Scotland and France his two Brothers Richard and Geofry with divers Nobles as well English as Normans raised a Rebellion and seized upon many Towns in Britain and other places But the old Kings Fortune prevailed against them and by Humphry Bohun his High Constable in England he overcame Robert Earl of Leicester which made Lewis of France seek a Truce with him of six Months which was accorded and coming to Canterbury three Miles bare footed as his private Penance he entred the Chapter House of the Monks and humbly prostrating himself on the floor begged pardon and suffered himself voluntarily to be whipped on the back with Rods by all the Brethren of the House so that his stripes amounted to fourscore This confirmed the people of his innocency or at least satisfied their anger so that the Scots invading England were so unanimously opposed that they were defeated and William their King taken prisoner Young King Henry attempting to land was driven back to France by contrary Winds but making some other attempts he died in the expedition Anno 1183 And the next year Heraclius Patriarch of Jerusalem came into England to implore the Kings Aid â—gainst the Infidels that grievously oppressed the Eastern Christians and that he would go thither in person but the Nobles being consulted and not approving it only a supply of Money was granted The King the better to quiet his Son John who was of a turbulent spirit constituted him Lord of Ireland assigning him rents in England and Normandy however he conspired with his Brothers Richard and Geofry against him but before any thing came to perfection Geofry was troden to death under the Horses feet at a Turnament in Paris notwithstanding Richard by the assistance of Philip the French King drove his Father out of Mentz the place of his birth and for which reason he loved it above all other whereupon with tears he declared that seeing his Son had taken from him that day the thing which he most loved in the World he would requite him for from that day he would deprive him of that thing which in him should best please a Child viz. his heart and having a Scrowl of the Conspirators he no sooner found his Son John in the head of them and first in that Scrowl but he curst the hour of his Birth laying God's curse and his own upon all his Sons which he could not be prevailed upon to recal but fretting himself for the unnatural proceedings of his Children and worn out with age and toil he fell sick at Charon and finding the approach of death he caused himself to be carried to the Church and laid before the high Altar where after humble confession and sorrow for his sins he gave up the ghost Anno 1189 and waâ— intered at Font Everard This King Henry the Second was King of England Duke of Normandy Guen and Aquitain eldest Son to Jeffery Plantagenet Earl of Anjou Son to Foulk King of Jerusalem by Maud his Wife eldest Daughter tâ— Henry the First He began his Reign on the 25th oâ— October 1154 and reigned 34 years eight months anâ— eleven days and was the twenty fifth sole Monarcâ— of England he had Issue by his Wife Eleaner Will am who died 1156 Richard Geofry and Philip whâ— died very young John Maud who was married 〈◊〉 Henry sirnamed the Lyon Duke of Saxony Eleanâ— married to William King of Castile Joan married 〈◊〉 VVilliam King of Sicily and afterwards to Ramuâ— the fourth Earl of Tholouze By the lovely Rosamond his beautiful Concubinâ— he had natural Issue viz. VVilliam sirnamed Longspur and Jeffry Arch-bishop of York This Rosamond was Daughter to the Lord Clifford and whilst the King prosecuted his Wars in Normandy and France he caused her to be kept in a Labrinth built at VVoodstock to secure her from his jealous Queen but she finding her by a clew of Thred or Silk which the Fair one had accidentially let fall compelled her to drink Poison of which she died to the unspeakable grief of the King who not only detested his Queen for so much cruelty but raised a stately Monument at Godstow with this Scription Hic jacet in
the sixth of July 1189 and reigned nine Years nine Months dying in the 42 year of his Age being the 26 sole Monarch of England he was conttacted to Alice Daughter to Lewis the seventh King of France But falling passionately in love with Berengaria Daughter to Sanches the six King of Navar he married her in the way to the Holy Land whether she was accompanying her Father but had no Issue by her yet he left behind him Philip and Isabel his natural Children Thus the stout Lyons Heart to Death did yeild Whose dreadful Arms had strew'd the bloody field Of fruitful Palestine no Infidel Nor French nor Rebels could resist his Steel Victorious every where he did remain Cyprus he won yet by an Arrow slain The Reign and Actions of John King of England c. JOhn called by King Henry the Second his Father Lackland as being out of hopes of the Crown by reason so many Brothers were before him was notwithstanding Arthur his Eldest Brother Geofry's Son being alive crowned upon the Death of King Richard by Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury at Wesâ—minster through the instance of Queen Eleanor and most of the Nobles yet the French King promoted great troubles in England under pretence of Inthroaning the young Prince yet for great sum he connived at his being delivered into his Uncles hands so that upon new disturbances occasioned as well by the Clergy as Laity he was closely imprisoned The Poctovians rebelling the King prepared to quiet them but as well the Clergy as the Lay-peers denied him assistance of Men and Money or to wait on him in person yet with such a Power as he could raise with present Treasure he passed the Seas overthrew the Rebels took the young Prince who had escaped prisoner with divers Peers and two hundred French Knights reducing all the revolted Towns to their obedience so that Prince Arthur now kept under stricter restraint than ever died in prison as some will have it not without suspition of violence which caused much murmuring amongst the people and the French King laying hold of that opportunity cited King John as an Homager for the Dukedom of Normandy c. to appear at a set time to be tried by his Peers upon Articles of Murther and Treason but the King disdaining to obey the Summons he was pretendedly by the French King and his Peers disinherited and condemned in his absence so that by reason of the Intestine Troubles not being able to pass over with a sufficient Army to repel the insulting French men they seized upon many of his Towns and Castles some by force and others by treachery yet quieting matters somewhat better at home and getting a considerable sum of Money from the delinquent Barons and such as had been in Rebellion against him and having moreover a Subsidy granted him he prepared to pass the Seas when in the mean while the French King out of a bravado sent a Knight as his Champion to challenge to single Combate any of the Kings Subjects and in a mortal battle to justifie the proceedings of his Sender To match this Braggadocia John Curcy Earl of Ulster in Ireland who had some time before been brought prisoner into England upon a revolt of the Irish so that the King knowing him to be of a savage and untractable nature went in person to propose this honourable undertaking when looking on the King with a stern countenance enough to strike terror in the beholders he said In thy Quarrel I will neither draw Sword or fight a stroke but for the honour of the Realm of England I will shed my last drop of blood Hereupon the day was appointed and all things ordered to be in a readiness but in the mean while the Monsieur geting knowledge of the Earls Gigantick Stature and proportion of Limbs as likewise the great quantities of Provisions he daily devoured he thought it no boot to stay and thinking it was not safe to return into France he sneaked away and went for Spain so that Philip of France ashamed of the disgrace sent to excuse it yet new troubles as indeed this Kings Reign was a perpetual storm arising hâ— could not so soon get over Sea as he expected how ever upon his coming the French were terrified tâ— a degree of suing for peace and it was upon the relinquishing sundry places they had taken accordingly so that the two Kings appointing an interview anâ— the Irish Earl happening to be there the French Kinâ— was very desirous to see a tryal of his strength wheâ— placing a Steel Helmet upon a knotty trunk of Oaâ—â— the Irish man with a strong Sword that no body bâ— himself could weld after a dreadful sneer or two let fly with so full a charge that he cut not only the Helmet in two but entred his Sword so far into the wood that none but himself could pluck it out when being asked by King John 〈◊〉 he looked so furiously before he gave the blow his â—â—ply was That had he missed it he would have killed not only the two Kings but all the spectators The Truce that the French made with the English at this time served but to gain the greater advantage by rendring King John more supine in his Affairs for by degrees they encroached upon all Normandy geting even the City of Roan it self upon which Main Tourain Poctou revolted nor could King John hinder it having his hands full at home and when he was about to go for Normandy Habert Arch-bishop of Canterbury suspected to be a Pentioner of King Philip peremtorily forbid him to proceed in that voyage and the Earls and Barons a second time denyed their Aid insomuch that the King in a rage seized upon some of their Estates and grievously fined others nor was it a little gainful to him that Hubert the Arch-bishop dyed the same year whose large Treasure the King â—ook for the use of the Wars but now an obstacle â—rose The Monks of Canterbury chose one Reginald for their Arch-bishop who was Subprior of their Convent yet the King opposed it and presented John Grey Bishop of Norwich so that the Pope upon noâ—ice of what had happened rejected both and went â—bout to impose on them one Stephen d' Langton whom the Monks for fear of the Pope's high Curse wherewith they were threatned received as their Arch-bishop but the King knowing him to be one â—f the French Faction and that he would consequentâ— be prejudicial to his Affairs could not be brought 〈◊〉 hearken to it though the Pope sent him a present â—f Rings with some flattering Comments on them â—eclaring That the Right and Power over all Chiâ—â—â—â— as in the See of Rome But the King threatning if he desisted not from such pretentions in England he would stop all Monies that passed from hence to Rome and thereupon a hot contest by Letters happening between them the old blade in a pet Interdicted the Kingdom which the Bigottry of the times made the people think
the next day a Truce was concluded yet Simon de Monfort Earl of Leicester who headed the Baron's Army carrying the King about with him as his Prisoner got into his hands all the strong Holds These Proceedings in England putting a stop to the Pope's Revenue he sent Cardinal Ottobon his Legate to Excommunicate the Barons but they for a while despised it yet soon after falling out amongst themselves many of them came over to Prince Edw. who had taken the Field with an Army so that he enclosed the Earl of Leicester's Camp at Evesham and obliged him to battel where the Earl lost the day with his Life and had his Head Hands and Feet chopped off as a mark of Infamy By this Overthrow the King was rescued and set at liberty when to heal the long Divisions a Parliament was called at Winchester by whose Approbation the King seized the Charters of London and other Cities and Towns that had proved disloyal and the Legate proceeded to excommunicate the Bishops of Winchester London Worcester and Chichester for taking part with the King's Enemies And now Prince Edward with a great Train took a Journey to the Holy Land and the King more firmly to settle the Nation called a Parliament at Marlborough where the Statutes called by the name of the place were enacted but having been at Norwich to quiet a tumult and punish such as had burnt the Priory Church upon his return he fell sick at the Abby of St. Edmund in Suffolk and after a short Languishment dyed Anno 1272. from whence he was conveyed to Westminster and there buried in the Abbey This Henry King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Guyenne and Aquitain was eldest Son to King John his Wife was Eleanor Daughter of Raymond Earl of Provence by whom he had Issue Edward Edmund Richard who dyed young also John William and Henry Margaret married to Alexander the Third King of Scotland Beatrix married to John the First Duke of Bretaigne and Katharine who dyed young He began his Reign the 19th of October 1216. and reigned 56 Years and 28 Days being the 65th Year of his Age he was the 27th sole Monarch of England He was very charitably given and founded many Churches and Religious Houses In his time four Suns appeared from the Rising to the Setting after which followed a great Famine and eighteen Jews were hanged for crucifying a Child and others severely punished for circumcising another that had been christened Thus dyed Third Henry when on England's Stage H 'ad sway'd the Sceptre near a long liv'd Age The longest Reign the Nation e'er beheld Yet Life wound off by time the Cedar's fell'd The Reign and Actions of Edward the First King of England c. KIng Edward at the death of his Father Henry was warring in the Holy Land where he did Wonders in his own Person insomuch that the Sarazens dreading his Prowess the Governour of Damascus under a feigned Friendship sent a Villain to assassinate him who seeming as if he was about to deliver him a Letter stabbed him in three places in the Arm with a poisoned Dagger and had repeated the Wounds but that the Prince struck him down with his Foot whereupon his Guards came in and cut the Wretch in pieces as he lay on the floor yet these wounds by the Chirurgions were accounted mortal unless some one would hazard his own Life by sucking out the Poison but when every one shrunk back Eleanor his Wife who would by no means be persuaded from accompanying him in that tedious Journey chearfully undertook it and effected the Cure without any Injury done to her self for which generous Undertaking he raised Crosses and Monuments to her Memory in England The News of his Father's death no sooner reached him but setling the Affairs of the War he returned to England where together with his Queen he was crowned by Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury at whose Coronation 500 Horses were let loose in a large Forest to be possessed by those that first caught them and upon notice the Welsh were in Arms he marched against them overthrew and slew Lewelin their Prince in a great Battel whose Head crowned with Ivy was set upon the Tower and utterly subduing those Mountainiers he made his Son Edward born amongst them at Caernarvon Prince of the Country And going for France he sate as a Peer of that Kingdom in consideration of the Lands and Territories he held there and upon his return banished the Jews to the number of 15000 for bringing in base Money and exacting Extortion Alexander the Third King of Scotland who had married King Edward's Sister being dead and the Lords Bruce and Baliol for want of other Heirs standing in competition for the Kingdom Edward by his Authority became Umpire and adjudged it to the latter promising to support his Right by Arms for which he was to become his Homager but that Prince being in the Throne to please his People who feared the English Greatness might be prejudicial to them hearkened to Proposals with France and suffered his People to enter the North parts of of England with Fire and Sword Edward drove them back with great slaughter entering Scotland and making such terrible Destruction that the Cities and Towns for the most part surrendred the Scotch Nobles sued for Peace and in the Parliament held at Berwick they acknowledged him their King swearing to be true Subjects to him for ever after sealing a solemn Instrument to that purpose whereupon King Edward leaving John de Warren Earl of Surry and Sussex as his Viceroy in that Kingdom sent John Baliol the late King Prisoner to the Tower of London and brought away with him the Crown Sceptre and Cloth of State burning their Records abrogating their Laws altering the Form of their Divine Service and transplanting their learned Men to Oxford He brought likewise the Marble Chair wherein the Kings of Scotland were wont to be crowned from the Abbey of Schone and sent it to Westminster upon which is written this prophetical Distich Ni fallat Fatum Scoti quocunque locatum Invenient Lapidem regnare tenetur ibidem Where'er this Stone the Scot shall placed find There shall he reign for there his Rule 's assign'd This was verified in King James the first upon the uniting the Kingdoms but more of that in his Reign King Edward going into France to recover such places as the French had taken in the latter end of his Father's Reign and refused to restore especially in Gascoign the Scots rebelled and under the leading of one William Wallis fell upon the English at an advantage near Striveling Bridge and put them to the rout killing amongst others Hugh de Cressingham the Treasurer and having flead him divided his Skin in parcels amongst them as a Trophie of their Revenge and committed many other outrages which hastened the King's Return at which time he summoned a Parliament at York giving the Scots a day to appear but they
neglecting it and refusing to acknowledge they ought so to doe he with a powerfull Army entred Scotland and being about to charge the Enemy as he was mounting his Horse startled and threw him breaking by a spurn of his Heel two of the King's Ribs yet without delay he remounted and gave them Battel charging quite through their Army with such slaughter that in a very short time they were all in Rout and Confusion so that in this Action near Fawkirk 70000 Scots are reported to be slain after which most of the strong places yielded to King Edward when returning victorious to England he in Parliament restored Mogna Charta and Charta Forestae agreeing that no Tax or Subsidy should be levied upon the People but by the Consent of Prelates Peers and Commons in Parliament and in the end of his Grants left out Salvo jure Coronae nostrae viz. Saving the rights of our Crown and at the earnest entreaty of the Pope he set Baliol at Liberty And now the King being desirous absolutely to subject and annex Scotland to the Crown of England raised another powerfull Army against which the Scots not able to make head retired and as their last refuge entreated the Pope to send his Letters of Inhibition which accordingly were sent but the King was so far from regarding them that he in a great passon swore he would not desist ahd when they urged it farther that if he persevered the Pope would take it upon himself he with a disdainfull Smile replied What! Have you done Homage to me as to the chief Lord of Scotland and do you now suppose that I can be terrified with Threatenings as if like one that had no Power to compell I would let the right which I have go out of my Hands Let me hear no more of this for if I do I swear by the Lord I will consume all Scotland from Sea to Sea This resolute Protestation so terrified the Scots that they only replied For the Justice and Rights of their Countrey they were ready to shed their Bloud and the King to justifie his Proceeding sent the Earl of Lincoln to Rome so that by the Influence of the Pope a Truce was concluded from all Saints to Whitsuntide but the Pope not so contented before the Truce was expired declared himself in favour of the Scots whereupon King Edward in a Parliament holden at Lincoln by the General Consent defended his Proceedings with a Protestation that they had not exhibited any thing to the Court of Rome as in form of Judgment or submitting to the Tryall of his Cause but rather for the satisfaction of its Merit and Justice and when the Pope required the King to stand to his decision for matter of Claim the Peers to whom the King had entirely referred it signified to the Pope that the King of England was not to answer in Judgment for any rights of the Crown before any Tribunal under Heaven and that by sending Deputies and Attornies to that purpose he should make the Truth and Justice of his Cause doubtfull forasmuch as it manifestly tended to the Disinherision of the Crown which with the help of God they would maintain against all Men And this was subscribed at Lincoln Anno 1301. by no less than 100 Peers so that Pope Boniface the Third perceiving no good to be done and loth to break with England gave over his Pretensions and left the Scots to make the best of their business whereupon the King made the Lord Segrave Custos of that Kingdom but the Scots thereupon growing impatient took Arms and overthrowing the Custos took him Prisoner but he was soon rescued by Sir Robert Nevil yet this made King Edward set forward with an Army which brought such a Terrour upon Scotland that he marched through the Kingdom from Roxborow to Cathiness 300 miles without the lest resistence for those that were in Arms betook themselves upon his approach to the Woods and Mountains The King thus absolute in Scotland had for a summe of Money Wallis their Ring-leader delivered into his hands so that at Westminster being found guilty of Treason in rebelling against the King his law full Sovereign he was hanged and quartered his Quarters sent into Scotland and set up in divers remarkable places after whose death Bruce that had contended with Baliol for the Kingdom headed the Scots and gathered a considerable Army but was routed by Aymery de Valence one of King Edward's Captains and forced into the Orcades where he lived an obscure Life with much hardship till he found another opportunity to head his Countrey-men and did many noble Exploits which drew King Edward to oppose him but in his way he fell sick at Carlisle where finding the near approach of Death he charged his Son Edward who was to succeed him that he should be industrious to bring the Scots under the English Obedience and that he should carry his Bones along with him through Scotland the better to render him victorious commanding on pain of his Curse not without common consent to recall out of Banishment Pierce Gavestone and farther enjoining him to send his Heart into the Holy Land accompanied with 149 Knights and their Train to which end he had laid up two thousand pounds of Silver and that upon pain of Damnation the Money should be turned to no other use then removing from Carlisle to Bury upon the Sands he there dyed of a Dissentery anno 1307. and his Body buried at Westminster This Edward the First was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. eldest Son to Henry the Third by Eleanor his Queen his first Wife was Eleanor Daughter to Ferdinand the Third King of Castile by whom he had Issue John Henry and Alphons all dying young Edward who succeeded him Eleanor married to Henry the Third Earl of Barrie Joan married to Gilbert Clare Earl of Hereford and Gloucester Margaret married to John the Second Duke of Brabant Berenger Alice and then Mary who at the earnest Entreaty of her Grandmother became a veiled Nun at the Age of Ten years Elizabeth first married to John Earl of Holland and Zealand then to Humfrey Bohun Earl of Hartford and ctssex then Beatrix and Blanch. By his Second Wife Margaret Daughter to Philip the Hardy King of France he had Issue Thomas Earl of Norfolk and Earl Marshal of England Edmund Earl of Kent and Eleanor who dyed young he began his Reign on the 16th of November anno 1272. and reigned 34 Years 7 Months and 12 days dying in the 35th year of his Reign and the 69th of his Age. Thus did grim Death close up our Monarch's eyes From whom no mortal Might could take the Prize In Arms renowned the World his Fame has heard Belov'd by most and by all Mankind fear'd The Reign and Actions of Edward the Second King of England c. THis King from the place of his Birth was called Edward of Caernavon he began his Reign anno 1307
Crown of France and Dutchy of Normandy c and in lieu thereof King John and his Son should for them and their Heirs release unto King Edward and his Heirs the entire Countrey of Aquitain Santogne and their Dependences c. That King John should pay 300000 Schuts of Gold each valued at six Shillings eight pence Sterling which Agreement was ratified at Calais but not all performed for now the Black Prince dying Anno 1377. in the 46th year of his Age and the King growing in years and sickly matters abroad were neglected and the French renewed their Encroachments nor did the King long survive the death of that dear Son for having appointed the Son of that Prince to succeed him in the Throne he dyed on the 21st of June Anno 377. in the 51st year of his Reign and was the 31st sole Monarch of England c. This Edward was King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain eldest Son to Edward the Second by Isabel his Queen Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France he dyed at Shene in Surry and was buried at Westminster his Wife was Philip Daughter to the Earl of Hanault and Holland by whom he had Issue Edward the Black Prince William of Hatfield Lionel Duke of Clarence John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Edward Earl of Cambridge and Duke of York William of Windsor and Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester Isabel married to Ingelram of Guisnes Earl of Soysons and Arch Duke of Austria Joan espoused by proxy to Alphons the Eleventh King of Castile and Leon but dyed before the consummation of the Nuptials Blanch who dyed young Mary married to John Montfort Duke of Bretaigne and Margaret married to John de Hasting Earl of Pembroke He built many stately Fabricks settled the Wool Staple at Calais instituted the Order of the Garter restrained the Pope from conferring Benefices upon Strangers constituted Prince Edward his Son first Duke of Cornwall since inherent to the Eldest Son of the Kings of England in his time florished the famous John Wickliff who first openly and successfully opposed the Pope and exposed the manifest Errours of the Church of Rome Blazing Stars likewise appeared with continued Rains and a great Mortality through all Europe so vehemently that the Dead were more than the Living Thus the great Warrier after all his Toil From whom whilst living none could take the spoil Dropt in old Age and made the Grave his Bed Whom late the Nations did both love and dread The Reign and Actions of Richard the II. King of England c. THis Richard was Son to Edward the Black Prince he was crowned on the 21st of June 1377 in the eleventh Year of his Age but the Government growing out of Frame by reason of the King's Nonage and the Differences amongst the Nobility the French took the opportunity to invade some Sea coast Towns and the Scots were emboldened to enter England burning Roxborough and to augment the miseries of the English the Pestilence raged fearfully in the Northern parts so that the glorious Face of things seemed utterly to be changed but a better Accord ensuing the Earl of Northumberland regained Berwick and in the Year 1379. a Parliament being held at London where it was agreed that the more wealthy sort should be taxed for the King 's present occasions and the poorer exempted but this held not long for the next year another Parliament being called at Northampâ—on a Poll Tax was agreed on that every Person of either Sex above the Age of Sixteen should pay 12 pence a head which was looked upon as so great a Grievance that many refused not only to pay it but took up Arms especially in Kent Surry Essex Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridge-shire under the Leading of those notorious Persons Jack Straw and Wat. Tyler who making no less than one hundred thousand came to London where the multitude sided with them and committed many outrages as burning the Priory of Saint John's the Duke of Lancaster's Palace at the Savoy us likewise the Archbishop of Canterbury's Goods at Lambeth defacing all Rolls Records and Writings wherever they found them as professing themselves great Enemies to the Law nor did this suffice but dragging the Archbishop then Chancellour of England and Sir Robert Hales Lord Prior of St. John's out of the Tower though the King was present they in a rude and barbarous manner heheaded them on logs of Timber with loud Shouts and Rejoicings and proceeded to exhibite many unreasonable Petitions yet necessity constrained the King either to dissemble their Insolence or grant them their Demands whereupon many dispersed went to their respective Habitations and the rest the King by his Proclamation ordered to meet him in Smithfield with promises of Satisfaction where in great numbers they came armed with a Messeline of Weapons headed by Wat. Tyler who in presence of the King using insolent Speeches and attempting to kill Sir John Newton for contradicting him William Walworth Lord Mayor of London being by and no longer able to endure such Arrogance after some Expressions of his Resentment stabbed Tyler with a Dagger which his companions perceiving prepared to take a bloudy Revenge but the King taking courage spurred forward commanding them to follow him declaring that he would be their Captain and in the mean while Walworth armed the Citizens and came with a thousand well appointed men bearing Tyler's Head on a Spear before them by which he so daunted the rout that they threw down their Weapons and besaught the King's Mercy with a Promise of future Obedience and Walworth for this Act was knighted with a Donative of one hundred pounds a year free Land and from this Action many will have it that the Dagger was added to the City Arms and soon after this Jack Straw and about 1500 others were executed upon the account of this Rebellion Straw at his death confessing that their Design was to murther the King and Nobles and set up petty Kings of their own chusing in every Shire The Nation being better at quiet the King bethought himself of Marrying and in order to it having treated with the Emperour Charles the Fourth for the Lady Anne his Daughter she was sent into England and the Nuptials were celebrated upon which a Peace with France ensued yet the Scots continued to invade the Northern parts though with various Success but this was not all for the King advancing divers persons of mean worth to the highest Dignities or at least the greatest Favours and places of Trust the Nobles began to murmur and fall off so that although a Parliament was called they would not grant the King any Aids unless his Favourites were removed or degraded which he could not well digest and therefore resolved to find out some other way to supply his Coffers in order to which he seized upon the Estates and Effects of sundry that had withdrawn themselves and consulting his Lawyers for his better justification
Reign This Richard the Second was King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain second Son to Edward the Black Prince by Joan his Wife Daughter to Edmund Earl of Kent His Reign began the 21st day of June 1377. and he reigned 22 Years three Months and eight days and was the 22d sole Monarch of England c. and was murthered in Pontefract Castle as will appear in the next Reign He had two Wives but no Issue or at least none that survived him his last Wife Isabel Daughter to Charles the Fifth King of France being so young that she was incapable of consummating the Joys of a Marriage Bed c. In his time made Portents and Prodigies happened the Bay and Lawrel Trees withered throughout England and suddenly after became green and flourishing and the deep River near Bedford divided into two Streams leaving the Chanel dry for three miles He caused his Palace of Shene now Richmond in Surry to be demolished occasioned by the excessive grief he conceived for the loss of his first Wife Queen Ann who dyed there he likewise upon the City's refusing to lend him 1000 l took away their Charter and obliged them to ransome it at a far greater Summe Thus we behold how Fortune plays with Kings There 's nothing stable found in earthly things The Greatness that on Power and Honour grows Like the wild Ocean has its Ebbs and Flows The Reign and Actions of Henry the IV. King of England c. HEnry of Bullinbrook so called from the place of his Birth Son to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster upon the Resignation of King Richard was crowned by Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury making it his business to ingratiate himself with the People thereby the better to secure what he had gained he sent his Ambassadours likewise abroad to keep up the Correspondency with foreign Princes as also to justifie his Proceedings but France and Normandy approved not of them but rather condemned what had pasted in dishonour of King Richard nor were there divers in England wanting who laboured to restore him and amongst these were John Holland Earl of Huntington Thomas Hollnnd Earl or Kent John Mâ—â—acute Earl of Salisbuy Thomas Spencer Earl oâ— â—â—â—ucester with the Dukes of Surry Exeter and 〈…〉 but these Lords were altogether unsuccessfull 〈◊〉 Undertaking although they raised a considerable number of Persons in Arms giving out King Richard was at liberty and there present the better to confirm which they had gotten his Chaplain to personate him for the Townsmen of Cyrencester assailed them took divers of them and because some of the Lords Servants had fired the Town to contribute to their Masters Escape whilst the People were busie in extinguishing the Flames they in Revenge cut off the Heads of such Noblemen as they had taken without Law or Process and the Commons of Essex did the like to the Earl of Huntingdon in revenge of the Duke of Gloucester's Death mentioned in the foregoing Reign to be made away at Cailais The Lord Spencer falling into the hands of the Rabble at Bristol met the same Fate Others were put to Death at Oxford and some at London John Maudlin the Counterfeit Richard and one Thurby were drawn hanged and quartered The Bishop of Carlisle was condemned but afterwards pardoned and thus the Attempt was totally frustrated yet it proved fatal to Richard for Henry finding he could not assure himself in the Throne whilst the deposed King lived and he purposely letting fall some words before his Favourites as Who shall rid me of the cause of my troubles c. Sir Pierce of Exton to curry-favour with him went to the Castle where King Richard was lodged and gaining admittance under pretence of an Order from the King he and seven of his Accomplices fell upon and murthered that poor Prince with Battel-Axes yet before he fell wresting a Weapon he killed four of them others will have him to dye through Famine and Discontent which may appear something likely when we consider he was exposed at St. Paul's London for the space of three days thereby to assure the People of his Death and prevent any Counterfeit that might be set up and afterwards buried at Kings-Langly in Hartfordshire yeâ— in the fifth year of Henry the V. his Remains were brought to Westminster and interred with his Ancestours where some will have that beautifull Pâ—â—ture of a King Crowned in a Chair of State to be placed at the upper end of the Choir in memory â— him However this freed not Henry from dangâ—â—â—â— for the Scots entered England and the Welsh took 〈◊〉 Arms under the Leading of Owen Glendour but were both defeated yet these publick Practices were seconded with a private one which had proveâ— more dangerous had it taken effect viz. a Calthrop being an Engine with four sharp Spears standing upward was placed in his Bed and had peradventure put an end to his days had he not espyed it before he lay down but it could not be known who placed it there The Welsh who rather retired than over-come took Arms in greater number and overthrowing the Lord Edward Mortimer who was sent to surpress them took him Prisoner and obliged him to marry Glendour's Daughter nor did People spare to spread abroad sundry inveterate Libels for which some were executed and amongst them several Gray Fryars and the King going against the Welsh was repulsed by a mighty Storm yet succeeded his Lieutenant the Early of Northumberland and his Son Piercy Hoâ—spur better against the Scots in the North for by them the Scots were overthrown in two Battels and some Persons of note taken Prisoners The King being at this time a Widower took to Wife the Lady Jane of Navarre Widow to John de Mountfort Duke of Britain which Marriage was followed by dreadfull Prodigies and soon after the Lord Piercy Hotspur when he had done Wonders against the Scots and thinking his Services slighted grew discontented and turned his Arms against King Henry and with him joyned Mortimer Earl of March Henry Piercy his Father and Owen Glendour pretending a Care to reform Disorders in the Government though it was afterwards discovered they intended nothing more than their own Interest for Mortimer was to have the South part of â—â—gland Piercy the North Glendour all beyond the 〈◊〉 and Archibald Earl of Douglas who had beâ—â—â—â— been takan Prisoner to have his Liberty and the Town of Berwick with the Territories belonging to it but before they could gather into any great Body the King was advancing with a powerfull Army towards Shrewsbury which they had fortified when Hotspur no sooner discovered the Royal Standard but resolving to loose his Life or win the Day drew out Fourteen thousand Men and desperately engaged the King and Prince Henry his Son yet being inferiour in number though he fought with a Courage beyond expression Fortune that never before failed him turned her back so that he was slain and the Earls
of Worcester and Douglas Sir Richard Vernon Barron of Kinlaton taken and beheaded 200 Esquires and Gentlemen of Cheshire and a great number of common Soldiers lost their Lives not without considerable Loss to the King and the ending his Life for Hotspur broke furiously through the Squadron where the Standard was and there had killed or taken him Prisoner had he been seconded as he expected yet this so incensed the King that he caused his Body whom his own Party had carried off and buried to be taken out of the Grave the Head cut off and the Quarters to be dispersed in divers Places As for the Earl of Northumberland he was taken after this Defeat as he was raising Forces in the North yet had his Life pardoned but was abridged in his Estate and the better to quiet the like Disturbances the King called a Parliament but could get no considerable Supply neither in that nor the other two Parliaments that succeeded it About this time William de Willford being abroad with a Squadron of Men of War brought in 40 Prizes laden with Iron Oyl and Rochel Wine which was sold to supply the King's Coffers and a Troup of Western Men brought 3 foreign Lords and 20 Knights of note Prisoners from Dartmouth having slain the Lord Castile and a great many of his Followers who cruzing on the Coast attempted to burn and plunder that place as before they had served Plimouth for which Service the King bestowed liberal Rewards amongst them and in Parliament caused the Earl of Northumberland to be restored to his entire Possession yet these things quieted not the minds of the Nobility for soon after Thomas Mowbray Earl-Marshal of England drew Richard Scroop Arch-Bishop of York into a Conspiracy who tampering with the Earl of Westmoreland and he promising them fair instead of siding with them delivered them up to the King and they were thereupon beheaded but the Pope being highly incensed at the Arch-bishop's Death excommunicated all those that had a hand in it This was seconded by another of the Earl of Northumberland and the Lord Bardolf but their Forces being weak they were encountred by the Sheriff of Yorkshire where the Earl in a sharp conflict was slain in the Field and the Lord mortally wounded and as a mark of Ignominy the Earl's Head was carried on a Pole through London and fixed on the Bridge-gate and because the Scots had encouraged this Undertaking and to surpress the Rumour that went abroad of King Richard's being alive the King marched an Army of 37000 Men to their Borders battered Berwick with a piece of Cannon the first that was used in England and took it as likewise siezed on all the Castles belonging to the Earl of Northumberland then marched into Wales but was â—isappointed in that Expedition by the sudden Inâ—undations and Torrents of Water that flowed â—rom the Hills whereby fifty of his Waggons with Treasure and Provisions were destroyed and a great part of his Food which obliged him to reâ—ire The King to repair his Loss called another Parâ—iament which through his Importunity was constrained to grant him a Subsidy and in the year 1407 a Plague raged throughout England and destroyed in London 30000 Persons A great Frost followed it that lasted 15 Weeks yet the Duke of Burgundy craving the King's Aid against the Duke of Orleance had his Request granted And amongst other memorable Actions of the English Sir John Blunt raised a Siege beat Four thousand French-men with Three hundred English taking about Twelve Noblemen and One hundred and Twenty Gentlemen Prisoners And now Wickliff's Doctrine beginning to spread the Arch-Bishop Arundel so incensed the King that William Sawtree William Swinderby and William Thorp all eminent Divines were put to Death for their profession of a good Faith but the King did not long survive that Cruelty for Anno 1413. falling sick and into an Appoplexy whilst his Crown was placed on his Pillow Prince Henry his Son came and took it thence which the King perceiving upon his reviving sent for him and demaâ—ded the reason of his hastiness who boldly replyed That he seeming dead in all Men's esteem he took it as his Right Whereupon the King with some trouble of mind looking on him said Ah Son with what Right it was got God only knoweth who forgive me the Sin To which the Prince fiercely replyed However it was got I mean to keep it when it shall be mine and defend it with my Sword as you by your Sword have obtained it and soon after the King dyed and was buried at Canterbury This Henry the IV was King of England and France Lord of Ireland c. eldest Son to John Duke of Lancaster by Blanch his Wife He began his Reign the 29th of Sptember Anno 1399 and Reigned 13 Years 3 Months and 16 Days and was the 33d sole Monarch of England by his first Wife Mary he had Issue Prince Henry Thomas Duke of Clarence John Duke of Bedford Humphrey Duke of Gloucester Blanch and Philippa by his second-Wife no Issue that survived him Thus ill-got Crowns create a troubl'd Reign Howe'er so easie got hard to maintain Such Crowns have Thorns that still the Wearer pain The Life Reign and Actions of Henry the V. King of England c. HEnry of Monmouth so called from the place of his Birth in his youthfull years lead away by wild and debauched Courtiers committed many extravagancies not being exempted from Robbing on the High-ways putting his Father in fear of some Design he had upon his Person and attempting to rescue a Prisoner from the Face of Justice in the Court of King's-Bench but when he came to the Crown he was wonderfully changed commanding his former leud Companions to alter their manners or not dare to approach his Court nor within Ten miles of his Person chusing grave and worthy Counsellours and much honouring the Clergy and the more to ingratiate with the People every day after Dinner he was wont for the space of an hour to receive Petitions in order to redress Grievances which he would doe with wonderfull Equity much lamenting the untimely Death of King Richard and so near it touched him that he sent to Rome to be absolved from a Fact he had no hand in Whilst things went on prosperously a Parliament was called wherein it was moved that the superfluous Lands and Temporalties belonging to Religious Houses were sufficient of the Maintainance of 15 Earls 1500 Knights 6200 Esquires and 100 Alms-Houses and over and above 20007 l per Annum to the King's Coffers and this to curb the Pride of the Clergy was pressed very home and had gone on had not the Arch-Bishop of Canteâ—bury to turn his Thoughts from it perswaded him to seek his Right in France of which Kingdom he told him he was the true Heir enforcing it with strong Reasons insomuch that the young King being naturally of a fierce and warlike Spirit soon hearkned to what he had suggested and sent
Assistence with the Council of France such of the English Nobility as he should see convenient with other Articles to the number of thirty very advantageous to the English were all sworn to at Troyis May the 30th 1420. and proclaimed in London the June following and Homage sworn to King Henry who was proclaimed Regent of France and on the 3d of June the Marriage was celebrated in the presence of divers of the chief Nobility of England and France at Troyis with great Pomp and Splendour and they rode in Triumph to take Possession of the Palace in Paris and a Parliament of the three Estates were assembled in that City who confirmed what had been done by the Kings and it was there likewise ratified by the General Estates of the Realm and Sworn to particularly on the Holy Evangelist by the French Noblemen and Rulers Spiritual and Temporal who moreover sealed the Instruments which were sent over to be kept in the King's Exchequer at Westminster which done the King left the Duke of Clarence his Lieutenant in France and came for England with his Queen where he was received with Joy and Triumph causing her to be crowned at Westminster and then proceeded to call a Parliament for farther Supplies to maintain his War against the Dauphin who still stood out to recover the Kingdom but the Commons exhiting a Petition of Poverty he again pawned his Crown to Cardinal Beaufort for 20000 pounds and passed into France with 4000 Horse and 24000 Foot and his presence there was necessary for the Dauphin strengthened by Forces for Scotland under the Leading of the Earl of Buchanan and Archibald Douglas defeated and killed the Duke of Clarence took the Earls of Huntindon Somerset and others Prisoners and heightened with that Success he laid Siege to Alenzon and cut off the Provisions of Paris but the King 's Approach made him to retire to Bury King Henry soon recovered what the Dauphin had taken and drove him to great distress but when this great King had triumphed over that mighty Kingdom with unconquerable Fortune and Success and annexed it fully to the Crown of England death laid his Arrest upon him for falling sick of a burning Fever and Flux he dyed on the 30th of August 1422. at Bloice de Vincennois and his Body brought over was buried with pomp at Westminster hard by the Tomb of Edward the Confessour appointing by his last Will and Testament his younger Brother Humphry Duke of Gloucester Protectour of England his Brother John Duke of Bedford Regent of France and Thomas Beaufort Guardian of his Son Henry born a little before at Windsor contrary to the King 's express command who when he heard the Queen had lain in at that place prophetically spake viz. Good God! I Henry of Monmouth shall have but a short Reign and win much but Henry of Windsor shall reign long and lose all yet God's Will be done This Henry was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland eldest Son of Henry the Fourth by Mary his Queen He began his Reign on the 20th of March 1412. and reigned 9 Years 5 Months and 10 days and was the 34th sole Monarch of England Thus Beauty Power and Honour yield to death Great Conquerours like Slaves resign their breath Their Lawrels in the Dust with them must lie But Fame's immortal and can never dye The Life Reign and Actions of HENRY the Sixth King of England France c. HEnry of Windsor so called from the place of his Birth upon the death of his Father was crowned when he exceeded not eight Months of age the Queen holding him in her lap whilst the Solemnity was performed to whom his Nurtriture and Education was committed but his Minority much disadvantaged the English Interest in France for old King Charles dying Charles his Son greatly strengthned his party and although he was called by the English in derision only King of Burry as having little more left him yet now he encroached upon the English wresting from them sundry places by the help of Aids from Scotland and Italy which made the English Regent think it time to give him Battel and accordingly the Armies joyned near Vernoli where the French were overthrown the Regent doing wonders in his own person and there were slain the Constable and Lieutenant of France the Earls of Wigton and Vantadour with about five thousand others and the Duke of Alanzon taken Prisoner upon which Victory the English besieged Monts in Main and having with his Cannon made a great breach in the Wall it was surrendered and a little while after the Earl of Salisbury besieged Orleance and brought it to such distress that the Garison was willing to surrender to the Duke of Burgundy but the Earl refused it which so offended the Duke that he declined the English Interest which proved very prejudicial The French being in a drooping Condition and using strong Cordials to support their Spirits one Joan a Shepherdess of Lorrain came to the Dauphin and offered him her Service saying She was sent by God to deliver France out of the hands of the English and not exceeding eighteen years of age her offer at first was looked upon as rediculous but she persisting in what she had declared the Dauphin caused her to be armed at all points and desiring the Sword that hung in St. Catharines Church she got into Orleance then besieged by the English and from thence sent a Letter commanding them to raise the Siege and deliver up the Towns they possessed for she was resolved to drive them out of France but they looked upon it only as proceeding from Folly or a raving fit yet in the several Sallies she made it proved otherwise for by the violent Sallies she made the Siege was raised with loss to the English she commonly fighting in the head of the French and animating them to go on couragiously for being in one of the Sallies shot through the Arm with an Arrow and perswaded to retire she cryed out This is a favour let us go on they cannot escape the hands of God and there of note were slain the Earl of Salisbury the Lords Moline and Poynings Sir Thomas Gagrave and the French say about eight thousand common Soldiers yet our Historians allow but six hundred and the French following their success wrested several Towns and surprising a party of English overthrew them taking Prisoners the Lords Talbot Scales Hungerford and Sir Thomas Rampston whereupon several Towns revolted and the Dauphin took Auxier and Rhiemes in the latter of which according to the direction of Joan called by the French the Maid of God Charles the Dauphin caused himself to be Crowned King of France Joan of Arks having been hitherto very sucsessfull and done the Dauphin singular service coming to the relief of Campaign which was greatly distressed by the English and Burgundians in a desperate charge advancing too far and being separated from those that should have succoured her she was
one held in the Tower and the other in Bishopsgate-Street under pretence of preparing for the King's Coronation and the better to colour the matter Pageants were ordered to be made but the Protectour perceiving the Lords Hastings and Stanly to cross what he aimed at he resolved to remove those Obstacles in order to which coming in the morning to that Council in the Tower with a very pleasant countenance and excusing his lateness he went out again for a little space but then returned with a frowning and angry countenance and demanded what ought to be done to those that sought to compass his death who was of the Royal Bloud and so near allied to the Crown To which they agreed that they ought to be punished as heinous Traitours They are said the Protectour that Sorceress my Sister meaning the Queen and that Witch Shoar's Wife of her Council that have wasted my Body with their Sorceries anâ— Witchcraft and thereupon drawing up his slieve shewed his Arm which was wasted and wearish buâ— indeed had never been otherwise whereat the Lords stood mute as knowing it was only designed to quarrel with them till the Ld. Hastings presuming upon the friendship he had all along had with him and at that time keeping Jane Shoar as his Miss whom he thought to excuse said Certainty my Lord if they have so done they are worthy of punishment What replied the Protectour fiercely thou servesâ— me with If 's and And 's I tell thee they have done so and that I will make good upon thy Body Traitor Vpon me my Lord replied Hastings Yes upon thee Traitor replied the Protectour and thereupon gave a Blow with his Fist on the Table at which as the Signal one without cried Treason and immediately there rushed in a company of armed Men one of them letting fly with his Sword at the Lord Stanly and wounded him in the head nor had he failed to have cleft his Skull had he not nimbly shrunk under the Table Then the Protectour caused Hastings to be arrested bidding him speedily take a Priest and confess himself swearing by St. Paul he would not dine till he saw his Head off and it was no time for that Lord to reason the matter but taking a Priest at a venture after he was shriven his Head was struck off on a Log of Timber in the Tower and the sooner to save the Protector 's Oath who was in haste to go to dinner And thus dyed this man in the time of his greatest Security betrayed by a Servant of his whom he had too much relied on and trusted with his secrets To colour off the Murther of the Lord Hastings who fell without Process or Tryall the Lord Mayor and Aldermen were sent for to whom the Protector and Duke of Buckingham appeared in old rusty Armour declaring that their Lives being in such eminent danger by the Conspiracy of the Lord Hastings and others of which they had not been informed till ten in the Morning that in their defence they were forced to take what came first to hand requiring them so to report it to their fellow Citizens and an Instrument in Writing to the same purpose that had been drawn up before hand was Proclaimed by the Heraulds and to set some Gloss upon his Words he caused the Sheriffs of London to sieze upon all the Riches and Furniture of Jane Sheaâ—s House and commanded the Bishop of London to put her to open Pennance and accordingly she went barefoot in her Shift with a Rope about her middle and a Tapour in her hand through the Streets of London to Paul's Cross c. and further the Protector commanded under great Penalties that she should be turned into the Streets and none should relieve her yet several did it privately whose Lives and Estates she had saved by her Power and Interest with King Edward however she lived to an old Age not dying till the 20th year of the Reign of Henry the eight The Protector 's hand dipped again in Bloud he resolved not to stop but by a private Order sent to his Creature Sir Reheard Radeliff the Lords taken from the King at Stonystratford and Northampton were beheaded in Pontefract Castle And now the Protector concluding his passage open to the Throne no longer Masqued his Intention but gaining Edmund Shaw Lord Mayor of London to side with him many Clubs and Caballs were carried on by his Party and Dr. Shaw Brother to the Mayor Preaching a Sermon at St. Paul's Cross on the 19th of June declared to the people that there had been no lawfull Marriage between King Edward and his Queen and therefore the Children ought not to succeed to the Throne and that neither King Edward nor the Duke of Clarence his Brother were held by them that knew most of that Affair to be the lawfull Sons of Richard Duke of York but said he This Noble Prince meaning the Protectour who waâ— to have come in just at the time the Words were uttering he is his Fathers own Picture his very Features and his Countenance which remarkably declar'â— him to be the true Son of the great Duke of York yeâ— the Protector not coming at that time but somewhat late the Doctor turned back from the other Matter he was upon to the old Lesson repeating the very words again which rather made the Audi-Laugh than give heed to them and the Doctor afterward grew so ashamed of his flattery that finding himself every where reproached he not long after dyed for Grief This way not succeeding the Mayor was ordered to Summon the Citizens to meet at Guild-Hall where the Duke of Buckingham made several Orations to persuade them to reject the Line of King Edward and own the Protectour for their King but all he could obtain was only the Shouts of some Servants and Foot-boys who were ordered to be there for that purpose which the Duke laying hold of as the Consent of the People he told them it was a very goodly Cry and then whilst the Citizens stood amazed at his discourse he desired them to make their humble Petition to the Protectour that he would receive the Crown and take upon him the Kingly Government and accordingly the next day the Mayor Aldermen and some of the Commoners with abundance of Rabble at their Heels accompanied the Duke of Buckingham and some other Lords to Bainard's Castle where the Protector kept his Court and sending in their Message the Protector appeared in the Balcony as seeming to fear some danger of his person if he give them nearer access feigning an Ignorance of their coming and when Buckingham having first intreated his Graces Pardon and a License to acquaint him with the cause of their coming declared it was to beseech him to take the Crown and Government upon him he looked angry and dissembled an amazement at such a request protesting against it and was forced if you will believe it to be threatened into an acceptance of what he had so
of England were beheaded and yet by the contrivance of the Papists the bloudy six Articles were brought in a sa Snare to those of the Reformed Religion upon which account many suffered the Flames and amongst others Dr. Barns and Mrs. Ann Askew who refusing after Tortures to comply were committed to the devouring Fire and the King Married the Lady Catharine Parr who favoured the Lutherans and was of the Reformed Church whose Life the Papists often put in danger but she escaped the Snare and out-lived the King who having invaded both Scotland and France upon the disappointment in the Match proposed and agreed on between Prince Edward and the Lady Mary of Scotland Heir and Heiress to the two Crowns and won Bulloin in France wasting Scotland wsth Fire and Sword and taking upon him the Title of King of Ireland he fell sick in January 1547. and made his Will that in default of Issue his Son and two Daughters should successively possess the Trone and giving great Sums to charitable Uses dyed the 28th of the same Month. This Henry was King of England France and Ireland second Son to Henry the Seventh he Reigned 37 Years 9 Months and six Days and was the forty sole Monarch of England the Issue he left behind him were Edward Mary and Elizabeth who succeeded him in the Sovereignty he dyed in the 56th year of his Age and was buried in the Chapell at Windsor Thus the Eighth Henry ends his bloudy Reign Beauty it self with him can't Pitty gain Yet met by Death amongst the Dead he lies And with his Life he ends his Cruelties The Life Reign and Actions of Edward the Sixth King of England c. PIous Edward the Sixth far from his Fathers temper was born on the 12th of Ostober 1537. occasioning by his Birth the Death of his Mother Queen Jane for in her hard labour King Henry having notice it was a Son for which he had passionately longed and that either the Child or the Mother must perish he intimated he could have more Wives but knew not whether he should have another Son whereupon the Chirurgeons having dozed the Queen with strong Spirits to make her senseless of the pain by making a large Incision took forth the Birth but by that usage the Queen soon after dyed This Prince was Crowned at Westminster on the 20th of February 1547. having the three Swords delivered to him as King of England France and Ireland and upon this he told them there was yet another Sword to be delivered to him viz. The Holy Bible which is the Sword of the Spirit and without which no King can Govern well Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and his Mothers Brother was made Protector over his Minority and hereupon it was concluded the Scots should be compelled to make good the Marriage which otherwise they refused to do wherefore a great Army was raised and led by the Lord Protector into Scotland and vanquished the Scots in Muschelborough Field after an obstinate and bloudy Fight with great slaughter of their men chasing them about five miles so that there dyed the Lord Fleming with sundry others of quality and ten thousand of lesser note and one thousand were taken Prisoners amongst whom of note were the Earl of Huntly the Lords Yester Hobby and Hamilton the Earl of Cassis and the Lord Weems so that the English without any farther opposition sacked and burnt Lieth the Island of St. Colmes Brougherag Roxborough Humes Castle and other places which obliged many of the Scotch Nobility and Gentry to come and cast themselves at the Proctor's Feet beseeching him to spare their Country entering into terms with him on condition of Peace whereupon he returned to England and a Parliament was called and the bloudy six Articles repealed those Colledges Chapells and Religious Houses that King Henry had spared were given to the King Edward and Commissioners appointed to purge the Churches of Images which accordingly was done but in the West Mr. Body one of the Commissioners was stabbed to the heart by a Priest and to justifie the murther 10000 of the Cornish and Devonshire Rusticks took Arms Headed by Humphry Aurundell six other Gentlemen and eight Priests who straightly besieged Exceter but were beaten off after they had done considerable mischief yet they continued in Arms â—nd sent the King sundry Articles to be aggreed to viz. That they might have Mass Celebrated as in times â—ast that they might have Holy Bread and Holy Water in â—membrance of Christ's Body and Bloud that the six Articles might be again in force with some others to which the young King pittying their ignorance returned them an answer with a general Pardon if they submitted but that not prevailing and the multitude still encreasing an Army was sent against them which put them to flight at Honiton and beat â—hem before Exceter and on Cliff-Heath utterly disâ—omfitted them with considerable slaughter and all the Popish Trumpery which the Priests had brought â—nto the Field to encourage them were trampled under Feet and Aurundel Holms Winsland and Bury â—our of their Ring-leaders were taken and Executed â—nd a Miller's man near Bodmin taking upon him by â—is Masters directions to personate him Sir Anthony Kingstone Marshal of the Field commanded him to â—e hanged the Fellow confidently affirming himself to be the Rebellious Miller till he came to the Gallows yet there declared he was but his man yet this late Confession stood him in no stead for Sir Anthony caused him to be hanged telling him he could never do his Master better Service but the troubles ended not thus for the Priests being unhived and deprived of their Roast-meat stir'd up the people in other parts of the Kingdom and especially those in Norfolk were Headed by one Robert Kett a Tanner who Stiled himself the King's Deputy to redress Grievances issuing out Writs and Warrants in the King's name and chusing an Old Oake to sit in Council called the Oake of Reformation to which Tribunal all Complaints and Grievances of the Rusticks were brought to be redressed and Orders were sent for the plundering Gentlemens Houses taking Arms and Amunition out of Ships c. making themselves Master of the City of Norwich over-throwing the Marques of Northampton but the Lord Dudly Earl of Warwick being sent against them forced the City and caused Sixty of such as he there had taken iâ— Arms to be immediately hanged however thâ— Rebels intrenched and fortified their Camp at the foot of a Hill called Duffin-dale encouraging themselves upon a vain Prophecy that Hob Dic and Hic meaning the Rusticks should with their Clubâ— fill up the Valley of Duffin-dale with the Bodys of the slain On the 27th of August the Earl prepared to give them Battel when the better to retard him the Rebels set in the head of their Battel all the Gentlemen and others that they had taken Prisoners coupled in Irons however Captain Drury with hiâ— Band of Almains broke in furiously and
gave those persons leave for the most part to escape and the Earls light Horse-men coming on the Rebels gave back and at length betook them to open flight and were pursued three miles with the slaughter oâ— 3500 of them yet such as had Barrocaded themselves with Carts and Waggons amongst the Ordinance as men in despair resolved to sell their liveâ— at a dear rate but upon offer of Pardon they threw down their Arms crying God save King Edward and the next day Kett being siezed in a Barn was hanged in Chains upon the Castle of Norwich and his Brother William Kett was hanged on Womanhaâ— Steple and Nine others on the Oake of Reformation The pretence of this Rebellion was about throwing open Inclosures which the King by his Proclamation had commanded to be done but it was neglected These Commotions were no sooner over but another Rebellion broke out in the North Headed by Thomas Dale a Parish Clark one Stephenson a â—ost-master and William Ombler a Yeoman pretending to restore Church rights and redress Grievances declaring the power of the Pope above that of the Kings and that the Church had power of â—oth Swords but this feeble Rebellion not exceeding â—000 vanquished upon the Kings sending his Forâ—es and offer of Pardon yet Ombler Dale and four others were on the 12th of September 1549. Execuâ—ed at York as Seducers and Ring-leaders These and the like disturbances qeieted considerable ones began at Court for Thomas Seymour Baron of Sudley High Admiral of England having married Queen Catharine Parr Widow to Henry the Eighth and some words and contest happening between her and the Dutches of Somerset Wife to the Protector for precedences the two Brothers so unadvizedly espoused their Wives Quarel which was fomented by secret Enemies that the Admiral by the Protector 's procurement being accused in Parliament for attempting to get the King's person and Government into his hands c. Upon slender proofs was Sentenced and lost his Head on Tower-Hill on the 20th of March to the great grief of the young King who aboured to prevent it but by Somerset's removing this Brother he stood open to the malice and revenge of his implacable Enemies for soon after by the contrivance of Northumberland and others divers Articles were exibited against him for abusing his Trust Animating the Rebels sowing Sedition amongst the Nobles keeping a Court of Requests in his own house whereupon he was deprived of his Authority and sent to the Tower but the King soon released him yet was he not restored to his Trusts Whilst these heats lasted at Court the Affairs abroad were neglected insomuch that the Scots recovered most of the Town the English had taken and the French attempted to surprize Bullenberg with seven thousand men but were beaten off witâ— the loss of one hundred and fifty and had no better sucsess in their attempts upon Guernsey and Jersey Islands however things not going well at home Bullenberg and Bulloin were surrendred to the Frencâ— upon Conditions and the payment of a large Sumâ— of Mony and now to add to the Calamity thâ— Mortal Disease called the Sweating Sickness raged in England carrying off many thousands pursuing the English into Forreign Countrys where none but they were afflicted with it And now the Duke of Northumberland being grown great at Court laboured to remove the Duke of Somerset and by aâ— Stratagem found an opportunity for the Duke by some of his flatters being perswaded there was aâ— design against his life went privately Armed to the Council but his Gown opening as he sate at the Board it was laid hold of as a design in him to kill some of the King 's Privy Counsellors and that with some light matters being urged with agravation they procured his imprisonment and soon after being tryed and found guilty of Felony though he might have come off by his Clergy yet his Council nor himself not foreseeing to claim it he was on the 22d of February Anno 1550 brought to Tower-Hill and there after having declared his Innocence and made a most Christian Speech he was beheaded which some looked upon as a Judgment for so rigorously persecuting his Brother Upon the Death of this Uncle though Plays and other Devices were made to divert the King he grew Melancholly and the people were greatly Incensed against Northumberland however he taking the occasion from the King's Sickness and Disorder procured him to disinherit his two Sisters Mary and Elizabeth and settle the Crown on Jane Eldest Daughter to the Duke of Suffolk by the Lady Frances Daughter to Charles Brandon and Mary Queen of France younger Sister to King Henry the eighth who was married to Guilford Dudly Fourth Son to Northumberland and to this Will of the Kings the Council Bishops and all the Judges except Sir John Hollis Subscribed and the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London afterward promised their Assistance and Protection but this was supposed to hasten the King's Death For Northumberland having gotten what he expected viz. The Crown in his own Family removed his Physicians â—nd trusty Friends putting him into the hands of a â—he Doctress who wittingly or unskilfuly brought him to his End on the 6th of July 1553. This good Prince is accounted a second Josia exceeding in Charity and Piety all that went before him having Learning and Understanding far above his years â—nd had he lived a longer Date he had proved more perspicuously the Mirror of Kings This Edward was King of England France and Ireland the only Son of King Henry the Eighth by Jane his third Wife he Reigned six Years five Months and eight Days and was the one and Forâ—ieth sole Monarch of England dying in the 16th of his Age and was buried at Westminster Thus England's Phoenix early left the Stage His Death was much Lamented of the Age Yet he contented dy'd from 's Throne to rise In Angels Arms to everlasting joys The Life and Bloudy Reign of Queen Mary UPon the Death of King Edward according to his Will the Lady Jane was proclaimed in London and elsewhere and confirmed by the Council but Mary Eldest Daughter to King Henry the Eighth being then at Fremingham Castle sent to complain against their Proceedings in giving away her right commanding them to acknowledge heâ— their lawfull Queen but they returned her a very slight answer commanding her to be obedient to Queen Jane her Sovereign whereupon with such Friends as she had about her she prepar'd for London and to her a great many of the Suffolk men repaired offering her their Service in case their Religion might be asured insomuch that by that means and the siezure of several Ships in the Ports out of which she caused the Cannon and Ammuition to be taken she became formidable whereupon an Army of 13000 men under the Command of the Duke of Northumberland marched out against her but by that time the Duke was got as far as Cambridge he had notice that