Charlemaign's Ambassadors coming to Constantinople found that design spoil'd by a great alteration for one Nicephorus having made the Army sure to him besiegeth Irene takes her prisoner is himself declared Emperour giveth an Oath of Allegiance to the Army banisheth Irene confining her to the Island Lesbos where she pines away with anguish and grief and so Nicephorus struck up a peace with Charlemaign and the Empire 's divided Thâ— Charles was the first that was Emperour of the West or Germany at whose Coronation the Pope did Adore him as used to be done to ancient Emperours that is as b Dupleix saith the Pope a Alors le Pape au report de nos Annales adora Charles à la maniere des anciens Empereurs c'est à dire s'humilia devantluy les genoux à terre le recognoissant comme Empereur Romain Scipion. Dupleâ—x Tom 1. pag. 449. § 4. kneeling on the ground humbled himself before him acknowledging him to be Emperour of Rome The French and Spaniard are yet at dispute concerning their Relation to this Charlemaign and the Empire the Castilian affirming himself to have much of this Charles his bloud in him being in part descended from him and so hath more right to the Empire than the other the Royal-line of Charles ending in France by the coming in of Hugh Capet This is as furiously opposed by the French but being nothing to my purpose I shall refer those of the Spanish Interest to the Reasons of b Vindiciae Hispan Chifletius whilst those who stand for the French may consult the Answers to them by David Blondellus where the Monsieur may clog himself with a bad method and multitude of Genealogies with a Preface as some say of the Gate of Myndus bigger than all the other work or Building And almost an hundred years ago Matthaeus Zampinus wrote an Apology for Hugh Capet as descended from the ancient French Kings and related also to Charles the Great But this by the by Sect. 2. The miserable and troublesome Raign of the Emperour Lewes le Debonnaire by the many Rebellions against him CHarles le Maigne or the Great being dead there succeeded him as Emperour and King of France his Son Lewes le Debonnaire i. e. the Courteous or Affable by the Latines call'd Ludovicus Pius one though very good-natured and religious yet was his life nothing but trouble and misery I shall not say any thing of the Tumultuous Saxons Hunns Normans and suchlike people but tell you what oppositions he received from his own Kindred and what Rebellions and Treasons were waged against him by his own Sons Bernard Son to Pepin Son to Charles the Great and so Nephew to this Lewes le Debonnaire was call'd King of Italy and there year 800 lived to keep those people in subjection to the Empire but by his inconsiderate Rebellion against his Uncle Lewes he lost both it with his liberty eyes and life too Lewes having made Laws to restrain the excess of some Bishops procured him the hatred of some of the proud Clergy amongst the rest three were most eminent in this Faction and Rebellion viz. Anselmus Bilius the First Archbishop of Millan Wolfeldus Bishop of Cremona in Italy and Theodulphus Bishop of Orleans in France these fob'd up Bernard with strange hopes of success if he would war against his Uncle Lewes and in several discourses with him play'd their Cards so well that having at first breath'd into him discontent to which his own proud humour perswaded him then hopes of carrying all at last ingaged him to appear in open Hostility titling of himself a P. Berthault Florus Francicus pag. 118. J. de Serres King of France which he also resolved to seise upon to which purpose he had got a strong Army and fortified the Alpean passages into Italy The Emperour Lewes informed of this imploys his whole care to provide himself with a sufficient force which having gathered together from several places marched towards his Enemy Bernard understanding the great strength of Lewes and his own Souldiers running away from him whereby he knowing that he was not able to stand against him having consulted several ways for his own safety he found none that were probable to succeed but his submission and knowing the Emperour of all men to be most merciful and good-natured taking his opportunity he goeth to Lewes acknowledgeth his fault and humbly begs his pardon and so did others the chief of this Rebellion by which means a full discovery of the design was made but that which incensed most was that the Emperour by these confessions understood that some of his own chief Councellors and most intimate familiars were privy to and ingaged in the Treachery They are all imprisoned and an Assembly being held at Aken in Germany they are all there declared according to their old Laws guilty of High-Treason and so the chief of them adjudged to death The Emperour was very willing to spare Bernard onely to have confined him to perpetual imprisonment But the other Councellors about him so aggravated the pride arrogancie and this Treason of Bernard that Lewes though with grief consented that he should have his b Jo. de Bussieres Tom. 1. pag. 333. eyes pull'd out it being the common punishment in those times which accordingly was c Giacop Filip da Bergamo in his old Italian Chronocle it may be through a mistake declares the punishment thus Bernardo essendomenato in Aquisgrana fu decapitate fol. 304. b. done and the third day after he dyed for grief The Bishops who were found guilty of this Treachery were deprived of their Dignities and thrust into little Covents As for the Emperour Lewes he no sooner heard of Bernards death but he was hugely troubled publickly repenting that he had consented to such counsel openly confessing his cruelty as he call'd it and order'd all the Plotters to be set at liberty and restored to their former Beings But now let us proceed to a more unnatural Rebellion and first for the better understanding of it the Reader if he please for memory-sake may glance upon this small Scheme Charles the Great the First Emperour Lewes le Debonnaire to him was first given France but out-living his two Brothers he became Emperour Hermingardis Daughter to Earl Nigranus Lâ—tharius after the overthrow of Bernard made King of â—aly and was by his Father joyn'd with him in the Empire Pepin had Aquitane given him he dyed before his Father leaving two young Sons Lewes had Bavaria given him by his Father and his Brother Lothaire was forced to give all Germany and is call'd King of it Judith Daughter to Welfo Earl of Altdorf Charles the Bald was King of France and at last Emperour he was poysoned as some say by his Physitians Some have indeavoured to declare the true grounds of this unnatural Rebellion but others suppose that ambition was the real cause whatever might be the pretence one of them being this Lewes fighting against
who was the true Pope and yet the Succession of their Popes is infallible CHAP. VII 1. The deposing of Charles the Third le simple King of France 2. The Murder of Edmund and Edward the Martyr Kings of England 3. The Murders of Malcolme of Duffe of Culene of Kenneth the Third Kings of Scotland Sect. 1. The deposing of Charles the Third le simple King of France BUt now leaving off the quarrels and seditions amongst the Popes themselves at Rome let us move a little Northwards and see what Loyalty and Obedience we can finde towards Temporal Princes and France in the first place offers it self where passing by some troubles we behold b An. 892. Charles le simple in the Throne a well meaning King and Religious But against him Robert brother to Eudes and Major-domo and Grand-father to Hugh Capet gets a party and hath himself Crown'd King of Rheims by Merivee Archbishop of that City Charles informed of this marcheth against him both the Armies meet neer Soissons fight in which Robert is slain some say by Charles himself Dâ— Bussâ—eres tom 1. pag. 477. who ran his Lance into his mouth and through his tongue However though Charles here remain'd victorious yet by negligence or too much fear or confidence he lost all for instead of prosecuting his Victory he desired peace and assistance of a Oâ— Heribert Hebert Earl of â—ermandois or St. Quentin his enemy and Cousin to Robert b An. 923. Heribert glad of this desires Charles to come to St. Quentin that they might the better consult about his safety Charles thinking all promises to be true consents and freely goeth thither Herbert perceiving him now in his power seiseth upon him and tells him that France must now consult for a wiser King so he is carryed to the Castle of Thierry thence to Soissons where the Parliament being Chaâ—â—eau-Thierry a Town in â—a Haâ—te Campagne call'd according to Heberts humour the innocent King is deposed and Rodulph by the Frencb call'd Raoul Duke of Burgondy of whom we have formerly heard as King of Italy is declared and Crown'd King of France by Seulfus Archbishop of Rheims which Prelate was c Jo. Chenu Hist Archiepisc Gall. pag. 270. poysoned after by Hebert As for poor Charles sometimes he was favour'd by a little liberty but at last he was clapt up close prisoner in Perone Castle in Picardy where having thus for the space of five years been hurried from prison to prison he d An. 928. dyed being overwhelm'd with grief and the nastiness of his Goal But before I end this story it may be the Reader will not take it amiss if we tell him what device and policie was used by Lewes Son to Charles the simple to make Hebert suffer by his own judgement for his Treason against his Soveraign Eguina the Third Daughter to Edward sirnamed the Elder King of England and Sister to Ethelstan or Adelstan King also of England was married to this Charles the Third sirnamed the simple by whom she had Lewes the Fourth She perceiving the misery of her Husband and King to escape the same danger with her Son Lewes she takes her opportunity and slips into England where they stay with her Brother Athelstan till the people weary of Rebellion and other opportunities settle him in the Throne of France and from his thus living beyond Seas here in England his Country-men call'd him e Ultramarinus or Transmarmus D'oultremer Lewes sirnamed D'oultremer being thus restored was resolved to be revenged on Heribert Count of St. Quentin for the deposing and imprisonment of his Father Charles le simple and having as he thought sufficiently secured himself with his Nobility and People he held a Parliament at Laon composed of his sure Friends and thither as to advise about the good of the Nation Hebert came also amongst the rest In the mean time King Lewes had provided a trusty fellow to whom he gave a Letter written by himself with express Orders to the fellow to put himself into an English Habit and when the Assembly met to come in and bring the Letter as if from the King of England Accordingly the fellow cometh in delivers the Letter which was read whisperingly to the King and whilst the Secretary was thus reading it the King smiled the Nobles at this thinking it to be some jesting business desired of his Majesty the reason Well quoth the King now I perceive the English are not so wise as I took them to be for my Cousin the King of England writes to me that in his Country a labouring man inviting his Landlord or Master to dinner at his house caused him to be slain and now my lords he desires your advice what punishment this fellow deserves and what he should undergo Upon which they with Hebert unanimously declared their Opinions that he should be hang'd that death being most ignominious Whereupon the King turning to Heribert said And thou O Hebert art this false servant who by imprisonment murder'd in the Castle of Perone thy Lord and Master King Charles my father and so receive thy reward according to thine own judgement At this the Kings Officers provided on purpose come in seise upon Hebert carry him out to a Mountain close by where he was hang'd or strangled from which action they say the Hill is to this day call'd Mont-Hebert a Tom. 1. p. 693. § 9 10. Dupleix will have Heribert to dye a natural death and is very angry with de Serres for asserting this story though I can assure him that Serres was neither the first nor onely Author of this Passage for before him b De l'estar de France l. 1. fol. 56. du Haillan hath it and long before him again we have it told at large by c De gestis Franc. l. 5. fol. 40. Robertus Gaguinus but however it be there is no stress of any business lyeth upon it Sect. 2. The Murder of Edmund and Edward the Martyr Kings of England BUt now let us look a little neerer home where we finde Edmund Brother to Ethelstan raigning in England and commended for his good Government and Laws yet was he murder'd but Hollinshead lib. c. 21. Speed l. 7. c. 39. Jo. Trevisa l. 6. fol. 290. how Authors will not agree some say that being at his Mannor of Puclekirks in Glocestershire seeing one of his Servants in danger at a quarrel stepping in to save his Servant was himself d An. 946. slain Others will have it that at the same place keeping a Feast upon St. Augustine Archbishop of Canterbury his day and seeing one Leof whom for his misdemeanors he had formerly banished the land and now return'd without license sitting at Table neer him was so inraged to see such an Outlaw in his presence that he suddenly rose from the Table fell upon Leof took him by the hair and threw him to the ground but the Villan having fast
her King and elder Brother Henry and conjures them also to loyalty to throw away all private Interests and Factions and conclude in a firm peace and union The Confederates perceiving that they wanted an Head and so a main pretence to countenance their Arms to the people and that whatever they had hitherto gained was more by their dissembling then strength that also the Pope Paul II had censured them if they continued in open wars For King Henry was held an obedient son to the Bishops of Rome for which Calixtus III had sent him formerly an Hat and a consecrated Sword which they use to bless upon Christmas-Eve at night laying them upon the Altar where they say Mass And farther they recollected that upon Henries death Isabella was like to be Queen whereby they could procure no favour or benefit to themselves by opposing her peaceable desires Upon these considerations they consented to an Agreement so Articles are drawn up a Peace concluded on Donna Isabella is declared Princess of the c Las Asturias formerly of a larger extent is now â— little Province between Galicia Leon and Biscay lying upon the Cantabrian sea 'T is twofold Asturia de Oâ—iedo and Astur de Santillana As the Heirs of England are called Princes of Wales and those of France les Dauphins so are those to the Crown of Castile call'd Princes of the Asturias Upon what occasion this â—hort Scheme may shew Alphonso XI had amongst other Children Henry a Bastard Earl of Transâ—amara took the Kingdom from the Tyrant Pedro and stab'd him with his dagger he had John I. who had Henry III. Don Pedro el Cruel had amongst others a bastard call'd Constancia she was marryed to John of Gant Duke of Lancaster son to Edward III King of England Upon the death of Don Pedro sirnamed the Cruel though his bastard-Brother Henry II. seised upon the Crown and was acknowledged for King yet John of Gant Duke of Lancaster pretended the right to lye in him by reason of his Wife Constance and made some bustle about it Henry dying there succeeded his son John I. with whom and Lancaster a peace was concluded Lancaster to renounce all his Title to Castile and King John to marry his son Henry to Lancaster's Daughter Catherine which accordingly was accompish'd so both their pretensions united And for more honour Don Henry the young son was to be call'd Prince of the Asturias since which time the eldest sons of Castile were call'd Princes and the younger are titled Infantas This hapned about the year 1388. And so much by the way concerning the Title of Prince of Asturias yet do I finde Jehan Froissart who lived at this time to tell us that Henry was call'd Prince of Gallicia in his French Edition 1530. vol. 3. fol. 96. and fol. 143. In the old English Edition vol. 2. cap. 154. fol. 170. and cap. 176. fol. 214. Asturias and lawful Heir to the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon with their dependants What troubles hapned in Castile after this treaty being not considerable I shall pass over Donna Isabella now declared Heir several matches were consulted of but she secretly joyned her self with Don Fernando Prince of Girona and the eldest son living to John II King of Arragon At this marriage King Henry was greatly vext as being contrary to his desire and without his knowledge But at the long run the King becomes more pacified and at last a 1474. dying she succeeds as Queen of Castile and Leon although some busled for Joane the supposed Daughter of King Henry but she is generally thrown by as a bastard being begot of his Queen Joane by one Don Bertrand de la Cueva afterwards prefer'd for his kindness being created Earl of Ledesma Master of Santiago and Duke of Albuquerque As for Henry himself he is by all esteem'd as frigid and uncapable of such loves Not long after John II King of Arragon b 1479. dying that Kingdom was united to Castile by the fortunate former marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella Here might I descend into the troubles of Navar and tell how Don Carlos Prince of Viana took up Arms against his Father John King of Navar and Arragon Upon which quarrel began the great Factions of those of Beaumont and Grammont the first adhering to the Prince and the latter to the King and the feuds of these two potent Families was one of the main causes of the loss of Navar to the Spaniard those of Beaumont assisting Don Ferdinand in the conquest against their own King and Country Of which more hereafter In short the Prince being not able to keep the field withdrew himself to Naples for sometime thence returns endeavours new troubles upon which he is taken and secuâ—ed Upon this the Catalonians rebel and though Prince Carlos was set at liberty and c Some say he was poyson'd by his Step mother D. Joane to make way for heâ—â—â—son Ferdinando to the Crown of Arragon dyed presently after yet they continue their Treasons The people of Barcelona publickly declare King John an Enemy to his Country and so they would withdraw themselves from his obedience And the Catalonians sent to Henry IV. of Castile to desire him to take them under his protection they being resolved no more to obey the Crown of Arragon Don Henry accepts them so they set up the Banners of Castile At last after a tedious War they are vanquish'd forced to submit and King John giveth them all freely a pardon But of Spain more in the next Century A CONTINUATION OF THE REBELLIONS AND Treasonablepractices OF THE ROMANISTS Particularly in Spain Scotland and Ireland From the year MD. to MDC BOOK VI. CHAP. I. 1. John and Catherine King and Queen of Navar deprived 2. Pope Julius II. Sect. 1. John and Catherine King and Queen of Navar deprived THe Conquest of Navar being acted suddenly we year 1500 shall make the story of it but very short At the beginning of this Century we finde John d'Albret or Don Juan de la Brit and Donna Catherina King and Queen of Navar which had boasted it self a Kingdom almost DCCC years Ferdinand II King of Arragon having by his marrying with Isabella Queen of Castile enlarged his Authority and Dominions as also by his banishing the Jews and subduing the Moores to him in Granado made his Government more secure cast many a greedy a Jo. de Bussieres lib. 15. § 16. Spondan an 1512. § 21. thought upon the seising the Kingdom of Navar and then all of Spain Portugal excepted would be his own At last opportunity good enough as he thought offer'd it self which was thus Pope Julius II. a zealous Hotspur falling out with Lewis XII King of France Fernando sides with the Pope and having rais'd an Army not onely demands passage for it through Albrets Territories but the command of his strongest Castles and Fortifications and which was most the possession and custody of Prince Henry eldest son to Navar
Segovia Salamanca and Avila and Francisco Maldenado who now commanded the Salamanca forces who had all their heads cut off and stuck upon several Nails over the place of Execution The Army of the Commonalty being thus routed the Junta which was in Valladolid sneak'd away The City it self submitting which was graciously pardon'd though they had been the chief maintainers of the Rebellion And now Medina del Campo Palencia Duennas Mota and other Cities acknowledged their faults But Toledo would be brought to no reason the chief Incendiary of that City being Donna Maria Pacheco Mendoza Daughter to the Earl of Tendilla and wife to Don Juande Padilla lately beheaded a Lady of a daring and resolute spirit wherefore she was generally call'd The valiant woman La Muger valerosa and to excite the Citizens to compassion she made her Son be carryed up and down the streets on a Mule with a mourning hood and Cloak on and a Streamer with the Picture of her husband Padilla beheaded The Imperialists did not question if they could either get her out of the City or to joyn with them to reduce the place to his Majesty to effect which they sent a Captain who freely offer'd himself with a few men disguised thither Being arrived at Toledo he went directly to the Fort where she was desiring to speak with her But the people having some notice of the designe made an Alarm and ran in great multitudes to the Castle where finding the Captain in discourse with her they presently laid hands on him and flung him out of the high window by which fall he was broke all to pieces This done they cut the throats of all those who came along with him And now they resolve to fortifie themselves against all attempts fill'd their stores full took all the gold and silver plate out of the Cathedral Church which they coyned and they were not a little animated by the coming of the French who taking opportunity of these troubles enter'd Navar thinking to regain that Kingdom but all to no purpose and so at last the Toledians were brought to better terms and received into mercy Donna Maria Pacheco being forced for her own safety in a Country-womans disguise riding upon an Ass with some Geese in her hands to escape out of the City living the rest of her days in Exile and as some think dying in Portugal And now for Example was the house of Juan de Padilla pull'd down to the ground the foundation of it plow'd up and sowed with salt that the soyl where the Chieftain of so great troubles and mischiefs had his birth and habitation should not produce so much as grass or weeds and a Pillar was erected there with an Inscription declaring the manner of his life and death And now all is reduced to obedience the Emperour returns to Spain having received the Imperial Crown and on a Scaffold cover'd with Cloth of Gold and Silk erected in the chief Market-place in Valladolid the Emperour himself with his a They are so call'd whom the King gives leave to stand covered before him All Dukes in Spain are Grandes Grandees and Council about him being there Peace is b Octob. 28. 1522. proclaim'd and a general pardon granted onely some few excepted for example sake But before we leave this story let us see the end of one or two Chieftains the first shall be the Earl of Salvatierra who made such Tumults in Alava At last being taken Prisoner he was carryed to Burgos where he was let bloud to c 1504. death then carryed to his grave his feet hanging over the Bier with irons on them exposed to the publick view This unfortunate Earl whilst in prison was brought to such poverty being forsaken of all his Friends that he had nothing â—â— eat but a poor mess of Pottage which one Leon Picardo a Doâ—â—estick Servant and Painter to the Lord high Constable sometimes brought him His Son Don Athanasio de Ayala then Page to the Emperourâ— out of a filial compassion sold his Horse to buy his Father the Earl Victuals for which the Master of the Pages would have the young Gentleman punished and complain'd of him to the Emperour Carlos calls Don Athanasio to him and asking him for his Horse he presently answered That he sold him to buy Victuals for his Father at which the Emperour was so far from being displeas'd that he forthwith commanded forty thousand d A little Spanâ—sh coyn of lets vâ—lue thâ—n â—ur English â—â—â—â—ing which the Spaniâ—â—â— commonly account with Maravediz which is about thirty pound English money to be given him And now let us see the exit of Don Antonio de Acunna the furious and zealous Bishop of Zamora who seeing all his Confederates quell'd and so no safety for him to stay in Spain resolved to make France his refuge For this purpose having in a disguise got as far as the Borders of Navar at the same time that the French enter'd he was discovered and seised on by one Perote at a village call'd Villamediana not far from Legronno thâ—nce was carryed to Navaretta not far from Najara in Rioscia a little Province in Old Castile after which he was sent prisoner by the Emperours Order to Simancas in Leon. The old Bishop having been here kept some time at last consulted an escape To perform which he one time cunningly convey'd a Brick into his Bag wherein he used to carry his Breviary wherewith he knockt out the Governours brains that had the charge of him as they were in discourse together by the fire-side And so upon this opportunity might have made an escape but that the Governours Son discovering him brought him back again and carefully lockt him in his Chamber without doing any thing else to him although he had thus basely murthered his Father which was held and commended for a great piece of wisedom and patience in the young Gentleman The Emperour informed of these his wicked Prancks sent Judge Ronquillo of whom formerly to sit on him who condemn'd him and caused him to be a 1526. strangled within the said Fort and some report that he had him hung upon one of the Pinacles of the Tower to the end that he might be a spectacle and memento to all that passed that way but the Emperour was not pleas'd with such Examples And thus much for these three years troubles in Spain passing by some other Tumults and uproars there both before and after these as not of so general and dangerous concern CHAP. III. The Plots in Scotland against King James VI. HEre passing by the Excommunication of Ferdinand King of Hungary and Bohemia by Julius III. for the death of Fryar George Martinusius Bishop of Waradein and after Archbishop of Gran and by the said Julius created Cardinal a man powerful in Arms and noted for his great actions in Hungary Which Fryar George for so is he commonly call'd is by 1551. Giâ—l Bâ—ai vita dâ—â— oâ—iâ—â—olâ—
that none but Cardinals can elect a Pope that if ever a Bishop of Rome was chosen by those Cardinals who were created by an Antipope or one not truely as they say Christ's Vicar that then such an Election is of no validity being made by those who were not truely Cardinals and so wanted an authentick Authority to make such an election And if the succession once fail I know not how or when it must begin again But because the aforesaid Italian foundeth his main design upon Simony I shall onely Preface a little on the same crying sin and that but a few years before his Sixtus the Fifth When they declare that the sin of a Gondissalv de Villadiego contra haereticam pravitatem Quaest 1. § 3. Flav. Cherubinus Compend Bullar Tom. 1. pag. 152. Card. Jacobat de Concil l. 8. art 8. § 8. Id. l. â— art 4. § 53. and so their Canon-Law 1. q. 1. c. Presbyter c. Quicunque c. Cumliqueat c. Eos qui. c. Fertur c. Statuimus Decretum Simony is Heresie and so he that is guilty of the first must also be an Heretick and when they also confess that if a Pope be b Petr. de Balsius director Electionum cap. 14. Hieron Monfred deces 321. Eman. Sa Aphorism v. Papa 1. chosen by Simony then that Election is null and void and seeing they go yet farther as to affirm that if a Pope be Heretical he is not onely c Mart. de Caraziis de Principibus Quaest 199. inferiour to all other Christians but d Jo. Hieron Alban de potest Papae p. 1. § 6. Card. Jacobis de Concil l. 9. art 1. § 12 3. Martinus de Caraziis de Principibus Quest 522. Eman. Sa Aphorism v. Papa § 6. falleth from his Popedom and so not being Head of the Church 't is no difficult matter from these Principles thus granted by them to prove a failing if not an end of their succession And that Popes ought of old to be deposed for obtaining their Dignities by Simony or suchlike unlawful means is undeniable from the a Si quis pecunia veâ— gâ—atia humana aut populari mihtarive tumultu siâ—e concâ—rdi Câ—â—oâ—â—â—a Electione Cardinaltum in throno Petri collocatus is non Apostolicus sed Apostaticus id est à rationed ficiens meritò vocetur liceatque Cardinalibus Clerius Laius Deum colentibus illum ut pradonem anathematizarâ— quovis humano auâ—â—â—o à sede Apostolica propellere atque quovis in loco si in Urbe non liceat Catholicos hujusâ—e rei causa congregare Pâ—atâ—na vit Nichol. II. Dâ—st 97. c. si qâ—â—s Decree made above DC years ago in the time of Nicholas the Second in a Council at Rome And since that time Julius the Second made a more vigorous Bull against the Simoniacal Election of Popes and the nulling of such a choice of which we shall speak more hereafter Now if that horrid and unmanly sin of Simony make an Election illegal and void what shall we think of Pope Alexander the Sixth who by this corrupt means obtain'd the Papal dignity as their own b De rebus Hispan lib. cap. 2. Mariâ—na c Vit. Alexand VI. apud Platâ—n Onuphrius with d Lib. 1. beginninâ—g Guicciardine do declare and though e Anti Mornaeus Tom. 2. p. 305. Coquaeus is unwilling to meddle with this objected crime yet his Country-man and fellow Doctor of Paris f Iâ—â—ne faut point chercher tant de Tesmoins pour proves une chose que tout le monde avoüe Coeffet Râ—sponse au Mystere d'Iniquite pag. 1209. Coeffeteau not being able to confute the Objection doth profess that we need not trouble our selves to bring out Testimonies to prove it since all the world doth confess it If this Alexander by his illegal obtaining that dignity was no true Pope then the Cardinals by him created were also false ones and so the Popes by them elected of no true Authority or Jurisdiction to be Christ's Vicars This Alexander remaining Bishop of Rome above eleven years at several Creations others dying in the time made these following XLIII Cardinals 1. Jo. Borgia   2. John Morton Archbishop of Canterbury   3. Jo. Anton. de S. Georgio â— 1 4. Jo. de la Grolaye   5. Bernardinus Coravagial â— 2 6. Raymund Perauld   7. Caesar Borgia Bastard to Pope Alexander the Sixth for this Pope had three Sons and two Daughters   8. Hippolitus Estiensis   9. Fridericus Cassimirus Son to the King of Poland   10. Julianus Caesarius â— 3 11. Dominicus Grimanus â— 4 12. Alexander Farnesius â— 5 13. Bernardinus de Lunate   14. Guillielmus Brissoneta   15. Bartholomaeus Martinus   16. Johan de Castro â— 6 17. Johan Lopez   18. Johan Borgia Nephew to the Pope poysoned by Caesar Borgia   19. Aloysius de Arragonia â— 7 20. Philipp de Lucemburgo   21. Georg. de Ambosia â— 8 22. Thomas ex oppido Herdouth Hung arus   23. Jacobus Serra al. Casanova â— 9 24. Petrus Issualies   25. Diego Hortado de Mendozza   26. Franciscus Borgia supposed to be Son to the Pope Callistus the Third â— 10 27. Johan Vera â— 11 28. Ludovicus Podacatharus â— 12 29. Jo. Anton. Trivultius â— 13 30. Jo. Baptist Terrarius   31. Amanatem de Albreto â— 14 32. Petr. Ludovic Borgia â— 15 33. Marcus Cornelius â— 16 34. Jo. Stephanus Ferrerius â— 17 35. Johan Casteller â— 18 36. Franciscus Remolinus   37. Franciscus Soderinus â— 19 38. Melchior Copis   39. Nicholaus de Flisco â— 20 40. Franciscus de Sprata al. Spares â— 21 41. Hadrianus Castellensis â— 22 42. Jacobus Casanova â— 23 43. Franciscus Iloris â— 24 After the death of this Alexander XXXVII Cardinals after some disturbance and fears enter into the Conclave to elect another Pope and of this little number there were XXIV of this Alexanders Creation whose names you see mark'd with this â— In this Conclave was Pius the Third chosen but how could he be legally elected if almost two parts in three of the Cardinals had no lawful voice But again supposing all the Cardinals to belegally created yet how can the election of this Pius be true and lawful seeing he was so far from having the voices of two parts in three or a Majority though this would not make a true election that he onely obtain'd the a Alphons Ciaconius vit Pii III. less part or number in the Conclave for him and yet was I know not how declared for Pope What in part hath been objected against Pius the Third may also pass upon Julius the Second for though at his election there were XXXVII Cardinals in the Conclave yet XXVI were of Alexanders creation And if this stand good then we may affirm that there hath been no true Pope
hold on the King pull'd him down also and then with his Knife ript up the Kings belly that his bowels fell out and there he dyed As for the Outlaw the Servants there fell upon him but before they could dispatch him he slew and wounded divers of them John Harding who flourished above two hundred years ago saith it was done at Canterbury And thus relates the story according to the Poetry of those times This Kyng Edmond was slain by a Felon Fol. 115. Whiche of Malice and his false Treason That forfet had and dampned was to dye For his forfet and for his felony At Caunterbury as the Kyng him saw on a day For yre on him he ranne and sore him wound For whiche he stroke the Kyng for ay So they both two there in that stound Eche of them of his mortal wounde Which to a Prince accorded in no wise To put himself in drede where law may chastise After this Murther we have another more execrable Edgar sirnamed the Peaceable being dead his Eldest Son Edward sirnamed the Martyr was a An 975. Crown'd King at Kingston upon Thames by St. Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury of whom they tell so many pretty Miracles to the great content and strengthning of Children and old Women Of this Kings vertues there need not much be said because all Historians do sound forth his commendations and so passing by the grand Controversie about this time viz. whether Priests might have Wives and the Monkish story how this dispute was decided by the speaking of a Crucifix in the Rood at Winchester and the falling down of the Floor of the Chamber at Calne in Wiltshire onely St. Dunstan forsooth remain'd dapperly perking up We will come to the sad story of his Murther King Edgar had two Wives 1. Elthelfled her Son was Edward 2. Elfrida her Son Ethelred Edward as Eldest and of the first Wife though some here make a b But Harpsfield is for him pag. 188. doubt is King Elfrida his Mother-in-law at this is troubled wishing that the Crown were set on her son Ethelred's head but this she kept cunningly to her self nor had good King Edward any suspition of her designs It chanced that King Edward hunting in the Island Purbeck in Dorsetshire either by chance or design was separated from his company and perceiving himself neer Corfe-Castle where his Mother-in-law Elfrida and her son Ethelred then lived to both which persons he bare a great affection he resolved to go see them and accordingly rides up to the Gate His Stepdame comes to him with a cheerful countenance seeming very glad of his visit and kindness and desired him to alight but this he excused pleading haste and that he onely slipt from his company at that time and then to his company again just to see her and his Brother and so desired a cup of Wine to drink to them who might be troubled by a long missing of him they not knowing the occasion She perceiving that she could not bring her designs about within doors resolves to do it without so she appointed one of her servants to stab him there To be short Wine is brought given him and he no sooner had the cup at his mouth but the fellow struck him with a knife into the back The King perceiving himself sore wounded set spurs to his Horse thinking to gallop away for his preservation to his more faithful Friends but the wounds being great and he fainting through loss of blood fell from his horse one of his feet being intangled in the Stirrop by reason whereof his Horse drag'd him up and down through Woods and Lands And thus was that good King Edward a An. 979. murder'd and was sirnamed the Martyr though b Hist Eccles p. 188. in the Margin Harpsfield or somebody else for him will not stand upon it that he ought in strictness to be call'd so being not murther'd for his Religion but his Kingdom After this murther they go on and tell a great many stories of him as how his Step-mother Elfritha for so some call her had his body drag'd into a little house hard by and there cover'd over with straw for the present necessity that it might not be found L. Surius March 18. Zach. Lipell Guil. Garet but a poor woman who was born blind living there by miracle had that night her sight given her Elfrida troubled at this fearing that by this discovery the body might be found had it taken thence and thrown into the Marishes but this would not do neither for a year after God reveal'd to some men that the body was in those Waters but the certain place could not be found out till a fiery Pillar was pleas'd to point them to it whence it was carryed and buryed at Warham and having laid there some years uncorrupted 't was thence with great solemnity translated to Shaftsbury neer the borders of Wiltshire And here might I tell the strange Miracles wrought by the vertue of this holy Edward of blind receiving sight deaf hearing the lame and sick their limbs and health but that I cannot oblige the Readers belief As for the murthering Elfrida although they say that at first she was punished by Miracles as desiring to see the Tomb of her Son-in-law the Horse on which he rode would by no means carry her thither and though she tryed several yet we finde all commanded by the same stubbornness which making her more keen she resolved to go on foot yet though her will was never so strong they say she could not possibly do it However at last we need not question Elfrida's Religion and pardon since to quit and expiate her from the guilt of this horrid murther she built two Nunneries c Ambresbury Almesbury in Wiltshire and Warwell in Hampshire An easie way of recompence for rich people to ease themselves of the most crying sins And though I am not obliged either to censure one or vindicate the other yet some may justly fancie that several of those ancient buildings being thus founded upon blood and rapine might as by a judgement call a destroying hand upon them But far be it from me to oppose Monuments of Charity which without question may hugely advance the glory of God upon Earth and smooth the Founders way to Heaven And I could wish that those ancient Monuments of Piety for without doubt many of them were really so nobly spread about by our Fore-fathers liberality had either continued as good Examples or been better imploy'd at their Dissolutions But this by the way Sect. 3. The Murders of Malcolme of Duffe of Culene of Kenneth the Third Kings of Scotland ANd now let us cross the Tweed and take notice of what obedience we finde there and here we meet with Constantine the Third King of Scotland who being troubled at the great a An. 937. Victory the English had over him where most of his Nobility were slain withdrew himself from the rule
d Platin. ib. Genebrard l. 4 p. 1080. Carranza sum Concil pag. 879. sold However he loved something else as well as Money or else he is shrew'dly belyed For Janus Pannonius who lived in his time and was Bishop of Funfkirken by the Hungarians call'd Eutegyhazac commonly known by its Latine name Quinque-Ecclesiae in lower Hungary and well acquainted with the affairs at Rome This Janus I say as soon as this Paul II came to his Popedom sent him good e Delit. Poetar Hungar. pag. 250. advice but a little after we finde the matter alter'd for thus he quits his Holiness Pontificis Pauli ne testes Roma requiras Ib. pag. 284. Filia quem similis te docet esse marem Pope Paul ' s a man Rome seek no farther tryal He gat a daughter makes it past denial And again thus Sanctum non possum patrem dicere possum Cum video natam Paule secunde tuam I cannot call thee Holy Paul but rather Now I your Daughter see can call you Father And in another place thus he sings to the same purpose Cum sit filia Paule sit tibi aurum Quantum Pontifices habere raros Vidit Roma prius Pater vocari Sanctus non potes at potes Beatus To him succeeds Sixtus or Xystus IV of whom Cornelius Agrippa gives this noble Character That he built at Rome a very famous a Sed recentioâ—ibus Temporâ—â—us Sixtus Pontifex Maximus Romae Nobile admodumâ— Lupanar extrâ—xit Romana scorta in singulas Hebdomadas sulâ—um pendent Pontifici qui census annuus non nunquam viginti millia Ducatos excedit adeoque Ecclesiae procerum id munus est ut uno cum Ecclesiarum proventibus etiam lenociniorum numerent mercâ—dem Sic enim ego illos supputantes aliquando audivi Habet inquientes ille duo Beneficia unum curatum aureorum viginti alterum prioratum dâ—catorum quadraginta tres Putanas in Burdello quae reddunt singulis â—debdomadibus Julios viginti Hen. Corn. Agrippa de vanitat scientiarum cap. 64. Bawdy-house but this you may suppose was for the profit of his Holiness for the same Author goeth on and tells us that every Curtisan of Rome payes every week to the Pope a Julio every Giulio is about an English Six pence which yearly rent sometimes surmounts the sum of twenty thousand Ducats And how his Disciples gain'd under him the same Agrippa assures us that he hath heard them thus cast up their Incomes and Rents He hath two Benefices one Cure worth twenty Ducats a Priory worth forty Ducats and three Whores in the Brothal-house which every week brings him in the gain of twenty Giulios i. e. ten shillings This Agrippa was in this time so famous for all manner of Learning that he was courted by all Persons and all Countries though some object to him the Magick Art but to quit him from this Monsieur b Apologie pour les Personages souâ— zonnez de Magâ—e cap 15. pag. 400 401 c. Naude hath lately written a large Apologie whither I refer the Reader And c Lib. 22. sol 259. Volaterran tells us that this Pope Sixtus IV loved his kindred so well that to prefer them he would go against and violate all Laws Humane and Divine a great pity that such a fault should over-cloud so excellent a vertue To him succeeded Innocent VIII who is said to have followed year 1483 on the same trade and thereby to have clearly gain'd sixteen Children eight Boys and as many Daughters before his Popedom but to mend the matter they now say he was d 〈…〉 Tom. 2. pag. 204. Câ—efâ—â— p. 1209. marryed and so honestly had them before he obtain'd the Papal dignity But e Lib. 22. â—â—l 261. in 〈…〉 Alexand Volaterranus doth more than hint that they were Bastards by comparing him and them to Pope Alexander VI and his off-spring As for Pope Alexander VI who succeeded this Innocent I need not say much seeing all the Roman Historians themselves do confess him to have been a Monster amongst men and that as he basely got his Popedom viz. by Simony so lived he ever after very wickedly Before his Popedom he enjoyed one a Or Vanocia or Vannocia or Lanosia or Lanozia Onuphrius in vita Alex. Jo. Marian de rebus Hispan lib. 26. cap. 2. Zanoccia and afterwards reserved her for his especial Curtisan he had by his love to Women four Sons and Daughters the best of the latter sort was call'd Lucretia with whom he was thought a little too familiar as her two Brothers were also wherefore upon her was this Epitaph Hoc jacet in Tumulo Lucretia nomine sed re Thais Alexandri filia sponsa nurus Lucrece by name Thais indeed lyeth under this stone Alexanders Daughter his Sons Wife and his own At Tournay in Flanders there is an Epitaph which will somewhat Fran. Sweert pag. 515. out-riddle this of Lucretia Cy gist le Pere cy gist la Mere Cy gist la soeur cy gist le Frere Cy gist la famme le mary Et n'ya que deux Corps icy Here lyeth the Father and here lyeth Mother Here lyeth the Sister and here lyeth Brother Here lyeth the Husband and here lyeth the Wife Yet here are but two bodies to make all this strife Many biting Verses might be collected against this Alexander out of the works of that so famous Italian Poet Jacobus Sannazarius or Actius Syncerus being call'd both wise Mantuan and such other like Scholars that then flourish'd but it would be to no purpose seeing they confess the worst of him and all since are ashamed of him As for the manner of his death take it thus according to c Lib. 6. Guicciardin Caesar Borgia his Son resolving to poyson Adrian Cardinal of Corneto sends some Flagons of poysoned Wine to the Vineyard where they with the Pope were to sup The Pope coming too soon before any other Wine was brought and being very thirsty Borgia's man not knowing of his Masters design but thinking it to be most excellent Wine fill'd some of it to the Pope who drank heartily It chanced at the same time Borgia came and through ignorance pledged his Father who having took some Antidotes before and being young and lusty lived though he indured an hard sickness but his old Father Alexander VI dyed upon it But Dr. d Pag. 1â— 12. Coeffeteau will rather follow Onuphrius viz. that it was the Pope himself that contrived the poyson to take away several Cardinals the better to inrich himself by the seizing upon their wealth and that the man through mistake gave onely the poysoned cup to Alexander and his Son Borgia whereby the rest escaped and this makes the Pope more wicked and may well enough be believed for Guicciardin confesseth that this Pope and his Son used this trick several times to the murthering of several Cardinals against whom they had but the least pick. Here I
out and thrown in also lastly his head was cut off and fixt upon the most eminent place of the City and his body divided and parts of it sent to the chief places in the Kingdom As for Robert Graham he was thus punished a Gallows was raised in a Cart then he had his right-hand nailed to it and so drawn along the streets whilst the Executioners with burning Pincers tâ—re pieces from his Shoulders Thighs and suchlike fleshy places which were farthest from his Vitals thereby to keep him the longer alive and in greater pain yet did these terrors bring little repentance to him as may be ghâ—st by his impious answer for being asked during all these tortures How he durst lay hands on his Prince made this Reply That if he had Heaven and Hell at his choice he durst leap out of Heaven and all the joys there into the flaming bottom of Hell At last having all his flesh almost pull'd off his Heart and Intrails were thrown into the fire his Head stuck up and his Quarters sent to several places for a terror to others And here I shall hastily pass by the unfortunate Raign of King James III how his own Subjects covenanted against him confined or forced him to Edinbourgh Castle and at last came to open Battel against him at Bannoch-Burn not far from Sterlin where his Army being beaten he was after in cold blood murdered in the Mill but whether this abominable murther was done by Patrick Lord Gray Robert Sterling of Keer or Andrew Borthwick a Priest or all of them must be left as their Histories hath it uncertain Sect. 4. The deaths of Henry the Sixth and Edward the Fifth Kings of England BUt leaving Scotland here might I treat of the miseries of England at the same time of the long but unfortunate Raign of good Henry VI of his dethronement and which was worst of his year 1471 murther in the Tower of London as the common opinion goeth by a Bacons Hist Hen. VII pag. 2. Richard Duke of Glocester afterwards call'd Richard the III. Though Mr. b Hist Rich. III. pag â—0 Spondan calls him a Martyr an 1471. § 6. Buck of late would deny the fact and clear the said Richard from this and all other imputations laid to him by all other Historians The body of this King Henry was carryed to Chertsey in Surrey and there buryed in the Monastery belonging to the Benedictines And 't is said that many Miracles have been done at his grave above two hundred of which was gather'd into one c Vâ—d Harâ—sfield Hist Eccles p. 595. Volume nor was there any disease but they say was cured by him Blind Lame Dumb Kings-evil and what not And as if these were not enough they make him cure another Miracle viz. a Woman that used to go with Childe above d Ib. p. 596. two years Richard III envying the fame of Henry if we may believe King * Spelman Concil tom 2. pag. 71â— Henry VII removed the Corps from Chertsey to the Chappel of Windsor where he was also worshipped by the name of Holy King Henry and here they say that his Red-velvet-Hat e Stow pag. 424. heal'd the Head-ach of such as put it on their heads there his body rested for a time but now his Tomb being taken thence it is not commonly known what is become of his body 'T is true King Henry VII had a desire to have it removed to Westminster to which purpose the Abbot desired the f Spelâ— Concil pag. 712 71â— consent of Pope Alexander VI. King Henry VII also desired to have this Henry VI Canonized to which purpose he wrote to the said Alexander who gave the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Durham g Spelm. pag. 720. Authority to inquire into his Miracles and Life Nor did Henry VII cease here but Alexander dying he sollicited h Harpsfield pag. 594. Julius II very earnestly and some think that had the King lived a little longer he had obtain'd his request But this I shall leave with these words of Edward Hall These and other like Offices of Holiness Ed. Halâ—'s Châ—on fol. 223. b. caused God to work miracles for him in his life-time as old men said By reason whereof King Henry VII not without cause sued to July Bishop of Rome to have him Canonized as other Saints be but the fees of the Canonizing of a King were so great a quantity at Rome more then the Canonizing of a Bishop or a Prelate although he sate in St. Peters Chair that the said King thought it more necessary to keep his money at home for the profit of his Realm and Country rather then to impoverish his Kingdom for the gaining of a new Holy-day of St. Henry remitting to God the judgement of his will and intent And here passing by the cruel death of the young Innocent Prince Edward eldest Son to this King Henry VI in cold bloud after the fight at Tewkes-bury I might come to Edward V and shew how he was deposed by his Uncle Richard by means of his wicked Instruments Stafford Duke of Buckingham Dr. John Shaw Brother to Edmond Shaw Gold-smith then Lord Mayor of London and suchlike and from this I might lead you to the making away of the said young Innocent Prince Edward and his Brother by the means of the said Richard III but because all Histories will not exactly agree upon the manner how I shall refer you to the Chronicles themselves where the juggle if not the murthers may be seen at large Sect. 5. The troubles in Spain and the miseries of Don Henry the Fourth King of Castile and Leon by reason of his proud and rebellious Nobility IF we look into Spain we shall finde those Territories miserably wasted by Tumults and Rebellions we might see how the young King of Castile Henry III was so neglected by his proud and L. de Mayâ—â—â— Hist d' 〈◊〉 liâ— 18 19 20 21. greedy Nobility who pocketed up his Revenues that once he was forced to pawn one of his Robes for two Shoulders of Mutton to help out his Supper And we might see their Rebellions against his Son King John II whose troublesome Reign might be an Item to Kings to beware of confiding in and favouring too much one Subject by the neglect of the rest And the unhappy end of the Constable Don Alvaro de Luna may be a caution to the greatest favourites in their carriage for Kings at last in whose protection lyeth their greatest safety may be perswaded to leave them to Justice and then no mercy can be expected from the solong-abused Law and People But proceed we to greater troubles and misfortunes then these This King John II had by his First wife Maria of Arragon HENRY IV King of Castile and Leon. Leonora Catharine dyed young Second Wife Isabel of Portugal Daughter to D. Jean Master of S. Jago Son to John I. King of Portugal Alphonso whom
all and that he had a designe to kill the Queen but at last falls into a rage denyeth it layeth his bloud upon the Queen and the Judges and summons the Queen to answer for his bloud before God However he is condemn'd and afterwards b executed in the Palace yard a 2 March 1584 5. And here it will not be amiss to tell what this flaunting and boasting Parry was seeing his impudence pretended great kindred worth and no small favour abroad His Father was call'd Harry ap David who kept an Ale-house in a little Village Northop not far from the River Dee in Flintshire in North-Wales his Mother was a Bastard begot by one Conway the Priest of Haulkin a poor Parish close by Upon the death of his Father his Elder Brother kept the Ale-house and did so after our Parry was executed The Traytor now in hand was one of the younger Sons and was call'd William ap Harry according to the custom of Wales When young he learned a little to write and read went and served one John Fisher of Chester who pretended to the Law with him he continued some years serving as his Clerk in which time he learned the English Tongue and at some spare hours went to the Grammar-School where he got some skill in Latin About the year 1560 he ran away from his Master got up to London where for some time he lived after a shirking fashion all his study being to fill his belly and cover his back at last he found a good Master and by degrees with him and other Masters he got some money in his purse He scorns his old name ap Harry but call'd himself Parry pretending a kin to all of that name and from his Mother Daughter to one Conway a Priest he pretends a kindred to the Family of Sir John Conway and so allyed to the foresaid Edmund Nevil Thus having voted himself a Gentleman he marryeth a rich Widow in South-Wales she dyeth he lives bravely wastes all and runs into debt His chiefest care is for some time to avoid the Serjeants at last he falls in with a rich Widow Mrs. Heywood old enough to be his Mother and her at last he marryeth but lyeth with her Daughter ruines the Estate and runs far in debt to Mr. Hugh Hare of the Temple aforesaid whom in his Chamber he endeavour'd to assassinate and is himself executed for Treason Of this ap Harry or Parry several Couplets were made in those times some of which for diversion take as followeth where you may see his life and Qualities also Epitomized William Parry Was ap Harrie By his name From the Ale-house To the Gallows Grew his fame Gotten Westward On a Bastard As is thought Wherefore one way Kin to Conway Hath he sought Like a Beast With Incest He begun Mother marryed Daughter carryed him a Son Wales did bear him France did swear him To the Pope Venice wrought him London brought him To the Rope Wherewith strangled And then mangled Being dead Poles supporters Of his quarters And his head And thus much for Parry and his Treasons which stuck so close upon the Papal Reputation that their Index Expurgatorius commands the whole story to be dasht out of Thuanus CHAP. V. 1. Babington c.'s Treasons against the Queen 2. The Romanists endeavour to inveâ—gle the more ignorant People to them by their false and cheating Exorcisms Sect. 1. Babington c.'s Treasons against the Queen THe former Treason was scarce ended when another begun which was briefly thus In the English Seminary at Rheimes in France there were some who pin'd their faith so much upon the Popes sleeve that they thought his Authority could do any thing and that the Deposing Bull of Pius V against Queen Elizabeth was dictated by the Holy Ghost thus wickedly perswaded they Cambd. Annals an 1586. thought it meritorious to take away her life and to dye in the attempt would be a glorious Martyrdom Amongst the rest Dr. William Gifford Rector of the Students there and the finisher of the Book call'd Calvino-Turcismus William Reinolds of whom formerly was its first Author He and one Gilbert Gifford and one Hodgson Priests so inculcated this treasonable Doctrine into one John Savage said to be a Bastard that he willingly and solemnly vowed to kill the Queen To make the day more sure John Ballard an English Priest of Rheimes plyeth it about England and Scotland to carry on the Cause and to prepare his Disciples then goeth into France to treat with Don Bernardin de Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador there and some others about the invading of England Having done his errand he returns to England to forward the designe gets to London where in a Souldiers habit under the false name of Captain Foscue he agitates his plots At London he opens the business to one Mr. Anthony Babington of Dethick in Derbyshire a young Gentleman rich well bred and somewhat learned he had a little before gone to France without License and faln in acquaintance with the Archbishop of Glascow Ambassador for the Queen of Scots and Thomas Morgan an English Fugitive but a great stickler for her Babington is against an Invasion as fearing it would not take effect as long as the Queen lived Ballard tells him that that need not trouble him because Savage had sworn to kill her Babington likes the murther but moves that five other resolute Gentlemen might be joyned to Savage This agreed on they carry on the designe for the Invasion In the mean time Babington giveth notice to the Queen of Scots of the designed Murther and desires her that The Heroical Actors in this business might be rewarded or else their Posterities if they perisht in the attempt for so he worded it And in this conspiracie several Gentlemen of Quality were assistants Sir Francis Walsingham that saithful and cunning Secretary by his Spies discovers all and informs the Queen and in this Gilbert Gifford Priâ—st who lurk'd in England under the name of Luson to minde Savage of his Oath was somewhat assistant to Walsingham who had such a liberal hand to intelligence that though he left himself poor yet so trusty he was to his Soveraign that there was scarce a plot against her but some of his Spies were intimate and Actors with the chiefest of them This Plot having run on for some time the Queen thought it dangerous to go too far so Ballard is apprehended Babington jealous of a discovery he with some of the Confederates hide themselves in St. Johns Wood near the City Notice being given of their withdrawing they are proclaimed Traytors at last are found and seized on and the rest of their Fellow-rebels Fourteen of whom were a September 1586. executed in St. Giles's Fields where they used to meet and consult about the Murther and Invasion Sect 2. The Romanists indeavour to inveagle the more ignorant people to them by their false and cheating Exorcisms THe English Romanists about this time had
Guise kill'd at Bloys 1588. Catherine second Wife to the Duke of Montpensier She died 1596. Charles Cardinal of Lorrain a Legat in the Council of Trent Of him François d'Isle makes his Legend He died 1573. Lewis de Guise made Card. by Julius III. He died 1578 Claude Duke of Aumale slain at the siege of Rochel 1573. Charles René Marquess of Elboeuf died 1566. Charles Duke of Elboeuf Charles Duke of Elboeuf and Count de Harcourt François call'd the Grand Prior died 1562. Jean Cardinal of Lorrain lived in the French Court a great Favorite with King François I. He died 1550. GUISE a little strong Town in Picardy which King Francis I. raised to a Dukedom and honoured Claude one of the sons of Rene Duke of Lorrain with thit Title BAR a little Dukedom in Lorrain the chiefest Town of it is now call'd Bar-le-Duc so call'd to distinguish it from other Bars upon the Seine the Aube c. it was erected into a Dukedom by Philippes de Valois VI. 1329. The eldest son of Lorrain if married hath this Title PONT now better known by the name of PONT-A-MOUSSON a Marquesset and Title of the eldest son if unmarried of the Duke of Lorrain VAUDEMONT or Vauldemont a Town in Lorrain being the Title of an Earldom JOINVILLE a little Town on the borders of Champaigne towards Lorrain a Principality of the Guises MERCOEUR a Town in Languedoc raised to a Dukedom by Charles IX 1569. for Nicolas Nephew to the Duke of Guise MAYENNE in Beausse in the little Territory Le Maine Coenomanensis Ager erected to a Dukedom by Charles IX 1573. for Charles brother to Guise ELBOEUF in higher Normandy from a Marquesset raised to a Dutchy by Henry II. 1581. and given to Charles Granchild to Claude Duke of Guise AUMALLE Aubmalle Aumarle Albemarle in Latin Alba Mala Arturus du Monstier Neustria Pia p. 731 732 c. for thus and more variously hath it formerly been writ a Town in higher Normandy anciently an Earldom with which Titles the Kings of England as Dukes of Normandy used to honour some of their Subjects and the French Kings having the possession of it have used the same liberty Charles VII made it a Peerdom of France 1458. and Henry II. raised it to a Dukedom for one of Guises sons 1547. but it is now honoured by George Monck Duke of Albemarle By this the common sort of Readers may the better distinguish and understand the variety of Cardinals to be met withall in the Histories of the French Troubles and may also see to what Greatness and Honours the Guisian Family hath in a short time been raised to in France but whether they were answerably grateful to that Crown let others judge Some are apt to tell us that Claude de Vaudemont afterwards the first Ant. Colynet p. 1 and le Contre-Guiâ—e Duke of Guise came into France in the Reign of Lewis XII Predecessor to Francis I. in no splendent condition but by wheedling himself into the Favour of King François I. obtained to be the Kings Falconer whence by degrees he rais'd himself and his Posterity above the Princes of the Bloud Royal. And they also tell us that Francis I. was so sensible of the Aspiring humour of that Family that upon his death-bed he advised his son Henry to have a care of them otherwise * Mon fils j'ay bien apperçeu cognois pur vray que la Race n'en vaut rien que si vous faites le contraire ils vous mettront en pourpoint vostre peuple en chemise François de l'Isle fol. 6. b. They will turn you into your doublet and your subjects into their shirts Some may look upon Lewis XI of France as a cunning King being Jean Bodin de la Râ—publâ—que l. 6. c. 2 p 952 953. Master of Hypocrisie others may conclude him rich when they see his Account run so thriftily if not beggarly as * 20 Sols Two shillings for two new sleeves for the Kings old doublet †15 Deniers One peny half-peny for a box of grease to grease his boots But certainly he was none of the wisest for turning away his Fathers old Faithful Counsellers and Servants for neglecting and despising the old Nobility and pleasing and sorting himself with the Plebeans and those of the meanest rank insomuch that his Taylor was his Herald and his Barber his Embassadour This way of meanness and negligence is seldom without a mischief attending it and this Family of Valois now growing towards its end wanted the vigour and prudence of her former Kings now were they Sardanapalus like more apt and fit to accompany the worst of Women and hold a Distaff then to manage a Sceptre or protect a People Pleasures were all their study and to neglect business all their care they were only the picture of Kings having neither life nor action to Government or Majesty leaving affairs to be managed by any that could thrust themselves uppermost By which easiness they had the honour to be commended by some hated by others pitied by most as good-natur'd Kings born to enrich a few Favourites but ruine the whole Kingdom besides Though some cunning Minister of State can throw all their own Extortions Cheats and Villanies upon the King thereby making a double Cheat abusing both the King and People And thus it happened with these of France to whose very Name and Family I find some to have such a spite and hatred that I meet with a Cordelier called Melchier publickly in the Pulpit to have told the People 1559. that As long as any of the Line of Valois reigned the people could Guil. Ribier Leâ—tres Memoires d'Estat tom 2. p. 799 800. not be free from oppression all that Family being so highly addicted to tyranny And another time he affirmed to his Auditors that It was very convenient that four of the greatest in the Kingdom ought to be rooted out for the easment and comfort of the people That this Gray Frier meant the King then in being viz. Henry II. I cannot say but for number sake it is not unworth the observation that besides the King there were but Four men viz. his Four sons living then in the whole world of that Family after whose deaths it ended and the Crown fell to that of Bourbon Nor is it unworth the notice that the people were then so apt to Sedition that Antoine King of Navarre who under his own hand gave the King notice of these expressions was pussled or at a stand how to behave himself in this affair fearing the rage of the people should he forthwith call the Frier to an account But it is not only the House of Valois that is aimed at but that of Bourbon too as being next Heirs to the Crown of France And this design is heavily laid in the dish of the House of Guise who as they say had for many years consulted
or that Crown * 15 Jan. Affirming that to think that the Priviledges of the Gallican Church extendeth so far as to admit of an Heretical King is the dream of a Madman and an Heretical Contagion That those who had acknowledg'd Navarre had forgot the Piety of their Ancestors the Reputation of their Countrey and the safety of their souls their salvation being desperate That Navarre had violated all Laws both divine and humane And that the Parliament of Paris is a true and lawful one and so perswadeth them to proceed to an Election To these the King returning Answers endeavoring to clear himself from their Accusations not forgetting also to shew what a favour he had for the Roman Religion And though the death of the Duke of Parma had been no small Hindrance to the Spanish designs yet now Lorenzo Suarez de Figuerâ— Duke of Feria cometh Embassador to manage the Interest of that Crown at the meeting of the States several at this time aiming at the Throne and every one not despairing of their Cause or Interest The Spanish daughter Izabella Clara Eugenia the Dukes of Guise Lorain Nemours and Mayenne having all hopes In short the States-General meet at Paris in the Great Hall of the 26 Jan. Louvre amongst the rest of the Drolleries of these times nothing took more then a Book call'd Satyre Menippee or le Catholicon d'Espagne Composed in abuse of this Convention * Debit Pret. Belg. Tom. 3. p. 339. Justus Lipsius will have a fling at this Book but the greatest honour it received was from Rome where their Wisdomes there as if they had nothing else to do did many years after very gravely call it to remembrance and at last thought it fit to pass under their * 16 Mar. 1621. vid. Ind. Expurgat Alexandri VIII p. 218. Censure of Reprobation The prose of it was made by the Almoner to Cardinal de Bourbon the Verses were composed by Nicholas Rapin commended by * Poet Gall. vol. 3. p. 165. Johannes Passeratius * Ib. p. 420 421. Scavâ—la Sammorthanus with others and Rapin himself hath some * Ib. p. 204 c. 28 Jan. Poems out in Latin The States being met as aforesaid Mayenne King-like sitteth under the Cloth of State desiring them to choose a Catholick King an Enemie to Heresie which was seconded by others The next day at a private meeting the Legat moved that at the next Sessions of the States all should take a solemn Oath never to acknowledge Navarre for their King though he should turn Romanist but this was quashr at the Proposal as to swear against the Popes Authority suppose he should turn and his Holiness command him to be received The next day the Romanists with the King with his consent send Propositions to the States for a Treaty with them at which the Legat stormeth affirming the Proposal to be Heretical and so not fit to be Answer'd Cardinal Pelleve and Diego d'Ivarra one of the Spanish Agents agreâ—ing with him but this was opposed and because the Paper was directed to all the States 't was judged fit to be communicated to them which so netled the Legat that he got the Colledge of Sorbonne to declare it Heretical as intimating a declared Heretick might be King and ought to be obeyed Yet the Proposal is shewn to the States a Conference with the Royal Romanists is consented to but in their Answer they had this odd Conclusion That to oppose an Heretical King is not Treason The place agreed on is Surenne between Paris and St. Denys and Persons are nominated on both sides In the States the Spaniards carried high for the Infanta many seeming willing to it for interest-sake but when they named Ernest Arch-Duke of Austria the Emperors Brother for her husband it was rejected as not fitting to give the Kingdom to a stranger The Spaniards smelling the design offered to admit of a French Prince to be married to Philips daughter which took pretty well Guise Nemours Lorain and Mayenne his sons each of them hoping to be the Man and King Nay some who seem'd to be the Kings Friends and Allies as Cardinal Bourbon Count de Soissons the Prince of Conti with some others began to hearken to this Proposal every one fancying to make the Crown his upon which conceits they were not so earnest in the Kings Cause and Interest as they seem'd to be The King perceiving that the Authority of the Pope was one of his greatest Enemies or Pretences had a great minde to have him pacified to which purpose he formerly had the Republick of Venice and Ferdinando de Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany to use their interests in his behalf at Rome and to further it had also been sent Cardinal Pietros de Gondy Bishop of Paris and the Marquess de Pisani in the name of the Romanist with the King upon the same Errand But the Pope commanded them not to enter into the Ecclesiastical Territories as being Favourers of Hereticks well-Wishers to Navarre with whom they had presumed to speak and treat to which some Reasons and Excuses being returned the Pope at last permits them to enter Rome And at last the King himself gave fair Signes and Proffers to the Conference at Surenne not only of his being willing to be instructed in the Roman Religion but as it were ready to be of it This amazeth the Covenanters to the purpose the Legat protesteth against the Conference as dangerous that they could neither treat with nor admit of a peace with Navarre being a declared Heretick and that if they did either he for his part would quit the Kingdom and this he publish'd in Print that every one might take notice of it Nor were the Spaniard less concerned who fearing the Kings Conversion would make haste and be excepted of thinking to spoil it Nominates the Duke of Guise for Husband to the Infanta shewing it was so in his Instructions At this Mayenne is stung to the heart nor could he so much dissemble but his thoughts were perceived however he thanks them for their kindness to his Nephew and desires time till things were better prepared But this Nomination being known the Embassadors Nobles Citizens and every one flock to pay their service to Guise and give him joy his Palace is fill'd himself cried up and now they vapour of a new Kingling * Charles de Guisâ— Charles XI At all this the Dutchess of Mayenne is mad she frets storms and weeps three days and not able any longer to endure she falleth upon her troubled husband with Sighs Exclamations Threatnings and Railings jearing him as one that hath lost all his labour and pains if he who had hitherto borne the brunt must at last only thus truckle to his young Nephew The Duke also thus perplext to see himself as it were laid aside puts many into young Guise his head demands strange and exorbitant Conditions of the Spaniard for performance yet thinking
without concluding any thing and one not willing to agree as long as he had any means and opportunity to oppose But the King being good natured waved all his jealousies made a firm peace with him kept him his Favourite and he himself ever after lived a good subject And to this Agreement 't is supposed the fair Gabrielle did not a little perswade the King she losing nothing by making such reconcilements Now the Duke of Nemours the elder Brother died a little before a fierce Covenanter reconciles himself also so doth the Duke of Joyeuse the City of Marseilles as seized on too and delivered to the King so that now nothing seem'd to remain of their Solemn League and Covenant but the Duke of Aumale and the Duke of Mercoeur The first would not acknowledge the King having submitted himself to year 1597 the Spaniard for which he was declared a Traitor and in Effigie was executed by the drawing of it in pieces by four horses The second being Brother to the Queen Dowager still maintain'd part of the Dutchy of Bretaigne foolishly hoping to separate that Province from the Crown and retain it to himself The King had often offered him good Conditions but still he delayed time which at last so troubled his Majesty that he resolved to march into Brittany himself to reduce year 1597 him which Mercoenr perceiving and by consequence his ruine not far off claps up a Peace by giving his only daughter to Caesar eldest son of the fair Gabriele by the King which son by this great Match was made Duke of Vendosme And now also was struck up a compleat year 1598 Peace at Vervins between the French and Spaniard And thus ended the French League and Rebellion But before we leave this League we will give you a chip of the old block whereby you may perceive other designes on foof to take away the Kings life The Duke of Parma Governour of the Netherlands dying 1592. Thuan. lib. 123. â—ledaye de Mons ce la Martelâ—ere p. 97 98. Ernest Arch-Duke of Austria and Brother to the Emperour Rodolph II. succeeded in that Command and with him at Bruxels resided N. Malavicinus Embassador from Pope Clement VIII which Agent had formerly acted at Parts very earnestly for the Covenanters Nor did his zeal lessen by a farther distance for here he consulted all means to get some body to assassinate the French King Henry IV. At last informed that one Charles Ridicove a Dominican Friar at Ghent had shewed himself a mortal enemy to Navarre and would be apt enough to undertake such a wickedness Malavicino sends to the Provincial commanding him to send Ridicove to him which is obey'd The Dominican being come to Bruxels and acquainted with the noble Exploit desireth that the Deed might be approved of by the Pope and Cardinals that himself and friends might be rewarded and himself Conveniences allowed Malavicino consenting and undertaking for all the Conditions are agreed on * It may be the true name was D'avesnes the same with that me tâ—ored iâ— Histoire de la paix entre les Roys de France d'Espagne fol. 144. Avenaria Mother to Ridicove who also knew of the Plot in Confession telleth it to Hodume the Jesuit who liketh the Fact well enough but desireth to see the hardy fellow 't is granted and having view'd him well approveth of all but fears the man is not strong enough In short Ridicove is blest and crost by Malavicino and liberty granted him for the better carrying on the business to appear Gentleman-like to ride fence dance and such like Accomplishments Thus qualified he departs the Netherlands goeth to Vernand thence to St. Denys where finding the thing difficult or not fully resolved or hardy enough to venture he returneth to Brussels Malavicino seeing him and nothing done wonders at his negligence Ridicove excusing himself because he now perceived the King was turn'd Romanist To take off this Malavicino tells him he is mistaken the Bearnois being damned by the Pope all his Partakers excommunicated and so ask'd him if he would once undertake it again the Villain consents but desires the Popes Authority At last he is perswaded to try the other bout in France so disguiz'd he departed with an excuse in his mouth as if he had been sent by Nicholas Basta a Commander at Antwerp who was also privy to the Plot to treat underhand about the delivering up of Bapaulme a strong little place on the Frontiers of Artois to the King At this time one Pet. Arger a Dominican also of the same Monastâ—ry of Gant had been trucking at Bruxels with Malavicino about the Kings death which he undertook to perform some Italians loving to be sure in Murther Ridicove in the mean time changeth his name and from his Mother calls himself * d'Avesnes Avenarius thus he goeth to Amiens waiteth upon the Governour with whom thinking to get the greater repute and not to be discovered himself he the false Avenarius telleth him of one Ridicove instigated by Malavicino to kill the King and to this he addeth also the design of Peter Arger The Governour inform'd the King of all who sendeth for this supposed Avenarius who boldly affirm'd the same stories to his Majesty and that Ridicove being his intimate friend had disclosed the same to him In short the King till a further discovery hath Avenarius imprison'd though at last doubting least this might only be a trick to cast an Odium and Jealousie upon Albert the Cardinal Arch-Duke and Archbishop of Toledo who upon the death of his Brother Ernest was then Governour of the Netherlands and so to hinder the peace between the two Crowns then consulting on the King ordered the fellow to be set at liberty but to depart the Kingdom and to return no more upon pain of death Ridicove getting to Gant consulteth again how to kill the King and haviâ—g joyn'd himself with another Dominican call'd Clement Odin and disguising themselves in the habits of Heremites trudge into France discover their design to Pierre Morell a Curate who relateth it to Desidere Parisote who abhorring the Fact tells the King whereby the Friars are secured examin'd and being ask'd what could excite them to such a deed Ridicove Answer'd That he was first instigated to entertain such thoughts by the daily Sermons and Disputations which he had heard fitted for such Actions it being the custom not only in their Churches but the street and all other meetings to extol Jacques Clement as a most glorious Martyr for sacrificing his life for the liberty of his Countrey whereby he also thought the deed to be glorious and acceptable to God especially when Malavicino did warrant it to him by the Authority both of God and the Pope and thus fully perswaded he had undertaken the Murther for which he was condemn'd and executed At the same time there was one Nicolas l'Anglois a Capuchin Friar belonging to that Monastery in St. Miel or St. Michel