and Sommerset and the Earle of Deuonshire with an hundred and forty moe were attainted also and disherited so fortune dallieth in setting the dice of her fauours or frownes 12 Queene Margaret stored with men but in want of money with her French powers made into Scotland whose comming was most welcome to the two Kings there and thence with great shew of enterprize hoised her sailes for England but hauing touched the â—…y of Tinmouth whether vpon better aduise or feared with their owne shadowes shee with her French put backe to the Sea where such a sore tempest tooke them as had not Queene Margaret in a small Caruell got vnto Barwicke shee had not liued to vexe the new King nor seene the vnfortunate losse of her husband her son and Realme nor the miserable calamities of her owne old age her French by Bastard Ogle were heaâ—…e into Holy Iland many slaine and foure hundred of them put to their ransomes 13 This â—…inting French enterprize though it dulled the edge of some spirits yet did it nothing daunt the courage of the Queene her better hopes being fixed vpon the Scots valour so leauing Prince Edward for safetie in Barwicks with her husband and Scots shee entred Northumberland tooke the Castle of Bamburgh and so passed forward vnto the Bishopricke their forces daily increasing through the confluence of such English 〈◊〉 fauoured King Henrie 14 King Edward hearing these stirres in the North made his preparation both by Sea and Land and with his brethren and Nobles came to Yâ—…rke from whence he sent Iohn Neuil Lord 〈◊〉 with a power of men as some what mistrusting the loialties of the Northumbrians who passing forward vpon Hâ—…gely-Moore was sodeinely encountred by the Lords Hungerfâ—…rd and Roâ—…s with whom was Sir Ralph Ferciâ—… a most valiant Knight but Montaâ—… accompanied with such as would neither looke backe nor stand gaâ—…ing on â—…hode the encounter and at the first push put back the two â—…ords and 〈◊〉 slew the said 〈◊〉 who no waieâ—… would depart out of the field but in dying said I have saued the 〈◊〉 in my â—…rest meaning this oath mâ—…e to King 〈◊〉 15 valiantly 〈◊〉 their Camp as after great slaghter saith Grafton hee fled into Scotland which is more likelie 16 Edward thus cleered of the Cloud threatning storme thought best ere others did light to prouide for himselfe and therefore he raised Bulwarks built new Fortresses in places of danger put forth his espials vpon the Marches of Scotland and commanded that none should keepe Henrie or Margaret in secret whose sight he feared would draw the affections of many which otherwise stood in case of obedience But ouer-borne Henrie whether past al feare or inforced by destinie in disguised apparell past into England where he was soone apprehended by one Caâ—…tlow but Stow saith by Thomas Talbot in Cletherwood besides Bungerley Hipping stones in Lancashire being betraied in Waddington Hall as he sate at dinner and thence brought to London with his legs bound to the stirrups arrested by Warwicke his guilt spurres taken off and committed Prisoner to the Tower of London 17 The Lyon thus pent his pawes cut or pared and Queene Margaret in France with her father Reiâ—…er King Edward now quiet set his minde vpon Gouernment for the good of his Realme In his Court of Kings Bench he vsed to sit in person certaine daies together to see how his lawes proceeded with Iustice ordained penall Statutes against excessiue pride in Apparell especialle against long picked shooes then vsually worne which grew to such an extreme that the pikes in the Toes were turned vpward and with siluer chaines or silke laces tied to the knee But among many good prouisions one proued very bad as the sequell shewes for concluding a league with King Henrie of Castile and Iohn King of Arragon he granted a licence to transport certaine numbers of Câ—…teswold Sheepe which are since growne to such an exceeding increase as the Clothes made of their woolles is a great hindrance to our Marchants which aduenture in the Leuant Seas 18 His next care was to finde a fit Queene both for the hope of issue to succeed and for alliance and power to assistâ—…ed were against Henries claime Fist therefore minding to send into Scotland to desire in marriage the Ladie Margaret sister to king Iames the third thereby to frustrate Hâ—…tes further hope was made to belieue that the said Ladie was by reason of sickenesse not capable of conception which altogether declined his affection from that way Next as some say a motion was made for Lady Elizabeth sister and heire apparant vnto Henrie king of Castile as a much most conuenient considering king Edward had thereunto a Claime whose great Grandmother was one of the heires of Castile being the daughter of Don Peter the king besides which high match and combination of Alliances â—…hope was conceiued that the Dutchies of Guien and Aquitaine might be recouered by the assistance of these Castilians without great charge or trauell to the English But the tender spring of the one and the lusty growth of the other would not be grafted into one stocke to 〈◊〉 fruitâ—… shee little aboue 〈◊〉 and he about twenty three 〈◊〉 unfit to â—…taine till shee could giue him content 19 A third Princesse 〈◊〉 against whom feared This match being most approued in counsell none was held more fit to solicite the businesse then Lord Richard Neuil the great Earle of Warwick a man esteemed for power a Demy-King and for magnificence and hospitality matchlesse in whose house at London as some haue verified sixe oxen were spent euery day and most Tauernes in the City full of his meat 20 Warwicke in great state arriued at Tours his message knowne was accordingly entertained in the French Court where he wrought the Queen her selfe to be the chiefest Agent who drew on her sister Bona with recommending the state and stile of a magnificent Queene a sound very tunable in a Ladies eare and her husband Lewis with assurance of a potent and wise Allie a pleasing theame to soft natured Princes as the French King was And indeed to all shee vndertooke all good contentments so as on that side all things were cleare and Warwicke dismissed with Courtly French complements the Earle Damp-martin was to passe into England for the finall confirmation 21 But whilest Warwicke had beene industriously wooing in France King Edwards affection in England was working another way for being on hunting in the Forrest of Wychwood beside Stony-Stratford hee there found other game that made game in his eye which was the Lady Elizabeth Gray attending the Dutchesse of Bedford her mother who then soiorned at his Mannour of Grafton whither hee repaired for his recreation She had beene attendant vpon Queene Margaret the wife of King Henry the sixt and had
English and the Duke of Burgundies subiects Shine also was burnt and being new builded called Richmund for which and the like it will be fittest to haue recourse to vulgar Annals 62 The Coast of State now seeming clearefrom al thickning weather Ferdinando and Isabella King Queen of Spain according to the points of agreemēt betweene them and King Henry concerning their fourth daughter the Lady Katherine borne at Alcala de Finari or Complutum sent her royally appointed in a goodly Flete to England there to fulfill in person what hitherto had beene onely treated of who after many difficulties tooke land at Plimouth in October Ferdinando her father was the sonne of Iohn King of Arragon and Sicilia and although he was vnlearned as being brought vp among armes and souldiers yet by vsing the familiarity of wisemen he also became very wise and proued that great Prince which first in these latter times recalled the old glorie of Spaine and reared it to such an enuious magnitude as that the iealousie thereof hath bred no small quarrels in Christendome For by his marriage with Isabella sole sister and heire to Henry the fourth King of Castile and Leon he raigned in right of his wife and iointly with her oner those two Kingdomes and their appurtenances who together saith Marineus of Sicilia did admirable things and workes most holy They recouered the huge City and Kingdome of Granada and part of Andaluzia from the Moores after they had beene in violent possession thereof seuen hundreth and fourescore yeeres and hauing purged those places from the filth of Mahomets superstitions built Churches to the honour of Iesus Christ by occasion whereof Ferdinando was surnamed the Catholike King The walles of the Citie of Granada at the time of the surrender which after about tenne yeeres warres was by V◅bdelis King thereof made to Ferdinando and Isabella had twelue miles in compasse and in the same twelue Gates and a thousand towres enclosing seuen Hilles couered with building innumerable people and inestimable riches the Spanish forces at this conquest were about 12000. Horse one hundred thousand foot The said King and Queene besides many other their mighty actions did also first discouer America by Christopher Columbus thereby brought a whole new world to the notice of Christendom Isabella her self descended of the blood roial of England being daughter of Iohn the second King of Castile Leon son of Henrie the third King of Castile and Leon and of Katherine his wife daughter of Iohn Duke of Lancaster third sonne of our Edward the third of triumphall and neuer-dying memorie was a Ladie whose like the Christian world had seldom any of that wisdome grauity chastity and of so laborious a deuotion that she did not onely day by day performe the Canonicall and howerly taske of prayers vsed by Priests but many other and brought vp her children accordingly 63 The Lady Katherine being about eighteene yeeres old and borne of so great so noble so victorious and vertuous parents is with iust maiesty and solemnity openly married in Paules Church to Arthur Prince of Wales aged about fifteene yeeres and eldest sonne to Henry the seuenth King of England and of Elizabeth his wife The Archbishop of Canterbury assisted with nineteene Bishops and Abbots mitred ioyned their hands and performed all the other Church rites vpon that great day The vulgar Annals can tell you the splendor and glorie thereof in apparrell iewels Pageants banquets guests and other princely complements the onely weighty businesse of many weaker braines A graue Lady as som haue written was laid in bed between the Bride and Bridegrome to hinder actuall consummation in regard of the Princes greene estate of body but others alleadge many arguments to proue that matrimoniall performance was between thē howsoeuer her self when that afterward came in question appealed to the conscience of K. Henry the eight her second husband if hee found her not a maide But Prince Arthur enioyed his marriage a very short while for in Aprill following hee died at Ludlow being vnder sixteene yeeres of age being a Prince in whose youth the lights of all noble vertues did cleerely beginne to shine His aptnesse to learn was almost incredible for by the report of his Master hee had either learned without booke or otherwise studiously turned and reuolued with his own hands eies these authors following In Grammar Garin Perot Sulpicius Gellius and Valla In Poetrie Homer Virgil Luc◅n Ouid Silius Plautus and Terence In Oratorie Tullies Offices Epistles Paradoxes and Quintilian In Historie Thucydides Liuie Caesars Commentaries Suetonius Tacitus Plinius Valerius Maximus Salust Eusebius Wherein wee haue beene particular to signifie what Authors were then thought fitte to bee elementary and rudimentall vnto Princes and by their example to all of Noble or gentle birth whose superficiall boldnesse in books in these frothy dayes is become most scandalous and iniurious to the honour and vse of learning 64 But before the vntimely expiration of this great hope of England King Henry weary of warres and tumults and desirous to lay the beginnings of a long peace by most inward friendship with all his great neighbours had concluded a match betweene Margaret his eldest daughter and Iames the fourth King of Scotland the assurance whereof was published in the February next before Prince Arthurs death at Paules Crosse in reioycement whereof Te Deum was sung and other signes of publike ioy declared The Bishoppe of Rosse saith that the Earle of Bothwell did openly handfast or espouse the said faire Lady in the name of King Iames at Pauls Crosse being Saint Paules day This contract was brought about in manner following After that the storme of warre had by mediation as before said beene throughly laid betweene the two sister Nations it chanced certaine of the Scots by their suspitious behauiour and rough Phrases to prouoke the Garrison of Norham Castle to issue who in the bickering slew and hurt some of them and droue the rest away King Iames expostulates this violence very sharply by letters with King Henry who returned most satisfactory answeres Richard Fox Bishop of Durham whose the men and Castell were wrote also many deprecatory letters humbly praying the Scotish King to accept amends wherunto hee in the end inclined and hauing some matters of farre greater moment to impart desired the Bishops presence in Scotland knowing his deepe wisdome and great grace with his Soueraigne which King Henry gladly assented vnto The meeting was at Melrose an Abbey of Cistertian Monkes where the King abode who hauing roundly vttered to the Bishoppe his offence conceiued for the breach of good termes at Norham Castell and yet being finally pleased to receiue satisfaction hee then secretly discouered his whole mind the summe whereof was That the king of England would be pleased to giue to him in mariage the
thâ—… Tragicall effects * Polyd. Verg. A counterfeit Earle of Warwick executed * Addit to Fab. * Holinshed The true Earle of Warwicke designed to die * Stowes Annal. Perkin condemned executed A. D. 1499. An. Reg. 15. The Earle of Warwicks ruined by Perkins conspiracie Io. Sotw Annal. The Earle confesseth the enditement * Sir F. B. MS. Edward Earle of Warwicke last Male Plausageâ—… beheaded * Ioh. Stow. Annal. * Sir Fr. B. MS. * Polyd. Verg. A. D. 1501. An. Reg. 17. The Lady Katherine of Spaine landed in England Polyd. Verg. in Henirc 7. * Add. to Feb. * Res edmirabiles opera 〈◊〉 * Franc. Tarapha de Reg. Hisp. The briefe of 〈◊〉 and â—…bellas greatest actions * Luc. Marin Sic. Lib. 10. Isabella Queene of Spaine descended from our Edward the 3. King of England * Auton Hebriâ—… Decad I. lib. 1. * Polyd. Verg. 〈◊〉 Hen. 7. * Luc. Marin Sic. Prince Arthur married * Addit to Fab. saith on a Sunday the feast of S. Erkenwald * 10. Stows Annal. Prince Arthur dieth * Bern. Andr. MS. Prince Arthurs bookes and learning A. D. 1501. An. Reg. 17. * The coÌ„tract betweene Iames King of Scots and Lady Margaret published * Ioh. Stow Annal. in Iac. 4. * Polyd. virg Episc. Ross. Bishop Fox his presence desired by the Scotish King * Episc. Ross. ex Polyd. verg King Henries answere to an obiection against the match with Scotland A. D. 1502 An. Reg. 18. King Henry a Widdower and Henry his sonne created Prince of Wales * See in the life of Henry the 8 * 〈◊〉 Stow Ananl K. Henry brings his daughteâ—… the Lady Margares on the way to Scotland * Epis. Ross. The Earle of Northumberlâ—… deliuers her to King Iames within Scotland * Iâ—… Iac. 4. The immediate happy effect of this marriage * A. D. 1506 A. R. 21. * Addit to Fab. cals him Duke A Prince of the bloud roiall arraigned for murther of a priuate person The Earle of Suffolke causeth troubles Polyd. Verg. Edw. Hal. Hollinsh * Io. Stow. Annal. * Polyd. Verg. Apprehensions of persons for the Earle of Suffolkes cause * Polyd. Verg. The misery of great subiect and a lesson for theÌ„ Executions for the Earle of Suffolkes cause * Stowes Annal. * Add. to Fab. * Addit to Fab. The Earle or Duke of Suffolke and Sir Robert Curson others accursed Antiquit. Britan. in Mortons life names Innocentius and not Alexander * Polyd. Uerg. Antiquis Brit. in vita Morton Antiquit. Britan. Ibidem Philip the first King of Spaine and his Queene driuen by tempests into England A. D. 1506. An. Reg. 21. * Ioh. Stow. Annal. Polydor saith Wayâ—…outh * Io. Sotw Annal. The Kings of England and Spaine at Windsore Polyd. Verg. The Earle of Suffolke deliuered vp and sent to the Tower The ominous fall of the weather cocke of Pauls * Suet. in Ang. cap. 97. King Henries gathering of treasure * Nâ—…n tam seueritatis quam anaritia tela esse clamabant * Sir F. B. MS King Henry giues way to the needlesse molestation of his people * Sir Fr. B. MS Addit to Hard. The foule practises vsed to empouerish the subiect * Cor. Tacit. * Polyd. Verg. * 10. Stow Annals A. D. 1508. A. R. 23. The King falleth sicke Pol. Verg. King Henry seeks to assure his daughter Mary to Charles King of Castile The French King sends for aduise to the King of Scots * Epis. Ross. * Polyd. Verg. The Lade Mary promised to King Charles A. D. 1508. A. Reg. 24. K. Henry the 7. dies * Iohn Stowe Generall pardons granted by the King * Sir Fr. B. MS. Io. Stow. Annal. The yeere of his age and raigne A Saint lost for want of pay * Cambden in Surrey See more Supra in Edward 4. §. 79. 80. * Addit to Fab. King Henry saluted Defensor of Christs Church by three Popes Monarch 58 Henry VIII A. D. 1509. King Henry his birth place Polydor. The most learned King of Christendomâ—… King Henry and Queene Katheâ—… crowned Edw. Hall King Henry vsed to sit often in Councell him selfe in person Dudley Empson Ioh. Stow. Hollinsh pag. 791. Edw. Hall In Yocester Northamptonshire Edmund Dudley condemned Io. Sotw Annal. K. Heâ—…ies iustice and charity commended Holinsh. Henry a goodly man of shape and stature K. Henries great strength The Popes letters vnto King Henry K. Henry demanded France Iohn Lesly Bishop of Rosse A. D. 1510. K. Henry maketh league with many Princes Guiccardin King Henry entreth France An. Reg. 1. Edw. Hal. Sleidans Com. The Emperour serueth K. Henry Anglorum praelia Paulus Iouius Battell of Spurs A. D. 1513 August 24 Terwin wonne and the Citâ—…zens sworne vnto Henry Edw. Hall Turnay befieged by K. Henry The strength of Turnay A. D. 1513. Octob. 2. King Henry in triumph entred Turnay Ioh. Lesly K. Iames of Scotland incited by the French King Edw. Hal. Holinsh. See the contents of this letter in Ioh. Leslie Bishop of Rosse dated at Edenbrough the twenty sixt of Iuly in A. D. 1513. Lions terrified at K. Henries answeres See the contents of this letter in Holinshed dated from the Campe at the fiege of Terwin the 12. of August A. D. 1513. Iames King of Scotland enters England Thomas Earle of Surrey King Henries Lieutenant maketh towards the Scots Lord Howard profereth battel vnto K. Iames. King Iames accepteth of battel Iohn Lesly The fight begun Paulin 〈◊〉 The Scots at the first encounter be at the English backe The battels ioin The Scots put to flight The valiant courage of K. Iames. 〈◊〉 king of Scots slaine with 12. Earles and 17. Lords The Honourable receiuing of Cardinall Campiut Matth. 21 9. The Cardinals rich treasures shewed in Cheap side Charles the Emperour cometh into England Iohn Stow. Rich. Turpin King Henrie goeth into France Rich. Grafton Edw. Hall A. D. 1521. An. Reg. 13. Variance betwixt England and France Iohn Stow. R. Grafton Taken out of the Cardinals owne letters dated Ianuary 16. Anno. 1524. Duke Burbon made King Henries Captaine General Instructions of King Henry dated in Anno 1524. Rich. Pace Secretarie The English Embassages into forraine States The wrongs done by the French vnto the English Iohn Lest. The Queenes Dowry vapaid A. D. 1522. A generall muster Io. Stow. Charles the Emperour commeth againe into England Holinsh. in Anno 18. Henrie 8. The Emperour affianceth Lady Mary Iohn Sleidan Com. K. Henry wrote against Martin Luther The Popes Oration at the deliuery of K. Henries booke Ex Original Troubles in Ireland Holinsh pag. 84. Discention betwixt the Lord Deputies of Ireland Kildare accused to the Cardinall The Cardinals speech at the Counsell Table against Kildare Kildare interrupteth the Cardinals tale The Lords tender Kildare He answereth the Cardinals obiection In what ease stand the Noblemen of Ireland with Rebels Kildare committed to prison Kildare accused for suborning of Traitors Kildar committed to the Tower Kildares noble
Iuory dressed with richest bedding and furniture of gold wherein was laid his image protraited to the life but yet in manner of a sicke man On the left side sate all the Senators and Princes in blacke mourning weeds on the right all the great Ladies cladde in white which then was the mourning colour of that Sexe The Physitians diligently comming to visit him and feeling his pulse as if he were aliue doe signifie that his disease did still increase vpon him This they all did seuen daies together at last as if then hee were dead all the prime of the Nobility carrie him in his Iuorie Bed to the * Forum where all the Patrician youth Noble Virgins incompassed him with most dolefull Hymnes and ruefull ditties Thence againe he was remoued to Mars his field where was erected a foure-square frame of Timber of a huge height and compasse the stories still mounting to the toppe with sundry ascents and richly beautified with strange varieties of gold and purple ornaments and images of great Art and price On the second of which ascents was placed the Emperours said Bed and Statue with infinite store of sweetest odours brought thither from all parts of the Citie which done the yong Nobles brauely mounted on Horsebacke rid round about in a kinde of dance or measure and another sort likewise who represented great Princes in their Coaches whereupon his successor in the Empire first setting fire to the frame forthwith all the people did the like on all sides and when the whole began to be on flame an Eagle secretly enclosed within was let fly out of the toppe which soaring a great height and out of sight the people followed it with shouts and praiers supposing that therewith the Emperours soule was carried vp to heauen And thus Seuerus which was before a man of Gods making was now become a God of mans making and the more to preserue the memory of his fathers glory Caracalla erected a magnificent Edifice which he instiled Seuerus his Porch wherein with most exquisite Art and admired workmanship were portraited all his Fathers warres and triumphs atchieued here in Britaine or elsewhere 3 But presently after these two vngodly sonnes of this new supposed God so much emulated each others glory that the deadly sparkes of enuy blowne a long time with the bellowes of their ambitious desires brake out into the flames of murther and blood being brethren by one Father but not by the same mother as it is said in this only like that they were both starke naught though both in contrarie kinds of Vices And albeit the Empresse Iulia had sought by all meanes to make peace betwixt them both formerly here in Britaine and now after their returne to Rome yet the desire of a sole Soueraignty had beene a long time so rooted in Bassianus his heart for which he had twice attempted his Fathers life and so much hasted his death that hee slew his Physitians because they had dispatched him no sooner could not indure an equall much lesse a confronter in authority and therefore in the Court and in the armes of the Empresse he slew her sonne Geta in a time least suspected when he had sate with him in state and disdaine the terme of one yeare and twenty two daies 4 And to cloake this fratricide with shew of constraint first to the Souldiers and then in the Senate he accuseth his Brother to haue sought his death and that in defence of his owne life he was forced to slay the other and flying to the Pretorian Cohorts for the safetie of his life as though further conspiracies had been intended against him in the City at his return commanded Papinianus the famous Ciuilian to excuse the murther in his Pleas at the Barre which when he refused hee caused him to bee slaine as also all those that had beene acquainted with Geta whereby so many of the Nobilitie perished that he was thereby accounted another Nero in Rome and by his fauorites the name of Geta was raced out of all monuments imperiall inscriptions as we haue seene some of thē defaced vpon some Altar stones found here in Brit. 5 Of nature he was subtile and could well dissemble with them whom hee feared and make shew of loue where hee deadly hated alwaies fitting himselfe to the humours of flatteries Among the Germans counterfetting their gate and garments In Greece be like Alexander bearing his necke somewhat awry In Troy would resemble Achilles alwaies so Camelion-like as the Romans his followers were therewith ashamed In a word Caracalla saith Dio neuer thought of doing good because as himselfe confessed he neuer knew any goodnes 6 And to fill vp the measure of all iniquitie as one regardlesse of humanity or shame he married Iulia his mother in law late wife to his owne Father a sinne saith S. Paul not to be named among the Gentiles and by Sext. Aur. Eutrop. and Spar. reported vpon this occasion It fortuned that Iulia in presence of Caracalla either by chance or of purpose rather let fall the vaile which she wore discouering thereby her naked breasts and beauty which was great whereat the Emperour casting his lasciuious eie and bewraying his affection presently said Were it not vnlawfull I should not be vnwilling to whom she replied without respect of modesty that all things were lawfull to him that made lawes for others but was subiect himselfe to none forgetting at once both the murther committed vpon Geta her sonne and the scandals that accompanied so foule a sinne the pleasure wherof they did not long enioy both their deaths by Gods vengeance soone after ensuing 7 For Caracalla remaining in Mesopotamia and carrying as it seemeth a guilty conscience and suspition of his life sent to Maternus whom hee had left Gouernour of Rome to assemble all the Astrologers Mathematicians vnto which learned imposters he alwaies gaue especiall credit and of them to enquire how long he should liue and by what death he should die Maternus hauing so done wrote for answere that Macrinus his Prefect of the Praetorium then with him in his expeditiōs went about to murther him Which is thought rather in enuy of Macrinus to haue beene fained then by any Astrologicall directions so giuen forth This letter and others comming to Caracalla his hand at such time as hee was busie about his disport he deliuered them to Macrinus to reade and giue him the report at his returne In perusall wherof finding himselfe to be accused of Treason and fearing lest by the sequell hee might bee brought into greater danger he incensed one Martial a Centurion whose brother the Emperour had lately slaine to murther him which was soone performed and occasion in the fields offred for Caracalla stepping aside from his traine to ease nature Martial as though he had beene called ran hastily in without hindrance or suspect and with his dagger stabbed him
was like him in all vertuous conditions by him was ordained to succeed in his Dominions whereby hee became the thirteenth King of the Mercians and the eighteenth Monarch of the Englishmen in the yeere of our Lord seuen hundred ninety seuen At home he was an example of piety peace and religion set the scale of Iustice without respect to all alike abroad temperate humble and courteous without vain ostentation or ambitious conceits in warres hee was stout and victorious in peace studious to enrich his subiects briefly at all times so carrying himselfe that enuie could not touch him with her tongue 2 Whether vpon a new quarrell begun or the old retained as inheritable to the Mercians against those of Kent I cannot say but true it is that in the entrance of his raigne he entred that Prouince with a great host of men and in a fore fought field discomfited the Kentish and carried away prisoner their King whose sirname was Pren. His kingdome hee gaue to Cuthred and kept him captiue in Mercia to his great griefe and his subiects dishonour 3 But Kenwolfe in peace minding the works of true piety gaue himself to the building of a goodly Church at Winchcombe in Glocestershire where vpoÌ„ the day of dedication in the presence of Cuthred assigned his Viceroy in Kent thirteene Bishops ten Dukes many Nobles and a great concourse of people he led Pren this Kentish captiue vp to the high Altar and there without either his entreaty or ransome for Redemption released and set him free shewing thereby his deuotion to God and the heroicall parts of a magnanimous Prince 4 His raigne was twenty two yeares and death in Anno eight hundred nineteene beeing solemnely buried in the Church of the Monastery at Winchcombe aforesaid which himselfe had founded His Wife 5 Elfryd the wife of King Kenwolfe hath not her parentage certainely reported by any of our Historians yet some later vpon a likelihood of her name the place and time agreeing haue thought her to be the daughter of Offâ—… affianced to King Ethelbert as hath beene said but in these obscurities coniecture may wander astray His Children 6 Kenelm the sonne of King Kenwolfe and of Queene Elfryde his wife was very yong at his fathers death and succeeded in the Mercians Kingdom but not in the Monarchy of the English King Egbert the West-Saxon King then growne too great And in the same yeare that he beganne his raigne by the treason of his vnnaturall sister hee was murthered and first obscurely buried but afterwards solemnly remoued and reposed neere to his Father in the Monastery of Winchcombe as in the Mercian Kings successions wee haue said 7 Quendred the eldest daughter of King Ken-Wolfe and Lady Elfryd his Queene after the decease of her father ambitiously aspiring to compasse the sway of the Mercian Kingdome wholy to her selfe wickedly conspired the death of her brother King Kenelme which was traiterously acted by Askebert her instrument who had the charge of him but the same turning to her reproch for very shame of so damnable a deed shee within short time after ended her life but not her ignominie 8 〈◊〉 the yonger daughter of King Kenwolfe and of Queene Elfryd hath not been so famous to posterity as her sister Quendred was for her infamous Act notwithstanding she may reasonably be supposed to haue lead a better life and to haue died a better death especially of vs who find her noâ—… sâ—…ained with any aspersion of misdeseruing EGBERT THE EIGHTEENTH KING OF THE WEST-SAXONS THE NINETEENTH BVT FIRST SOLE AND ABSOLVTE MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH-MEN HIS ACTS WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXXI THe Saxon Heptarchy drawing now to a period the spring of an entire Monarchie began to shew it selfe and the glory of the Englishmen more cleerely to arise for thongh they had weakned each other by their own wars yet stood their power strong in the possession of the whole and the ouerborne Britaines held still at the worst 2 But such is the dispose of the sole disposer of Empires that they haue their risings their fuls and their fals neuer staying in one and the same point neither entailed to one and the same Nation how strong politicke or populous soeuer The proofe whereof is apparant in all the Kingdomes of the earth and this of ours as mutable as any whose change of State vnto and in this seuen-fold Gouernment hath hitherto beene seene the seuerall Kings thereof long contending to branch their own fountaines furthest and fairest lastly let them fall into one streame which so meeting made a more famous confluence in this Monarchy then the seauen heads of Nilus in the Egyptian Sea 3 Formerly the Kentish South-Saxons East-Angles Northumbrians and the Mercians through no lesse then eight descents had worne the Emperiall Diademe whose rayes shone now so bright in the West-Saxons eyes that they againe sought to reestate themselues in so glorious a possession For whereas Brightrik was possessed and contented with the West-Saxon Crowne neither that worne without iealousie and feare yet others of the bloud royall from Cherdik raised the wings of their soaring thoughts much higher among whom Egbert was one neither the last nor the least in the opinion of the people or suspect of his Prince 4 This Egbert hauing commaund of some part of that Prouince so carried himselfe that his fame grew fearefull to Brightrik the King and hatefull to the enuious Ethelburg his most proud Queene by whom he was enforced first to secure himselfe with the Mercian Offa and lastly constrained to flie into France where vnder Charles the Great he turned his aduersity into an occasion of his valour by seruing in his warres and learned by his politicke gouernment how to rule a quiet or disturbed State 5 But King Brightriks death acted and his Queene the contriuer banished Egbert is solicited to the wearing of the West-Saxon crowne where hee became the eighteenth King in number and nineteene yeares after the nineteenth Monarch of the Englishmen entring his raigne the yeare of Christ Iesus eight hundreth being the same yeare that Charles was made Emperour of the West and Conwall then ruling ouer the Scots 6 His first warres were against the Cornish and their associats the Welsh both of them a remnant of the old Britaines who had beene oftentimes vanquished but neuer would seeme to be subdued and for foureteene yeares continuance held side against Egbert which their resistance so prouoked his furie that hee enacted a most seuere law against them commanding that no Britaine should presume to passe ouer great Offaes ditch and present death to them that durst set foot vpon any English ground Their great Caer-legion now West-chester hee tooke from them and at London from their West-gate cast downe the brasen Image of Cadwallo there set vp by the Britaine 's for a terrour to the Saxons as we haue said
of her self â—… Hath my beauty thought she been courted of a King famoused by report compared with Helens and now must be hid Must I falsifie and bely Natures bounties mine owne value and all mens reports only to saue his credit who hath impaired mine and belied my worth And must I needs defoule my selfe to be his only faire foule that hath kept me from the State and seat of a Queene I know the name of a Countesse is great and the Wife of an Earle is honourable yet no more then birth and endowments haue assigned for me had my beauty been far lesse then it is He warnes me of the end when his owne beginnings were with trechery tels me the examples of others but obserues none himselfe he is not ielous forsooth and yet I must not looke out I am his faire but others pitch fire wine bush and what not Not so holy as Wolfhild nor so white as Ethelfled and yet that must now be made far worse then it is I would men knew the heate of that cheeke wherein beauty is blazed then would they with lesse suspect suffer our faces vnmaskt to take aire of their eies and wee no whit condemnable for shewing that which cannot be hid neither in me shall come of it what will And thus resoluing to bee a right woman desired nothing more then the thing forbidden and made preparation to put it in practise Her body shee endulced with the sweetest balmes displaied her haire and bespangled it with pearles bestrewed her breasts and bosome with rubies and diamonds rich Iewels glittering like starres depended at her necke and her other ornaments euery way sutable And thus rather Angell then Lady-like shee attended the approach and entrance of the King whom with such faire obeisance and seemely grace she receiued that Edgars greedie eye presently collecting the raies of her shining beauty became a burning glasse to his heart and the sparkle of her faire falling into the traine of his loue set all his senses on fire yet dissembling his passions he passed on to his game where hauing the false Ethelwold at aduantage he ranne him through with a Iaueline and tooke faire Elfrida to his wife 15 These were the vertues and vices of this King little in personage but great in spirit and the first vnresisted Monarch of the whole Land whom all the other Saxons acknowledged their supreme without diuision of Prouinces or title He raigned sixteene yeeres and two moneths in great tranquillity and honour and died vpon tuesday the eighth of Iuly the thirty seuenth of his age and yeere of Christ 975. whose body with all funerall solemnitie was buried in the Abbey of Glasenburie His Wiues 16 Ethelfled the first wife of King Edgar was surnamed in the Saxon English Enâ—…a in Latine Candida which with vs is White because of her exceeding great beauty Shee was the daughter of a Duke amongst the East-Angles named Ordmar and was married vnto him the second yeere of his raigne and the eighteenth of his age being the yeere of Christs Natiuitie 961. She was his wife not fully two yeeres and died the fourth of his raigne in Anno 962. 17 Elfrida the second wife of King Edgar was the widow of slaughtered Ethelwold of whom wee haue said She was daughter to Ordgarus and sister to Ordulfe both of them Dukes of Deuonshire and the Founders of Tauestoke Abbey in that Countie a Ladie of passing great beauty and as ambitious as faire for after the Kings death she procured the murther of King Edward her sonne in law that her owne sonne Ethelred might come to the Crowne and afterwards to pacifie his and her first husbands ghost and to stop the peoples speeches of so wicked a fact she founded the Abbeys of Ambresbery Whorwell in the Counties of Wiltshire and South-hampton His Children 18 Edward the eldest sonne of King Edgar and Queene Ethelfled his first wife was born in the fourth yeere of his fathers raigne and a little before his mothers death in the yeere of Christ Iesus 962. He was a child disposed to all vertue notwithstanding great meanes was made by his mother in law for the disinheriting of him and the preferment of her owne son to the succession of the Crowne yet by prouident care taken in the life time of his father he succeeded him after his death as right heire both of his kingdome and conditions 19 Edmund the second sonne of King Edgar and the first of Queene Elfrida his second wife was borne in the seuenth yeere of his fathers raigne being the yeere of grace 965. He liued but foure yeeres and died in his infancie in the twelfth yeere of his fathers raigne and was honourably enterred in the Monasterie of Nunnes at Ramsey in Hampshire which King Edgar had founded 20 Ethelred the third sonne of King Edgar and the second of Queene Elfreda his second wife and the last of them both was borne in the eighth yeere of his fathers raigne and yeere of saluation 966. He was vertuously inclined beautifull in complexion and comly of stature at the death of his father being but seuen yeers old and at his brothers murther ten which deed he sore lamented to the great discontentment of his mother who for his aduancement had complotted the same and wherein at thâ—…se yeeres he vnwillingly succeeded him 21 Edgith the naturall daughter of King Edgar had to her mother a Lady named Wolfhild the daughter of Wolshelm the sonne of Byrding the sonne of Nesting the two latter bearing in their names the memorie of their fortunes the last of them being found in an Eagles nest by King Elfred as he was on hunting This Edgith was a vailed Nunne in the Monastery of Wilton and according to some Authors made Abbesse thereof by her father at fifteene yeeres of age saith her Legend She died the fifteenth day of September the yeere of her age twenty three the sixt of her brother King Ethelreds raigne and of Christ Iesus 984. By all which accounts it is manifest that she was borne before Edward and by Master Fox proued that for him and not for her King Edgar did his seuen yeeres penance She is greatly commended for her chastitie and beauty which later she somewhat augmented with more curious attire then to her profession was beseeming for which Bishoppe Ethelwold sharply reproued her who answered him roundly that God regarded the heart more then the garment and that sins might bee couered as well vnder rags as robes This Edgith as Iohn Capgraue reporteth after the slaughter of her brother Edward the holy Archbishop Dunstan would haue aduanced to the Crown inuested her against Ethelred the lawfull heire had she not by the late experience of Edwards fall vtterly refused that title which neither belonged to her right nor was safe for her person to vndertake Her body was buried at Wilton in the Monastery and Church of
Saint Denisse which her selfe had caused to bee built EDVVARD SVRNAMED THE MARTYR THE THIRTIE ONE MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH-MEN HIS RAIGNE AND DEATH CHAPTER XLIII GReat were the troubles sidings that presently ensued the death of King Edgar about the election of one of his sons to succeed Queene Elfrida with Alferus Duke of Mercia and many other Nobles combined for young Ethelred disauowing Prince Edward as illegitimate and therfore not reputable for succession against them and Ethelred stood Dunstan and the Monkes holding their states dangerous their new-gotten footing vnsure if in the nonage of the King these their opposites should rule all vnder him whereas Edward was altogether wrought in their mould whose title they abetted as being lawfully borne and begot in the nuptiall bed of Queene Ethelfleda Their claimes thus banded amongst these States-men began to be diuersly affected among the Commons and had put the game to the hazard if the wisedome of Dunstan had not seene to the chase for a Councell being assembled to argue their rights the Archbishop came in with his banner and crosse and not staying for further debating de iure did de facto present Prince Edward for their lawfull King and the assembly consisting most of Clergy-men perswading peace drew the approbation of the rest and so was the Prince admitted and proclaimed their Soueraigne 2 He beganne his raigne at twelue yeares of age in the yeare of Saluation 975 and was soone after by Archbishop Dunstan crowned King at Kingston vpon Thamesis being the thirtie one Monarch since Hengist of the Englishmen His beginning was miserably afflicted with barrennesse of the ground 〈◊〉 mine amongst his people morraiâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their further terrour a fearefullâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which men thought to bee signes from heauen as sent from God for the sinnes committed against the married Clergy whose cause was much pittied especially of the Nobles whose complaints of wrongs they instantly vrged that without deserts they were expulsed from their ancient possessions a thing which neither God nor goodmen euer allowed and was contrary to the prescript rule of Christ that wils vs to doe as wee would be done vnto whereto the Monkes answered that Christ respected neither the person nor place but onely them that tooke vp the Crosse of Penance and followed him as themselues in their single life pretended to doe But they good men little knew the incumbrances of wiuing for otherwise they would haue felt that the condition of the married was more truly a suffering of the Crosse and enduring of Penance 3 These Church men thus diuided and rent were diuersly sided as affection did moue and that not onely of the meaner sort but euen of the Nobles great Ones for the Mercian Duke Alferus fauouring the iust cause of married Priests destroied the Monasteries in his Prouince cast out the Monkes and restored againe the ancient reuenewes to them their wiues contrariwise in East-Anglia the Priests went to wracke where the Monks were maintained by the authority of Edelwin their Duke who in their quarrell with the assistance of his brother Alfred and of Brightuoth Earle of Essex raised a mighty Army and stood with that power for their defence 4 The fire thus blown from a sparke to a flame was feared to mount higher if not quenched in time and therefore by mediation armes laid aside the cause was referred to be heard in Councel at Winchester first the assembly was held where after long dispâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ch against the Monkes it was greatly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ide had 〈◊〉 â—…own 〈◊〉 â—…at the matâ—… vpon the refectorie Wall where the Councell sate To this great Oracle S. Dunstan desired them deuoutely to pray and to giue diligent eare for an answere who with as great bounty as they in deuotion made it not squemish to giue them this aduice God forbid it should be so God forbid it should be so said he you iudged well once and to change that againe is not good This was authority sufficient to suppresse the Priests who now with their wiues went downe the wind and indeed too blame they were to suspect this their Iudge who neuer was heard to giue wrong sentence before but they vnsatisfied men thought once more to blow the coale though therewith they were likely to burne their owne lips for perswading the people that this was but a subtile practise of the Monks in placing behind the wall a man of their owne who through a truncke vttered those words in the mouth of the Roode it was therfore instantly desired that the cause might once more come to scanning 5 This lastly was granted and a great assembly congregated at Cleue in Wiltshire whither repaired the Prelates with most of the States of the land besides Gentlemen and Commons an innumerable sort This Synode being set and the controuersie propounded a hote and sharpe disputation ensued and a while was maintained with many bitter inuectiues ill beseeming such persons But whether through the weakenesse of the foundation or the ouer-presse of weight or both the ioysts of this vpper-loft wherein the Councell was held suddainly brake and down fell the floore with all the people thereon whereof many were hurt and some slaine outright onely Archbishop Dunstan then President and mouth for the Monkes remained vnhurt for the Post whereon his chaire was set and not without miracle stood wholy vntouched Thus by this fall fel the cause of the secular Priests and the Monkish foundations vnderpropped with more surer pillars Dunstan vuburdened of many imputations the peoples affections drawne to the Monkes and the Priests at liberty now to accompany their wiues without any cure though not without care and all this was wrought by the prouidence of Dunstan and his strange preseruarion on the post no lesse wonderfull then that which with the like truth is related of him how when a huge beam of a house was suncke out of the frame and like to ruinate the whole building with onely making of the signe of the Crosse thereon with his fingers hee made it returne to his former place so wonderfully potent was he in such woodden miracles To which why should wee not giue credite since the very Harpe which hee had touched could worke miracles as when of it selfe it sounded melodiously that Hymne Gaudent in coelis animae Sanctorum c. Yea sith the blessed virgine Mary her selfe is said to haue come to solace him with her songs Cantemus Domino Sociae c. For as for Angels singing familiarly vnto him and Diuelsin shape of dogs foxes and beares whipped by him that was but ordinary as likewise his making the shee-diuel to roare when comming to tempt him to dalliance in shape of a beautifull lasse hee caught her by the nose with hote burning pincers and so spoilde a good face But to leaue those figments wherewith our Monkish stories are stuffed to
this King 5 But his vices were more and concerned more personnes for a great Epicure hee was and giuen much vnto Cuppes whereby he trained the body to belly cheere and sense to bee subiect to sloth and drunkennesse foure times euery day were his tables spred and plenteously with all Cates furnished euer commanding that his courtiers guests and seruants should rather leaue for superfluity then call for lack which howsoeuer it was in him accounted for Roiall bounty yet it caused in the people who vse to praise the Soueraignes vertues but imitate his vices a riotous loosenesse and the Common-weale to lie sicke of consumptions bred by such excesse of those grosse humours in her body 6 This wrought in him a carelesse neglect of gouernment in State so that â—…he whole managing thereof was committed to his mother Queene Emma a woman extreamely couetous and to Goodwin the rich and politicke Earle of Kent who seeing the present state carried wholy away with present pleasures thought that a fitte subiect for him to worke vpon for the King not married vnlesse it were to his lewd will and Edward likely to succeede of an ouer soft temperature hee thought these both might proue aduantageous to his ambition and therfore bethought him how the crowne might bee worne by him or his 7 Therefore to separate the hearts of the subiects from the Prince then which there can bee no greater a wound vnto both hee caused the King to impose heauy tributes vpon the English onely to pay the Danes in his Fleete appointing euerie common Souldier and Mariner to receiue eight markes in money euery officer and Master twelue which amounted to the summe of thirty two thousand one hundred forty seuen pounds for the payment whereof there was so great a grudge that two of the Collectors Thurstane and Feader were slaine by the Citizens of Worcester which caused their City to be burnt and part of the country spoiled by the Kings commaund and their Bishop Alfred expulsed the See till with money hee had purchased his peace This Bishops hands as was said were deepe in the murther of Prince Alfred the Kings half brother whom we spake of yea and Goodwin himselfe was put to his purgation by oath for the clearing of his suspitions in that treacherous and brutish fact which oath was the lighter vrged and the easier receiued for his rich and bounteous gifts immediately before presented to the King and that was a shippe whose sterne was of gold with fourescore souldiers therein placed all vniformely and richlie suited On their heads they al wore guilt Burgenets and on their bodies a triple guilt habergion a sword with guilt hilts girded to their wastes a battaile-axe after the manner of the Danes on their left shoulders a target with guilt bosses borne in their left hands a dart in the right their armes bound about with two bracelets of gold containing sixeteene ounces in weight 8 Aimundus Bremensis writing the Stories of those times sheweth that the three sonnes of Canute were possessed of the three Kingdomes England Denmarke and Norway though the father by Will had disposed of the first otherwise which moued Hardi-Canute much to maligne the roialtie of Harold whose Crowne by birth and couenant belonged to him and therfore with great preparation intending to recouer his right hee entred the Sea and came into Flanders where hauing notice of the vsurpers death his rage was staied and he peaceably came in and receiued the Crowne 9 And that Swein called the Younger King of Denmarke to assist his vncle Hardi-Canute against Harold the vsurper of Englands Crowne with a great Armie prepared thitherward and taking the Seas were by tempest driuen vpon the coasts of Hadelâ—… where his Armie doing some hurt was set vpon and discomfited by the souldiers of the Arch-bishoppe himselfe amongst them beeing taken prisoner and brought into the presence of the Arch-bishop was by him most honourably receiued and conueied vnto Breme who there entered a league with him and with gifts and other complements after a few daies suffered him to depart who likewise hearing of the death of King Harold returned backe to his owne Countrey where shortly after he was much molested by Magnus the sonne of Olaf then raigning King ouer the Norwegians 10 Hardi-Canute in England hearing of those stirres thought it his part to aid his Nephew King Sweyn against the inuasions of Magnus and therefore hee sent one Sueno his kinsman with an Armie of the English to reestablish King Sweyn in his Throne These entred Norway and the Field against the Norwegians but by them were so ouerlaied that hee left Magnus the vanquisher and returned againe for England but before hee could arriue the Shore King Hardi-Canute was dead with whom dyed the issue of that warre whose death was suddaine and after this manner 11 At the celebration of a great marriage contracted betwixt a Daenish Lord called Canut-Prudan and Lady Githa the daughter of a Noble-man whose name was Osgot Clappa in a solemne assembly banquet at Lambeth the eight of Iune reuelling and carousing amidst his cups hee suddainly feldown without speech or breath whose losse was the lesse lamented for his excesse riotousnesse and vnwonted exactions but chiefly because a much better was then to succeede him hauing himselfe had neither wife nor child that is read off Yea so farre were all sorts from bewailing him that in regard of the freedome from the Danish yoke which they attained by his decease euer since among the common people the day of his death is annually celebrated with open pastimes in the streetes as the old Romanes kept their fugalia for chasing out of their Kings which time is now called Hoctide or Hucxtide signifying a time of scorning or contempt which fell vpon the Danes by his death His body with all due obsequies was interred at Winehester by his fathers after hee had voluptuously raigned two yeeres lacking ten daies and departed his life and kingdome the yeere of Christ Iesus 1042. 12 With the death of this King died all rule of the Danes in this land and the sacred sparke of the Saxons fire through three of their successions buried in their owne ashes beganne now to take flame and to burne most bright which was Prince Edward now commonly called the Confessor the sonne of King Ethelred and albeit there were others betwixt him and the crowne as namely Edward and Edmund the sonnes of the Iron-side yet the one dying in Hungarâ—… without issue of body the other there liuing as a banished man by surname the Out-law was neither so well regarded nor thought so worthy of gouernement as this other Edward was whom therfore they sent for and with so great applause and acclamations proclaimed that the present ioy seemed to prognosticate a perpetuall happinesse to the English who had beene most miserably afflicted by the Daenes for the space of two hundred forty
Wolfe and sister to Sweyne the yonger King of Denmarke by Estrich his wife who was sister to Canute the great King of England and himselfe the second sonne of her borne whose elder brother was Sweyne that died on pilgrimage in his returne from Ierusalem and his yonger were Tosto Wilnod Grith and Leofrick 9 A former wife Earle Goodwin had whose name was Thira the sister of Canute a woman sold vnto wickednesse for making marchandize of Englands beauteous virgins into Denmarke shee solde them there at deare rates to satisfie her owne vnsatiate auarice and the lusts of the lasciuious Danes till a iust reward of Gods wrath fell on her by a thunderbolt falling from heauen wherewith shee was slaine to the great terrour of the beholders One sonne by her Earle Goodwin had who when hee was past childs age riding vpon a horse the gift of his Grandfather the King proudly giuing him the reine and spurre was violently borne into the riuer Thamesis and so sodainely drowned Thus much being premised of Harold before hee was King his raigne life and death wee will now addresse to declare 10 Edwards life ended and nothing determined touching his successor Harold the second day after being the day of his buriall made himselfe King none of the Nobility disliking what hee had done for courteous hee was of specch and behauiour and in martiall prowesse the onely man as Wales well witnessed more then once friended by affinity with many of the Nobles and by his new marriage with Edgitha the daughter of Algar sister of the Earles Morcâ—…r and Edwin and late wife to Gruffith ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales hee expected to bee both sided and assisted if his cause came either to triall or voice 11 And the time hee well saw fitted his entrance for Sweyne King of Denmarke most dread by the English was entangled with the Sweden wars and William the Norman that made claime from King Edward at variance with Philip the French King the friends of Edgar in Hungarie and himselfe a stranger ouer young for rule all which concurrents made Harold without deliberation or order from the State to set the Crowne on his owne head regardlesse of all ceremony and solemne celebration for which his act as a violator of holy rites hee too too much offended the Clergy 12 The day of his Coronation was vpon Friday the fifth of Ianuary being the feast of the Epiphany and yeere of Saluation 1066 none either greatly applauding or disapprouing his presumption except onely for the omission of manner and forme to redeeme which and to re-gaine the good will of all no sooner attained hee the seate roiall but he remitted or diminished the grieuous customes and tributes which his predecessors had raised a course euer powerfull to winne the hearts of the Commons to Church-men hee was verie munificent and carefull of their aduancements and to grow more deepely into their venerable esteeme hee repaired their Monasteries but most especially that at Waltham in Essex which hee most sumptuously new built and richly endowed giuing it the name of Holy Crosse vpon occasion that such a Crosse found farre westward was brought thither by miracle vt tradunt and therefore hee chose out this place to powre forth his supplications before hee marched to meete Duke William in the field Moreouer to satisfie such Nobles as affected young Edgars iuster title he created him Earle of Oxford and held him in speciall fauour in briefe vnto the poore his hand was euer open vnto the oppressed he ministred iustice and vnto all men was affable and meeke and all to hold that vpright which on his head he had set with an vn-euen hand and depriued him of vnto whom hee was Protector 13 Three seuerall reports are affirmed of Edwards dispose of the Crowne the first was to the Norman Duke who made that the anker-hold of his claime the second was to young Edgar vnto whom hee was great vncle and the last vnto this Harold himselfe for so saith Edmerus and also Marianus who liued at the very same time and writeth that Harold thereupon was sacred and crowned by Aldredus Archbishop of Yorke so that hereby hee is freed by some from the imputation of intrusion and wrong 14 His State thus standing and his subiects contentment dayâ—…y increasing presently it was somwhat perplexed by an Ambassage sent from the Norman putting him in mind of his couenant and oath aswell for the custody of the Crowne to his behoofe as for the solemnazion of the mariage contracted betwixt his daughter and him 15 Harold who thought himselfe now surely seated in the hearts of his Subiects and therefore also sure in his Kingdome answered the Ambassadors That he held their Masters demaund vniust for that an oath extorted in time of extremity cannot bind the maker in conscience to performe it for that were to ioyne one sinne with another and that this oath was taken for feare of death or imprisonment the Duke himselfe well knew but admit it was voluntarily and without feare could I said he then a subiect without the allowance of the King and the whole State giue away the Crownes succession to the preiudice of both surely a Kingdome is of a better account then to bee so determined in priuate onely betwixt two With which kind of answeres he sent the messengers away 16 The Norman who till then thought England sure to be his and had deuoted his hopes from a Duke to a King stormed to see himselfe thus frustrated on the sudden and in stead of a Crown to haue scornes heaped on his head therefore nothing contented with this sleight answere returned his Ambassadors againe vnto Harold by whom hee laid his claime more at large as that King Edward in the Court of France had faithfully promised the succession vnto him and againe afterwards ratified the same to him at his being in England and that not done without consent of the State but confirmed by Stigandus Archbishoppe of Canterbury the Earles Goodwin and Syward yea and by Harold himselfe and so firmely assured that his Brother and Nephew were deliuered for pledges and to that end sent vnto him into Normandy that hee had no way beene constrained hee appealed to Harolds owne conscience who besides his voluntary offer to sweare contracted himselfe to Adeliza his daughter then but young and now departed life vpon which foundation the oath was willingly taken 17 But Harold who thought his owne head as fit for a crowne as any others meant nothing lesse then to lay it downe vpon parley and therefore told them flatly that howsoeuer Edward and he had tampered for the Kingdome yet Edward himselfe comming in by election and not by any title of inheritance his promise was of no validity for how could hee giue that whereof he was not interessed nor in the Danes time was euer like to be And tell your Duke said he that our
nine hundred seuenty foure of their Souldiers Bremensis saith an hundred Thousand 41 Duke William in this Battail had three horses slain vnder him God saith Marianus so defending his person that though multitude of darts were thrown against him yet not a drop of his blood was spilt by the Enemy and this Battaile wonne with the losse onely of sixe thousand and thirteene of his men Whose wodden bowes as Iohn Rouse is of opinion gained the Normans that great victory for the Arrowes shot leuell or directly forward wounded the English that stood in the front and vpright the other shot on high galled at the fal those that were more remote and the backs of such as stooped to shunne the danger 42 This battle was fought in Sussex 7. miles from Hastings vpon Saturday the fourteenth of October and yere of Grace 1066. Wherin the dolefull destruction of the English fell and the glorious Sun of the Normans euen in the shutting of the day did arise when perished the Royall blood of the Saxons whose Kings first had made this Kingdome into Seuen and afterward of them so glorious a Monarchy that it was not inferiour to any in Europe and her Monarchs so renowned for princely magnanimity as that many of them were ranked with the best in the world But now the all-ordering hand of God vnto whose becke not onely this Ball of the Earth and the Rulers thereof but euen the Heauens themselues and all the powers thereof must bow either for the sinnes of the English which were many and great or to graffe one more fair and loÌ„ger-continuing bud vpon this dried and decayed stock brought that forrein ofspring into this his nursery of Britaine whose branches as the vine haue spread both fruitfull and farre and whose rootes are fastned as the trees of Libanon the Kings thereof euen from the loines of this Great Conquerour holding on a royall succession for the space of these fiue hundred forty fiue yeares their issues topped with the highest Cedars of the world their branches spread thorowout al Christendom which wee pray may still proceede and continue whilest the Sun and Moone haue their being 43 This victory thus obtained Duke William wholly ascribed vnto God and by way of a solemne supplication or procession gaue him the thanks and pitching for that night his PauilioÌ„ among the bodies of the dead the next day returned to Hastings there to consult vpon his great and most prosperously begun enterprise giuing first commandement for the buriall of his slaine Souldiers 44 But Morcar and Edwin the vnfortunate Queenes Brethren by night escaping the battel came vnto London where with the rest of the Peeres they began to lay the foundation of some fresh hopes posting thence their messengerâ—…â—…o raise a new supply to comfort the English who through all the Land were stricken into a fearfull astonishment with this vnexpected newes from a despairing feare shewing the chance of warre to be mutable their number many and Captaines sufficient to try another Field Alfred Arch-bishop of Yorke there present and President of the Assembly stoutly and prudently gaue his counsell forthwith to consecrate and crowne young Edgar Atheling the true heire for their King to whom consented likewise both the Sea-Captaines and the Londoners But the Earles of Yorkshire and Cheshire Edwin Morcar whom this fearfull state of their country could not disswade from dissoyaltie and ambition plotting secretly to get the Crowne to themselues hindered that wise and noble designe In which while the sorrowfull Queene their sister was conueied to West-chester where without state or title of a Queene she led a solitary and quiet life 45 〈◊〉 â—…other of the slaine King did not so well moderate 〈◊〉 womanly passions as to receiue either comfort or counsell of her friends the dead body of her soâ—…e she greatly desired and to that end sent to the Conquerâ—… two sage Brethren of his Abbey at Waltâ—… who had accompanied him in his vnfortunate 〈◊〉 Their names as I finde them recorded in â—…n 〈◊〉 Manuscriptâ—… were Osâ—…god and Aâ—…rie whose 〈◊〉 to the Conquerâ—… not without abundance of teares and feare is there set downe in the tenor as followeth 46 Noble Duke and ereâ—…ong to be a most great and mightie King we thy most humble seruants destitute of all comfort as wee would we were also of life are come to thee as sent from our brethren whom this dead King hath placed in the Monasterie of Waltham to attend the issue of this late dreadfull battell wherein God fauouring thy quarrell he is now taken away and dead which was our greatest Comforter and by whose only bountifull goodnesse wee were releeued and maintained whom hee had placed to serue God in that Church Wherfore we most humbly request thee now our dread Lord by that gracious fauour which the Lord of Lords hath shewed vnto thee and for the relâ—…ife of all their soules who in this quarrell haue ended their daies that it may bâ—…e lawfull for vs by thy good leaue safely to take and carry away with vs the dead body of the King the Founder and builder of our Church and Monasterie as also the bodies of such others as who for the reuerence of him and for his sake desired also to be buried with vs that the state of our Church by their helpe strengthened may bee the stronger and indure the firmer With whose so humble a request and abundant teares the victorious and worthy Duke moued answered 47 Your King said he vnmindfull of his faith although hee haue for the present endured the worthy punishment of his fault yet hath he not therefore deserued to want the honour of a Sepulcher or to lie vnburied were it but that he died a King howsoeuer hee came by the Kingdome my purpose is for the reuerence of him and for the health of them who hauing left their wiues and possessions haue here in my quarrell lost their liâ—…es to build here a Church and a Monastery with an hundred Monks in it to pray for them for euer and in the same Church to bury your King aboue the rest with all honour vnto so great a Prince and for his sake to endow the same with great reuenewes 48 With which his courteous speech and promises the two religious Fathers comforted and encouraged againe replied 49 Not so noble Duke but grant this thy seruants most humble request that we may for God by thy leaue receiue the dead body of our Founder and to bury it in the place which himselfe in his life time appointed that we cheered with the presence of his body may thereof take comfort and that his Tombe may be vnto our Successors a perpetuall Monument of his remembrance 50 The Duke as he was of disposition gracious and inclined to mercy forthwith granted their desires whereupon they drew out store of gold to present him in way of gratulation which he not only vtterly refused but also
that he would not turne his backe till he were with them and thereupon commanded to breake downe the wall that he might goe forth the next way to the Sea leauing straight Commission for his Nobles to follow him with all celerity 32 But the winds being contrary and thereby both the Sea and the King in a great rage his Pilote misdoubting hazard of Shipwrake desired him humbly to expect a while till those boisterous Elements were calmer and passage more safe Wherunto he answered as no whit daunted Hast thou euer heard that any King hath beene drowned therefore hoise vp the Sailes I charge thee and be gone The City vpon this vnexpected speed of the King was soone released and Helias Consull of Cinomannia who did beleaguer it being taken by a traine was by King William iested at to his face as a man neither of Martiall prowesse nor policie at which indignity the Noble Helias disdainingly storming with great boldnesse said vnto Rufus I am now thy Prisoner not by thy prowesse but by chance of warre and my owne misfortune but were I at liberty thou shouldest well know I am not the man thus to be laughed at The King well-liking the confidence of his spirit Well then said hee I giue thee full liberty goe thy waies doe what in thee lieth I am the man that euer will mate thee 33 And surely howsoeuer he might be blemished with many staines of bad Gouernment yet for his valour and resolutions in wars he is greatly commended and so much by some that if it were not against the faith of Christianity it might be thought saith Malmesbury that the Soule of Caesar had entred into the body of this Kufus as that of Euphorbus is said to haue don into Pythagoras yea those staines we may well thinke were no whit lessened by his story writers who were dependants of the Romish See for that he little fauoured their Holy Father or any such as adhered vnto the See of Rome against the Prerogatiue of his Crowne as especially appeared in his Offence conceiued against Anselmus Archbishop of Canterbury for his too Romish humor There was at that time a Schisme in the Roman Church which Monster-like had then two heads on one Body the Emperour who claimed that as his right placing one and the Roman Clergy abetting another Vrbanus by name with whom consorted Anselme against the Kings command The King alleged that no Archbishop or Bishop of the kingdome should or ought be subiect to the Pope or Court of Rome with whom they had nought to doe that he and his Realme had as large franchesies euer since the receiuing of the Christistian faith as the Emperour had in his Empire and that therefore none ought in his Realme to bee receiued for Pope whom himselfe and his State should not first approue that without his licence none should goe or appeale to Rome in any cause that Anselme could not keepe his Allegeance to his Soueraigne and also to the Pope Vpon all which points the Prelates of England excepting only Gundulphus B. of Rochester assented to the King against Anselmus that he was guilty of High Treason for attempting to depriue the Crowne of these prerogatiues 34 And because the King then vrged that herein he did no more then his Father had done before him it shal not be impertinent to obserue heere how that as Vrbanus vsed Anselmus for his instrument to draw the King to his becke so Pope Gregorie before him vsed Archbishop Lanfrancks helpe for vndermining of William the Conquerour and to subiect him and his State to the Papacie which that it may appeare the better I will here insert the Conquerors owne Letter to the Pope To Gregory the most Excellent Pastor of Holy Church William by the grace of God King of England and Duke of Normandy wisheth health and friendship Your Legat Hubert Religious Father came vnto me exhorting me in your name to make Allegeance to you and your Successors and to take better order for the money wich my Predecessors were wont to send to the Church of Rome The one I haue granted of the other I haue not admitted Fealtie to you I neither would nor will make for I neither promised you somuch neither finde I that euer my Antecessors did performe it to yours The * money hath beene negligently gathered my selfe almost these three yeeres being in France but being by Gods mercy returned into my Kingdome as much as is Collected is now sent by the said Legate the rest shall be sent when it may conueniently by the messengers of Lanfrancke our faithfull seruant Pray for vs and for the good estate of our Kingdome for I haue loued your Predecessors and my desire is aboue all others sincerely to loue you and to heare you obediently His Holinesse was then very wroth that things did not cotten better to his desires in England But Lanfranck cleared himselfe of the blame shewing him how diligently but indeed traiterously hee had bestirred himselfe in counselling the King to yeeld to sweare obedience to the Pope Suasi sed non persuasi saith he I haue so aduised him but I could not persuade him 35 By which incredible pride and Popish incroachments attempted by the meanes of these chiefest Prelates of the Kingdome King William Rufus no doubt saw it was high time for him to preuent farther mischiefes to his State by following his Fathers steps in timely repressing such Papall intrusions yea so farre was hee from yeelding his necke to that yoke that hee auowed that the Popes though boasting of Peters Chaire had not from him any power of binding or loosing whose godly steppes they wholly neglected following onely after Lucre and wordly Honours that also it was but imposture to teach Intercession and bootlesse to vse Inuocation to Saints euen to Saint Peter himselfe And as for the rest of the Romish Clergie who then gaue themselues strangely to wordly and fleshly pleasures wearing their guilt girdles and spurres and trimming their bushie Locks their loose liues the King much detested and sought to punish which most incensed their Choler and these were the haires no doubt in those Monkish writers Pennes that euer blotted his faire name vnder their fast-running and vneuen hands For so much may we gather from Gemeticensis the Recorder of his life who hauing reported many Acts of this Kings seemeth lastly to checke himselfe for going so farre where he saith These and many other like things wee could truely report of him were it not we think it vnconvenient largely to relate his actions because he persecuted verie many of Gods seruants and the holy Church not a little for which it is thought by the most part of wisemen that he repented too late and vnprofitably 36 And true it is that some of them haue taxed him for great Pride and Couetousnesse whereof yet some pregnant
into England with promise of their assistance to recouer the Crowne 8 King Henrie for his part resoluing to hold what he had got neglected no meanes to keepe the Diadem as it was set and therefore rigged forth his Nauie to secure the Seas manned his fortresses and with a great Army repaired towards the Coast where neere vnto Hastings he lodged his Campe relying more vpon his owne strength and valour of his People then any iust title he had to the Kingdome 9 Duke Robert by this time had taken the Seas and was vpon the Kings fleete before they were aware where preparing for Conflict the most of the English fell to the Normans either by the perswasion of the Duke or in hatred of Henry that then began to tyrannize ouer them as they did imagine By which meanes the Duke had safe landing at Portesmouth and did not a little reioice in this his fortunate beginning threatning his brother to be reuēged for his wrongs blaming the Nobility for suffering him thus to be abused whilst he for the common good of Christendome was imploied in the Holy-Lands warre King Henry as wise as the other was valorous wrought vnder hand for an agreement of peace for hee very well saw that the euent of warre hath commonly issue from the first successe and at one and the same time doth bolden and weaken the courage of the multitude therefore certaine Noblemen on both sides so trauised the businesses that the Brethren in short time became friends and a composition made to both their contents The agreement was thus that because Henry was borne after his fathers Conquest of this Land and stood now the Crowned King with common consent hee should during his life enioy the same paying Duke Robert in way of fealty three thousand Markes by yeere and the suruiuour to be heire to his brother deceased if hee died without a sonne In which it was also concluded that all either English or Normans which had taken part with the King or Duke should be pardoned of all offences and their Liuings againe restored for the Confirmation whereof and the performance accordingly twelue Princes vpon either parties took their Corporall Oathes and the Armies presently dissolued 11 The Norman Duke princely entertained the space of sixe months in the Court of King Henry shewed himself rather opē credulous then any way suspitious in al his carriages so with much liking loue to his brother departed vnto his own Country But the Sunne-shine of these faire daies began forthwith to be ouercast by the incitation of such as endeuoured to sow discord betwixt the two Brethren and not onely those in Normandy which euer buzd iealousies into Duke Roberts eares but euē in England also some fell in dislike of King Henry and affecting alteration with the malignant eie of enuy beheld the glory of his beauteous Crowne 12 Amongst whom Robert Beliasm Earle of Shrewsbery the eldest sonne of Roger Mountgomery strengthened the Towns and Castles of Shrewsburie Bridgenorth Tichile and Arundell with victualls munition and men against the King alluring likewise the fickle Welshmen vnto his designes Henry therefore in rage hast marched thitherward with a great power against Arundell Castle hee raised another of wood and tooke it besieged Bridgenorth which presentlie yeelded and Shrewsbury sent him their keyes and pledges of their obeisance when Beliasme with his brother Arnulfus and Roger de Poytiers were constrained to abiure the Land for euer and thereupon went into Normandy where they ceased not to raise more sparks from that brand which others before them had blowne 13 Neither were those men busier to raise stirs abroad then was Archbishop Anselmus to doe it at home who being a man of a stiffe resolution in a Councell holden at London drew on him the offence both of the King and Clergie for therein first he excommunicated all married Priests halfe the Clergie of England at that time being either maried or the sons of married Priests next he inhibited all lay men to heare their masses But this thing saith Paris howsoeuer it seemed good to some yet vnto others very dangerous lest while they affected after a purity which was aboue their strength they might fal into impurity of a higher quality In this Councell also Anselme peremptory vpon the Popes assistance depriued many great Prelates of their promotions because they had accepted their Inuestures from the King which was done by receiuing of a Pastorall staffe and a ring an ancient rite testifying that their donation was from their Soueraigne as S. Wulstan receiued his Staffe from S. Edward and therefore professed hee would resigne it onely to him in which number were the Abbots of Ely of Ramsey of Perscors of S. Edmunds of Tauestock Peterborrow Burch Bodiac Middleton and Stoke for which his bold parts and for refusing to consecrate certain Bishops aduanced by the King great contention fell betwixt him and the Archbishop who taking himselfe much wronged by the present ouer-bearing power appealed vnto his Holy Father Pope Paschall and soone after went in person to Rome vnto him 14 Vnto whom likewise the King sent his Ambassadors namely Herbert Bishop of Norwiche with Robert Bishop of Lichfield both of them of his priuie Counsell and William Warenast his procurator a Clergy man of a very bold spirit and speech who in debating his Soueraigns cause before the Pope and cardinals with threatning language and countenance auouched that the King his Master would not lose his right in the Inuestitures of the Church for the losse of his Kingdome whereto the Pope no Crauant to bee dared on his owne dunghill as stoutly answered If as thou sayest the King will not lose the donation of Churches for the losse of his Kingdome know thou for certaine before God I speake it that I would not suffer him to enioy them without punishment no not for the sauing of my head notwithstanding which braue words against the King yet the degraded Abbots were restored throgh the Clemency of the Papall see which is neuer wanting to any as long as the white and red to vse the very words of a Monke make intercession for them But from the Church to the State 15 Robert Curtuoise either to sound his brothers designes or to congratulate him in a brotherly loue came into England where hee was so roially entertained that all suspition was quenched and himselfe so well contented that at the onely motion and request of Queene Maud he remitted the three thousand Marks couenanted to bee paid yeerely vnto him though he were lesse able to forbeare then King Henry to giue But when his wants told him of this his ouer lauish releasement he openly exclaimed against King Henry that hee had craftily circumuented and deceitfully cheated him and now giuing open eare and credit to such as sought their
County against him for which cause Godfrey Earle of Gaunt tooke such displeasure that hee entred into that Earledome and marrying the said Helia his daughter kept the County perforce against King Henries great power But Robert de Beliasme that had escaped at Duke Roberts ouerthrow was then taken and committed prisoner to Warham Castle too gentle a punishment for so blood-thirstie a man whose nature was such that he delighted himselfe onely in cruelty an example whereof hee shewed vpon his owne sonne who being but a childe and playing withhim the father for a pastime put his thumbes in the boies eyes and thrust out the balles thereof 31 These warres somewhat asswaged King Henry returned into England where the people conceiued much grudge at his importable taxes and the Clergy no lesse at his reseruation of Church liuings in their vacancies vnder pretence of keeping them for the worthiest but how vnworthily he oftentimes bestowed thē may be gathered by that prety reproof of Guymundus his Chaplain who grieuing to see vnworthymen for the most part aduanced to Bishoprickes and other dignities when on the Rogation day he celebrated diuine seruice in the Kings Chappel being to read that lesson out of Saint Iames it rained not on the earth III. yeares and VI. moneths hee purposely read it it rained not one one one yeares and fiue one monethes All men either laughing or wondring at his reading the King checkt him for it and askt him the reason marry quoth he I see you bestow your preferments onely on such as can read so which secret touch the King well weighing did both presently preferre him to the gouernment of Saint Frideswides in the Vniuersity of Oxford and afterward was more carefull in all other his choices 32 The King had not beene long in England after his returne from Normandy before the Welshmen then a restlesse people were in Armes against such English as had set footing in that Country which were Gilbert Strangbowe Earle of Strygil and others whose lands in the south part Owen ap Cadogan sore molested and spoiled the like did Gruffith ap Conan Prince of North-Wales vpon Hugh Earle of Chesters County and both of them denied King Henry either seruice or tribute These Earles so incensed the King touching these and other outrages of the Welshmen that in a rage he vowed not to leaue one aliue in al North Wales nor in Powys-land and straight repairing thitherward diuided his Armie into 3. parts The first was led by Earle Gilbert against South-wales the second band by Alexander King of Scotland and Hugh Earle of Chester against North-Wales and the King himselfe lead the third vnder whose Standard was the chiefe strength of middle England But the Welsh seeing themselues far vnable to withstand this present preparation tooke into the Mountaines and Woods their surest holds where being followed with great difficulty many of them were slaine and the rest yeelded to King Henry who now as a Conquerour in triumph returned to London 33 Whither immediately resorted vnto him the Ambassadour of his sonne in law the Emperour to haue his wife Lady Maud now marriage-able to be sent vnto him to which request the King most willingly condescended and to furnish her forth accordingly laid a taxe vpon his Subiects taking three shillings for euery Hide of land wherupon shee was presently conducted by his greatest Peares into Germany and at Mentz married to the Emperour Henry the fourth being there consecrated and crowned his Empresse 34 Shortly after King Henry tooke the Seas for Normandy and there created his sonne William about the age of twelue yeeres Houeden saith but eight Duke of that Country causing the people to sweare him fealty whereof grew a custome that thenceforth the Kings of England made euermore their eldest sonnes Dukes of Normandy which done he returned and nothing recorded of his next yeres aduentures but onely that the Sea gaue place to the Sands and by low Ebbes restored some part of her treasures that long had laien hid and buried in her depth the riuers likewise forgat their wonted swiftnes and as it were seemed vnwilling to pay their ancient tribute into that deiected Element and among them Thamesis not the least whose waters so failed for two daies that betwixt London Bridge and the Tower she became passable and scarse two foot deepe 35 King Henry free now from all forraine domesticall trouble onely Gruffith ap Rees somewhat vnquiet in Wales gaue his thoughts to assure the Crowne into his line and to ordaine lawes for the well gouerning of his people for calling an assembly at Salisbury caused the Estates both Spirituall and Temporall to sweare fealty to himselfe and to his sonne Willam the Hope of succession then reforming many abuses and ending certaine contentions both of his Nobles and Prelates laid here the first foundation of our High Court of Parliament for the English Kings in elder times ordered the affaires of the Common-wealth by their Edicts by their officers and by the Gouernours of euerie Country and seldome had the ioint aduice of their people sauing onely at beginning of their gouernment and in time of warre whereas now the Subiect best vnderstanding his owne grieuances hath both liberty in choice of their Knights and Burgesses as also free voice to complaine thereof in that honourable assembly 36 At this time Theobald Earle of Blessis Nephew vnto King Henry vpon occasion of displeasure rose vp in Armes against the French King to whose aid King Henry sent whereat Lewes found himselfe sore agrieued and drew to his side Baldwine Earle of Flanders and Foulke Earle of Aniou who together tooke oath to dispossesse Henry of Normandy and to make William the sonne of the Curtoise Duke thereof to whom it belonged by right and descent to which also many of the Nobles of Normandy consented pittying the wrong of the noble spirited Child and the wretched captiuity of the blind and ouer-borne Father 37 Henry as wisely wrought against their designes and leauying a great taxe vpon his Subiects passeth therewith into Normandy where vniting the aides of the foresaid Theobald as also of the Earle of Britaine with his English hee made a great shew in the field at which time King Lewes with the Earles of Flanders and Aniou being entred Normandy and hearing of King Henries approch and power staid scarsly one night but as mē without hart or courage returned and left the Country for him so that all things seemed well quieted for a yeare or two nothing disturbing King Henries peace excepting only the expectance of the Popes Legate whom hee prohibited to enter England and the death of his Queene Maud the very mirrour of piety humility and princely bounty 38 But coales of displeasure kindled betwixt King Henry and Lewes of France were not quite extinct though they
Against whom the Northren Lords prepared at 〈◊〉 command of Thurstan Arch-bishop of Yorke 〈◊〉 King Stephen Lieutenant in those parts who beeing by sickenes kept from the Field appointed Ralph Bishop of Durham his General whose Inuectiue Oration before their ioyning of battaile occasioned vpon the foresaid misdeameanors of some vndisciplined Scotish is at large set down by Houedon Huntingdon Wendouer and others in the close whereof he absolueth from punishment of sin all such of his side as should die in this battaile which made the English more desperate in fight who so sorely pressed vpon their enemies that they forsooke their King he notwithstanding valiantly persisting til his dearest friends ernestly vrged him to auoid But his son Henry esteeming more of glory theÌ„ life rushed in amongst his retiring souldiers and with vndaunted courage perswading them to regard themselus and his presence with threat of shamefull deaths to all such as fled he held them in for a time till at length ouer-laid with the maine-battaile of the English the magnanimous Prince Henry likewise quitted the field bitterly cursing the frowardnesse of Fortune and the mischance that hapned that day 15 With like fortunate successe proceeded Stephen against his disobedient Barons and wanne from them the Castles of Hereford Gloucester Webley Bristow Dudley and Shrewsbury whereby hee weakned Earle Robert so much that he was constrained to flie into France and there instigated his sister the Empresse to come into England 16 These domesticke opposites thus remoued out of his way King Stephen re-addressed himselfe for the North to prosecute that which Thurstan had begunne first therfore winning the Castle of Leids he went into Scotland where by the persuasion prowesse of Mars and Vulcan saith Paris a Peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Stephen thence returning brought Prince Henry whom he created Earle of Huntingdon with him into England and at the siege of Ludlow Castle the aduenturous Prince was almost surprised where the besieged with an Iron Grapple pluckt him from his horse and so had taken him but that King Stephen himselfe with great valour and honour recouered him who hauing wonne the Castle went presently to Oxford whither newes was brought him that the Empresse was preparing for England 17 To make all sure as he went Stephen thought it good to demolish and race those Castles lately built hauing had experience to what troubles they had brought him and to preuent the building of new and namely that of the Diuise now as hee surmised in fortifying against him hee therefore sent for Roger Bishop of Salisbury the Founder both of that Castle as also those other of Sherborn Malmsbury a man who in a bad cause had stood King Stephen in good stead howsoeuer some enuying his greatnes had incensed the King against him and other Prelates as if they were fallen from his side The Bishop standing peremptorily on his innocencie yet mistrusting the euent craued the company of Alexander Bishop of Lincolne and of Nigell Bishop of Ely so with a great and well appointed traine repaired to Oxford vnto the Court where Stephen had summoned a Grand-Councell of the States 18 The King who expected of Church-men humility seeing them now armed as men for the field commanded his attendants to take armour likewise and so entring communication of diuers matters with his Peeres and Prelates their Souldiers casually meeting fell at variance where the Bishops friends had the worse so that many of them were wounded and the rest forsaking their masters ranne away This great assembly thus disturbed the King required the Bishops to satisfie his Court for these outrages of their seruants which satisfaction should be to deliuer the keyes of all their Castles to the King as pledges of their fidelity which they refusing the Bishops of Salisbury and Lincolne were laid hold of but Ely escaped to the Castle of Diuise Alexander was imprisoned till hee had yâ—…ded him his Castles of New-werke and Slaford Roger the Castles of Sherborne and the Deuises accounted then one of the goodliest Castles of Europe besides forty thousand Markes in siluer which losses the Bishop did not long suruiue The King imployed the money to purchase Lady Constance sister to Lewis King of France to be wife vnto his sonne Eustace all which was to strengthen himselfe against the Empresse Maud whose comming he continually feared now before his expectation she was landed in England at a fitte time for her designes when all the great Prelates who formerly were his chiefest friends were highly incensed against the King for such oppression of their Brethren 19 The place of her arriuage was at the port of Arundell into which Castle shee was ioyfully receiued by William de Albeny who had married Queen Adeliza the late wife to King Henry whose Dowrie it was from hence Earle Robert diuerting his course onely with tenne horse-men and as many Archers for in all hee brought ouer but one hundred and forty with him for so great an exploit passed throgh the Land vnto Wallingford and Gloucester soliciting his Complices for the aid of his sister the Empresse A man who then liued holds him in this bold attempt with so small forces no way inferiour to Iulius Caesar whom Liuie reports to haue begun his ciuill war and to haue set himselfe against the whole world onelie with fiue Cohorts of Souldiers 20 King Stephen as then lay in siege of Marleburgh Castle but hauing intelligence of this more dangerous an enemy dislodged thence and with all expedition made towards Arundell whereat the Empresse wanting her Counsellor was wonderfully perplext yet wanted not a womans wit to helpe at need insomuch that by the report of Geruasius lest her dignity and right might any way be endammaged shee tooke an oath that none of these the Kings enemies by her aduice or consent had entred the land but with condition to carry themselues orderly without impeachment of the honour and allegiance due to the King by which policy to giue it no worse name she so satisfied King Stephen whom al do censure for too much credulity and facility towards his foes that hee caused her to bee conuaied honourably vnto Bristow where she remained the space of two monethes and then got thence vnto Wallingford 21 Earle Robert in the meane while dispersed the newes of the Empresses approch vnto whose aid so many gathered that the same Monke reporteth no man was able to set downe their multitudes in context of historie much lesse by way of Computation then beganne saith he both labour and dolour which brought the whole Realme to a most grieuous diuision and in a maner to an vtter ruine for those that fauoured the King what euill soeuer could be wrought or imagined they did against them that tooke part with the Empresse and contrariwise Earle
English being in number aboue a thousand Knightes beside greater States as Prelates Earles and Barons and of the Scots about sixe hundreth Knights and Gentlemen all of them well appointed There was also two Queenes the Mother of the Bride who was to be Queene and the widow or Queen Dowager of Scotland who for that cause was returned out of France attended vpon in royall manner with many Lords and Gentlemen of France The Scots were lodged in one place of the City by them selues Vpon Christmas day the King of England gaue the order of Knight-hood to the King of Scots and at the same time to twenty others richly apparrelled Vpon the next day the princely couple were espoused Take a scantling of the cheere and multitude of guests by this The Archbishoppe of Yorke who was Prince as it were of the Northerne parts and the common host of all that most noble fellowshippe which cost him about foure thousand marks gaue toward that feast six hundreth fat oxen all which were spent in the first generall seruice and whatsoeuer the vaine Stage-play of the world might afford eyther for pompe or delight was there all enioyed More worthy to bee remembred then that magnificent gluttonie the natural vice of these our Nations was the orderly and no childish action of the young Bridegroome in reconciling Philip Louell whom King Henry had latelie fined and discourted for taking Bribes to the King his Lord. K. Alexander vndertaking the businesse and finding a fitte time presents himselfe to the King of England vpon his knees holding vp his hands neither would hee rise though earnestly requested but with a gesture which seemed to draw teares of ioy and loue from the eyes of such as sate round about prosecuting his intent saith My Lord King your Maiesty knowes that though I my selfe am a king and through your goodnesse honored with the girdle of Knight-hood yet that I am withall both a Child aswell in age as in knowledge and also an Orphan my father being dead and my mother leauing me though at your sending for she is now pleased to bee present therefore from henceforth and for euer after I here doe take you both for Father and Mother that you may supply both their wants and with your paternall care help protect all mine insufficiencies The King scarse able to refraine from tender teares or to hold down his throbbings said no more but onely this one word Willingly The princely Child replied therupon I will make experiment of that and know it by proofe seeing you haue graciously heard mee hitherto in trying whether I shall reape the effect of my first suit Then hee declared his request and had it so that Louell was afterward Treasurer 80 The State and fidelity of the Gascoignes was so desperately shaken and plunged by the reuenges which Simon de Montford to whom the king had giuen the gouernment of their Country for sixe yeeres had exercised vpon them for that they had accused him to the King of tyrannous proditorious dealing and affirmed that his name ought rather to bee Sinon then Simon that but for the vent of their wines in which respect their subiection to England was verie beneficiall to their Common-weale it was thought they would generally haue reuolted But the King though readie thus to leese Gascoigne would yet needs hope to obtaine Normandie and his other lands in France without blowes The King of France whose conscience was wonderfully tender and sincere had indeed written out of Palestine to that purpose as thinking King Henries title was better then his owne but the French among whom their Kings misfortunes in the losse of Damiata in Aegypt which was wholy ascribed to the Popes auarice who for money released those who should haue aided him had brought him into lesse regard then his excellent vertues merited did vniuersally and constantly refuse adding that before the King of England should haue any more land among them hee must passe through a thousand sharpe Lances and a thousand bloudy Swords when the Lances were burst On the other side the King of England was but in little credit with his people for whereas by an agreement betweene the Pope and him the Tenths of the Clergie through England during three yeeres should haue beene receiued toward his charges in his pretended iourney to the Holy-Land yet in a generall assembly at Westminster very few were drawne to giue their names to that seruice notwithstanding that two Bishops and the Abbot of Westminster laboured in their Sermons all they could to stirre the people to that martiall Pilgrimage and though the King himselfe in all their view took a most solemn oth that within three yeere he would set forward the onlie reason of their vnwillingnes growing vpon suspition that he onely sought as the Pope had giuen him example to draw by this colour the treasure of the Realme into his hands This their diffidence of sinceritie in him made him the rather incline to foster and fauour strangers that with a kind of peruicacie though himselfe by manifold neglects of his word had worthilie bred that diffidence 81 The King could more hardlie find followers in such an enterprise for that his people had no conceit of his valour but said What reason encourageth him who was neuer trained vp in Martiall discipline nor hath managed an horse nor drawn a sword nor charged a staffe nor shooke a Target to hope for a triumph ouer the Sarazens against whom the Cheualrie of France hath miscarried or wherefore dreames hee of recouery of more land who could not keepe that which he had in for raine parts concluding that he was a man onely borne to draine their purses to empty his own and to multiplie debts This was the opinion of men behind his backe but not onely of men for Isabel Countesse of Arundel widow of Henry Earle of Arundel a young Lady receiuing the repulse at the Kings hands in a matter which shee alleadged to be hers in equity durst say thus to his face O my Lord King why doe you turne away from iustice we cannot now obtaine that which is right in your Court you are placed as a mean between God and vs but you neither gouerne vs nor your selfe neither dread you to vexe the Church diuersly as it hath not onely felt in present but often heretofore Moreouer you doubt not manifoldlie to afflict the Nobles of the Kingdome The King fired at so free a speech with a scornefull and angry countenance answered with a loud voice O my Lady Countesse What haue the Lords of England because you haue tongue at will made a Charter and hyred you to bee their Orator and Aduocate wherevnto the Countesse replied Not so my Lord for they haue made to mee no Charter but that Charter which your Father made and which your selfe confirmed swearing to keepe the same inuiolably and constantly and often extorting
first thus ordered the Queen with her sonne and whole power pursues the King as it had beene agreede by the Councell of warre taking first her way to Oxford where the whole Vniuersity being called together in the presence of the Queene the Prince Roger Mortimer and the rest of that troope the Bishop of Hereford the Queenes bosome Counsellor preaching to them on this Text My head my head aketh deliuered to them the reasons of the Queens comming with her Army concluding more like a Butcher then a Diuine that an aking sick head of a kingdom was of necessity to be taken off and not to be tampered with by any other physicke 60 The Londoners in fauour of the Queene and hatred of the Spensers committed sundry outrages besides bloudy sacrilege in cutting off the Bishop of Excesters head and some others whom the King had made Guardian of London in their popular fury among the which one of them was a Citizen of their owne Iohn le Marchal who had beene of the yonger Spensers acquaintance The Tower of London they get into their possession placing and displacing the Garrison and Officers therein at their pleasure vnder the name of the Lord Iohn of Eltham the Kings second sonne whom they proclaimed Custos of the City and of the Land They also set at liberty all prisoners which by the popular Queenes commandement was done through the whole Realme and all banished men and fugitiues were reuoked who all flocking vnto London brought no small encrease to her forces 61 Whither in the meane space doth wofull Edward flie what force what course what way takes hee poore Prince O fearefull condition of so great a Monarches State when a Wife a Sonne a Kingdome are not trusted and those onely are trusted who had nothing strong but a will to liue and die with him The Queene passing from Oxford to Glocester onward to the siege of Bristow Castle grew all the while in her strengths like a rowled snow-ball or as a Riuer which spreades still broader from the fountaine to the Ocean vires acquirit eundo For thither repaired to her for the loue of the young Prince the Lord Percy the Lord Wake and others aswell out of the North as Marches of Wales But Edward hauing left the Earle of Winchester the elder Lord Spenser in the Castell of Bristol for the keeping thereof meditates flight with a few into the Isle of Lundie in Seuerne Sea or into Ireland while hee wandreth about not finding where to rest safe his roiall credite name and power like a Cliffe which falling from the toppe of some huge rocke breakes into the more pieces the farther it rolles are daylie more and more diminisht as they scatter till now at last they are come vnto a very nothing After a weeke therefore spent vpon the Sea Sir Thomas Blunt forsaking him and comming to the Queene he came on shore in Glamorganshire where with his few friends hee entrusted himselfe to God and the faith of the VVelsh who indeed still loued him lying hidden among them in the Abbey of Neath 62 Now had the Queene and her sonne for his name was abused to all sorts of turne-seruings taken the elder Lord Spenser at the Castell of Bristol who without any forme of triall was cruelly cut vp aliue and quartered saith de la Moore our Knight being first at the clamours of the people drawne and hanged in his proper Armories vpon the common Gallowes without the City but his grandchild Hugolin stood so valiantly in defence of himself within the Castell of Kerfilli that hee had his life and the liues of all his assistants saued 63 The King not appearing Proclamations were euery day made in the Queenes Armie declaring That it was the common consent of the realm that hee should returne and receiue the gouernement thereof so as he would conforme himselfe to his people This whether Stratagem or Truth not preuailing Henry Earle of Lancaster the late Earles Brother Sir William la Zouch and Rhese ap-Howell a Welshman who all of them had Lands in those parts where the King concealed himselfe were sent with coine and forces to discouer and take him The Queene and her people lay in the City of Hereford the Episcopall See of that great Arch-plotter of her courses Adam de Orlton where by aduise and consent of the Lords her sonne the Duke of Aquitaine was made High-Keeper of England and they as to the Custos of the same did sweare him fealty And here also the Bishoppe of Norwich was made Chancellor of the Realme and the Bishoppe of Winchester Treasurer 65 What will not money diligence and faire words doe with corrupt dispositions euen to euerting of all bands of either religious or ciuill duties By such meanes therefore the desolate sad and vnfortunate King came into his cosen of Lancasters hands and with him the yonger Lord Spenser Earle of Glocester Robert Baldock Lord Chancellour and Simon de Reding there being no regard had to the detention of any other The King was conueied by the Earle from the place of his surprise to Monmouth to Ledburie and so to the Castell of Kenelworth belonging to the Earle of Leicester who was appointed to attend him that is to keepe him safe The other three Spenser Baldock and Reeding were strongly guarded to Hereford there to bee disposed of at the pleasure of their most capitall enemies 66 Before whose comming to satisfie Roger Mortimer the Lord Edmund Earle of Arundel and two Gentlemen Daniel and Micheldene were beheaded at Hereford The Lord Mortimer was so high in the Queenes fauour that she could doe no lesse as weee may suppose then gratifie him with a few hated heades But Mortimer there will bee a time when the cry of this and other bloud sacrificed to thy priuate reuenge while thou abusest the publike trust will neuer giue ouer the pursuit till it hath deseruedly drawne thine in lieu thereof 67 The Lord Spenser and the rest on whom VVilliam Trussell the Iudge gaue sentence of death being now drawne to Hereford the said Lord being clad in his coat-armour was most despitefully dragged to the place of execution where being first hung vpon a gallowes fifty foot high hee was afterward headed and cut into quarters they who brought him to the Queene hauing the promised summe of two thousand pounds distributed among them for reward His head was set vp at London and his quarters in foure parts of the Kingdome Simon de Reding was hanged ten foot lower then hee in the same place 68 This Execution saith Walsingham was done vpon a Munday in reuenge of the death of Thomas Earle of Lancaster whose bloud was likewise shed vpon a Munday Robert Baldock late Lord Chancellor was committed to the keeping of the Bishop of Hereford who after a time caused him to bee brought vp to Hereford-house in London where the tumultuous people
not without the Bishoppe of Herefords secret approuement as was said tooke him violently away and though he were a Priest thrust him into Newgate where they vsed him so vnhandsomly that albeit they had no accusation but onely for being faithfull to his Soueraigne wherewith to charge him he not long after died in prison to whom saith De la Moore might be applied that of Quintilian Torquentem vincit quisquis occiditur 69 The mournefull King being at Kenelworth Castle there repaired thither the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Lincolne two Earles two Abbots foure Barons two Iustices three Knights for euery County and for London and other principall places chiefly for the fiue Ports a certaine chosen number selected by the Parliament which then the Queene and her Sonne held at London The Bishops of Winchester and Lincolne as it was agreede vpon came thither before any of the rest aswell to giue the King to vnderstand what kind of Embassage was approaching as to prepare him by the best Arguments they could to satisfie the desire and expectation of their new moulded common-weale which could onely be by resignation of the Crowne that his Sonne whom the body of the then confused State had elected might raigne in his stead 70 When they were admitted to his presence the Earle of Leicester being by they together so wrought him partly with shewing a necessity partly with other reasons drawne out of common places throughly studied for that purpose that though not without many sobs and teares hee finally did not dissent if his answere were truely reported which som doubt of vnto the Parliament For they tolde him that the Common-weale had conceiued so irreconciliable dislikes of his gouernment the particulars whereof had beene opened in the generall assembly at London that it was resolued neuer to endure him as King any longer That notwithstanding those dislikes had not extended themselues so farre as for his sake to exclude his issue but that with vniuersall applause and ioy the Common-weale had in Parliament elected his eldest sonne the Lord Edward for King That it would be a very acceptable thing to God willingly to giue ouer an earthly Kingdome for the common-good and quiet of his Country which they said could not otherwise bee secured That yet his honour should be no lesse after the resignation then it was before onely him the common-weale would neuer suffer to raigne any longer They finally durst tell him that vnlesse hee did of himselfe renounce his Crowne and Scepter the people would neither endure him nor any of his Children as their Soueraigne but disclaiming all homage and fealty would elect some other for King who should not bee of the bloud 71 The whole Company sent by the body of State if it may bee called a Body which then had no Head there from London where it attended their returne being placed by the Bishoppe of Hereford according to their degrees in the Presence Chamber at Kenelworth Castle the King gowned in blacke came forth at last out of an inward roome and presented himselfe to his vassals where as being Priuie to their errand sorrow stroke such a chilnesse into him that hee fell to the earth lying stretched forth in a deadly swown The Earle of Leicester and the Bishoppe of Winchester beholding this ranne vnto him and with much labour recouered the half-dead king setting him vpon his feet As rufull heauy as this sight was we read not yet of any acts or effects of compassion expressed towards him at this present so setled as it seemed was the hatred and auersion The King being now we cannot say come to himselfe but to the sense of his misery the Bishoppe of Hereford declares the cause of their present Embassie and running ouer the former points concludes as before saying as in the person of the common-wealth That the King must resigne his Diademe to his eldest sonne or after the refusall suffer them to elect such a person as themselues should iudge to be most fit and able to defend the Kingdome 72 The dolorous King hauing heard this speech brake forth into sighes and teares and being saith his most fauourable reporter more ready to sacrifice his body for Christs cause then once to behold the disinherison of his sonnes or through his occasion the perpetuall disturbance of the Kingdome as knowing saith he that a good shepheard should giue his life for his flocke made at the last his answere to this effect That hee knew that for his many sinnes hee was falne into this calamity and therefore had the lesse cause to take it grieuously That much he sorrowed for this that the people of the Kingdome were so exasperated against him as that they should vtterly abhorre his any longer rule and soueraignety and therefore he besought all that were there present to forgiue and spare him being so afflicted That neuerthelesse it was greatly to his good pleasure and liking seeing it could none other be on his behalfe that his eldest sonne was so gracious in their sight and therefore hee gaue them thanks for choosing him to be their King 73 This being said there was forthwith a proceeding to the short ceremonies of his resignation which principally consisted in the surrender of his Diadem and Ensignes of Maiesty to the vse of his son the new King Thereupon Sir William Trussel as being a Iudge who could fit them with quirks of law to colour so lawlesse and treasonable a fact on the behalfe of the whole Realme renounced all homage and alleagiance to the Lord Edward of Caernaruon late King 74 The forme of that renunciation as being obsolete you shall haue in the like obsolete words of Treuisa which was this I William Trussel in name of all men of the land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator resigne to thee Edward the homage that was made to thee sometime and from this time forward now following I defie thee and prine thee of all royall power I shall neuer be tendant to thee as for King after this time Which being done Sir Thomas Blunt Knight Steward of the houshold by breaking his staffe resigned his office and declared that the late Kings family was discharged 75 Edward being thus dekinged the Embassie rode ioyfully backe to London to the Parliament with the resigned Ensignes and dispatch of their employment Here for that this seems the last houre of his raigne and kingly state wee will make a stop referring you for the rest to the next Kings life vnder whose name and abused authority they were acted 76 Notwithstanding wee may not forget in all these doings to call to mind who it was that sate at the helme of State ouerlooking and ouerswaying Queene Prince and all to wit the most ambitious and vindicatiue man liuing Roger Lord Mortimer of Wigmor for as for the Queene when
the King replied that as the offence was capitall so should it bee examined by the Peeres and therefore willed him to rest contented vntill the next Parliament Thus by his great wisdome he satisfied his father from further suspition and recouered his loue that neerely was lost Hetherto of Henry as he was Prince some other of whose youthly actions we also touched in his fathers raigne and now to his Acts after he was King 11 Henry ordained successor and ouerseer of his dying Fathers Testament had in his entrance so fortunate proceedings as hee seemeth to exceed all his Predecessors his Nobles proffering the oath of their Alleagiance before himselâ—…e had made his for the iust gouernment of the Common-weale which so farre was from acceptation that hee desired God neuer to admit him to the Crowne vnlesse he should to his glory raigne and rule the Scepter to the good of the Subiect The day of his entrance and of his Fathers death being the twentieth of March and yeere of Christs Incarnation according to our account 1412. on the ninth of Aprill following hee was solemnly crowned at Westminster Thomas Arundel Archbishoppe of Canterbury performing the roiall Ceremonies which no sooner was ended but to beginne a good gouernment hee beganne with himselfe banishing from his presence and Court the vnbridleled youthes which had beene his consorts commanding them either to change their manners or neuer to approch within ten miles where hee lay Then chose hee worthy and prudent men for his Councell of Estate and aduanced his Clergie with dignity and power being himselfe as zealous in deuotion as liberall in building and indowing of places for deuotion of others His Iustice was found of all that sought it for euery day after dinner for the space of an houre his custome was to leane on a cushion set by his cupbord and there himselfe receiued petitions of the oppressed which with great equity he did redresse And for a further testimony of his tender and compassionate heart the slaughtered body of K. Richard ouer-meanely enterred at Langley in great â—…â—…state he remoued into Saint Peters Church at Westminster and there laid him enshrined by Queene Anne his first wife as himselfe had desired and prepared founding a weekely memoriall to bee celebrated and six shillings eight pence thereon distributed vnto the poore and yeerelie twentie pounds giuen vpon his anniuersarie day besides foure tapers to burne before his monument day and night for euer And so neerely did his death touch this innocent King that hee sent to Rome to bee assoyled from that guilt of his fathers Act by the Popes holinesse then accounted another God whose penance enioined he willinglie performed and afterwards purposed to haue made warre in Palestina against the enemies of Christ for which end hee sent Sir Hugh de Lauoy of Henault to Ierusalem to discouer the state of things there but before his returne he was departed to the heauenly Ierusalem himselfe 12 The obsequies of his Father being solemnized at Canterbury and the King in person attending the Corps fitte occasion was giuen vnto Archbishoppe Arundell to complain of the Wicklifians then termed Lollards great rubs in the wayes of the Clergies pride and proceedings whereof Sir Iohn Oldcastle was thought a chiefe who by his marriage contracted with a kniswoman of the Lord Cobhams of Cooling in Kent obtained the title thereof a man strong and valourous and in especiall fauour with his Prince This Knight in their Synode assembled at London immediately after the Kings Coronation was accused by them to haue rent Christs seamelesse coat in maintaining VVickliffes doctrine to bee taught especially in the Diocesse of London Rochester and Hereford against whom also some choise Inquisitors at Oxford appointed for Heresies though that whole Vniuersity had formerly vpheld both Wickliffe and his doctrine informed and presented his name with two hundred forty sixe conclusions which they had collected to be hereticall 13 The King incensed by the Archbishoppes suggestions against these discontented discipliners was further made beleeue that they themselues had set vp billes in diuers places threatning that an hundred thousand persons were ready for armes against all that withstood their reformation and among these that Oldcastle his Knight was reputed the chiefe The King graciously inclined heard the Archbishops complaint and being at Kennington promised to conferre with the Lord Cohham himself which accordingly hee did instantly willing him to submit himselfe to the censure of the Church and obedience of the Archbishoppe but Cobham no turne-coate from his profession humbly told the King he owed his subiection only vnto his Maiesty whom God had placed in these his Dominions as his onely Vice-gerent to gouerne his people and Subiects and that himselfe forced nothing Romes leaden sword vnsheathed by the Pope that Antichrist against the Lords seruants nor would suffer the key of Canterbury to open the closet of his conscience where the spirite of God was residing bearing witnesse with his that hee stood in the truth for whose defence as his Champion he was ready to liue or die 14 This answere receiued was so deliuered vnto the Archbishoppe with power to cite examine and punish as their owne Canons in such cases had decreed The Lyon thus laid for whose paw they still feared was serued by processe to appeare in the Archbishops Court and the same deliuered by one Butler a seruant of the Kings Priuy Chamber for that the bold Sumner durst not doe it himselfe and the Archbishoppe diligent lest he should forget the day caused his letters citatorie to be set vpon the gates of the Cathedrall Church of Rochester which were presently torne down and others againe set vp were againe pulled off to the great offence of the Clergies eye and the rather for that the Actor could not be knowne The Knight not appearing as knowing their malice and his own danger was condemned of contumacie and afterwards in a Synode at Rochester was by the Archbishop pronounced an Heretike where himselfe then enacted that hereticall decree that the holy scriptures should not bee translated into the English tongue But marke the iudgement that fell vpon his own tongue whose rootes and blade shortly after as is recorded grew so big in his mouth and throate that he could neither speake nor swallow downe meat but in horror lay languishing till lastly he so dyed starued by famine 15 In the meane time the Lord Cobham wrote his Beliefe which was very Christianlike and presented it himselfe to the King who being much prepossessed in no wise would receiue it but suffered him to bee summoned in his presence and priuie Chamber when the Knight for his purgation offered an hundred knights and Esquires which would not be accepted then according to his degree of Order and law of Armes he required the single Combat to fight for life or death with either
Christian or Heathen in the quarrell of his faith the King and Councell onely excepted This notwithstanding could not be suffered but needes must he appeare before the Archbishop his Iudge where after diuers examinations in all which hee most religiously iustified himself his profession he was condemned of Heresie and committed Prisoner vnto the Tower of London whence shortly he escaped and got into Wales Vpon which escape great feares were conceiued especially of the Clergy the causers of his troubles and mortall Enemies to him his welwillers for the king was confidently but as it seemeth malitiously informed that Oldcastle with his adherents laid for his life that in S. Giles Fields neere vnto Holborne twenty thousand were to assemble in hostile manner with an intent to destroy the Monasteries of Westminster Saint Albans all the religious houses in London and the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paules The King therefore in person himselfe after midnight with a great Army came into these fields where if wee will beleeue their professed enemies fourescore of that faction were apprehended who sayd they came to seeke the Lord Cobham But as the answerer of Copus from more ancient times hath obserued that in daies of persecution such assemblies often had beene made to heare the Gospell preached which otherwise they could not enioy so in this place then ouergrowne with bushes and vnfit for battell those few were in likelyhood assembled vnto Iohn Beuerly agodly man their Preacher without any intent of treason hauing for their Chieftaines no greater persons then Sir Roger Acton a Knight of no great account a Minister and a malt man But their Apologies we leaue to others onely the Lord Cobham could not be found though the King by Proclamation had promised a thousand markes to his taker besides many liberties to the City or Towne that would disclose him whereby saith Walsing it may be ghessed that the whole Kingdome well neere embraced his opinions which that Fryar cals his madnesse Thirty seauen of that assembly were condemned whereof seauen were consumed with fire and strangled Acton Beuerley and Murly were likewise executed 16 As the zeale of this King is much commended for his fauours towards his Clergy so is his Princely pittie in the commiseration of young Percies distresse whose father Hotspur slaine at Shrewsbury as we haue said and hee by his Grandfather sent into Scotland for security was there notwithstanding deteined a Prisoner for that Iames their King was forcibly kept in England by Henrie and as they tooke it against all Iustice. But fit occasion being offered for young Percies release and exhcange made betweene him and Alrede sonne of Robert Duke of Albany who had beene taken prisoner at the Battell of Halidon the king restored him not only in blood and to grace in his Court but also inuested his person with the Title and State of his Grandfather to his owne no little honour and faithfull seruice attained of that honourable family 17 Vpon Archbishop Arundels death starued by famine as wee haue said * Henry Chicheley a stout Champion also against Wicliffes doctrine was with the Kings consent by the Monkes of Canterbury elected their Archbishop which the politicke Elect neither accepted nor refused but left it to the will and pleasure of the Pope who first tooke snuffe that it so farre proceeded without his direction yet was soone pacified by Chicheleys submission and as saith mine Author with other Gratulations besides The man though not so rich by birth as Arundle was yet as strong for the Clergy and more gratious with his Prince as the sequele proued 18 The first assaies of both was made knowne in a Parliament holden at Leicester where in a Bill exhibited complaint was made that the temporall Lands giuen to religious houses and spirituall persons for deuotion were either superfluous or disorderly spent whose reuenues if better imploied would suffice for the defence of the Land and honor of the king fifteene Earles fifteene hundred knights sixe thousand two hundred Esquires and one hundred Almes-houses for the reliefe of impotent and diseased persons and vnto the kings Coffers twentie thousand pound by yeere Which Bill saith Hall made the fat Abbots to sweat the proud Priors to frowne the poore Friers to curse the silly Nunnes to weepe and indeed all her Merchants to feare that Babell would downe 19 To stop the breach of which searching spring no better meanes could be found then to diuert the Parliament with other businesses and to driue other proiects into the kings minde whose head as this new Archbishoppe there tolde him had the best right to the Crowne of France for not onlie the Dutchies of Normandy Aquitaine and Aniou the Counties of Gascoigne Maine and the rest were his lawfull though vnlawfullie detained inheritance but therewithall the whole Realme of France as true heire vnto his great Grandfather king Edward the third and vnto Philip the faire in right of his mother Queene Isabell the only daughter and Child liuing of the said French king As for the law Salique alleaged against the English claime he affirmed that Text touched only those parts in Germany which lay betwixt the riuers Elbe and Sala conquered by king Charles the great who placing his French there to inhabite for the dishonest liues of those Germaine women made this law In terram Salicam Mulieres ne succedant which the Glosse did falsly expound for the whole kingdome of France Whose practise notwithstanding he shewed to be the contrary by many experiences both in king Pepin which deposed Childericke by the claime of heire Generall as descended of Blithild daughter to Clothair the first and by Hugh Capet who vsurping the Crowne vpon Charles Duke of Lorraine the sole heire male of that line from Charles the great to make his claime good which indeed was starke naught deriued himselfe as heire to the Lady Lingard daughter to Charlemaine sonne to Lewis the Emperour that was sonne to Charles the great King Lewis also called the Saint who was the heire to the vsurper Hugh Capet could not bee satisfied in conscience how he might iustly keepe and possesse the Crowne of France till he was fully instructed that Isabell his Grandmother was lineally descended of the Lady Ermengard daughter and heire to the aboue named Charles Duke of Lorraine by the which marriage the blood and line of Charles the great was againe vnited and restored to the Crowne of France Whereby said the Archbishop it most manifestly appeared that the title of Pepine the Claime of Capet the possession of Lewis yea of the French Kings themselues to this day deriue their onely rights from the heires female and that this pretended Law Salique was but a shifting deuise to debarre the English Kings from the claime of the French Crown Which exclusion howsoeuer they pretend to bee right yet the law of God
is the greatest it may be also the happiest Monarchie of Europe For the cleere accomplishment of which worke there rests now nothing but the depressing of the Daulphin who is by your doome already not only depriued of that dignity but of succession to the Crowne and prosecuted as a Traitor to the State and of whom this we must be assured that while he liues France cannot but be in a perpetuall combustion For preuenting whereof I both need and intreate both your Counsels and aide nothing doubting of your readines in either for how can we expect any safety or you any goodnes at his hand who in his young yeeres did so perfidiously murder the Duke of Burgundy his vncle I am now you see your Regent in present and Successour to the Crowne in hope Let it not therefore sticke in your hearts that I am an Englishman borne for you know I haue much French blood in my veines which warmes my affections as well to French as English but looke on me as the lawfull heire to the Diademe both by iust Title and your owne consents who therefore am and ought to be wholly yours and your kindnes and iust dealing bind me so to be Yours also am I now by fresh alliance as sonne in Law to your King vnto whom I will performe all offices of loue and honor as to mine owne father and you his subiects shall I loue and cherish as mine owne children and will defend France and the French so long as you defend my right with your louing aide and will deserue my loue with your loiall affection 55 These affaires thus accomplished at Troyes the Kings the Queenes and the rest of the Peeres in great estate rode vnto Paris where all faire countenances were shewed and great entertainement giuen to the English But the Daulphin and his followers neither feared nor fainted though the present courses pleased not their palat Their first Counsell therefore was how to preserue themselues in so eminent danger to sit still and doe nothing they knew it was but to increase and aduance the successes of the English and to rise without strength was to fall into further misfortunes hauing no meanes to hold warre with so potent an Enemy In this distraction their voice was best heard that spake most for the safety of the Daulphin whose only life gaue breath vnto the after-hopes of France and for the strengthening of those places which might be of most aduantage to themselues and offence to the Enemie This then past by decree in that Counsell of warre that the Daulphin should at no time hazard his person in field and that a leuy of Souldiers should be had to lie in Garrison in places conuenient for Time which neuer stands still they well hoped might yet turne the rice for them fortune being said they as subiect to fawne as to frowne in which resolution each man tooke to his charge and all to withstand the doings of Henry 56 As these consulted for the state of the French so in Paris a Parliament of the three estates was assembled wherein such as were guilty of the death of Burgundy were iusticed the disherizing of the Daulphin confirmed and warres prepared against these Townes which held for him Against Sens the two Kings with their Queens Clarence and Burgundy marched which after 12. daies was rendered vpon composition of life those excepted as were guilty of the Duke of Burgundies death Monstreau was the next which by force was entred where the body of the Duke of Burgundy vndecently buried by the Daulphinois was taken vp and by his sonne Philip sent in great pompe to Diion in his Dutchy and there honorably interred The Towne being taken the Castle held out vnto whose Captaine twenty Captiue Gentlemen were sent whose liues from King Henries mouth say the French were sentenced to death vnlesse they could perswade the Castellan to surrender but those men say our English to mollifie that seuere doome were all especiall friends of that Captaine and such as had giuen opprobrious words to the Kings Herauld being sent vnto them in the siege of Monstreau Howsoeuer in this extremity they sollicited Guiluy vpon their knees vrging their owne deaths and his great danger if he held out but Guiluy a true Frenchman and friend to the Daulphin withstood the assault and thereupon these Gentlemen Petitioners were presently hanged in the sight of the defendants so bloody is Mars to maintaine his owne Lawes and so eager was Henry of his full Conquest of France whose thirsting sword had hereto fore beene some what ouerlauish in blood but neuer more perhaps then in this bloody act which I wish might be obliterated from the number of his other glorious actions Yet at length was that Castle enforced to surrender vpon composition of life excepting the guilties of Burgundies death 57 Then was the siege remoued to Melun a Towne of great strength and made more strong by the valours of her commanders who were Seigneur Barbafon an absolute souldier Pierre de Bourbon a Prince of the blood Preaux and Bourgeois whose Garrison was seuen hundred Daulphinois and indeed no default in defence could anie wise be imputed but the Canon opening a breach the English and Burgundians made an entry into the Bulwarke and ouer the Riuer Seine built a bridge with Boates so that from either quarter they had passage one to the other without impediments and encamped themselues for their best aduantage vpon whom the enemie neuerthelesse made diuers sallies with the losse of either parties King Henry inforced his siege to the vtmost and made a myne vnderneath the wals which being perceiued the defendants countermined against him where the King too forward as the very first man entring his myne and Barbason likewise his within the Towne met each other at point of sword where they performed nobly the parts of priuate souldiers nobly indeed if priuate souldiers they had been but Princes should remember they are not such till lastly they agreed to discouer themselues and first Barbason made known his name then King Henry did his whereupon the French Lord suddainely getting backe caused the Barriers to be closed and Henry returned to his Campe. 58 This enterprize failing King Charles himselfe came into the Campe to induce the defendants to render at the presence of their naturall Lord which neuerthelesse was little respected for answere was made that if their King were at liberty and free from King Henries power they would doe him the duty of naturall subiects and yeeld him their charge as their Liege Lord but being as he was they desired to be excused for to the mortall enemy of France they would not yeeld 59 Whilest King Henry lay at the siege of Melun the Duke of Bauier who was Palsegraue of Rhyne Elector came to King Henry hauing married his sister and thence sent a defiance vnto the Daulphin his kinseman by Queene
bee guilty of the crime although he confessed to be a true seruant to the Daulphin Notwithstanding had he not appealed to the Officers of Armes King Henries iudgement of death had gone against him for the Law Military as he there alleaged forbiddeth that any man hauing his brother in Armes within his danger should afterwards put him to death for any cause or quarrell and proued himselfe to be the Kings brother in Armes for that he had in the Countermine coaped in combat with the King Thus by a quirke of Heraldry acquitted from death he was neuerthelesse retained in prison the space of nine yeeres and lastly at the winning of Castle Galliard from the English was deliuered out of most strait imprisonment to the great ioy of the French 63 This execution of Iustice on those Murtherers was a great but not the only act of K. Henry at this great Parliament of three Estates of France in Paris For therein also was the finall accord betwixt the two Kings openly acknowledged by the French King as made by his free assent and with aduise of all the Councell of France whereupon it was there also ratified by the generall states of France and sworne vnto particularly vpon the holy Euangelists by all their Nobles and Magistrates spirituall and secular who also set their seales to the Instruments thereof which were sent into England to be kept in the Kings Exchecquer at Westminster King Henries glory thus ascended to the highest verticall in France his Court was not only honoured daily both with Courtly and military shewes and pastimes but also was still frequented both with forraine Ambassadors and domesticke Commissioners whose directions depended only vpon his voluntary assigne himselfe redressing all things at his pleasure placing and displacing Officers and Gouernors causing also a new Coyne to be made called a Salute wherein were the Armes of France and the Armes of England and France quarterly stamped King Charles the while in his Palace was but for fashions sake visited and but by some of his olde seruants his Sunne was drawne so neere vnto the setting The great affaires of France thus setled as well as that vnsetled time would permit King Henry minding to Crowne his Queene in England ordained his brother of Clarence a wise valiant and a great Captaine his Lieutenant generall of France leauing also the Duke of Exeter with 500. men of warres to keep Paris and so attended with great state he came to Amiens and Callais where taking to Sea he arriued at Douer vpon the third of February and was receiued of his Subiects as an Angell from heauen or another victorious Caesar on Earth 64 All things in a readines for his faire Queens Coronation vpon the foure and twentith of the same month with all roialty the same was solemnized at Westminster and the English rich diadme set on her head The feast was great with all Princely seruices and the state such as deserueth the report for the Queene sitting at Table at the right side of her Chaire kneeled the Earle of March holding a Scepter in his hand the Earle Marshall kneeling on the left side held another and the Countesse of Kent sate vnder the Table at her right foote vpon her right hand at Table sate the Bishops of Canterbury and Winchester and vpon the left the King of Scots the Dutchesse of Yorke and the Countesse of Huntington the Nobles giuing their attendance each man according to his office and place 65 Presently after Easter in the month of May a Parliament was held at Westminster whose chiefest intent was to haue meanes to continue the Kings Conquest in France but such was the state of those lauish times that to stop the current of this melting mint some minding more the heapes of their money then the spreading abroad of Englands faire Monarchy exhibited their Bils vnto the three estates in Parliament and petitioned vnto the King to commiserate the pouerty of the commons which as they said were beggered by these warres For which cause as it seemeth no subsidy or ayde was demanded but the King againe pawning his Crowne to his vncle Beaufort the rich Cardinall for twenty thousand pound before the said month was expired with foure thousand horse and foure and twenty thousand foote returned into France to follow those warres 66 Neither was his hast more then needed for Iohn Earle of Bucquhanan and Archbald Dowglas two valiant leaders of seuen hundred resolute Scots repaired into France to ayde the Daulphin and ioining with the French in Aniou meant to haue surprized the Duke of Clarence before he had beene aware in which enterprize foure stragling Scots taken and brought to his presence as he sate at dinner reuealed the intent and strength of the Enemy whose approach was verie neere at hand This newes no soo nesty and mercy which shall crowne my memory with glory and free mee from blame and slander which in long raignes can hardly be auoided but you haue iust cause to mourne at my vntimely death and it cannot bee but a generall griefe to my people that in such an Ocean of businesse yet depending I shall leaue you and them destitute of a Prince able to gouern but your sorrow ought to be so much the lesse when you call to mind the frailty of worldly thinges and that euermore there will bee somewhat wanting which wee desire My first request vnto you shall bee this that with an vnanimous affection to aduise foresee and prouide that the counsel which I name may be followed I further ernestly entreat you to loue my Infant Henry to instruct him with your wisdomes that by your counsell care and loue hee may be made able worthy to weild so great an Empire Comfort my deare wife the most afflicted Creature liuing extend your loues vnto her in the same proportion as I haue euer loued you Touching the publike I admonish and exhort you to brotherlie concord and neuer to breake league with Philip Duke of Burgundie and if you shall thinke it good let my brother Humfrey Duke of Glocester gouerne England and not depart vpon any occasion whatsoeuer vntill my sonne Henry be of yeeres to sway the estate and my brother Iohn Duke of Bedford with the assistance of Philip Duke of Burgundy to manage the Realme of France Concerning Charles commonly called the Daulphin either he must by your swords be made to submit himselfe or else you shall neuer be in quiet and it were as good to render him the possession of what you haue wherefore sleepe not and while you haue meanes and opportunity be industrious Lastly I beseech charge and command you howsoeuer time or occasion may perswade or inuite you to the contrary that Normandy receiued by my industry and your swordes being the ancient inheritance of the Crowne of England be not alienated for any cause whatsoeuer Among other things then enioined he willed that the
any of aboue fifteene The great number of the slaine is not the measure of a victory but the vse and effects which it drawes The Duke of Alanson himselfe was taken prisoner with about two hundred others of speciall worth The English paid for this noble victory the bodies of about two thousand of their souldiers which lost life there for it was fought vpon faire termes in the open fields and carried by meere manhood That which followeth till the siege of Orleance Paul Aemylius comprehendeth in some few lines The fierce Conquerour besiegeth Mants in Main and with Ordinance beates downe part of the wals It yeelds heereupon The English Garrison left therein after the taking not being sufficient to containe the Towne in due subiection is compelled to flie to a Tower for their safetie the enemies which were admitted into it by the Burgers enioying the rest The Lord Talbot the most noble Captaine of the English presently arriues to the rescue and puts the malefactors to death The English Empire extends it selfe to the Riuer of Loyr Charles they call in scorne the King of Berry Thus roundly he In nine Articles and capitulations drawne and concluded at the yeelding of Mâ—…nts this was one as perhaps it was in euery like occasion That if any persons were found within the City which had beene consenting to the murther of Iohn Duke of Burgoin father to Philip Duke of Burgoin in full reuenge whereof he had hither to adhered to the English that they should simply bee at the Regents mercy 8 The chiefe things which passed in England during these happy proceedings in France were briefly these Iames Steward the young King of Scots hauing beene casually taken vpon the Sea in the reigne of King Henry the fourth and after his fathers death not sufficiently tendered nor respected by the Scots remained still a Prisoner The rather therefore to hinder the Scots that was the hope from aiding the French it was now thought fit by the Councell of England to enlarge him Which was accordingly done vpon pledges Not long after the which he married the Ladie Iane daughter to Iohn Earle of Sommerset neere cosen to King Henry Principall setters forward of this marriage as by likelihood of his liberty also to honour their family with a Kingly alliance were the Earle of Sommerset and the Bishop of Winchester both of them Beauforts who together with sundry other of the English Nobility conducted the new married Couple to the Scottish Borders Much of his ransome was abated and his new kinsemen bestowed vpon him store of plate gold and siluer among other gorgeous Ornaments suit of hangings in which the labors of Hercules were most curiously wrought But this wise King hauing had the benefit of excellent and Princely education in England did not suffer any obligations contracted in the time of his durance to preponderate with him the Generall state of Scotland whose freedome did much depend vpon the fortune of France whereby the maine drift of his enlargers was not much aduanced The reason notwithstanding which lead this action was probable and so much the more commendable for that it was tempered with humanity The forreine mischiefe thus howsoeuer intended hereby to be auoided or qualified Sir Iohn Mortimer a dangerous firebrand at home being Prisoner in the Tower was arraigned for many treasonable speeches vsed to a yeoman seruant to Sir Robert Scot keeper of the Tower of London to draw the said yeoman to let him escape promising him great matters The points of his speeches were as that fellow charged vpon him in open Parliament 1. That the said Mortimer meant to flie into Wales to the Earle of March and with an armie of forty thousand men to enter England and strike off the Protectors head and the Bishop of Winchesters 2. That the Earle of March ought by right to bee King of England and if the Earle would not that then hee himselfe was next heire 3. That if he could not safely reach to the Marches he would saile to the Daulphin of France and there serue with honor which he was assured of For these ouertures of escape and conspiracie the Knight was drawne hanged and headed Of whose death no small slander arose Perhaps he that writes so doth meane that the whole was but a stratageme to rid him out of the way Edmund Lord Mortimer Earle of March the party whom the said knight mentioned was sent not long after with many other Lords and competent numbers of men into Ireland where he deceased without issue whose great patrimony descended to Richard Plantagenet Earle of Cambridge the fatall disturber of the Realme of England vpon the pretence of Mortimers title to the Crowne 9 The amity with the Duke of Burgoin which the English had hitherto found so auailable toward their Conquests hauing otherwise receiued some few slight flawes was now in danger of vtter breaking vpon this occasion Humfrey Duke of Gloucester Protector of the Realme following councell vnworthy of his person and place contracted himselfe with the Lady Iaqueline of Baâ—…aria Inheretrix of Holland Zeland Henaâ—…lt and many other faire dominions in the Netherlands notwithstanding that Iohn Duke of Brabant her former husband was then liuing and that the suit of diuorce commenced by Iaqueline depended still betweene them The Duke of Burgoin held with Brabâ—…t This bred bitter humor in the Duke of Glocester who being not vsed to meet with any rubs or confrontments and now when in person he came with an armie to take seison of Henault in right of his supposed wife finding himselfe hard set vnto by the aids which Burgoin ministred to the Duke of Brabant he challengeth Combat of the Duke of Burgundy calling him traitour It was accepted and the lie strongly thrust vpon Gloucester who leauing the light Lady at her Towne of Monts in Henault returned into England doing nothing of that for which at that time he came Mediation tooke vp the quarrell afterward betweene the Duke of Burgundy and him Not long after the returne of the Duke of Gloucester into England the first marriage which had beene made and consummated betweene the Duke of Brabant and the said Lady Iaqueline was pronounced lawfull by Pope Martin the fifth Hereupon the Duke of Glocester hauing susteined many losses aswell of friends as treasure in punishment of that great sinne in taking anothers wife forthwith marries Eleanour daughter to Reignald Lord Cobham of Sterborough whereby he made her amends for that vnlawfull familiarity which had formerly passed betweene them Meanewhile the Court of England doth well shew that the King was an infant for it was full of dangerous emulations and sidings the Duke of Gloucester whose high office it was to tender the welfare of the King and State laying sundry grieuous accusations against the Cardinall Beaufort sonne of Iohn Duke of Lancaster Bishop of Winchester and Lord
dayes lay naked and vnburied his remembrance being as odious to all as his person deformed and lothsome to be looked vpon for whose further despite the white Bore his cognizance was torne downe from euery Signe that his monument might perish as did the monies of Caligula which were all melted by the decree of the Senate Lastly his body without all funeral solemnity was buried in the Gray-Friers Church of that City But King Henry his Successor of a princely disposition caused afterward his Tombe to bee made with a picture of Alablaster representing his person and to be set vp in the same Church which at the suppression of that Monastery was pulled downe and vtterly defaced since when his graue ouergrowne with nettles and weedes is very obscure and not to be found Onely the stone chest wherin his corpes lay is now made a drinking trough for horses at a common Inne and retaineth the onely memory of this Monarches greatnesse His body also as tradition hath deliuered was borne out of the City and contemptuously bestowed vnder the end of Bow-Bridge which giueth passage ouer a branch of Stowre vpon the west side of the Towne Vpon this Bridge the like report runneth stood a stone of some height against which King Richard as hee passed toward Bosworth by chance strucke his spur and against the same stone as he was brought backe hanging by the horse side his head was dashed and broken as a wise woman forsooth had foretold who before Richards going to battell being asked of his successe said that where his spurre strucke his head should be broken but of these things as is the report so let be the credite Dead he is and with his death ended the factions a long time continued betwixt the Families of Lancaster and Yorke in whose bandings to bring set keep the Crown on their heades eight or nine bloudy set battels had beene fought and no lesse then fourescore persons of the bloud-royall slaine as Philip Câ—…ines the French Writer saith many of them being wel knowne to himselfe after which stormes and this Tirants death a blessed vnion ensued by ioining those houses in Henry of Lancaster and Elizabeth of Yorke 60 Hee was of Stature but little and of shape deformed the left shoulder bunching out like a Mole-hill on his backe his haire thinne and face short a cruell countenance in whose aspect might bee perceiued both malice and deceit When hee stood musing as hee would doe oft his vse was to bite and chaw the nether lip his hand euer on his dagger which euer hee would chop vp and down in the sheath but neuer draw it fully out Pregnant in wit hee was wily to faine apt to dissemble and haughty of Stomacke an expert Souldier and a better King then a man He founded a Colledge at Middleham beyond York and a Collegiat Chauntery in London neere vnto the Tower called Our Lady of Barking he endowed the Queenes Colledge in Cambridge with fiue hundred Marks of yeerely reuenew and disforrested the great Field of Wichwood which King Edward his brother had inclosed for his game he raigned two yeeres two moneths and one day and was buried as we haue said His Wife 61 Anne the second daughter and Coheire to Richard Neuil the stout Earle of Warwicke and Salesbury was first married to Edward Prince of Wales the sonne to King Henry the sixth and after his death was remarried to Richard Duke of Gloucester Anno 1472. afterwards by vsurpation King of England with whom in great State and solemnity shee was Crowned Queene the sixth of Iuly and yeere of Saluation 1483. She was his wife to the last yeere of his Raigne and then leauing her husband to choose another Queene was laid at rest in the Abbey of Westminster in this thing happy that she saw not the death of the Tyrant His Issue 62 Edward the sonne of King Richard and of Queene Anne his Wife and the onely childe of them both was borne in the Castle of Middleham neere Richmund in the Countie of Yorke Anno 1473. and being vnder foure yeeres of age was created Earle of Salisbury by his Vncle King Edward the fourth the seuenteenth of his Raigne but his father King Richard in the first of his vsurpation created him Prince of Wales the foure twentieth of August and yeere of Christ 1483. he then being about ten yeeres of age vnto whom also the Crowne was intailed by Parliament but this Prince dying before his father and much vpon the time of his mothers decease saw not the reuenge that followed the Tyrants Raigne whose bad life no doubt hath made doubtfull the place of this Princes buriall and other Princely offices done him in his life and at his death HENRIE THE SEVENTH KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE AND LORD OF IRELAND THE FIFTIE SEVENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER XX. HENRIE of that name the seauenth hauing by such mixt meanes of valor and practise as are alreadie described obtained the possession of Englands Crown we must now present vnto you his actions in the person and state of a King maintained by him with like mixture of courage and skill as it was atchieued to the verification of that rule That things are kept by the same Arts whereby they were gained In describing whereof wee meane nothing lesse then for humoring the vaine admirers of phrase and conceit to mount vp into Panegyricall flourishes in honor of the man though his excellent vertues would worthily beare if not duely also exact them yet may wee not omiâ—…to obserue that as in his attaining to the Crowne there was through diuine prouidence a concurring disposition of all important Circumstances without which his attempt might haue proued disasterous so hee hauing now possessed the Soueraigne power and mastered the State in the maine pointes easily made circumstances waite vpon his wisdom and to take their forme from his directions Of the first kind wherein his felicity deserues to be celebrated were these That he by the Male-line a meere stranger to both the roiall houses as descended from the Welsh and French and by the female springing out of such a family of Lancaster the Beanfords as by the same law which enabled it to inherite in ordinary estates was made incapable of succeâ—…n in the Regalitie should so safely be conuaied away into forraine parts there to continue an head of expectation and reuolt during the intestine troubles and dangers to him ineuitable here at home Secondly that the Realme of England should bee so auerted from Richard though a very honorable wise iust and necessary Prince after hee was somewhat setled as for his sake to neglect in a sort so many naturall heires of the house of Yorke some of them in right preceding Richard such were the children of Edward the fourth and George Duke of Clarence Richards elder brethren and all of
draw Gods indignation against me which I feare wee haue already done in that hee hath sent vs no Issue male and them that were begot in this nuptiall bed no sooner came into the world but were taken againe thence and hopelesse now of more issue by her it behoueth me to consider the state of this Realme and the danger that may follow for lacke of a lawfull Prince to succeed This burden too weighty for my weake conscience not in any dislike of the Queenes age or person with whom I desire onely to continue if our marriage may stand with the law of God I haue in this place assembled you our graue Prelates and learned Diuines to determine of and will God willing submit my selfe to your iudgements My doubts in this case I moued in confession to you my Lord of Lincolne and ghostly father whereof your selfe being somwhat trobled said you would aske counsell of you all my Lords Then of you my Lord of Canterbury being Metropolitane I got licence to put the matter in question to which graâ—… you all put your seales as here in this Court the same is to bee seene True it is said the Lord of Canterbury and I doubt not but that all my brethren here present will acknowledge the same Not so my Lord said the Bishoppe of Rochester you neuer had my hand to that Instrument nor neuer shal Indeed said Canterbury you did it not your selfe but admitted mâ—…e to subscribe your name and allowed mee your Seale vnder your correction said Rochester that is not so Well well quoth the King you are but one man against whom at this time we will not dispute and so rose vp and the Court adiourned ned to England but he tooke his way towards the Emperour to whom the cause somewhat appertained being then at Vienna in his expedition against the Turke vnto whose learned men he offered disputation and in priuate conference so satisfied Cornelius Agrippa the most respected for learning in the Emperours Court as he held the Proposition most true Whereupon others learned were discouraged to dispute and suffered Cranmer to depart without any further proceedings 80 The matter thus manifested in most parts of Christendome this Gordians knot was lastly vnloosed by King Henrie himselfe who now besides this his marriage beganne to call in question what authority the Pope had in his dominions which being afterwards debated in Parliament an Act passed against his vsurped Hierarchy and all persons forbidden to appeale or to make any paiments vnto Rome The Kings marriage with Lady Katherine was by the same Parliament dissolued and his separation from her made by the Archbishop of Canterburie to stand good and effectuall by Law and that Queene Katherine from thenceforth should be called Princesse Dowager which doings shee tooke so to hart as shee procured the Popes curse against King Henrie and his Realme which curse was set vp at Dunkirke in Flaunders for that the bringer thereof durst come no neerer And the Pope in reuenge of himselfe being set in his Consistory accompanied with his Cardinals proceeded to the Censure of these great Princes marriage which he then adiudged to stand most firme and Canonicall and enioyned King Henry to hold matrimoniall society with the said Katherine his lawfull wife and Queene and in that estate to account and maintaine her as it became a King and louing husband to doe and if he refused to accomplish these premisses then to be compelled thereunto and neuer after to be heard in any Court as touching the inualiditie of the said marriage and to pay the expences of the said trauerse as he the holy father should limit and thinke meete This was done a yeere after that the King had married Queen Anne and bare date from Rome the 23. of March and yeere of Christ 1534. For in the meane while King Henry had set his affection vpon the Lady Anne Bullen a Phenix indeed in his Princely eye and another Hester for Englands saluation both in her selfe and roiall Bud succeeding as the heauens and world doe witnes to this day Shee was the daughter of Sir Thomas Bullen Viscount Rochford Earle of Wiltshire and of Ladie Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke This Earle Thomas her father was the sonne of Sir William Bullen whose wife was Lady Margaret the second daughter and Coheire of Thomas Butler Earle of Ormond and the said Sir William was the sonne of Sir Godfrey Bullen Lord Maior of London who lieth buried in Saint Laurence Church in the Iewrie pictured in his winding sheete vpon a Plate of Brasse and about his Graue-stone vpon a border of brasse in many places these words are written Now thus Now thus Now thus whose Charity was extended vpon the poore housholders of that Citie in distributing among them a thousand pounds His Lady was Anne eldest daughter and Coheire vnto Thomas Lord Hâ—… and Hasting and his discent out of the house of the Bullens an ancient Family in the Countie of Norfolke accursed therefore be the pen that slanderously bringeth this rose from a defiled Bed whose Serpents mouth to vphold his God the Pope hath spewed out his poison of vntruthes and made his tongue a sharpe sword against the Lords annointed let him therefore receiue his portion with the Serpent of deceit and his reward with Satan the father of Lies 81 This Ladies religion was different from all Papall indulgences imbracing the Gospell that then began in our vulgar language to bee read for which cause saith Sleidan she was accounted a Lutheran cause enough to bee enuied at by the Bishops of that time 82 Her the King inuested Marchionesse of Pembroke with Mantle and Coronet both in regarde of her Nobilitie and many vertues for so runne the wordes of her Patent which done he tooke the seas for France accompanied with such a traine of his Nobles as the like had not been seen and among many Ladies Anne Bullen was one where hee complained to the French King of the great wrongs offered him by the dull Pope as hee called him who would haue Kings in person to attend his leasure at Rome and contrary to their Kingly dignities to expose themselues and affaires at his will there to bondage and great danger and therefore he earnestly requested that the Pope might bee summoned to a Councell to answere the many abuses that hee had offered vnto most of the Princes in Christendome and vnto himselfe not the least who for his part had allowed him threescore thousand Angels monethly to maintaine an Army for his deliuerance out of the Castle of Angell where the Emperials vnder the Prince of Orenge kept him Which his businesse being ended in France and the King againe returned into England he presently though priuily married the said Lady Marchionesse in his Closet at White-hall in the presence of many the Lady Anne
of Nouember at a place beyond Carliel called Solem-mosse where were taken Prisoners the Earles of Cassils and Glencarne the Lords Maxwell Flemming Summerwell Oliphant and Grey Sir Oliuer Sinclere and others to the number of one and twenty men of account who were conueighed to London and committed to the Tower For griefe of which losse and suspition of his Nobility King Iames fell into a melancholy Passion which the birth of his new borne Princesse rather increased then gaue him any coÌ„fort so as hee deceased the foureteenth day of December following foreshewing saith Leslie great troubles to follow in Scotland 119 Newes brought neere at one instant of the death of King Iames birth of the Princesse his daughter King Henry intended to doe that by the match of a marriage which long had beene assayed by the sword of Mars all things so consorting as it did he hauing one onely sonne then aboue fiue yeres of age and Scotland no heire beside this new borne daughter their yeeres suiting a consent for marriage the whole Iland offering both the ioynter and dowry and that which most moued their chiefe Nobility in his owne hands to be moulded for this designe as if heauen it selfe had bid the banes 120 Those Prisoners therefore which had remained in the Tower only two daies vpon the twenty one of December he sent for to Westminster the Earles and Lords all suited in Gownes of blacke damaske furred with Cunny whereafter some words of friendly reproofe they were bestowed among the English Nobility who vsed them according to their estates and the third day in Christmas were inuited to the Court at Greenewich where they went before the King to 〈◊〉 Chappell were royally feasted and the motion then made for the establishing of peace by the Coniunction of the two Princes whereunto the Scotish were as willing as the English proffered all forward assistance to haue it accomplished So that these Nobles were deliuered without other ransome and richly rewarded at their departure from Court 121 These returned into Scotland declared what they had done and so effectually followed the busines that in a Parliament assembled of the three Estates the marriage was confirmed and a peace proclaimed to continue betwixt the two Realmes the space of tenne yeeres which agreements were sent into England by honourable Ambassadors and there interchangeably sealed betwixt these Potent Estates But Cardinall Betâ—… Archbishop of Saint Andrewes fearing least Scotland would change the Church Orders 〈◊〉 England had done the Bible already read in their owne language and the Popes vsurped power called in Question as then it began to be by the feruent preaching of Friet Guiliam to the great liking of most of the Lord made some exceptions against the Earle Arraine the new chosen Gouernour and second person in the Land being neerest in blood to the young Queene And the French King not liking this vnion with England sought by all meanes to 〈◊〉 the same match to effect which he sent the Eaâ—…le of Lennox to perswade with the Gouernour with great proffers and promises of assistance but finding him faithfull vnto King Henry presently made faction for the French wherein hee drew the Queene mother the Earles Huntly Argile Mâ—…trosse Menteith and many more Peeres the Cardinall amongst them euer the chiefe 122 Earle Lennox thus growne into credite with the Queene mother 〈◊〉 made strong by her adherents that fauoured the French presently claimed to be Gouernour of Scotland being the second person of degree in the Realme and withall to haue the custody of the young Queene who with heâ—… mother were forth with taken from 〈◊〉 vnder the charge of the Gouernour Arraiâ—…e and brought vnto Striueling strongly guarded with the continuall presence of the Lords 〈◊〉 Erskâ—… Fleâ—…ing and Ruthwen least Queene Mary should be conueyed into England vnto King Henry These violent courses caused great Emulations among the Scotish Nobility each of them siding as their affections were setled but lastly agree to set the Crowne on their young Queenes head prepared for the solemnity whereunto all the Lords came excepting those that stood for England and from them the Gouernour with much adoe was drawne to be present at the Coronation but that accomplished and the state affaires consulted vpon it was agreed that the French Kings suite should be fauoured and that the Earle Arran should be Gouernour still whereat Earle Lennox conceiued such displeasure as he became wholy for King Henrie ioined himselfe with the Earles of Augus Gleâ—…carne and Cassils the Lords Maxwel Summeruell Gray and others that stood with the English for the match with Prince Edward 123 King Henry then hearing what was done and intended sent presently into Scotland to demand the Custody of the young Queene and that certaine Scotish Noblemen might be appointed to guarde her in England vntill shee came to yeeres of consent according to Couenants formerly concluded which no waies would be granted and thereupon he prepared an Army thetherward vnder the Conduct of Lord Edward Seiâ—…er Earle of Hertford Lieutenant Generall by Land accompanied with the Earle of 〈◊〉 and a Fleete of two hundred saile by Sea whereof Sir Iohn Dudley Vicount Lisle was Admirall 124 To the aide of the Scots the Peopes holinesse was very forward who sent them the Patriarch of Venice as his Legate Orator to perswade their Resolutions with whom the French King sent Monfieur la Broche and Monfieur Menager to lead them to fight and fifty thousand Crownes of the Sun to suâ—…taine the Charge with munition worth ten thousand Crownes more It seemeth by Lesly that part of this siluer fell into the Earle Lennâ—… his hand and that therewith he made head against the Gouernor but not able to match him sent vnto King Henry for aide with proffer of his seruice against the French side which so well was accepted of Henry as he made him his Nephew by giuing the Lady Margaret his sisters daughter to be his wife 125 Thâ—… English thus seconded with this vnlooked for Allyance Cardinall Beton thought good to binde all to the Gouernour who with the Authority of the Queene Dowager proclaimed Lennox an Enemy to the State But in the meane while the Admirall of England was entred the Frith and at new Hauen landed his men where ioining his to the land Seruice they altogether marched thence towards Lâ—…th himselfe leading the Vaward Shrewsbury the Rereward and the Lord Lieutenant the maine Battell These comming to Lieth spoiled the Town and thence to Edenbrough burnt the City and wasted the Country for seauen miles about this done they set fire vpon Haddington and 〈◊〉 and then the whole Army returned vnto Barwicke 126 Whilst things thus passed in Scotland and the maine purpose resting in suspence King Henry well knew where the greatest rub did lie in his way which was the French
 M Our Lady William de Buckingham confirmed by K. Edward 3.      VVARVVICKESHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q Warwicke P Saint Sepulchers Richard Neuill Earle of Warwicke 0049 13 06 oo o Warwicke P Peter de Mountford Blacke Canons      Warwicke F Friers Preachers 0004 18 06 oo o Warwicke Eccles. Colleg. 0247 13 00 ob  Warwicke H Saint Michael 0010 01 10 oo o Warwicke H Sancta Baptista 0019 03 07 oo o Warwicke Saint George Robert de Deneby William Russell and Hugh Cooke for the state of the King and Anne the Queene Michael de la Poole and all their Brethren and Sisters and for Enne Prince of Wales A Fraternity      Warwicke Hongingate Chauntry Thomas Beanchampe Earle of Warwicke      Warwicke H Saint Iohn Thomas Beanchampe      Couentree P Saint Anne Frier Iohn of Northerbury a Carthusian Prior. Carthusians 0251 05 09 o o Couentree P Saint Mary King Canute and Leofricke Earle of Mercians A. D. 1043. Blacke Monkes      Couentree F Sir Iohn Poultney Knight Anno Domini 1332. Carmelites or White Friers 0007 13 04 oo o Couentree H S. Iohn Baptist. 0083 03 03 oo o Alcetter or Alnecester P S. Iohn Baptist. Blacke Monkes 0101 14 00 oo o Asteley C Thomas Lord Astley Deane and Secular Canons 0039 10 06 oo o Atherston F Augustine Friers 0001 10 02 oo o Auecater A Câ—…to Malâ—…rno Priorie in Worcestershire P 0034 08 00 oo o Babelacke C 0045 6 008 oo o Berdeslege M Beata Maria. White Monkes      Cadbury The Ancestors of Sir Ralph Botelar knight Baron and Lord of Sudley Treasurer of England      Combe M Saint Mary Camuils and Mowbraies White Monkes 0343 00 05 oo o Erneby or Erdebury P 0122 08 06 oo o Godscliffe C Richard Earle of Warwicke      Henwood N Saint Margaret Cethelbarne de la Laund Nunnes 0021 02 00 ob o Kenelworth M Geffrey Clinton Chamberlaine vnto King Henry the first Blacke Canons 0643 14 09 ob o Kingeswood N Blacke Nunnes      Knolle C Elizabeth wife to Iohn Lord Clinton 0018 05 06 oo o Maxstocke P 0129 11 08 ob o Meriuall M Saint Mary Robert Ferrars A. 1. H. 2. White Monkes 0303 10 00 oo o Nuneaton N Amice wife to Robert Bossu Earle of Leicester Nuns 0290 15 00 ob o Pollesworth N Saint Edith Modwena an Irish Virgin Repaired by R. Marâ—… a Nobleman Blacke Nunnes 0023 08 06 oo o Pynley N Nuns 0027 14 07 oo o Stoneley M K. Henry the second White Monkes 0578 02 05 oo o Stratford super Anon. Eccles. Colleg. Iohn of Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury 0123 11 09 oo o Studeley P Blacke Canons 0181 03 06 oo o Thelford The Lucies Knights Poore folke and Pilgrimes 0023 10 00 oo o Wroxhall N God and Saint Leonard Hugh de Hatton Blacke Nunnes 0078 10 01 ob o VVESTMORLAND Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q Sharpe M Thomas the sonne of Gospatricke sonne of Ormes 0166 10 06 ob o VVILT-SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q. Salisbury EpaÌ„tus Saint Peter Osmond Bishoppe of Salisbury temp W. Rufi Anno Dom. 1091. Secular Canons      Salisbury C Saint Edith      Salisbury F King Edward the first and Robert Kilward by Archbishop of Canterbury Blacke Friers      Salisbury F Grey Friers      Iuxta Salisbury H Saint Michael Richard B. of Salisbury A. D. 1382. 0025 02 02 oo o Ambresbury M Alfritha King Edgars wife White Monkes 0558 10 02 oo o Ambresbury N King Etheldred Holy Virgins      Austy H 0081 08 05 ob o Bradnesioke P Saint Marie Walter the eldest sonne of Walter de Eureux Earle of Rosmar in Normandy Blacke Monkes 0270 10 08 oo o Bromhore or Bromere P Saint Mary S. Michael Banldwin Earle of Riuers and Deuonshire Blacke Canons      Brioptune P S. Mary Magd. Blacke Canons      Calne H 0002 02 08 oo o Crekelade H 0004 10 07 ob o Edoros P King Henry the second and after Henry the third Blacke Canons 0133 00 07 ob o Edindon P All-Saints William de Edindon Bishop of Winchester Bonis hominibus 0521 12 05 ob o Eston P Saint Trinity 0055 14 04 oo o Farleigh MonachoruÌ„ P S. Mary Magd. The Earle of Hereford or Hertford Blacke Monkes Cluniacenses 0217 00 04 ob o Fishhart F Mary Countesse of Norffolke Friers Preachers      Heitesbury Eccles-Collegiat Robert Lord Hungerford and Margaret      Henton N Dame Ela Countesse of Salisbury Nunnes      Kynton P Saint Mary S. Michael Nunnes 0038 03 10 oo o Lacocke M Saint Mary Dame Ela Countesse of Salisbury An. D 1232 0203 12 03 ob o Malmesbury M Saint Adelme Madulph an Irish Scot. Adelme his Scholler King Athelstan Blacke Monks 0803 17 07 oo o Middleton P King Athelstan      Marleburgh P Saint Margaret Edmund Earle of Cornwall Canons 0038 19 02 oo o Marleburgh F Iohn Goodwyn William Remsâ—…ich A. D. 1316 Carmelites or White Friers      Iuxta Marleburgh H S. Iohn Baptist. 0006 18 04 oo o Maiden-Bradley P Manasses Bisset Confirmed by King Iohn 0197 18 08 oo o Maiden Bradeley One of the Inheritrices of Manasses Bisset Leprosi      Stanley M Saint Mary White Monkes 0222 19 04 oo o Wilton N Saint Mary and Saint Edith Weolsthan Earle of Ellandanum or Wilton Edith wife of S. Edward Blacke Nunnes 0652 11 05 oo q Iuxta Wilton H Sant Egidius 0005 13 04 oo o Westchurch P      VVORCESTERSHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q Worcester M now Eccl. Cath. Saint Marie Saint Wolstan Saint Katherin Sexwulph Bishoppe of the Mercians Anno Domini 680. Oswald Bishop of Worcester Wolstan Bishoppe there also Anno Domini 1090. These continued 500. yeers K. Henry the eight in stead of these placed in it a Dean Prebends ordained to it a Grammer Schoole Blacke Monkes 1386 12 10 ob q Worcester F Grey Friers      Worcester F William Beanchampe Blacke Friers      Worcester H Saint Wolstan 0063 18 10 oo o Alcetur Cellula 0075 07 00 oo q Bordelege P Saint Mary K. Henry the second and Maud the Empresse VVhite Monkes      Bredon M Offa king of the Mercians    Â
then was Guilfords Bride Iane the elder daughter of Suffolke whose mother Lady Francis then liuing was the daughter of Mary the French Queen the younger sister to King Henry the eight vnto whom King Edward ouer-wrought in his weakenes ordained his Crowne by Will at the suggestions of such Politiques as mount to disherite the two lawfull Princes Mary and Elizabeth and to impugne the Statute in case prouided for the succession of K. Henry the eight his children vnto which Will O griefe to heare subscribed all the Kings Councell most of the Nobility the reuerend Bishops and all the Iudges of the land one onely excepted ouen Sir Iames Halles knight a Iustice of the common Pleas vpright in iudgement a fauourer of the Gospell he I say neuer would write or consent to the disheriting of the Lady Mary 76 The King thus accomplishing what his Statists had wrought lay languishing in his faintnes the end wherefore could not be expected but onely by death and now being worne almost to nothing his last 〈◊〉 drawing to the limits of Nature he lift vp his eyes with a prepared heart and prayed as followeth Lord God deliuer me out of this miserable and wretched life and take me among thy Chosen howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I câ—â—â—iâ—… my spirite to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for mee to be with thee yet for thy chosen sake if it bee thy will send me life and health that I may truly serue thee O my Lord blesse thy people and saue thine inheritance O Lord God saue thy chosen people of England O my Lord God defend this Realme from Papistrie and maintaine thy true religion that I and my people may praise thy holy 〈◊〉 for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake So turning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and seeing some by him saide I thought you had not beene so nigh you said Doctor Owen wee heard you speake to your selfe then said the King I was praying to God O I am faint Lord haue mâ—…rcy 〈◊〉 me and reuiue my spirit 〈◊〉 so saying gaue vp the Ghost to the g 〈…〉 of â—â—glâ—â—d in whom they had conceiued most hopes 77 His vertues were rare and many exceeding most Princes and vices so few that none can be taxed with lesse very learned according to his yeeres he was in the Latine and Greek tongues the French Spanish and Italian yea and saith Hieronymus Cardanus he was adorned with the skill of Logicke naturall Philosophie and Musicke and for Astronomy saith he my selfe had experience whom he learnedly opposed of the cause and course of Comets for Humanity he is the very Image of Morality and in princely graue Maiesty best beseeming a King briefly hee may well seeme to be a miracle in Nature nor doe I speake thus Rhetorically to amplifie things or to make them more then truth is for the truth is more then I do vtter and in this hee was most admirable that hee could tell and recite all the Ports Hauens and Creekes not within his owne Realme onely but also in Scotland and likewise in France what comming in there was how the tide serued in euery of them what burden of Shippe and what winde best serued the comming in into them 78 Of all his Nobles Gentry Iustices and Magistrates he tooke speciall name of their Hospitality and religious conuersations and that which is best accepted of a Prince hee was very liberall louing mercifull meeke and gentle towards his people and so farre from bloud as hee euer fauoured and spared as much as might bee the life of man yea euen of Rebels as wee haue seene neither was hee willing to put Heretickes to death as in a certaine dissertation had once with M. Cheeke it appeared insomuch that when Ioan Butoher should be burned for her heresie all the Councell could not moue him to set his hand to the warrant of her execution vntill D. Cranmer his Godfather Archbishoppe of Canterbury laboured to induce him vnto whom â—…ee said what my Lord will you haue me to send 〈◊〉 quicke to hell and taking the pen vsed this speech I will lay all the charge hereof vpon Cranmer before God Then how his hand had beene gotten for his vncles death is to bee admired 79 But his constancy vnto Christs Gospell with the abandoning of all superstition was very admirable one example among many wee will not let to declare Lady Mary his sister through the suit of Charles the Emperour made great meanes to haue Masse said in her house and that to bee done without all preiudice of law the greatnesse of her Person being the immediate successor and the might of the Emperour in amitie with England moued the Councell to giue their consent to the suit to forward which Cranmer Archbishoppe of Canterbury accompanied with Ridley Bishoppe of London were imployed from them to the King who hearing their message gaue the replication so grounded vppon Scripture as they gaue ouer to vrge more that way but like Politicians alleadged the danger in breach of amity with the Emperour to which the King answered hee would rather aduenture the hazard of his own life then to grant that which was not agreeable to the truth The Bishops yet vrged him with the bonds of nature and submissiuely said they would haue no nay the King seeing himselfe so importunated burst into weeping and sobbingly desired them to be content whereat the teares so abundantly burst from their eyes as they departed his presence not able to speake And for a further testimony of this yong Kings zeale reade if you please a letter sent vnto his sister the Princesse Lady Mary out of the originall 80 Right deare and right entirely beloued sister we greet you well and let you know that it grieneth vs much to 〈◊〉 no amendment in you of that which wee for good cause your soules health our conscience and common tranquility of our Realme haue so long dâ—…sired assuring you that our sufferance hath more demonstration of natâ—…r all loue then contentation of our conscience and fore-sight of our safety Wherefore although you giue 〈◊〉 â—…sion asmuch almost as in you is to diminish our naturall lode yet bee wee loath to feele it decay and meane not to bee so carelesse of you as wee bee prouoked And therfore meaning your weale and therewith ioyning a care not to be found guilty in our own conscience to God hauing cause to require forgiuenesse that wee haue so long for respect of loue towards you omitted our bounde duety we do send at this present our right trusty right welbeloued Counsellor the L. Rich our Chancellor of England our trusty and right well beloued Counsellor Sir Anthony Wingfield Knight Comptroler of our Houshold and Sir Will. Peter Knight one of our two principall Secretaries in message to you touching the order of your house willing you to giue theÌ„ firme credite in those things they shal
a peace Enguerrant de Mâ—…let Vpon an vnexpected assault by the French the King stâ—…eth further talke of peace A. D. 1415. March 14. * Nichol. Gilles Alain Chartier Secretarie an Roy Charles 7. * Hist. of Normandie saith 800. Rich. Grafton Harflew besieged by the French both by land and sea Enguerrant de Monstrel The Emperour out of hope to make attonement for France entreth league with England * Titus Liui. The Pope might not be opposed Agâ—…ino Giustiâ—…ano Vâ—…scouo di 〈◊〉 Paul Aemilâ—… Alain Charâ—…ey Secretarie French Nauy ouâ—…rthrowne History of Normandy La Mer des Histories The Emperour applaudeth the â—…city of England He prepareth for Germany Denis Sauage Chro. de Fland. The Duke of Burgundy doth homage to the Emperour and taketh a truce with K. Henrie Ioh. Serres in 〈◊〉 Charles 6. That no person should forsake the Towne for being true to K. Henry they should be safe Neither person nor goods of the Castels to be re ceiued into the Towne During the truce no assault to bee made on the Towne 12. Knights and Esquires to bee hostage to King Henry A. D. 1417. Fallais yeelded to the King The Articles agreed vpon That if they were not succoured by the French power to surrender That they should trust to the kings royall promise Geffrey Chasteaux excepted That the gouernour should repaire the wals 8. Gentlemen to be hostages The Castell repaired the Gouernour should be â—…et at liberty * Febru 16. The City of Roane besieged Polyd. Verg. Enguerrant de Monstreâ—… 15000. Citizens well trained within Roane The Riuer Seine blockt vp with Iron-Chaines Caxton Chron. Denis Sauage Roane besieged sixe monthes 50000. quite famished and 12000. almost starued put out of the Towne The Lady Katherines picture sent to King Henry to moue him to pitty Roane Iohn Serres Denis Sauage Enguerrant Ten thousand of Roane sally forth vpon King Henry and are ouerthrowne King Charles sendeth no succour The Rouennois desire a parley They returne vnsatisfied The Articles of the composition of Roane Denis Sauage Chron. de Flaunders King Henry requireth 356000. Crownes Enguerrant de Monstrel Two principall persons to bee left to his mercy All to sweare fealty to King Henry That their priuiledges should be confirmed to them That who so would might depart but their goods should bee forfeit The souldiers to resigne vp their armes and deâ—… part promising a twelue months truce The hungry Citizens plentifully relieued from Henries campe A fat mutton sould for 6. souses King Henry roially entreth the City Rouen 15. yeeres before the now winning of it was wonne by K. Philip from King Iohn of England Many Townes yeeld after the sorrender of Rouen Burgogne endeuoreth to make a peace betweene Charles and Henrie Polyd. Verg. The place of treaty was at Melun The French states came first Henry meeteth with a thousand horse Their followers on both parts though enemies demeane themselues ciuilly King Henry dis pleaâ—…d at their retuâ—…all The Dukes reply Burgogne sideth with the â—…ulphin who after ward slew him Ponthois besieged Enguerrant de Monstrelet The souldiers got great riches in the Towne King Charles vpon the loâ—…e oâ—… Poâ—… thâ—… flieth from Paris Enguerrant de Monstrelet Guillart and Rochguien two of the best Forts in Normandy A cunning plot of the Constable Armagnac 2. Sam. 17. Queene Isabell robd of her Iewels and plate The Daulphin drawes the King to suspect Queen Isabell. Aâ—…ls of Burgundy Queene Isabel and her sister imprisoned Shee solliciteth Burgogne for her deliuerance Burgogne sendeth to the Queene The manner of her escape from her keepers Shee is made Regent of France 10. Serres The causes why the French were the easier conquered by king Henry Eccles. 2. 19. The occasion of King Charles distemper Orleance newly married is in loue with another Câ—… dismist the Court for telling the Dutchesse of the incontinency of her husband King Charles pursueth Craon into Britaine Notwithstanding his sicknes he continueth his iourney Charles in the forrest at Noon-day seeth an apparition His followers thronging confusedly to helpe doe distemper him the more He runneth distractiuely at euery one with his sword Iohn Duke of Burgogne suspected of the State Charles the Daulphin seeketh his remouall Iohn Serres Burgogne repairing to the Daulphin is charged with breach of promise He is slaine by Tanneguy de Chastel and others Queene Isabel incites his sonne to reuenge it and moues Charles to disinherite the Daulphin and adopt King Henry Guil. Parradyn A peace concluded betweene K. Henry K. Charles and the new Duke of Buâ—…gogne King Henrie sollicites the Pope to confirme him King of France The Calamities of France for withstanding the right of the English La legende des Flamens The Pope stood for the Daulphin Alain Chartier Enguerrant de Monstrel Ambassadors from King Henry History of Normandy Ladie Katherine attended as Queene of England Henry goeth in person to Troyes History of Normandy The Articles agreed vpon betwixt the two kings Queene Katherines Dowry The Crowne of France intailed to England The gouernment of France assigned to King Henrie The subiects of France sworne to King Henry The tenor of the oath Churches Vniuersities and Colledges to enioy their liberties Normandy to be vnder the Crown of France Letter Grant gifts c. signed by King Charles And by King Henry King Henries stile duâ—…ing King Charles his life The vnion of the Crownes The vnion of the Subiects No peace with the Daulphin The punishment of the peace-breakers Holinsh. The testies of these Articles Wil. Parradin Annals of Burg. * Titus 〈◊〉 sets downe his Oath verbatim * Enguerrant Nicholas Vigneur Hollinsh King Henry married to Ladie Katheriâ—… History of Normandy Hollinshed but Polyd. 〈◊〉 aâ—…th this speech was deliuered before at their swearing of fealty Polyd. Verg. King Henries Oration vnto the States of France Polyd. Verg. The Daulphins counterplots to vphold himselfe Denis Sauage in Chro. de Fland. Enguerrant de Monstrel Monstreau beseeged and gotten Io. Millet Holinsh. Tis. Linius Melun beseeged and gotten Enguerrant King Henry fighteth in single Combat Translator of Liuie Enguerrant The French refuse to submit to their owne King Nichol. Giles Paris yeelded vp to King Henry * Dat. 23. Iuly An 1420. Denis Sauage Picardy sweares fealty to King Henry Enguerrant Enguerrant de Monstrelet Enguerrant A noble example of Iustice. Iohn Millet Iohn Millet The two Kings entred Paris The two Queens enter Paris Denis Sauage Millet Enguerrant de Monstr The two Kings sit personally in iudgement Processe against the murtherers of the Duke of Burgundy Iohn Serres The Daulphin cited to appeere and disinherited King Henry himselfe giues sentence iudicially Holinsh A quirke of Heraldy to ouerthrow a Iudiciall sentence A Parliament at Paris Holinsh. * Where they yet remaine saith Hollinsh p 578. King Henry returneth into England Enguerrant de Monstrelet Ex Antiq. M. S. D. Roberti Cotton Ex. Record Parl. 9. Hen. 5. The King pawneth his Crowne for money Pontus Herterm
The King excuseth his vncle The King is brought backe to Northampton The Duke of Glocester sends a dish of meat vnto the Lord Riuers The L. Riuers others beheaded Queene Elizabeth taketh Sanctuary The L. Chamberlaine sendeth the newes to the L. Chancellor The great heauinesse and confusion of the Queene and her seruants The Archbishops comforts to the Queene The L. Chancellour giues the great Seale to the Queene Great feare conceiued of the ouermuch murmuring made The L. Chancellour sendeth for the great Seale to the Queene Perswasions of the L. Hastings that nothing was extreamly meant L. Hastings somewhat dissembleth False imputation cast vpon the Lords of the Queenes bloud How soone the Commons are brought into fooles Paradise King Edward met by the Citizens and accompanied by them into London Richard Duke of Glocester made Protector of the King and Realm The great Seale is taken from the Archbishop of Yorke The Protectors perswasion to take out of Sanctuary the yong Duke of Yorke A â—…e â—…ch to fetch out the Duke The Protector would haue the Queene sent vnto If the Queene refuse to deliuer the Duke what is to be done All the Counsell allow of the Protectors speech A great offence to breake the Sanctuary S. Peters owne Cope was to be seen in Westminster The Duke of Buckinghams speech Queene Elizabeth held to haue a shrewd wit Not feare but frowardnes kept the yong Duke in Sanctuary A great feare without any great cause Buckinghams opinion of the Sanctuaries Much abuses suffered in Sanctuaries Westminster S. Martins The true vse of the Sanctuary The Duke of Yorke vncapable of Sanctuary Neither Pope nor King can allow Sanctuary men to consume other mens substance A man may take his wife out of Sanctuary without any offence to S. Peter Buckinghams conclusion The generall consent of them all The Cardinall doth his errand to the Queene The Queenes answere to the Cardinall Queene Elizabeth yeeldeth to deliuer the yong Duke The ambitious desire for a crowne Richard Duke of Yorke deliuered to the Cardinall A Iudâ—… kisse Buckingham priuie to the Protectors ploâ—… Suspicion without cause The couenants betwixt the Protector and the Duke of Buckingham Two counsels to diuers ends The mistrust of the times All flocke to the Protector Lord Stanleyes speach to the Lord Chamberlain * Catesby Catesby the cause of much mischiefe Catesby set to sound the Lord Hastings Lord Haestinge speeches concerning the plot Catesby false to his founder The counsel sate in the Tower for the ordering of the yong Kings Coronation The Protectors dissimulation The Protector now another man Lord Hastings speech to the Protectors question The Queene accused of Sorcery The withered aâ—…ne of the Protector by nature and not by 〈◊〉 The L. Chamberlain arrested The L. Staley wounded at Councell Table The L. Chamberlaine beheaded The L. Stanleys dreame The L. Hastings answere to the L. Stanleye meâ—…age Predictions towards the Lord Hastings The Lord Hastings speech to a Purseuant The vaine and suddain state of man The description of the Lord Hastings Citizens sent for into the Tower to the Protector The fained feare of the Lord Protector A Proclamation made to publish the Lord Hastings treasons The Protectors subtilty further knowne by his Proclamation The Schoole-masters opinion The Sheriffes of London carrie Shores wife to prison Shores wife did pennance All commend and pitie Shores vvife The description of Iane Shore Shee died the eighteene yeere of King Henry the eight saith Iohn Harding Shores wife did much good but no man hurt The Subiect not vnworthy to bee written The state of the world The Lords of the Queenes bloud beheaded at Pomfrait The Protector sought to strike whiles the yron was hote The Maior of London made of the Protectors counsell Shaa and Pinker two flattring Preachers Pinker preached at S Marie Hospitall and Dotor Shaa at Pauls Crosse. The plot and deuice how to entitle the Protector to the Crowne The sonne maketh the mother an adultresse K Edward and his children made bastards The text and contents of Doctor Shaas sermon Shaas shamlesse assertions TheÌ„ Preachers intention preuented Gods heauy punishment vpon the false flattering Preacher The Duke of Buckingham commeth to the Guildhall Buckinghams oration to the commons of London The fine glosings of the Duke of Buckingham King Edwards exactions made more then they were His tyranny towards his subiects exemplified by Burdet and Others No safety of goods or life as he falsely alledged The rage of ciuil wars cost EnglaÌ„d more blood then twice the winning of France had done Great dangers alledged and slenderly proued King Edwards wantonnesse set out to the full London the kings especiall Chamber The end of the Dukes errand The great modesty that the Duke pretendeth An author like the subiect The marriage oâ—… King Edward imputed a great mischiefe The Protector must be the only true heire to his father and so to the Crowne Scriptures abused The Dukes pithy perswasions vnto the Citizens The Londoners are mute and astonished at Buckinghams Oration Buckingham goeth ouer his lesson againe The reward of flattery The Recorder commanded to speake to the peopleâ—… The great silence of the people The Duke speaketh once more Prentices and Seruingmen the first proclamets of K. Richard The affection of the election seene by the faces of the Assembly The Nobles and Citizens assemble at Baynards Castle The Protector made it strange to speake with such a multitude Palpable dissembling betwixt the Protector and Buckingham The Protector intreated to accept of the Crowne The Protector saith nay and would haue it Buckingham vrgeth and threatneth the refusall Th Protor fauourably accepteth the Crowne Diuers opinions of the people The Raigne and age of King Edward Monarch 56 Richard III. All the Richards and Dukes of Glocester came to vntimely deathes Richard 1. flaine with an arrow Richard a murthered at Pomfrait Tho. Woodstocke 〈◊〉 herâ—…d to death Humfrey murdered aâ—… S. Edmondsbury Richard slaine at Bosworth held Duke Richard subtilely complotteth for the Crowne The Duke of Buckingham the onely raiser of the Protector By Persal Buckinghams secrete seruant The degrees by which the Protector ascended into the throne The Protector fitted himselfe to the peoples affections A Petition exhibited to the Protector to accept of the Crowne An Act of Parliment passed to establish K. Richards election All doubts taken away of King Richards election The petition of the kings election made lawfull and authorised by Parliament The forme of he 〈◊〉 exhibiâ—…d vnto the Protector Faire gloses vpon soule preteâ—…ses O time how dost thou turne and art turned Flattery feares not how to report How can Princes rule to shuâ—… reproach when they are dead The Queene her mother falsly standered K. Edward accused to haste been contracted to the Lady Elienor Butler The tongue of slander is a sharp arrow They haue taught their toâ—…gs to speake lies Ier. 9. 5. George Duke of Clarence and his heires made vncapable of
him this answere Thou dost see ô Hertold that my forces are scarce sufficient to defend my selfe Our Lord and Sauiour was betraied by his Disciple Iudas and therefore who shall be safe Behold the Earle of March whom I tooke and reuerenced as my Father hath giuen a pernicious president I haue trusted in a staffe of reed and the splinters thereof haue wounded my hand Thou art the only man who hast behaued thy selfe honestly whatsoeuer therefore thou doest tossesse of mine by any iust title take it to thee as thine owne I giue it thee Prouide other want could make him forget his magnificence and bountie hee caused the East-part of the great Church at Westminster to bee taken downe and by aduise of expert Workmen newly to bee builded and ioyned to the West The effect of the Kings expedition into Wales was that after he had fortified the Castle of Gannocke in North-Wales vpon the passage into Anglesey and by the Irishmen wasted that fertile Iland hee was himselfe enforced by sharpenesse of the weather and for want of victuals to returne about the end of October hauing taken all courses hee could to sterue the Welsh forbidding the Irish vpon pain of death to bring any reliefe into Wales and left that they of Cheshire or the neighbour parts should giue them any succour hee so spoiled them of all their prouisions that they were scarse able to feed themselues and if the Welsh compelled by famine ventred out of their strengthes or fastnesses in or about Snowdon the Garrison Souldiers of Gannocke were ready to intercept and kill them and on the other side the Lords of Brumfield and Powys though Welshmen held with the King so that they were miserably straitned The King pawnd his Iewels to his brother Richard at this iourney for 3000. Markes which holpe to piece out the charge thereof Paris hath a long list of great names which dying about this time left neither name nor issue to preserue the memory of their Greatnes but none so strange as of the Marshals fiue brethren of them successiuely Earles of Pembroke and all dying issulesse which he attributeth to the iudgement of God for the iniquity of their Father and of themselues who would neuer restore certaine Manours which their Father in warre-time had taken in Ireland from the Bishoppe of Ferus an holy Irish man who often required restitution and for want thereof did put them vnder Gods curse and his One doth indeed obserue that the Irish Saints are vindicatiue but certainely the examples of punishments for Sacrilege and violent extortions are terrible in holy Scripture and most fearefull was the sentence it selfe which Gods Prophet pronounced against Ahab for Naboths vineyard agreeing with the very plague which this yeare fell vpon the house of Marshall 72 The Popes furie was now so much inflamed against King Henry and the English for so disgracing him publikely in the Generall Councell that hee vsed lofry threats if once the Emperour were quelled to tame England also and whetted on the French King to enter on the land promising him all the helpes of the Church and Papall power But the iust King not only refused so vniust an offer as hauing no title to England themselues also knit by kindred and by truce their Queenes being sisters the attempt bloody for Christians c. but further ratified the former truce and enlarged it with the addition of more yeers because King Lewis was prepared to make warre against the Infidels which voyage King Henrie would not hinder but aduance And that nothing might disturbe the peacefull life with which the King of England was most delighted Dauid Prince of Wales departed out of the vale of the dying as Paris elegantly saith into the vale of the dead The King seeing all things quiet and safe about him doth now conuert his whole cares to the reformation of the inward maladies of his dominions calling the estates of the land together for that purpose To whom he there deliuered in writing sundrie Articles of the greeuances and oppressions of his Kingdome and the Church 1. that the Pope extorts great Contributions of the Clergy without the Kings assent against â—…he rightes and liberties of the Kingdome 2. that Patrons cannot bestow Church liuings on fit men but the Pope giues them to his Romans who can speake no English â—…r celebrate diuine seruice nor preath nor keepe hospitalitie nor câ—…e for soules c. but only begger the Land with carrying away the Coine 3. that the Popes Prouisions and Pensions are vnsufferable 4. that Englishmen are dâ—…awne forth of the Land to end their causes 5. that the Pope by his non obstante ouerthrowes Oathes Customs Charters Graunts Statutes Priuiledges Rights c. whereupon the King Bishops Nobles Abbots and Priors did all write their seuerall complaints to the Pope requiring speedie redresse of those infinite wrongs to the King the Kingdome the Clergie the Nobles and the People who would rather die then thus daily endure those oppressions Notwithstanding sundry Prelates either out of ambition or feare vnderhand furthered the Popes desires when secretly he craued an annuall tallage of the Clergie for maintenance of his Souldiers and that the State should take no notice thereof the Pope caused his Agents to make them swear not to reueale this their Contribution to any man liuing for the space of halfe a yeere Yet the King came to the knowledge thereof and sent forth his writs forbidding vnder great penaltie that the money should be carried forth of the Land This the Kings displeasure was much augmented vpon the returne of his messengers from the Councell of Lyons who related how proudlie the Pope reiected the iust complaints of the State saying the King himselfe did Frederize and holding his People as Schismaticks Which incensed the King to publish his Proclamation in Euery Citie and Towne that none of his subiects should dare to contribute any money to the Pope but it came to no effect for that some Popizing Bishops and ambitious Clerks of his Councell fearing the Papall threats where no cause of feare was drew him to leaue his purpose womanly which he manfully vndertooke 73 The Bishop of Worcester a principall worker herein was said to haue had authoritie from the Pope to interdict the land which perhaps was it which the King so greatly feared and which the Monke said was not worth the fearing The Earle of Cornwall also with others who fauoured not the Emperour Fredericks cause laboured to change the Kings minde so that the wonted extortions were as current as euer insomuch that a Cardinall truely told the Pope that England was to the Pope as Balaams Asse which being so often wronged spurgalled and cudgeld it was no maruaile if at length shee opened her mouth to complaine and for themselues and their Romane Court they were like Ismael euerie mans hand against
them and theirs against euery man But if we should so often insist on the relation of this Kingdomes distresses as the popes endlesse Corrasions from yere to yeere and the States remedilesse complaints giue vs occasion wee should but cloy the Reader with rufull matter which Monks themselues haue mournefully and copiously endited vnto vs and set forth the too seruile affections of our owne Ancestors who still entred new consultations about the disease but neuer brought the medicine vnto a perfect receipt For vpon fresh angariations from Rome the King againe assembles his State to thinke of redresse the common-wealth as well of Laity as Clergie being brought to the point of vtter desolation as the like was neuer heard in any age whereof they againe made their lamentable complaint to the King whose duety it was to protect the land from such wrongs and dangers Their only remedy was againe to write letters to the Pope which slender meanes he could as slightly put off and though to stop the clamour for the present he promised neuer to send any Legats into England but on entreaty of the State yet daily did he send his raking Clerks with the power though not the Title and Ensignes of Legates both into England and Ireland so to delude the King and still purloine his Subiects 74 The State of the Kingdome still requiring reformation there assembled againe at London certaine Prelats Earles and others at the Kings commandement where after so much purloyning by others now the Kings owne errand and affaires was to get money for himselfe But they who gaue such way to the Popes collections were now all close-handed and open mouthed for besides their vndutifull vpbrayding the King with some ouer-sights they vntruly and seditiously charged him to haue done contrarie to the example of his magnificent Predecessors in that his chiefe Iustice Chancellour and Treasurer were of his owne choosing and not by the Common Councell of the Realme as they ought The King inwardly touched herewith yet seeing no other helpe promiseth redresse and change for the better Whereunto they answered that they would expect a while with patience and as the King shall carrie himselfe toward them so will they performe their ◅beysance to him So the meeting was adiourned from that Candlemas till Midsommer at which time also there was nothing done but all parts rose discontēted The cause of that discōtentment was for that the King instead of satisfying their audacious demands answered them That they sought to bridle him at their surlie pleasures proudlie forbidding that in him which was lawfull for themselues For that euerie priuate man may vse what and whose Counsell he list euerie master of a familie preferre or remoue what officers in his house he list which yet they sancily denied vnto him their Lord and Soueraigne as if Seruants and Vassals were to rule their Lords whereas indeed he is no King but a seruant who must bow at others becke That therefore he would neither place nor displace either Chancellour Iusticiar or Treasurer as they thought good Neuerthelesse hee required money at their hands to recouer such forreine lands as concerned aswell them as him to see it done Hereupon the Parliament brake vp and the King was left to furnish himselfe otherwise so well as hee could euen by sale of his Iewels Plate and other precious stuffe after a dishonourable manner 75 The affaires of Gascoign which one Guasto de Biard had greatly troubled by the manhood and wit of Simon Earle of Leicester were now brought into better quiet which made his presence being returned as it seemeth for more supplies which went againe with him very acceptable in the Court of England The King intending to furnish that enterprise afresh against the comming spring time left no meanes vnthought of which either by Art or strong entreatie he could vse to replenish his exhausted Coffers In which he embased too much the Royall name and dignity telling some and perhaps truely whose bountie he craued that it was more almes to ayde him with money then one that went begging from dore to dore Meanewhile the king neglects not his administration of Iustice for whereas the whole Countie of Hampshire swarmed with felons and murtherous robbers himselfe so ordered the matter sitting in person in Winchester Castle that the infamie and danger of those places were cleared by hanging the Offendors many of which were very wealthie and some the kings owne seruants Walter de Clifford also a Baron of the Marches of Wales for enforcing an officer whom he had otherwise handled badly to eat the kings writ waxe and all ran so farre into the kings displeasure thereby that while he liued he was made the lesse able to feed himselfe paying to the king a very great sum of money and hardlie escaping without confiscation of his whole patrimonie The king desirous to be friends with the Citizens of London to whom of late he had beene ouer-hard publikely reconciled himselfe vnto them whom for that cause he had commanded to appeare at Westminster and there immediatly receiued the badge of the Crosse at the hand of Boniface Archbishop of Canterburie but whatsoeuer his intention was it neuer came into action on his part In the meane time contrarie to his Fore-fathers example he so much abridged the expences of his house and his Almes that he vnderwent some dishonourable imputation Neuerthelesse he wisely wound himselfe out of many a Merchāts debt whereto he wrung great helps from the Iewes as the ordinary Clippers and defacers of his Coyne and the forgers of seales and Charters from one of whom hee had at times drawne thirtie thousand markes Sterling besides two hundreth markes in gold 76 It seemeth an inseparable qualitie in his nature to bee extreamly violent in doing whatsoeuer hee had a mind to doe and that sometime without the due respect to secular Maiestie as in the Course hee tooke for aduancing his halfe-brother Aethelmare to the Bishoprick of Winchester For not contenting himselfe to haue sent his messengers to the Couent by them to worke the election hee came thither in person where the Chapter being set in the Cathedrall Church hee entred and placing himselfe in the Presidents seat makes to them a speech in the nature of a Sermon taking for his Theme those words of Dauid Iustice and Peace kisse each other Whereon hee shewed them That whereas Iustice belonged to him and to such as had the rule of Nations and to the Clergy calmnesse and Peace both these should that day kisse together if they elected his brother for their Bishop For which he gaue them many reasons but concluded if they did otherwise they should feele his Princely displeasure When therefore they published to the King their Choise they did it with this reseruation because Aethelmare was to remaine vnder the title of the Elect of Winchester for that he was not a
treason and fellony and the same vrged vnto extremity with many amplifications and bitter inuectiues especially that hee had sought and pretended the deathes of the Duke of Northumberland the Lord Marquesse and Pembroke where after many mild answeres to these matters obiected he put himselfe to be tried by his Peeres who acquitted him of treason but found the inditement of felloniâ—… when presently the Aâ—… was commaunded away whereat the shout of the people shewed the great affection that was boâ—…e to the Duke little mistrusting that the sentence of death was pâ—…ounced against him or that the kiâ—… vncle should die as a fellon neither did Staâ—… intend any such thing as some are of opinion but rather was purposely made for the suppression of â—…bellions and vnlawfull 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 herein such as should seeke or procure the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Câ—…sellor should be guilty as in case of felloniâ—… But such was the pleasure of the all ordering power 〈◊〉 he which knew no theft should die for that sinne so that neither himselfe nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 demaunded the benefite of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 would haue saued his life if it had beene required 69 His sentence thus pronounced hee was againe sent backe to the Tower wherein he kept a very sad Christmas yea and that in the Court inclined to little mirth the King lamenting the condemnation of his vncle had not some witty disportes broke off his passions which how and by whome they proceeded let others report and vs continue the Tragedie of this Duke who vpon the two twenty of February following being Friday was brought to the Scaffold vpon Tower-hil by eight in the morning where turning himselfe towardes the East he spake to the people as followeth 70 Dearely beloued friends I am brought hither to suffer death albeit I neuer offended against the King neither in word nor deed and haue alwayes been as faithfull and true vnto this Realme as any man hath been but for somuch as I am by law condemned to die I doe acknowledge my selfe as well as others to be subiect thereunto wherefore to testifie mine obedience which I owe to the lawes I am come hither to suffer death where unto I willingly offer my selfe with most hearty thanks vnto God that hath giuen me this time of repentance who might through sodaine death haue taken away my life that I neither should haue acknowledged him nor my selfe 71 These words vttered besides others exhortatory that the people would continue constant in the Gospell sodainly was heard a great noyse wherby the assembly was strucke into great feare some thinking that a storme or tempest descended from aboue some supposed that the barrels of Gunpowder in the Armorie had taken fire were all blowne vp into the Aire others thought that they heard a noise of horses prepared to battell some againe affirmed confidently that it did thunder and others thought verily it was an earth-quake and that the ground moued vnto such confusion and terrour were they presently brought which saith Stow was none other but that certaine men from the Hamlets warned with weapon to guard the Tower-hill came thither somewhat after the hower appointed whose formost seeing the Prisoner on the Scaffold beganne to runne forward themselues and call to their fellowes to come away which word away sounding as an Eccho in the peoples eares they thought that rescue had come to the Duke to take him away and seeing the Bil-men to make forward so fast beganne themselues to shrinke backe from the hill euery man seeking to saue one and by this accident and confused cries this feare among them fell and beganne This stirre scarce ended another ensued by the running of the people towards the Scaffold who seeing Sir Anthony Browne riding thitherward supposed a pardon had come from the King so that a sodaine shout arose apardon apardon God fane the King by which it onely appeared in what loue hee was had and how much his life was desired of the Commons 72 The Duke whose mind being altogether prepared for death was little moued either to hope or feare and thereupon addressed his second speech to the people and with no deiected countenance spake againe and said Beloued friends there is no such matter intended as you vainely hope and belieue It seemeth thus good to the Almighty vnto whose ordinance it is meet that wee all bee obedient wherefore I pray you bee quiet and without tumult for I am quiet and let vs so ioyne in prayer vnto the Lord for the preseruation of our Noble King vnto whose Maiesty I wish câ—…uall health with all felicitie and abundance of prosperous successe Moreouer I wish to his Counsellers the grace and fauour of God whereby they may rule all things vprightly with Iustice vnto whom I exhort you all in the Lord to shew your selues obedient the which is also very necessarie for you vnder paine of condemnation and also most profitable for the preseruation of the Kings Maiesty And thereupon asking euery man forgiuenesse freely forgaue euery man against him and desiring the people to bee quiet lest the flesh should be troubled though his spirit was willing hee meekely laide downe his head to the Axe and receiued at one stroke his rest by death 73 Howsoeuer this Dukes cause was ballanced by law and him taken away that stood betwixt some and their Sunne yet was his death heauily disgested by the people that spake very bitterly against the Duke of Northumberland but most especially the young King sore mourned and soone missed the life of his Protector thus vnexpectedly taken away who now depriued of both his vncles howsoeuer the times were passed with pastimes playes and shewes to driue away dumpes yet euer the remembrances of them sate so neere vnto his heart that lastly he fell sicke of a Cough which grieuously increasing ended with a consumption of the lungs 74 His sicknesse continuing with great doubt of his life vpon purpose saith Grafton to alter the succession of the Crowne three marriages were in one day solemnized whereof the first was betwixt the Lord Guilford Dudley fourth sonne to the Duke of Northumberland and the Lady Iane eldest daughter of Henry Duke of Suffolke the second was betwixt the Lord Herbert sonne and heire to William Earle of Pembroke and the Lady Katherine the yonger daughter of the said Duke of Suffolke and the third was betweene Hanry L. Hastings sonne and heire of Frances Earle of Hantington and Katherine the youngest daughter of the Duke of Northumberland which tending saith he to the diâ—…erison of the rightfull heires they proued nothing prosperous for two of them were presently made frustrate the one by death and the other by diuorce 75 The policy established and languishing sicknesse of the King gaue way vnto such as sought the euersion of the State alienation of the Crown In whose eye no head was scene fitter for that faire Diademe