supply of 18 months Assessement not exceeding 70000 l. a Month but began to be dissatisfied with the Kings indulgence and toleration to Phanaticks though his Majesty by a gracious Answer to an Address of theirs endeavoured to remove that scruple Anno 1673. About the later end of March an Act for a general and free pardon past in Parliament and then both Houses adjourned till the 20th of October following One James Piercy upon the death of the Earl of Northumberland in whom the male race of that ancient Family expired came into England laid claim to the Title and Estate and thereupon petitioned the Parliament but his Petition was rejected and himself looked upon as an Imposter The Island of Tobago was this year taken by the English from the Dutch in exchange whereof the Dutch took St. Helena from the English which might have proved of very bad consequence to the English East-India Trade had it not been re-taken by Captain Monday with three Dutch East-India Merchant Men besides which fully paid the charges of its reprisal For this good service Captain Monday was Knighted The Dutch this year were first at Sea and attempted a vain project of stopping up those narrow Channels that give entry to the River of Thames Prince Rupert who commanded the English Fleet put out to encounter them but they retreating to their own Shoar the Prince stood to the West-ward that he might joyn the French and part of the English Fleets This being shortly after done the whole Fleet made toward the coast of Holland and the Prince finding them before Schonvelt secured by their Banks and the shallowness of the Water on the 28th of May detached a Squadron of Thirty five small Frigots to provoke them to an Engagement The Dutch contrary to expectation came forth in good order and engaged The French and English emulous for honour fought with extraordinary eagerness and somewhat entangled each other but at length after a sharp dispute the magnanimous Prince forced the Enemy to run and followed them as far as the Sands and Water did permit till Night put an end to the conflict and the Dutch regained their former station The English lost but a few common Seamen and not one Ship Captains were slain Fowles Finch Tempest and Woorden On the Dutch side were killed Vice Admiral Schram Rear Admiral Vlugh and six Captains more They lost considerably in Men but onely one Ship called the Deventer On the fourth of June happened another Engagement wherein no great Execution was done on either side it being managed at great distance and most part in the night time And that the Series of this years Warlike Actions may be continued without interruption on the Tenth of August both Fleets met again at Sea and gave the last stroke to this War The Dutch being about the Goree got the Wind of the English and bore briskly down upon them the Fight was obstinate and bloody on both sides especially between Sir Edward Sprague and van Tromp but the French making as if they stood off for the Wind did it in reallity that they might have the conveniency of being Spectators Prince Rupert and de Ruyter who had been engaged together all day finding themselves at distance from their respective Squadrons stood back again to their assistance and de Ruyter designing to have cut off the blew Squadron from the rest of the Fleet was so smartly charged by the Prince that he was fain to give way so that had the French made use of their Wind they had the Dutch had certainly sustained far greater loss then they did and not so easily drawn off by favour of the Night In this Engagement Sir Edward Sprague as he was shifting from one Ship to another had his long Boat by a Random Shot shivered to pieces under him and so to the grief and regret of all that knew him was drowned his Ship strangely disabled was by his valiant Second the Earl of Ossory brought off Captain Neve was slain Reeves and Heywood died of their Wounds and Martel only of the French was killed The loss of common Seamen was not very great on the English side The Dutch lost two Flag Officers several Captains and about a 1000 common Seamen About the middle of June the Lord Clifford resigned his Treasurers Staff and Sir Thomas Osborn created Viscount Osborn of Dumblain in Scotland and afterwards Earl of Danby in England was made Lord High Treasurer The Parliament according to their last Adjournment meeting in October were prorogued till the 27th of the same month then meeting again they were prorogued till the 7th of January following Soon after the King issued out His Proclamation requiring all Judges and Justices of the Peace effectually to prosecute the Laws against all Papists and Popish Recusants About the later end of November his Royal Highness the Duke of York was married to the Princess of Modena Though the Preparations for War went on vigorously both on the English and Dutch sides yet overtures of Peace were still set on foot and His Majesty condescended to a Treaty at Cologne which took no effect The Dutch in the mean time thought it not fit to desist but by another way of Negotiation that is to say by intercourse of Letters they at length prevailed so far as to receive a condescending Letter from the King of England in February 1673 4 which was shortly after followed by a conclusion of the Peace by them so much desired Peace being now concluded Anno 1674. this year affords no great Transactions of importance the Consultations of Government being chiefly directed to the preservation of quietness and unity at home in order to which His Majesty emitted several Proclamations against Papists and Jesuits The Duke of Monmouth upon resignation of the Duke of Buckingham was chosen Chancellour of the University of Cambridge The Earl of St. Albans giving up the Staff of Lord Chamberlain of His Majesties Houshold his place was given to the Earl of Arlington to whom Sir Joseph Williamson succeeded as Principal Secretary of State Upon the 22th of September His Majesty by Proclamation prorogued the Parliament which was to have met the 10th of November till the 13th of April ensuing His Majesty having been pleased to accept of the Freedom of the City of London was in December by Sir Robert Vynor Lord Mayor in Name of the City presented with the Copy of his Freedom in a large square Box of Massie Gold the Seal appended being in a Box of Gold set all over with large Diamonds About the beginning of January 1674 5 her Royal Highness was brought to Bed of a Daughter Christened at St. James's by the Bishop of Durham by the Name of Katharina Laura the Duke of Monmouth being Godfather and the Lady Mary and Lady Anne Godmothers Anno 1675. The Parliament according to their last Prorogation met on the 13th of April but having sate till a week in June and a difference
Kt. Borough of New-Castle under Line Sir Thomas Bellot Bar. William Leveston Gower Esq Borough of Tamworth Thomas Thynne Esq John Swynfen Esq Suffolk Sir Jervase Elwes Bar. Sir Samuel Barnardiston Bar. Borough of Ipswich Gilbert Linfield Esq John Wright Esq Borough of Dunwich Sir Philip Skippon Kt. Thomas Allen Esq Borough of Orford Lionel Lord Huntingtower Sir John Duke Bar. Borough of Alborough Sir Richard Haddock Kt. Henry Johnson Esq Borough of Sudbury Sir Robert Cordell Bar. Jervase Elwes Esq Borough of Eye Sir Charles Gaudey Kt. and Bar. Sir Robert Reves Bar. Borough of Saint Edmundsbury Sir Thomas Harvey Kt. Thomas Jermin Esq Surrey Arthur Onslow Esq George Evelyn of Wotton Esq Borough of Southwark Sir Richard How Kt. Peter Rich Esq Borough of Blechingly George Evelyn of Nutfield Esq Edward Harvey Esq Borough of Ryegate Roger James Esq Dean Goodwyn Esq Borough of Guilford Richard Onslow Esq Thomas Dalmahoy Esq Borough of Gatton Sir Nicholas Carew Kt. Thomas Turgis Esq Borough of Haslemere Sir William More Bar. James Gresham Esq Sussex Sir John Pelham Bar. John Lewkener Esq City of Chichester Richard May Esq John Braman Esq Borough of Horsham Anthony Eversfield Esq John Mitchell Esq Borough of Midhurst Sir William Morley Kt. of the Bath John Alford Esq Borough of Lewes William Morley Esq Edward Bridger Esq Borough of New Shoreham Robert Fag Esq John Cheale Esq Borough of Bramber Henry Goring Esq Nicholas Eversfield Esq Borough of Steyning Sir John Fagg Bar. Sir Henry Goring Bar. Borough of East-Grimstead Thomas Pelham Esq Sir Thomas Littleton Kt. Borough of Arundel William Garraway Esq James Butler Esq Warwickshire Sir Edward Boughton Bar. Robert Burdet Esq City of Coventry Richard Hopkins Esq Robert Beak Esq Borough of Warwick Sir Henry Puckering Bar. Sir John Clopton Kt. Westmerland Sir John Lowther of Lowther Kt. Allen Bellingham Esq Borough of Apulby Richard Tufton Esq Anthony Lowther Esq Wiltshire Sir Richard Grubbam How Knight and Baronet Thomas Thinn of Long Leat Esq City of New Sarum Sir Thomas Mompesson Kt. Alexander Thiftlethwait Esq Borough of Wilton Thomas Herbert Esq Thomas Penruddock Esq Borough of Downton Maurice Bockland Esq Sir Joseph Ash Bar. Borough of Hindon Richard How Esq Thomas Lambert Esq Borough of Westbury Richard Lewis Esq William Trenchard Esq Borough of Hetsbury William Ash Esq Edward Ash Esq Borough of Calne Sir George Hungerford Kt. Walter Norborn Esq Borough of the Devizes Sir Walter Ernley Bar. Sir Edward Baynton Kt. of the Bath Borough of Chippenham Sir Edward Hungerford Kt. of the Bath Sir John Talbot Kt. Borough of Malmesbury Sir William Estcourt Bar. Sir James Long Bar. Borough of Cricklade Hungerford Dunce Esq Edmund Web Esq Borough of Great Bedwyn Francis Stonehouse Esq John Dean Esq Borough of Lugdersal Thomas Neal Esq John Smith Jun. Esq Borough of Old Sarum Eliab Harvey Esq John Young Esq Borough of Wooton Basset Lawrence Hyde Esq John Pleydall Esq Borough of Marlborough Thomas Bennet Esq Edward Goddard Esq Worcestershire Samuel Sandys Esq Thomas Foley Esq City of Worcester Thomas Street one of his Majesties Serjeants at Law Sir Francis Winnington Kt. Borough of Droitwich Henry Coventry Esq Principal Secretary of State Samuel Sandys Jun. Esq Borough of Evesham Sir James Rushout Bar. Henry Parker Esq Borough of Bewdey Philip Foley Esq Yorkshire Charles Lord Clifford Henry Lord Fairfax City of York Sir John Hewley Kt. Sir Henry Thompson Kt. Town of Kingston upon Hull Lemuell Kingdone Esq William Ramsden Esq Borough of Knaresborough Sir Thomas Slingby Bar. William Stockdale Esq Borough of Scaresborough William Thompson Esq Francis Thompson Esq Borough of Rippon Sir Edmund Jennings Kt. Richard Stern Esq Borough of Richmond Thomas Craddock Esq Humphrey Warton Esq Borough of Heyden Sir Hugh Bethell Kt. Henry Guy Esq Borough of Burrowbrigg Sir Thomas Malleverer Bar. Sir Henry Gooderick Kt. and Bar. Borough of Malton William Palmes Esq Sir Watkinson Payler Bar. Borough of Thirske Sir William Frankland Bar. Nich. Sanderson Esq Borough of Alborough Sir John Reresby Bar. Henry Arthington Esq Borough of Beverly Sir John Hotham Bar. Michael Warton Esq Borough of North-Allerton Sir Gilbert Gerrard Bar. Sir Henry Calverly Kt. Borough of Pontefract Sir John Dawney Kt. Sir Patience Ward Kt. BARONS Of the CINQUE-PORTS Port of Hastings Sir Robert Parker Bar. John Ashburnham Esq Town of Winchelsey Creswell Draper Esq Thomas Austin Esq Town of Rye Sir John Robinson Kt. and Bar. Thomas Frewen Esq Port of new Rumney Sir Charles Sedley Bar. Paul Barret Esq Port of Hyeth Sir Edward Dering Bar. Julius Deeds Esq Port of Dover William Stokes Esq Thomas Papillon Esq John Strode Esq Port of Sandwich John Thurburn Esq Sir Ja. Oxenden Kt. and Bar. Port of Seaford Sir William Thomas Bar. Herbert Stapley Esq WALES Anglesey Henry Bulkeley Esq Town of Bewmarris Richard Bulkeley Esq Brecon Richard Williams Esq Town of Brecon Thomas Mansel Esq John Jefferies Esq Cardigan Edward Vaughan of Trouscoed Esq Town of Cardigan Hector Philips Esq Carmarthen John Lord Vaughan Kt. of the Bath Town of Carmarthen Altham Vaughan Esq Carnervon Thomas Bulkeley of Dinas Esq Town of Carnervon Thomas Mostin of Glotheth Esq Denbigh Sir Thomas Middleton Bar. Town of Denbigh Sir John Salisbury Bar. Flint Mutton Davies Esq Town of Flint Roger Whitley Esq Glamorgan Bussy Mansel Esq Town of Cardiffe Sir Robert Thomas Bar. Merieneth Sir John Wynne Kt. and Bar. Pembroke Sir Hugh Owen Bar. Town of Pembroke Arthur Owen Esq Town of Haverfordwest William Wogan Esq Montgomery Edward Vaughan Esq Town of Montgomery Matthew Price Esq Edward Loyd Esq Radnor Rowland Gwyn Esq Town of Radnor Deerham Esq HIS MAJESTY'S Most Honourable PRIVY COUNCIL HIS Highness Prince Rupert William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Heneage Lord Finch Lord Chancellor of England Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury Lord President of the Council Arthur Earl of Anglesey Lord Privy Seal James Duke of Monmouth Master of the Horse John Duke of Lauderdale Secretary of State for Scotland James Duke of Ormond Lord Steward of the Houshold Charles Lord Marquess of Winchester Henry Lord Marquess of Worcester Henry Earl of Arlington Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold James Earl of Salisbury John Earl of Bridgwater Robert Earl of Sunderland one of His Majesties Principal Secretaries of State Arthur Earl of Essex first Lord Commissioner of the Treasury John Earl of Bath Groom of the Stole Thomas Lord Viscount Falconberg George Lord Viscount Hallifax Henry Lord Bishop of London John Lord Roberts Denzill Lord Hollis William Lord Russel William Lord Cavendish Henry Coventry Esq one of His Majesties Principal Secretaries of State Sir Francis North Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. Sir Henry Capel Knight of the Bath first Commissioner of the Admiralty Sir John Ernly Knight Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Thomas Chicheley Knight Master of the Ordnance Sir William Temple Baronet Edward Seymour Esq Henry Powle Esq Commissioners for the Treasury ARthur Earl of Essex Lawrence Hide Esq Sir Edward Deering Sidney Godolphin Sir John Ernly Chancellor of the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Henry Guy Esquire Commissioners for the Execution of the Office of Lord High Admiral of England SIr Henry Capell Knight of the Bath Daniel Finch Esquire Baronets Sir Thomas Lee Sir Humphrey Winch Sir Thomas Meers Esquires Edward Vaughan Edward Hales FINIS BOOKS sold by Abell Swalle at the Sign of the Vnicorn at the West-end of St. Pauls Folio's PLutarch's Lives in English Sir Rich. Baker's Chronicle 1679. Mr. Joseph Mead's Works Mr. Abr. Cowley's Poems Hugonis Grotii Opera omnia Theologica 4. Vol. 1679. Episcopii Op. Vol. 1. Suarez de Legibus Quarto's Cluverii Geographia in figuris Zelidaura Queen of Tartaria A Dramatick Romance written in spanish by the command of the King of Spain made English 1679 Octavo A Conference between Dr. Stilling-fleet and Dr. Burnet with Coleman 1679. Sermons on several Occasions By John Tillotson D. D. Dean of Canterbury Scriptural Catechism or the Duty of Man laid down in express words of Scripture A Discourse concerning the Blessedness of the Righteous by Mr. How M. A. Tou's Le's Devoires de T'homme ' on La Practique devertus Chre'tiames Dict. Dutch Grammer Festan 's French Grammer A Discourse concerning the Period of Humane Life Twelves French Bible French Testament Psalms French Common-Prayer
they would stab them or cut their throats to prevent which when the English man drank he requested the next sitters by to be his surety or pledg Hence our custom of pledging one another 't is said SAXONS Edsine A.B. Cant. EDward the Confessor EDWARD CONF. A.D. 1041 the Son of King Ethelred and Queen Emma was born at Islip and after his Fathers death was for his safety sent unto the Duke of Normandy his Mothers Brother but upon the death of Hardicanute the English Nobility disdaining all Danish subjection invited Edward to return into England and to execute the Kingly Office He was crowned at Winchester by Edsine Archbishop of Canterbury A.D. 1042. He remitted that heavy Tribute of Forty thousand pound yearly gathered by the name of Dane-gilt which had been pay'd for forty years continuance out of the Lands of all the Clergy excepted Because say our ancient Laws the King reposed more confidence in the prayers of the holy Church than in the power of Armies Then from the divers Laws of the Mercians West-Saxons Danes and Northambrians he selected the best and made them one body certain and written in Latine His Reign was more spent in peace and works of piety than in wars and blood Only some slight troubles hapned from the Danes Irish and Welsh and also from Earl Goodwin and his sons who being very powerful and proud caused some molestations in the State But the sins of the people which were then great procured other Judgments instead of War For in the month of January there fell a great snow Robert A.B. Cant. which covered the ground to the midst of March whereby Cattel and Fowls in abundance perished And on the next year following a strange and terrible Earthquake hapned and withal such Lightnings as burnt up the Corn growing in the fields whereby an excessive Dearth ensued This King by the instigation of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Goodwin Earl of Kent dealt too rigorously with his own Mother depriving her of all her Jewels and other substance and committing her to safe custody in the Abbey of Werwell And moreover put her to undergo that over-hard Law Ordalium which was to pass over nine Plowshare-irons red glowing hot bare foot and blindfold By which tryal she is said to have acquit her self insomuch that having passed them over before she knew it cryed and said O good Lord when shall I come to the place of my purgation The King her Son hereupon received her into his favour again And she in memory of her deliverance from this fiery tryal gave nine Mannors according to the number of the Plow-shares to the Minster of Winchester wherein she had that tryal and adorned the same with many rich ornaments And the King repenting the wrong he had done her bestowed on the same place the Isle of Portland The eauses objected against Queen Emma and for which she suffered the loss of her goods were her marriage with Canute the Capital enemy of England and her neglecting to succour Edward and his Brother in their exile The matter objected against her for which she underwent the Ordalium was incontinency of body with Alwin Bishop of Winchester Of this King it is storied that as he lay in his bed in an afternoon with the curtains drawn about him a certain pilfering Courtier came into his Chamber where finding the Kings Casket open which Hugoline his Chamberlain had forgot to shut he took out as much Coin as he could conveniently carry and went away Did the like a second time Came again the third time when the King spake to him and bad him speedily be packing whilst he was well adding that if Hugoline should come and take him there he should not only lose all he had gotten but also stretch an halter And when Hugoline came and missing the money vvas greatly troubled the King vvish'd him not to be grieved for saith he the man that had it hath more need of it than we have When this devout King lying on his death-bed perceived those about him to weep and lament he said unto them If ye loved me ye would not weep but rejoice because I go to my Father with whom I shall receive the joys promised to the faithful not through my Merits but by the free Mercy of my Saviour which sheweth mercy on whom he pleaseth He dyed A. D. 1066 and vvith great laments vvas buried at Westminster He is said to be the first King that cured that Disease commonly called the Kings Evil. This King of a little Monastry dedicated to St. Peter at Westminster made a most beautiful Church and large and founded St. Margrets Church standing by and this he did for the discharge of his vowed Pilgrimage to Jerusalem He founded also the Colledg of St. Mary Otery in Devon and removed the Bishops See from Cridington to Excester He married Godith the Daughter of Earl Godwin which Earl took bread and eat it in witness that he was not guilty of the death of Prince Alfred but as soon as he had received the bread he vvas choaked at the Table before the King at Windsor HAROLD A. D. 1066 HArold the Son of Earl Goodwin notwithstanding that Edgar Atheling the Grandson of Ironside vvas the next rightful Heir yet gained the English Crovvn to himself Which he set upon his own head vvithout all ceremony and solemn celebration none either greatly approving or disapproving his presumption save only for the omission of the manner and form of Coronation But novv Harold to gain and retain the love of all lightned the burthens of Custom and Tribute that his Predecessors had laid upon the people was liberal to the Church-men repaired their Monasteries nevv-built that at Waltham in Essex He created young Edgar Earl of Oxford and held him in special favour And to all men vvas affable and kind vvhence he much fastned the hearts of his subjects unto himself But this tranquil estate vvas quickly disturb'd by the Norman Duke vvho first sent his Ambassage claiming right to the Kingdom of England by the promise of King Edward and his ratifying the same vvith the consent of the State and by Harolds ovvn oath given to the Duke for keeping the Kingdom on his behalf and then upon Harold's slighting the Ambassie he made prepapation for gaining of England by force But ere Duke William vvith his Normans are arrived on the English shore Harfager King of Denmark invaded the Land vvith vvhom Tosto the cruel Earl of Northumberland Harold's Brother joined against vvhom Harold marched and at a Bridg called Stamford vvhere he vvas to pass over one Dane made good for a time the Bridg against his vvhole Host and vvith his Ax slew forty of his men himself at last being slain vvith a dart When the English had gain'd the Bridg and were reduced into their ranks Harold most boldly set upon the Danes in their Camp vanquished them and slew Harfager and Tosto with many other persons of
his Kingdoms his Majesty was pleased to dignifie him with the honour of being Knight of the Garter Master of his Horse Duke of Albemarle Earl of Torrington Baron Monk of Potheridg c. Chief General of all his Land-forces in the three Kingdoms and one of his Privy Council May the 29th His Majesty made his Triumphal Cavalcade through the City of London whither he was welcomed with all the expressions of Joy possible And being come to White-hall he there in his Presence-Chamber offered the Sacrifice of Peace and Thanksgiving unto Almighty God for his wonderful reffauration Then applied himself to the ordering of his Court and appointed the chief Officers of State His Highness James Duke of York he invested with the Office of Lord High Admiral Sir Edward Hide whose Daughter the Duke of York married he constituted Lord Chancellour The Earl of Manchester Lord Chamberlain The Lord Worthsley Earl of Southampton Lord High Treasurer Sir Edward Nicholas and Sir William Morrice chief Secretaries of State c. And others who had been constantly Loyal to him or had performed any eminent good service for him he advanced to places of High trust and dignity in the Court and Commonwealth But because the persons were numerous that had in an extraordinary sort been serviceable in promoting the Kings interest and his Majesty had no other way to express at present his gracious acceptance thereof to many of them he therefore honoured their name and family by conferring on them according to their merit the Titles of Duke Earl Viscount Baron Knight Jun. 6. the Parliament set forth a Proclamation wherein it was declared That all such of the late Kings Judges as would not render themselves within so many days to their mercy should be excepted out of the general pardon then preparing whereupon 20 of the Regicides came out of their coverts and presenting themselves to the Speaker of the House of Commons were committed to custody In August following the long expected Act of Indempnity was passed by which all that had been any ways engaged against the King were pardoned save the Regicides and a very few others and amongst those there were three who were freed in respect of life liberty and estate because they had given evident signs of their hearty sorrow for that crying sin It was also Enacted that the 30. of January should to all Posterities be observed a day of Humiliation for that great wickedness of murdering Gods Vicegerent the King Also that May 29. should in all succeeding ages be observed a day of Thanksgiving for the Kings peaceable Restauration to the actual possession and exercise of his Legal authority over his Subjects An Act for Pole-money was likewise passed and an Act for enabling Soldiers of the Army to exercise Trades in any Corporation that thereby they might be in a capacity of living honestly and comfortably after their disbanding September the thirteenth That hopeful Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester departed this life and on the same day the Parliament was adjourned to the sixth of November following In October Major General Harrison Mr. John Carew and other of the Regicides were arraigned at the old Bayly in London where they were all found guilty and condemned to die the death due to Traytors Of the Regicides now condemned were hang'd and quartered at Charing-Cross Harrison Carew Cook Peters Scot Scroop Jones and Clement and at Tyburn Hacker was hanged and Axtel a busie promoter of the Kings death was hanged and quartered All save Hugh Peters dyed very resolutely The persons whose names follow had the favour to be reprieved after Condemnation because they delivered themselves to the Parliaments mercy upon their Proclamation Hardres Waller Wait Tichburn Marten Pennington Row Holland Downs Garland Temple Millington Hevingham Lilburn Fleetwood Smith Meyn and Hulet This last was accused to be one of those two which in a Frock and Vizard assisted in the horrid execution of the King but because the evidence against him seemed to the Judges not sufficiently clear he had his reprieve December the 24th Mary the Princess of Orange dyed at White-Hall and on the 29th of the same month was buryed at VVestminster and the Parliament on the same day dissolved At the dissolution whereof the King gave His Royal consent to these Acts amongst many others viz. An Act for granting to the Kings Majesty 400000 l. by Assessment of 70000 l. per mensem for six months for disbanding the Army and paying the Navy And an Act of Attainder which was made to attaint the Judges and other Actors in the murder of the late King Cromwell Ireton Bradshaw Pride and all the rest of the Regicides deceased are adjudged to be convicted and attainted of High Treason to all intents and purposes as if they and every of them respectively had been attainted in their life-time And all persons fled for that Treason that is to say John Lisle VVilliam Say John Berkstead Valentine VValton Edward VVhaley Edmund Ludlow Sir Michael Levesey John Okey John Hewson VVilliam Goff Thomas Challoner VVilliam Cawley Miles Corbet Nicholas Low John Dixwell Daniel Blagrave Andrew Broughton Edward Dendy and every of them stand and be adjudged convicted of High Treason c. After his Majesty had given his Royal assent to the Acts presented him he made a Speech to both Houses wherein he used these memorable expressions That this Parliament should be called to all posterity The Healing and the Blessed Parliament In the beginning of January Following whilst his Majesty was accompanying his Royal Mother and Sister Henrietta Maria part of their Journey to France an inconsiderable number of the fifth Monarchists raised a great disturbance in London killing some of the City-watch and two nights with great desperateness opposing the Trained-bands and other force till at length divers of them being wounded and others slain the rest that could made their escape And in a few days after was Captain Vennor and twelve more of them executed in Coleman-street over against their meeting-house and other parts of London January the thirtieth were the dead bodies of those infamous Traytors Cromwell Ireton Bradshaw all buried at VVestminster taken out of their Coffins and drawn upon Hurdles to Tyburn they were hang'd by the neck for some hours then had their heads chopt off which were perched upon VVestminster-hall and their bodies thrown into a hole under the Gallows This Year of Jubilee were the lands of the Kings Loyal Subjects restored to them that had been unjustly taken from them by the late Usurper the Bishops Deans and Chapters lands were likewise restored to the use of these Church-men A. D. 1661. The entrance of this Year was made famous by the magnificent Coronation of King Charles the Second who was Crowned at VVestminster on St. Georges day by the hands of Dr. Juxon Archbishop of Canterbury May the eighth according to His Majesties summons the Parliament met at VVestminster and elected Sir Edward Turnor for their Speaker May the
Twenty Pounds to those that should Discover any Officer or Souldier of his Majesties Guards who having formerly taken the Oaths of Allegiance Supremacy and the Test had since been perverted or should hereafter be perverted to the Romish Religion The Ninth of November his Majesty came in his Robes into the House of Lords whither the Commons being called his Majesty made a Gracious Speech thanking both Houses for the Care they shewed for the safety and preservation of his Person promising the like on his part for them and offering his ready Assent to the passing into Laws all such Bills as might secure their Religion not only during his own Reign but also in the Reign of His Successors provided they did not impeach the right of Succession in the true Line nor restrain the power and just rights of His Majesty or His Protestant Successors Shortly after His Majesty issued out several Proclamations as one for confining all Popish Recusants within five miles of their respective dwellings another for apprehending some persons therein named who were accused of the hellish Plot and a third promising a present reward of twenty pounds to any that should discover and cause to be apprehended any Popish Priest or Jesuit except those that were priviledged by the Law of the Land or that of Nations as serving the Queen or Foreign Ministers November 21 One William Staley a Goldsmith being indicted at the Kings Bench Bar of High Treason for Treasonable words against His Majesties Life was convicted and condemned to be drawn hanged and quartered which sentence was on the 26th of the same month executed at Tyburn November 27th Edward Coleman Esq who on Friday before had been arraigned at the Kings Bench Bar for High Treason in conspiring the Death of the King subverting His Government and extirpating the true Protestant Religion came to his Tryal and being upon full evidence convicted had Sentence pronounced against him next morning to be drawn hang'd and quartered which was accordingly executed on the third of December following he being the first that suffered for the Plot whereof many besides himself were and stand still accused November 28th His Majesty at the humble request of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled in Parliament was pleased by Proclamation to declare That if any Person or Persons should before the twenty fifth day of December following make any further discovery of the horrid Design against His Majesties Sacred Person and Government he or they so discovering should not onely have the reward of two hundred pounds for every such discovery upon due proof thereof but if guilty of the said Design or otherwise of concealing it they should have His Majesties Pardon November 30th His Majesty in the House of Lords gave His Royal Assent to an Act for the more effectual preserving the Kings Person and Government by disabling Papists from sitting in either House of Parliament and in December following put out a Proclamation for disarming and securing all Popish Recusants or justly so suspected December 30th His Majesty present in the House of Lords was pleased to Prorogue the Parliament till the fourth of February following which was afterward by Proclamation January 25th dissolved and a new Parliament summoned to meet the sixth of March 1678 9. January 17th 1678 9 William Ireland a Jesuit Thomas Pickering a Lay-brother of the Benedictin Monks and John Grove an Ale-house-keeper were arraigned and convicted at the Old Bailey for having conspired the destruction of His Majesties Royal Person the subversion of the Government and extirpation of the Protestant Religion The chief evidence against them were Mr. Oats Mr. Bedlow and one who had been a Serving Maid to Grove they had Sentence pronounced against them to be drawn hang'd and quartered and accordingly January 24th Ireland and Grove suffered at Tyburn Pickering lying still reprieved in New-gate His Majesties Forces that were recalled from Flanders began this month first to come over again Monday the 10th of February 1678 9 Robert Green Henry Berry and Lawrence Hill three of the murderers of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey were brought to their Tryal at the Kings Bench Bar for the said murder the main evidence against them were the above-named Bedlow and Praunce the first declaring that he had seen the dead Body and the other confessing he had had a hand in the murder which was briefly thus committed Praunce with the aforesaid Green Berry and Hill and some others having laid their design before and several times dogg'd Sir Edmondbury Godfrey on Saturday night the twelfth of October finding him in the Strand as he was returning home upon a plausible pretext of keeping the peace between two Gentlemen that were as they made him believe a quarrelling wheadled him into Somerset-house and there with a twisted Hankerchief clapt about his Neck some of them strangled him whilst Praunce and Berry watched at the Gates His dead Body they lodged in Somerset-house till Wednesday following and then carried it out in a Sedan as far as Sohoe where they mounted the same on a Horse and so conveyed it to the Ditch leaving it there barbarously pierced through with a Sword Vpon this evidence they were found guilty condemned and executed At this time Sir Joseph Williamson haveing resigned the Seals of Secretary of State into his Majesties hands the Right Honourable Robert Earle of Sunderland was in his place made one of the Principal Secretaries of State and accordingly took place at the Council Board The time of the Sitting of the New Parliament drawing near his Majesty that he might remove all Jealousies from the minds of his Subjects thought fit to command his Royal Highness the Duke of York to absent himself who with his Dutchess in obedience of his Majesties Commands on the third of March took leave of his Majesty in order to their going beyond Sea where now they are at Bruxelles in Flanders Thursday March the sixth the lately Summoned Parliament met at Westminster The King thinking it fit to wave the Solemnity of Riding used at the Opening of the Parliaments of England went in his Royal Barge to the House by Water and there in a gracious Speech which was enlarged by the Lord Chancelour His Majesty told both Houses what he expected and the Countrey stood in need of from their unanimous and wise Deliberations And now that the Joynt and Healing Councils of his Gracious Majesty and this present Parliament may so effectually operate in composing the Divisions uniting the Minds and settling the Peace of the People of this Nation as may afford many Volumes of Noble Acts at present to be transmited to grateful Posterity no other ways than by hearty Wishes it is and ought to be the fervent Prayer of all who truely fear God honour their King and desire the Wellfare and Prosperity of his Kingdoms Mayors and Sheriffs of LONDON to the 31th Year of His Reign In his First Year 1649. Thomas Foot was Mayor Christopher Pack Rowland Wilson died in
should of himself or with a few flatterers pass over his Crown and enthrall his Nobles especially to the Pope who should follow St. Peters steps to win souls and not to meddle with Wars and murders of mens bodies And Prince Lewis declared That he would chuse rather to be excommunicated by the Pope than to falsifie his promise to the English Barons So without more ado he speedily set forth for England with his Fleet of 600 Ships and 80 Boats which coming to shore in Kent the Barons joyned forces with him King John whose Army consisted most of stipendiary Forreigners thought it best for a time to forbear Battel with Lewis and not to commit his whole fortunes to the hazard of their sudden defection therefore drew towards Winchester Lewis marching forward towards London taking all the strong-holds in his way excepting Dover Castle kept by the valiant and faithful Hubert de Burgo London received Lewis the Citizens swearing truth to him so did the Barons at Westminster Lewis swearing to them That he would restore all men their right and recover to the Crown what ever had been lost by K. John All or most places where the French Prince came submitted to him At Odiam Castle indeed wherein were but 13 English men Lewis and his whole Army was not only braved 15 days but also sallying forth upon them every one took an enemy surrendring the Castle at last upon honourable terms K. John in other parts of the Realm with a very considerable Host ruined the Barons Castles and possessions But setting forth from Lyn in Norfolk where for their faithful services he bestowed large Franchises and his own Sword and a gilt Bowl with a full resolution to give Lewis Battel as he was passing the Washes with his Army and Carriages towards Lincolnshire all his Carriages Treasures and Provision were irrecoverably lost himself and Army hardly escaping And now by this time the Barons were struck with some remorse to see their Native Country by their procurement to be so miserably wasted and afflicted and which grieved them the most was that their faithful services to Lewis were but slightly regarded by him at present and were like to be ill repayed in the future for Viscount De Melun a Noble Frenchman had on his death bed privately discovered to them how that Lewis had sworn That if ever Englands Crown was setled on his head he would condemn unto perpetual exile all the disloyal Barons as Traytors to their Sovereign and extirpate all their kindred Forty of the Barons therefore presently addressed their Letters of submissive suit to the King but he was dead before the Messengers came Some say he dyed of a Flix some of a Surfeit but the most report that he dyed of Poyson for K. John coming say they from the Washes to Swinshed Abby and there taking notice as he sat at meat of their too prodigal provision he swore That if he lived but half a year longer he would make one half-peny Loaf as dear as twelve To prevent which a Monk presented him with an invenomed Cup tasting first thereof himself so becoming the wicked instrument of his own and Sovereigns death Octob. 19 1216. He was buried at Worcester His Issue were Henry Richard Joan Eleanor and Isabel Base issue Jeffry Fitz-Roy Richard and Jane He appointed those excellent forms of Civil government in the Cities and incorporate Towns of England endowing them also with their greatest Franchises He setled the rates and measures for Wine Bread Cloth and such like necessaries of Commerce He planted English Laws and Officers in Ireland Now lived one Simon Thurvey who for his pride in Learning especially for his blasphemies against Moses and Christ became so utterly ignorant that he could hardly read a Letter in the Book In or the near the year 1176 London-Bridge was begun to be built of Stone by Peter of Cole-Church Priest and was finished in A. D. 1209. Mayors in this Kings time were these following In the 10th year Henry Fitz Alwin was first Mayor Peter Duke Thomas Neal Sheriffs In the 11th year Idem Mayor Peter le Josue William Blounde Sheriffs In the 12th year Idem Mayor Adam Witley Stephen le Grass Sheriffs In the 13th year Idem Mayor John Fitz Peter John Garland Sheriffs In the 14th year Idem Mayor Randolph Egland Constantine Josue Sheriffs In the 15th year Idem Mayor Martin Fitz Alice Peter Bate Sheriffs In the 16th year Idem Mayor Solomon Basing and Hugh Basing Sheriffs In the 17th year William Hardel Mayot John Trevers Andrew Newland Sheriffs HENRY III. HENRY 3d. at about 10 years of Age was Crowned King A.D. 1216 the Ninth day after his Father K. John's decease the Earl of Pembroke being by common consent of Peers and Prelates constituted Guardian of him during his Non-age This Noble Earl set out against Lewis and at Lincolne utterly defeated his Army which discomfiture was called Lewis Fair from the great spoil that the Earls Soldiers took from the Lewysians and City of Lincolne Here the chiefest of the malignant Barons were taken with about 400 Knights besides Esquires and of other sorts innumerable A great number also of such as escaped out of the Fight were knockt on the head by the Country people Likewise about the same time a fresh supply of men and Money coming from France were scattered sunk and taken by the English Fleet the English in the engagement using unslaked Lime which they threw into the faces of the Monsieurs blinding their sight therewith Then to give no rest to Lewis his declining fortunes the Earl of Pembroke clseloy besieged London with Lewis in it where he brought the matter to capitulation The heads whereof were That Lewis and the Barons should submit to the judgment of the Church whose censure they had long contemned That Lewis should depart the Land Richard Magnus A.B. Cant. and never return with design to do harm That he should endeavour with his Father that all such things that belonged to the English Crown might be restor'd and that when Lewis himself should be King he should peaceably part with them That Lewis should immediately render to K. Henry all holds and places taken in the War for the performance of all which Lewis took his Oath On the other part the King Legate Wallo and the Earl swore That the King should restore to the Barons and others all their rights and inheritances with all their liberties formerly demanded of K. John That none of the Laity should suffer damage and reproach for taking part on either side That Prisoners should be released This done Wallo absolved Lewis and his adherents and Lewis took his leave of England Yet was not England quiet long for William Earl of Aumarl Foulk de Brent and Robert de Veipont with others committed divers furious Riots the Church and State being grown into such disorder that every man dared to attempt in either what his own audaciousness should suggest The
Geoffry VVinchester Sheriffs In his thirty fourth Year Roger Fitz-Roger was Mayor Richard Hardel John Tolason Sheriffs In his thirty fifth Year John Gisors was Mayor Humfrey Bat VVilliam Fitz-Richard Sheriffs In his thirty sixth Year Adam Basing was Mayor Lawrence Frowick Nicholas Bat Sheriffs In his thirty seventh Year John Tolason was Mayor VVilliam Durham Thomas VVimbourn Sheriffs In his thirty eighth Year Richard Hardel was Mayor John Northampton Richard Pichard Sheriffs In his thirty ninth Year Richard Hardel continued Mayor Ralph Ashwy Robert of Limon Sheriffs In his fortieth Year Richard Hardel continued Mayor Stephen Doe Henry VValmond Sheriffs In his forty first Year Richard Hardel continued Mayor Michael Bokerel John the Minor Sheriffs In his forty second Year Richard Hardel continued Mayor Richard Otwel VVilliam Ashwy Sheriffs In his forty third Year Richard Hardel continued Mayor Robert Cornhil John Adrian Sheriffs In his forty fourth Year John Gisors was Mayor John Adrian Robert Cornhil Sheriffs In his forty fifth Year VVilliam Fitz-Richard was Mayor Adam Browning Henry Coventry Sheriffs In his forty sixth Year VVilliam Fitz-Richard continued Mayor John Northampton Richard Pichard Sheriffs In his forty seventh Year Thomas Fitz-Richard was Mayor John Taylor Richard VValbroke Sheriffs In his forty eighth Year Thomas Fitz-Richard continued Mayor Robert de Mountpeter Osbert de Suffolk Sheriffs Yet Fabian saith that from this 48. Year to the end of his Reign there were no Mayors of London but only Guardians of the City In his forty ninth Year Thomas Fitz-Thomas Fitz-Richard was Mayor George Rokesley Thomas de Detford Sheriffs In his fiftieth Year Thomas Fitz-Thomas Fitz-Richard continued Mayor Edward Blunt Peter Anger Sheriffs In his fifty first Year VVilliam Richards was Mayor John Hind John VValraven Sheriffs In his fifty second Year Alen de la Souch was Mayor John Adrian Lucas de Batencourt Sheriffs In his fifty third Year T VVimbourn Custos Sir Stephen Edward VValter Harvey VVilliam Duresme Sheriffs In his fifty fourth Year Hugh Fitz-Ottonis Custos of London and Constable of the Tower Thomas Basing Robert Cornhil Sheriffs To this time the Mayor and Sheriffs had been chosen but now the King grants the choice of them to the City it self In the fifty fifth Year John Adrian was Mayor VValter Potter Philip Taylor Sheriffs In his fifty sixth Year John Adrian continued Mayor Gregory Rochesly Henry VValleis Sheriffs In his fifty seventh Year Sir VValter Harvey was Mayor Richard Harris John de VVodeley Sheriffs EDWARD I. EDWARD sirnamed Long-shanks at his Father Henrys death A.D. 1272 was imployed in the holy Wars wherein he so excellently behaved himself that he gained the repute of a most valiant Souldier At Acon an assasinate wounded him with a poysoned knife which wounds his Queen Eleanor daily licked with her Tongue till therewith the poyson was extracted and the wounds healed her self receiving no harm thereby When the news of his Fathers death came to his ears he grieved much more than for the death of his Son who died a little before saying to the King of Sicily who wondred thereat that the loss of Sons is but light because they are multiplied every day but the death of Parents is irremediable because they can never be had again At his arrival in England he was most joyfully welcomed and with his dearest Eleanor was Crowned at Westminster by Robert Kilwarby Arch-Bishop of Canterbury When for the more royal celebration of the Coronation-feast of so Martial a Prince there were five hundred great horses let loose every one to take them for his own who could The first matter of remark done by King Edward after his Coronation was the subduing of Wales whose Prince Lewelin the last Prince of Britains blood had refused to do him homage but being slain his head crowned with Ivie was set upon the Tower of London In his stead the King created his own son Edward born at Caernarvon Prince of Wales And now Wales being setled in quiet the King repaired into France where he sate in person with the French King in his Parliament at Paris as a Peer of that Realm in respect of such lands as he held in those parts and being returned into England he addressed himself to purge his state from the Oppressions under which it groaned Fifteen thousand of the extorting Jews he banished out of the Land confiscating their goods His corrupt Justiciars he displaced and fined and constrained all his Justices to swear that from that time they would take no Fee Pension or Gift of any man except only a breakfast or like present He also appointed that Justices Itinerants should go their several circuits at such certain times of the year And now the Crown of Scotland by the death of Alexander the third being destitute of any apparent Heir by the umpirage of King Edward it was setled on the head of John Baliol who did homage to Edward against the minds of the Scots for the whole Kingdom of Scotland But shortly after Baliol to regain the affections of his people combined with the French against the English wherefore the King advanced against the Scots with a puissant Army drove the Scots out of the North-parts of England where they had done much mischief took Berwick Town and Castle had Dunbar yielded to him and after a cruel fight obtained a victory of great importance took the Castle of Roxbrow John Peckham A.B. Cant. had Edenbrough rendred to him so brought Baliol to sue for mercy which was granted on condition that the Scots should submit to him as their Soveraign And accordingly the Nobles of Scotland at a Parliament holden at Berwick did swear to be true Subjects to Edward for ever after and hereof a solemn Instrument was there sealed by them John the late King was sent to the Tower of London and the custody of Scotland was committed to John de Warren Earl of Surrey and Sussex Out of Edenbrough Edward took the Crown Scepter and Cloth of State Burnt their Records abrogated their Laws altered the forms of their Divine service transplanted their learnedst men unto Oxford The Marble-chair in the Abby of Schone wherein the Kings of Scotland were wont to be Crowned he sent unto Westminster This is the Chair upon which was ingraven the Famous prophetical Distich Ni fallat fatum Scoti quocunque locatum Invenient lapidem regnare tenentur ibidem That the Scots should reign wheresoever that chair should be verified in King James But King Edward drawn beyond the Seas by occasion of wars in Gascoign and for aid of friends in Flanders one William Walleys Captain of the discontented Scots put Earl Warren to flight in Scotland and all the English forces that were with him taking them at an advantage as they were passing over a narrow-bridge near Striveling where the slaughter of the English was not small Hugh de Cressingham Treasurer of Scotland for King Edward was there slain whose dead body the Scots did fley dividing his skin amongst
following he was condemned of Felony as seeking the death of some of the Kings Counsellors and on Febr. 22 of the same year he was brought to the Scaffold on Tower-hill where he thus spake to the people Dearly beloved Friends I am brought hither to suffer death albeit I never offended against the King either in word or deed and have always been as true and faithful to this Realm as any man hath been But forasmuch as I am by Law condemned to die I do acknowledg my self as well as others to be subject thereunto Wherefore to testifie my obedience which I owe unto the Laws I am come hither to suffer death whereunto I willingly offer my self with most hearty thanks unto God that hath given me this time of repentance who might through sudden death have taken away my life that I neither should have acknowledged him nor my self When having uttered these words with others exhortatory That the people would continue constant in the Gospel suddenly there was heard a great noise whereby the assembly was struck into great fear which noise was made by some of the Trainband-Hamlets coming hurrying on the Tower-hill This stir being ceased another presently insued for the people seeing Sir Anthony Brown ride towards the Scaffold they violently ran and crowded together thitherward supposing he had brought a pardon from the King and with a sudden shout cried a pardon a pardon God save the King But these interruptions over the Duke proceeded in his speech requesting the people to join in prayer with him for the King exhorting them unto obedience to him and his Council Which done asking every man forgiveness and declaring that he freely forgave every man he meekly submitted his head to the Axe Whose death the people were much grieved for speaking very bitterly against the Duke of Northumberland and the good King sorely mourned because of it which likely did much increase his Consumptive distemper that brought him to his end Whilst he lay in his weakness he was over-wrought to disinherit his two sisters Mary and Elizabeth and to ordain by Will for his Successor to Englands Diadem Guilford Dudley's Wife Jane the elder Daughter of the Duke of Suffolk whose Mother the Lady Frances was the Daughter of Mary Queen of France and Charles Branden Duke of Suffolk Unto this Will of King Edward all his Council the Bishops and all the Judges saving Sir John Hallis subscribed When the King drew towards his last breath he prayed as followeth Lord God deliver me out of this miserable life and take me among thy chosen howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I commit my spirit to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy Chosen sake if it be thy will send me life and health that I may truly serve thee O my Lord bless thy people and save thine inheritance O Lord God save thy chosen people of England O my Lord God defend this Realm from Papistry and maintain thy true Religion that I and my people may praise thy holy Name for thy Son Jesus Christs sake So turning his face and seeing some by him he said I thought you had not been so nigh Yes said Dr. Owen we heard you speak to your self Then said the King I was praying to God O I am faint Lord have mercy upon me and receive my Spirit And in so saying he yielded up the Ghost July 6 1553. And was interred in the Chappel of St. Peters at Westminster He was a Prince very well learned in the Latin and Greek Tongues also in the French Spanish and Italian adorned with the skill of Logick Natural Philosophy Musick and Astronomy Of such observation and memory that he could tell and recite all the Ports Havens and Creeks belonging to England Scotland and France what coming in there was how the Tide served in every of them what burden of Ship and what wind best served the coming into them Of all his Nobles chief Gentry and Magistrates he took special notice of their hospitality and religious conventions He was very sparing of his Subjects blood though rebells or hereticks When Joan Butcher was to be burnt for heresie all his Council could not move him to sign the Warrant for her execution till Dr. Cranmer A. B. laboured with him therein to whom the King said What my Lord will you have me send her quick to hell And taking the Pen he used this speeeh I will lay all the charge hereof upon Cranmer before God So zealous he was for the reformed Religion and against Popery that he thrust out all the Roman fopperies out of the Churches and superstitions out of the English Church nor would he permit his sister Mary to have Mass said in her house though the Emperour Charles made suit for it in her behalf So charitable that he conferred on the City of London Christs-Hospital and St. Thomas-Hospital for the relief of the Impotent fatherless Children and wounded Soldiers and Bridewell for vagabond and idle persons and so circumspect as to himself and publick that he kept a Journal-Book written with his own hand how all things proceeded with him and the state even from the first day of his raign unto his death The Mayors and Sheriffs of London in this Kings Reign In his first Year Sir John Gresham was Mayor Thomas White Robert Chertsey Sheriffs In his second Year Henry Amcoats was Mayor William Lock Sir John Ayleph Sheriffs In his third Year Sir Rowland Hill was Mayor John Yorke Richard Turk Sheriffs In his fourth Year Sir Andrew Jud was Mayor Augustine Hinde John Lion Sheriffs In his fifth Year Sir Richard Dobbes was Mayor John Lambert John Cowper Sheriffs In his sixth Year Sir George Barne was Mayor William Garret or Gerard John Mainard Sheriffs Queen MARY A.D. 1553 PIOVS King Edward having exchanged this wretched life for an happy the Councel in the first place perswaded the Lord Mayor and certain of the Aldermen of London to take their Oathes to be faithful to the Lady Jane Grey then caused the said Lady Jane to be proclaimed in London Queen of England But when Queen Mary heard the news of her brothers death and the Councels proceeds by her Letters she required the Councel as they tendred her displeasure and their own safeties to proclaim her Queen and Governour of the Land Unto which Letters the Lords forthwith answered That by good Warrant of Ancient Laws of the Realm besides the last Will of King Edward the right was in the Lady Jane to govern England unto whom therefore and none other they must yield subjection They also remembred the Queen of the unlawful marriage and divorce of her Mother of her own illegitimation desiring her to forbear any furder claim and to submit her self to the Queen Jane now her Soveraign Which Letters sent to Queen Mary were subscribed by Thomas Canterbury Archbishop Thomas Ely Chancellor Henry Suffolk Duke The Duke of
guilty of Treason either in particulars or in the whole The Parliament therefore resolved for right or wrong this wise man must fall to proceed against him by Bill of Attainder and upon April the 19 by making a Law after the fact vote him guilty of High-Treason yet withal add a caution for the security of themselves that it should not be drawn into a president Which vote of theirs passed not without a long debate and contention and 59 of the Members honestly dissented from the vote whose names were afterwards posted and marked for the fury of the Rabble In the bill of Attainder the Earl was charged for endeavouring to subvert the ancient Fundamental Laws and Government of the Realms and for exercising a tyranous and exorbitant power over the liberties and estates of his Majesties Subjects and for having by his own authority commanded the laying and assessing of Soldiers upon his Majesties Subjects in Ireland And also for that upon the dissolution of the last Parliament he did slander the House of Commons to his Majesty and did advise his Majesty that he was loosed and absolved from rules of Government and that he had an Army in Ireland which he might imploy to reduce the Kingdom And that the said Earl had been an Incendiary of the Wars betwixt England and Scotland c. May the first his Majesty called both Houses together and told them that he had been present at the hearing of the great Cause and that in his Conscience positively he could not condemn the Earl of Treason and yet could not clear him of misdemeanours but hoped a way might be found out to satisfie Justice and their fears without oppressing his Conscience May the second the Prince of Orange was Married to the Princess Mary at Whitehall May the third there came a seditious Rabble of about 5 or 6000 of the dregs of the People armed with staves cudgels and other instruments of outrage to the Parliament-dores clamouring Justice Justice and posted upon the gate of Westminster a Catalogue of names of those that would have acquitted the Earl whom they stiled Straffordians Then at the dores of the House of Peers they affronted some of the Lords especially the Bishops at their passing in and out after this they forced open the dores of the Abby-Church where they broke down the Organs spoiled the Vestments and Ornaments of Worship From thence they hurried to the Court and there most Impudently and Traiterously cried out That they would have Straffords head or a better upbraiding the King himself who perswaded them as they passed by to a modest care of their own private affairs with an unfitness to Reign and when some Justices of the Peace according to their Office endeavoured to suppress those tumults by imprisoning some of the Leaders of them they themselves were imprisoned by the command of the Commons upon pretext of an injury offered to the Liberties of the Subject one of which was as they then dictated that every one might safely Petition the Parliament howbeit afterwards they acted quite contrary to such whose Petitions were too honest to please them But notwithstanding these tumultuous inforcements his Majesty would not sign the Bill of Attainder till he had consulted both with the Judges as to matter of Law and the Bishops as to matter of Conscience When the Judges told his Majesty that in point of Law according to the Oath made by Sir Henry Vane of the Earls advice to raise horse to awe this Nation the Earl was guilty of Treason 't is said an eminent Bishop did answer the King that he had a Conscience as a private man and as a publick and though by his private Conscience he could not yield to the Earls death yet by his publick considering the present state of things he might May the 10. With much reluctancy the King signed a Commission to some Lords to pass that Bill of Attainder and another of ill consequence also which was for continuation of the Parliament during the pleasure of the two Houses May the 12 1641 was the Earl of Strafford strongly guarded to the Tower-Hill and there with courage beseeming a Christian he suffered the severing of his Head from his body The death of which great and able Minister of State did so terrifie the other Ministers of State that many of them made a voluntary resignation of their Offices At the request of the house of Commons the King for peace-fake relinquished his claim to Tonnage and Poundage and yielded to sign the Bills for taking away of the High-Commission and Star-Chamber Courts A. D. 1641 and October the 12 the Natives or wild Irish began a most bloody Rebellion throughout the whole Kingdom of Ireland on a suddein invading the unprovided English that were scattered amongst them despoiling them of their goods and massacring 200000 of them without any respect of sex age kindred or friendship making them as so many sacrifices to their bloody superstition the Popish Religion The chief heads of this Rebellion and Massacre besides the Priests were Sir Phelim O-Neal Turbough O-Neal his Brother Rowry Mac-Guire Philip O-Rely Moelmurry O-Rely Sir Conno Mac-Gennis Mac-Brian and Mac-Mahon His Majesty then in Scotland having intelligence of the dismal fate of the English in Ireland sent post to the Parliament of England to have them send reliefs thither but differences still heightning betwixt the King and his Parliament succours were not seasonably sent by which the Rebels much strengthened themselves At the Kings return from Scotland the Parliament presented him with a Petition for taking away the votes of Bishops in the House of Lords and the Ceremonies of the Church and for the removing of evil Councellors from about him Their grand Remonstrance they also presented him wherein were reckoned up the offences of the Courtiers the unpleasing resolves of some Judges the neglects or rigours of some Ministers of State the undigested Sermons of some Preachers the Positions of some Divines in the Schools unpleasing accidents they therein represented as designs of Tyranny and those things which had been reformed were yet mentioned as burthens To this Remonstrance his Majesty answered That he thought he had given satisfaction to his Peoples fears and jealousies concerning Religion Liberty and Civil Interests by the Bills he had past this Parliament desiring that misunderstandings might be removed on either side and that the bleeding condition of Ireland might perswade them to unity for the relief of that unhappy Kingdom But this modest answer of his Majesties did not at all satisfie the factious The Apprentices and Rabble in great numbers and much confusion resorted again to Westminster some crying out against Bishops and Liturgy of the Church others boldly menacing that the Militia should be taken out of the Kings hands Affronting the Bishops at their passing in and out of the Lords House and before Whitehall behaving themselves very insolently His Majesty hereupon took a Guard of such Gentlemen as offered their
of the Vnited Provinces which was Signed at Nimeguen the First of August his Majesty thought fit likewise to change his resolution And therefore by Proclamation declared that both Houses should be Prorogued from the 29th of August till the first of October following and afterward by another Proclamation to the one and twentieth of the same Month at which time his Majesty required a full Meeting of the Members in order to their Sitting for the dispatch of weighty Matters which indeed happened to be of greater concern than was imagined The Prince of Orange was now marched with his Army to the Relief of Mons at this time Blockt up by the French under the Command of the Duke of Luxembourg before he had the News of the Peace And his Highness accompanied with the Duke of Monmouth about the beginning of August being advanced near the Enemies Camp at St. Denis bravely attacqued it and after a long and brisk dispute forcing the French to dislodge possessed himself of their Ground The Prince and Duke of Monmouth were in great danger in this Engagement but both came off without any hurt the Earl of Ossory commanded his Majesties Subjects that were in the States Service who gained not the least share in the Honour of this Day 's Action though many Gallant Men perished in the Attempt In September came to light a Design which had been doubtless long contriving in the blackest Cell of Darkness A Plot that amazed most Men allarmed all and gave work enough since to his Majesty Parliament and Judges of the Land but seeing it is not as yet so fully diclosed at least to the Publick as may sufficiently warrant an authentick Relation thereof to Posterity no man can expect much to be said on 't in this Abridgement which intends only to point at the most remarkable Occurrences of the English History and is proposed rather as an Index than Chronicle to the Reader The matter then was briefly thus One Mr. Titus Oats having received his Education and Orders in the Church of England some Years ago went over the Seas into Flanders and afterward into Spain ingratiating himself among the Jesuits by such means and to such purposes as are set down in his Depositions lately made Publick upon his Return soon after this Gentleman advises with one Doctor Tongue about the Discovery of what he had learn'd abroad and so these two went together to Sir Edmondbury Godfrey one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace whom Mr. Oats informed of a Plot hatched by Jesuits Priests and others of the same Roman-Catholick Perswasion against the Person and Life of his Majesty the best of Kings and the Subversion of the Protestant Religion and Government of the Kingdom And for confirmation of what he said discovered many persons of several Qualities who were ingaged in the Design some as Instruments for assassinating his Majesty and others for carrying on the remaining part of the work by Arms Forreign Assistances and such other Expedients as they Judged necessary for the Success of their Enterprise His Majesty and the Council being acquainted with this Orders were given out for the apprehending and committing to custody of many persons of whom some have since suffered some died in Prison and many more are still in Custody To enumerate all would be more tedious than necessary in this Manual and to name but a few would be injurious either to those mentioned or to the Publick in omitting of others who stand accused of the same combination we shall therefore speak only of those who have been since brought to publick Tryal and leave it to Time and the Care of our Governours to make Publick the rest Sir Edmondbury Godfrey who had taken and given in to the Council the Depositions of the Evidence was on Saturday the Twelfth of October missing from his House and no News could be heard of him till Thursday following at which time he was found dead in a Ditch by Primrose-hill with a Sword thrust through his Body but nothing except his Pocket Book taken from him This Murder was concluded by all Men to be an Act of Revenge or some spightful Malice and not of unlawful desire of Lucre seeing his Money and Rings which were no inconsiderable Prize were left with him And therefore His Majesty being returned from New-Market caused a Proclamation to be Published the 20th of October for the Discovery of this Inhumane Murder promising a Reward of Five Hundred Pounds to any that should discover the Murderers or any of them and if the Discoverer proved to be one of the Malefactors not only his Pardon but likewise the promised Sum. After the Parliament according to the last Prorogation had met the 21th of October which was their last Session the King being informed that some who could give information of the Manner and Circumstances of the Murder of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey did forbear to do it out of fear to their Persons from the Murderers Friends His Majesty emitted another Proclamation promising on the word of a King not only the said Reward of Five Hundred Pounds but such Care for the Security of the Discoverer as he should in reason propose These two Proclamations at length inspired courage into William Bedlow formerly a Servant to the Lord Bellasis to make a Discovery of this Murder which he and one Praunce a Silver Smith in Princes street that confessed himself to have been in the Fact made out afterwards against three of those that were Guilty the rest having Fled And according to his Majesties Promise Mr. Bedlow as Mr. Oats had been before was allowed Guards for his Security and Accommodation and Subsistence at his Majesties Charge in Whitehall The King and Parliament being surprized at the strangeness of this mischievous Plot betook themselves to the most probable ways of discovering the same and preventing the fatal Effects thereof and therefore in the first place upon the humble Petition of the Lords and Commons in Parliament his Majesty caused a Proclamation to be published for a general Fast throughout the whole Kingdom to be observed on Wednesday the Thirteenth of November for imploring the mercy and and protection of Almighty God to his Majesties Royal Person and in him to all his Loyal Subjects and to pray that God would bring to light more and more all sceret machinations against his Majesty and the whole Kingdom This day of Humiliation was accordingly observed throughout all England and a form of Prayer by his Majesties Command composed and published for that purpose In the next place His Majesty caused several Proclamations and Orders of Council to be published for the Discovering and Disabling of Popish Recusants The First of the 30th of October commanding all Popish Recusants or so reputed to depart from the Cities of London and Westminster and all other places within ten Miles of the same was seconded by an Order of Council on the second of November wherein his Majesty promised a reward of