abundantly the want they had sustained In the beginning of his Reign he cut off something from the severity of the Laws and he erected new Tribunals for the use of his subjects and he first commanded the Lions to be kept alive in the Tower of London which custom is continued to this day He brought the Clergy under the Magistrate though Thomas Becket stood stifly against it who for that was banished and received into favour again by the Intercession of the Pope and the King of France but when he would not yield to the Kings pleasure he was miserably butcherd by four Souldiers of horse but after his death he was consecrated for a Saint Henry also being wrapt up with the love of luxury and of whores had his Wife alwaies his enemy which he at last imprisoned because she had suborned her Sons to Rebel The French King sent him a Catalogue of all those Rebels that conspired his death and when first of all he saw the Name of his younger sonne John he sunk down half dead with grief and the affliction increasing he died of it being above threescore years old and had ruled the Kingdom of England thirty five years RICHARD the first King of England Anno 1189. THis King was Crown'd at Westminster the 3d of Septemb. Ano 1189. namely on that day which was notable for an accidentall slaughter of the Jews whose insolence he abundantly restrained by giving licence to weed out that odious kinde of men He was famous for benefits toward his Mother and Brother receiving her as it were into society of the Government with him and augmenting the other with six Counties at once He sent Adela that was long before betrothed to him yet as his Fathers Concubine back again into her Country but not without a reward of her Virginity and in her place that he might not with an incestuous Wedlock defile his Fathers Bed he took to Wife Berengaria the Daughter of Garsias King of Navar. Now at last he resolved to perform his expedition long intended for the holy Land Collecting every way great Treasures and selling Priviledges Demeans Immunities and Cities London it self being scarce left out of the sale For the time of his absence he trusted the Kingdom of England to Hugh Baldulph Bishop of Durrham and to William Prunellus and William Longe Scampius Chancellor of the Kingdom dividing to each his part He set Robert Earl of Leicester a man of Integrity over Normandy and Aquitan Yet to prevent the Ambition of his Brother John he was minded to send him away for Normandy but his Mother interceding for him and becoming surety for his fidelity he was left in England Lastly appointing Arthur his Brother Jeffreys Sonne to be his successour in case he should die in this Expedition he entred upon his Voyage Richard thus armed with five thousand Horse and thirty thousand Foot goes forward on his Journey He went by Land through France to Marseilles with some choice Souldiers to wait in that City for his Fleet and to Embarque himself there but the winde being long troublesom it came too late wherefore being impatient of delaies he hired Ships and takes his Passage for Messana whither Philip King of France was gone with his Navy before At last also arrived the English Fleet They are received by Tancred King of Sicily with a great shew of courtesie but he by reason of some old quarrel was not friends with Richard and laid snares for Richard and for all the English and by a confederacy of the Citizens shut him and all the English Souldiers out of the Town Richard offended with this affront drew up his Souldiers against the City and easily became Master of it and had made a great slaughter on the King and the Citizens had he not pacified Richard by paying the Dowry which he had unjustly detained from Joan Richard his Sister who was married to William King of Sicily deceased and had also espoused his Daughter to Arthur Nephew to Richard Philip King of France first set sail and came to Prole mais which City the Christians had a long time besieged with those he adjoyned himself and his Forces Richard after that wayed Anchor with a 190 Ships and 50 Gallies But by a contrary winde he is driven into Cyprus which Island when he was kept from landing by the Inhabitants he invaded by force of Arms and became Master of it and leaving Richard Canvil and Robert Turnham in it with a sufficient Garrison he also sailed toward Ptolemais which City after it had been besieged two years was delivered up to the Christians by Saladin Other Cities also he became Master of all which he neglected only Joppa he made a Garrison of In the mean while Guido Lusinianus invades Tyre and with it he takes upon him the Title of King of Jerusalem which he afterwards changed for the Kingdom of Cyprus And hence it was that the Kings of England for a long time were called Kings of Jerusalem But Philip envying this Glory of Richard and emulating him because he could not equal his vertue forsaking the Warre sail'd back for France leaving the business to Odo Duke of Burgundy to wage Warre with Saladine in his absence Yet Richard would not let him depart till he had taken his Oath to attempt nothing against the Dominions of Richard in his absence But he was no sooner got home but against right and equity he invaded Normandy with which injury Richard being offended and much weakned by the departure of Odo with his Forces Richard resolves homewards making Peace with Saladine upon unjust Tearms His Navy sailing homewards he went by Land through Dalmatia and Germany at last he came to Vienna where being unknown he desired to be concealed at last being discovered by Leopoldus Archduke of Austria who was angry with the English for the injury was done him in the taking of Ptolemais he was cast into Prison and was sent to the Emperour who demanded him and after a hard Captivity he was forced to Redeem his Liberty with a mighty Ransom which injury afterwards cost the Emperour his Life and Leopoldus first the breaking and lastly the losing his Leg. But he after four years returned to his Kingdom He found his Kingdom full of troubles and contentions for William Longoscampius Bishop of Ely who in the Kings absence managed as it were the whole Government being unaccustomed with so great an Office though he had otherwise enough to do of his own business grew insolent and over-proud Hence arose a Controversie between him and Duke John the Kings Brother the King took his Brothers part whereupon he was put out of his Authority the Archbishop of Roan being put in his place When therefore he could no louger make resistance in the Kingdom he bethought himself to make an escape beyond Sea disguised in womans apparel but being discovered the Women did punish him sufficiently by deriding him for counterfeiting his Sex and so being much
John and sets him a day of hearing to appear before him as one that ought him Homage But John refusing he entred his Territories by Arms and in short time he subdued all Normandy as it were in the face of John who staied sluggishly at Roan and afterwards doing nothing he returned into England the Nobility gnashing their teeth at it in vain To this may be added the second and third loss for Eleconer the Kings Mother died who did the Kingdom as much good by her vertues as the King did mischief by his vices Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury followed her who was another Ornament of the Kingdom And now John seemed to be in possibility to recover his loss so his subjects would bring Subsidies to help him to wage Warre which they strove who should do it most So he marcheth toward Portsmouth and suddenly set sail not waiting for the Noblemen that came after him but he had no sooner left the shore but he presently returned and upbraiding the Nobility because they followed him not with sluggishness and disobedience he fined them with a vast summe of money and so being the richer by his double Usury neglecting the War he returned home Philip in the mean while that he might expell all the English out of his Kingdom takes Chinon by force and he had quickly put an end to the Warre unless Guido the Husband of Constance falling off from Philip had joyned with John by whose help he levied a new Army whereby he took Mountalbans a Town otherwise impregnable with wonderfull celerity in fifteen daies and after that storming Aniou he gave the Plunder to his Souldiers rasing the Wals of the Town but he repented it afterwards and perchance because he was born in that City he built it again more firm and beautifull than it was And now Philip and John were in Arms now on this side now on that the Army expected the word to fall on and nothing but blood and slaughter was to be expected but at the Intercession of friends a Cessation was granted for two years John therefore returns for England but upon his return he enters the borders of the Scotch and kils multitudes of them and brought King Alexander to his obedience and those Irish that he found to have revolted he sailed with his Fleet thither and easily brought them under So he made the Rebel Welsh upon his return become Subjects taking eight and twenty Noble-mens children for pledges which when the Welsh rose again he commanded to kill them all So much prevails unadvised desire of wrong though sometimes it may oppose good examples to unsatisfied cruelty and so John was more cruel and valiant against none than toward his own Subjects He returned afterward into France that as we said he might repair the wals of Aniou when those of Poictou revolted to him But Lewis the sonne of Philip mustering an Army presently not only mastered and punished the Rebels but also put all Johns Army to flight and destroyed them taking the chief Nobility by which losse he was brought to desperation yet making peace he returned for England to vex his Subjects and to pour forth all his malice on the innocent In the mean time the Nobility of England because they could obtain from the King no release of their burdens conspiring together wage warre against him The King when he was too weak for them attempted to proceed by subtilty and calling the Nobility together granted them their requests But afterwards being discharged by the Pope from his promises he takes up armes against them and spoiling almost all England he threw down the Castles and Forts of all the Conspirators every where There was a Bull sent from the Pope against all the Nobility that disobeyed his Commands The Nobility being too weak for the King in Arms they commit an unjust and hainous wickednesse calling in the sonne of the French King to their assistance and promising obedience to him as to their King He stayed not but sailed for England with a Navy of six hundred ships The conspired Nobility joyn'd with him and so joyning their forces they came for London where Lewis with a fair speech wone the Citizens to his side Also the Scotch entred England with a mighty Army destroying all things in the way whereby Lewis as also by the other Forces being strengthned overruns all England with ease John in the mean time least he should seem to do nothing gathering together a great many vagabonds spoils miserably the Lands of his Subjects at last in the passing of some Rivers not a few of his followers being drown'd and being overweakned for want of help falling thereby into grief of minde and so into a Feaver he died within a few dayes Great controversies arose between the King and the Pope during his Raign in Church-matters about the choice of some Bishops The Pope got the upper-hand and made the King do him homage after that the businesse of the Church had stood still six years and three moneths He was immoderate in blasphemies and execrations Also he is thought to have sought aid from Mirammula King of Africa whilest he was in his troubles promising to him the Kingdom of England if he conquer'd and to renounce the Christian Faith He was sad and dark of countenance he was tall and fat sluggish and idle of Nature he seldome conquered the enemy but by force being inconstant in adverse fortune he was easily dejected He was false in his promises burdensom to his Subjects troublesom to his neighbours and hated of all HENRY the third King of England Anno 1517. AFter Johns decease his first born sonne Henry not yet passed nine years old obtain'd the Kingdom not without some controversie of the Nobles Some of the Nobility falling off to him who a little before had made a defection and swear to King Lewis yet Lewis with those that followed him from London with an Army of twenty thousand men wone many Towns till at last he came to the Castle at Lincoln which a certain noble woman did manly defend and caused him to stop and an Army of the English coming on in the mean time he was repulsed and conquered Many of the English Nobility being taken that stood with him besides the Count of Perch who preferred an honourable death before a dishonourable life yet he did not despair but sent for new forces out of France which were all almost destroyed in a fight at Sea By these misfortunes he was forced to take Conditions whereby there were granted to King Lewis in respect of his charge he had been at a hundred and five thousand franks he renouncing all Right to the Kingdom of England and promising faithfully to prevail with his Father to restore all the Provinces in France that belonged to the English But the King restored to the Rebel Nobility all the Lands that belonged unto them and so Lewis leaving England set sail at Dover for France having waged war unhappily in
espoused to Lionel whilst she came out of France by Sea to her Husband was taken in the way whom he was forced to redeem at a great ransom promising also to Edward continual Homage and granting his Brother David to the English who was highly esteemed by Edward But Lionels obedience lasted not above three years for his Wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new rebellions Also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him fell off presently to his Brother and so with joynt Forces they enter England and did some mischief to Edward both wonderfully inflamed by a false Prophesie of Merlin whereby the Crown of Brutus was promised to Lionel But the Battell being set Lionel was killed by a private Souldier and his Head was brought to the King who caused it to be fastned on a pole and to be Crowned with joy and set up on the Tower of London The lot of David was like to his Brothers who being taken in Wales was drawn with a Horse to the place of execution and there beheaded and his Head set by his Brothers and his four quarters were sent to the four principall Cities of England So Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welsh and the death of Alphonsus his first born who was killed in the same Battell But a greater cloud hung over his head from Scotland For Alexander the third King of Scotland whilst he rode the Great Horse fell with him and so died leaving his Daughter Margaret to inherit but she shortly after her Father died also leaving the Kingdom to ten Corrivals who strove for it Edward was chosen Umpire by them all to search their Titles but he reduced all their pretences to two especially namely John Bayly and Robert Bruse who with equal right affected the Kingdom whilst the matter sticks between them Edward sets on Bruse promising to him the Kingdom of Scotland for ever so he would do him Homage for it But Bruse refused it preferring his Countries Liberty before his own Honour but Baily yielded to those conditions and so gained the Kingdom of Scotland but the ill will of all his Country men Envy against him increased for refusing justice upon the death of the Earl of Fife who was slain for Baily exempted Albermeth that slew him from punishment whereupon Baily was cited to appear before Edwards Tribunal was forced to plead his cause He was angry for this disgrace and returns to his Kingdom and afterwards denied Homage to Edward and proclaimed Warre making a Covenant with the French King Hence arose the cause of a most bloody Warre between the two Nations which lasted for 300 years only some feigned cessations passing between Armies are Mustered on both sides and the English giving the first onset on the Scotch slew abundance of them and won many Cities and Castles by which loss Brusius was constrained to beg for Peace which was granted but he himself was carried Captive into England and being afterwards set at liberty he ended his daies in France expecting in vain the restitution of his goods And so Edward returned for England leaving after him John Varamius Earl of Sussex his Embassador and Hugh Chrysingamius his Treasurer to take care of the Scotch business But a little after this the Scotch when the King was gone into France making head against the Kings Ministers having William Valla for their Captain they killed Hugh Chrysingamius and with him 6000 English But the King came back for England commanded that his Court should be held at York and presently levying an Army he assaulted the Scotch afresh at Fonkirk and though he himself were dismounted from his Horse that was frighted with the hollow of the enemy and was dangerously wounded two ribs being broken in his body yet he made a great slaughter amongst them 40000 Horse and Foot of them being slain Only Vallas with a small handfull of men escaped by flight from the fury of the enemy All the Noble mens goods are made forfeit to the English and they were all made Tributaries and to swear the third time to be true to King Edward But the false Scot kept his word but a very short time for Brusius the Son of Robert being made King in a Turbulent manner new commotions arise for he fearing the power of John Cuminus caused him wickedly to be murdered in the Temple of Dumfrise When Edward heard this he was wonderfully incensed Presently having raised a gallant Army he marcheth into Scotland not meaning to cease till he had brought down the usurper of that Kingdom The Earl of Pembreke who was marched before with his Brigade lighting suddenly on Bruse destroyed all his men from whose hands the King himself hardly escaped he led a dishonourable llfe in Caves Dens and Crags of Mountains seeking his fortune in other matters His Brothers falling into the power of the enemy were put to extream tortures as Traytors The King fierce with the madness of Revenge spared no mans life but slew all he met withall The Earl of Athol also though he were of the Kings blood was sent to London and hanged there so and by such like waies were the followers of Bruse punished Yet Bruse though he wanted almost any to follow him did not give out but collecting a handfull of souldiers he sets upon the Earl of Pembroke suddenly and put him to the worst with great loss and slaughter and he drove the Earl of Glocester into the Castle of Ayrs and besieged him there untill Edward coming to his relief he was forced to fly to his old sculking holes In the mean time a new Warre breaks forth with the French King Philip the Fair by a controversie between the subjects of either King and arising from pretended injury for Kings that envy one the other do easily break into open hatred The King of England also was justly angry and sought all occasions of wrong greedily by reason that Henry his Cousin Son to Richard the Emperour was killed by the Earl Montfrots Son at which wickedness the French connived In a fight at Sea first a great destruction was brought upon the French at the entrance of the River Sion and elsewhere And Edward when a day was appointed for him as a stipendiary to plead his cause before King Philip he refused to appear and the Homage he did willingly before he now refused to do whereupon a great Army being raised Philip enters upon the Territories of Edward in France by force of Arms. The King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Brabant and others to which was joyned â—he help that came from Adolphus of Nassaw the Roman Emperour who had promised it presently marched against the King of France but finding the French divided into parts and defrauded of the assistance promised them by the Emperour when he had held his Winter Quarters at Gaunt not without murmuring of the Citizens and great want amongst his Souldiers at the beginning
others also Nor did the Queen do lesse at Bristol killing Hugh Father to Spencer who was ninety years old causing him to be dragged to Execution pulling his heart out alive Then she sent part of her Army to finde out the King Henry Earl of Lancaster being the chief and Rice Paulinus a Welshman who because he knew every passage of the Countrey exactly he lead the Earl to the Monastery of Neth where the King hid himself where presently both he with Spencer Robert Baldoch and Simon Redyng is delivered into the hands of his Enemies and is left to the Custody of the Earl of Leicester who entertained him with all respect as it was fit a captive King should be But Edmund Earl of Arundel John Daniel and Thomas Micheldem are beheaded at the request of Mortimer But Spencer who was now Earl of Glocester is now with Simon Redyng drawn to Execution and being first hanged they were afterwards beheaded and quartered and their Heads set up on London Bridge the quarters were sent to the chief Cities but Baldoch was famished to death in prison Then a Parliament is called wherein they consulted to depose the King and to Crown the Prince his Sonne Edward But he being farre more Religious than his Mother would not accept the Crown unlesse his Father would resign it willingly Some are sent to perswade this miserable King and the unhappy man did yeeld easily to it A day is set for the delivering up his Title and Edward cloathed in black comes into the Chamber where they were gathered together that should receive his Abdication but he scarce saw the provision made for his renunciation but he sunk down half dead in a swound and with much ado being refreshed by the Earl of Leicester and the Bishop of Winchester he came to himself But when he heard the cause of the Assembly he answered That as it was displeasing to him that his Subjects were so much offended at him so he was well pleased that they had made his Son Edward King in his stead and so the Solemnities being rightly performed the business was at last accomplished Then an allowance being granted to Edward he remained in the Custody of the Earl of Leicester and was well used Also so great a stipend was granted to the Queen-Mother that there was scarce any thing left for the King and Queen Nor was the furious woman yet pleased but went about to infringe the Liberty her Husband enjoyed with the Earl of Leicester and by the counsel of Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford power is granted to two Knights Thomas Gorney and John Matrevers to carry the King to some other place They hewed him filthily cutting his hair most ridiculously and his heard also that he might not be known at last they brought him to Barclay-Castle After he had lost his Kingdom they consult concerning his Life First They thought by unwholsome food to destroy him then by filthy stinks of carcases and lastly by poyson but neither prevailed Then the Letters of the Bishop of Hereford the most wicked Counsellour were sent to his Keepers by which he checks them heavily for dealing so well with him that was not fit to be so kindly used adding in the end Doe not fear to kill Edward 't is good which was interpreted by them as they pleased who thereupon fell upon the miserable King in his Bed and strive with the Blankets to strangle him Nor were they content with this but they thrust a hot Iron into his Fundament and so burned his Bowels a most hideous Example of Cruelty and destroyed him in a dolefull manner But these Parricides when they looked for a Reward for their Villany they received a just Reward of it For being called in question for their Lives they were banished Afterwards Gorney lost his Head Matrevers after a long banishment at last died miserably This King was of an excellent Stature of Body wonderfull strong but too much given to drunkenness and so not secret of his Counsels he was immoderate toward those he loved For Love if it be with Moderation is a most noble affection of the soul and if that be wanting it is the worst passion of all the rest He was more unhappy than unfortunate He exceeded all in Chastity for he left no Bastards behinde him In Moderation for he used no unjust wayes to pole his Subjects of their Moneys As his Subjects hated him in his life time so his memory was dear unto them after his Death EDWARD the third King of England and France Anno 1328. HIs Father being deposed Edward was saluted King sirnamed Windsor not yet having passed his fifteenth year and therefore he had Governours that should Rule the Kingdome in his Name But the chief Power remain'd in the Queen and Mortimer either the Nobility winking at it or allowing it The first care was to fall upon the Scotch for Robert Bruise despising the young King entred the Borders of England with his Army whereupon an Army is raised joyning those of the hanse Towns which the Queen brought with her But when divers people hardly could be held together in respect of the diversity of their Manners there grew in a short time a great discord between both Nations so nothing succeeding well they came back again and afterwards the English consented to base Conditions of Peace A Marriage being contracted between David Prince of Scotland and Joan Sister to Edward Also Edward Married his Wife that was promised him Philippa the Earl of Hannonia's Daughter being yet in their Nonage Then the Souldiers of Hannonia who caused the Discord are sent home And Edmund Earl of Kent accused of Treason because he had endeavoured to restore the Kingdom to his Brother Edward was condemned and lost his Head But the great Revenues of the Queen which she had drawn to her self by a Grant of Parliament were restrained to a thousand per annum and she was imprisoned in a Castle and Mortimer being convicted of Adultery with her and being taken in the act was presently hanged In the mean while Philip the Fair King of France died and the Kingdom was devolved to his Sonnes Henry Lewis and Charls the Fair who all reigned in their turns but Charls dying without an Heir-male lawfull Succession failed in him Edward who was of kinne by the Sister of Charles who was the Daughter to Philip the Fair supposing that the Kingdom fell by descent to him found Philip Valesius Brother to Philip the Fair to be his enemy for women by the common rule of France are excluded by the Salique Law Wherefore Philip was prefer'd before Edward and the King of England was forced to do him Homage for the Lands he possessed in France But these things gave cause afterwards for a grievous Warre and a sharp Contention In the mean time Edward Baily Son to John affecting the Kingdom of Scotland descending from his Ancestors Robert Bruse being now dead made Warre upon the Scots and by a
successfull fight or else helped by the Forces of Edward brought almost the whole Nation under him whilst David a young King trifled the time away in France and so doing Homage to the King of England he held it as from him in Chief In the said time the Isle of Man is Conquered by William Montacute Earl of Salisbury who therefore was honoured with the Title of King of Man Edward now come to age by the Instigation of Robert Atrebas who was fled out of France into England intends a Warre with France making a Confederacy with the Dukes and Earls of Gelderland Gulic Cleave and the Hanse Towns and of Brabant The French also foreseeing this Tempest made friendship with the Bishop of Leige John King of Bobemia the Earl of Lutzenburg the Palatine Albertus Otho of the House of Austrich and Amesius Earl of Genoa Wherefore Edward sail'd into Flanders bearing the Title of the King of France those of Flanders being the cause of it and then he entred the Borders of France Philip also invaded Aquitan and though the Armies of both Kings were in sight one of the other and ready to fall on yet they both departed without fighting Edward in the mean while to see to his business at home returned for England leaving William Montacute and the Earl of Suffolk to take care of the Warre both of them behaved themselves valiantly yet were taken and brought to Paris But Edward supposing it was in vain to stay at the report of this news provided for his return for France and finding a strong Navy of King Philips in the Haven of Sluse he collecting a great Fleet set upon the French and utterly destroyed their Navy killing then 30000 French with those that were drowned and came to their ends other waies Then he laid siege to Tourney which Town was so well defended by the Duke of Burgundy and the Earl of Armeniac that his whole Army being dispersed he lost about 4000 men Edward was much enraged with this loss and challenged Philip to fight a Duel with him but the business came not so farre because it was taken up Yet the befieging of Turney was no whit neglected and Philip did what he could to free the City but Robert King of Sicily interceding and especially Joan Valois Philips sister there is a cessation made for two years In the interim the Scots that were enemies to Bayly's Government calling their King David out of France they make Warre upon Edward and invading Northumberland with a strong Army they miserably destroy all by fire and sword sparing no sex nor condition But at the sudden approach of William Montaente they are afflicted with some loss and being frighted at the coming of Edward sounding a retreat they returned for Scotland but Edward following their Armies overtook them and wearying them with some light skirmishes he forced them to a cessation for two years John Earl Montfort whilst he strives to make good his Title to Britany is taken by King Philip but his Wife seeking help from King Edward easily procured it Mary the Kings Daughter being espoused to the Earls Son the care of that expedition was first committed to Gualter Mani a valiant Gentleman and then to Robert Atrebas In the mean time Baily being driven out of his Kingdom of Scotland and by Edward made Governour of Barwick tels Edward that the Scots had not kept their Covenants whereupon Edward moves suddenly with an Army against the Scots but there was nothing done but the cessation of Arms renewed In the interim Robert Atrebas with Gualter Mani and some other Nobles after a great tempest and Sea-fight arrived at a Town of Britain which is commonly called Vannes and going on Land set on the City that was a Garrison in a Hostile manner and suddenly became Masters of it but by the desperate violence of some of the Nobility the French wan it again and wounded Robert whereof he died shortly after in England But Edward himself moving into Britany laid a new siege to the Vannes and John Duke of Normandy coming suddenly they both make themselves ready for Battell but by the intercession of Pope Clement the sixt Truce was made for some few moneths yet it lasted not who was the cause of it is uncertain they again prepare for their Arms by which means Henry of Lancaster subdued many Towns in Guyan and in other Provinces and then he removed to Burdeaux for his Winter Quarters Philip that he might not lose his Countrey by sloth levying a great Army regained Miremontium a Franc Town and Engolesm But when Lancaster was too weak for the great Army of Philip Edward came to his assistance with more Forces bringing with him his Sonne Prince of Wales that was yet in his Nonage for he was scarce 15 years old that he might be trained up in the Warres who presently took many Towns and then he marched toward Picardy and Pontium and he either vanquished or destroyed all places in the way Then he passed over Somes a wonderfull example of his Valour the enemy looking on and he discomfited Gondemar more by fear than force In the mean time Philip stay'd with his Army at the Temple of St Germans and being enraged with so great a loss of his men sets Edward a day to sight with him in Battell he had pitched his Camp at Cressen expecting with his Ensignes Philip his enemy The Armies both meet and the Trumpets sound to Battell wherein appeared the wonderfull courage of Edwards both Father and Sonne that day the English got the Victory and the French were routed and ruined the King hardly escaped himself and there were found slain about 30000 men the chief whereof were John King of Bohemia Charles Alencon and other chief Nobles 1500. Another loss fell after this Victory upon the Archbishop of Roan who lost about 7000 Souldiers Nor was this the end of their Victories for it went successively in England against the Scots in the Kings absence their King David with the greatest Noble men were taken prisoners and 15000 Souldiers were slain in the fight and the rest were dispersed Nor did the General Thomas Dagovort fight with less good fortune in Britanie for the Countess of Montfort the principal of the French Nobility being taken and killed Edward being more high by so many and great Victories neglecting Amiens and the Town of Abbas he laid siege to Calais that was of great moment and most convenient for the English affairs whilst Lancaster over-ran all Guyan vanquished those of Xanton and Poictiers and being loaded with the spoil he returned to Burdeaux In the mean while Philip going about to relieve those of Calais drew near with his Forces and when he had in vain provoked Edward to Battell having done nothing he returns toward Paris So they of Calais being out of hopes of relief began to treat for Conditions and it was agreed upon on both sides that six of the principall Citizens should come with
Florus Anglicus OR AN EXACT HISTORY OF England FROM THE RAIGN OF William the Conquerour to the Death of the Late KING By Lambert Wood Gent. LONDON Printed for Simon Miller at the Starre in St Pauls Church-yard 1657.6 The History of England TO THE READER FRIENDLY READER THou hast here a short Compendium of the Affaires of England yet written with so much Care and Diligence that there is nothing almost that is wanting in it but circumstances or things not usefull By this means I suppose I have spared the Reader both labour and time For what will it profit a man to spend his Age in searching out of that which he may have represented to him at an instant You may with one glance of your Eye runne over all the Writings and Pains taken by many Authours And that nothing might be wanting I have drawn forth the History from the very Infancy of it even unto the Death of CHARLES the First not following my own Advice but directed by the Testimony of them who setting aside all Envy were Reall and Eye-Witnesses of this Tragedy I have offered no Violence to the Truth by siding with any part If I loved the one I did not hate the other And if perhaps any Man which in Novelties is much desired by his future Experience shall bring forth the hidden Causes of things to the clearer Light I will not refuse to give Credit to it so farre is it from me from believing my own Report before the Relation of other Men. That which pleased me I think shall not be distastefull unto thee And I hope to reap the fruit of my Labours in it your kinde Acceptance which if I may obtain I aim at nothing else Judge moderately of the Style and censure it courteously It will not cause your Admiration shining forth in a Scholastick Brightnesse it will not retard curious Eyes with the Elegancie of words and glorying in the wittie choise of Sentences What can I say more It must be excused The desire of Praise could not carry me aloft who want Wings for it Moderate things please me when I can reach no higher Only I abhorre the envy of Detractors and the quarrelling of carping Momus Having premised thus much I shall remain A true Friend to my Countrey Lambert Wood. Courteous Reader These Books following are printed and sold by Simon Miller at the Starre in St Pauls Church-yard near the West end Folio The Civil Warres of Spain in the Raign of Charles the fifth Emperour of Germany and King of that Nation wherein our late unhappy Differences are parallel'd in many particulars The History of this Iron-Age with the Original and Causes of all Warres and Commotions that have happened throughout Europe from the Year 1500 to this present Quarto Abrahams Faith or the good old Religion proving the Doctrine of the Church of England to be the only true Faith of Gods Elect by J. Nicholson Minister of the Gospel Mr Boltons Directions The Anatomy of Mortality by George Strode Mr Ainsworth on the Canticles Mr Paul Baynes Diocesans Trial. The Supream Power of Christian States Vindicated from the Insolent Pretences of Gulielmus Apollonii by E. Gralle Politique and Military Observations of Civil and Military Governments The Birth Increase Decay of Monarchies the Carriage of Princes Magistrates Commanders and Favourites by D.P. Esq Mr Pinchin his meritorious Price of Christs Redemption Astrology Theologized shewing what Nature and Influence the Starres and Planets have over men and how the same may be diverted and avoided Octavo The Reconciler of the Bible A View of the Jewish Religion with their Rites Customs and Ceremonies Edward Waterhouse Esquire his Discourse of Piety and Charity A short View and Defence of the Reformation of the Church of England by King Edward and Queen Elizabeth wherein her Doctrine Liturgy and Discipline are considered and preferred before all others Mr Peter du Moulin His Antidote against Popery published on purpose to prevent the delusions of the Priests and Jesuites being seasonable for these times Herberts Devotions or a Companion for a Christian containing Meditations and Prayers usefull upon all occasions Mr Knowls His Rudiments of the Hebrew Tongue A Book of Schemes or Figures of Heaven ready set for every four Minutes of time The Poor mans Physician and Chyrurgeon Florus Anglicus or an exact History of England from the beginning to the death of the Late King Duodecimo Dr Smiths Practice of Physick Grammar Warre Posselius Apothegms Fuciculus Florum Crashaws Visions Robinsons Essayes The Christian Souldier his Combate with the three Arch-enemies of Man-kind the World the Flesh and the Devil together with his Conquest and Crown Vicessimo quarto The New-Testament The third Part of the Bible Playes The Ball. The Conspiracy The Tragedy of Chamlet Example Gamester Dukes Mistresse THE CONTENTS COncerning the first Kings of the Britans 1 Of the first Norman King 9 William the Second 16 Henry the First 20 Stephen King of England 25 Henry the Second 33 Richard the First 38 John the First 45 Henry the Third 53 Edward the First 64 Edward the Second 71 Edward the Third 85 Richard the Second 100 Henry the Fourth 115 Henry the Fifth 122 Henry the Sixth 131 Edward the Fourth 149 Edward the Fifth and Richard the Third 161 Henry the Seventh 172 Henry the Eighth 182 Edward the Sixth 200 Queen Mary 206 Queen Elizabeth 214 King James 223 King Charles the First 230 AN Exact History OF ENGLAND Concerning the first Kings of the Britans BRitany of old was subject not to one but to divers Kings The Names of four of them are called by Caesar Cingelarix Carvilius Taximagalus and Segonax whereupon the Conquest of the Romans over them was more sure though it were longer in doing for whilst they fought all severally they are generally overcome Yet the Britans did ever now and then make some resistance hardly submitting their necks to anothers Government Amongst whom for her Noble enterprise Vaodicia the Queen was most remarkable who with her two daughters Virgins having formerly been forced by the Roman Souldiery in revenge for her chastity abused raised a mighty Army and over-threw the Enemy with a great slaughter yet the fortune of the Warre changing afterwards she escaped bondage provided for her by drinking poyson This Island was subject to the Roman Government five hundred years but discord creeping in at home they left this place of their own accord which they had won with so much labour yet they took such Britans along with them which they thought most fit for Warre part whereof were slain in the Warre part were consumed with hunger and want and part of them transported themselves into that place in France for their safety which from them is called Britany The Picts and Scots they strive to enter upon the Countrey thus forsaken whom to resist they chose Vortigernus Earl of Cornwall for their King and implored the help of the Saxons or Anglo Saxons a Warlick Nation in
came flocking to him every way and being fortified with new helps he laies siege to Malmesbury but the King coming upon him with more forces overcame the sewer forces of the Enemy Here is a thing to be rightly wonder'd at amongst drawn swords Peace began to shew her self Stephen procured rest by granting which he could not obtain by Victories and Henry obtained that Kingdom peaceably which he sought for by Warre For whilst here and there with equal endeavours they wage Warre Eustachius suddenly died and Stephen being deprived of an Heir to succeed him being overcome with mourning he willingly entred conditions of Peace with Henry and Mathilde whereby he assigned his Enemy to be his Successour and adopted him for his Sonne being he had none nearer of blood unto him so little faith or constancy is there in humane affairs they that but now fought with all their might do now embrace one the other and Stephen recovers his lost Sonne by adopting his Enemy So Henry seeking so great a Kingdom by Warre found both the Kingdom and a Father in Peace The affairs of England were too troublesom for Stephen to exact Tribute from his subjects yet he abundantly recompensed this loss by storing the Exchequer with the goods of the Rebels He made no Laws when as by reason of a continuall Warre he seemed more ready to receive than to give Yet he had no greater Victory than over the Clergy whose obstinacy and pride he regulated and made them good subjects He that had lived in Warre and contention ought not to die without trouble and neglect for he had scarce made Peace with Henry but he was afresh seized on by his old disease of the Emrods and the Cholick having not been free from Warre one year he died at Dover HENRY the second King of England Anno 1155. STephen being now dead Henry Duke of Aniou succeeded him in the Throne as he and King Stephen had agreed He behaved himself wisely when he began to Reign choosing the wisest men for his Counsellours expelling strangers that came in hopes of rapine especially those of Flanders demolishing the Casties that the Nobility had built at the connivance of King Stephen which they had often abused to sedition The Laws also that were faulty during the time of Warre he reduced to their former integrity and he banished some of the Nobility for perjury The Demeans which were bestowed upon those that were unworthy of them by Licence from King Stephen he took to himself and so he spared his subjects from Tributes thinking it safer to offend a few than many He had yet no Competitors and so was safer from Incursions and Rebellions The Welsh made some rude commotion who were no sooner up but he subdued them He made offensive Warre against Malcom King of Scots and drove him out by force from Northumberland the City of Carlile and New-castle which King Stephen had granted him He left him Huntington to do him homage for it for David King of Scots sake who was dead He took by force from his Brother Jeffrey after his Fathers death the Dukedom of Anion which his Father had granted him upon intreaty having the Popes indulgence to break his Oath Then he attempts to take to himself from Raymundus Earl of a place consecrated to Saint Aegidius the Dukedom of Tholouse which of right belonged unto him and when Lewis the King of France would help Raymund he wages Warre with them both Now the Armies were ready for battel but at the mediation of friends peace is at last concluded and the County of Tholouse is granted to Raymund for a time a Marriage being made between Henry King of Englands Son and Margaret Daughter to King Lewis If he managed all things wisely hitherto now he doth order his matters as foolishly taking his Son Henry into the Government with him For Lewis scorning the pusillanimity of his Son in Law that he would permit his Father to be equal with him in the Kingdom and would himself be a titular King only he easily inflamed his youthfull minde that was ready to take fire with unlawfull desires This envy had now broke forth into open hate and the Son began to cavil at all the Father either did or said Nor was the Sonnes ingratitude unknown to the Father wherefore messengers being sent to Lewis he endeavoured to oppress and extinguish those beginnings of discord But Lewis laught at the words of the Embassadours asking scornfully why they call'd him their Master who had freely delivered up his right to his Sonne and so dismissed them without any other answer To this there was joined the malice of Queen Eleoner that she bare him by reason that he loved whores whereby she instigated her other two Sons Richard and Jeffrey that they should assist the Son against the Father They fled to Henry into Normandy and conspire jointly against their Father Also William King of Scotland Hugh Earl of Chester Roger Mowbray Hugh Bigot and others fell from him Henry with this augmentation grew more bold and now provides open Warre against his Father Fortune was changeable in divers Battels both courage and fraud being employed in the Warres But Richard who had fallen off from his Father repenting of his errour came to him and craved pardon which he easily obtain'd at last some of the Rebels being taken and the Scotch vanquished Peace is confirmed between the Father and the Sonne at the Mediation of Richard Adela the Daughter of Lewis being married to Richard And so Henry returned into England with his Sons where Henry his eldest Sonne died and his Relict is sent home again into France to her Father and afterwards she was married to the King of Hungary But Richard taking it ill that his Marriage was so long deferred for the Father by his unlawfull lust was supposed to keep Adela for himself continually putting off the Matrimony fell again into the same Rebellion which he had renounced by Oath And being confederate with his Brother John and with Philip then King of France he makes Warre with his Father and at Ments he besieged the old King who slipt away in the night and thought though in vain to raise the siege at last the Town is delivered into the enemies hands to his greater loss because King Henry was born in that Town Wherefore either by reason of his power broken or by the loss of his native City his Majesty being eclipsed he that had hitherto given Laws was now forced to take Laws from the enemy And these are the Wars that he waged This King subdued Ireland without spilling blood Pope Hadrian an English man commanding it and he built a magnificent Palace at Dublin for the use of his Posterity He augmented his Treasure more by Confiscations and Parsimony than by Tributes and Imposts Because he was too sparing toward his children it is supposed that gave them occasion to revolt but he left an infinite Treasure when he died and recompensed
disgraced he fled into Normandy to complain to King Richard and when he had complained of the injury done him he sought in vain for his lost dignity Also Philip King of France invaded Normandy with an Army as he had promised He sought to draw John the Kings Brother to his side but could not his Mother Eleoner disswading him But though he openly did nothing to his Brothers prejudice yet privately a false rumour being spread of the Kings death through England he endeavours to wrest the Kingdom from him whereby afterwards he lost all the favour he had with his Brother together with his Honour The King after this goes against King Philip with a great Navy and first he freed the City Vernowle and afterwards Vandosme from his Leauger so hastily that the French man leaving for fear all his Baggage ran away At last a Peace being made between both they are forced to abstain from Warre though against their wils In the mean while his Kingdom was tossed with various commotions First by Theeves the chief whereof being killed that faction was easily suppressed Secondly by a greater commotion from the Jews arising from one that had forsworn the superstition of his Ancestors for the rest of the Jews being offended at it who continued in their errour could hardly tolerate their converted Brother they meet him in the high-way and fine him sorely whence first grew a Faction then a Tumult and slaughter of the Jews every where Nor was this rage shut up in one Town but passing the bounds it went first to Stamfort then to Lincoln then to York where the Jews flying into a Castle killing first their Wives and Children most barbarously and casting their dead bodies out of the windows on the enemies heads putting fire to Gun-powder they were almost all blown up a cruel example of their stubbornness Lastly It is a question whether the King were more angry with the commotion or with the punishment of Covetousness whereby he found an end for all his troubles A certain Souldier who received wages from King Richard had found a mighty Treasure and fearing least the King should demand it he went to Lemosin and hid it in the Town of Calacum when the Towns men prolonged to let the King come in he laid siege to it whereby receiving a wound in his Arm he died shortly after of it having won the City but not found the Treasure He was of a reasonable Stature of a pleasant and gracefull countenance he was commendable in manners famous more for his Vertues than Vices sparing of Tribute but very cunning to raise Money He was the first that subjected the City of London to Aldermen and Sheriffs blotting out the Name of Potent Earls JOHN the first King of England Anno 1201. RIchard being dead John invades the Kingdom by right of Anticipation shutting out his Cousin Arthur to whom the succession was due by right of Inheritance and also by the prerogative of his age for Arthur was not yet over thirteen years old Also trusting to his Bribes for he had robbed those Treasures his Brother had compiled he entred the Government of his own accord not caring any thing for the envy of his subjects his friends in England not a little helping him The first Tempest was depending from his Cousin Arthur whose Kingdom he had not only taken from him but also had drawn the Dukedom of Normandy to himself leaving only the Dukedom of Anion to the childe Also his Mother Constance finding her self too weak for the English flies to the French King and craves aid of him who promised not only to restore all Normandy but all England also to Arthur and received the young man into his protection Wherefore Philip listing an Army first made good the Duchy of Aniou to Arthur and then he invaded Normandy But John sailing into Normandy upbraids Philip with his perfidiousness because he had foully broken the Peace he had made with his Brother Richard Yet they went not to Arms for while they discourse and each defends his right they agreed on fifty daies cessation of Arms Baldwin Earl of Flanders being against it who therefore forsaking Philip made his Peace with the English and takes Counsel by what means when the Truce was ended they should wage Warre with the French But when John was free from the care of Warre he strikes hand with Philip upon unjust terms and Baldwin hating his sluggishness joyned with the French once more and restored the Warre of Jerusalem The English man was glad and returns for his Countrey yet was very ill received by the Nobility which hated those base conditions John now free from Warre turns all his care to Pole his subjects and to follow his pleasures Also he deprived his Brother Jeffrey Archbishop of York of all his fortune because he dehorted him from such injury Then going into Normandy he Divorced his Wife Avis and married Isabell Daughter and Heir to the Earl of Engolesme She was Crown'd at Canterbury But the oppression and violence of King John prevailed so farre also his base luxury not without murder and man-slaughter for he destroyed Matilda a beautifull Maid causing her to drink poyson because she would not yield to his intreaty to be corrupted by him and William Brause with his Wife for speaking something freely he killed with famine taking all their Estate from them But when he asked Subsidy all the Nobility as one man denied to follow him forth to Warres unless he would remove the heavy Imposts and free them from those cursed injuries Yet he went afterwards into Normandy and then to Paris with his Wife where they are to outward appearance friendly received by King Philip. But Hugh Earl of Marsh to whom Isabella the Kings Wife was first betrothed being angry with the King for taking his Wife from him joyned with Arthur and make a new Warre Philip took their part and so joyntly those of Tours first then they of Aniou invade and they take the Town Mirabellum with Eleoner the Grandmother to Arthur who had fled thither for security which was notwithstanding received by Arthur with great piety and obedience John reproves King Philip for his falseness and began to think seriously of revenge and coming suddenly and unlooked for upon the Forces of the Enemy destroyed them with a great slaughter taking those Captive which could not run away amongst whom was Arthur who shortly after died in prison of hunger on going to make an escape was drowned in the River or as it is vulgarly thought he died of grief and sorrow His Sister Eleoner died the same way shortly after All Commotions are not extinguished with Arthur but Warre springing out from Warre now here now there arise new causes of disagreement For Constance Mother to Arthur complaining to Philip of her Sonne Arthurs death she easily instigated him to a just revenge who was of his own accord the greatest enemy to John He presently sends his Heralds to
small Summe of money from the Londoners by threats and violence And then turning to the Nobility he asked a Subsidy of them in vain and he found his Church-men as backward with whom he could do little or nothing Then enterprizing an Expedition to the holy Land to free the King of France he called an Assembly of his Bishops and Peers from whom when he could not obtain one mite of money being like a mad man he drove them all out of the Chamber The Bishop of Ely for that injury was excepted against by him At last some help was afforded him whereupon he was forced to confirm solemnly Magna Charta but that money which he had appointed for the holy Warre was quickly wasted partly by gifts partly by banquetting and other frauds invented for his own destruction Also he had upon a vain hope redeemed the Kingdomes of Sicily for his son Edmund paying a great summe of money to the Pope In the interim the Welsh vexed with great injuries fall away from the Prince and to suppresse these and reduce them to obedience he stood in need of a new supply of money which at last by neat devices and inventions he wrung from them In the mean while Richard Earl of Cornwall the Kings brother at the suit of the Princes of Germany is chosen King of the Romans but shortly when he grew insolent with importunate oppressions and revenges he was put out of the place and returned for England a poor Emperour who went out a rich Earl But Henry that he might make up that money which the Pope had wiped him of by a vain boast of the Kingdom of Sicily he asks once more a Subsidy from his Nobles who refusing stifly and the King pressing for it they fall to odds afterwards calling a new Parliament which the Lords had procured for the safety of the Kingdom he was compelled by Oath and his Son also to confirm it At which time it was Enacted that the Kings Brother with the men of Poictiers that remained in England should presently depart the Kingdom But a contagious pestilence arising either naturally or by some venom these strangers scattered when they departed Many of the Nobility died whereupon many were put to death out of bare suspicion some are cast into prison and some are banished Nor did less evils for this afflict the English for they that had the charge of correcting the errors of others did with all cruelty weed up the miserable English that now so many Lords as there were so many Tyrants there were and the servants were grown like their Masters And that they might stirre up the envy of the subjects against the King they cast all the fault upon him which he endeavoured to free himself from by his publick Writ but all in vain when he was compelled in a solemn Parliament to give that power he had given to twenty four chosen men before to the Earls Montfort and of Glocester and to Spencer taking an Oath to confirm it unto them In the mean while Richard King of the Romans being landed in England Henry growing bolder by the return of his Brother though he were poor first demands a discharge of his Oath from the Pope then he opposed himself against the insolency of the Nobility He flies to help from the French King who is chosen Umpire between Henry and his Nobles to end the controversie but when he did nothing they break forth on all sides into open Warre The Count of Leicester drives forth the Earl of Glocester and storms his Castle and laid a great fine upon the Citizens Then he took the Fort at Worcester and afterwards the Isle of Ely and the Castle of Windsor But the King fearing least he should come so farre as London thought it concerned him to make peace with him They agreed at last on these conditions That all the Castles should be delivered up to the Lords and all strangers at a day appointed should forthwith depart the Kingdom only those excepted who had a Licence given them to stay But the King calling a new Parliament he drew some of the Nobility especially his own sonnes to his party to whom John Comminus Bayly Robert Bruse and others from Scotland joyn'd themselves with these being not a little confirmed he denounceth Warre against the Earls of Leicester and Glocester who did not at all excuse themselves who seeing the King daily increase in Forces levying a sudden but farre less Army oppose the King and here fraud supplied the parts of vertue for setting their Banners behinde without Souldiers they made a shew of a greater Army than they had And fortune helped a good cause for the Kings Forces being dispersed the greatest part of them was oppressed and slain the rest saved themselves by flight But the King the Prince and Earl of Cornwall and his Sonne Henry and all the Scotch Nobility fell into the enemies hands There had been an end of the King and his fortune least a contention arising between the Earls of Leicester and Glocester had given cause to a hot contest and afterwards to a sharp Warre where Leicester being too weak yet fell valiantly with wonderfull glory By the same fortune Simon and Guide Montforts the Sonnes of the Earl of Leicester were banished one into Italy the other into France where afterwards they gave their name to most illustrious families Also their Mother a gallant woman being gone a little before into France ended her life in a Nunnery A new contention being risen amongst the Nobles they sound the Trumpet to Battell again also the Welsh who had helped Earl Monifort are remanded to be slain But peace being confirmed on all sides this trouble abated without blood Rest now obtained at home Edward Prince of Wales at the request of the French King goes forth toward the Warre in Palestina but Richard once King of the Romans died in the mean time whom Henry himself followed shortly after whilst he studied to repair the losses he sustained by Warre EDWARD the first King of England Anno 1272. WHen Henry died Edward staied in Palestina being intent about the holy Warre where he underwent a grievous danger having received three wounds from his adversary with a poisoned weapon But he was cured by the wonderfull piety of his wife who with her mouth in time sucked out the venom from the wounds In his way being made more certain of his Fathers death he came at last over-land into his Country and was inaugurated King At the beginning of his Reign he used the Nobility well but he to abate the insolence of the Clergy commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer and he afflicted them by other means and so drew upon him their envy The Welsh whose custom it was on all occasions to make new Commotions now afresh under their Leader Lionel rise up against Edward and rage with wonderfull pride but this tempest soon vanished for Eleoner the Daughter of Simon Monifort
overcame their Forces the most valiant fell in the fight the rest fled to save their lives The King and Queen escaped into Scotland leaving the Kingdom to Edward the fourth of that Name EDWARD the fourth King of England and France Anno 1461. EDWARD having got the Crown at last could not peaceably enjoy it For Henry that had fled into Scotland by the assistance of the Scots makes a new Warre upon him Edward meets him with equal Forces and fought him at Exham putting Henry and his Souldiers to their heels thirty thousand men were slain on both sides Edward giving the Command to spare none The Duke of Sommerset who formerly had fallen from Henry to Edward despairing of the success presently changed his minde at the report of so great an Army and revolted to Henry was taken and beheaded Henry again retires for Scotland waiting for another opportunity for his busines But afterwards returning for England in a disguise he was taken by the English and delivered up to Edward and by him that the state of the Kingdom might be the more quiet he was cast into prison In the mean time Edward took care of his houshold affairs and he married his Sister Margaret to Philip Duke of Burgundies Sonne Charles the Earl of Warwick being not a little mad at it who hated Burgundy worse than the plague whence and from other causes a grievous quarrel rose between them For Warwick hating the King drew to his faction his Brothers the Archbishop of York and the Marquess Montacute by a set speech and after that George Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother marrying his Sister to him and with the Duke he takes his voyage toward Callis for he was yet Governour of the City giving order to his Brothers in his absence to raise Tumults in Yorkshire They carefully observed what they had in charge and quickly causing a Tumult the common people as it usually happens in a blinde rage though they be raised against the innocent march to London armed that there they might seek for remedy of mischiefs they knew not what Edward hearing of this sedition sends William Herbert Earl of Pembroke hoping to subdue the people who was no sooner come but they put him to flight In the mean while Warwick upon this rumour with the Duke of Clarence arrived in England from Callis and so with joynt Forces they provide for another Battel Edward no way dismayed with the first loss sends Pembroke again with a new Army to fight them But when they fought his Army was beaten and he was taken prisoner and he was beheaded at Warwick with the other Nobility that fell into their hands Then there was a Treaty of Peace and Messengers being sent on both parts the King being animated with hopes of Agreement dealt the more securely which Warwick was not ignorant of and therefore falling upon the Kings Tents at night killing the Guard he takes the King prisoner who never dreamt of it and sends him first to Warwick then into Yorkshire to Middleham Castle to be secured But the King flattering the Keepers and bribing them with money by their connivance shortly came to York where the Citizens received him lovingly and so raising an Army by the assistance of Hastings he came safe to London Then there began a Treaty at London for Peace whither Warwick and the Duke of Clarence were come but this had no effect For they being stomackfull and very furious the matter could not come so farre as Peace wherefore all being left undone they depart and Warwick musters new Forces of which he makes Robert Wells sonne to Richard Commander in Chief But the King when he found he must engage again in Battel besides his expectation sent for Roberts Father Richard and his Kinsman Thomas Dimoke Knight to come to him who came upon the Kings promise of free Conduct The King commanded them to call off Robert from taking Arms and mustering Forces suddenly he goes against them with Thomas and Richard and when they were come to the Enemy and found that Robert would not hearken to his Fathers admonitions but held up his Arms still he contrary to his promise a most wicked example causeth both the Father and Kinsman to lose their Heads They fell to fighting and Roberts Forces were discomfited he himself was taken alive and immediately was beheaded Warwick at the news hereof with the Duke not knowing what course to steerâ— presently sailed into France to King Lewis who entertained him magnificently Queen Margaret Wife to Henry came also presently with Prince Edward who took counsel together and made a Covenant between the King the Earl and the Queen Edward in vain dehorting from it and Warwicks Daughter was betrothed to Edward and promise made on both sides that they would never cease untill the Kingdom should be restored either to Henry or to Edward his Sonne A mighty Army is raised and a vast Fleet rode at Anchor in the mouth of the Sienna Warwick invited by Letters from his friends with part of his Army and a Navy prepared with the Earls of Oxford and Pembroke came safe to Dartmouth The Queen who was not yet ready was to follow when she heard good news though the Duke of Burgundy observed his motion So soon as he was landed and it was published that he was arrived 't is wonderfull what multitudes of people ran to him with which being fortified he presently moves toward London But Edward not expecting an Enemy and leaving the care of raising Forces till another time with his Brother Richard Duke of Glocester took shipping at Lyn a Sea Town and sailed into Flanders to Charles of Burgundy to his own great disadvantage Queen Elizaboth being near to her travell fled to Westminster and made that her Asylum where she was deliverd of her Sonne Edward Warwick in the interim without any opposition came to London and marching to the Tower set King Henry at liberty and clothing him in his Kingly Ornaments attending him through the midst of London to St Pauls Church after thanks given to God he sets him in his Throne Then a Parliament was called and all King Henry had Enacted was ratified and the Acts of King Edward were maid void Edward with his followers was banished as an enemy of the Kingdom Edward in the mean time nothing dismay'd at this change raising an Army by the help of Charles of 12000 Men and with 18 Ships landed in Yorkshire His Army was so small that he durst attempt nothing only sent to perswade the people there but all in vain for they either by fear or for respect to Warwick would not falsifie their promise but when he gave out that he was come not for the Kingdom but to recover his Patrimony the Dukedom of York many running to him he grew somewhat stronger and so goes to York But the Towns men being warned by Letters from Warwick would not let Edward come in He spake fairly to the Citizens and desired
them that they would help their Lord not to get the Kingdom but his ancient Inheritance and so taking a solemn Oath that he would attempt nothing against King Henry toward getting the Crown he was admitted to enter within their Wals. But shortly after it appeared more clearly what his intention was for great ones use to pretend Religion to serve their turns which they make light of that with the greatest perjury they may compass what they desire He presently put a Garrison to secure the Town for himself and then hearing that the enemy made no great haste he marches to Nottingham to whom many Noble men came when they saw him fortified with a strong Army The very Duke of Clarence distrusting Henries side under a pretence of a Parley with his Brother came willingly to joyn with him Warwick also was solicited to fall off but he stuck fast to King Henry Then Edward in full confidence of his Army came up to London The Citizens were all frighted hearing that the Duke of Clarence was revolted and the people presently ran to meet Edward and with a great applause saluted him for their King Sommerset and the rest that followed Henry shift for themselves by flight leaving Henry in a Bishops Palace who was presently taken by Edward and committed to his former custody Then giving a generall pardon he won all the peoples hearts Warwick in the mean while mustering a gallant Army leads them to London and finding that Henry was cast into prison he stopt at St Albons Edward presently goes against him with a mighty power of men which augmented daily by the coming of more forces when both Armies came in sight at the break of day the Trumpets sound to Battell They fight stoutly on both sides Edward with more men Henry with more vertue yet Valour is vanquished by Force Warwick when he despaired of the Victory rid into the midst of the enemy and died gallantly with his Brother the Marquess ten thousand are slain Sommerset with Oxford flies into Wales The Earl of Exceter takes asylum at Westminster Edward like a Conquerour with King Henry for he brought him along with him enters London In the mean while the fame was that Queen Margaret was landed in England with a great Army and was corroborated for Warre by the Earl of Sommerset Devonshire Pembroke and others that joyned with her Wherefore Edward being sure to meet the enemy every where removes to Oxford with his Army At length he pursues Margaret whilst she thought to march into Wales and she by the unexpected coming of Pembroke which was very material taking counsel with Sommerset what to do gave him Battell the fight was fought at Teucksbury and the dispute was long and doubtfull at last Edward prevailed and all Margarets men almost were killed The Earl of Devonshire and Sommerset's Brother and many Nobles were slain Margaret Prince Edward the Duke of Sommerset and others about twenty Knights were taken and all of them except the Queen and Prince Edward were beheaded in two daies But Edward when he was brought to confer with the King and he answered more boldly than was convenient he was most cruelly slain by the standers by George Duke of Clarence Richard Duke of Glecester Thomas Gray Marquess of Dorset and William Hastings The Queen afterwards was set free for a Ransom and sailed into France and lived alwaies a sorrowfull and languishing life Edward having thus got the Victory comes in Triumph to London In the interim Faulconbridge Sonne to the Earl of Kent who was made Admiral of the Sea by Warwick when he had long plaid the Pirate coming into Kent raised a great force of Kentish men and entred into Londou But the Maior of the City raising an Army fell suddenly upon him and took all his booty from him chasing him away and killing many of his men Faulconbridge was taken afterwards and his head cut off Pembroke when he saw all was lost shifting away from the snares that were laid for his life and being more at ease by the death of Wagham who lay in wait for him with Henry his Nephew by his Brother Earl of Richmond and some few of his new friends arrived in France Edward that all things for the future might be more calm tamed the audacionsness of the Kentish men who had last taken up Arms against him partly by punishment partly by threats Also King Henry that he might give no occasion to new risings was killed in the Tower by the Duke of Glocester his Body was buried with no pomp but the Parricides and the Authors of his death as it shall be rehearsed were afterwards punished for murdering him He had reigned thirty eight years and six moneths he had an honest minde a comely personage and was more like a Saint than a King Edward to blot out all the footsteps of Rebellion cast George Archbishop of York into prison who was afterwards set at liberty yet died of grief of minde Also he cast the Earl of Oxford into prison where he kept him twelve years Others in other places were either captivated or put to death Then that the Rebels might not fly away to neighbour Nations he made Truce with James King of Scotland for twenty years The Earls of Pembroke and Richmond escaped into France where they were courteously entertained by the Duke of Brittain But afterwards when as Edward required that they should be delivered up to him and could not prevail they were kept more carefully by the Duke Then a Parliament being called Henries Decrees were nulled and Edwards confirmed and those that were banished their Country for his sake as enemies are called home again and the Kings Exchequer being extreamly wasted Subsidies are requested In the interim Warre burning between Lewis the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy to whom many Princes of France joyned themselves abhorring the manners of Lewis that were grievous to them Edward himself that he might not be wanting to assist his friend that he was bound unto for so many courtesies provided an Army and a Fleet and sailed to Callis Charles was presently with him and congratulates his Victory over the Rebels and invites him that was willing to enter upon a new Warre But Lewis being mightily afraid of two such potent enemies sent Embassadours to Edward The two Kings held a large Conference who met at Pictuigny where a League was made for many yeares 70000 Duccats being paid to Edward for his charges and 50000 to be paid yearly and Elizabeth Daughter to Edward was married to Charles Sonne to Lewis And so Peace being agreed upon Charles and Luxenburg that joyned with him in the Warre being not a little vexed at it Edward came first to Callis and from thence to England Luxenburg was afterwards taken in fight and lost his Head at Paris Edward though he had settled Peace at home and abroad yet thinking nothing safe enough for him whilst Henry Earl of Richmond was alive whose
a doubtfull and a notable fight he was conquered and slain but his followers were pardoned A great Example of the Kings Mercy In the mean time Warre grew between the French King and the Pope Henry admonished the French man to desist and when he could not prevail with him he proclaimed Warre against him and made a Confederacy with Maximilian the Emperour and with Ferdinand King of Spain The Spaniard had intreated Henry to send an Army into Biscay and joyning his Forces with his that he should make the French work from that part Whereupon presently Thomas Gray Marquess of Dorset is sent thither with other Nobility and 10000 Souldiers he when he came thither did not long wait for the Spaniards assistance For the Duke of Alba took in the mean time by Force the Kingdom of Navarre from the French endeavouring the profit of his own King But the English that they might not seem to do nothing in Guyan subduing some Towns that were not considerable fell into that necessity of provision the Spaniard affording them none that many of them died miserably for hunger contracting also diseases by such unusual diet and the rest break forth into open Rebellion The Lord Howard who had the disposing of all affairs whilst the Marquess was sick hardly escaped from being slain Wherefore he was forced to provide Ships and to bring these sactious people home again Edward Howard Admiral at Sea did wonderfully depopulate Britanny by fire and sword and vanquished the Forces of the Britans in Battel though they farre exceeded those he had and so with his Ships laden with the spoil he sailed towards the Isle of Wight whilst Henry at London recreated himself with Tiltings and other courtly delights In the mean time in France in the Brittish Sea there was almost an equal fight for loss between the English and the French Ships and the Victory was doubtfull After this the English set upon the French Ships very indiscreetly in the very Haven with a great losse to themselves and their Admiral whereby they were forced to sound a retreat and be gone Whereupon the French began to wax more insolent to do mischief on the Coasts of England and to burn some Cities untill by the vigilancy of Howard who was put into the others place they were kept in Henry was resolved to make a Warre indeed with France and sent George Talbot before with the principal Nobility and 8000 Souldiers only to Callis then he sent Charles Sommerset and other Lords with 6000 Souldiers he himself being to come after them When the Admirals met they fell upon Tarvenne with joynt Forces Henry shortly after came to them with 9000 Souldiers and with a great number of Pioneers Also Maximilian the Emperour which was a rare example took Pay under King Henry Yet though he served under the English he was received as an Emperour should be and for the honour of his Majesty Then the French Horse purposing to relieve the City with provision were repulsed by the English the Duke of Longovil being taken and 240 more whereupon a wonderfull fear and despair fell upon the Townsmen so the English pressing them sore they were forced to surrender The Souldiers had leave to depart with their Arms the Wals were laid level with the ground the City excepting the chief Church and the Palace were consumed with fire Then he marched to Tourney and beleaguer'd the City they refusing to yeeld he quickly became Master of it causing the Citizens to take an Oath of fidelity And when he provoked the French to fight and could not make them accept of it because the Winter was now hard by he made Poyning Governour of it and returned himself for England In the mean while the Scotch at the instigation of the French fell upon the English Frontiers Their General was the Lord Humes who with seven or eight thousand men wasted the Borders But Edward Bulmer suddenly came upon him and took all the booty from him he himself hardly escaped six hundred of his men being slain and four hundred taken But James with an Army of sixty thousand men entred the skirts of England who was met by the Earl of Surrey Henry his Deputy in those parts at Bramston with six and twenty thousand men and joyning Battle the English wan the day by their great valour and the Scots lost it by their great confidence James himself with two Earls three Bishops and eight thousand Souldiers was slain no fewer was taken nor was this Victory wan by the English without losse of bloud it was fought in the year 1513. Henry coming out of France made the Earl of Surrey because he had so well managed his business Duke of Norfolk and other Lords who had done good service received Honours as they deserved He gave also to Thomas Wolsey the Bishoprick of Lincoln This man to be often named by us came from a poor parentage to great Honour and at last was made a Cardinal and governed the Commonwealth of England very wisely Pope Julius the second at this time gave to Hâ—â—ry great Honour sending unto him a Cap of Maintenance a Sword and the Title Of the most Christian King which Grace Henry received with Tiltings and other pompous Shews wherein he himself did alwayes bear the principal part In the interim Mary the Kings Sister was espoused to the Prince of Spain but because the Embassadours of Spain made delayes she was betrothed to the French desiring it and having had their fill of Warre But before the matter was published John the Admiral of the French first ruined one Village in England and John Wallop in revenge of this injury burnt one and twenty in France But at last a League was made and they ceased from Warre The French man lived not above three moneths after his Marriage and the lascivious old man being dead Mary by Henries consent was married to the Duke of Suffolk Wolsey about this time was honoured with a Cardinals-Cap and is created by the King Chancellour of England And Cardinal Campeius was sent to Henry to desire assistance to make Warre against the Turk but he lost his labour for that cheat of raising money was grown stale But Matthias the Cardinal being sent by the Emperour Maximilian for the same purpose prevailed at the request of Wolsey At that time Henry was in great danger of his life For as he went a Hawking the Pole broke that he leaped over the Ditches withall and he was almost smoothered in mire and dirt but his Lâ—ckey drew him out in time and saved his life In the mean while a Sedition grew at London between the Citizens and strangers not without blood-shed which was qualified by the death of the Ring-leaders and pardon to the rest Tourney at this time upon Conditions and under colour of Matrimony between the Dolphin and Mary King Henries Daughter is delivered up to the French and Hostages being given a League is confirmed between them Maximilian being dead
Warre especially by Sea and in the West-Indies and Portugal the English did mischief to the Spaniard and received the like The Queen when those Clouds of a Tempest at hand were dispersed caused a publick Thanksgiving to be made unto God who had delivered her and in Triumphant manner she rid through London She was not for all this free from Troubles but by the Queens Wisdome and Masculine Valour they were even strangled in the birth and England was made the receptacle of persecuted and afflicted men who fled by companies out of France and Holland by reason of the Wars there In the mean while Sir Francis Drake was sent toward Hispaniola who made the Spaniard work enough in those parts taking Cape Verde wasting Hispaniela and he skirmished in divers small fights with the Spanish Forces But when there was no occasion for a fight on the continent he returned home with the spoil and honour The next year also the said Sir Francis Drake burnt and took six and thirty Spanish Ships laden with great riches that lay in the Haven at Callis and brought them for England With the same Success almost the Earl of Essex with a vast Fleet of English and Dutch wasted the Coasts of Spain and landing his men wan Gades and plundering the City and burning thirty Ships that rode in the Harbour he came back for England laden with the spoil After that the English Fleet watching the Spanish Navy that came fraught with rich Merchandize that came from the West-Indies was disappointed by their flying into the Isle Tercera France being involv'd in troubles the Queen was pleased to assist the King of France with men and money The King of France having reduced his Subjects to their Obedience endeavours to mediate a Peace betwixt the Spaniards and the Queen the Queen to satisfie the French Kings desires sent an Embassadour into France to consult about it But the States of Holland sent Embassadours to Queen Elizabeth to dehort her from the Peace In the year 1598. Philip King of Spain died in the seventieth year of his age He aimed at great matters but was unfortunate in most of them whereupon it came to passe that the three Keys of the Spanish Empire which his Father so called and willed him above all things to keep diligently to wit 1. Gulet in Africa Flushing in Holland and Cadez in Spain were neglected The first taken in by the Turkes the second by the Confederates of the United Provinces the third much impaired in its strength and impoverished by the English which his Father fore-seeing in his life time admonished to make Peace with the English and the United Provinces Anno 1599. died that Reverend and famous Divine Mr Richard Hooker a man moderate temperate meek and virtuous even to the best imitation and left behinde him a living monument of his real worth his Book entituled Ecclesiastical Polity Then Peace was confirmed between the Spaniard and the French but the English and the United Provinces refused to be comprehended in it because they held it disadvantagious to their business but making a Covenant with joynt Forces they invade Spain The Spaniard stirs up the Earl of Tyrone who made a great rebellion in Ireland Essex was sent thither to subdue the Rebels and to make them conformable but he scurvily neglected an opportunity of conquering the Enemy and beyond his Commassion treats with the Rebels concerning Peace He was therefore called home and commanded to answer for his fault by his submission he found the Queens favour Afterward prompted on either by shame or his ambition of the Kingdom he raised an Army and entred London and when he purposed to have forced the Queen his Forces ran away from him and he was taken prisoner accused of High-Treason and lost his Head for it Charles Blunt was sent in his place who in divers fights wonderfully subdued the Forces of the Rebels though the Spaniard had sent many supplies to relieve them In a set Battle he overthrew Tyrone and the Auxiliary Spaniards and then made Conditions driving them out of Ireland Tyrone afterwards when he tried all wayes submitted and humbly intreated the Queens Pardon In the mean time Richard Levison and William Monson with eight great Ships and some small ones went and spoiled the Spanish Coasts and meeting the Spaniards Fleet coming from America with abundance of wealth he set upon them but was too weak for them for he was disappointed After that he mastered a very great rich Ship riding at Anchor in Portugal and burning some lesser Ships he returned for England with her At that time the Seminaries of the Church of Rome and chiefly the Jesuites were banished out of England because they caused croubles and could not live quietly At last the Queen being feeble with age and hot disease she died in the year 1602. and she departed a very good Christian having named King James of Scotland Sonne to Mary Stuart to be her Successour when she had raigned fourty four years and four Moneths A Queen that was most endowed with all the Benefits of Nature a comely Person for her Body but more comely in her Soul she was an excellent Scholar to be commended for her Goodnesse and Justice She was a Mother to her Subjects and a Subject to the Laws JAMES King of Great-Brittany France and Ireland Anno 1602. THe loss that England sustained by the death of Elizabeth was abundantly recompensed by her Successour King James and the union of the two Kingdoms England and Scotland He was inferiour to her neither for Religion nor any thing else and by new rejoycings he extinguished that grief the Subjects had conceived He was a King the more happy because he obtain'd a Kingdom by lawfull succession that was no wayes embroyled with Warres and Tumults but setled in exceeding great Peace But as in the calmest weather ofttimes clouds rise suddenly and it fals to thundering and lightning so the affairs of Brittany though most peaceably were endangered by the malice and conspiracy of some The Ring-leaders were Henry Cobham and George his Brother Thomas Gray of Wiltshire Walter Raleigh and others Their purpose was to kill the King but newly crowned to change Religion to raise Tumults to let in Forrainers A terrible design But this flame vanished into smoke the principall being either put to death or condemned to perpetual imprisonment or having their pardons granted to them But least Peace should be disturbed by new Warres he made Peace with the King of Spain who was a sworn Enemy to the English Nation it was solemnly confirmed on both sides Though Peace were settled abroad yet there was occasion for new Troubles at home For when the King had called a Parliament a very horrible Conspiracy was detected the chief Authour of it was one Catesby a Roman Catholick He having hamper'd some other men in the same business endeavoured at one stroke to root out all the English Nation as it were by Lightning
commanded the Garrison refusing to let him in though many Souldiers ran away yet by a fresh supply of the Scots he was disappointed Because this succeeded not he turns about to make conditions for Peace and he offered the Houses to come presently to them and to punish severely the Authors of disagreement so they would leave London that seditious City and chose some other place as Oxford Winchester Cambridge York Bristol Nottingham for to assmble at But the Houses would name no other place least the City of London should be displeased at it for they had more need of the Londoners than of any others The King when that would not take proclaims all men guilty of Treason who should assist the Houses with Money or any other supplies and he threatens the Londoners that if they did it they should lose all their priviledges as they have very great ones The Houses on the other side set as good a gloss upon their Cause as they were able to do Mens mindes and inclinations were distracted by these means The people who are easily led by blinde errour and outward appearances stuck fast to the Parliaments cause Others who were of a higher rank by reason of their Families paid Tribute freely least the Houses should send men to strain on their Shops under a colour of necessity All the Nobles almost held with the King The King in the mean while fortifies Newcastle and Barwick with Garrisons of English wherein doubtless he hurt himself and alienated the hearts of the Scots from him For it was agreed upon before to have them kept by the Scotch souldiers and not by the English But when help came from other parts and the Scots were undervalued they studied to advantage themselves only and though by holding forth Peace he had won many mens hearts yet being driven by despair he attempts by force to gain Hull which he could not do by Policy First he possessed himself of their Fals of Waters and then of their publick Waies that the Towns men might want necessaries but by their Courage and Valour he lost his labour The Houses now Proclaimed openly Warres and they made the Earl of Essex Generall of the Foot Bedford of the Horse The King makes the Earl of Cumberland a very Noble man and faithfull to his Soveraign Generall of his Horse and in the mean time set forth his Declarations to the world and requiring Hull to be delivered up to him that he might punish the insolence of the Governour but nothing prevailed But that Warre Proclaimed might not want its solemnities the King set up his Standard first at Nottingham But when he saw a smaller concourse of men than he believed would have been he again turns about to make conditions He sent Messengers to the Houses to excuse the fact and to desire Articles of Peace But the Houses who knew that this proceeded more from his necessity than love made use of all advantages causing the Kings Commissioners to be brought as Delinquents before the Parliament overthrowing by this means the Law of Nations Then they send to the King that unless he came speedily to London and sent away those Nobles to the Parliament that were fled from them that they might be tried for their Lives and their Estates might be confiscate to maintain their Army they would never lay down their Arms. A very hard condition and no waies to be answered but by the sword Some there were that counselled the King to yield to this but he had yet courage remaining After so many great preambles at length Warre is denounced But we shall pull in our sails unfolding the causes of these dissentions briefly and succinctly as we resolved at first and so hasten to a conclusion least entring afresh into a large field we should tire both our selves and the Reader Pardon therefore this long digression and I shall proceed It was now come to open Warre and the Victory was doubtfull sometimes falling on this side sometimes on that with no small loss of blood on both sides All the particulars are set down at large in Books written to this purpose whither I remit the Reader that desires further knowledge of it Essex was Generall of the Parliament Forces Fairfax he succeeded in his place Divers Battels were fought here and there many Towns vanquished For the greatest part the King had the worst of it who was afterwards also besieged at Oxford by Fairfax and was constrained to fly away in a disguised habit and he came to the Scots that were at Newarke hoping to be received with great humanity by such good subjects as they boasted themselves to be But when both Fortune and Fidelity failed and there was no care taken for him in his affliction They when they could not be good would not be bad and to keep their hands clear they delivered the King to the English under those conditions as they say that no violence should be offered to his Majesty The English being now Masters of their desires carry the King to Holnbey Castle from thence to Hampton Court whither he had fled before for Refuge now a Prison Which place seeming not safe enough for him he went away to the Isle of Wight to be guarded by the Waters and Colonel Hammon using a crafty excuse for a certain Letter was left on the Table whereby the King was advertised that there were some that laid wait for his life whereby he was frighted and fled to a safe place in the Isle of Wight The people though before they were enraged against the King now pitying his case and seeing their errors resolved to plead his Cause They offer their humble Petitions to the Houses that they would not refuse to condescend to make peace with the King and they prevailed so farre that at last the business came to a Treaty with a great deal of seeming satisfaction on both sides with great applause both of the King the Houses and the People but afterward there was an humble Petition exhibited to the Parliament wherein they desired that the King might be tried by the Laws and Justice and all further Treaties with him to be laid aside to which they denied to give an Answer The Army and some of the Parliament not being satisfied they march partly toward Newport to the King who now was a Prisoner at large and conveyed him into Hurst Castle Then marching toward London again they possessed themselves of the City and cast some of the Houses into Prison whilst the rest who foresaw this Tempest saved themselves by flight Here we may see an example of Gods judgement for they that before had ill treated their Master are now compelled to suffer All that consented to the non-addresses are restored to their Honours and Places Then the King in the year 1648. was taken as a Prisoner of Warre and carried to Windsor The remainder of the Parliament with others erect a new and unheard of Tribunal to take cognizance of the Kings case Judges were chosen whose Names are generally known This was done in the year 1649. in January The King was brought before the High-Court of Justice and was accused of these Crimes That he gave the cause of the cruell bloodshed in England and Ireland That he had born Armes against the Parliament That he had given Commissions to his Sonne and others to wage Warre that he might exalt his own Authority with the high detriment of the Commonwealth whence they concluded that he was guilty of Treason and so he was a Traitor a Tyrant and an Enemy to the Common-wealth The King smiled at all these things and gave no answer being further urged he refused to give any answer Whereupon they proceed to Sentence That he was fallen from all his Dignities was guilty of High-Treason and therefore was to lose his Head for being a Tyrant a Robber and an Enemy to the Commonwealth Some making a great shout The Sentence given they proceed to execution though the Holland Embassadours Adrian Paw and Albertus Joachimus with the Scots did their best to hinder the proceedings He obtained leave for Dr Juxton Bishop of London and two of his Children to be with him these for his bodies him for the comfort of his soul At length he sent away his Children with Gifts and Tears only he kept the Minister by him to the last moment of his life The Prince Palatine and the Duke of Richmond came to bid the King their last farewell but the King refused it least they should interrupt the present joys of his soul with new lamenting At last the 30 day of January was appointed for his execution And the King ascended the Scaffold erected before his Banqueting-house from whence he made his last Speech to the People there present and when as now he had sufficiently professed his Innocency he then prepared himself for death and laying his neck on the Block his Head was cut off by a disguised Executioner and he changed a troublesome life for a quiet death In the Year 1649. FINIS
look into the faults of the Clergy and reserved to himself the punishing of them neglecting the Bishop of Rome Last of all being much given to hunting he was unhappily slain by an arrow that rebounded from the back of a Stag. The foreshewing signs of his unhappy end being foreseen but not regarded HENRY the first King of England Anno 1101. HEnry the first succeeded his Brother born of William in England not a Duke but a King Who in the absence of his elder Brother Robert either invaded the Kingdom or procured it with money or obtained it by the favour of the people for he was more Learned than all his Brothers and was so much the more dear to the people He made good the Kingdom he had got with fraud by good deeds gentleness and just punishments He every where preferred Learned men for places in the Church he removed such as were unlearned and unworthy from their places He mitigated the more severe Laws and abolished hard Customs He granted the Nobility free leave to Hunt and with his bounty he so won the hearts of all And because he knew that the Scotch were his ill-willers he made peace with them and to binde the League the faster he took Maud the sister of King Edgar to be his Wife That which hapned to his Father and to his Brothers hapned to him to have the first success of Warre from his own kindred Namely the Bishop of Durrham being the first mover of it whom he had cast into prison for exacting too great Tributes who had escaped his Keepers by reason of their neglect his Brother Robert Duke of Normandy is stirred up to wage Warre with Henry and to recover his right Robert was now ready in England with an Army and the day for the Battel was appointed when as the Heralds were sent up and down at last peace is agreed upon 20000 Franks being granted yearly to Robert and hopes of succession should he out live his Brother Henry This danger scarce dispelled another fals upon the neck of it For Robert Bellamy Earl of Shrewsbury for no other cause but envy inviting the Welsh to his aid makes Warre against the King But this stopped him not for raising an Army suddenly he put the Welsh to flight he intercepted Robert and confiscating all his Goods sent him into banishment For to punish Traitors with death was not yet the fashion The third tempest arose from William Earl of Mortane and of Cornwall the Kings Uncle he being angry with his Cosen for denying him the County of Kent endeavours by treachery to draw the Shire unto himself but his Treason being discovered for one County that he thought to win he lost two Henry that was hitherto on the defensive part now takes up Arms willingly against his Brother Robert being offended at some scoff of his and levying an Army he entred Normandy and became Master of it all scarce leaving so much as Roan to his Brother and so he retreated for England Robert had made triall of his severity and was resolved to make proof of his levity whereupon he follows after his Brother into England and very submissive desires pardon for his sawciness But Henry either offended with the now fresh injury of his Brother or else affecting the Dukedom of Normandy neglected the praiers of his Brother Robert being impatient of this scorn returns for Normandy and once more raising an Army attempts a Warre against his Brother but he coming successfully upon Robert with a sufficient force providently suppressed the mischief in the birth but not without blood and he carried his Brother Captive into England and putting out his eyes he held him prisoner to the day of his death By this success he grew Magnificent whence arose envy against him For Fulck Duke of Aniou Baldwin Earl of Flanders and Lewis sirnamed the Gross King of France entring a League with joynt forces they endeavour to restore to William the Sonne of Robert the Land of his Grandfather Henry presently transports his Forces into Normandy and encountring the Battel put the French to flight and after that he had diversly made triall of fortune in fine Peace is confirmed between the Duke of Aniou and Henry which is confirmed by Marriage between William the Kings Son and the said Dukes Daughter After this Peace followed between both these Kings the Dukedom of Normandy being granted to William the Son of Henry doing Homage for it And thus by continuance of time all the first-born Sonnes of the Kings of England are styled Dukes of Normandy But Charles Earl of Flanders being wickedly slain at Brussels leaving no other Heir William the Sonne of Robert who was the next right Heir to it for that he was from the blood of Maud Daughter to Baldwin and Wife to William the Conquerour was elevated to this Dignity who growing insolent with this prosperity endeavours to recover Normandy his Patrimony by his Grandfather which he brought to pass with no great difficulty by assistance of the French King but receiving a wound in one of his hands which was very smal and afterwards rankling he lost both his life and Patrimony by it Peace being confirmed abroad yet Henry was tossed at home with civil commotions Wales being entred into a Conspiracy whereupon he pursuing the Rebels erring in his passage he fell into a straight place and redeemed yet not without danger a thousand sheep and oxen from them And these were the Warres he had both at home and abroad He seldom or never Taxed the Land He made none but good Laws He was the first that ordained the convening of the several Orders which is now called a Parliament He punished Theeves and false Coiners with severe justice He diminished the power of the Pope in his Dominions and such suits as were decided in England he forbad to be called back to Rome without his cognizance thereof the Pope not speaking any thing against it But a greater Controversie arose concerning Ecclesiastical Promotions both of them standing stoutly for his own Interest But the King not regarding the Pope held in his own hands the power of disposing and confirming Offices If he were over luxunious yet he was noble in his choice not loving every one in extreams He had no lawfully begotten Sons but he had many bastards whereupon he endeavoured by all means to establish the Government in Maude and her Daughters but all in vain Stephen succeeding who was born from Adela Daughter to William the Conquerour excluding Maude his Wife and Daughter which first married Henry the fourth the Roman Emperour and he being dead she was married to Jeffrey Plantagenet the Sonne of Fulc the Duke of Aniou At last by reason of some quarrel with the Duke of Aniou he fell into grief of mind whence followed a great weakness of his body by over-eating of Eels and thence he fell into a burning Feaver and so died after he had reigned 35 years being the last of the
business prosperously for the Duke of Burgundy and being highly rewarded they went back for their Country the Warre being as then not ended between the Burgundian and the Duke of Orleans But he knowing that the hearts of the English were therefore set against him requesting their assistance obtained it from King Henry but when there was a scattered report that they were both agreed the auxilliary English staying by the Loyre expected their wages which when they could not obtain they being incensed plundered a Town that was hard by called Bellilocum and the Monastery and after that being called away by the Duke of Clarence they march toward Gasconye for the Duke of Orleans and plunden all as they go along and when the Duke of Orleans had paid them their wages they were pacified and returned for England But Henry now for a good while having ended his Civil Warre and intending an expedition for Palestina preparing a Fleet for that purpose died very suddenly at Westminster when he had reigned about 14 years About the time of his death James Stuart the eldest Sonne of Robert for David was dead whilst he was taking a voyage into France was taken by the English and was brought to London being exceedingly entertained by the King but his Father supposing his Sonne was now lost died for meer grief and sorrow shortly after whom his Brother Robert succeeded in the Throne HENRY the fifth King of England and France Anno 1413. THis King was inaugurated with a wonderfull applause and desire of the Lords and Commons and he not willing to disappoint his subjects of the hope they conceived of him gave presently a sign of his excellent Government sending away from him those ministers of lascivious youth amongst whom he had been formerly bred and least by sluggishness his valiant heart should languish he sets his whole care how to recover his right in France having narrowly looked into it First he sent Heraulds and demanded his Kingdom from King Charles promising to Marry his Daughter and threatning also that if Charles would not do it he would come with an Army and take his Patrimony by force Charles laughed at his Embassadours whereby he so enraged the minde of Henry that he presently mustering a mighty Army with about 1200 Ships he sails into France first he besieged Harflet and in a few daies compelled it to yield Then passing to Somma at the Temple of Maxentius the enemy met him wherefore he pitched his Tents But when he saw the enemy not very greedy to fight he skirmished lightly and so passed on to Callis The French man in the mean time when it came into his minde sent Heraulds to Henry to challenge him to fight who was not unwilling to accept it he dismissed them with rewards and passing over a River presently news came that the enemy was at hand wherefore he hastily makes himself ready for the Battell though he were farre inferiour in forces they presently fall on but Henry joyning industry to his vertue giving such a violent charge that after a terrible fight on both sides he put the French at last to their heels He himself being in the midst of the enemies forces dismounted the Duke of Alenson who was presently slain by the English souldiers they had so many prisoners that they farre exceeded the Conquerours wherefore he commanded to kill them all least they should rise against them that had subdued them There was a wonderfull multitude of Dukes Earls and Lords that were destroyed and not above 600 of the English wanting amongst which one was the Duke of York This Battell was fought at Dagincourt which gave a good omen to great Victories afterwards Henry by this Victory cast such a terrour on the French that Lewis the Dolphin taking grief of minde died shortly after Such was the constancy of Henries heart that he forbad his souldiers on pain of death to sing any scurrilous songs in derogation of the French but rather to sing Psalmes and Hymns to the glory of God In that time Sigismund the Emperour came to England to treat of Peace between the French and the English nor was Henry slow in the business but when the French in the interim besieged Harflet he was so angry that no man afterwards durst mention peace and presently sending the Duke of Bedford to raife the siege with the Earl of Marsh Oxford and other Earls and 200 Ships he fought a bloody Battell at Sea at Harflet Haven with Borbon the French Admiral wherein the English wan the day sinking 500 Ships of the French and so freed the Town But Caesar finding the perfidiousness of the French did not only forbear ever after to make mention of any peace but made a firm League with the English against all opposers and so returned back into Germany The French in the mean time not to be idle hired some great Ships of Genoa and besieging the Haven of Harflet endeavoured to hinder all relief from the Town But the Earl of Huntington coming suddenly upon them after a fierce fight dispersed them and vanquished the rest He took the Duke of Borbon a Bastard and so returned Conquerour for England Then the King with his chief Nobility sailed into Normandy and Conquered the Fort Tucha whilst the Earl of Salisbury wan Albervill which place the King gave freely to him and his heirs After that he wan Caen which City when the Towns men defended with great obstinacy he made mines secretly through which the most forward of the souldiery entred the City the Duke of Clarence leading them on and setting on the Guard put them all to flight and so the whole Army found entrance some of the principall for their perversness were put to death and the plunder of the City was given to the Souldiers The Governour had not yet yielded the Fort but when the King sware he would spare none if they continued resolute at last he gave it up The French in the mean while being in Civil broils all things went with the English as they pleased He sent the Duke of Clarence to besiege the Town of Bayon which he quickly wan whilst he staid at Caen he restored to the people of Lyons a mighty mass of Treasure that was found in the Castle which the frighted people had brought thither upon condition that they should be constant in their obedience for the future This was a pattern of his wonderfull piety Then he removed to Corfen and in three daies won the Town Then he subdued Argentanians after that Alencon then Falesia and so returned Victor to Caen. He had almost the like success at Sea vanquishing many Ships of the enemy but his own Fleet was tossed long in a tempest whilst he strove to sail to South-hampton yet he lost but two Ships In the mean while the Earl of Warwick and Talbot conquer the Castle of Dumfrise and Clarentius mastered Curton and many other Towns Then the King laies siege to Roan and at last
the Empire descended to Charles King of Castile the fifth of that Name Henry in the mean while was idle for lack of Warre spending his time in Tiltings Dancings Pleasures and other Courtly Delights Then that Peace might not be without its Glory a solemn Meeting was appointed between the two Kings of England and France For that purpose a magnificent Palace of Wood was built in France At last they met in wonderfull start they applied themselves to Turnâ—ments running at the Ring and other such Recreations and an Agreement was renewed between the Emperour and the Kings of England and France Wolsey in the interim did what he pleased he found no hinderance in his attempts whatsoever He charged the Duke of Buckingham of high Treason whether it were to or out of envy is uncertain but the Duke lost his Head for it A new cause is given for a Warre between the Emperour and the King of France wherefore Wolsey is sent Umpire between both who did not behave himself so prudently as loftily whereby he incurred the French Kings displeasure Hugh of Moncada besieged Tourney and though the French did his best to relieve it yet he became Master of it Henry in the mean while because he had written a Book against Luther had the Title given him to be Defender of the Faith which hath passed to all his Successours At that time cause was given of a Warre between the French and the Scotch King by occasion of the Duke of Albany and by reason the French had not paid the Money which he promised to Mary Henries Sister so the Covenant being broken they fell to Warre William the sonne of William a Knight the Admiral-Lieutenant with eight and twenty Ships spoiled the Coasts of Scotland burnt their shipping and so returned home Charles the Emperour in the mean time came to London where he was received in great State and Honour and with a solemn Ceremony was graced with the Order of the Garter Then under pretence of conducting the Emperour into Spain by shipping the Earl of Surrey the Kings Admiral sets upon Brittany and conquers Morleys who also was again sent into France with a great Army and he ruined many Towns and Castles and consumed them by fire but he attempted the Fort Heding in vain having left his great Guâ—s at home and so could make no Battery but having behaved himself honourably he retreated to Callis Also the Marquess of Dorset destroyed by fire and Sword an innumerable company of Villages and Forts in Scotland but could not come to joyn Battle with them Sands sallied out of Callis and skirmishing with the Enemy after he had ruined many of their Castles he came back to the City When therefore King Henry understood that the Duke of Albany who commanded all in Scotland had a choice Army in France he sent William Sonne to William with a Navy that he should set upon him in his coming back again but when he had scouted up and down at Sea in vain he at last set his men on Land and with a handfull of his he overthrew a great Army of the French and obtained thereby both the Victory and the Prey and burning the Suburbs of Triport he returned for England Henry now thinks seriously again of a Warre with France and sends Suffolk and many principal Nobility with a great Army into France who at first assault overcame Bell-Castle and made William Scevington the Governour of the Garison In the mean time the Duke of Burbon Constable of France revolted to the English King with ten thousand French who being strengthned by these new Forces enter upon Picardy and conquers many Towns and Castles but Winter coming on and scarcity of provision and the Souldiers murmuring not waiting for the supply that Henry sent he was necessitated to retreat to Callis yet he had done a great mischief to the Enemy The Scotch in the mean while supposing the English to be over-busied with the French Warres lift up their Heads again and assaulting the Borders of England they win divers Towns But the Earl of Surrey entring into Scotland with six thousand Souldiers wan divers Forts and joyning a light Battel with the Scotch he returned Conquerour not without great loss to the Enemy besides the Castle of Judworth and the Town that he burnt up So with uncertain Fortune the business being acted in those parts there was a conclusion for a Cessation of Arms that so they might have time to treat of Peace Francis the first King of France at that time was conquered by the Emperour Charles the fifth at Papion and was taken Prisoner which was no small happiness for the English affairs but a sad loss for the French Then Peace was ratified between the Emperour and the French and the English agreed with them also But the Emperour and the French shortly fell to a new Warre Peace being confirmed abroad England began to be in an uproar with greater Troubles in Civil Dissentions For Henry who had lived twenty years peaceably with his Wife Katharine had a scruple of Conscience put upon him whether he could without Incest live with his Brothers Wife for as we said she was first married to his Brother Arthur Judges were chosen to end this Question But Cardinal Wolsey who had not prudently dealt for Henry had all his Authority taken from him and his Estate was Confiscate But at last other new Dignities being granted to him his great loss was somewhat repaired Then a Parliament was called and he was charged with many faults and amongst the rest that he was wont to write in his Letters I and my King and had caused the Cardinals Hat to be stamped on the Kings Coyn. He was convicted of all these things and deprived of all his Estate which shews a wonderfull example of the inconstancy of all humane affairs for he that but lately ruled all and the King too as he pleased made Laws and swaied Courts of Justice rooted out the Nobles at his pleasure burdned the subjects with great Taxes deprived both Clergy and Laity of their goods he is now cast down from his high Pinnacle of Honour hated by all and made no way like himself Afterwards when he was sent for to the Court to answer his charge he died of grief by the way In the mean time the business for a Divorce was transmitted to Clement the Pope of Rome at the suit of Queen Katharine But the Pope fearing to displease King Henry who had lately the Title of Defender of the Faith given him by Leo the tenth nor did he think it safe to provoke the Emperour who ruled in Italy spun out the business with delays by his Legate Campeius who at length with a great disgust to the English after many hastings and procrastinations departed from England leaving the business uneffected The King in the interim burning with new flames of love and so admitting no delay Warham being dead created Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who
The King died shortly after of a Consumption by whose death the Duke of Northumberland being now made partaker of his desire took to himself the Rule of the Kingdom and commanded his Daughter Joan to be publickly proclaimed Queen by King Edwards Testament MARY Queen of England France and Ireland Anno 1553. MARY so soon as the fame was spread of her Brothers death came with Post-horse from Hovesdon where she than resided into Suffolk to whom presently came divers Lords who had first compacted to preserve the Reformed Religion Then she sent by her Letters to the Senate of London that they should proclaim her for Queen But the Lords in the Name of all the people made Answer that by the Testament of King Edward Joan was to succeed and they asserted that Maries Mother was Divorced whereupon they fly to Arms. The Earl of Northumberland with a small Army went against Mary but as he proceeded but slowly Maries Forces increased mightily Also Edward Hastings who was set with four thousand souldiers and six Ships to prevent that Mary might no waies escape revolted to her by which loss the Londoners and Lords were not a little dismaid and grew at odds one with another The London Counsell when they did not hold fast together was commanded openly to proclaim Mary Queen and the same was done in all other places Northumberland when he was certain that his companions had fallen from him that he might not runne the hazard alone called a Counsell at Cambridge and he for want of a Herauld proclaimed Mary Queen of England casting his Cap up in token of joy But that did not at all help his cause for the Earl of Arundel who a little before did not decline to venture his life for Joan coming to Cambridge in Maries Name takes the Duke who in vain intreated for his life and casts him into prison Joan at the command of her Father Duke of Suffolk when the case was altered laid down the Ensignes of the Kingdom with more cheerfulness than she had taken them up The Queen coming to London met her Sister Elizabeth with a thousand Horse and Thomas of Norfolk Edward Contener Stephen Gardner Bishop of Winchester and Sommersets Wife which she received into grace giving them her hand to kiss Then entring upon the Church affairs she abolished those Bishops and Ceremonies that Edward had confirmed setting up others in their room the people were not a little enraged at it and then she punished severely all those that were enemies to the Church of Rome In the interim the Duke of Northumberland the Earls of Northampton and Warwick are Endited of high Treason she spared Northampton but Northumberland was beheaded abjuring the Religion he professed before in hope of pardon His Body was buried by the Duke of Sommerset his Capitall enemy between Anne of Boloyne and Katharine who all suffered the same death The rest persisted and did not renounce the Faith they had professed Joan afterwards with her Husband Dudley Ambrose and Henry Sonnes to Northumberland was condemned to lose her Head but she was reprieved for a time Then a Marriage was Contracted between the Queen and Philip Sonne to Charles the fifth who was afterwards King of Spain which matter was very ill liked by some who did foresee from hence a dangerous consequence to the Kingdom of England Amongst whom was Thomas Wiat who took up Arms to Rebell by the advice of Suffolk Father to Joan Gray drawing some of the Nobility to side with him Also Bres who was sent against him with five thousand men revolted to him by which success he grew more bold and marched toward London and put the Citizens into great fear so that the Lawyers pleaded in their Armour In the mean while the Earl of Suffolk had an Army raised in the County of Warwick but the Earl of Huntington was sent out against him who terrified the feeble Duke that he was forced to flâ—e in haste and to shelter himself in Woods and by-places At last he was discovered by his Host and sent with a strong guard to London and cast into prison Wiat in the mean time coming to London was shut out of the City but he passed over the Thames at Kingston and provided to offer violence to the Citizens After some light skirmishing with the Queens Forces he was overborn by the power of his Enemy and when he had yielded he was sent to prison his Souldiers being scattered or taken The Queen being enraged with that boldnesse of the Subjects began seriously to consider how to punish the guilty Gilford Husband to Joan was first beheaded then Joan her self within the Walls of the Tower of London with a wonderfull Courage Piety and Constancy had her Head chopâ— off She was a Princesse for her Learning and Wisdome worthy of immortal praise It is reported also that Morgan who had given sentence of Death against Joan fell into madnesse shortly after her Death and died mad alwayes crying out That they should take Joan Gray away from him Then Suffolk was beheaded and the same day Wiat the cause of all these mischiefs for Joan had been pardoned had not he with a furious Tumult enraged the Queen Those that followed him some were punished in other places and at severall times amongst whom was Thomas Grey and some were pardoned Also Elizabeth was cast into Prison by the malice of Gardner Bishop of Winchester Without doubt her Life was at stake had she not wisely answered Questions propounded to her concerning her Faith They did severely at that time punish all those that were Enemies to the Religion of the Church of Rome amongst whom was Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester these refusing to abjure their Faith were burnt to ashes The Queens Marriage with Philip was now solemnized and Cardinal Pool being sent from the Pope all the Errours of the English are purged as it were and all confessing their sinnes are received under the Popes Tuition The fame was at this time that the Queen was with Childe she was so glad of it that she commanded to let loose many who were prisoners in the Towr Amongst which were the sons of the Duke of Northumberland who were before condemned to lose their Heads But all this hope vanished when the Queens Conception proved to be but a Tympany That there might not lack Examples of Piety the Queen restored to the Church all the Goods she possessed belonging to the Church and when she was told That by so great bounty the Crown-Lands would be much wasted She answered piously and prudently That she preferred her souls health before all the worlds good Philip in the interim went to Brussels to his Father Charles and obtain'd from him the Kingdom of Spain and his other Dominions before his Death then he returned for England Then again he went to Callis to wage Warre with the Frenchman and he staid upon that business above
eighteen Moneths the English murmuring and the Queen lamenting for his absence Thomas Stafford at that time was instigated by the French to make Warre against the Queen and landing in England with an Army he wan the Castle of York but he was soon conquer'd and taken by the Earl of Westmerland he was then beheaded at London and his followers were hanged The Queen though it were against the Articles agreed upon put her finger in to assist her Husband and sent an Army under the Command of Pembroke to assist him to beleaguer St Quintius The French attempting to relieve the place with victuals were forced to fight and they were beaten and the chief of their Nobility were taken amongst whom were the Dukes of Momorancy Mompensier and Longovill John Borbon Duke of Anion was killed whereupon the City yeelded This Victory was imputed chiefly to the English but it was recompensed with a greater loss for Callis having more Forces drawn out of it then could be spared was assaulted by the Duke of Guise who would not let such an opportunity slip and being repulsed he came valiantly on again so long untill it was forced to yeeld after this City had been in the hands of the English two hundred years Guyna followed this though it were gallantly maintain'd by the besieged and so the English were thrust forth of all France The Queen was wonderfull grieved for the loss of Callis she sent a great Fleet and burnt some Villages but had small comfort for her great loss Peace then was confirmed between both Crowns but Mary sought not for it who took such grief of minde for the loss of Callis and was so weak of body by reason of her Dropsie that she ended her dayes in the year of our Lord 1558. the fifth year of her Raign and the three and fourtieth year of her Life ELIZABETH Queen of England France and Ireland Anno 1558. ELIZABETH Daughter to Henry the eight by Anne of Bullen succeeded her Sister Mary being raised to the Throne from the Prison By her Coronation the Papal Authority fell again the second time All the Ceremonies Mary had brought in she abolished and Reformed all according to the Rule of her Brother Edward Being she was of a flourishing age and had a most flourishing Kingdom it could not be but she should be sought unto by many Lovers that were at emulation for her For at once Maximilian the Emperour the Kings of Spain and Sweden the Arch-Duke of Austria and the Duke of Angirrs sent to wooe here but they were all put by First because the Queen would not marry for at her Inauguration the Condition was That she should marry no stranger whereby there was hopes left to the Natives for so great a Match The French and Scotch they hoped to prevail much by reason of her tender years being also she was a woman whereupon they invade and spoil the English Frontiers for Mary Stuart Daughter to James the fifth had married to Francis the second King of France and the French King pleaded his Right thereupon to the Crown of England because his Wife was allied to Henry the seventh and Elizabeth was born by a second venter Henry the eighth his first Wife being alive and so was accounted as a bastard by her Enemies But Elizabeth to win the Love of her Neighbours lent help to the Subjects of Scotland who by the malice of the Guisians were extreamly afflicted and the business was drawn to this head that Peace was ratified between Elizabeth the Scotch and the French and all the Roman Catholicks that nesled in Scotland were commanded to be gone and the English Colours that the Frenchman had taken up wrongfully were wrested from him Mary when Francis was dead returned for Scotland and made a firm Agreement with Elizabeth untill such time as Envy and Ambition growing up the Agreement was violated by the ruine of one of them and their Sister-like Concord was dissolved For Mary her second Husband she was married to was Henry Darley Kinsman to the Stuarts and one that was the most beautifull amongst Princes who being afterwards slain as 't is supposed by Feminine fraud she fell into the hatred of all her Subjects and when after that in spite of the Nobility she made Bothwill partaker of her bed and for his cause made Warre upon her Subjects she fell into all misery and being captivated she was kept so a long time but at length she made her escape and fled into England to Elizabeth who received this miserable woman in her Arms. She was at first liberally entertained but after when she began to move Dissention in England where she was entertained being a most bitter enemy to those of the Reformed Religion she was kept more narrowly For eighteen years she was held in prison sometimes with more sometimes less liberty untill such time as she grew fierce by reason of her Captivity and to riot in hopes of the Kingdom laying snares for the Queens Life for that cause at the request of the several Orders of England she was beheaded Also the Duke of Suffolk who had secretly gone about to obtain Mary for his Wife was put to the same death before her Elizabeth in the mean while sent assistance to those of the reformed Religion in France that were in trouble and for a pledge the strongest City in France Haver de Grace was delivered up to her but when she refused to quit it again the French King laid siege to it and wan it from her At that time a sharp Dissention sprang up between Philip the second and the Low-Countreys which grew to a Warre and Elizabeth led by the affinity of the Religion and the nearness of those Countreys assisted the United Provinces with Men and Money For Leicester was sent with Forces into Holland but when he exceeded his Commission and arrogated too much power to himself and by fraud attempted to make himself Master of the principal Towns he lost the States good-will and returned without honour into England The Queen for this assistance was hated by the Spaniard who had privately before laid snaret for her life but now he breaks forth into open Warre For he raised a mighty Fleet both in Spain and in the Low-Countreys it being the best Navy for provision of men and munition that ever the Ocean bare and carried the presumptuous Title of Invincible it consisted of one hundred and thirty Ships in which were nineteen thousand two hundred and ninety Souldiers eight thousand three and fifty Mariners two thousand and eighty Gally-slaves two thousand six hundred and thirty great Ordnance and the 19th of July 1588. they came within sight of England and was in hopes to devour it But by the valour of the English and the Dutch the Fleet was partly hindred partly worsted but especially by a Tempest that rose against it the Spaniard was disappointed of his hopes From that time they break forth on both sides into a fiery
Right held but weakly for he made it up by good turns granting a General Pardon of all the wrongs had been done unto him but those that were guilty of the death of the Duke of Glocester he brought to a shamefull end abhorring so great wickednesse But after that the Fame of Richard being deposed was divulged in France King Charls was purposed to revenge his Sonne in Laws wrongs and to re-establish him in the Throne But when it was certainly understood that he was dead all that business came to nothing Also those of Aquitan and other places rising about the rumour of the death of their Duke were pacified by Messengers sent to them in time When he had got the Kingdom by troubles it could not be but that he must hold it with troubles also For John Earl of Exceter with John Montacnte Thomas Earl of Kent his Nephew Hugh Spencer and others conspired to invite Henry to Oxford under pretence of Running a Tilt thinking to kill him treacherously at this exercise But the matter was discovered and became void Thee what by fraud they could not do they attempt to do by open Warre carrying about with them a certain counterfeit Richard for he was not yet slain and they labour to restore him as one that was miserably wronged but their Forces running from them either by fear or distrust the Authours of it were taken and cruelly put to death The Welsh also about that time as their custome was make new Commations but the King came opportunely with his Army and easily dispersed them punishing the chief of them Whilst these things were in motion George Dumbar fled into England to the Earl of Northumberland craving assistance against David the Sonne of the King of Scotland for he had Divorced the Daughter of this George that was betrothed to him and had married another Wife not restoring the Dowry of the former Wherefore both of them making a Sally into Scotland fought first on equal terms with the Adversaries but at last they routed them and came back loaded with great spoil In the mean while Thomas Earl of Worcester knowing that the King was taken up with the Commotions in Wales joyning to himself Henry Earl of Stafford his Cousin by his Brothers side with an Army and the Scotch to boot who naturally hated the English beyond measure makes Warre against the King But the King least by delayes the mischief might encrease leaving Wales came in time to oppose them When both Armies were now ready they fell to it fiercely and fought long on equal terms untill such time as the perfidious Welsh came to assist Thomas and began the Battel afresh Yet Henry Father and Sonne gave wonderfull testimony of their invincible Courages running Thomas of Worcester through with a Lance and killing him whereupon they vanquished the Enemy that was now in such fair hopes and glorying of the Victory Henry Piercy the King took Prisoner and causeth his Head to be cut off Anno 1401. Also the Earl of Northumberland who was one of the partakers to save his Life fled to George of Dumbar Earl of Marsh who was now restored to his Estate in Scotland After this Conquest Prince Henry makes an inrode against the perfidious Welsh and easily put an end to a mutinous Warre subduing the Rebels banishing Owen the Ring-leader a very valiant man but seditious who was so brought to great want and ended his life miserably In the mean while the French came to help the Rebel Welsh with thirty Ships their Leader was James Borbon Earl of Marsh they set Sail but by a Tempest were brought upon some other Coast of England and they got into Cornwall upon which occasion they posfessed themselves of Plymouth Haven and coming on Land they ruine all places they meet with fire and Sword But storms suddenly arising twelve of their Ships were drown'd so they began to think how to return back and hastily giving warning to the rest laden with their prey they came again to France But Thomas the Sonne of King Henry with his Navy brought together depopulated the Frontiers of France and taking many Merchants-men sufficiently requited this Injury But the Kings of France and England being full of troubles at home and so thinking lesse of revenge made a Truce for some Moneths The King untill that time being a Batchelour took to Wife Joan that was formerly married to Duke Montfort and espoused her Daughter Blanch to the Sonne of the Duke of Bavaria At that time William Plunton a valiant warlike Knight conspired against the King with the Friends of Mowbray who as we said lived banished at Venice To these the men of Northumberland and lastly the Scotch united themselves The King being certain of this matter comes presently with an Army and easily defeated them Plunton and some of his Followers with Richard Scroop Archbishop of York who was said to have had a finger in this Rebellion was taken prisoner Plunton by the generall vote lost his Head for his insolence and afterwards the rest were put to death being convicted of this wickedness The King to extinguish Rebellion quite sent his Sonne Henry Prince of Wales against the Scots who were coming on to assist Plunton but they when they had heard that the Conspiracy was detected and the Authours of it executed were not come from their places But Henry that he might not lose his labour enters Scotland and wastes it miserably with fire and Sword and struck a wonderfull terrour upon the Scots so loading himself with the spoil and booty he returns back to his Father to London who was vexed to the purpose with new Commotions daily rising one out of another upon every occasion And now again some body had rais'd a Rumour amongst the People that Richard was yet alive whereupon the common people that alwayes gape after novelties being moved had made dangerous troubles if their faction had not been wisely and timely suppressed Also the Earl of Northumberland making a Covenant with George Earl of Marsh and raising some thousands of Scotch and English he enter'd the Borders of England and prey 's in an hostile manner on the Territories of Yorkshire The King went against them and overthrew all their Forces routing them in a tumultuary battel Some of the principal who fell into the Kings power were brought to York and executed there In the mean while Edmund Earl of Kent to suppress the French Pirats was set to Sea with a gallant Navy but not lighting upon the Pirats being hot with desire to fight he sought for them in the very Haven at the Temple of Brioâ— and when he could not fight at Sea he entred the City by Land but the Earl himself was killed by an unhappy blow with a stone yet his souldiers took the Town rifled it and burnt it and killing most of the inhabitants they returned again for England Also the English at the same time the Earl of Arundel being in chief did do their
had bred him to sufficiently in her Palace he gives him in Marriage Katharine the Daughter of the Earl of Huntley and sent him toward the Borders of England with a great Army to do what he could in hopes to attain some of the Subjects to him either by fear or affection but all proved in vain Henry being wonderfully offended by reason of the Scots invasion musters an Army and marches against the Scots under the Command of Danby but he was called back again to suppress a Rebellion that rose in Cornwall by reason of Tribute to be paid The Cornish the Lord Lieutenant Audley being their Leader march for London but when they came thither they were vanquished and scattered by the Royalists two thousand of them being slain and many taken the greatest part of them were pardon'd except the Ring-leaders for Audley was ignominiously drawn to Execution and lost his head and others that put the people forward as Thomas Flammok Michael Sonne to Joseph a Blacksmith were hanged up The Scot takes occasion hereby during these Tumults to go forward on his enterprise and spoils the Frontiers of England again and then besieged the Castle of Durrham but the Earl of Surrey collecting an Army of 20000 Men and with a great Navy not only raised the siege but pursued the Enemies into Scotland ruin'd many of their Forts and Castles and when they would not stand to fight with him he returned to Barwick By the Mediation of the King of Spain truce was made between England and Scotland for some years but on this condition that Perkin Warbech must leave Scotland He when he was gone from thence hearing that new Tumults were up in Cornwall came thither with a few Souldiers out of Ireland whether he had transported himself and his Family and what by fair words what by pretences he drew some of the Inhabitants to his side and so mustering about three thousand Souldiers he beleaguer'd Exceter but when he heard of the Kings March he forsook his Army and fled to the Altar The King in the mean time being now certain of his flight caused diligent search to be made for him his Wife Katharine a very beautifull woman and of a most noble Family was taken and delivered up to the King who by reason of her Beauty and Descent assigned to her a yearly Revenue Then Henry punished the Rebels but he laid only a small Penance on them and so set them at liberty Peter when he had long staid in Sanctuary and found no place of safety at last yeelded up himself voluntarily and was sent Prisoner to the Tower In the interim Sebastian Gabat a Citizen of Genoa but born at Bristow procuring from Henry one or two Ships sailed to new Countreys in the West and after two years returned again into England Peter who we said was cast into Prison made his escape shortly after and went to Richmond he was taken again and made a publick shame and once more imprisoned in the Tower but when he began a new Conspiracy with the Earl of Warwick whose name Lambert had taken and with some other familiar Friends of the Lieutenant of the Tower he was drawn to Execution and was hanged together with two of the Lieutenants Servants Also Warwick that he might give no more cause for new troubles was beheaded after a short time This was the eldest Sonne of the Duke of Clarence and the last male off-spring of the Family of the Plautaganets who was put in prison from his very childehood a thing beyond the knowledge and memory of man Hence arose a new sedition and of the same kinde For Patrick an Augustin Frier counterfeiting a new Earl of Warwick of one of his Scholars stirred up the people to Rebellion in his Pulpit but he and his Scholar were taken The young man was hanged Patrick was cast into perpetual imprisonment such was the reverence they gave at that time to holy Orders that they would never put to death any of them though they were guilty of high Treason Marriages were made about this time between Katharin the King of Spains Daughter and Arthur Prince of Wales and between Henries Daughter and James King of Scotland From this last Marriage proceeded at length Mary Stuart Mother to King James who was Father to Charles and the Kingdoms were united Arthur five moneths after his Marriage died in Wales But Henry that he might not be defrauded of the Dowry and Friendship of the King of Spain married Katharin by the Popes Indulgence to Henry his second Sonne who was unwilling to it Edmund Pool Earl of Suffolk Sonne to Elizabeth Sister to Edward the fourth being offended with the King at that time for some private injury conspired against him in Flanders The matter being discovered and the Conspiratours taken he only escaped to Philip Arch duke of Austria But Philip by the death of Ferdinand King of Spain having got the Kingdom in the name of his Wife Joan who was the Kings Daughter Sister to Katharine which as was said was married to Arthur Prince of Wales took his journey thither and by a contrary Tempest was brought into England King Henry went to meet him with all honour and obtained from him the Earl of Suffolk upon the Condition that no violence should be offered to his Life Henry cast him into Prison and spared his Life but after he lost his Head in the Raign of Henry the eighth Henry being now in the height of his glory had procured his Subjects fidelity and respect from his Neighbours He was very happy had he not about the end of his Raign and Life been so greedy after the goods and wealth of his Subjects He was long sick of the Gout and afterwards he fell into an Asthma also in the 52 year of his Life and the 23 year of his Raign he died in the year 1508. HENRY the eighth King of England France and Ireland Anno 1508. HENRY the Eighth having got the Kingdom at the beginning he behaved himself with great Obedience Prudence and Justice Marrying Katharine his Brothers Wife which his Father had betrothed He chose the wisest Counsellours and he executed the cursed Ministers of his Fathers exaction He spent then the first year of his Raign in Tilting and other Recreations But at the request of the King of Spain the Queens Father an expedition was undertaken into Spain against the Moors but before the English came there was a Peace made with the Moors and so it was but lost labour and nothing being done only the Captain receiving honours from the King returned again for England Edward Poining a Knight was sent with 1500 Bowmen to Charls Prince of Spain to assist him against the Duke of Gelderland he succeeded prosperously and loaded with rewards he came back again In the mean time a Scotch pirate one Barton who was wonderfull bold and valiant did great mischief about the Coasts of England the Admiral of the Sea was sent out after him after