hee used not by the instigation of any man but out of his owne invention and and furious braine this was one That being a Necromancer hee slew Christian women being great with child and tooke the children yet unborne out of their wombes the ashes whereof he used in his execrable art to make himselfe greater in authority and power All which availed him nothing because that fighting with Constantinus the Great upon a Bridge hee was by him throwne and drowned in the river Tyber which happened in the fift yeere of his reigne having no other sepulture then the River This Emperor used to joyne the living bodies of men with other dead carcases and being chain'd mouth to mouth hee caused them to bee tumbled up and downe 65. Licinius Anno Dom. 310. LIcinius a Dacian borne An. Dom. 310. being a man knowne to be singular and rare in feates of Armes was by Galerius made Captaine Generall afterwards Co-emperor For wretched avarice and bestiality of lust hee was knowne to be most dissolute and hee was so ill bred and extravagantly drowned in ignorance that he became an enemy of all litterate and learned men terming them the skum and filth of men endeavouring by all meanes that men should shun and avoid them as a poyson or a contagious plague He grew so insolent and proud for one onely victory which hee obtained in the East that hee slighted and contemned Constantinus and began to increase his cruelty and tyranny against the Christians Whereupon Constantinus opposed himselfe and they both joyning battaile this Tyger was put to flight in the Countrey of Pannonia and intending to reinforce his cause was in his 〈◊〉 campe by his owne souldiers manacred in Thessalonica at the age of 50 yeeres and of his government 〈◊〉 and was carelesly cast into a pit having no other respective funerall 66. Martinianus Anno Domini 312. MArtinianus Anno Domini 312. a Sclavonian by Nation a man meanely borne but well experienced in the Art Military was for that cause made Generall of the Horse He was created Emperor and Caesar in Bizantium but in a short time he lost both dignity and life because being taken in Thessalia with Licinius by the expresse command of Constantine they were both murthered by the Souldiers and therefore not having left any memoriall behinde him but this example that we may see and know that many were raised to the Imperiall dignity more by sedition ambition and interest in their souldiers than by any their just desert claime or title to such a degree But it is no wonder that in a manner all or most of them died immaturely and unfortunately being they had neither a meane order or regular way of governing themselves much lesse others living for the most part dissolutely not reflecting on the Proverb Qualis vita Finis ita Live well dye well 67. Constantinus Magnus Anno Domini 312. COnstantine An. Dom. 312. a Britan by Nation a man most valiant and worthy in a manner of an Empire more than any one of his Antecessors after the death of his * I suppose iâ— is meant Constantian Clorâ—â— Father he was elected Emperor He overcame all the Tyrants of the Empire and recovered all rebellious Countries wherefore hee entered into the City of Rome in wonderfull pompe He began to persecute the Christians wherefore peradventure by the divine will and pleasure he was so infected with a Leprosie that the Physitians left him as incurable But the heavenly Grace was his assistance for being asleepe in the night hee saw a vision telling him that if he desired to recover his health hee should recall Silvester the Bishop and all the Clergy from exile Which thing he performing and being baptized he was immediately cured And increasing in devotion hee built many Churches to the glory and honâ—it of God This Emperor would say in praise of Age that Age appeared to be best in foure things Old wood best to burne old Wine to drinke old friends to trust and old Authors to read of Moreover he said that there was but this difference betweene the death of old men and young men that old men goe to death and death comes to young men This Emperour built a City called by his name Constantinople whither hee after translated the Imperiall seate And being at the age of 66 yeeres he passed to a botter life to the great griefe of all and especially of the Christians then living whom he did entirely love and cherish Hee obtained the sole Monarchy of the whole Empire and every where restored peace to the Church He was prolected 〈◊〉 in all his wars he exhorted 〈…〉 to Christianity but compelle 〈◊〉 It was thought that he was poisoned of his brothers at Nicomedia in Greece and had pompous sunorals worthy of so great a Man at the Gity of Constantinople which hee had lately builtâ— 68. Crispus An. Domini 314. ABritan by birth was Crispan An. Dom. â—14 who by his Father Constantiue was elected Emperour and honoured with the title of Casar hee was a man so proper and compleate in the beauty of person that Fausta his Mother in law sought by all meanes possible to allure and intice him to her lust unto whom he by no meanes willing to consent by his vertuous obstinacy converted her vicious love into an extreaunity of hatred insomuch that she accused him to his Father for a forcible violator of her chastity To whose words Constantine giving credit caused the vertuous young man to be miserably put to death at Pola in Histria But not long after this sallacy of the Mother in law comming to light and the innocency of the chaste young man worth an eternall memory being manifestly discovered the wicked Step mother sought to excuse the incestuous malice with the pretence of her plot to wit That Crispus should not be a hinderance to the honour of her sonnes in the Imperiall claime But at length by the perswasion of Helena who was infinitely grieved for the death of her Grand-child the wicked step-mother was put into a hot bath wherein shee breathed her last and suffered a death toâ—â— mild for such an impious and treacherous impurity This Emperor was taught and instructed in Learning by the famous Lactantius It is evident that he was singularly qualified valiant and fortunately victorious Helena his Grand mother much lamented his immature death which was not onely suddaine but mischievous and griev'd the whole Empire who by that meanes were deprived of so hopefull a Governour 69. Constantinus Anno Domini 314. COustantine was the second of that name An. Dom. 314. After the death of his Father Constantine the Great the Empire was divided into many parts but that of France Spaine the Alpes England and Scotland did befall to his charge but not contented with these hee pretended by hereditary right that also of Italy and Affrick which here demanded by way of Embassie but not obtaining his pretended cause he made Warre upon
Claudian line a most potent family and Imperiall of which linage as ancient recording memories yet extant doe testifie one branch extended it selfe into Vâ—bria and tooke a roote of residence at the Citty of Terni which even to the times of our now Grandsires hath beene the Mother of the most famous and invict Commanders and Captaines This succeeds his brother Tacitus in the Empire neither by the election of the Senate nor by the choice good liking or consent of the souldiers but mera regnandi cupiditate for the meere defire nay greedinesse of the rule and government as true heire and so by irreption takes it upon him But this his greatnesse lasted not long Mole ruit sua sinking voluntarily under the burthen because having heard the newes that Probus a man for his singular quality worth the Empire was elected Emperor by the Army and seeing himselfe not any way able to resist his power which was irrepugnable fell into an cutreame melancholy which proved incurable but by the opening his veines to let in death Although though some say that he was slaine by his owne Guard neare the City of I harsus the third moneth of his Empire And his funerall obsequies were richly solemnized at Rome but hath a Monument erected at Syrmioâ— he dyed at the age of 23 yeeres 54. Probus Anno Domini 278. IF this Emperor had not had this Nomen of Probus Anno Domini 〈◊〉 being a native Polander hee might justly have had it given him as a Cognomen Hee was the sonne of Maximus the Tribune Hee was borne in the City of Sirmio as some affirme in the Countrey of Hungaria Hee made most noble impâ—â—sses in Armes under Valerianus Decius and Aurelianus and for 〈◊〉 worth and valour being much beloved of the Souldiers he was by the whole Orientall Army elected Emperor Anno Domini 278 and lay the Sâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 with a general Jâ—biâ—â—â— ioy 〈◊〉 pâ—â—aâ—se of every man Hee was honoured wiâ—◠〈…〉 of Caesar Augustu and Pater Patria No sooner had hee entered into the possession of the Empire but hee recovered France newly over-run and maistrised by the Barbarians Hee tooke Saturninus which molested the Easterne parts and Procolas men well experienced in Warres and for those victories tryumphed But although hee were a man wâ—â—thy all humane greatnesse neverthelesse by his owne Souldiers hee was most cruelly murthered in â—â—land his native soyle in the 75 yeere of his age he governed the Empire five yeeres and for the love he get of the Christians they erected stately Monument in Syrmio to creâ—nall fame It is thought that because hee suffered the Christians so live in peace God gave him so many tryumphant victories against the Barbariaus of whom he slew in oâ—â— battaile above 40000. 55. Marcus Aurelius Carus Anno Domini 282. CArus was an Illyrian by birth An. Domini 282. whose admirable valour and for his generall knowledge in Learning and Minâ—â—ary Art was an occasion for his great honour and repute that hee was made Prafectus Pratâ—â—â— under Probus to whom hee succeeded in the Eâ—pire in the yeere of Christ 282 and instantly with great rigour revenged the death of his Antecessor Probus and governing with Charinus and Numerianus his sonnes he made many noble and marvellous impresses in Armes to the glory and exaltation of the Roman Empire and particularly in Mesopotamia after that hee sacked the great Cities of Seuen and Cteâ—phon for the which conquests in a short time hee gloriously gained the name of Tremendus the terrible having terrified all these Nations which as yet had not beene subdued by him Finally by the wound of an Arrow he 〈…〉 the River Tigris in the 43 〈…〉 his age having governed 〈…〉 pire one yeere and some moneths Some Authors who lived in hâ— Reigne write that he was slaine 〈◊〉 Lightning and inhum'd at the famous City called Syrmio in Huâ—gâ—ry 56. Numerianus Anno Domini 283. TO Carus succeeds his sonne Numerianus An. Dom. 283. being an Illyrian who was both so eminent and excellent a Poet and Orator that the Senate erected him a Statue in the Vulpian Library In the wars â—e was also most valorous he went with his Father to the warres against â—he Persians after which hee was â—oth by the Army and people of Rome saluted Emperor anno Domini 283. And his father being dead as we said before hee fell into such a bitternesse and depth of mourning that by the abundance of his teares he lost his fight whereupon he was brought backe to Rome in a Litter remaining victorious over all Asia And supposing himselfe safely arrived being somewhat comforted with a hope of ruling and governing the Empire not by eye-sight but by understanding by a most unjust stratagem was slaine by his Father in law in his Sedan or Litter 〈◊〉 having governed together with his Father and brother one yeere and some moneths and in the 20 yeere of his age and was buried by his fatherâ—â— the aforesaid City on the East-side in which place his Effigies was set 〈◊〉 in Brasse as it was taken in his life time by the whole Senate and the Consuls for a memoriall to all ageâ— for his sweete Elocution and Language 57. Carinus Anno Domini 283. TO Carus An. Dom. 283. Carinus was the second son being of the same nation who departing from his Father tooke upon him the government of France and Britany as also of Italy and as it were of all the Westerne parts In which government hee defiled his life in such sort with brutish and bestiall enormities that his father would not acknowledge him for his sonne and tooke from him the stile of Caesar giving it to Constantinus After the death of his father and brother he fell into a greater licentiousnesse than ever before and in his time Ruffians and lewd men were possessed and estated in places of greatest dignity and honour Harlots and Jesters and such like were residenciaries in his Palace But in the end advancing his forces against Dioclesianus who was by the Army elected Emperor and giving him battaile in the last assault he was taken in Dalmatia by the souldiers and brutishly slaine in the prison-house by the expresse command of Dioclesianus having reigned a small time and in the eighteenth yeere of his age and had little or no funeral Rites bestowed on him but was buried in Syrmio by night 58. Dioclesianus Anno Domini 284. DIoclesianus a Dalmatin borne and of a noble Family Anno Domini 284. a a man of a sharpe wit and in Martiall affaires very valiant was by the whole Army chosen Emperour Being possessed of the government with his owne hands hee revenged the death of Varro He declared and appointed warres in divers places and remained victorious in all There were neverthelesse warres made against him by sundry Princes and being of himselfe not sufficient for resistance he tooke Maximinianâ—â— to be his Co-emperor and his enemies multiplying every where he was at
honour prevailed farre with Constantius the Emperour that hee was made by him Generall of the forces in France and alwayes remained victorious in all occasions of warre This man denyed the faith of Christ and therefore was termed the Apostata or Renegate and renounced his Deaconship Hee became an Idolater causing himselfe of his Army to be called Emperour In which dignity suppressing all vertue and justice hee impiously began to persecute the Christians with extreame cruelty putting them to most intollerable torments and infinite numbers slaine and many sent into exile Moreâ—â—er he wrote a booke against the Christian faith Eusebia the wife of â—lim Constantius her selfe being barren envied that Tulian should have any issue successive to the Empire Theodo lib. 3. Cap. 20. frandulently perswaded Helena his wife to use such things as might cause abortion But when she had conceived Spond and brought forth a sonne at Roan in France Eusebia by feeing the Mid-wife caused the navell of the new borne Infant to be cut more than ordinary and thereby utterly destroyed it It is likewise recorded by Theodâ—ret that as soone as Iubian felt himselfe most miserably and grievously wounded in the left arme with a Persian Dart which was infected with poyson hee furiously and in great anger tooke a handfull of his blood and flung it upwards in the ayre saying Vicisti Galilae meaning our Saviour Christ as if he had said blasphemously Othou of Galile hast thou onercome me and so most impiously dyed railing against Mars that having promised him assistance and failed him against Apollo that had deluded him with false and vaine promises and lastly against Iupiter because hee had not his Thunder-bolt ready to kill that party that flung that Dart and slew him and so he dyed in Mesopotamia and was intombed at Tharsus in the 32 yeere of his age 75. Iovinianus Anno Domini 363. IOvinian was borne in Pannonia An. Dom. 363. and trained up in a worthy way and manner and because every man had an estimation and hopefull conceit of him that at length he would grow great and valorous withall being as yet but a youth was made Generall of the Army After the death of his Predecessor he was by the whole campe called Caesar Augustus which titles he absolutely refused unlesse they would every man become Christian himselfe being first baptized which was an act most Christian-like Which the whole Army did also put in execution after his memorable example and after that they promised and swore him fealty and allegeance Hereupon to his incredible joy and comfort hee accepted the Crowne and redeemed many out of the tyranny of the Barbarians his common speech was thus O that I might governe wise men 〈◊〉 wise men governe me Afterwards hee was enforced to surrender unto Saperes King of the Persians a great part of Mesopotamia and other places And being now growne to the age of 39 falling into a grievous disease of the weakenesse of his stomack he passed to a better life and dignity having in all his Reigne continued a professor of the Christian faith and restored it every where streightly commanding the Temples of the Idols to be shut up Baro. and forbidding all manner of Gentilitious sacrifices He dyed at Rome and his funerall obsequies were in a most sumptuous manner celebrated in Pannonia though he was interred at Rome neere to the Capitoll on the East side for they held it most for his honour to be so buried 76. Valentinianus Anno Domini 364. UAlentinian an Hungarian by birth An. Dom. 364. being Captaine of the * Targuetiers Scutaries in the Citty of Nicea was by the whole Army created Emperour really against his owne will or desire knowing that he should be as it were a prisoner to his thoughts as all good governours and rulers ought to be and therfore would rather enjoy his private liberty than enchaine it to so great a charge And therefore he tooke Valens for his Co-partner in the Dignity a man whom hee highly esteemed to whoÌ„ he gave the charge of the Easterne government Hee was wonderously addicted to Religion and highly esteemed of all the Christians because he favoured them Hee restored to the Churches their former priviledges liberties and possessions which the other Emperours had sold or given away as Ammianus writeth and Sozimus hee brought under and kept in subjection all Gallia Rhetia Almaine Saxony Scots and Britans the Affrican Moores Thracians and Armenians Upon his gold coynes were ingraven these words and characters a Crosse with the name of Christ cut in it and the Motto for the Emperour Reipublicae Restitutor his saying often was That Gold was tryed with the Touch-stone and men with Gold Hee also forbad all Idolatrous sacrifices by Night and all Magicians as Zosimus witnesseth he restored all professors of Christianity whom Iulianus had forbidden to teach or practise before and recalled them honourably to their places and preferment and confirmed it by a Law in these words Si quis crudiendis c. If any one that is fit Bar. in vit Val. and willing to teach and instruct children and youth and whose life it good and just let him get and procure his Auditory a new or settle himselfe in his old office And after a while of his reigne by the perswasion and intreaty of his wife hee made his sonne Gratian Emperour Valentinian howsoever in Armes and Military command and in all other vertuous worth was very generous and overcame the Burgundians and Saxons adding them to the Empire This Emperour viewing over the lives of the former Emperours read the cruelty of Nero Caesar and amongst the rest that he had a Boy cut as if hee would hare transformed him into a Woman and called him wife This Emperour answered It was pitty Nero's Father had not such a wife Lastly following on his Warres against the Sarmatians hee sickened of a Flux or as others write of a suddaine passion of anger and shortly dyed having governed one yeere and five moneths and was interred at Constantinople 77. Valens Anno Domini 365. VAlens was brother to Valentinian Anno Domini 365. and Uncle to Gratianus with whom he governed foure yeers beginning his government An. 365 Hee at first recalled Nazianzen and Bazil from banishment he was baptizedy by Eudoxius but turned Arrian afterwards and persecuted the Orthodox Bishops of the East and sent by his Mandat Eusebius into banishment as also Pelagius Bishop of Laodicea and Gregorius Nissenus was condemned by the Arrians at the command of the Emperour He also caused 80 of the Christian Embassadors that were then in Constantinople to be all sent to Sea in one Ship and then to bee set on fire which was effected and not left unpunished for immediately after a most lamentable Famine raged through all Phrygia and in Constantinople He continued the persecution against the Christians very much and made a Law that all the Hermites of Nitria and Thebais
buried very honorably neere the Capitoll Should I here undertaiâ— to relate his worth my unworthinesse would come farre short wherfore for more satisfaction I refeâ—â—e you to Spondanus and other Authors 113. Ludovicus Pius Or Lewis the godly Anno Domini 814. THe Emperor Lewis Anno Domini 814. borne iâ— France succeeds the good Charlemaigne and made 〈◊〉 upon the rebellious Gascoignes and submitted them to the Empire He â—uâ—bed the boldnesse of the â—â—â—â—aines and English-men and having â—ell conformed the Empire he called a Councell at Aquisgrant at which hee admitted his eldest sonne Lotharius as Co-emperor and made â—ipin his second sonne King of Aâ—uitany and Lewis his third son King â—f Bavaria But not long after beâ—ause hee preferred Lewis his younâ—est sonne before the other there â—rew a great enmity dissention and â—atred amongst them insomuch â—hat they tooke Lewis their Father â—nd deprived him of the Empire â—ost unjustly imprisoning him from whence they afterwards repenting â—heir so grosse and unnaturall errour â—â—larged him and restored him aâ—ine with great reconciliations to â—â—former possession This Lewis was a man wonderous clement and mercifull and alwayâ— a defender of the Church and Empire Lastly he yeelded to fate and dyed neere Moguntum and waâ— buried in the Church of St. Arnolphâ— where his urne is still to be seene Cedrenus and the Annals of Franâ—â— testifie that Anno 823 sundry and frequent prodigies were both seenâ— and heard by Earthquakes strange Lightnings by fires falling froâ— Heaven raine of stone pestilentiall mortality of men and beasts Barron and it was esteemed as a prodigy also that a young Girle about 12 yeeres of age lived for the space of a whole yeere without any food at all 114. Lotharius Anno Domini 823. LOtharius likewise borne in France succeeds his Father Anno Domini 823. Hee made warre against his brothers and being by them overthrowne he fled to Aquisgrane and even there not resting in safety hee was enforced with his wife and children to goe to Vienna where he also was pursued by his enemies insomuch that he only escaped Sergius the Pope perceiving this and being moved to compassion towards him and the Empire sent Embassadors to reconcile them Whereupon it was concluded that this Lotharius should have the government of Italy and a part of France called Romania with the title of Emperour Finally finding himselfe aged and willing to disburthen himselfe he resigned the Empire to his eldest sonne Lewis to succeed after his decease and hee taking the habit of a Monke upon him in a short time departed this life in a Monastery and was solemnly inhumed at Prunia Anastasius affirmeth that An. 848. there was a Basiliske or Cockatrice in the City of Rome bred in a vault that by his breath and aspect or sight slew all that saw him or came neere the place where he was Although Pliny lib. 8. cap. 21. will have it that those Animals breed but in one place which he calleth Cyrenaica in dry places and not in moist But when God intends to punish the sinnes of man all creatures whatsoever obey him so that they breed when and where his divine will is 115. Ludovicus or Lewes Anno Domini 855. LOtharius having retired him to a monasticall life Anno Domini 855. his son â—ewis also by birth a Frenchman grew arrogant and himselfe came neere unto the City of Rome with a great and potent Army and to dominere the more he committed outrages rapines and murthers The people of Rome seeing this they besought the Citizens and Aldermen to goe to meete him without the City-gates and to entertaine him with all submission Which being done hee was pacified and immediately hee went to visite Pope Sergius who granted him in his departure from Rome many priviledges and solemnly crowned him Emperor After that he went to Pavia and became very much devoted to the Roman Church He was much molested with his sonne Charles who with his many plots of treason sought the death of his father for which cause many Lords were put to death in Gallia Cisalpina upon suspicâ—â—â— And having wel composed all things concerning the Eâ—â—pire he died in Milan having governed 21 yeares was buried in great pompe after the Romane manner in Milan aforefaid Matheus Westm writeth that Anno Dom. 870. the Danes comming into England wasted spoiled the country committing all manner of outrages as ravishing women and maids of all sorts and qualities amongst the rest Ebba the Abbesse of Collingham Abby hearing of their coÌ„ming called all her Nuns together and with a razor cut off her owne nose and upper-lip perswading the rest so to do rather then to be abused by the Danes which they instantly did The Danes comming thither and seeing such a strange spectacle of martir'd faces in aâ—age palpably perceiving themselves deluded set fire on the Monastery burnt them every mothers child They likewise took king Edmund and binding him to a tree whipped him a long time with cords knotted in a most greivous manner afterwards shot him full of arrowes lastly cut off his head This hapned in this Emperors time although nothing touching him yet for the satisfaction of some I inserted as a thing worthy of memory Spon in Lodovico 116. Charles 2. surnamed Calvus An. Dom. 876 CHarles the brother to the aforesaid Lewis beganne hâ—â— reigne in the yeare of grate 876. Charles the third being called and crowned Emperour Augustus this being perceived by the sonnes of Lewis they took it as an indignity not sufferable and suddenly with all expedition they levied a great army and came into Italy with an absolute intent of depriving him both of Empire and life Now Charles gives order for his defence and fortifies Veâ—ona with great and inpregnable forâ—ifications and strength by all possiâ—le industrie there to prohibite and â—oppe the passages of the enemies â—â—rces neare the City of â—rent But â—e fell sicke in Mantua and by an inâ—xicated medicine administred unto â—im by Zedechias his Phisitian a Iew â—e suddenly dyed at Mantua This â—harles was a very good christian â—â—d very devout he built many churâ—â—es and monasteries in divers parts 〈◊〉 the world enlarged the service 〈◊〉 God to his best possibility and power And with all due funebrial rites was interred at St. Denis his Church neere Paris where he lies in expectation of a glorious resurrection 117 Charles 3 Crassus THis Charles borne in France was surnamed the grosse Anno Domini 879. hâ—â— was king of Germany Franâ—â— He was a good Christian and 〈◊〉 a very good disposition a great eâ—â— my to malefactors and very seveâ—â— in punishing such as transgressed 〈◊〉 lawes He was crowned by Poâ—â—â— Iohn pronounced Augustus After ten yeares he made war against the Ormans and subjected them in such sort that Rodifrâ—dus their king demanded peace with all submission promising moreover that he would becoâ—â—e a christian with all his court
and lamented all over the Christian world as an exemplar punition by the All-powerfull hand of the God omnipotent 133. Henry the 6. Henry the sonne of the aforesaid Ferderick borne also in Swede after his election went to Rome in great magnifiscence and triumph An. Don. 1190. was there crowned Emperor by Pope Caelestinus He fought with Tancredus and beleaguered him in Naples tooke in the citty and the said Tancredus was slaine by the souldiers and his sonne William with his two sisters were carried away prisoners into Germany to the Emperour who was already removed for feare of a suspected plague But they together with a great number of Bishops and Prelates were most cruelly murthered For which outragious cruelties Pope Caelestine excommunicated him although afterwards upon great submissive humiliation hee was againe restored and absolved and was made by him King of Sicily Afterwards falling grievously sicke in Mesanâ—a and having recommended his brother Philip and his owne sonne Frederick to Pope Innocent hee gave up the ghost in Panorma and after the Roman custome was richly entombed there In this Emperours time lived one Hugo Bishop of Lincolne who in his visitation comming to the Abby of Godstoe and entring into the Church to doe his devotion and beholding a new Hearse covered with funerall ornaments very richly adorned asked whose it was answer was made of Rosamunds hee presently commanded it to be taken thence and the corpse to be buried not in the Church because shee was an unchaste woman 134. Philip. A Great dissention did arise amongst the Electors upon the death of Henry the sixt Anno. Dom. 1199. because some stood for this Phillip Duke of Swede and brother to the late Emperor an other some stood for Otho Duke of Saxony who was Grandchilde to Lotharius Emperor Whereupon Pope Innocentius in consideration that Fredericke and Henry the ancestors of this Philip had beene rebelious to the Church declared Otho to bee the right and true Emperor Wherefore Philip being much distasted by the assistance of Philip King of France hee made warre against Otho In the meane while Innocentius excommunicated Philip together with all his adherents which either savoured or assisted him Afterwards there followed a pacification on condition that Philip was declared Emperor of Germany but hee governed with great perplexity and molestations Within a while after he was murthered at Bamberg by Altigranus Prince of Turigia and by that meanes there ensued a generall peace and quite He was conveighed to Spire and had a stately funerall celebrated for him with a monument there 135. Otho IN the yeare 1199 Anno Domini 1199. Otho borne a Saxon and Duke of Saxony was elected Emperor And having taken an oath not to violate the Church who not long after his coronation by Pope Innocentius he violated his oath by ransacking many churches for he was a man more covetous than religious and immediatly after he beganne to warre against the Romans by whom he was chased out of Rome and overthrowne but being more enraged he opposed himselfe against the Pope and against Fredericke sonne of the late Emperor from whom hee tooâ—e with little or no resistance many lands and places Which Innocentius understanding called a Counced in Rome and deposed him of the Empire and by the assistance of many Princes against him in the behalfe of the Pope hee had such a great overthrow that he lost all his men Whereupon the Electors accorded to elect Fredericke King of Siclia Emperor For Othe returned againe into Germany there to make all possible preparations for the defence of his Crowne and dignity And having mustred up all his power and strength pitched a battaile against Fredericke wherein he lost the day together with his life being wounded in thirty severall places in his body and was interred at Brunswicke 136. Fredericke the 2. OTho being deprived of the Empire Anno Domini 1220. Fredericke a Saxon borne was elected who was crowned by Honorius Pope by whose asistance he was restored to the kingdome of Sicily although that favour was very ill requited because he suddenly made open wars sacking wasting and spoiling many places that did belong to the Church wherefore he was excommunicated and deprived of the Empire but he slighting and contemning all the Popes censures became far more cruell against the Church and the more to injure the Pope upon no occasion he slew many Prelates Afterwards the Parthians Guelfs and Gibellines overcomming the countrey of Italy upon this oacasion many citties were wasted sacked spoiled and razed After this returning to Fuglia a violent feaver came upon him and whilest he intented to recreate and refresh his army he was then by Manfred his bastard sonne strangled at Taranto and lyes buried at M. Regalis 137. Henry 7 THis Henry sonne of the aforesaid Fredericke and Constantia was at ten yeeres of age elected and crowned Emperour in Aquisgrane and being come to age An Domini 1â—20 he married Margaret the Daughter of Leopoldus Duâ—e of Austria And remembring his father stood excoÌ„municated by the Pope and thinking it was undeservedly hee bent himselfe to revenge and with an infinite number of souldiers arose against him in open warres but upon better advice and doubtfull peradventure of the successe turned his forces against Otho which made his father suspect that he would in time be of sufficient power already knowing his boldnesse of courage and apt to deprive him of the Crowne Imperial wherupon hee imprisoned him with a strong guard over him and with a strict charge of custody in which misery he at length dyed having no obsequies at all confered upon him 138. Rudolphus RVdolphus borne at Habsburg Anno Domini 1273. was elected Emperor in Lions in the time that a generall Councell was there holden in the yeare 1273. He was a man of exquisite valour and most excellent in all matters very able of body of a beautifull resemblance replenished with singular prudence and wisedome The yeare after his election he went to Rome there to be crowned and although as some say the Pope would not condescend or grant him a coronation neverthelesse he obtained the Imperiall governement of Germany Anno 1282 an army of French-men being in Sycily in preparation for Africk the Sycilians upon Easterday in the afternoone which fell at that time upon the 30 of March upon the ringing of the bells to Even-song set upon the French not dreaming of any such matter especially on Easter-day and slew them every man woman and childe to the number of 8000 persons and those women which were with childe by the French were bowelled that not a sprigge might sprout from a French stocke the memory of this is not extinct for the French know les vespres de la Sycile The Sycilian Evensong Genebrard Returning backe he moved warre against Agesilaus king of Bohemia and so subjected him that he held him in servitude and slavery many yeares but afterwards willing
to satisfie the world and expresse his magnanimity he voluntarily restored him his kingdome againe giving his daughter unto him in marriage And having reduced all matters to a generall peace he fell sicke and dyed at the age of seventy three at Gemersheym and was interred at Spires 139. Adolphus AFter the death of the good old man Adolphus An. Domini 1292. Marquesse of Anassona borne â—n Nassau attained to the Imperiall dignity in the yeere of the Incarnation 1292 with the unity of consent of the Electors This man was also adorned with all the riches of vertue but very poore in wordly estate and weake in men of Armes And although he were not crowned by the Pope neverthelesse peradventure by advice and councell or at that time indiscreete not reflecting that impresses of Warre should be performed rather by superiority the better to secure the victory than by inconsiderate temerity and rashnesse hee laboured with those small forces which he had to recover some places defected from the Empire And fighting against Albertus sonne of Rudolphus now Emperour in the Countrey of Spire although hee behaved himselfe very valiantly neverthelesse through the small quantity of soldiers he was by the same Albertus overthrowne and slaine neare Spires and lyes buried there In this Emperors Reigne Anno Domini 1303 the Chaire wherein the Kings of England are crowned at Westminster was brought out of Scotland by Edward King of England which the Scots called the fatall chaire in the yeare 1310. The knight-templers in Germany France England and other countries were all cut off many of them burnt alive Chron. Montford 140. Albertus ALbertus Anno Domini 1269. the son of Rudolphus late Emperor deceased borne in Nassau a man most expert in arâ—â—es succeeding in the Empire demanded divers severall times of Boniface the Pope his coronation who being against it and repugnant would by no meanes condescend thereto Afterwards by the reason of jarres and discords betweene Philip king of France and the Pope he did not onely crowne and confirme him Emperor but gave him also the kingdome of France subjecting the king to his Imperiall government and command which was an occasion of infinite slaughters discords intestine and civill warres in Christendome This man having ever spent and emploied the greatest part of his time in warres and heroicall actions labouring day and night to recover the secure harbour of tranquillity and peace on a certaine day disembarking himselfe having passed over the Rheine he was slaine at Rheinveld in Germany by anephew of his for certaine dissentions between them which before had happened in Arabia and hath his ashes inurn'd at Keningstadt In this Albertus his time lived that famous Doctor Ioannes Duns Scotus who died at Coloyn being supposed to be dead having onely an accustomed fit of a Lethargy which afterwards was evident when they that were his friends came caused him to be taken up again having found him to be alive by many bruises on his face and his flesh eaten off of his armes and shoulders and many other signes tokens to thegriefe of many a worthy scholler 141. Henry the 7. THis Henry was Marquesse of Luxemburghe where he was borne Anno Dom. 1368. son to Henry and Beatrice elected in the yeare of grace 1308 and confirmed by Pope Clement upon this condition that at the end of two yeares he should according to the accustomed manner goe to solemnize his coronâ—tion at Rome which he persorming was entertained with all pompous manner and jncredible magnificence by the Cittizens and Communalty and after that was crowned by 3 Cardinals and there he appeased many dissentions which were then afoote in the Countrey of Italy many parts being taken His returne was by Tuscany where his soldiers did much mischiefe Being arrived at Buonconvento within 12 miles of Siena he fell grievously sicke and caused himselfe to be carried to the Bath of Macereto and that availing him nothing he returned againe to Buonconvento where his sicknesse increasing and the best Art in Phisicke working no good effect within few dayes after hee dyed and was inhumed at Pisa 142. Fredericke 3. The Popes chaire was vacant two yeares three moneths and seaventeene dayes THis Fredericke was Duke of Austria Anno Domini 1314. where hee was also borne the sonne of Albertus Caesar and elected to succeed in the Imperiall Throne At the same time 2 Emperors were chosen by the Electors viz. this Frederick Lewis and both being crowned there ensued not onely betweene them but also all the world over most cruell and bloody civill warres And each pretending his cause juridically lawfull enabled themselves to their utmost possibility with what forces they could for warre the better to march whithersoever occasion should call upon them Matters standing upon these termes each of them for his best advantage and security fortune brought them in processe of time to a meeting victory hovering over the battaile which was not without great effusion of blood on both sides But in conclusion the Catastrophe fell worst upon Fredericke to his utter ruine so he falling into a deepe melancholy was therein in a short time lost passing to another life leaving his enemy Lewis to enjoy the seate Imperiall he dyed in Austria expecting his resurrection at Murbach A Fable of this Emperor Fredericke propounded to the Embassador of King Lewis the 11. in the 6. yeare of his Reigne Charles Duke of Burgundy having planted his siege before the City of Nuce which was succoured by this Emperor and the Almaines King Lewis the 11 of France who sought nothing more than the ruine of the said Duke of Burgundy sent his Embassador to the Emperor Fredericke to pracsise and perswade with him to seize consiscate into hâ—s owne hands all those lands and signorie which the Duke of Burgundy held of the Empire and that hee for his part would doe the like for the Country of Flanders Artois Burgundy and other dependants of the Crowne of France The Emperor upon this motion made the Embassador this answer Neere unto a certaine City in Almaine did once haunt a most cruell Beare which did many mischiefes and displeasures to the inhabitants adioyning now said the Emperour it hapned that 3 merry companions aâ— they were drinking in a Taverne and having little money to pay their shot they agreed with their Host to venture upon the Beare and to kill him and then make sale of his skinne and tâ— pay him with the money and for the performance thereof they prepared themselves presently to goe and take him the bargaine being made and dinner ended they put themselves in quest of the Beare and approaching to the cave where hee was lodged the beare issued out upon them so fiercely that being surprized with a suddaine feare one of them fled away backe tewards the towne the second saved himselfe by climbing up a tree and the third being overtaken by the Beare fell downe under him as dead