furnished he should awaite occasion to sollicite the same Lastly that he should carry a nimble eare as well touching any variation in all these â—…atters as for other occurrences in France Spaine Italie Almaine and thereof advertise the king But notwithstanding all these cautions and preventions of peace or truce betweene the Emperour and the French the king of England finding the Emperour slow in his performances and much suspecting his secret ends entertained a treatie of peace with France but secretly and a farre off and to bee governed as occasions should vâ—…ry and in regâ—…rd hâ—…reof agreement was made that all ships and goods which had bin surprised at sea by the English vpon the French or by the French vpon the English since the beginning of that treatie should be freely discharged And albeit the English had great aduâ—…ntage in value of reprisalls as being alwaies both more strong and actiue at sea yet the king by his proclamation commanded that forthwith restitution should be made Hostility being thus suspended with France preparation was made for warres against Scotland the occasion whereof did thus arise MARY STYWARD sole daughter heire to Iames the 5. King of Scots began her raigne ouer the Realme of Scotland vpon the 18 of December 1542 being then not aboue 7 daies olde so as the Sunne no sooner almost saw her an infant then a Queene and no sooner was shâ—…e a Queene but she was desired of Henry then King of England to be assured in marriage to Prince Edward his only sonne being then not much aboue 6 yeares of age Vpon this ouerture the gouernor of Scotland assembled the nobility of the Realme at Edenburgh where after much debatement of the coÌ„modities or discommodities like to ensue they concluded in the end that in March then next ensuing a Parliament should be held to giue perfection and forme to that businesse In the meane time S. Ralph Sadler knight was sent embassador from England to the Gouernor and other Lords of Scotland who followed his charge with so good diligence and advice that in the same parliamenâ—… authority was giuen to William Earle of Glancorne S. George ' Douglasse S. William Hamilton S. Iames Leirmouth knights and to one of the secretaries of state to conclude this marryage These commissioners came into England with whom before the end of Iulie the same yeere all covenants were concluded instruments of the contract of marriage interchangeably sealed and sworne and a peace established for ten yeares which time expyred both the Prince and the Queene should be of age to consent The French King all this tiâ—…e was so enteartined with warres against the Emperor that he had no sence of these proceedings but when he vnderstood that these agreements were passed as well for marriage as for peace he bâ—…nt his best endeuour to dissolue them both First with intention to impeach both the greatnesse and strength of the English nation after with desire to winne this marriage for Francis who afterwardes was King of France To this purpose the French K. sent for Mathew Earle of Levenoxe who then serued vnder his pay in Italie and furnished him with mony forces and friends and aboue all with many encouragements to take vpon him brauely the honour of his house and Ancestors to remoue the Earle of Arraine from the Regency of Scotland and to reverse such pactions as he had made The Earle at his first arrivall in Scotland was ioyfully received as a man most engaged in domesticall factions He alwaies vsed curtesie and modestie disliked of none sometimes sociablenes and fellowship well liked by many generally he was honoured by his nation and well reputed by strangers in favour of him the Pope sâ—…nt the Patriarch of Apulia his Legat into Scotland who in the Popes nâ—…me did faithfully assure that both forces mony should be sent into Scotland to resist the English Heâ—… drew the greatest of the Cleargie on his side who were most powerfull to draw on others On the other side the king was not negligent to support his party with supplies wher by great troubles ensued in Scotland which fell not within the times that I hauâ—… in hand In the end the Earle of Arraine abandoned the king of England and applyed himselfe only to the French by reason whereof the Regencie was confirmed to him which otherwise he had bin vpon adventure to loose And as the Earle of 〈◊〉 did forsake the English and adioine to the French so the Earle of Levenoxe being forsaken by the French applyed his service wholy to the English which did not only continue but much encrease the calamities of Scotland during the time of king Henries raigne King Henrie at the time of his death gâ—…ue a spâ—…ciall charge to the Lords of his counsaile that they should omit no â—…ndevours whereby the said marriâ—…ge might be procured to take effect Herevpon they pursued this quarrell in the same stâ—…te the king left it But before they attempted any thing by Armes the Lord Protector assailed the Scottish nobility with a friendly letter Herein he remâ—…mbred them of the promises seaâ—…es and oathes which by publike authority had passed for concluding this marriage that these being religious bonds betwixt God and their soules could not by any politike act of state be dissolved vntill their Queene should attaine vnto yeares of dissent Hee farther added that the providence of God did then manifestly declare it selfe in that the male princes of Scotland failing the kingdome was left to a daughter and in that King Henry left only one sonne to succeed That these two princes were agreeable both for yeares and princely qualities to bee ioyned in marriâ—…ge and thâ—…reby to knit both Realmes into one That this vnion as it was like to bee both easily done of firme continuance so would it be both profitable and honourable to both the Realmes That both the easinesse and firmnâ—…s might be coniectured for that both people are of the same language of like habit and fashion of like qualitie and condition of life of one climate not only annexed entirely together but sevâ—…red froÌ„ all the world 〈◊〉 For as these are sure arguments that both desâ—…ended from one originall and had bin vnder one governement so by reason that likenes is a great cause of liking and of loue they would be most forceable meanes both to ioine and to hold them in one body again that the profit would rise by extinguishing warres betweâ—…ne the two nations by reason whereof in former times victori sabroad haue bin impeachâ—…d invasions and seditions occasioned thâ—… confines of both Realmes laid wâ—…st or else made a nurserie of rapines robberies and murthers the inner parts often deepely pierced and made a wretched spectacl to all eies of humanity and pittie That the honour of both Realmes would enerease as well in regard of the countries sufficient to furnish not only the necessities but the moderate pleasures of this life as also of the people
obiected against the Lord Protector before he assembled forces in the field which in those tempestuous times as it could not be done without great danger so without great cause it should not To the Lords they answered that they were ready to ioyne with them in any dutifull petition to the King but to ioyne with them in armes they could not vpon the sodaine resolue The next day the Lordes at London dispatched a letter to the Lords at Windesore wherein they charged the protector with many disorders both in his priuate actions and in his manner of gouernment requiring that hee would disperse the sorces which he had raised and withdraw himselfe from the King and be content to be ordered by iustice and reason That this done they would gladly commune with the rest of the counsaile for the surety of the Kings person and for ordering of his estate otherwise they would make no other accompt of them then they might trust to finde cause and would assuredly charge them according to their demerits The King all this time was so farre from gouerning his Lords that he was scarce at his owne liberty and considering that the late rebellions had but newly weared themselues into quiet and fearing new rages among the vnstabie people daily threatned and vpon such occasion not vnlike to take slame conceiuing also that the confederacy trenched no deeper or that the only remedy was to seeme so to conceiue dissolued his companies except only his guarde but charged them vpon warning to be ready so it is most certaine that the troublesome times were a great aduantage to the Lords Had the people beene well setled in subiection or the Protector a man of spirit or witt they hâ—…d beene in danger to haue beene vndone but the protector instead of vsing his authority sent secretary Peter who vnder pretence of gravity couered much vntrustinesse of heart to the Lords at London with some secret instructions sent especially to perswade them that for a publique benefit all either priuate guardes or vnkindnesses might be laid aside But neither did hee returne to Windesore neither was any answere returned from the Lordes After this he wrote two letters one in his owne name to the Earle of Warwicke the other in the name of the Lords at Windesore to the Lords at London in both which he so weakly complained expostulated intreated yeelded vnder their hande as it was sufficient to haue breathed courage into any enimy once declared against him And indeed herevpon the Lords forthwith published a proclamation vnder the hands of 17 persons either for nobility or authority of office well regarded werein the causes of such calamities and losses as had lately before happened not only by inward diuisions which had cost the liues of many thousands of the Kings subiects and threatned more but also by the losse of diuers pieces beyond the seas which had beene wonn by great adventure of the late Kings person and consumption of his treasure they perceiued that the only roote from whence those mischiefes sâ—…rung was the evill gouernment of the Lord Protâ—…ctor whose pride couetousnes and ambition couered only his priuate ends and therefore he was deepely busied in his spatious and specious buildings in the hottest times of warre against France and Scotland whilest the poore souldiers and seruitors of the King were vnpaide and laboured to make himselfe strong in all countries whilest within the realme lawes iustice and good order preuerted prouisions for the forts beyond the seas neglected and the Kings subiects by most dangerous diuisions by his means either raised or occasioned much disquiet That hereupon the Lords of the counsaile for preuenting aswell present dangers to the Kings person as the vtter subuersion of the state of the realme concluded to haue talked to him quietly without disturbance to the King or to the people for reducing him to liue within reasonable limits and for putting order for safety of the kings person and preseruation of the commonwealth of the realme and so to haue passed ouer his most vnnaturall and traitâ—…rous deseruings without further extremities But he knowing that he was vnable to answere for any part of his demeanour began forthwith to spread false rumors that certaine Lords had conspired against the Kings person vnder pretence whereof hee leuied forces in a disordered vproare albeit the treason rested in him and some other his complices wherefore seeing he troubled the whole realme for accomplishing his traiterous ends and vsed the King in his tender age for an instrument against himselfe causing him to put his hand to many of his owne deuises and to speake things tending to the destruction of himselfe they desired and in the Kings name charged all subiects not to obey any precepts licenses or proclamations whereunto the Protectors hand should be set albeit he should abuse the Kings hand and seale vnto them but to quit themselues vpon such proclamation as should proceede from the body of the counsaile protesting therewith their faithfull hearts to the King and their loialty towards the people Instantly after the publishing of this proclamation the Lords directed their letters to Windesore ond addressed to the King another to the Protector the third to the houshold which was openly read The letter to the Protector was guilded ouer with many smooth words intimating faire promises and full of hope but the other two did fully and fowly set forth his obstinacie his auarice his ambition his rash engagements into warres in the Kings vnsetled both age and estate his negligences his deceits and all other insufficiences mentioned before Herewith S r Robert Wingfield captaine of the guarde was sent from the Lords to Windesore who so well persuaded the King both of the loyall affection of the Lordes towards him and of their moderate desires against the protector who then was in presence that partly thereby but chiefly in regard of the turbulent times the Protector was remoued from the Kings person a guard set vpon him vntill the next day when the Lords at London were appointed to be there So the next day diuers of the counsell rode from London to Windsore but the Earle of Warwick rode not with them for he was a perfect Master of his craft he had well learned to put others before him in dangerous actions and in matters of mischiefe to be seene to doe least when in very deed all moued from him He had well learned of the ape to take nuts out of the fire with the pawe of the cat These Lords comming before the King did againe runne ouer their complaints against the Protector and also vnder colour of loue and duty aduiseth the King to beware of such as were both powerfull ambitious mischieuous and rich Affirming that it would be better surety vnto him if this great authority should be committed to many who cannot so readily knit in will or in action as when the whole mannage resideth in one In the end the Duke of
with intent to make sedition and discorde betweene the King and his Nobles 24 That at diuers times and places he said the Lords of the counsell at London intend to kill mee but if I dye the King shall dye and if they famish mee they shall famish him 25 That of his owne head he remoued the King so sodainly from Hampton courte to Windsore without any prouision there made that he was thereby not only in great feare but cast into a dangerous disease 26 That by his letters he caused the Kings people to assemble in great numbers in Armor after the manner of warre to his aide and defence 27 That he caused his seruants and friends at Hampton court Windesore to be apparelled in the Kings armor when the Kings seruants and guarde went vnarmed 28 That he intended to fly to Iernsey and Wales and laid posthorses and men and a boat to that purpose Now albeit there is little doubt but that some of these articles were meerely deuised others enlarged or wrâ—…sted or otherwise inforced by odious interpretation yet the Duke being of base golde and fearing the touch subscribed with his owne hand that he did acknowledge his offences contained in them and humbly vpon his knees submitted himselfe to the Kings mercy That in like manner he entreated the Lords to be a meanes to the King that he would conceiue that his offences did proceede rather from negligence rashnes or other indiscretion then from any malitious thought tending to treason and also that he would take some gratious way with him his wife and children not according to extremity of lawes but after his great elemency and mercy Written with my owne hand 23 December Anno 3 o Edw. Regis To this I make no other defence but intreat the reader not to condemne him for perishing so weakly and for that he who should haue lost his life to preserue his honour cast away both his life and honour together Assuredly he was a man of a feeble stomacke vnable to concoct any great fortune prosperous or aduerse But as the iudgement of God and malice of a man concurre often in one act although it be easie to discerne betweene them so is it little to be maruailed that he who thirsted after his brothers blood should finde others to thirst after his Notwithstanding for that present his blood was respited but hee was stripped of his great offices of being Proteâ—…tor Treasurer and Marshall lost all his goods and neere 2000 lande in which estate if he had continued the longer he had liued the more punishment he should endure herewith it was sâ—…ossingly said that he had eaten the kings goose and did then regorge the feathers After this he sent letters to the Lords of the counsaile wherein he acknowledged himselfe much fâ—…oured by them in that they had brought his cause to be fineable which although it was to him impoâ—…able yet as hee did neuer intend to contend with them nor any action to iustifie himselfe as well for that he was none of the wisest and might easily erre as for that it is scarce possible for any man in great place so to beare himselfe that all his actions in the eye of iustice shall be blamelesse so hee did then submit himselfe wholly to the Kings mercy and their discretions for some moderation desiring them to conceiue that what he did amisse was rather through rudenes and for want of iudgement then from any malitious meaning and that he was therefore ready both to doe and suffer what they would appoint Finally hee did againe most humbly vpon his knees entreat pardon and fauour and they should euer finde him so lowly to their honours and obedient to their orders as hee would thereby make amends for his former follies These subiections obiections deiections of the Duke made a heauenly harmony in his enimies eares But they wrought such compassion with the King that forthwith he was released out of the Tower his fines discharged his goods and lands restored except such as had beene giuen away either the malice of the Lords being somewhat appeased or their credit not of sufficient strength to resist within a short time after he was entertained and feasted by the King with great shew of fauour and sworne againe of the priuy counsaile at which time betweene him and the Lords perfect amity was made or else a dissembling hate And that all might appeare to be knit vp in a comicall conclusion the Dukes daughter was afterwards ioined in marriage to the Lord Lâ—…sle sonne and heire to the Earle of Warwick and the Earle also was made Lord Admirall of England yet many doubted whether the Earle retained not some secret offence against the Duke which if hee did it was most cunningly suppressed doubtlesse of all his vertues he made best vice of dissimulation And as this friendship was drawen together by feare on both sides so it was not like to be more durable then was the feare And thus the second act ended of the tragedie of the Duke the third shall follow in the proper place In the meane time the Earle of Warwicke for what mischeiuous contriuance it was not certainly knowne but conceiued to be against the Duke ioined to him the Earle of Arundâ—…ll late Lord Chamberlaine and the Earle of Southhampton sometimes Lord Chancellor men of their owne nature circumspect and slow but at the time discountenanced and discontent whom therefore the Earle of Warwicke singled as fittest for his purpose Many secret conferences they had at their seuerall houses which often held the greatest part of the night But they accustomed to afford at other times either silence or shorte assent to what he did propose did then fall off and forsake him procuring thereby danger to themselues without doing good to any other For when the Earle of Warwicke could by no meanes draw them to his desires hee found means that both of them were discharged from the counsell and commanded to their houses Against the Earle of Arundell obiections were framed that he tooke away bolts and locks at Westminster and gaue away the Kings stuffe Hee was fined at 12000 l to be paid 1000 l yeerely But doubtlesse the Earle of Warwicke had good reason to suspect that they who had the honesty not to approue his purpose would not want the heart to oppose against it During these combats among the nobility many popular insurrections were assayled One Bell was put to death at Tyborne for mouing a new rebellion in Suffolke and in Essex hee was a man nittily needy and therefore aduentrous esteemed but an idle fellow vntill he found opportunity to shew his rashnesse Diuers like attempts were made in other places but the authors were not so readily followed by the people as others had done before Partly because multitudes doe not easily moue but chifly because misaduentures of others in like attempts had taught them to be more warily aduised About this time a Parliament was held at
being present affirmed to be true well said they what our King told Guidolti we know not but to vs hee hath giuen no other commission then you haue heard which in no case wee must exceede As for the pension whereof you speake thinke you that a King of France will be tributary to any No No assure you he will not and touching the debt because the K. of England gaue occasion to the warres wasted the French Kings countrey thereby caused him to expend such summes of mony as exceeded the debt he tooke himselfe to be acquitted thereof Hereto the English answered that the French King might take matters as he pleased but in honour iustice and conscience no debt was more due and the warres being made for deniall thereof he could not be for that cause acquitted That the pension was also granted vpon diuers causes both weighty and iust and amongst other by reason of the King of Englands vncontrouleable title to Normandie Gascoine and other parts of France Here they were interrupted by M r Rotchpot who brake forth into warme words and was againe as warmely answered but the French would nothing moue from their owne ouertures which they stood vpon by way of conclusions At the last the English said that they might doe well to report these differences to their Masters on both sides that their pleasures might therein be knowne Hereto the French answered that they knew their Kings pleasures so well that if they should send to him againe he would and might thinke them of small discretion and herewith they offered to breake The English told them that if they would breake they might but they intended to conclude nothing vntill they had further instructions from England which they would procure as soone as they could To this the French did easily incline These matters aduertised into England much troubled the counsaile and the rather for that the Earle of Warwicke was at that time retired pretending much infirmity in his health Hereupon many sinister surmises began to spring vp among some of the counsaile partly probable parte happely deuised for as they knew not whether hee were more dangerous present or away so as the nature of all feare is they suspected that which happened to be the worst From hence diuerse of the counsaile began in this manner to murmure against him What said they is he neuer sicke but when affaires of greatest weight are in debating Or wherefore else doth hee withdraw himselfe from the company of those who are not well assured of his loue Wherefore doth he not now come forth and openly ouerrule as in other matters hee is accustomed Would he haue vs imagine by his absence that he acteth nothing Or knowing that all moueth from him shall wee not thinke that he seeketh to enioy his owne ends which bearing blame for any euent Goe to then let him come forth and declare himselfe for it is better that should finde fault with all things whilest they are doing then condemne all things when they are done with those and the like speeches he came to counsaile more ordinary then before and at last partly by his reasons and partly by his authority peace with France was esteemed so necessarie that new instructions were sent to the English Embassadors according whereto peace was concluded vpon these articles 1 That all titles and climes on the one side and defences on the other should remaine to either party as they were before 2 That the fautle of one man except he were vnpunished should not breake the peace 3 That prisoners should be deliuered on both sides 4 That Bouline and other pieces of the new conquest with all the ordinance except such as had beene brought in the English should be deliuered to the French within 6 moneths after the peace proclaimed 5 That ships of merchandise might safely passe and ships of warre be called in 6 That the French should pay for the same 200000 crownes of the summe euery crowne valued at six shillings 8d within three daies after the deliuery of the towne 200000 like crownes more vpon the fifth day of August then next ensuing 7 That the English should make no new warres vpon Scotland vnlesse new occasions should be giuen 8 That if the Scots rased Lords and Dunglasse the English should rase Roxborough and Aymouth and no fortification to be afterwards made in any of those places To these articles the French King was sworne at Amiens the King of England at London Commissioners being especially appointed to take their oaths and for further assurance 6 Hostages were deliuered for the French at Ards and 6 for the English at Guisnes and it was agreed that at the deliuery of Bulloine the English hostages should be discharged that vpon the paiment of the first 200000 crownes 3 of the French hostages should be discharged and other 3 vpon paiment of the last 200000 crownes In the peace the Emperor was comprised in case he would consent and further to cut off future contentions commissioners were appointed both by the English and French to make certaine the limits betweene both territories Other commissioners were appointed summarily to expedite and determine all matters of piracie and depredations betweene the subiects of both kingdoms whereby many had not only liued but thriued many years before So the Lord Clinton gouernor of Bulloine hauing receiued his warrant discharged all his men except 1800 and with them issued out of the towne and deliuered it to M r Chastilion hauing first receiued of him the 6 English hostages and an acquittance for deliuery of the towne and safe conduct for his passage to Calais These 18000 men were afterwards placed vpon the frontires betweene the Emperor and the English Soone after the first paiment of money was made by the French to certaine English commissioners wherevpon 3 of their hostages were discharged the other three namely Count de Anguien next heire to the crowne of France after the Kings children the Marquis de Meaux brother to the Scottish Queene and Montmorencie the constables sonne who at that time chiefly guided the affaires of France came into England They were honourably accompanied and with great estate brought to London where euery of them kept house by himselfe Of the monies of the first paiment 10000 l was appointed for Calais 8000 l for Ireland 10000 l for the North and 2000 l for the Nauie the residue was earefully laid vp in the Tower Likewise of the second paiment wherevpon the hostages aforenamed returned into France 8000 l was appointed for Calais 5000 l for the North 10000 l was emploied for enerease towards outward paiments certaine persons vndertaking that the mony should bee doubled euery moneth the residue was safely lodged in the tower And now it remained that the chiefe actors in this peaee whatsoeuer their aimes were must be both honoured enriched with great rewards first Guidolti the first mouer of the treaty was recompenced
would be a hindrance to the Mart if preuention were not vsed 7 That the pouerty and smalnesse of Southampton would be a great impediment 8 That the Riuer Rhene was more commodious for Antwerp then any riuer was for England 1 Herevnto answere was made that at the time when the Mart should beginne at Southampton the French King and the Almans would stop entercourse to Antwerp by land so as nothing should passe that way but in great danger Againe as South ampton wanteth the commodity of accesse of merchandise by land so it hath the commodity that there can be no accesse of enimies by land and if warres should be raised then the Nauie of England is sufficient to defend them And further that trafique that cometh to Antwerp by land is almost only from the Venetians who may with greater ease and lesse danger transport their merchandises into England by sea That the ill making of cloathes was fit to be redressed by the Parliament then sitting and the matter was then reduced to some ripenesse the vpper house hauing one bill and the neither house another in good forwardnesse Neither were they so ill made but that the Flemmings did easily desire them offering rather to Pay the imposition of the Emperor then to be without them That it were necessarie that the passage of ships should be staied vntill the Mart should aduance to some ripenesse and that cloathes should be bought with the Kinges money and conueied to Southampton to be there vttered at the Mart which should helpe the inconuenience very well That merchants neuer binde themselues to any mansion which either to atchieue gaine or to auoide danger they will not readily forsake for so they remoued from Bruges to Antwerp only for the English commodities And therefore seeing they shall haue a good commodity by coming to Southampton and be rid of great feare of danger both in their liues and goods in forsaking Antwerp there is little feare that they will be curious in making the change That the Emperor was then so neerely driuen that neither was he willing to attend the impeachment of the Mart neither could he at that time doe it for the Flemmings and the Spaniards vnder him could more hardly be without the English then the English without them and therefore would hardly be brought to forbeare that trafique and besides they liued then in feare of loosing all That it were good that for the present the Stilliard meâ—… were generally answered and triall made whether by any gentle offer of some part of their liberties they might be brought to ship and their wares vnto the mart The French also might easily be drawen ouer hauing one trafique at that time but with England That these two might suffice to beginne a Mart. That the merchants would make good shift for their lodging and it is not the ability of the place that maketh a mart but the resort of Merchants as Spaniards Almans Italians Flemmings Uenetians Danes in exchanging their commodities one with another With whom also would concurre the Merchants of London Bristowe and other places of England and some of the cloaths which should be carried thither at the first might be taken vp with the Kings money and there be vttered That Bruges where the Mart was before standeth not vpon the Rheene neither doth Antwerp where the Mart was then Frankeford doth and may well serue for a faire for high Almaine but Southampton serueth better for all countries vpon the sea for few of these resort to Frankeford Herewith diuerse reasons were alleaged for the Mart and namely that the vent of English cloathes would hereby be open in all times of watre that the English merchants goods would be out of danger of strangers and without feare of danger of arresting vpon euery light cause That it would much enrich the Realme because as a Market enricheth a towne so doth a Mart enrich a Kingdome That vpon occasion great summes of money might be borrowed of them who frequent the Mart. That the King might command a great number of strangers ships to serue in his warres That warre being made all goods should be in the Kings danger that the English should buy all things at the first hand of strangers Wheras then the strangers sold their wares to the Flemings the Flemings to the English That the townes towards the sea would hereby be made more populous rich beautifull and strong That the merchants insteed of Tapistrie points glasses and other laces would then bring in bullion and other substantiall merchandizes to haue the English cloath and tinne That by this means the English should abate the power of their enimies and not be enforced to borrow of Merchants but when they list and that in no great quantity or summe The time was then esteemed most conuenient because the warres betwixt the French and the Emperor caused the Italians Genowaies Portugals and Spaniards to forbeare their trade to Antwerp The Prussians also and other East countries hauing 14 ships against the Emperor would not be very forward to aduenture thither Againe the French inuading Lorraine and menacing Flanders and the Almaines lying on the riuer of Rheene did stop the course of merchants out of Italie as well to Frankeford as to Antwerp And further the putting of souldiers into Antwerp moued the Merchants to forbeare their trafique and to looke to their safety Also the breach which a late tempest had made was like to make the channell vncertaine and the hauen naught Lastly the stop of the exchange to Lyons would make many Flemmings bankrupts And because these nations cannot liue without a vent These things decaying the Mart of Antwerp Frankeford they would most willingly vpon erecting a 〈◊〉 Mart resort to England And here the towne of Southampton was esteemed most sit because the Spaniards Brittaines Gascoins Lombards Genowaies Normans Italians the Merchants of the Eastland the Prussians Danes Swedens Norwegians might indifferently resort thither more easie than to Antwerpe And wheras the Flemmings hauing few commodities haue allured Merchants by their priuiledges to settle a Mart among them much more easily should the English doe it hauing both opportunity meanes as cloath tinne seacoale lead bellmettall and such other commodities as few christian countries haue the like Lastly the meanes to establish this mart were contriued to be these First that the English merchants should forbeare their resort for a mart or two beyond the seas vnder pretence of the impositions there charged vpon them Then that proclamation should be made in diuerse parts of this Realme where Merchants chiefly resort that there shal be a free Mart kept at Southampton to beginne presently after whitsontide and to continue fiue weekes so as it should be noe hindrance to St Iames faire at Bristow nor to Bartholomew faire in London The priuiledges of which Mart should be expressed to be these That all men should haue free libertie for resort and returne without arresting except
could take no place that nothing could moue the Scots to forsake their distant and heavy helps and to embrace friends both ready and at hand But besides that the long continued warres betweene the English and the Scots had then raised invincible iealousies and hate which long continued peace hath since abolished I doe herein admire the vnsearchable working and will of God by whose inflexible decree the vnion betweene the two Realmes did not then take effect when by the death of K. Edward it should haue beene of short continuance as by the death of Francis the second the vnion betweene France and Scotland did suddenly dissolue but was reserued vnto a more peaceable and friendly time so for a person in whose progeny it hath taken deepe and durable root And so for that time no conditions of peace being regarded both sides addressed themselues to their adventure The places where the two Armies lay encamped were divided by the river Eske the banks whereof were almost so deepe as the bankes of the Peathes mentioned before The Scots lay somewhat neere the one side the English about two miles from the other The English first raised their Campe and began to march towards the river Eske intending to possesse a hill called Vnder-Eske which commanded the place where their enimies lay The Scots coniecturing so much cast their Tents flat vpon the ground passed the River and mounted the Hill before the English could come neere Herevpon the English turned aside to another hill called Pinkenclench which afterwards fell much to their Advantage aswell for that they were then in place to bee ayded by their ships which rode neere in Edenburgh Frith as also for that they gained thereby the advantage both of winde and Sunne a great part of the strength of an Army and lastly for that their enimies were thereby cast into a cruell errour For no sooner did they espy the Eenglish turning from them but forthwith they were of opinion that they fled towards their shipping This surmise was first occasioned for that the English ships remoued the day before from Lieth to Muscleborough Frith which was conceiued to be for taking in their foote and carriages that the horsemen might with lesse encumbrance and more hast returne backe vpon the spurre Hereupon they had appointed the same night whose darknesse would haue encreased the feare to haue giuen a camisado vpon the English But vnderstanding that they were well entrenched hauing good esâ—…out abroad and sure watch within they brake that purpose but vpon this declining of the English from them the conceit did againe reuiue not only as a thing desired but because the English were inferior vnto them in number and had travailed farre and were well knowne to grow short in their provisions Yea wheâ—… they were discerned to make stand vpon the first ascent of Pinkenclench hill the coniecture ran that their flight was only deferred vntill they might couer their disorders by the dead darknesse of the night Maruailous security and alwaies dangerous when men will not beleeue any bees to be in a hiue vntill they haue a sharpe sense of their stings And thus the Scots heaued vp into high hope of victory tooke the English fallen for foolish birds fallen into their nette and seeming to feâ—…re nothing more then that they should escape forlooke their hill and marched into the plaine directly towards the English Here the Lord Governor put them in remembrance how they could neuer yet be brought vnder by the English but were alwaies able either to beate them backe or to weary them away He bad them looke vpon themselues and vpon their enimies themselues dreadfull their enimies gorgeous and braue on their side men on the other spoil in case either through slownesse or cowardise they did not permit them to escape who lo now already haue began their sight The whole army consisted of 35 or 36000 men of whom they made three battaillons In the Auantgard commanded by the Earle of Angus about 15000 were placed about 10000 in the battaile over whom was the Lord Governor and so many in the Arriere led by the valiant Gordone Earle of Huntley Hackbutters they had none no men at armes but about 2000 horsemen prickers as they are termed fitter to make excursions and to chase then to sustaine any strong charge The residue were on foote well furnished With Iacke and skull pike dagger bucklers made of boorde and sliceing swords broad thinne and of an excellent temper Every man had a large kerchiefe folded twice or thrice about the necke and many of them had chaines of latten drawne three or foure times along their hoses and doublet sleeues they had also to affright the enimies horses big rattles couered with parchment or paper and small stones within put vpó staues about three els long But doubtles the ratling of shot might haue done better service The Earle of Angus led the Avantguard with a well measured march whereupon the Lord Governor commanded him by a messenger to double his pace thereby to strike some terror vnto the enimy Himselfe followed with the battaile a good distance behinde and after came the Arrier well nigh euen with the battaile on the left side the avauntguard was slanked on the right side with 4 or 5 pieces of Artellery drawne by men and with 400 horsemen prickers on the left The battaile and Arriere were likewise guarded with Artillery in like sort drawne and about 4000 Irish Archers brought by the Earle of Argile serued as a wing to them both rightly so termed as being the first who began the flight The Generall of the English and the Earle of Warwicke were together when the Scots thus abandoned the hill which they espying gaue thankes to God holding themselues in good hope of the euent forthwith they ordered the artillery and taking a louing leaue departed to their seuerall charge the Generall to the battaile where the Kings standard was borne the Earle to the Avantguard both on foote protesting that they would liue or dy with the souldiers whom also with bold countenance and speech which serue souldiers for the best eloquence they put in minde of the honour their ancestors had acquired of their own extreme disgrace and danger if they fought not well that the iustice of their quarrell should not so much encourage as enrage them being to revenge the dishonor done to their King and to chastise the deceitfull dealings of their enimies that the multitude of their enimies should nothing dismay them because they Who come to maintaine their owne breach of faith besides that the checke of their consciences much breaketh their spirit haue the omnipotent arme of God most furious against them Herewith arose a buzzing noise among them as if it had bin the rustling sound of the sea a farre of euery man addressing himselfe to his office and encouraging those who were neerest vnto them The Earle ranged his Avauntguard in Array vpon the side of the hill
the sands towards Lieth but the most towards Dakeâ—…th which way by reason of the marish the English horse were least able to pursue The chase was given from one of the clocke in the afternoone till almost six It reached fiue miles in length and foure in breadth all which waies the Scots scattered in their flight Iackes Swords Bucklers Daggers or whatsoeuer was either cumbersome or of weight to impeach their hast yea some cast off their shooes and dublets and fled in their shirts Divers other devises were practised to avoid or deferre the present danger Some intreated and offered large ransomes some being pursued only by one sodainly turned head and made resistance by whom many horses were disabled and some of their horses either slaine or hurt The Earle of Angus a man of assured both hardinesse and vnderstanding couched in a furrow and was passed ouer for dead vntill a horse was brought for his escape 2000 others lying all the day as dead departed in the night Divers others plunged into the river Eske and couered themselues vnder roots branches of trees many so streined themsesues in their race that they fell downe breathlesse and dead whereby they seemed in running from their deaths to runne vnto it The English discerned in their retreit that the execution had beene too cruell and farre exceeding the bounds of ordinary hostility which happely was a cause in the secret iudgment of God that they had no better fruit of their victory The dead bodies lâ—…y all the way scattered so thicke as a man may see sheepe grazing in a well stored pasture most slaine in the head or necke for that the horsemen could not well touch lower with their swords and scarse credible it is how soone they were stripped and laid naked vpon the ground But then againe the eyes of all men were fastned vpon them with pitty and admiration to behold so many naked bodies as for talnesse of stature whitnesse of skinne largenesse and due proportion of limbes could hardly be equalled in any one country The ground where their severall battailons first brake lay strewed with pikes so thicke as a sloore is vsually strewed with rushes whereby the plâ—…ces could hardly be passed ouer either by horse or by foot the riuer Eske ran red with blood so as they who perished therein might almost bee said to bee drowned in their fellowes blood On the otherside when they came to the place where the English men at Armes had beene defeated many of their horses were found grieuously gashed or goared to death The English who there perished were so deeply wounded especially on the head that not one could be discerned by his face Braue Edward Shellie who was the first man that charged was knowne only by his beard Little Preston for that both his hands were cut off being known to haue worne bracelets of gold about his wrests others were brought to knowledge by some such particular marks Hereby appeareth as I said before what blessing is growne to both nations by their late happy vnion when before they were like two rude encountring Rammes whereof he that escapes best is sure of a blowe Divers of the Nobilitie of Scotland were here slaine and many Gentlemen both of worth and noble birth of the inferior sort about 10000 as some say 14000 lost their liues Of the English were slaine 51 horsemen one footman but a farre greater number hurt The Scottish prisoners accounted by the Marshals booke were about 1500. The chiefe whereof were the Earle of Huntley the Lords Yester Hoblie and Hamilton the M r of Sampoole and the L. of Wimmes A Herault was also taken but discharged forthwith The execution was much maintained by the Scots owne swords scattered in every place For no sooner had an English horseman brake his sword but forthwith he might take vp another Insomuch that many of them brake three or foure before their returne So apparant is the hand of God against violation of faith that it is often chastised by the meanes appointed to defend it Of all other the English men were least favourable to the Priests and Monkes by the Scots called Kirkmen who had beene equally troublesome in peace and vnprofitable in warre To whom many as well English as Scots imputed the calamity of that day these made a band of 3 or 4000 as it was said but they w'ere not altogether so many howbeit many Bishops and Abbots were amongst them from these divers Scots feared more harme by victory then they found among their enimies by their ouerthrow After the field a banner was found of white sarcâ—…net whereon a woman was painted her haire about her shoulders kneeling before a crucifix on her right hand a church and along the banner in faire letters written Afflictae ecclesiae ne obliuiscaris This was supposed to haue beene the Kirkemens banner But could this crucifix haue spoken as one is said to haue spoken to S t Francis and another to S t Thomas it might happely haue told them that neither religious persons are fit men for armes nor armes fit meanes either to establish or advance Religion I must not forget the fidelity of a Scottish souldier towards the Earle of Huntly He finding the Earle assaulted by the English and without his helmet tooke of his owne headpeece and put it on the Earles head The Earle was therewith taken prisoner but the souldier for want thereof was presently stroke downe This Earle was of great courage for this cause much loued of his souldiers to whom he was no lesse louing againe This he manifested by his great care for such Scottish prisoners as were either wounded or poore providing at his proper charge cure for the one and releife for the other This Earle being asked whilst he was prisoner how he stood affected to the marriage answered that he was well affected to fauour the marriage but he nothing liked that kinde of wooing Certaine of those who escaped by slight excused their dishonor not without a sharpe iest against some of their leaders affirming that as they had followed them into the field so it was good reason they should follow them out Those bitter tests the more truth they carry the more biting memory they leaue behinde The day of this fight being the 10 th of September seemeth to be a most disastious day to the Scotâ—… not only in regard of this ouerthrow but for that vpon the same day 34 yeares before they were in like sort defeated by the English at Flodden field The victory raised exceeding ioy among the English partly because it came so cheape partly by reason of the great danger and greater terror that had bin cast vpon them by reason of the repulse and disarray of their men at Armes Now as seâ—…ldome one accident either prosperous or adverse cometh vnaccompanied with the like so this calamity hapned not to the Scots alone For whilst the English army had thus drawne both the preparations
never entertained into any religion but presently they tooke deepe root in the hearts and consciences of the common people When Leo Isauricus surnamed Iconomadius assembled a counsell at Constantinople wherein it was decreed that Images should be cast out of Churches and burnt the West part of his Empire did therevpon first rebell afterwards revolt And yet while these proceedings were but in the bud affaires of state without the Realme were maintained in good condition of honour but seemed rather to stand at a stay then either to advance or decline In Scotland the warres were maintained by the L. Gray of Wilton Lieutenant of the North with variable successe he fortified Haddington fired Dawkeith and wonne the Castle where foureteene Scots were slaine and 300 taken prisoners hee spoiled much of the country about Edenburgh Lowthum and Meers fired Muscleborough and fortified Lowder tooke Yester at the yeelding whereof he granted life to all except to one who had vsed vild speeches against K. Edward Those speeches were commonly cast vpon one Newton but he charged them vpon one Hamilton Herevpon Hamilton challenged Newton to the combate which hee did readily accept and the L. Gray consented to the triall to this purpose Lists were erected in the market place at Haddington whereinto at the time appointed both the combatants entered apparelled only in their doublets and hoses and weapned with sword buckler and dagger At the first encounter Hamilton draue Newton almost to the end of the lists which if he had fully done he had thereby remained victorious but Newton on the suddaine gaue him such a gash on the legge that therewith he fell to the ground Newton forthwith dispatched him with his dagger certaine gentlemen then present offered to haue fought with Newton vpon the same point but this was adiudged to be against the lawes of combate wherefore Newton was not only acquited but rewarded with a chaine of gold with the gowne which the Lord Gray did then weare howbeit many were perswaded that he was saulty and happily neither of them was free but he enioyed neither his escape nor his honor long for soone after he was hewen in pieces by Hamiltons friends On the other side the Scots became before Broughticragge with 8000 men and 8 pieces of Artillerie but it was for that time well defended by the English who by often sallies enforced their enimies with losse of their Artillerio to abandon the attempt after this diverse other enterprises were made vpon that fort at the last it was taken where the Scots slue all except Sir Iohn Latterel the captaine who was taken prisoner And now Henry the 2 d of France having newly succeeded Francis the first who dyed the last of March 1547. sent Mounsieur Dâ—…ssie his Liâ—…utenant into Scotland with an armie of about 10000 French Almaines who ioining with the Scots besieged Haddington and that with so good earnest as sixe pieces of artillerie discharged 340. shot in one day and in another â—…00 within 60 pâ—…ees of the wall they lodged so neere within the very ditches that the English 〈◊〉 divers of them with plummers of lead tyed to a trunâ—… or 〈◊〉 by a cord the place was but weake and the 〈◊〉 faire but the defendants by resolution supplyed all the defects making divers fallies with such liuely spirit that the Assaylâ—…nts were thereby discouraged from making assault The English from Barwicke with about 1500 horse did often relieue the defendants by breaking through the the middest of their enemies but at the last they were so strongly both encountred and encloased betweene the French Almaines and Scots that Sir Thomas Palmer the chiefe leader and about 400 were taken prisoners and divers slaine Herevpon the Earle of Shrewsbury was sent with an army of about 15000 men whereof 3000 were Almaines but vpon notice of his approach the French raised the field retyred so farre as Musâ—…leborough there encamped attributing much honour to the English for their vasour in regard of the small strength of the place which they defended when the Earle 〈◊〉 viâ—…uilled re-enforced the towne he marched 〈◊〉 â—…ard the enimies and encamped neere vnto them and first a fewe of the English horse aproached neere the army of the French who sent forth some troopes of their horse to encounter them but the English retyred vntill they had drawn the French into an ambush laid for the purpose and then charging together they had them cheap amongst which two captaines of account were taken prisoners The next day the Earle presented his army in plaine field before the enimies campe cloased in three bodies and ranged ready to abide battaile The French had newly receiued supply of 14 or 15000 Scots but yet remained within their strength holding it no wisdome to venter on men resolud to fight who being forthwith to depart the realme and could neither longe endanger nor indamage them much So the Earle after that he had remained about an hower and perceiuing that the French intended not to forsake their strength returned vnto his campe and afterwarde to England destroying Donbarr and some other which stood neere his passage the Army being dissolud and the Scots thought secure the Lord Gray with his horsemen entred Scotland did great wast in Tâ—…uedale and Liddesdale for the space of 20 miles and returned without encounter Also a navy was apoynted to coast along with the army before mentioned This fleet coming to Brent Iland fired 4 ships then atempting vpon S. Minees were repulsed by the Lord Dun and so without either glory or gaine returned into Englande Not long after the departure of the English army M r Dassie with his French and Almaines attempted sodenly to surprise Haddington the enterprise was gouerned in so secret manner that the French had slaine the English escouts and entred the base courte and aproached the maine gates before any alarme was taken but then the Townesmen came forth many in their shirts who with the helpe of the watch susteined the assault vntill the Souldiers in better apointment came to their aide These issued into the base court through a pryuie posterne and sharpely visited the Assailants with Halbeards and swordes Here the fight grew hot the darkenes and danger terrifying some and animating others Blowes flew at all adventures woundes and deathes given and taken vnexpected many scarce knowing their enimies from their friends But shame wrought such life and courage in the English as very few of the enimies who entered the court escaped aliue leauing their fellowes bleeding in their deadly wounds yet M r Dassie not discouraged herewith gaue 3 liuely assaults more that morning but was repelled with so great losse that 16 Carts and Waggons were charged with carrying away their dead and dying bodies besides 300 left in the base court After divers like adventures the English perceiving that the towne could not bee kept without danger nor lost without dishonour The Earle of Rutland was sent
with 3000 Almaines and as many borderers to demolish the towne and to bring the artillerie a way to Barwicke The Earle not only accomplished his Charge but made wide wast in his passage by ruine and spoyle Herewith the castle of Hame was sodenly surprised by the Scots and all the English therein either taken or ◅laine This was effected by meanes of certaine Scots who vsed to bring victualls to the English and were reputed their assured frindes these both obseruing the weakenes of the place and orders of the garrison discouered them to their fellowes and gaue entertainement for the surprise Giueing also warning to others never to trust either the cur◅syes or services of those whom they haue provoked to be their enimies About these times S r Edward Bellingham Lo Deputie of Ireland first with great diligence and care then credite and ◅eputation especially gained by that service tooke Ocanor and Omor and reduced the other seditious Lords to good subiection Ocanor and Omor guided by overlate counsaile of necessity left their Lordships and had a yeerely pension of 100 l assigned to either of them And now the French supposing that by reason partly of suspence of hostility betweene England and France and partly of the English affaires in other places matters with them would be neglected determined to attempt a suddaine surprise of the fortresse of Bullingberge to this end 7000 men were appointed vnder the conduct of M r Chastilion furnished with ladders and other preparations for the surprise They marched secretly in the dead time of the night and when they approached within a quarter of a league On Carter who had beene discharged of his pay by the English for takeing a French woman to wife and then serued vnder the French ranne privily before and gaue the Alarme to those in the Forte The English drewe him vp the walles betweene two pikes and vnderstanding the danger addressed thē selues to their defence by reason wherof the French at their approach had so warme a welcome every of the English contending that his valour might be noted for some helpe in the fight that at their departure they laded 15 wagons with their dead Carter himselfe adventured brauely in places of greatest danger and receiued two great hurts in his body S r Nicholas Arnault the captaine was likewise hurte with a pike in the face diuers others were wounded about 25 slaine The assault continued with great obstinacy from midnight vntill somwhat after the breake of day Shortly after 300 English on foote and 25 horsemen were appointed to goe to a wood about 2 leagues from Bullingberge hauing carriages with them for bringing certaine timber for mounting great Artillery and some other vses when they approached neerer the edge of the woode about 500 French horsemen issued forth and gaue three sharpe charges vpon them the English empaled themselues with their pikes and therewith bare off their enimies and being lined with shot the cruell plague of horsemen the French were in such sort galled with arrowes that many were wounded M r Ca◅ret and diuers others slaine 70 great horses lay dead in the field and one Cornet was taken The English fearing greater forces began to retyre and therewith appeared about 2000 French and Almaines on foote But the English maintained an orderly retreat vntill they came within favour of the shot of Bullingberge and then the enimy adventured no further in this manner the old wounds of warre began freshly to open bleede betweene England and France But in this meane time such tempests of sedition tumbled in England more by default of governors then the peoples impatience to liue in subiection that not only the honour but the safetie of the state was thereby endangered For as the commissioners before mentioned passed to divers places for establishing of their new iniunctions many vnsavory scornes were cast vpon thē ◅he further they wenr from London as the people were more vnciuill so did they more rise into insolencie contempt At the last as one M r Body a commissioner was pulling downe images in Cornwall he was sodainely stabbed into the body by a Priest with a knife Herevpon the people more regarding commotioners then commissioners slocked together in diverse parts of the shire as clouds cluster against a storme and albeit iustice was afterwards done vpon the offenders the Principall being hanged and quartered in Smithfield and divers of his chiefe complices executed in divers parts of the Realme albeit so ample a pardon was proclaimed for all others within that shire touching any action or speech tending to treason yet could not the boldnesse be beaten down either with that severity or with this lenity be abated For the mischiefe forthwith spread into Wiltshire and Somersetsoire where the people supposing that a common wealth could not stand without Commons beat downe enclosures laid parkes and fields champaine But S r William Herbert afterwardes Earle of Pembroke with a well armed ordered company set sharpely vpon them and oppressing some of the forwardest of them by death suppressed all the residue by feare But their duty depending vpon feare the one was of no greater continuance then the other The like motions followed in Sussex Hampshire Kent Glocestershire Warwickeshire Essex Hartfordshire Leicestershire Worcestershire and Rutlandshire But being neither in numbers nor in courage great partly by authority of Gentlemen and partly by entreaty and advice of honest persons they were reduced to some good appeasement as with people more guided by ◅age then by right yet not altogether mad it was not vneasy But herein happely some error was committed that being only brought to a countenanc◅ of quiet regard was not had to distinguish the rebellion fully For soone after they brake forth more dangerously then before for no part could content them who aimed at all After this the people in Oxfordshire ' Devonshire Northfolke and Yorkeshire fell into the same madnes incensed by such who being in themselues base and degenerate and dangerous to the state had no hope but in troblesome times To Oxfordshire the Lord Gray of Wilton was sent with 1500 horse and soote to whō the gentlmen of the country resorted drawing many followers with them the very name of the Lord Gray being knowne to be a man of great valour and fortune so terrified the seditious that vpon the very report of his approach more then halfe fell away and dispersed of the residue who being either more desperate or more sottish did abide in the field many were presently slaine many taken and forthwith executed To Devonshire was sent Iohn Lord Russell Lord of the priuy seale whose forces being indeed or being by him distrusted to be inferior to the importance of the service he sate downe at Honington whilest the seditious did almost what they would vpon this heavines of the kings forces going forward interpr◅ted to be feare and want of mettle divers either of the most audacious or such as pouerty
as of meane birth so prone to thrust forwards the ruine of great persons in this manner spake vnto them I am not ignorant into what aduenture I now plunge my selfe in speaking against a man both high in honour and great in fauour both with the King and many of the people But my duty prevailing against respect of danger I will plainly declare the discontentments of the Lords of his Maiesties counsaile haue already conceiued against the actions past of the Lorde Protector as also their fears touching matters to ensue that with your aide they may in good time happily remedy the one and remoue the other assuring you all that as I will not vtter any thing falsly so will I forbeare to tell many truths And first to touch vpon his open ambition with what good reason or purpose thinke wee did he being a man of many imperfections as want of eloquence personage learning or good wit aspire to the great offices of gouerning all affaires of state sit for none but whom God hath fauoured with fitting graces And albeit these defects might haue beene well supplied by sufficiency of others of the counsaile yet was hee so peeuishly opiniatiue and proud that he would neither aske nor heare the advice of any but was absolutely ruled by the obstinate and imperous woman his wife whose ambitious and mischieuous will so guided him in the most weighty affaires of the realme that albeit he was counsailed by others what was best yet would he doe quite contrary least he should seeme to need their aduice And yet this was not enough as auarice and ambition haue neuer enough but to adde dignity to authority and to make sure that as no man should as in power so in title surmount him he would be aduanced to the Degree of Duke of Somerset which hath alwaies beene a title for one of the kings sonns inheritable to the crowne And albeit it may seeme a light matter to speake of bribery and extortion against him yet his robberies and oppressions haue beene such that no man would willingly haue adventured to commit them vnlesse he thought by treason so to assure himselfe as he could not be called to answere for them For he hath laid his rauenous hands vpon the Kings treasure and Iewels left by his Father which were knowne to be of an inestimable value that it might well be said euen as he had giuen forth that K. Henry died a very poore prince and had beene vtterly shamed in case he had liued one quarter of a yeare longer Then also what hauocke hath he made of the Kings lands and inheritance What sales and exchanges vpon pretence of necessity And yet what a high deale hath he transported to himselfe Without regard of others who haue emploied their trauailes estates in seruice of the King of his deceased Father What artes hath he vsed to spend those spare himself against the time of his mischievous purpose How greedily how insatiably hath he neuer ceased the whilest to rake gleane mony together What shamefull sale of offices preferments hath he made nothing regarding the worthinesse of the person but the worth and weight of the gift Betraying thereby the administration of the realme into the hands both of worthlesse and corrupt men To speake nothing the whilest of his minte at Duresme place erected vsed for his priuate profit To speake nothing of the great Boutisale of colledges and chantries to speake nothing of all his other particular pillages all which were so farre from satisfying his bottomles desires that he proceeded to fleece the whole Commonwealth to cut and pare it to the very quicke For vnder colour of warre which either his negligence drew on or his false practises procured he leuied such a subsidie vpon the whole realme as neuer was asked a greater at once which should not haue needed albeit the warres had beene iust in case he had not imbereled the Kings treasure as he did for besides he extorted money by way of loane from all men who were supposed to haue it and yet left the Kings souldiers and servants vnpaid But in all these pretended necessities how profuse was he in his priuate expences Carrying himselfe rather as fitting his owne greatnesse then the common good How did he riot surfeit vpon vaine hopes as if new supply for wast would neuer want What treasures did he bury in his sumptuous buildings And how foolish and fancifull were they A fit man forsooth to gouerne a realme who had so goodly gouernment in his owne estate All these things as there are but few but know so we may be assured that hee neuer durst haue committed halfe of them with a minde to haue remained a subiect vnder the law and to be answerable for his actions afterwards but did manifestly intend to heape his mischiefs with so high a treason as he might climbe aboue his soveraigne and stand sure beyond reach of law And for inducement to this his traiterous designe he suborned his seruants and certaine preachers to spread abroad the praises of his government with as much abasing the noble King Henry as without impudence they could deuise Following therein the practises of K. Richard the tyrant by deprauing the Father to honour the sonne to extinguish the loue of the people to the young King by remembring some imperfections of his Father which example both traiterous and vnnaturall who doubts but his heart was ready to follow whose heart was ready to defame his father and set nought by his mother as it is well knowne and to procure yea labour the death of his brother whom albeit the law and consent of many had condemned vpon his owne speeches yet his earnest endeauor therein did well declare what thoughts can sinke into his vnnaturall breast what foule shifts he would haue made rather thē that his brother should haue escaped death to that end that he might remoue at once both an impeachment to his poysenous purposes a surety to the Kings life estate To this ende he also practised to dispatch such of the nobility as were like to oppose against his mischeiuous drift in such sort either to encumber weaken the rest that they should be noe impediments to him In the meane time he endeauored to winne the common people both by strayned curtesy by loosenes of life whereto he gaue not only licence but encouragement and meanes And the better to advance his intents he deviseth to intangle the realme not only with outward warre that with rumor thereof his dangerous diuices might be obscured bu◅ but with inward sedition by stirring and nourishing discontentments among the nobility gentry and commons of the realme This he did vnder pretence of such matters as all men desired might be redressed more gladly then hee but in a more quiet and setled time But the time seemed most convenient for him when vnder the sweete pretence of release and libertie to the
on foote 4000 l accounting the gulden at 3 s 4 d but accounting it more as without a higher valuation little seruice happily some mischiefe might be expected the monethly pay to strangers amounted higher Hereby a great error was discouered in that the strangers for defence of Boulaine were of greater strength then were the English Now the English commissioners hauing first procured some releife both for victualls pay prepared a tent without the towne for meeting with the French But they erected a house on the further side of the water within their owne territory in a manner halfe way betweene their forte and the towne The English perswaded the French to surcease their building pretending but for their fantasies it was not necessarie because neither their treaty was like to continue long neither was it by solemne meeting that the businesse in hand must be effected But in truth they feared least if peace should not follow the French might in short time either with filling or massing the house or else by fortifying make such a piece as might annoy the hauen or the towne Notwithstanding the French not only proceeded but refused any other place of enteruiew At their first meeting much time was spent in ceremony of salutation Then the commissions were read then M r de Mortier in a sharpe speech declared that the French King their M t had vpon iust grounds entred the warre for recouery of his right and defence of his allies yet was he well minded for an honourable peace so as the things for which the warre began might be brought to some reasonable appointment and hearing of the like disposition of the King of England he had sent them to treat of those affaires nothing doubting but that the English would accord to the restitution of Bouline and other pieces of their late conquest which so long as they should keepe so long they may be assured the warre would continue He further added that Bouline was but a bare ruinous Towne without territory or any other commodity to ballance the charge of defending it against the power of France Lastly he said there should want no good will in them to bring matters to good appointment hopeing to finde the like affection in the English After that the English commissioners had conferred a while the Lord Paget answered that the causes of the warre both with them and their Allies whom he tooke to be the Scots being iust and honourable The towne of Bouline other pieces subdued aswell by their late great master against them as by the K. their then M r against their Allies were acquired by iust title of victory and therefore in keeping of them no iniury was offered either to the French King or to the Scots But the further declaration hee left off vntill their next meeting because both the time was spent and the tide summoned them to departe Touching the good inclination of the King their M r hee had declared it well by sending them thither in whom they should finâ—…e such good conformity that if good successe ensued not the fault should be which they expected not in the French Nothing else was done sauing a surcease of hostility concluded for 15 daies which was proclaimed in both the frontires At the next meeting the Lord Paget spent much speech in setting forth the King of Englands title to Bulloine and to his debts and pension from the French king with all arrerages together with the iustice of his warre against the Scots The French were as earnest in maintaining the contrary wanting no words whatsoeuer their reasons were For betweene great Princes the greatest strength carrieth the greatest reason At the last M r de Mortier roundly said that to cut off all contentions of words he would propose two means for peace All that for old matters of pensions debts and arrerages the English should make white books and neuer mention them more but for Bulloine to set the higher value or else said he let old quarrells remaine so as your right may be reserued to clime and ours to defende And let vs speake frankly of some recompence for Boulloine As for the Scottish Queene For this had beene also mentioned before our King is resolued to keepe her for his sonne and therefore we desire you to speake thereof no more but of what other points you please so as we may draw shortly to an end The Lord Paget answered for the other commissioners that they had greatest reason to desire a speedy end but the matters whereupon they stood were of greater importance then to be determined vpon the sodaine For said he you may make doubts as you please But if the debt to our King be not iust being confessed iudged sworne and by many treaties confirmed wee know not what may be deemed iust neither is it a summe to be slenderly regarded being 2000000 crownes cleere debt besides 12000 crowns resting in dispute The iustice of the warres against Scotland he maintained aswell in regarde of breach of treatise with themselues as for that contrarie to their comprehension in the last treaty of France they had inuaded England in these entercourses the whole afternoone being spent it was agreed that both parties should advise vpon such matters as had beene propounded vntill the next meeting But the French either hauing or supposing that they had aduantage ouer the English partly by reason of their firme intelligence in the English court and partly because they found the English commissioners much yeelding to their desires as first in cumming into France then to Bouline lastly to a house of their owne erecting began to be stiffe and almost intractable sharpely pressing both for speedie resolution and short times for meetings But Guidolti continually trauailed to draw both parties to conformity the French being willing to be entreated by their friend to their most dissembled desires Guidolty in steed of the Queene of Scots propounded that the French kings daughter should bee ioyned in marriage to the King of England affirming that if it were a drie peace it would hardly be durable but hereto the English gaue no inclinable care Then he deliuered 17 reasons in writing for which he said it was necessarie for the English to conclude a peace The English demanded how many reasons he had for the French he answered that he had also his reasons for them which he intended likewise to deliuer in writing At the next meeting the French shewed themselues as before peremptory and precise standing stifly vpon their owne ouertures which they had they said no commission to exceede and therefore they refused to treat either of the pension or debt demanded by the English and declared themselues rather desirous then willing to breake off the treaty The English answered that before their comming Guidolti had declared from the French King that so as Bulloine might be rendred all that was owing from him to the King of England should be paid which Guidolti
with greater magnificence then euer before For whether it were to maintaine his maiesty or to manifest the feare which had beene formerly impressed he caried with him a band of 320 men which made vp his whole traine aboue the number of 4000 horse But because this multitude was burthensome to the Country through which he passed which did afford little meadow or pasture because also it seemed to bewray distrust as if the King should thinke that he rather marched among dangerous rebells then tooke his pleasure among faithfull and quiet disposed subiects about the middest of his progresse the greatest part was discharged For furnishing the charge of this progresse 500 pound weight of gold was coined with 1500 pounds sterling Soone after the King did complaine of a continuall infirmity of body yet rather as an indisposition in health then any set sicknesse And about that time certaine prodigies were seene either as messengers or signes of some imminent and eminent euiâ—…l At Middleton eleuen miles from Oxford a woman brought forth a female child which had two bodies from the nauill vpward so vnited at the nauill as when they were laid in length the one stretched directly opposite to the other from the nauill downward it was but one it liued weakly 18 daies and then both bodies died together Vpon birth of such monsters the Grecians and after them the Romans did vse diuerse sorts of expiations and to goe about their principall citties with many solemne ceremonies and sacrafices supposing hereby that wrath from heauen was menaced against them At Quinborough three great Dolphins were taken and a few daies following at Blackwall sixe which were brought to London the least in bignesse exceeding any horse After this three great fishes were taken at Grauesend called Whirlepooles and drawen vpon the Kings bridge at Westminster These accidents the more rarely they happen the more ominous are they commonly esteemed either because they are so indeed or because they are neuer obserued but when sad euents doe ensue In Ianuary about the beginning of the 7 th yeare of the Kings raigne his sicknesse did more apparantly shew it selfe especially by the symptome of a tough strong streining cough All the medicines and diet which could be prescribed together with the helpes both of his yong age and of the rising time of the yeare were so farre either from curing or abating his griefe that it daily encreased by dangerous degrees it was not only a violence of the cough thad did insect him but therewith a weaknesse and faintnes of spirit which shewed plainly that his vitall parts were most strongly and strangely assaulted and the talke hereof among the people was so much the more because through an opinion obscurely raised but running as most absurd that his sicknesse grew by a slow working poison Vpon this cause it happened that a Parliament beginning vpon the first day of March was vpon the last of the same moneth dâ—…ssolued And now the danger of the Kings sicknesse was much laâ—…ented not only by his owne people but by strangers abroad because his curtesy and wisdome had begot to him such loue that he was no lesse honoured by those who heard of him then of those who conversed with him For he was famous in all places by reason of his foresight and iudgment in affaires and did so well temper the greatnes of his estate both with modestie and with grauitie that he auoided enuie by the one and contempt by the other Some compared him with the greatest persons that had beene both for warre and peace because in the like pitch of yeares none of them attained to the like perfections Haply hee did not appeare in souldiery so great but that was because he was not so rash being also drawne backe from his pursuâ—…es abroad by domesticall disorders and diuisions both amongst the people and Nobilitie of his Realme by reason whereof he scarce seemed well seâ—…led in his Chaire of Estate and yet his fortunes were alwayes Victorious It hapned during his sicknesse that Doctor Ridley Bishop of London preached before him and in his Sermon much commended workes of charitie which as they were a dutie for all men to performe so most especially for men in mâ—…st especiall dignitie and place as well in regard of their large abiâ—…ities as for that they were much obliged to giue examples of goodnesse to others the same day after dinner the King sent for him priuatly into the Gallery at White-Hall caused him to sit in a chaire by him would not permit him to remaine vncouered and then after courteous thankes he reported all the principall points of his Sermon and further added I tooke my selfe to be especially touched by your speech as well in regard of the abilities which God hath giuen me as in regard of the example which from mee hee will require for as in the Kingdome I am next vnder God so must I most neerely approach to him in goodnesse and in mercie for as our miseries stand most in need from him so are we the greatest debtors debtors to all that are miserable and shall be the greatest accomptants of our dispensation therein And therefore my Lord as you haue giuen me I thanke you this generall exhortation so direct me I intreat you by what particular actions I may this way best discharge my dutie The Bishop partly astonished and partly ouerioyed with these speeches was strucke into a sad silence for a time at last â—…eares and words breaking forth together he declared to the King so as he little expected such a question so was he not furnished with a present answer for this matter had a great mixture of a ciuill gouernment wherein he concelued that the Citizens of London had best experience as ouerburthened with multitudes of poore not only of their owne but from all parts of the Realme besides and therefore as they best know both the qualitie of such people and the inconueniences which they occasion so could they best aduise what remedies were fittest wherefore if the King were pleased to afford his Letters to that effect he would confer with them and in very short time returne with answer The King forth with caused his Letters to be written and would not suffer the Bishop to depart vntill hee had firmed them with his hand and Signet and enioyned the Bishop to be the messenger imposing great charge for expedition The Bishop hasted with his Letters to the Lord Maior who presently assembled certaine Aldermen and foure and twentiâ—… Commissioners by whose aduice the poore were cast into three companies and â—…orts some were poore by impotenciâ—… of nature as young fatheâ—…lesse children old decrepit persons Ideots Criples and such like others arâ—… poore by facultie as wounded souldiers diseased and sicke persons and the like the third sort arâ—… the poorâ—… by 〈◊〉 or vnthriâ—…itinesse as riotiâ—…us spenders vagabonds 〈◊〉 lewâ—… strumpeâ—…s and their companions that the first of these were to be educated