slaine and doubting his owne end Leapes vp into a chaire that lo was there The-whiles the King did all his courage bend Against those foure which now before him were Doubting not who behind him doth attend And plyes his hands vndaunted vnaffeard And with good heart and life for life he stird 77 And whiles he this and that and each mans blowe Doth eye defend and shift being layd-to sore Backward he beares for more aduantage now Thinking the wall would safegard him the more When lo with impious hand ô wicked thou That shamefull durst not come to strike before Behind him gav'st that lamentable wound Which layd that wretched Prince slat on the ground 78 Now proditorious wretch what hast thou done To make this barbarous base assassinate Vpon the person of a Prince and one Fore-spent with sorrow and all desolate What great aduancement hast thou hereby wonne By being the instrument to perpetrate So foule a deed where is thy grace in Corte For such a seruice acted in this sort 79 First he for whom thou dost this villanie Though pleas'd therewith will not auouch thy fact But let the weight of thine owne infamie Fall on thee vnsupported and vnbackt Then all men else will loath thy treacherie And thou thy selfe abhorre thy proper act So th' Wolfe in hope the Lyons grace to win Betraying other beastes lost his owne skinne 80 But now as this sweet Prince distended lay And him nor Life nor Death their owne could call For Life remouing rid not all away And Death though entring had not seis'd on all That short-tym'd motion had a little stay The mouer ceasing though it were but small As th' Organ-sound a time suruiues the stop Before it doth the dying note giue vp 81 When lo there streames a spring of bloud so fast From those deepe woundes as all imbru'd the face Of that accursed cay tiue as he past After the deed effected through the place And there withall those dying eyes did cast Such an vpbray ding looke on his disgrace Seeming to checke so cowardly a part As lest th' impression euen in his hart 82 And this one King most neere in bloud ally'd Is made th' oblation for the others peace Which peace yet was not hereby ratifi'd So as it could all future feares release For though the other did forth with prouide To haue the rumour run of his decease By drawing the corps to London where it was Layd three dayes to be seene with open face 83 Yet so great was this execrable deed As men would searce therein belieue their eyes Much lesse their eares and many sought to feed The easie creditours of nouelties By voycing him aliue how hee was freed By strange escape out of his miseries And many did conspire now to relieue Him dead who had forsaken him aliue 84 And many suffred for his Cause when now He had none many wisht for him againe When they perceiv'd th' exchange did not allow Their hopes so much as they did looke to gaine By traffiquing of kings and all saw how Their full exspectances were in the wane They had a King was more then him before But yet a king where they were nought the more 85 And sure this murthred Prince though weake he was He was not ill nor yet so weake but that He shew'd much Martiall valour in his place Aduentring oft his person for the State And might amongst our better Princes passe Had not the flatterie rapine and debate Of factious Lords and greedie Officers Disgrac't his actions and abus'd his yeares 86 Nor is it so much Princes weakenesses As the corruption of their Ministers Wherby the Common-wealth receiues distress For they attending their particulars Make imperfections their aduantages To be themselues both Kings and Councellors And sure this Common-wealth can neuer take Hurt by weake kings but such as we doo make 87 Besides he was which people much respect In Princes and which pleases vulgarly Of goodly personage and of sweete aspect Of milde accesle and liberalitie And feastes and shewes and triumphs did affect As the delights of youth and iollitie But here the great profusion and expence Of his reuences bred him much offence 88 And gaue aduantage vnto enmitie This grieuous accusation to prefer That he consum'd the common Treasurie Whereof he being the simple vsager But for the State not in proprietie Did alien at his pleasure and transfer The same t' his minions and to whome hee list By which the Common-wealth was to subsist 89 Whereby sayd they the poore concussed State Shall euer be exacted for supplyes Which accusation was th' occasion that His successour by order nullifies Many his Patents and did reuocate And reassume his liberalities And yet for all these wasles these gifts and feasts He was not found a Bankrupt in his chests 90 But they who tooke to Syndicque in this sorte The Actions of a Monarch knew those things Wherein the accoumpts were likely to fall short Betweene the State of Kingdomes and their Kings Which president of pestilent import Had not the heauens blest thy indeuourings Against thee Henry had beene likewise brought Th' example made of thy example wrought 91 For though this bountie and this liberalness A glorious vertue be it better fits Great men then kings who giuing in excesse Giue not their owne but others benefits Which calles-vp manies hopes but pleasures lesse Destroying far more loue then it begets For Iustice is their Virtue that alone Makes them sit sure and glorifies the Throne The ende of the third Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT King Henrie his excuses publishes For Richards death and truce doth intertaine With France The Scots aggrieu'd for wrongs address Themselues to warre and are appeas'd againe The Welsh rebell The Percies practises To part the State are stopt in battell slaine Continuall troubles still afflict this King Till Death an end doth to his trauailes bring 1 THe bounds once ouer-gone that hold men in They neuer stay but on from bad to worse Wrongs do not leaue off there where they begin But still beget new mischiefes in their course Now Henrie thou hast added to thy sinne Of vsurpation and intruding force A greater crime which makes that gone before T' appeare more then it did and noted more 2 For now thou art inforc't t'apologise With forraine States for two enormious things Wherein thou dost appeare to scandalise The publike Right and common Cause of Kings Which though with all the skill thou canst deuise Thou ouerlay'st with fayrest colourings Yet th'vnder-worke transparent shewes too plaine Where open acts accuse th' excuse is vaine 3 And these defences are but complement◠To dallie with confining Potentates Who busied in their proper gouernments Do seldome tend th' affaires of other States Their wisedome which to present powre consents Liue-dogges before dead Lyons estimates And no man more respects these publike wrongs Then so much as t' his priuate state belongs 4
Whil'st Kin their Kin Brother the Brother foyles Like Ensignes all against like Ensignes band Bowes against Bowes the Crowne against the Crowne Whil'st all pretending right all right 's throwne downe 2 What furie ô what madnes held thee so Deare England too too prodigall of blood To waste so much and warre without a foe Whilst Fraunce to see thy spoyles at pleasure stood How much might'st thou haue purchast with lesse woe T' haue done thee honour and thy people good Thine might haue beene what-euer lies betweene The Alps and vs the Pyrenei and Rhene 3 Yet now what reason haue we to complaine Since hereby came the calme we did inioy The blisse of thee Eliza happie gaine For all our losse when-as no other way The Heauen could finde but to vnite againe The fatall sev'red Families that they Might bring foorth thee that in thy peace might growe That glorie which few Times could euer showe 4 Come sacred Virtue I no Muse but thee Inuoke in this great labour I intend Doo thou inspire my thoughts infuse in mee A power to bring the same to happie end Rayse vp a worke for later times to see That may thy glorie and my paynes commend Make me these tumults rightly to rehearse And giue peace to my life life to my verse 5 And thou Charles Montioy who didst once afford Rest for my fortunes on thy quiet shore And cheer'dst mee on these measures to record In grauen tones then I had vs'd before Beholde my gratitude makes good my word Ingag'd to thee although thou be no more That I who heretofore haue liv'd by thee Doo giue thee now a roome to liue with me 6 And MEMORIE preserv'resse of things done Come thou vnfold the woundes the wracke the waste Reueale to me how all the strife begunne Twixt Lancaster and Yorke in ages past How causes counsels and euents did runne So long as these vnhappie times did last Vnintermixt with fictions fantasies I versifie the troth not Poetize 7 And to the ende wee may with better ease Discerne the true discourse vouehsafe to showe What were the times foregoing neere to these That these we may with better profit knowe Tell how the world sell into this disease And how so great distemperature did growe So shall we see by what degrees it came How things at full do soone wex out of frame 8 Ten Kings had from the Norman Conqueror raign'd With intermixt and variable fate When England to her greatest height attain'd Of powre dominion glorie wealth and State After it had with much adoo sustain'd The violence of Princes with debate For titles and the often mutinies Of Nobles for their ancient liberties 9 For first the Norman conquering all by might By might was forc't to keepe what he had got Mixing our Customes and the forme of Right With foraine Constitutions he had brought Maistering the mightie humbling the poorer wight By all seuerest meanes that could be wrought And making the succession doubtfull rent This new-got State and left it turbulent 10 VVilliam his sonne tracing his fathers wayes The great men spent in peace or slaine in fight Vpon depressed weaknes onely preyes And makes his force maintaine his doubtfull right His elder brothers clayme vexing his dayes His actions and exactions still incite And giuing Beasles what did to Men pertaine Tooke for a Beast himselfe in th' end was slaine 11 His brother Henrie next commands the State Who Roberts title better to reiect Seekes to repacifie the peoples hate And with faire shewes rather then in effect Allayes those grieuances that heauie sate Reformes the lawes which soone hee did neglect And rest of sounes for whom he did prepare Leaues crowne and strife to Maude his daughters care 12 Whom Stephen his nephew falsifying his Oath Preuents assayles the Realme obtaines the â—â—owne Such tumults raysing as torment them both Whil'st both held nothing certainely their owne Th' afflicted State diuided in their troth And partiall faith most miserable growne Endures the while till peace and Stephens death Gaue some calme leasure to recover breath 13 When Henrie sonne to Maude the Empresse raignes And England into forme and greatnes brought Addes Ireland to this Scepter and obtaines Large Prouinces in Fraunce much treasure gote And from exaction there at home obstaynes And had not his rebellious children sought T' imbroyle his age with tumults he had beene The happiest Monarch that this State had seene 14 Him Richard followes in the gouernment Who much the glory of our Armes increast And all his fathers mighty treasure spent In that deuoutfull Action of the East Whereto whiles he his forces wholly bent Despight and treason his designes opprest A faithlessey brother and a fatall King Cut-off his growth of glory in the spring 15 Which wicked brother contrary to course False Iohn vsurpes his Nephew Arthurs right Gets to the Crowne by craft by wrong by force Rules it with lust oppression rigour might Murders the lawfull heire without remorse Wherefore procuring all the worlds despight A Tyrant loath'd a homicide conuented Poysoned he dyes disgrac't and vnlamented 16 Henrie his sonne is chosen King though young And Lewes of â—â—uce elected first beguil'd After the mighty had debated long Doubtfull to choose a straunger or a child With him the Barrons in these times growne strong Warre for their auncient Lawes so long exil'd He graunts the Charter that prentended ease Yet kept his owne and did his State appease 17 Edward his sonne a Martiall King succeedes Iust prudent graue religious fortunate Whose happy ordered Raigne most fertile breedes Plenty of mighty spirits to strength his State And worthy mindes to manage worthy deedes Th' experience of those times ingenerate For euer great imployment for the great Quickens the blood and honour doth beget 18 And had not his mis-led lasciuious Sonne Edward the second intermitted so The course of glory happily begunne Which brought him and his fauorites to woe That happy current without stop had runne Vnto the full of his sonne Edwards flowe But who hath often seene in such a State Father and Sonne like good like fortunate 19 But now this great Succeeder all repaires And reinduc't that discontinued good He builds vp strength greatnes for his heires Out of the virtues that adornd his blood He makes his Subiects Lords of more then theirs And sets their bounds farre wider then they stood His powre and fortune had sufficient wrought Could but the State haue kept what he had got 20 And had his heire surviu'd him in due course What limits England hadst thou found what barre What world could haue resisted so great force O more then men two thunderbolts of warre Why did not Time your ioyned worth diuorce T' haue made your seueral glories greater farre Too prodigall was Nature thus to doe To spend in one Age what should serue for two 21 But now the Scepter in this glorious
by wrong attaine the Crowne T' was without cryes it cost but little bloud But Yorke by his attempt hath ouer-throwne All the best glorie wherein England stood And did his state by her vndooing winne And was though white without yet red within 35 And thus he hath it and is now to deale For th' intertaining and continuance Of mens affections and to seeke to heale Those foul corruptions which the maintenance Of so long wars bred in the Common-weale He must remunerate prefer aduance His chiefest friendes and prosecute with might The aduerse part doo wrong to doo men right 36 Whil'st Martiall Margaret with her hopefull Sonne Is trauailing in France to purchase ayde And plots and toiles and nothing leaues vndone Though all in vaine For being thus ouer-layd By Fortune and the Time all that is done Is out out of season For she must haue stay'd Till that first heate of mens affections which They beare new Kings were laid and not so much 37 When they should finde that they had gayn'd no more Then th'Asse by changing of his Maisters did Who still must labour as he vs'd before And those expectancies came frustrated Which they had set vpon th' imagin'd score Of their accounts and had considered How that it did but little benefite The Doues To change the Falcon for the Kite 38 And yet braue Queene for three yeares of his Raigne Thou gau'st him little breathing time of rest But still his miseries didst entertaine With new attempts and new assaults addrest And at thy now-returne from France againe Suppli'd with forces once more gatheredst An Army for the Field and brought'st to warre The scattered parts of broken Lancaster 39 And once againe at Exham ledst them on With Scots and French t'another bloody day And there beheldst thy selfe againe vndone With all that Rest whereon thy fortunes lay Where Somerset late to King Edward gone And got his pardon hauing scap't away With noble Percie came to bring their blood Vnto thy side whereto they first had stood 40 Where the Lords Molines Rosse and Hungerford With many else of noble Families Extinguisht were and many that daies sword Cut-off their names in their posterities Where fled againe their lucklesse followed Lord And is so neere pursu'd by th' enemies As th'Ensigne of his Crowne was seiz'd vpon For him who had before his Kingdome wonne 41 And shortly after too his person gat For he now wearied with his long exile And miseries abrode grew passionate With longing to returne t' his natiue soyle And se'ing he could not do the same in State He seekes disguis'd in fashion to beguile The world a time and steale the libertie And sight of his deare Country priuately 42 As if there were for a pursued King A couert left on earth wherein to hide When Powre and Iealousie are trauailing And lay to catch affliction on each side Misfortune serues we see for euery thing And soon he comes God knows to be descry'd And Edward hath the booty he desir'd For whose establishment all things conspir'd 43 Yet long it was not ere a fire began To take in th'inwardst Closet where he lay'd The treasure of his chiefest trust and ran From thence through al his State before it sâ—aid For be'ing a King who his whole fortunes wan With others handes must many leaue vnpay'd And could not fill vp that vast greedinesse Of Expectation which is bottomlesse 44 Though he did all the best that in him lay As a most actiue Prince to satisfie The int'rest of their trauayles and defray The bands contracted twixt his soueraignty And the Republick seeking to allay All greeuances reâ—order equity Reform the Barres that Iustice did abuse Lay easie on the State as new Kings vse 45 As he who hauing found great Treasury The first yeare offers with most gratefull cheere A sheepe of gold to Iunoes deity And next of siluer for the second yeare The third of brasse and then neglectiuely Nothing at all So those respects which were Borne of a present feeling mov'd him most But soon were with their times and motiues lost 46 And what his bounty could not recompense He payes with honors and with dignities And more to angle the beneuolence And catch the loue of men with curtesies He oft would make his dignity dispense With his too lowe familiarities Descending from his Sphere of Maiesty Beneath himselfe very submissiuely 47 And when he had dispos'd in some good traine His home affaires he counsells how t' aduance His forraine correspondence with the chaine Of some alliance that might countenance His Greatnesse and his quiet intertaine Which was thought fittest with some match of France To hold that Kingdome from subayding such Who else could not subsist nor hope so much 48 Nor was it now a time to haue contrast With any forrain mighty Potentate But keep the outer doores of each side fast Hauing so much to doo within his State And therevpon was Warwicke by whose cast All must be wrought imploy'd to mediate A present Marriage to be had betweene Him and the sister of the yong French Queene 49 Which was not long nor hard to bring to passe Where like respects met in a point alike So that the same as euen concluded was And all as done Lady and friends all like When Loue the Lord of Kings by whom must passe This Act of our Affections tooke dislike That he was not made priuy thereunto And therfore in his wrath would all vndoe 50 For whiles this youthfull Prince at his disport In Grafton woods retyr'd from publick care Attending how his sute in France did sorte Whereon his cogitations onely were He comes at home surpris'd in other sort A neerer fire in flam'd his passions heere An English Beautie with more worth indu'd Then France could yeeld his royall heart subdu'd 51 A wofull widdow whom his quarrell had As it had many moe made desolate Came to his Court in mournfull habit clad To sue for Iustice to relieue her state And entring as a suppliant all sad With gracefull sorrow and a comely gate She past the Presence where all eyes were cast On her more stately presence as she past 52 Her lookes not let-abrode but carefully Kept in restraind held their reseruednesse Obseruing none but her owne dignity And his to whom she did her selfe addresse And drawing neere his royall Maiesty A blush of reuerence not bashfulnesse Lightned her louely cheeks and downe she kneeles Giues her Petition for the wrongs she feeles 53 And in deliv'ring it lifts vp her eyes The mouingst Mediatours shee could bring And strait with drawes them in submissiue wise Not fixing them directly on the King Who mov'd with her sweet fashion bade her rise With gentle language full of comforting Read her request but thought not what he read The lines hee view'd her eyes had figured 54 Then paus'd a while and mus'd as if he weigh'd The substance of her sute The which God wote Was not the
Yet most it seem'd the French King to import As sharer in his daughters iniurie Though bloud in Princes links not in such sort As that it is of any powre to tye Where their estates may seeme t'aduenture hurt Or where there is not a necessitie That doth combine them with a stronger chaine Then all these great Alliances containe 5 For though this King might haue resentiment And will t' auenge him of this iniurie Yet at that time his State being turbulent Factious and full of partialitie And oftentimes he him selfe impotent By meanes of his Phreneticque maladie It was not likely any good could rise By vndertaking such an enterprise 6 And therefore both sides vpon entercourse As fitted best their present termes agreed The former truce continue should in force According as it had beene fore-decreed Vpon the match with Richard and a course For Isabel with all conuenient speed Prouided with an honorable Traine Suting her state to be sent home againe 7 Whome willingly they would haue still retain'd And matcht vnto the Prince but shee though yong Yet sensible of that which appertain'd To honor and renowne scornd any tongue That offred such a motion and disdaynd To haue it thought she would but heare that wrong Mov'd to her of her Lord and husband dead To haue his murtherers race inioy his bed 8 Besides the French doubting the Gouernment Thus gotten would be subiect still to strife Not willing were to vrge her to consent T' accept a troublous and vncertaine life And being returnd she grew in th' end content To be at home a Duke of Orleance wife Scap't from such stormes of powre holding it best To be belowe her selfe to be at rest 9 And so hath Henrie assecur'd that side And therewithall his State of Gasconie Which on th' intelligence was notifi'd Of Richards death were wrought to mutinie And hardly came to be repacifi'd And kept to hold in their fidelitie So much to him were they affectioned For hauing beene amongst them borne and bred 10 These toyles abtode these tumults with his owne As if the frame of all disioynted were With this disordred shifting of the Crowne Fell in the reuolution of one yeare Beside the Scotte in discontentment growne For the detayning and supporting here The scourge of all that kingdome George Dunbar With sire and sword proclaymes an open war 11 Taking their time in these disturbances And newneâ—â—e of a wauering Gouernment T' auenge them of their former grieuances And by our spoyles their fortunes to augment Against whose forces Henry furnishes A powrefull Army and in person went But warres with a retyring enemy With much more trauaile then with victorie 12 And being by sharp deformed Winters force Caus'd to retire he sindes new stormes at home From other Coasts arysing that prov'd worse Then those which now hee was returned from In VVales a Cause of Law by violent course Was from a variance now a warre become And Owen Glendour who with Gray of late Contests for priuate landes now seekes a State 13 Whom to represse he early in the Spring With all prouisions fit doth forward set When straight his enemies not purposing To hazard battaile to the mountaines get Where after long and weary trauayling Without performing any great defeat He onely their prouisions wastes and burnes And with some prey of Cattell home returnes 14 Wherewith the Rebell rather was the more Incourag'd then addaunted and begun T'aduenture farther then he did before Seeing such a Monarch had so little done Being com'n in person with so great a powre And sodainely againe retyr'd and gone For in this case they helpe who hurt so small And he hath nothing done that doth not all 15 But now behold other new heads appeare New Hidra's of rebellion that procure More worke to doo and giue more cause of feare And shew'd that nothing in his State stood sure And these euen of his chiefest followers were Of whome he might presume him most secure Who had th' especiall ingins beene to reare His fortunes vp vnto the State they were 16 The Percies were the men men of great might Strong in alliance and in courage strong Who now conspire vnder pretence to right Such wrongs as to the Common wealth belong Vrg'd either through their conscience or despight Or finding now the part they tooke was wrong Or else Ambition hereto did them call Or others enuy'd grace or rather all 17 And such they were who might presume t' haue done Much for the king and honour of the State Hauing the chiefest actions vnder-gone Both forraine and domesticall of late Beside that famous day of Homeldon Where Hotspur gaue that wonderfull defeat Vnto the Scottes as shooke that kingdome more Then many Monarchs armies had before 18 Which might perhaps aduance their mindes so farre Aboue the leuell of subiection as T'assume to them the glory of that war Where all things by their powre were brought to passe They being so mightie and so popular And their command so spacious as it was Might in their State forget how all these things That subiects doo effect must be their Kings 19 And so sell after into discontent For that the king requir'd to haue as his Those Lords were taken prisoners whome they ment To hold still as their proper purchases Then that he would not at their sute consent To worke their Cosin Mortimers release Out of the Rebell Owen Glendour's hands Who held him prisoner in disgracefull bands 20 But be what will the cause strong was their plot Their parties great meanes good the season fit Their practise close their faith suspected not Their states far off and they of wary wit Who with large promises so wooe the Scot To aide their Cause as he consents to it And glad was to disturne that furious streame Of warre on vs that else had swallowed them 21 Then ioyne they with the Welsh who now wel train'd In Armes and action dayly grew more great Their Leader by his wiles had much attaynd And done much mischiefe on the English State Beside his prisoner Mortimer he gain'd From being a foe to b'his confederate A man the King much fear'd and well he might Least he should looke whether his Crowne stood right 22 For Richard for the quiet of the State Before he tooke those Irish warres in hand About Succession doth deliberate And finding how the certaine Right did stand With full consent this man did ordinate The heyre apparent to the Crowne and Land Whose competencie was of tender touch Although his might was small his right was much 23 With these the Percies them confederat And as three heads conioyne in one intent And instituting a Triumuirate Do part the Land in triple gouernment Diuiding thus among themselues the State The Percies should rule all the North from Trent And Glendour VVales the Earle of March should be Lord of the South from Trent and so they'gree 24 Then
haue had by th'ouerthrowne And th'wounds we make might not haue beene our owne 44 Yet since that other mens iniquitie Calles-on the sword of wrath against my will And that themselues exact this crueltie And I constrayned am this bloud to spill Then on braue followers on courageously True-harted subiects against traytors ill And spare not them who seeke to spoyle vs all Whose foul confused end soone see you shal 45 Forth-with began these fury-mouing sounds The notes of wrath the musicke brought from Hell The ratling Drums which trumpets voyce confounds The cryes th'incouragements the shouting shrill That all about the beaten ayre rebounds Confused thundring-murmurs horrible To robbe all sense except the sense to fight Well hands may worke the minde hath lost his sight 46 O warre begot in pride and luxurie The child of malice and reuengeful hate Thou impious good and good impietie That art the foul refiner of a State Vniust-iust scourge of mens iniquitie Sharpe-easer of corruptions desperate Is there no meanes but that a sin-sicke Land Must be let bloud with such a boysterous hand 47 How well mightst thou haue here beene spar'd this day Had not wrong-counsaild Percy beene peruerse Whose forward hand inur'd to woundes makes way Vpon the sharpest fronts of the most fierce Where now an equall furie thrusts to stay And backe-repell that force and his disperse Then these assaile then those re-chase againe Till stayd with new-made hils of bodies slaine 48 There lo that new-appearing glorious starre Wonder of Armes the terror of the field Young Henrie laboring where the stoutest are And euen the stoutest forceth backe to yeeld There is that hand boldned to bloud and warre That must the sword in wondrous actions wield Though better he had learnd with others bloud A lesse expence to vs to him more good 49 Yet here had he not speedy succour lent To his indangered father neere opprest That day had seene the full accomplishment Of all his trauailes and his finall rest For Mars-like Dowglas all his forces bent T' incounter and to grapple with the best As if disdayning any other thing To doo that day but to sub due a King 50 And three with fierie courage he assailes Three all as kings adornd in royall wise And each successiue after other quailes Still wondring whence so many Kings should rise And doubting lest his hand or eye-sight fayles In these confounded on a fourth hee flyes And him vnhorses too whom had hee sped He then all Kings in him had vanquished 51 For Henrie had diuided as it were The person of himselfe into foure parts To be lesse knowne yet known euery where The more to animate his peoples harts Who cheered by his presence would not spare To execute their best and worthyest parts By which two special things effected are His safetie and his subiects better care 52 And neuer worthy Prince a day did quit With greater hazard and with more renowne Then thou didst mightie Henry in this fight Which onely made thee owner of thine owne Thou neuer proov'dst the Tenure of thy right How thou didst hold thy easie-gotten Crown Till now and now thou shew'st thy selfe Chiefe Lord By that especial right of kings the Sword 53 And deare it cost and much good bloud is shed To purchase thee a sauing victorie Great Stafford thy high Constable lyes dead With Shorly Clifton Gawsell Caluerly And many more whose braue deathes witnessed Their noble valour and fidelitie And many more had left their dearest bloud Behind that day had Hotspur longer stood 54 But he as Dowglas with his furie ledde Rushing into the thickest woods of speares And brakes of swordes still laying at the Head The life of th' Army whiles he nothing feares Or spares his owne comes all inuironed With multitude of powre that ouer-beares His manly worth who yeeldes not in his fall But fighting dyes and dying kils withall 55 What Arke what trophey what magnifence Of glory Hot-spurre hadst thou purchas 't here Could but thy Cause as fayre as thy pretence Be made vnto thy Country to appeare Had it beene her protection and defence Not thy ambition made thee sell so deare Thy selfe this day shee must haue here made good An euerlasting Statüe for thy bloud 56 Which thus misspent thy Army presently As if they could not stand when thou wert downe Disperst in rout betooke them all to flie And Dowglas faint with wounds ouer-throwne Was taken who yet wonne the enemie Which tooke him by his noble valour showne In that dayes mighty worke and was preserv'd With all the grace and honor he deserv'd 57 VVorc'ster who had escap't vnhappily His death in battel on a Scaffold dyes The next day after in the company Of other chiefest of that enterprise And so the tempest of this mutinie Became allay'd and those great ieoperdies Blowne-ouer in this sort the Coasts well cleer'd But for one threatuing cloud that yet appear'd 58 Northumberland recouered still out-stands The principall of this great family And faction hauing Berwike in his hands With other holdes strong by confed'racie With Scotland mighty by his owne command And likely now his vtmost powre to trie T' auenge him on the ruine of his Bloud And ioyne with Wales which yet vndanted stood 59 Which mov'd the king who had too much indur'd In this dayes worke to hazard new againe By all the aptest meanes could be procur'd To lay to draw him in by any traine And write he did and vow'd and him assur'd Vpon his princely word to intertaine With former grace if hee would but submit And come to yeeld th' obedience that was fit 60 The Earle be'ing now by this defeat dismay'd And fearing his confederates would fayle With Fortune and betray rather then ayde Those who are downe being for their owne auayle Relying on his Sov'raignes oath obay'd Which with his tender griefs did much preuaile And in hee came and had no detryment But for a shew some short imprisonment 61 The Parlement that afterward insu'd Restor'd him t' all his dignities and landes And now none but the Welsh seem'd to seclude The king from hauing wholly in his hands All peace within and them he had pursu'd Whiles this braue army with these ready bands Were yet on foot could he but haue got pay To hold them and his charge of war defray 62 But that hee could not gaine though all the wayes That might be wrought he labours to procure Meanes to effect the same But those delayes And long protraction which he must indure By way of Parlement so much betrayes The opportunitie that might secure His vndertaking as the occasion lost Draue both the State and him to greater cost 63 For now the Rebell thus forborne growes strong Both in his reputation and successe For hauing with his powre held out so long Many aduenture with more forwardnesse To yeeld him ayd and to support his wrong And forraine Princes in his businesse Whom hee sollicites
he had raigned 13. yeares 1100. Hen. â— the youngest sonne of William â— raigned 35. yeares 4 monthes whose sonnes Wul Ricboâ—rg drowned on the Sâ—aâ— heleâ—â—â—â— the Crow to Maude first maried to the Emperour Hen. 4 and after to Goffrey Plantagenes E. of Anion 1135. Stephen son to the E. of Bloys Adela daughter to Wil I. inuades the kingdoÌ„e coÌ„teÌ„des with Maude the Empresse for the succession and raigned tumuleuarely 18. yeares and 10. monâ—thes 1154. Hen. 2. sonne of Geffry Plantagenet E. of Aiâ—s Maude the Empresse associated his sonne Hen. In the Crowne and gouerment which learned to his great disturbance and set all his sonnes Henry Richard Geffrey Iohn against hon lie raigned 34. yeares 7. months 1189. Richard went to the Holy warres was king of Ierusalem whiles his brother Iohn by the help of the King of France vsurpt the crown of England Hee was detained prisoner in Austria redeemed and reigned nine years 9. months 1199. K. Iohn vsurps the right of Arthur sonne to Goffrey his elder brother and raignes 17 yeares Hee had warres with his Barons who elected Lewis Sonne to the K. of France 1216. Hen. 3. at 9. yeares of age was Crowned King and raigned 6 yeares 1272. Ed. 1. had the dominion ouer this whole Iland of Britaine and raigned gloriously 34. yeeres 7. Moneths 1307. Edward 2. abused by his Minions debaushed by his owne weaknesse was deposed froÌ„ his gouernment when he had reigned 19. yeares 6. moneths and was murthered in prison 1326. Edw. 3 Edward the black prince who died before his father Richard 2. being but 11. yeares of age was crowned K. of England 1377 Richard the 2. son to the blacke prince The D. of Lancaster intitled K. of Castile in the right of his wise Constance eldest daughter to K. Peter Edmond Langly Earle of Cambridge after created D. of Yorke Thomas of Woodstocke after made D. of Glocester Robert Veere Duke of Ireland Ann. Reg. 11. the D. of Gloster with the E E. of Darby AruÌ„del Nottingham Warwicke other L I. hauing forced the K. to put from him all his officers of Court at this ParliameÌ„t caused most of theÌ„ to be executed as Iohn Beauchamp L. Steward of bâ—shâ—use Sir Simon Burley L. Chamberlaine with many other Also the L. chief Iustice was here executed and all the Iudges condeÌ„ned to death for maintaining the Kings prerogative against these L L. these constitutions of the last Parliament in Ann. 10 Ann. Reg. 18. Ann. 20. Isabel daughter to Charles 6. Vulovan E. of S. Paule who had maried the kingshalfe sister At the parliament in Anno 11. the L L. of the league with Gloster being pardoned for their opposing against the â—ings proceedings were quiet till Anno 21 when vpon report of a new confederacie they were surprised Mowbray E. Marshal after made Duke of Norfolie had the charge of dispatching the D. of Gloster at Calice The K. had by Parliament before pardoned the D and those two Earles yet was the pardon reuoked Nihil est quod credere de se non possit cum laudatur dijs quâ—â— potestas Hen. Bollingbroke of Hereford Tho. Mowbray D. of Norfolke Mowbray was banished the very day by the course of the yeere whereon he murthered the D. of Glocester An. Reg. 22. The D. being banished in SepteÌ„ber landed in the beginning of Iulie after at Rauenspurre in Yorkeshire some say but with 60. men other with 3000 and 8 shippes set forth and furnished by the Duke of Brittaine Ann. Reg. 22. The Genius of England appeares to Bullingbrooke The D. put to death VVilliaÌ„ Scroope E. of Wiltshire Treasurer of Eng. with Sir Hen. Greene Sir Iohn Bushy for misgouerning the king and the Realme Th. Arundel Archbish. of Canterburie Bis peccat qui pretextu Religionis peccat Edward D. of Aumerie Sonne to the D. of Yorke Conway Castle in Wales Montague E. of Salisburie This Percie was Earle of Worster brother to the Earle of Northumberland and steward of the Kings house The D. of Yorke left Gouernour of the Realm in the abseÌ„ce of the king hauing leuied a great Army as if to haue opposed against Bullingbrooke brought most of the Nobilitie of the kingdome to take his part The E. of NorthuÌ„berland sent to the king from Hen. Builingbrooke nor D. of Lancaster The Bishop of Carlile Montague Earle of Salisbury This was sir Peter Leighs Auncitor of Lime in Cheshire that now is Ienico a Artois a Gascoin The Earle of Salsbury his speech to K. Richard The Bishop of Carlile Lex Am. nestia The Owle is said to bee Mineruas bird The Archbishop of Cant. takes his text out of the first booke of the Kings cap. 9. Vir dominâ—â— bitur in populo The Nobilitie accused for the death of Thomas of Woodstocke D. of Gloster The Dukes of Surry Excester and Aumarle The Earles of Salesburie and Gloster the Bishop of Carlile Sir Thomas Blunt and other were the parties accused for the death of the D. of Gloster Thom. late Duke of Surry Sir Thom. Blunt This Knight was Sir Pierce of Exton Primus imperium communicauit posuit Dioclesianus inco ponendo dixisse fertur Recipe Iupiter imperium quod mihi commodasti The Corpe was coâ—â—â—easrons Ponâ—â—â—es to LondoÌ„ whereas say withoâ—â—â— sace in Pauâ—es â— dayes and after a sile nine aâ— sequ'e was had to Lingley and there meanely â—â—â—â—ed K. Ric. bruted to be alive asieâ— he was thus murthered which begar a conâ— Conspiracie for the which Sir Roger Clarindon supposed to be the base sonne of the blacke Prince was executed with diuers Frier Hee hâ—d in his Courte 1000. persone in ordinarie alowance of diet 300 soruitous sin his Kitchen aboue 100. Ladâ— Chambeteri and Landeoers Hâ—asswell Shomptueus and so was it generaly in his time bee lod one Core of gold and stone valued as 3000. markes One interuiew with the Fr. King at Arde when his wife Isabel was deliuered vnto him cost 300000. markers Hon. q. remeketh al letters patents of Anvitâ—â—gies granted by K. Ed. and K. Ric Ann. reg 6. When he was first surpris'd in Wales the D. of Lancaster had in Holt Castle â—00000 markes in coyne and 200000 markes in Iewels and at his Reignation in â—â— Towre 300000 pouÌ„d in coyne beside plates and Iewels A Prince excessiue in gifts makes his subiects excessiue in suces Commisioners are sect to forreine Princes to excuse iustifie the Kings proceedings In this time of Charles 6. began the ciuile warres Fraunce between he Dukes of Orlaus and Burgoigne The Truce made with Ric. 2. renewd for 30 yeares but broken the next yeare after vpon their part sending laques de Burbon with forces into Wales to the ayde of Glendour The King labors to haue Q. Isabel matcht to his sonne Henry Prince of Wales Queene Isabel was maried to Charles sonne to Loyse D. of Orleans Thom. Percy E. of Worcester was sent into Gascony with 200. men at Armes
been the occasioÌ„ of the losse of France but the K. being recouered he was againe set at liberty Ann. reg 32. The D. of Yorke perceiuing his accusations not to preuaile against the D. of Som. resolues to obtaine his purpose by open war and so being in Wales accoÌ„panied with his special frieÌ„ds asseÌ„bled an Armie marched towards LondoÌ„ K. Hen. sets forward froÌ„ LondoÌ„ with 20000 meÌ„ of war to encouÌ„ter with the D. of Yorke attended with Humf. D. of Buckingh and Humfry his son E. Stafford Edm. D. of SoÌ„mers Hen. Percy E. of North. Ia. Butler E. of Wiltsh Ormond Iasper E. of Pembrooke the sonne of Oweis Tewder halfe brother to the K Tho. Courtney E. of Deuonsh Ioh. L. Clifford the LL. Sudley Barnes Ross others The D. of York with LL. pitched their bat â—â—â—le without the towne in a place called Keyfield and the K. power to their great disaduantage tooke vp the towne where being assailed wanting roome to vse their power were miserably ouerthrowne slaughtered On the K. sâ—le were slain Edm. D. of Sommers who left behind him 3 sons Henry Edm. Ioh. Heere was also slaine the E. of NorthuÌ„berland the E. Stafford the L. Clifford Sir Rob. Vere with diuers others to the nuÌ„ber of 5000 on the LL. part but 600. And this was the first battell at S. Albones the 23 of May Ann. reg 33. The D. of Yorke with other LL. came to the K. where hee was and craued grace forgiuenesse on their knees of that that they had done in his presence intending nothing but for the good of him and his kingdome with whoÌ„ they remooved to London concluding there to hold a Parliament the 9 of Iuly following * Ric. E. of Salisbury made L. Chancelor the E. of Warwicke Gouernour of Calice The D. of York in respect that K. Hen. for his holiness of life and clemencie vvas highly esteemed of the Commons durst not atteÌ„pt any violeÌ„t course against his person but onely Labors to strengthen his owne partie which he could not do but by the oppression and displacing of many woorthy men with committing other violencies whervnto necessitie inforced him for the preserment of his friends which raisd a greater partie against him then that he made The Queen with her Party hauing recouered the K. and withdrawing him far froÌ„ Lon. where they fouÌ„d the D. of Yorke was too much â—auored by the Cittizens grew to bee very strong by means that so many Ll. and much people oppressed discontented with these proceedings of their enemies resorted dailie vnto theÌ„ Whervpon the K. soÌ„moned the D. his adherents to appeare before him at Couentry but they finding their present strength not sufficient to make good their answer retired theÌ„ selues into seuerall parts The D. of York withdrawes him to Wigmore in Wales the E. of Salisb. into the North the E. of Warw. to Calais Diuers graue persons were sent to the D. of York to mediat a reconciliation and a great Councell was called at London Ann. reg 36. to agree all differences Whithere am the E. of Salis. with 500. men the D. of Yorke with 400. and was lodged at his house at Bainards Castle The Dukes of Excester and Somerset with 800. men lodged without Temple Bar. The E. of NorthuÌ„ the LL EgremoÌ„t Clifford with 1500 lodged without the Cittie The E. of Warwick from Calais with 600. men al in his liuery The L. Mayor kept continuall watch with 2000. men in armor during the treaty Wher in by the great trauaile exhortation of the Archbishop of Canterbury with other graue Prelates a reconciliation was concluded and celebrated with a soleÌ„ne procession The E. of Warwicke is set vpon by the Queenes seruants Iames Tuichet L. Audly slaine at Elore heath and his army discomsited by the E. of Salisb. with the losse of 2400. men An. reg 38. Sir Andrew Troliop afterwarde fled to the King Iohn BluÌ„t remainde with the Lords The King beeing at Worcester sends the E. of Salisbury to the LL. to induce â— them to peace to offer pardon The Bishop of Salisbury offred pardon to all such as would submit themselues The D. of York with his youngest sonne the E. of Rutland withdrew him into Ireland where he was exceedingly beloued The inconuenieÌ„ces of Calais at that time Hen. the young D. of Sommers was in An. reg 37 made Captain of Calais a priuie seal sent to the E. of Warwicke to discharge him of that place who in respect he was made Captaine there by Par'lament would not obay the priuie seale The Parliament at Couentry Cotis a Tyrant of Thrace At this Parliament at Couentry in the yeere 1459 in the 38 of Hen. 6. is Ric. D. of Yorke with his son Edw. and all his posteritie and partakers attainted to the nimb degrees their goods and possesioÌ„s oscheated their tements spoiled of their goods the Townes of Ludlow partaining to the D. of Yorke ransacks and the Dutchess of Yorke spoyled of her goods Henrie D. of Sommerset with the L L. Audly and Rosse attempted the towne of Calais but were repulst his people yeâ—lding theÌ„selues to the E. of War and himselfe hardly escaped The L. Riuers and his sonne Sir Anthony Woodwill were taken by Iohn Dinham at Sandwich whether they were sent to guard the towne and supply the D. of Sommerset The E. of Warwick sayled into Ireland to conferre with the D. of Yorke The L. Faulconbridge sent to Sandwich tooke the Towne and Sir Simon Monâ—ort Gouernor thereof The King from Couentry sendes the L. Skales the L. Loueâ— the E. of Kendal to London with others to keep the Cittie in obedience The E E. of March Warwike and Salâ—burie landing at Sandwich were met by the Archb. of Cant. who with his Crosse borne before him accompayned them to LondoÌ„ An. reg 38. The affection which the Citie of London here to the D. of Yorke was an especiall meane for the raysing of that line â—â— the Crowne The E. of Salisbury left to keepe the Cittie The Battell of Northhampton The D. of Bucking the E. of Shreurss the L. Bâ—â—emont Iohn Vicent Bewmont Sir William Lucy slâ—â—â—re The L. Edmond Grey of Rushen who led the Vaneguard of K. Honria withdraw himself and tooke part with the L L. The King is conâ—â—ide to London the Towre yeelded vp to the Lords and the L. Skalâ—â— who kept it is murthred The D. of Sommerset Non confirm â—tur tracâ—is temporat quod de iure ab mâ—â—â—o neu subsislâ—â— W. Rufus and Hen. â— preâ—erd before their elder brother The Battel of Wakefield where the D. of Yorke is slaine â— the E. of Salsburie taken beheaded at Yorke Edmond E. of Rutland youngest soone to the D. of Yorke murthered after the Battell by the L. Clifford The 2. Battell at S. Albones The King is againe recouered by the Queene The E. of Warwick with the D. of Norstolâ— put to flight and Sir Iohn