the rumours of the people concerning his Fathers death a War is proclaimed against Scotland to revenge those overthrows the English had received from their valiant Chieftain King Robert le Bruce but by the treason of the Lord Mortimer who is said to have received bribes from the Scots the journey proved unsuccessful the young King hardly escaping with life for one Sir James Dowglass a valiant Scot with 200 light horses assailed the Kings own Pavilion where the King was so near death that a Chaplain of his who stoutly behaved himself was slain in his masters defence and Sir James retired from thence with safety These treasons of the Lord Mortimer together with his excessive pride and over much familiarity with the Queen-Mother made him so distasteful unto the Lords that notwithstanding his strong guard consisting of no less then ninescore Knights he was by the young King and the confederate Lords surprized on a sudden at Nottingham Castle from thence removed to the City of London condemned of treason and executed at the common Gallows And here may the King be said to begin his Reign living before at the Queen and the Lord Mortimers allowance which was onely the third part of the Revenews of the Crown which now he assumeth all to himself putting the Queen to a pension of a thousand pounds a year and confining her to a Castle all the dayes of her life such was the miserable condition of this wretched Woman the Daughter Sister Wife and Mother of a King as one of our Moderns hath it So true is that the wise man once did say That none are happy till their dying day King Edward having thus raised himself would next out of Charity help his Neighbour Edward Baliol Son to John Baliol sometimes King of Scotland having remained in France two and thirty years comes over into England whom King Edward aids against his Brother in Law King David who at that time was with the King of France at Hallidown-Hill where he utterly defeats the whole power of Scotland slew of them 7. Earls 90. Knights and Banerets 400. Esquires and 32000. common Souldiers causing Baliol to be Crowned King doing homage to King Edward as his superior Lord for which though he had the Knees he had not the Hearts of his people who would be subject to none that were subject to another But these were but petty actions scarce worth the rehearsal considering what he performed afterwards his endeavours for the French Crown which that I may in order describe I will begin with the original cause of this invasion King Phillip of France dying without issue the right of succession unto that Crown belonged to King Edward as nearest in blood being his Sisters Son but Philip of Valois the Heir to Charles a former King usurps the Crown pretending a Law which they call Salique wherein Females are debarred from inheritance or as they term it the distaff from meddling with the Crown according to that in the 6. of Matthew Consider the Lillies the arms of France how they grow they toil not neither do they spin Philip hereupon summons Edward to do homage for the Lands he held in France which though prejudicial to his after claim yet in regard his Kingdome of England was scarce well settled and himself but young he was contented to do but this his Homage was exacted with such pride on the French Kings part that it left a rancour in his heart for ever after so that returning into England he studies revenge nor long wants he an instrument to spur him on for one Robert of Arthois being banished out of France comes over into England and becomes an incendiary betwixt the two Kings this fugitive King Edward entertains makes him Earl of Richmond and one of his Council then passing over into Flanders by perswasion of the Flemings he takes upon him the Stile Title and Arms of the King of France who hereupon establish a League with him accounting themselves disobliged of the Bond of tweny hundred thousand Crowns which they had entred into never to bear Arms against the King of France confederating himself with them and many other Princes with a well selected army he enters France King Philip on the other side was not idle but draws to his part the King of Bohemia the Bishop of Leige Earl of Luxembourge Henry Count Palatine Aubut Bishop of Metz Otho Duke of Austria Ame Earl of Geneva with many other and with a mighty Army confronting King Edward near to Vermandeis who notwithstanding part without doing any thing worth the relating unless we should relate what to some way seem ridiculous A Hare starting out before the head of the French Army caused a great shout to be made whereupon they who saw not the Hare but onely heard the shout supposing it to be the onset to the Battel disposed themselves to fight and fourteen Gentlemen for encouragements sake as the custom is were Knighted called afterward in merriment Knights of the Hare King Edward returning into England left the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk in Flanders to oppose the French who having performed many great exploits in an encounter near Lisle were both taken prisoners King Edward to repair this loss prepares again for France to impeach whose landing King Philip had provided a Navy of 200. sail whereof when Edward was advertised he prepares the like number of ships to encounter with them and sets out to Sea upon Midsummer-eve the next day Sir Robert Morley brings an addition to his Fleet which joyned together set upon the French in the Haven of Sluce defeated their whole Navy took and sunk all their Ships and slew thirty thousand of their men as a Poet versifies on those times Thus Salsburies and Suffolks loss which they Receiv'd on Land at Sea was washt away Many of the French to escape killing drowned themselves trusting to the mercy of the Waves rather then to the pitty of the English which made the French Kings Jeaster set on to give him notice of this overthrow to repeat often in the Kings hearing Cowardly English men Dastardly English men Faint-hearted English men and being by the King asked the reason why Because said he they durst not leap out of their Ships into the Sea as our brave French men did by which speech the King came to have knowledge of their overthrow The French lay the blame of this defeat on one Buchet who having a chief command in the Navy armed his ships with men of base condition content with small pay and refused Gentlemen and sufficient Souldiers in regard they required greater wages according to the old Law When covetous Chiefs are sparing of their Crowns Few Souldiers will be prodigal of wounds Edwards Wings thus plumed with Victory he flies amain to the Siege of Tournay with an Army of five and fifty thousand where he is encountred by the Duke of Burgandy and Earl of Armigniack who slew four thousand of his men upon the place
Edward notwithstanding continues his Siege to the relief whereof King Philip sends all the Forces he could make But by the mediation of the Lady Jane of Valois who was Sister to King Philip and Mother of King Edwards Wife a truce was concluded from Michaelmas till Midsummer and both their Armies again dissolved Edward hereupon puts out of pay his forreign aids and returning into England had notice that the Scots besieged the Castle of Striveling for relief whereof he makes all the haste he can but being disappointed of his provision that was to come by Sea he makes a Truce with the Scots for four moneths and returns home during this truce the Scots send to King David who upon their message leaves France and returns into Scotland and as soon as the truce was ended with a strong Army enters Northumberland besiegeth New Castle upon Tyne but is valiantly resisted by John Nevile the Governour who took the Earl of Murray prisoner and slew divers of his men from thence he passeth into the Bishoprick of Durham where he useth all kinde of cruelty killing men women and children burning and destroying Houses and Churches untill he came to the Castle of Salisbury but hearing of King Edwards approach who certified of these things made all the haste he could he returns homewards King Edward pursues for three dayes together at length a truce was concluded for two years and William Earl of Salisbury prisoner with the King of France was set at liberty in exchange for the Earl of Murray Whilst Edward was thus busied about the Scots a new difference arose in France John Earl of Monfort claims the Dutchy of Brittain and in pursuance of his title is taken prisoner by the French King his Wife solicites King Edward for succour who sends her aid under the conduct of Robert of Arthois and not long after follows himself Philip sends aid to Monforts Competitor and both Armies encamp near to the City of Vannes where was like to have been a cruel Battel had not Pope Clement the sixth interposed two Cardinals from him conclude a peace Vannes is delivered up to the French King and the Earl of Montfort is set at liberty The murmuring Drum now silenced and stern Mars for a while confined to prison least rusty idleness should entomb their worth and want of exercise make them forget their Arms King Edward erects a round Table at Windsor in imitation of the Renowned Arthur and to invite great men from forreign parts rich Salaries are the reward of high designs King Philip fearing this association would be to him of ill consequence writes after Edwards coppy and erects a round Table in his own Countrey to allure the men of War of Germany and Italy and so to keep them from coming into England King Edward thus prevented in his design by the French King institutes the most honourable order of the Garter the Original case whereof is dubious some conjecture that it arose for that in a Battel wherein he was victorious he gave the word Garter for the word or sign Cambden saith King Edward the Third founded this order to adorn Martial vertue with honours rewards and splendour The Original Book of the Institution deduces the invention from King Richard the First and that King Edward adorned it and brought it into splendour but the common received opinion is that a Garter of his own Queen or as some say of Joan Countess of Salisbury slipping off in a Dance King Edward stooped and took it up where at some of the Nobles that were present smiling as an amorous action he seriously said It should not be long ere Sovereign Honour were done to that Garter whereupon he afterwards added the French Motto Honi soit qui maly pense therein checking his Lords sinister suspicion Nor need we with Polydor Virgil trouble our selves to make an Apology for the courseness of this Original since according to the Poet They swell with love that are with valour fill'd And Venus Doves may in a Head-piece build The number of Knights in this order is six and twenty whereof the King is alwayes president so much accounted of in other Countries that there have been nigh twenty and six forreign Emperours and Kings of the same the glory whereof by a learned Poet is celebrated for to be such That now Burgundians scorn their fleece of Gold The French the Escalopt Collar set with grace Their Crossed weeds Rhodes Elba Alcala hold As worthless all matcht with thy George are base King Edward whose Eye was fixt upon France as the mark of his Conquest having notice that King Philip had put many of his friends to death in Normandy namely Clisson and Bacon Knights of the best note glad that the truce was broken on King Philips part prepares again for the invasion of France and taking along with him the young Prince of Wales with an Army of 2500. Horse and 30000. Foot arives in Normandy where he took and and sackd many Towns of Importance Clissons hands being nailed on the Gates of Carenton he turns it into Cinders making a Funeral-pile thereof for his slain friend He takes also the populous and rich City of Caen marching with his Army to the very Walls of Paris Philip awakened with Edwards Victories raises one of the greatest Armies that ever were seen in France Edward laden with spoil is not unwilling to retire which Philip interpreteth a kinde of flight the River of Some he passeth with much danger and defeats Gundentor du Foy who was placed there to hinder his passage King Philip set on fire with his disaster resolveth to give King Edward Battel who was incamped nigh to a Vilage called Crescy his Army consisting of 30000. he divided into three Battalions the first whereof was led by Edward the Black Prince of Wales having in his company Beuchamp Earl of Warwick Godfrey of Harecourt the Lords Stafford Laware Bourchier Clifford Cobham Holland c. together with the number of 800. men at Arms 2000. Archers and 1000. Welch In the second Battel were the Earls of Northampton and Arundel the Lords Ross Willoughby Basset Saint Albane Malton c. with 800. men at Arms and 1200. Archers The third and last Battel was commanded by the King himself having in it 700. men at Arms and 3000. Archers The French Army was far greater consisting of sixscore thousand men having in it the two Kings of Bohemia and Majorica and of Princes Dukes Earls Barrons and Gentlemen bearing Arms about 3000. The vantguard was led by the King of Bohemia and the Earl of Allanson The main Battel King Philip commanded himself and the Earl of Savoy the Reer But since in this Battel the Prince of Wales was the chief General I shall refer the further prosecution thereof to the description of his following life and proceed in our History of King Edward who after the good success of this Battel marched directly to Calice resolving not to stir untill he
be taken pro Confesso and the Court ot proceed to Justice The President repeats in brief the passages of the last day and commands the King to answer to the Articles of the Charge unless he had rather hear the Capital Sentence against him The king persists to interrogate concerning the Cause and sayes That he less regards his life then his Honour his Conscience the Laws the Liberties of the people all which that they should not perish together there were weighty reasons why he should not prosecute his defence before the Judges and acknowledge a new form of Judicature for what power had ever Judges to erect a Judicature against the King or by what Law was it granted sure not by Gods Law which on the contrary commands obedience to Princes nor by Mans Laws the Laws of our Land sith the Laws of England enjoyn all Accusations to be read in the Kings Name nor do they indulge any power of judging the most abject Subject to the Lower or Commons House neither lastly their Power flow from any Authority which might be pretended extraordinary delegated from the people seeing ye have not askt so much as every tenth man in this matter The President interrupting his Speech rebukes the Kings and bids him be mindeful of his doom affirming once more that the Court was abundantly satisfied of their Authority nor was the Court to hear any reasons that should detract from their power But what sayes the King or where in all the world is that Court in which no place is left for reason Yes answered the President you shall finde Sir that this very Court is such a one But the King presses that they would at least permit him to exhibit his reasons in writing which if they could satisfactorily answer he would yield himself to their Jurisdiction Here the President not content to deny grew into anger demanding the Prisoner to be taken away The King replied no more to these things then Remember sayes he this is your King from whom you turn away your ear in vain certainly will my Subjects expect Justice from you who stop your ears to your King who is ready to plead his Cause The Saturday after the 27. of January before they assembled sixty eight of the Tryers answered to their names The President in a Scarlet Robe and as the King Came the Souldiers cryed out for Execution of Justice The King speaks first and desires to be heard a word or two but short and yet wherein he hopes not to give just occasion wherein to be interrupted and goes on A sudden Judgement sayes the King is not so soon recall'd But he is sharply reproved of contumacy The President profusely praises the patience of the Court and commands him now at length to submit otherwise he shall hear the sentence of of death resolved upon by the Court against him The King still refuses to plead his Cause before them but that he had some things conducible to the good of his people and the peace of the Kingdom which he desires liberty to deliver before the Members of both Houses But the President would not vouchsafe him so much as this favour least it should tend he said to the delay and retardation of Justice To which the King replies It were better to sustain a little delay of a day or two then to precipitate a Sentence which will bring perpetual Tragedies upon the Kingdom and miseries to Children unborn If sayes he I sought occasion of delay I would have made a more elabourate contestation of the Cause which might have served to protract the time and evade at least the while a most ugly sentence but I will shew my self a defender of the Laws and of the Right of my Country as to chuse rather to dye for them the Martyr of my People then by prostituting of them to an arbitrary power go about to acquire any manner of liberty for my self but I therefore request this short liberty of speaking before a cruel Sentence be given for that I well know 't is harder to be recall'd then prevented and therefore I desire that I may withdraw and you consider They all withdraw the King into Cottons House and the Tryers into the Court of Wards and in half an hour return The President as he had begun so he proceeds into a premeditated Speech to hasten Sentence which the King offers reason to forbear whilest he might be heard before his Parliament and this he requires as they will answer it at the dreadful day of Judgement and to consider it once again But not prevailing the President goes on wherein he aggravates the Contumacy of the King and the hatefulness of the cimes he asserts Parliamentary Authority producing Examples both Domestick and Forreign c. his Treasons he stiles a breach of Trust to the Kingdom as his Superiour and is therefore called to an account minimus majorum in Judicium vocat his murthers are many all those that have been committed in all the War betwixt him and his people are laid to his charge all the innocent blood which cannot be cleansed but by the blood of him that shed the blood So then for Tyranny Treason Murther and many other crimes he wishes the King to have God before his eyes and that the Court calls God to witness that mearly their Conscience of Duty brings them to that place of this employment and calls for Gods assistance in his Execution The King offered to speak to these great Imputations in the Charge but he was told that his time was past the Sentence was coming on which the President commanded to be read under this form Whereas the Commons of England have appointed them an High Court of Justice for the Trial of Charles Stuart King of England before whom he hath been three times convented and at the first time a Charge of High Treason and other Crimes and Misdemeanours were read in the behalf of the Kingdom of England c. To which Charge he the said Charles Stuart was required to give his answer and so exprest several passages at his Tryal in refusing to answer for all which Treasons and Crimes the Court doth adjudge that the said Charles Stuart as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and Publique Enemy shall be put to death by the severing his Head from his Body This Sentence sayes the President now read and publisht is the Act Sentence Judgement and Resolution of the whole Court to which the Members of the Court stood up and assented to what he said by holding up their hands The King offered to speak but he was instantly commanded to be taken away and the Court brake up After the Sentence the King was hurried away mockt and reviled by the Souldiers they puft their Tobacco in his face no smell being more offensive to his father and him such as saluted him they bastinadoed one that did but sigh God have mercy they cane'd they intrude almost into his Closet hardly permitting him
Philosopher Plutarch reports that Marcus Tullius that eloquent Orator obtained the name of Cicero by reason he had a thing upon the tip of his nose as it had beeen a riche pease whereupon they sirnamed him Cicero because Cicer in English signifieth a riche pease So likewise we read of Ovid that darling of the Muses that he got the name of Nasonis from the greatness of his Nose and in the perusual of our English Histories we shall meet with many of the like examples as of William the Second sirnamed Rufus from his red face Richard the First got the name of Cordelion from his inexpugnable and Lion like heart even so this famous Prince whose life we now relate was sirnamed Ironside from his notable courage and strength of body to endure all such pains as is requisite for a Souldier not so called as some would have it for that he used to go alwayes in armour He was third son to Ethelred commonly called the unready the eldest living at his Fathers death his two Brothers dying in defence of their Countrey made way for him to succeed in the Kingdome which notwithstanding was with much opposition as well of Forreigners as his natural Subjects so that he inherited his Fathers troubles as well as his Crown and might be said to be a King without a Kingdome The most part of the Clergy and many of the Nobility out of hatred to the Father rejected the Son and at Southampton chose Canutus for their King this Canutus was King of the Danes who for six and thirty years together had miserably oppressed the English Nation turning all into ruine wheresoever he came Churches and Monasteries were made subject to his desolations and Church-men and Monks felt his cruel and merciless doings Wife Daughter and Maid these cruel Danes abused at their pleasures yea they forced the chaste Nuns to their filthy pollutions insomuch that some of them to save their chastities destroyed their beauties deforming their bodies to keep their souls pure To redresse these enormities Edmund like another Maccabeus stood up for his Countrey and being Crowned at Kingstone by Levingus Archbishop of Canterbury he hasted to London being then besieged by Canutus where he soon forced the Danes to raise their siege and winter themselves in the Isle of Sheepie But the Spring come they suddainly assailed the West of England and were as suddainly themselves encountred by Edmund who with great courage though with a small Army gave them Battel at Penham in Dorcetshire where many of these destroyers were themselves destroyed the rest for fafety flying towards Salisbury Edmund having recruited and refreshed his Army hasted after them and at Sheorstan in Worcestershire a second Battel was fought where Edmund behaved himself most gallantly executing the office both of a hardy Souldier and valiant Commander and undoubtedly the Danes had received a great overthrow had not Duke Edrick who for his many treasons was sirnamed the Traytor cut off the head of a Souldier resembling Edmond and holding it aloft thus cryed to the English Fly ye wretches fly and get away for your King is slain behold here is his Head but Edmond hearing of this treacherous stratagem hasted to show himself to his Souldiers whose sight so revived their drooping spirits that had not the approaching night prevented them they had obtained that day a most glorious victory Duke Edricks life had paid for his treason had he not presently fled to the enemy who afterwards excusing the fact as being mistaken in the countenance of the man as he was willing to save the lives of the English he was afterwards received into favour again There were slain on both sides by the report of writers no fewer then 20000 Souldiers which may very well be true considering the Battel lasted two whole dayes and that of Canutus side were many English who fought with a most furious and desperate hatred to the Danes so true is that expression of the Poets The highest fury raigns in civil War And Countrey men in fight most cruel are The Danes by stealth breaking up their camp in the night time hasted towards London which City they earnestly desired to conquer and where their ships lay in manner of a siege but Edmonds coming forced them to discamne who entred the City in a triumphant manner and two dayes after gave them Battel at Brentford where notwithstanding in passing the Thamesis he lost many of his men yet obtained he the victory and forced them to their ships But as if the fable of Hydra had been turned to a verity though they were suppressed in one place yet with double strength they encreased in another and though Edmond in person obtained many a Victory yet by his Subjects disloyalty and Duke Edricks treachery what he got in one place he lost in another so that sometimes he and sometimes Canutus were reputed as alternate Kings as the fate of War was either with or against them as a Poet writes of the successes of those times Now one side wins anon doth lose again This week doth Edmond next Canutus reign The Danes altogether minding mischief and to make havock of all wheresoever they came whilst Edmond was retired into the West with great booties and spoils returned to their ships and sailing up the river of Medway pitched their tent near Oteford in Kent Edmond as willing to save as they to destroy hasted after and pitched not far from his enemies Camp where he exhorted his Souldiers to remember their former victories and not to droop at the fight of them whom so often they had vanquished that the onely way to victory was to fight valiantly whilst cowards were causers of their own overthrow that those whom they dealt with were their ancient enemies accustomed to robberies enriched with rapines fatned with man-slaughters and tainted with perjuries their cause being thus just he desired them to fight valiantly and God would crown their endeavours with good success the edge of their valours whetted sharp by this oration with a general shout presaging victory they fell upon the Danes whom they discomfitted and slew of them to the number of four thousand five hundred and lost of their own onely six hundred This Victory might have put a Period to the Wars had not Duke Edrick disswaded Edmond from pursuing after them alledging the danger of ambush and the overwearied bodies of his Souldiers so that Canute thereby had leasure in safety to pass over into Essex Where beginning again to rob and spoil the Countrey many of the English for fear submitted themselves unto him but the restles Ironside hasted after them and at Ashdone three miles from Saffron Walden another Battel was fought where the Danes being at the point to have lost the day the traiterous Edrick revolted to their side by which treachery the English were overthrown In this bloody Battel the flower of the English Nobility lost their lives as Duke Alfred Duke Goodwyn Duke Athelward Duke
molested or disquieted concerning the same or for refusal thereof 2. And that no free-man be taken and imprisoned or be disseised of his free-hold or liberty or his free customs or be out-lawed or exiled but by the lawful judgement of his Peers or by the Law of the Land 3. And that your Majesty would be pleased to remove the Souldiers and Marriners now billetted in divers Counties and that your people may not be so burthened in time to come 4. That the late Commissions for proceeding by Marshal Law may be revoked and annulled and that hereafter no Commission of like nature may issue forth to any person or persons whatsoever to be executed lest by colour of them any of your Majesties Subjects be destroyed and put to death contrary to Law and the Franchises of the Land All which they most humbly pray of your most excellent Majesty as their Rights and Liberties according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm and that your Majesty would also vouchsafe to declare that all awards doings or proceedings to the prejudice of your People shall not be drawn hereafter into consequence and example Never writes a late Author of the History of the Reign of King Charles did arbritary power since Monarcy first founded so submittere faces so vail its Scepter never did the Prerogative descend so much from perch to popular lure as by this concession a concession able to give satisfaction ever so supererogation for what was amiss in all the Kings by-past government Much hoped it was that this Parliament would have had a happy conclusion but what Gregory Nazienzen complained of Councels That he never saw any one end well King Charles might with as much verity have pronounced as to his content of Parliaments not any one he summoned having had any termination other then disgustful to him for no sooner was the Petition of Right granted but the Parliament resolved upon a large Remonstrance to the King wherein they ripped up many grievances of the Kingdom accusing the Duke of Buckingham his excessive power and abuse of that power the principal cause of all those evils and dangers to which the King returned a smart answer wherewith the Commons being displeased fell down right upon another Remonstrance against Tonnage and Poundage Whereupon the King unwilling to hear of any more Remonstrances of that nature prorogued the Parliament unto October 20. During this Session the Earl of Denbigh with fifty Sail of Ships attempted the relief of Rochel but prevailing nothing a third Fleet was prepared ready whereof the Duke of Buckingham was to have the Command but being ready to embarque he was stabbed with a knife by Felton a discontented person of which as also of his unfortunate proceedings at the Isle of Rhe I refer my Reader to his foregoing Life The Duke being dead the charge of the Fleet was committed to the Earl of Lindsey a Gentleman of a gallant resolution but before his coming the Town was so blocked up by Land and barred up by Sea that it was almost unapproachable yet many gallant attempts were made by the Earl bringing up his Ships to the very mouth of the Bar but being ready to enter the pass the winde whisked about into an opposite Point which drove them dangerously foul one upon another whereupon the Rochellers hopeless of relief opened their Gates submitting themselves to the Kings mercy which was granted them The Famine and War having made such havock amongst them that of twenty two thousand souls but four thousand were left October the 20. being come the Parliament was prorogued to January the 20. following at which time they met who begun where they last left with Tonnage and Poundage for complaints came in thick and three-fold against the Customers for taking and distraining Merchants goods Great stickling was betwixt the King and Parliament concerning this business the King claiming it as a Prerogative belonging to the Crown they denying it as an infringement of the Petition of Right After much debating and high words on both sides the dissolution of the Parliament put a period to the contest Not long after by mediation of the Seignory of Venice a Peace was concluded between France and England Spain also hampred with wars and want of money made overtures of a Peace which at last was concluded and published with more then ordinary Solemnity These Wars with France and Spain had so emptied the Exchequer that the King was forced to make use of his Prerogative for a supply which was by summoning all persons who had Estates of forty pounds per annum to receive the Order of Knighthood formerly practised by several Kings though now a long disuse had made it a novelty Many of the Countrey Hobs who had gotten an estate liable to a Fine took it first as a jeast and thereupon made no appearance but their purses afterwards paid for it in good earnest This project alone bringing in to the Exchequer no less then a hundred thousand pound May the 29. 1630. the Queen was delivered of a Son who was baptized by the name of Charles having two years before miscarried of a son of the same name who lived not above an hour which occasioned Randolphs Muse thus to express her self Thy first birth Mary was unto a Tomb And sad Lucina did not aid thy womb To Heaven thou then wert fruitful now to earth Thou canst give Saints as well as Kings a birth It was now seven years and better since Charles was crowned King of England Scotland his Native Countrey had a Crown also to bestow upon him and the King adjudged it worth the going for for though saith one it conferreth no one dram of solid and real grandure to the Throne yet ceremoniated as it is with such formalities it representeth it self a serious vanity There attended him this journey the Earls of Northumberland Arundel Pembroke Southampton Salisbury Carlile Holland Monmouth and New Castle the Bishop of London Lord Treasurer Secretary Cook Vice Chamberlain with many other Gentlemen of quality June 18. 1633. he was crowned with great Solemnity at Edinburgh and having visited Ealkland Sterling and some other eminent places he returned back again into England Thus he was crowned by a Nation that afterwards snatcht it from his Royal Temples The King at his return found his Exchequer near empty whereupon he consults with his Attorney Noy for a way how to supply it he searching old Records being a man very studious that way findes an ancient precedent of raising a Tax for setting forth a Navy in case of danger to which purpose a Writ was issued out to the seveaal Counties in England for the raising of money sufficient for the setting forth of forty seven ships at which the Commons grumbled as an illegal Tax contrary unto the Petition of Right The King for his better satisfaction demands the opinion of the Judges who all of them under their hands confirmed the Legality thereof yet were not the
eminency of it but as many passages in it from his own lips give further illustrations of his Life The first Tryal of Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburne was at the Guild Hall in London the 24. of October 1649. being Wednesday The Commissioners Names of the extraordinary Commission of Oyer and Terminer for the Tryal of Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburn were these Thomas Andrews Lord Mayor Richard Keble Lord Commissioner Philip Jermyn Judge of the upper Bench Thomas Gates Baron John Pulestone Justice of the Common Pleas. Francis Thorp Barron and Member Robert Nicolas Member Richard Aske Justices of the Upper Bench. Peter Warburton Justice of the Common Pleas. Alexander Rigby Baron but absent Sir Thomas Fowler Sir Henry Holcroft Sir William Row Sir Richard Saltonstall Sir Richard Sprignall Sir John Woolistone Sir William Roberts John Green John Clarke John Parker Serjeants at Law William Steel Recorder John Fowke Thomas Foote John Kendrick Thomas Cullum Simon Edmonds Samuel Avery John Dethick Robert Tichburn John Hayes Aldermen Henry Proby Common Sergeant Thomas Brigandine Nathaniel Snape Edward Rich Owen Roe Tobias Lisle Austin Wingfield Richard Downton Daniel Taylor William Wibend Silvanus Taylor The Court was called O yes made All persons that were adjourned to the Court required to make their appearance The Lieutenant of the Tower of London Collonel Francis West was called to bring forth his Prisoner according to the precept Whereupon Collonel West Lieutenant of the Tower brought up the Prisoner out of the Irish Chamber where he had been some time before the sitting of the Court and was guarded by the said Lieutenant and a special Guard of Souldiers besides And being brought to the Bar the Sheriffs of London were directed to take the Prisoner into their custody Silence commanded the Crier said John Lilburne hold up thy hand Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne directed himself to Master Keble one of the Keepers of the great Seal as the President of the Court and said to this purpose Sir will it please you to hear me and if so by your favour thus All the priviledge for my part that I shall crave this day at your hands is no more but that which is properly and singly the Liberty of every Free-born English-man viz. the benefit of the Laws and Liberties thereof which by my Birth-right and Inheritance is due unto me the which I have fought for as well as others have done with a single and upright heart and if I cannot have and enjoy this I shall leave this Testimony behinde me that I died for the Laws and Liberties of this Nation and upon this score I stand and if I perish I perish And if the Fact that I have done cannot be justified by the Law of England let me perish I mention none of this for the gaining of mercy or by way of merit no I scorn it for mercy I crave from none but from the hands of my God alone with whom I hope and am assured one day to rest whom I have set before my eyes and so walked as believing I am alwayes in his presence in whose power my confidence is fixed whom I take and own to be my stay my staff my strength and support and in whom I rest as the life of my life and whom I hope to meet with joy when this fading and uncertain life shall have an end to live with him in glory and blessedness for evermore And because I would not willingly trouble you with many words to cause you to spend your time impertinently therefore Sir in reference to the Court I shall crave but so much liberty from you as was given to Paul when he pleaded for his life before the Heathen Roman Judges which was free liberty of speech to speak for himself the which I now humbly crave as my right not onely by the Law of God and Man but also by the law and light of Nature And I shall do it with that respect reason and judgement that doth become a man that knows what it is to plead for his life I hope Gode hath given me ability to be master of my own passion and endowed me with that reason that will dictate unto me what is for my own good and benefit I have several times been arraigned for my life already I was once arraigned before the House of Peers for sticking close to the Liberties and Priviledges of this Nation and those that stood for them being one of those two or three me that first drew their swords in Westminster Hall against Collonel Lunsford and some scores of his associates At that time it was supposed they intended to cut the throats of the chiefest men then sitting in the House of Commons I say for this and other things of the like nature I was arraigned by the Kings special Command and Order the first of May 1641. I mention it to this end that when I came before the House of Peers where was about three or fourscore Lords then sitting at the beginning of the parliament who then were supposed the most arbitrary of any power in England yet I had from them free liberty of speech to speak for my life at their Bar without check or controll in the best manner that all those abilities God had given me would enable me and when I was at Oxford I was again arraigned as a Traytor before the Lord Chief Justice Heath for levying War at the Command of the then Parliament against the person of the King and when I came before him in the Guild Hall of Oxford he told me there being present with him as his fellow Judge Master Gardiner sometimes Recorder of the City of London now Sir Thomas Gardiner and others that sate by a special Commission of Oyer and Terminer from the King the which Commission I did not so well then understand as I hope I do now And my Lord Chief Justice Heath stood up and in the face of all the Court and in the face of all the Countrey present there told me Captain Lilburne you are brought here before us for High Treason for leavying War in Oxfordshire against your Sovereign Lord and King and though you be now in a Garrison and were taken in Arms in open hostility against the King yea Sir and I must now tell you in such hostility that we were but about seven hundred men at Brandford that withstood the Kings whole Army in the field about five hours together and fought it out to the very swords point and to the butt end of the Musket and thereby hindered the King from his then possessing the Parliaments Train of Artillery and by consequence the City of London in which very act I was taken a Prisoner without Articles or Capitulation and was by the King and his Party then lookt upon as one of the activest men against them in the whole company yet said Judge Heath we will not take advantage of that to try you by the rules of Arbitrary Marshal Law or any other
for the fafety of my life I am forced to print an Apology and because you are named in it I judge it but man-like to send you a Copy of it And if I had not been travelling last post-day I had sent to you then And I have also by this post sent to a friend three sheets of paper in writing to communicate to your Lordship The which if you please to read them you will finde that you are deeply concerned in them I have no more to say to your Honour but to desire God for you if it be his pleasure to make you speedily as righteous in actions as you were some years ago in declarations and to take leave to say I am yet as much honest John Lilburne as ever I was in my life that neither loves flattery nor fears greatness or threatnings His Wife also sollicites the General for a pass which though not granted yet over he comes so confident he was that at Canterbury in his way to London he presently begins to boast of his own interest in England saying He had no need of a pass being as good a man as Cromwel and that he did not fear what he could do unto him Yet notwithstanding his monstrous confidence he was committed to prison and by order of Parliament tryed for his life at the Sessions House in the Old-Bailey August the 20. 1653. where he pleaded that the Act whereupon he was Indicted was a lie a falshood that it had no Law nor Reason in it That the Parliament could not make any Act of Parliament since the Kings head was cut off that by the same Law they voted him to death they might vote his honest twelve Jury men calling Jehovah to witness and protesting before God Angels and Men that he was not the John Lilburne intended in the Act whereupon this Jury following the example of the former satisfied with his answers and not questioning the validity of the Act found him not guilty Thus you see what endeavours were used to rid the Nation of him by tryals banishment and what not though in vain when as many a more heroick spirit and gallant heart far transcending him in birth and parts have fallen by the Sword of Justice in the twinkling of an eye truth it is he was a man of a restless and invincible spirit that could never be deterred with threats nor won with favours though as it is reported 3000. pounds was given out of the sale of Theobalds as a sop to stop his mouth he was questionless of a most implacable spirit working and restless as the Sea not to be appeased but with the blood of his adversaries nor can I deny but some of those things he aimed at were honest and useful for the people but he steered not the right course to attain those ends It may be admired at by some how such an illiterate person as Lilburne one whose breeding promised him more skill in his last trade of Sope then in Cook or to have had better judgement in rusticity in a Plow then in Plowden who from this low rise mounted no higher then to inferiour employments until in the late Wars he somewhat advantaged and preferred himself by his Sword I say it may seem strange to some how this person thus qualified should come to have so much knowledge and understanding in the Law for answer to which it is to be understood that Mr. Lilburne had formerly turned over some Statute Books in which he had made a small progress and that afterwards at such time as he was committed in the Tower there remained a prisoner there though for a different Cause that heart of Oak and a pillar of the Law Judge Jenkins who finding Lilburne of an accute Wit and one who dared to speak what some pusilanimous spirits were afraid to entrust their thoughts with he selected him as fit person to bandy against the present Government and by weakening their power to advance his Masters interest hereupon he helps him with tools wherewith to let up his trade so that in short space Magna Charta and Cooks Institutions were made his familiars by which means he quickly grew so cunning a gamester that like unto a cat throw him never so high he would be sure to pitch upon his feet Thus the old Judge and another reverend Divine in his learned volume of prophecying publisht to hook in the Independant party so strangely mistook themselves as that they could not have done their own cause a greater mischief But the Squib is now almost run to the end of the Rope we shall in the last place present our Proteus in the shape of a Quaker the person that converted him was a single-hearted Shoe-maker as he terms him in his Letter to his Wife which he writ to her from Dover Castle whither he was committed by the Parliament part whereof for your further satisfaction I have transcribed though curtail'd you have Mr. Johns own words to his Wife It is not much material what part of it I begin with such Quaking Cantings being to be read backwards like the Hebrew The contents follow And so in much mercy and endeared loving kindness as God did in my great straits in the Bishops time provide and send unto me a poor despised yet understanding Priscilla to instruct me in or expound unto me his wayes more fully and perfectly whom I am compelled now to tell thee I shall love and respect therefore the longest day I live upon the earth let her continue by whomsoever to be judged never so rigid or contemptible so here at this place he hath also provided for me an Aquila being a contemptible yet understanding spiritually knowing and single-hearted Shoe-maker to do the same now to my spiritual and no small advantage refreshment and benefit by means of all which I am at present become dead to my former bustling actings in the world and now stand ready with the devout Centurion spoken of Acts 10. To hear and obey all things that the lively voice of God speaking in my soul shall require of me upon the further manifestation of whose glorious presence my heart with a watching fear and care desires to wait and to walk faithfully and tenderly and humbly in that measure of light already received c. In another place he thus insinuates with his Wife to gain her to his opinion And now my dear love for whom my soul travels with God for thy eternal good with the same sincere heartedness as for my own hoping that thy late out-fall and mine was but for a set season that so as Divine Paul in another sense speaks Philem. 15. thy reconciliation and mine again might now remain firme in love for ever And a little after I therefore earnestly entreat thee not to cumber thy self in thy many turmoylings and journeyings for my outward liberty but sit down a little and behold the great salvation of the Lord. Subscribing his Letter thus Thine in the strength of
Gold and upon the Cushion which lay thereon was placed an Imperial Crown set with precious stones The Body of the Effigies lay upon a Bed of State covered with a large Pall of black Velvet under which there was spread a fine Holland Sheet upon six stools of tissued Cloth of Gold on the sides of the Bed of State was placed a rich suit of Compleat Armour and at the feet thereof stood his Crest The Bed of State whereupon the Effigies did thus lye was ascended unto by two steps covered with the aforesaid Pall of Velvet at each corner whereof there was placed an upright Pillar covered with Velvet upon the tops whereof were the four Supporters of the Imperial Arms bearing Banners or Streamers crowned The Pillars were adorned with Trophies of Military Honour carved and gilt the Pedestels of the Pillars had Shields and Crowns gilt which compleated the whole work Within the Rails and Ballasters which compassed the whole work and were covered with Velvet stood eight great silver Candlesticks or Standerts almost five foot high with Virgin-wax Tapers of a yard long next unto the Candlesticks there were set upright in Sockets the four great Standards of his Arms the Guydons great Banners and Banrolls of War being all of Taffety very richly gilt and painted The Cloth of State which covered the Bed and the Effigies had a Majestick Scutcheon and the whole Room adorned with Taffety Scutcheons several of his servants attending bare-headed to set out the Ceremony with the greater lustre After this to shew there is no intermission of this vanity his Effigies was several dayes shown in another Room standing upon an ascent under a rich Cloath of State vested in Royal Robes having a Scepter in one hand and a Globe in the other a Crown on his head his Armour lying by him at a distance and the Banners Banrolls and Standards being placed round about him together with the other Ensigns of Honour the whole Room being adorned in a Majesticall manner and his servants standing by bare-headed as before November the 23. was the day appointed for the Solemnization of the Funerals multitudes were the Spectators which from all places came to behold it so much are we taken with Novelty that we think no cost too much for the beholding a two or three hours vanity The Effigies being a while placed in the middle of a Room was carried on the Hearse by ten Gentlemen into the Court-yard where a very rich Canopy of State was borne over it by six other Gentlemen till it was brought and placed in a Chariot at each end whereof was a seat wherein sat two of his late Highness Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber the Pall which was made of Velvet and the White Linnen was very large extending on each side of the Carriage and was borne up by several persons of honour The Charriot wherein the Effigies was conveyed was covered with black Velvet adorned with Plumes and Scutcheons and was drawn by six Horses covered with black Velvet and each of them adorned with Plumes of black Feathers From Somerset-House to Westminster the streets were railed in and strewed with sand the Souldiers being placed on each side of the streets without the Rails and their Ensigns wrapped up in a Cypress mourning Veil The manner of the proceeding to the interrment was briefly thus First a Knight Martial advanced on Horseback with his black Truncheon tipt at both ends with Gold attended by his Deputy and thirteen men on Horseback to clear the way After him followed the poor men of Westminster in mourning Gowns and Hoods marching two and two Next unto them followed the servants of the several persons of all qualities which attended the Funeral These were followed by all his own servants as well inferiour as superiour both within and without the Houshold as alfo all his Bargemen at Watermen Next unto these followed the Servants and Officers belonging to the Lord Major and Sheriffs of the City of London Then came several Gentlemen and Attendants on the respective Ambassadours and the other publick Ministers After these came the poor Knights of Windsor in Gowns and Hoods Then followed the Clerks Secretaries and other Officers belonging to the Army the Admiralty the Treasury the Navy and Exchequer After these came the Officers in Command in the Fleet as also the Officers of the Army Next followed the Comissioners for Excise those of the Army and the Committee of the Navy Then follwed the Commissioners for the approbation of Preachers Then came the Officers Messengers and Clerks belonging to the Privy Councel and the Clerks of both Houses of Parliament Next followed his late Highness Physicians The Head Officers of the Army The chief Officers and Aldermen of the City of London The Masters of the Chancery with his Highness learned Councel at Law The Judges of the Admiralty the Masters of Request with the Judges in Wales The Barrons of the Exchequer the Judges of both Benches and the Lord Major of London Next to these the persons allied in Bloud to the late Protector and the Members of the Lords House After them the publick Ministers of Forreign States and Princes Then the Holland Ambassadour alone whose Train was born up by four Gentlemen Next to him the Portugal Ambassadour alone whose Train was held up by four Knights of the Order of Christ And thirdly the French Ambassadour whose Train was also held up by four persons of quality Then followed the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury The Lords of the late Protectors Privy Councel After whom followed the Chief Mourner and those persons of quality which were his Assistants and bare up his Train All the Nobles were in close mourning the rest were but in ordinary being disposed in their passage into several divisions being distinguished by Drums and Trumpets and by a Standard or Banner born by a person of Honour and his Assistant and a Horse of State covered with black Velvet and led by a person of Honour followed by two Grooms Of which Horses there were eleven in all four covered with black Cloth and seven with Velvet These being all passed in order at length the Chariot followed with the Effigies on each side of which were born six Banner Rolls twelve in all by as many persons of honor The several pieces of his Armour were born by eight Officers of the Army attended by a Herald and a Gentleman on each side Next followed Gartar principal King of Arms attended with a Gentleman on each side bare-headed Then came the chief Mourner together with those Lords and other Personages that were Supporters and Assistants to the chief Mourner Then followed the Horse of Honour in very rich Trappings embroidered upon Crimson Velvet and adorned with white red and yellow Plumes and was led by the Master of the Horse Finally in the close of all followed those of his late Guard and the Warders of the Tower At the West Gate of