AFter that RICHARD the third of that name , King in fact onely , but Tyrant both in Title and Regiment , and so commonly termed and reputed in all times since , was by the Diuine Reuenge , fauouring the designe of an Exilde man , ouerthrowne and slaine at Bosworth-field : There succeeded in the Kingdome the Earle of Richmond , thence-forth stiled HENRY the Seuenth . The King immediately after the Victorie , as one that had beene bred vnder a deuout Mother , and was in his nature , a great Obseruer of religious formes , caused Te Deum Laudamus to be solemnely sung in the presence of the whole Armie vpon the place , and was himselfe with generall applause , and great Cries of Ioy , in a kind of Militar Election , or Recognition , saluted King . Meane-while the body of RICHARD after many indignities and reproches ( the Dirigies and Obsequies of the common people towards Tyrants ) was obscurely buried . For though the King of his noblenesse gaue charge vnto the Friers of Leicester to see an honourable interrment to be giuen to it , yet the Religious People themselues ( being not free from the humors of the Vulgar ) neglected it ; wherein neuerthelesse they did not then incurre any mans blame or censure . No man thinking any ignominie or contumely vnworthy of him , that had beene the Executioner of King HENRY the Sixth ( that innocent Prince ) with his owne hands ; the Contriuer of the death of the Duke of Clarence , his Brother ; the Murderer of his two Nephewes ( one of them his lawfull King in the Present , and the other in the Future , fayling of him ) and vehemently suspected to haue beene the Impoisoner of his wife , thereby to make vacant his Bed , for a Marriage within the Degrees forbidden . And although he were a Prince in Militar vertue approued , iealous of the honour of the English Nation , and likewise a good Law-maker , for the ease and solace of the common people : yet his Cruelties and Parricides in the opinion of all men , weighed downe his Vertues and merits ; and in the opinion of wise men , euen those Vertues themselues were conceiued to bee rather fained , and Affected things to serue his Ambition , then true Qualities ingenerate in his Iudgement or Nature . And therfore it was noted by men of great vnderstanding ( who seeing his after Acts , looked backe vpon his former Proceedings ) that euen in the time of King EDWARD his Brother , he was not without secret Traines and Mines to turne Enuie and Hatred vpon his Brothers Gouernement ; as hauing an Expectation and a kind of Diuination , that the King , by reason of his many disorders , could not be of long life , but was like to leaue his Sonnes of tender yeares ; and then hee knew well , how easie a step it was , from the place of a Protector , and first Prince of the Bloud , to the Crowne . And that out of this deepe root of Ambition it sprang , that aswell at the Treatie of peace that puffed betweene EDWARD the Fourth , and LEWIS the Eleuenth of France , concluded by Enteruiew of both Kings at Piqueny , as vpon all other Occasions , RICHARD then Duke of Glocester , stood euer vpon the side of Honour , raising his owne Reputation to the disaduantage of the King his Brother , and drawing the eyes of all ( especially of the Nobles and Souldiours ) vpon himselfe ; as if the King by his voluptuous life and meane marriage , were become effeminate and lesse sensible of honour , and Reason of State , then was fit for a King , Andras for the Politique and wholesome Lawes which were enacted in his time , they were interpreted to be but the Brocage of an Vsurper , therby to wooe , and winne the hearts of the people , as being conscious to himselfe that the true obligations of Soueraigntie in him failed , and were wanting . But King HENRY in the very entrance of his Reigne , and the instant of time , when the Kingdome was cast into his Armes , met with a Point of great difficultie , and knotty to solue , able to trouble and confound the wisest King in the newnesse of his Estate ; and so much the more , because it could not endure a Deliberation , but must be at once deliberated and determined . There were fallen to his lot , and concurrent in his person , three seuerall Titles to the Imperiall Crowne . The first , the title of the Lady Elizabeth , with whom , by precedent Pact with the Partie that brought him in , he was to marry . The second , the ancient and long disputed Title ( both by Plea , and Armes ) of the House of Lancaster , to which he was Inheritour in his owne Person . The third , the Title of the Sword or Conquest , for that he came in by victorie of Battaile , and that the King in possession was slaine in the field . The first of these was fairest , and most like to giue contentment to the people , who by two and twentie yeares Reigne of King EDWARD the Fourth , had beene fully made capable of the clearnesse of the Title of the White-Rose or House of Yorke ; and by the milde and plausible Reigue of the same king toward his Latter time , were become affectionate to that Line . But then it lay plaine before his Eyes , that if he relied vpon that Title , he could be but a King at Curtesie , and haue rather a Matrimoniall then a Regall power : the right remaining in his Queene , vpon whose decease , either with Issue , or without Issue , he was to giue place , and bee remoued . And though he should obtaine by Parliament to bee continued , yet hee knew there was a very great difference betweene a King that holdeth his Crowne by a cicuill act of Estates , and one that holdeth it originally by the Law of Nature , and descent of Bloud . Neither wanted there euen at that time secret Rumors and whisperings ( which afterwards gathered strength and turned to great troubles ) that the two young Sonnes of King EDWARD the Fourth , or one of them ( which were said to be destroyed in the Tower ) were not indeed murthered , but conueyed secretly away , and were yet liuing : which if it had beene true , had preuented the Title of the Lady ELIZABETH . On the other side , if he stood vpon his owne Title of the House of Lancaster , inherent in his Person ; hee knew it was a Title condemned by Parliament , and generally preiudged in the common opinion of the Realme , and that it tended directly to the disinherison of the Line of Yorke , held then the indubiate Heires of the crowne . So that if he should haue no Issue by the Lady ELIZABETH , which should bee Descendents of the Double-Line , when the ancient flames of Discord and intestine Warres vpon the Competition of both Houses , would againe returne and reuiue .

As for Conquest notwithstanding , Sir WILLIAM STANLEY , after some acclamations of the Souldiers in the Field , had put a Crowne of ornament ( which RICHARD wore in the Battaile , and was found amongst the Spoiles ) vpon King HENRIES head , as if there were his chiefe Title ; yet he remembred well vpon what Conditions and Agreements hee was brought in , and that to claime as Conquerour , was to put as well his owne Partie , as the rest , into Terror and Feare ; as that which gaue him power of disanulling of Lawes , and disposing of Mens Fortunes and Estates , and the like points of absolute power , being in themselues so harsh and odious , as that WILLIAM himselfe , commonly called the Conquerour , howsoeuer he vsed and exercised the power of a Conquerour , to reward his Normans , yet he sorbare to vse that Claime in the beginning , but mixed it with a Titularie pretence grounded vpon the Will and designation of EDWARD the Confessor . But the King out of the greatnesse of his owne minde , presently cast the Die , and the inconueniences appearing vnto him on all parts ; and knowing there could not be any Interreigne or suspension of Title ; and preferring his affection to his owne Line and Bloud , and liking that Title best which made him independent ; and being in his Nature and constitution of minde not very apprehensiue or forecasting of future Euents a-farre off , but an Intertainer of Fortune by the Day ; resolued to rest vpon the Title of Lancaster as the Maine , and to vse the other two , that of Marriage , and that of Battaile , but as Supporters , the one to appease secret Discontents , and the other to beat downe open murmur and dispute : not forgetting that the same Title of Lancaster had formerly maintained a possession of three Descents in the Crowne , and might haue proued a Perpetuitie , had it not ended in the weaknesse and inabilitie of the last Prince . Whereupon the King presently that very day , being the two and twentieth of August , assumed the Stile of King in his owne name , without mention of the Lady ELIZABETH at all , or any relation therunto . In which course hee euer after persisted , which did spin him a threed of many seditions and troubles . The King full of these thoughts , before his departure from Leicester , dispatched Sir ROBERT WILLOVGHBY to the Castle of Sheriffe-Hutton in Yorkeshire , where were kept in safe custodie by King RICHARDS commandement , both the Lady ELIZABETH daughter of king EDWARD , and EDWARD PLANTAGENET , Sonne and Heire to GEORGE Duke of Clarence . This EDWARD was by the Kings warrant deliuered from the Constable of the Castle to the hand of Sir ROBERT WILLOVGHBY ; and by him with all safetie and diligence conueyed to the Tower of London , where he was shut vp Close-prisoner . Which Act of the Kings ( being an Act meerely of Policie and power ) proceeded not so much from any apprehension he had of Doctor Shawes tale at Pauls Crosse , for the bastarding of EDWARD the fourths Issues , in which case this young Gentleman was to succeed ( for that Fable was euer exploded ) but vpon a serled disposition to depresse all Eminent persons of the Line of Yorke . Wherin still the King out of strength of Will , or weaknesse of Iudgement , did vse to shew a little more of the Partie , then of the King .

For the Lady ELIZABETH shee receiued also a direction to repaire with all conuenient speed to London , and there to remaine with the Queene Dowager her Mother ; which accordingly she soone after did , accompanied with many Noble-men and Ladies of Honour . In the meane season the King set forwards by easie iourneys to the Citie of London , receiuing the Acclamations and Applauses of the People as he went , which indeed were true and vnfained , as might well appeare in the very Demonstrations and Fulnesse of the Crie . For they thought generally that hee was a Prince as ordayned and sent downe from Heauen , to vnite and put to an end the long dissentions of the two Houses ; which although they had had in the times of HENRY the Fourth , HENRY the Fifth , and a part of HENRY the Sixth on the one side , and the times of EDWARD the Fourth on the other , Lucide-interuals and happy Pauses ; yet they did euer hang ouer the Kingdome , readie to breake forth into new Perturbations and Calamities . And as his victorie gaue him the Knee , so his purpose of marriage with the Lady ELIZABETH , gaue him the Heart ; so that both Knee and Heart did truely bow before him .

Hee on the other side with great wisedome ( not ignorant of the affections and feares of the people ) to disperse the conceit and terrour of a Conquest , had giuen order that there should be nothing in his iourney like vnto a warlike March , or manner : but rather like vnto the Progresse of a King in full peace and assurance .

Hee entred the Citie vpon a Saturday , as hee had also obtained the Victorie vpon a Saturday , which day of the Weeke first vpon an Obseruation , and after vpon Memorie and Fancie , hee accounted and chose as a day prosperous vnto him .

The Major and Companies of the Citie receiued him at Shore-ditch : whence , with great and Honorable attendance and troups of Noble-men , and Persons of Qualitie hee entred the Citie ; himselfe not being on Horse-backe , or in any open Chaire , or Throne , but in a close Chariot , as one that hauing beene somtimes an Enemie to the whole State , and a Proscribed person , chose rather to keepe State , and strike a Reuerence into the people then to fawne vpon them .

He went first into Saint Paules Church , where not meaning that the people should forget too soone that hee came in by Battaile , hee made Offertorie of his Standards , and had Orizons and Te Deum againe sung , and went to his Lodging prepared in the Bishop of Londons Palace , where he stayed for a time .

During his abode there , he assembled his Counsell , and other principall persons , in presence of whom , he did renew againe his promise to marrie with the Lady ELIZABETH . This hee did the rather , because hauing at his comming out of Britaine giuen artificially , for seruing of his owne turne some hopes , in cale he obtained the Kingdome , to marrie ANNE Inheritresse to the Duchie of Britaine , whom CHARLES the Eight of France soone after married ; It bred some doubt and suspicion amongst diuers , that he was not sincere , or at least not fixed in going on with the match of England so much desired : which Conceit also though it were but Talke and Discourse did much afflict the poore Lady ELIZABETH her selfe . But howsoeuer he both truly intended it , and desired also it should be so beleeued , ( the better to extinguish Enuie and Contradiction to his other purposes ) yet was he resolued in himselfe not to proceed to the Consummation thereof till his Coronation and a Parliament were past . The one , least a ioynt Coronation of himselfe and his Queene might giue any countenance of participation of Title ; The other , least in the intayling of the Crowne to himselfe , which he hoped to obtaine by Parliament , the Votes of the Parliament might any wayes reflect vpon her .

About this time in Autumne , towards the end of September , there began and reigned in the Citie and other parts of the Kingdome a Disease then new : which of the Accidents and manner thereof , they called the Sweating Sicknesse . This Disease had a swift course both in the Sicke-Body and in the Time and Period of the lasting therof : for they that were taken with it , vpon foure and twentie houres escaping were thought almost assured . And as to the Time of the malice and reigne of the Disease ere it ceased ; It began about the one and twentieth of September , and cleared vp before the end of October , insomuch as it was no hinderance to the Kings Coronation , which was the last of October : nor ( which was more ) to the holding of the Parliament , which began but seuen dayes after . It was a Pestilent-Feuer , but as it seemeth not seated in the Veynes or Humors , for that there followed no Carbuncle , no purple or liuide Spots , or the like , the Masse of the Bodie being not tainted : onely a maligne Vapour flew to the Heart and seased the vitall Spirits ; which stirred Nature to striue to send it forth by an extreme sweat . And it appeared by experience that this Disease was rather a Surprise of Nature , than obstinate to remedies , if it were in time looked vnto . For if the Patient were kept in an equall temper , both for Clothes , Fire , and Drinke , moderately warme , with temperate Cordials , wherby Natures worke were neither irritated by Heat , nor turned backe by Cold , hee commonly recouered . But infinite Persons died sodainly of it , before the manner of the Cure and attendance was knowne . It was conceiued not to bee an Epidemicke Disease , but to proceed from a malignitie in the constitution of the Aire , gathered by the predispositions of Seasons : and the speedie cessation declared as much .

On SIMON and IVDES Euen the King dined with THOMAS BOVRCHIER , Arch-Bishop of Canterburie , and Cardinall : and from Lambeth went by Land ouer the Bridge to the Tower , where the morrow after hee made twelue Knights-Bannerets . But for Creations hee dispensed them with a sparing hand . For notwithstanding a Field so lately fought , and a Coronation so neere at hand , hee onely created three : IASPER Earle of Pembroke ( the Kings Vncle ) was created Duke of Bedford ; THOMAS the Lord STANLEY ( the Kings Father-in-law Earle of Darbie ; and EDWARD COVRTNEY Earle of Deuon ; though the King had then neuerthelesse a purpose in himselfe to make more in time of Parliament ; bearing a wise and decent respect to distribute his Creations , some to honour his Coronation , and some his Parliament .

The Coronation followed two dayes after vpon the thirtieth day of October in the yeare of our Lord 1485. At which time INNOCENT the Eight was Pope of Rome ; FREDERICKE the Third , Emperour of Almaine ; and MAXIMILIAN his sonne newly chosen King of the Romans ; CHARLES the Eight , King of France ; FERDINANDO and ISABELLA , Kings of Spain ; and IAMES the Third , King of Scotland : with all which Kings and States , the King was at that time in good peace and amitie . At which day also ( as if the Crowne vpon his head , had put perils into his thoughts ) he did institute for the better securitie of his person a Band of fiftie Archers vnder a Captaine to attend him , by the name of Yeomen-of-his - Guard : and yet that it might be thought to be rather a matter of Dignitie , after the imitation of that hee had knowne abroad , then any matter of Diffidence appropriate to his owne Case , hee made it to be vnderstood for an Ordinance not temporarie , but to hold in succession for euer after .

The seuenth of Nouember the King held his Parliament at Westminster , which hee had summoned immediately after his comming to London . His Ends in calling a Parliament ( and that so speedily ) were chiefly three ; First , to procure the Crowne to bee entayled vpon himselfe . Next , to haue the Attaindors of all of his Partie ( which were in no small number ) reuersed , and all Acts of hostilitie by them done in his quarrell , remitted and discharged : and on the other side to attaine by Parliament , the Heads and Principals of his Enemies . The Third , to calme and quiet the feares of the rest of that Partie by a Generall-Pardon : not being ignorant in how great danger a King stands from his Subiects , when most of his Subiects are conscious in themselues , that they stand in his danger . Vnto these three speciall Motiues of a Parliament was added , that hee as a prudent and moderate Prince , made this iudgement ; that it was fit for him to hasten to let his people see , that hee meant to gouerne by Law , howsoeuer hee came in by the Sword : and fit also to reclaime them to know him for their King , whom they had so lately talked of as an Enemie or Banished-man , For that which concerned the Entayling of the Crowne ; ( more then that he was true to his owne Will , that hee would not endure any mention of the Lady ELIZABETH : no not in the nature of Speciall-Intaile , ) he carried it otherwise with great wisdome and measure . For he did not presse to haue the Act penned by way of Declaration or Recognition of right : as on the other side , he auoyded to haue it by new Law or Ordinance ; but chose rather a kind of middle-way , by way of Establishment , and that vnder couert and indifferent words ; That the inheritance of the Crowne should rest , remaine , and abide in the King , &c. which words might equally be applied ; That the Crowne should continue to him : but whether as hauing former right to it , ( which was doubtfull ) or hauing it then in Fact and possession ( which no man denied ) was left faire to interpretation eyther way . And againe for the limitation of the Entaile , he did not presse it to goe further then to himselfe and to the Heires of his body , not speaking of his right Heires ; but leauing that to the Law to decide : so as the Entaile might seeme rather a personall fauour to him , and his children , then a totall Dis-inherison to the House of Yorke . And in this forme , was the Law drawne and passed . Which Statute hee procured to be confirmed by the Popes Bull the yeare following , with mention neuerthelesse ( by way of Recitall ) of his other Titles ; both of Descent and Conquest . So as now the wreath of Three was made a wreath of Fiue , for to the three first Titles of the two Houses , or Lines , and Conquest , were added two more ; the Authorities Parliamentarie and Papall .

The King likewise in the Reuersall of the Attaindors of his Partakers , and discharging them of all offences incident to his seruice and succour , had his Will : and Acts did passe accordingly . In the passage whereof , exception was taken to diuers Persons in the house of Commons for that they were attainted , and therby not legall , nor habilitate to serue in Parliament , being disabled in the highest degree ; And that it should bee a great incongruitie to haue them to make Lawes , who themselues were not Inlawed . The truth was , that diuers of those which had in the time of King RICHARD beene strongest and most declared for the Kings Partie , were returned Knights and Burgesses for the Parliament ; whether by care or recommendation from the State , or the voluntarie inclination of the People : many of which had beene by RICHARD the third attainted by Outlawries , or otherwise . The King was somewhat troubled with this . For though it had a graue and specious Shew , yet it reflected vpon his Partie . But wisely not shewing himselfe at all moued therewith , hee would not vnderstand it but as a Case in Law ; and wished the Iudges to be aduised therupon : who for that purpose were forthwith assembled in the Exchequer-Chamber ( which is the Councell-Chamber of the Iudges ) and vpon deliberation they gaue a graue and safe Opinion and Aduice , mixed with Law and Conuenience ; which was , that the Knights and Burgesses attainted by the course of Law , should forbeare to come into the House , till a Law were passed for the reuersall of their Attaindors .

It was at that time incidently moued amongst the Iudges in their Consultation , what should be done for the King himselfe , who likewise was attainted ? But it was with vnanimous consent resolued , That the Crowne takes away all defects and stops in bloud : and that from the time the King did assume the Crowne , the fountaine was cleared , and all Attaindors and Corruption of bloud discharged . But neuerthelesse for Honours sake it was ordained by Parliament , that all Records wherein there was any memorie , or mention of the Kings Attaindor , should be defaced , cancelled , and taken off the File .

But on the part of the Kings Enemies there were by Parliament attainted ; the late Duke of Glocester , calling himselfe RICHARD the Third , The Duke of Norfolke , the Earle of Surrey , Viscount LOVEL , the Lord FERRERS , the Lord ZOVCH , RICHARD RATCLIFFE , WILLIAM CATESBY , and many others of degree and qualitie . In which Bills of Attaindors , neuerthelesse there were contained many iust and temperate Clauses , Sauings , and Prouisoes , well shewing and fore-tokening the wisdome , stay , and moderation of the Kings spirit of Gouernment . And for the Pardon of the rest , that had stood against the King ; the King , vpon a second aduice , thought it not fit it should passe by Parliament , the better ( being matter of Grace ) to impropriate the thankes to himselfe : vsing onely the opportunitie of a Parliament time , the better to disperse it into the Veines of the Kingdome . Therfore during the Parliament , hee published his Royall Proclamation , offering Pardon and Grace of restitution , to all such as had taken Armes , or beene participant of any Attempts against him ; so as , they submitted themselues to his mercie by a Day , and tooke the Oath of Allegeance and Fidelitie to him . Whereupon many came out of Sanctuary , and many more came out of Feare , no lesse guiltie then those that had taken Sanctuarie .

As for Money or Treasure , the King thought it not seasonable , or fit to demand any of his Subiects at this Parliament : both because he had receiued satisfaction from them in matters of so great importance : and because hee could not remunerate them with any Generall Pardon , being preuented therin by the Coronation Pardon , passed immediatly before : but chiefly , for that it was in euery mans eye , what great Forfeitures and Confiscations he had at that present to helpe himselfe : Wherby those Casualties of the Crowne might in reason spare the Purses of the Subiect ; especially in a time when he was in peace with all his Neighbours . Some few Lawes passed at that Parliament , almost for forme sake : amongst which there was One , to reduce Aliens , being made Denizens , to pay strangers Customes ; and another , to draw to himselfe the Seisures and Compositions of Italians Goods , for not imployment being Points of Profit to his Coffers , whereof from the very Beginning he was not forgetfull ; and had beene more happie at the Latter End , if his early prouidence ( which kept him from all necessitie of exacting vpon his people ) could likewise haue attemp'red his nature therin . He added during Parliament , to his former Creations , the Innoblement or aduancement in Nobilitie of a few others : The Lord CHANDOS of Brittaine , was made Earle of Bathe ; and Sir GILES DAWBENY was made Lord Dawbeny ; and Sir ROBERT WILLOVGHBY Lord Brooke .

The King did also with great Noblenesse and Bountie ( which Vertues at that time had their turnes in his Nature ) restore EDWARD STAFFORD ( eldest sonne to HENRY , Duke of Buckingham , attainted in the time of King RICHARD ) not onely to his Dignities , but to his Fortunes and Possessions , which were great : to which he was moued also by a kind of gratitude , for that the Duke was the man that moued the first Stone against the Tyrannie of King RICHARD , and indeed madethe King a bridge to the Crowne vpon his owne Ruines . Thus the Parliament brake vp .

The Parliament being dissolued , the King sent forthwith Money to redeeme the Marquesse Dorset , and Sir IOHN BOVRCHIER , whom hee had left as his Pledges at Paris , for Money which hee had borrowed , when he made his Expedition for England . And thereupon hee tooke a fit occasion to send the Lord Treasurer and Master BRAY ( whom hee vsed as Councellor ) to the Lord Maior of London , requiring of the Citie a Prest of six thousand Markes : But after many Parlees , hee could obtaine but two thousand pounds . Which neuerthelesse the King tooke in good part ; as Men vse to doe , that practise to borrow Money , when they haue no need . About this time , the King called vnto his Priuie-Councell , IOHN MORTON , and RICHARD FOX , the one Bishop of Elie , the other Bishop of Excester , vigilant men , and secret , and such as kept watch with him almost vpon al men else . They had beene both versed in his Affaires , before hee came to the Crowne , and were partakers of his aduerse Fortune . This MORTON soone after vpon the death of BOVRCHIER , he made Archbishop of Canterbury . And for FOX , hee made him Lord Keeper of his Priuie-Seale , and afterwards aduanced him by Degrees , from Excester to Bathe and Wells , thence to Durham , and last , to Winchester . For although the King loued to imploy and aduance Bishops , because hauing rich Bishopricks , they carried their Reward vpon themselues : yet he did vse to raise them by steps ; that hee might not lose the profit of the First-fruits , which by that course of Gradation was multiplied .

At last , vpon the eighteenth of Ianuarie was solemnized the so long expected and so much desired Marriage , betweene the King & the Lady ELIZABETH : Which Day of Marriage was celebrated with greater Triumph , and Demonstrations ( especially on the peoples part ) of Ioy and Gladnesse , than the dayes eyther of his Entrie , or Coronation ; which the King rather noted , than liked . And it is true , that all his life time , while the Lady ELIZABETH liued with him , ( for she died before him ) hee shewed himselfe no very indulgent Husband towards her , though shee was beautifull , gentle , and fruitfull . But his auersion towards the House of YORKE was so predominant in him , as it found place , not only in his Warres and Counsells , but in his Chamber and Bed .

Towards the middle of the Spring , the King , full of confidence and assurance , as a Prince that had beene victorious in Battaile , and had preuailed with his Parliament in all that hee desired , and had the Ring of Acclamations fresh in his eares , thought the rest of his Raigne should bee but Play , and the enioying of a Kingdome . Yet as a wise and watchfull King , hee would not neglect any thing for his safetie ; thinking neuerthelesse to performe all things now , rather as an Exercise , then as a Labour . So hee being truly informed , that the Northerne parts were not onely affectionate to the House of YORKE , but particularly had beene deuoted to King RICHARD the third ; thought it would bee a Summer well spent to visit those Parts , and by his presence and application of himselfe , to reclaime and rectifie those humors . But the King , in his accompt of Peace , and Calmes , did much ouer-cast his Fortunes , which proued for many yeares together full of Broken Seas , Tides , and Tempests . For he was no sooner come to Lincolne , where he kept his Easter , but he receiued newes , that the Lord LOVEL , HVMPHREY STAFFORD , and THOMAS STAFFORD ( who had formerly taken Sanctuarie at Colchester ) were departed out of Sanctuarie , but to what place , no man could tell . Which aduertisement , the King despised , and continued his Iourney to Yorke . At Yorke there came fresh and more certaine aduertisement , that the Lord LOVEL was at band with a great power of men , and that the STAFFORDS were in Armes in Worcestershire , and had made their approaches to the Citie of Worcester , to assaile it . The King , as a Prince of great and profound iudgement , was not much moued with it ; for that hee thought it was but a Ragge or Remnant of Bosworth-Field , and had nothing in it of the maine Partie of the house of YORKE . But hee was more doubtfull of the raysing of Forces to resist the Rebels , then of the Resistance it selfe ; for that hee was in a Core of People , whose affections he suspected . But the Action enduring no delay , hee did speedily leuie and send against the Lord LOVEL to the number of three thousand men , ill armed , but well assured ( being taken some few out of his owne Traine , and the rest out of the Tenants and Followers of such as were safe to bee trusted ) vnder the Conduct of the Duke of Bedford . And as his manner was to send his Pardons rather before the Sword then after , hee gaue Commission to the Duke , to proclaime pardon to all that would come in : Which the Duke , vpon his approach to the Lord LOVELS Campe , did performe . And it fell out as the King expected ; the Heralds were the Great-Ordnance . For the Lord LOVEL , vpon Proclamation of pardon , mistrusting his men , fled into Lancashire , and lurking for a time with Sir THOMAS BROVGHTON , after sailed ouer into Flanders , to the Ladie MARGARET . And his men , forsaken of their Captaine , did presently submit themselues to the Duke . The STAFFORDS likewise , and their Forces , hearing what had happened to the Lord LOVEL ( in whose successe their chiefe trust was ) despaired , and dispersed . The two Brothers , taking Sanctuarie at Colnham , a Village neare Abington ; which Place , vpon view of their Priuiledge in the Kings Bench , being iudged no sufficient Sanctuarie for Traitors , HVMPHREY was executed at Tiburne ; and THOMAS , as being led by his elder brother , was pardoned . So this Rebellion proued but a Blast , and the King hauing by this Iourney purged a little the Dregs and Leauen of the Northerne People , that were before in no good affection towards him , returned to London .

In September following , the Queene was deliuered of her first sonne , whom the King ( in honour of the Brittish-Race , of which himselfe was ) named ARTHVH , according to the Name of that ancient worthie King of the Britaines ; in whose Acts there is truth enough to make him Famous , besides that which is Fabulous . The Childe was strong and able , though hee was borne in the eight Moneth , which the Physicians doe preiudge .

THere followed this yeare , being the Second of the Kings Reigne , a strange Accident of State , whereof the Relations which wee haue , are so naked , as they leaue it scarce credible ; not for the nature of it ( for it hath fallen out oft ) but for the manner and circumstance of it , especially in the beginnings . Therfore wee shall make our Iudgement vpon the things themselues , as they giue light one to another , and ( as wee can ) digge Truth out of the Mine . The King was greene in his estate ; and contrarie to his owne opinion , and desert both , was not without much hatred throughout the Realme . The root of all , was the discountenancing of the House of YORKE , which the generall Bodie of the Realme still affected . This did alienate the hearts of the Subiects from him daily more and more , especially when they saw , that after his Marriage , and after a Sonne borne , the King did neuerthelesse not so much as proceed to the Coronation of the Queene , not vouchsafing her the honour of a Matrimoniall Crowne ; for the Coronation of her was not till almost two yeares after , when Danger had taught him what to doe . But much more , when it was spread abroad ( whether by Errour , or the cunning of Male-Contents ) that the King had a purpose to put to death EDWARD PLANTAGENET closely in the Tower : Whose case was so neerly paralleld with that of EDWARD the Fourths Children , in respect of the Bloud , like Age , and the very place of the Tower , as it did refresh and reflect vpon the King a most odious resemblance , as if hee would bee another King RICHARD . And all this time it was still whispered euery where , that at least one of the Children of EDWARD the Fourth was liuing . Which Bruit was cunningly fomented by such as desired Innouation . Neither was the Kings nature and customes greatly fit to disperse these Mists ; but contrariwise hee had a fashion rather to create Doubts , then Assurance . Thus was Fuell prepared for the Sparke : the Sparke that afterwards kindled such a fire , and combustion , was at the first contemptible .

There was a subtill Priest called RICHARD SIMON , that liued in Oxford , and had to his Pupill a Bakers sonne named LAMBERT SIMNELL , of the age of some fifteene yeares ; a comely Youth , and weli fauoured , not without some extraordinarie dignitie and grace of aspect . It came into this Priests fancie ( hearing what men talked , and in hope to raise himselfe to some great Bishopricke ) to cause this Lad to counterfeit and personate the second sonne of EDWARD the Fourth , supposed to be murdered ; and afterward ( for he changed his intention in the manage ) the Lord EDWARD PLANTAGENET then prisoner in the Tower , and accordingly to frame him and instruct him in the Part hee was to play . This is that which ( as was touched before ) seemeth scarcely credible ; Not that a False person should be assumed to gaine a Kingdome , for it hath beene seene in ancient and late times ; nor that it should come into the mind of such an abiect Fellow , to enterprise so great a matter ; for high Conceits doe sometimes come streaming into the Imaginations of base persons , especially when they are drunke with Newes , and talke of the people . But heere is that which hath no apparance ; That this Priest being vtterly vnacquainted with the true Person , according to whose patterne hee should shape his Counterfeit , should thinke it possible for him to instruct his Player , either in gesture and fashions , or in recounting past matters of his life and education ; or in fit answers to questions , or the like , any wayes to come neare the resemblance of him whom hee was to represent . For this Lad was not to personate one , that had beene long before taken out of his Cradle , or conueighed away in his infancie , knowne to few ; but a Youth that till the age almost of ten yeares had beene brought vp in a Court where infinite eyes had beene vpon him . For King EDWARD touched with remorse of his brother the Duke of Clarences death , would not indeed restore his sonne , ( of whom wee speake ) to bee Duke of Clarence , but yet created him Earle of Warwicke , reuiuing his honour on the mothers side , and vsed him honourably during his time , though RICHARD the Third afterwards confined him . So that it cannot bee , but that some great Person , that knew particularly , and familiarly EDWARD PLANTAGENET , had a hand in the businesse , from whom the Priest might take his ayme . That which is most probable , out of the precedent and subsequent Acts , is , that it was the Queene Dowager , from whom this action had the principall source and motion . For certaine it is , shee was a busie negotiating woman , and in her withdrawing Chamber had the fortunate Conspiracie for the King against King RICHARD the Third , beene hatched ; which the King knew , and remembred perhaps but too well ; and was at this time extremely discontent with the King , thinking her daughter ( as the King handled the matter ) not aduanced , but depressed : and none could hold the Booke so well to prompt and instruct this Stage-Play , as she could . Neuerthelesse it was not her meaning , nor no more was it the meaning of any of the better and sager sort that fauoured this Enterprise and knew the Secret , that this disguised Idoll should possesse the Crowne ; but at his perill to make way to the Ouerthrow of the King : and that done , they had their seuerall Hopes and Waies . That which doth chiefly fortifie this Coniecture , is , that as soone as the matter brake forth in any strength , it was one of the Kings first Acts to cloister the Queene Dowager in the Nunnery of Bermondsey , and to take away all her lands and estate ; and this by close Councell without any legall proceeding , vpon farre-fetcht Pretences ; That shee had deliuered her two daughters out of Sanctuarie to King RICHARD contrarie to promise . Which Proceeding being euen at that time taxed for rigorous and vndue , both in matter and maner ; makes it very probable there was some greater matter against her , which the King vpon reason of Policie , and to auoid enuy would not publish . It is likewise no small argument that there was some secret in it , and some suppressing of Examinations ; for that the Priest SIMON himselfe , after hee was taken was neuer brought to execution ; no not so much as to publike Triall ( as many Clergie-men were vpon lesse Treasons ) but was only shut vp close in a Dungeon . Adde to this that the after Earle of Lincolne ( a principall Person of the House of YORKE ) was slaine in Stoke-field , the King opened himselfe to some of his Councell , that he was sorie for the Earles death , because by him ( hee said ) hee might haue knowne the bottome of his danger .