THE HISTORIE , AND LIVES , OF THE KINGS of England ; From WILLIAM the CONQVEROR , vnto the end of the Raigne of King HENRIE the EIGHT .

By WILLIAM MARTYN Esquire , Recorder of the Honorable Citie of EXETER .

LONDON , Printed for IOHN BILL , William Barret , and Henrie Fetherstone .

1615.

WOrthie Gentlemen ( omitting all elaborated Eloquence , which oftentimes is vsed as a varnish , to couer vnprofitable labours ; As cunning Goldsmithes doe enrich their basest Siluer , when they Gilt it with their purest Gold ) J purpose to render to you an accompt of two reasons , which induced me to take this paine , and to publish this worke .

1. Jt is common among Phisitions ; That though profound Learning , and frequent Experience , haue furnished them with abundant skill , in their Honourable profession : yet they doe still striue to make their knowledge more perfect , in the discouerie of the imperfections of other mens bodies , then of their owne : Jn like sort it is the common custome of our times ; that many hopefull Gentlemen ( whom Nature and Arts haue beautified , with the rich treasures of their bountie ) do endeauour to be more exact and refined , in knowing the Religion , Lawes , Gouernment , Maners , Strength , and Sites of forraine Countries , then of that Kingdome wherein themselues were borne .

But as that man is wise in vaine , who is not wise vnto himselfe ; So it is a simple grace ( nay to speake plainly , it is a foule disgrace ) to a Gentleman ( especially to such a one , as hath , or doth intend to spend much time abroad to know the fashions of forraine Nations ) to be ignorant in the State of his owne Countrie at home . The Historie of which , affordeth as much varietie and profitable instruction , to captiuate the Readers delight in the perusall , as the fairest Pictures doe contentment , when with their artificiall beauties , they doe allure mens eyes to looke and to gaze vpon them .

To this end therefore , that hencefoorth such worthy Gentlemen as are purposed , in long traueling , to enlarge their experience , by the view of foraine Countries , may first be furnished with a conuenient knowledge of their owne ; J vndertooke this labour , and doe present it vnto you , with this my first reason which induced me thereunto .

2. The second reason of my so doing , springeth out of mine owne conceit ; which ( as J coniecture ) deceiues me not . For , in regard that the Histories of this Kingdome , are frequently interrupted , yea blemished , by too too many interuening Occurrences , and by a multitude of extrauagant Obseruations ( which doe much differ from the true Method , and Nature , of a well digested and composed Chronicle ; and thereby doe extend it into a needlesse and an vnprofitable length ) J am resolued that the Readers capacitie ( to obserue and to remember ) is much weakned thereby : And that many yong Gentlemen , who doe egerly striue to attaine to much knowledge in a short time , doe rather bend their Studies and their courses , to reade ouer the more narrowly contracted Histories of other Countries , then the voluminous Discourses of their owne .

Wherefore to inlighten their knowledge much , by reading this little ; J haue thrust forth into the World this short Historie , of the Raignes , Deeds , and Actions , of twentie of our English Kings ; which J will neither praise , least J wrong it by mine owne commendation ; nor dispraise , least you ( beleeuing mee on my word ) should thinke your time ill spent , to read what I haue written .

J know that such as are worthily descended , or who by learning are made worthy , will not only winke at some imperfections , because some knowledge is to be gained by the rest : but will also take in good part the presentment of a small gift ; if it be deliuered with a friendly hand . To such only , and to none other ( which are you ) doe J dedicate these my labors : Being confidently assured , that they cannot want their expected reward , which is nothing , but your kinde acceptance , and gracefull loue .