WILLIAM , Duke of Normandy , base sonne of Robert Duke of Normandy , being a warlike & politick prince , of neere kinred , & great credit with Edward Confessor king of England ( whom he perceiued more giuen to vertue than to pollicy , & through weaknes of body , & course of yeares , vnlikely to liue long ) began to contriue in his mynd , the attaining of the crowne of this land after the deceasse of the old king . For accomplishing whereof , he placed diuerse Normans in the greatest roomes about him whilest he liued , and when he was dead , leuied an army of sundry nations , and therewith pretending the patronage of England against Harolde the sonne of Godwin , that vsurped the kingdome , first fought with him & slue him , at the place now called Batell in Sussex , the xiiij . of October , in the yeare 1066. tooke the crowne vpon him by election of the Estates . Then seeking to stop titles , he imprisoned Eadgar Etheling , the only true heire of the Saxons bloud , & by meanes of Ethelbert Archbishop of Hamborow for money , procured Suene king of Denmarke to surcease the clame of the Danes . Hauing thus established his affairs died at S. Geruis neare Roane the 9. of Sept. an. 1087. when he had raigned xx . yeares , x. moneths , and xxvj . dayes , and was buried at Cane , in the abbey of S. Stephen , which he founded .

WILLIAM Rufus third sonne to the Conqueror , borne in Normandy long before his father obtayned the realme , hearing of his death made hast into England ( least by his elder brother Robert he should be preuented ) was by his large gifts , which he bestowed out of his fathers treasurie , hauing obtayned the keyes thereof , receiued of the Nobility , accepted of the inferior sort , to be their king , but chiefly by the perswasion of the archbishop Lanfranke , vnder whom he was brought vp , and was by him crowned at Westminster the xxvij . day of October , anno 1087. He was brought vp with great care of his parents , obeying his father in all his actions , wherefore his father at his death appointed him to succeede in the kingdome . He vanquished the Welshmen , ouercame the Scots , and subdued his two vncles , and others of his Nobility that rebelled against him in the behalfe of his elder brother , Robert Duke of Normandy . He was slaine with an arrowe as he was hunting in the new forest in Hamshire , by a knight of his , called Sir Walter Tirel , the first day of August an. 1100 when he had raigned xiij . yeares , lacking xxij . dayes , and was buried at Winchester .

HENRIE Beauclarke , fourth sonne to the Conqueror , was chosen king after the buriall of his brother , by meanes of his old familiar friend , Henrie Earle of Warwicke , although there was some controuersie amongst the Nobilitie about the same , yet the rather they consented thereto , because he was by birth both an Englishman , & sonne to a King and Queene , for he was borne in England the third yeare of his fathers raigne . He was crowned at Westminster the fift day of August by Maurice Bishop of London , in the absence of the Archbishop Anselme . In the seuenth yeare of his raigne he tooke his eldest brother Robert Duke of Normandy prisoner , and so he kept him till he dyed . After which time he called himselfe King of England , & Duke of Normandy . He left behind him but one onely daughter lawfully begotten , Maud the Empresse , then maried to Geffrey Plantaginet Earle of Angio , mother to King Henry the second . He died at S. Denis in the forest of Lions in Normandie , the first day of December , anno 1135. when he had raigned xxxv . yeares and foure moneths , & was buried in the Abbey of Reding , which he had founded .

STEPHEN borne in France , and brought vp in England vnder his vncle king Henry the first , Erle of Mortain , & in right of Maud his wife Erle of Bolein , third sonne of Stephen Erle of Champaine and Blais , and Alice his wife , daughter to William Conqueror king of England , began his raigne ouer this realme the ij . day of December , anno 1135. and was crowned at Westminster the xxvj . day of the same month by the hands of William Corbuell archbishop of Canterbury . This king came to the crowne by vsurpation , and periurie both of himself & most part of the Bishops and Nobilitie ( both he and they being before that sworne to maintaine the right of Maud the Empresse and her issue ) for the which God iustly sent this plague of dissention & rebellion amongst them , which neuer could be appeased during his raigne . He was valiant and hardie , for in a battell at Lincolne , where all his Nobility were fled or taken , he valiantly stood in the forward continually fighting , bestowing such stroks as those whom he hit , were either rewarded with death , or neuer prospered after . He died in Kent the 25. of October , 1154. hauing raigned 18. yeares , 9. moneths , and 23. daies , & was buried at Feuersham . After whose death there was interregnum 54. dayes .

HENRIE surnamed Fitz Emprice , borne in Mayne , sonne of Geffrey Plantaginet Earle of Angio & Maud the Empres daughter and heire to Henrie the first , king of England , being of the age of xx . yeres , began his raign ouer this realme the xix . of December , 1154. and was crowned the same day at Westminster . This king in right of his father vnited the Earledome of Angio to the crowne of England : & the Dukedome of Aquitaine , with the Earldom of Poitiers in right of Alianore his wife , & by conquest subdued the Duchy of Britaine , & the kingdome of Ireland therunto . So that he was the only Monarch and chiefe gouernor from the Iles of Orcades beyond Scotland , vnto the vttermost bonds of the mountaines Perines , which deuide France & Spaine . He was the first that ordained the Iustice of Ayer , & for the ease of the people he deuided this land into sixe circuits , appointing to euery one 3. Iudges , well learned in the lawes of this land . He ended his dayes at Chinon in France the vj. day of Iuly , ann. 1189. when he had raigned 34. yeares , 7. months , lacking ten daies , and was buried at Fount Euerard . After whose death there was interregnum for the space of lviij . dayes .

RICHARD Erle of Poitiers , born at Oxford , second sonne of king Henry the ij . being xxxv . yeares old began his raign ouer this realm the 3. of Septemb. 1189. & was crowned at Westminster the same day , by Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury . He taking his iourney toward the holy land , was misused by the way of the Ciprians , wherat he being offended , set vpon them , subdued them , & in xv . dayes conquered the whole Iland , tooke the Emperour therof , & kept him in fetters of siluer . From thence he took his iourney to the siege of Acon , where he most valiantly behaued himself , so that his only name was a terror to the Turkes . After this , by reason of rebellion of his brother Iohn , & inuasion of his territories beyond the seas by the king of France , was forced to return home and was taken by the way & imprisoned by Leopoldus Duke of Austria , whose enuie was great against him , because in his youth he had slain the Dukes brother with a chesse boord in the Court of France , as they played together . This king besieging the Castle of Chalut , was striken with a venimed quarell , whereof he died the 6. of April , 1199. hauing raigned 9. yeares , 7. moneths , and three dayes , and lyeth at Fount Euerard . After whose death there was interregnum 21. dayes .

IOHN Lord of Ireland , Erle of Mortain & Gloucester , brother to the late king Richard 1. & youngest sonne of king Henry the ij . being of the age of xxxij . yeares , began his raigne ouer this realme the xxvij . of Aprill , 1199. and was crowned at Westminster the same day . This king was the first that did write himself Lord of Ireland : which continued in his successors , vntill king Henry the 8. the 21. of Ianuary , in the 33. yere of his raign wrote himself king of Ireland . This king tooke , imprisoned , & put to death his nephew Arthur Duke of Britaine , sonne & heire to Geffrey Duke of Britain , third sonne to king Henry the ij . right heire to the crowne : & kept Alianore his sister in prison , because she should neither marrie nor haue issue : wherefore Philip the French king cited him sundrie times to appeare before him which he refused to do : & was therefore adiudged by his Peeres of France to forfait all his lands which he held of the crowne of France . He died in the Castle of Newarke the 19. of October , anno 1216. when he had raigned 17. yeares , 5. moneths , and 23. dayes , and lyeth at Worcester . After whose death there was interregnum for the space of 8. dayes .

HENRY the third , sonne & heire to king Iohn , being 9. yeares old beganne his raigne ouer this realme the 28. day of Octob. 1216. & was crowned the same day at Gloucester by the hands of Peter bishop of Winchester . This king brought into this land & preferred to great dignities his halfe brethren by the mother , sons of Hugh de Brun Erle of March , whereby they grew so insolent & proud that they disdained all the English Nobilitie , which was the first occasion & beginning of the great rebellion called the Barons wars , wherein many thousand English men lost their liues , beside the disinheriting of some of the chiefest of the Nobility for euer . This king in the 44. yeare of his raign passed ouer sea into France , & concluded a league , wherin it was agreed that the king of England should surcease the claime of all his lands in France , except only Aquitain , whereupon he and his successors vntill the xiiij . yeare of Edward the third , wrote themselues kings of England , Lords of Ireland , and Dukes of Aquitaine . He died the xvj . of Nouember , anno , 1272. when he had raigned 56. yeares , and 20. dayes , and was buried at Westminster . After whose death there was interregnum for 3. daies .

EDWARD the first , King of England , sonne of king Henry the third , at his fathers decease warred against the Infidels in the holy land , and began his raigne the xx . day of Nouember anno 1272. was crowned at Westminster by Robert Kilwardby Archbishop of Canterburie , the xviij . day of September in the second yeare of his raigne . By his first marriage he encreased his inheritance in France , with the Earledome of Ponthiou . By his conquest he enlarged his kingdome at home with the principalitie of Wales , which he bestowed vpon his eldest sonne , and began the custome of the kings of England to create their eldest sonnes princes of Wales . He reformed the extortion of his officers , and chiefly of them which had the administration of Iustice . He established lawes for the preseruation of his owne estate , especially that of Mortmane against donations to religious houses : that of Quia emptores terrarum , against alienation without licence , & that of Quo warranto against vsurpation of royall iurisdictions & liberties . He died at Burgh vpon the Sands , the vij . day of Iuly , anno 1307. when he had raigned xxxiiij . yeares , vij . moneths , & xviij . dayes , & lieth at Westminster .

EDWARD the second , borne at Carnaruon in Northwales , sonne to King Edward the first , began his raigne ouer this realme the 8. day of Iuly , in the yeare of our Lord 1307. and was crowned at Westminster by the Bishoppe of Winchester , deputy for Robert Archbishop of Canterburie then absent in exile , the xxiiij . of February next ensuing . He was much giuen to follow the aduise and counsell of light persons , which caused the Nobility to rebell against him , but at the first he ouercame them , and tooke Thomas Earle of Lancaster their chiefe Captaine , and sate in iudgement himselfe on him at Pontfret , where the same Earle had sentence giuen against him , to be drawne for his treason , for his murther , spoile , burning and robberies , to be hanged , and for his shamefull flying away , to be beheaded : but because he was of the kings linage , he was onely beheaded . At the last such of the Barons as before escaped , and chiefly the Mortimers with helpe of the Queene and the young Prince , then new come out of France , tooke the King , and imprisoned him , when he had raigned xix . yeares , sixe monethes , and seuenteene dayes .

EDWARD the third , sonne to Edward ij . began his raigne ouer this realme the xxv . day of Ianuary , ann. 1327. his father yet liuing & in prison , & was crowned at Westminster on the i. of February following This king created his eldest sonne Edward Duke of Cornwall ( which was the first Duke that was created in England since the Conquest ) & ordeined that the kings eldest sons euer after should be Dukes of Cornewall . He largely augmented the wages of the Iudges of both benches , & barons of th' exchequer , and allowed them three robes euery yeare , because they should not take fees or rewards of any but onely of the king , so that they should be the better able to minister iustice to euery man without affection , & punished the offenders herein most seuerly . For he caused Sir William Thorp knight chiefe Iustice of the kings bench , to be arrained for taking of money ( contrary to his oth ) of certaine persons conuict before him at Lincoln , for felony , to deferre their execution , & being found guilty , had sentence to be hanged , & to forfeit his lands & goods to the king . He died at Shene , the 21. of Iune , 1377. hauing raigned 50. yeares and fiue moneths , lacking 4. daies , & lieth at Westminst.

RICHARD the second king of England , borne at Bordeaux , sonne to Edward the blacke Prince , being xi . yeares old , began his raigne the xxij . day of Iune , anno 1377. & was crowned at Westminster the xvj . day of Iuly next ensuing , by the hands of Simon Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury . This king was comely of personage , and in bountifulnesse and liberalitie farre passed all his progenitors , much more giuen to rest then to marshall affaires , folowing the fantasie of flatterers and yong heads , neglecting the Nobilitie , which was cause of rebellion in the beginning of his raigne , of great strife among the Nobilitie in the midst , & the ouerthrow & vtter destruction of himselfe in the latter end . He was the first that created any to the dignity of a Marquis in this realme of England . He also created Margaret daughter and heire to Thomas of Brotherton Earle of Norfolke and Marshall of England , Duches of Norfolke . He was at the last forsaken of his friends , taken & put in prison by Henry Bolinbroke , sonne and heire to Iohn of Gaunt , Duke of Lancaster , who succeeded him . He raigned 22. yeares , three moneth , & 9. daies , and was buried at Langeley .

HENRY the fourth , borne at Bollingbroke in Lincolnshire , Duke of Hereford , son and heire to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster , being banished by king Richard the ij . after the death of his father , entred England in Holdernes , first made claime onely to the Duchie of Lancaster , being his fathers inheritance , after hauing augmented his power , by false and sinister surmises claimed the crowne of England , set vpon the king , tooke and imprisoned him , where he most miserably ended his life : began his raigne ouer this Realme the xxx . day of September , an. 1399. and was crowned at Westminster the xiij . day of October following by the hands of Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury . This king in the beginning of his raigne was much troubled with ciuill wars , and also with inuasion both of the Frenchmen & Scots , but yet at the length he ( through Gods helpe ) obtained the victory ouer all his enemies , and liued in great quietnesse with loue of his subiects all the 1 est of his raigne . He died at Westminster the xx . of March , anno 1413. when he had raigned xiij . yeares , and sixe moneths lacking x. daies . And was honourablie buried at Canterbury .

HENRY the fift , borne at Monemouth , in the Marches of Wales , sonne of king Henry the fourth , began his raigne ouer this realme the xxj . day of March , in the yeare of our Lord 1413. and was crowned at Westminster the ix . day of Aprill following by the hands of Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury . On the which day there was a terrible tempest of snow , to the great admiration of all those that were present . He was tall of bodie , and very strong , giuen altogether together to marshall affaires , and a mortall enemie to idlenesse , as it plainly appeareth by his great conquests . In the beginning of his raigne he was troubled with domesticall rebellion , in the midst with warres in France , but in the latter end , concluding a perpetuall league with Charles the French king , maried his daughter , was made heire and regent of France , and so in all his stiles was written vntill his dying day . He ended his life at Boys Vincent by Paris the first day of September , betweene two & three of the clocke in the morning , in the yeare of our Lord 1422. when he had raigned nine yeares , fiue moneths , and eleuen daies , and was buried at Westminster .

HENRIE the sixt , borne at Windesore , sonne of king Henry the fift , being of the age of viij . moneths , began his raigne ouer this realme the i. day of September , in the yeare of our Lord 1422. and was crowned first at Westminster the vi . of Nouember 1429. by the hands of Henry Chicheley Archbishop of Canterburie , and afterward the vij . day of September , anno 1431. at Paris by the hands of Henry Beauford Cardinall of Winchester . This king was the first that erected any to the dignitie of a Vicount in this land , or that created any Barron by charter or pattent : for before his daies all Barrons were either made in the field , or called to that state by Parliament writ . He was farre more fitter for the Church , then for cheualrie , for prayer , then for prowesse , a man most vnfortunate in all his worldly attempts , he lost not only all that his father won in France , but also his owne kingdome here at home , for he was at the last in the xxxix . yeare of his raigne driuen out of his kingdome , and after that , taken and put in prison , where he most miserably ended his life . Hee raigned xxxviij . yeares , sixe moneths , and soure dayes , and was buried first at Chertesey , and after remoued to Windsore .

EDWARD Earle of March , borne at Roane in Normandie , sonne and heire to Richard Duke of Yorke , sonne to Richard Earle of Cambridge , sonne to Edmund of Langley Duke of Yorke , fourth sonne to Edward the iij. king of England , began his raigne ouer this realme ( by the name of king Edward the fourth , the fourth day of March anno 1461. & was crowned at Westminster the xxix . day of Iune next following by the hands of Thomas Bourghchier Archbishop of Canterburie . This king was much troubled with ciuill warres , insomuch that he was in the midst of his raigne forced with his chiefest friends to auoide the realme for a time , his aduersary king Henry being restored to the crowne againe , but that continued not long . He was also troubled with warres against the Scots . But hauing brought all things both at home & abroad to quietnesse , he began to waxe idle and couetous , which was not only cause of much grudge amongst the people , but also of shortening of his daies . He ended his life at Westminster the 9. day of Aprill , in the yeare of our Lord 1483. when he had raigned xxij . yeares , one moneth , and v. daies , and was honorably buried at Windsore .

EDWARD the fift , borne in the sanctuary at Westminster , sonne of king Edward the fourth , began his raigne ouer this realme the tenth day of Aprill , in the yeare of our Lord 1483. being of the age of thirteene yeares , but by the cunning dealing of Richard Duke of Gloucester his vnnaturall vncle , was neuer crowned , although there was great preparation made for the same : for his vncle at the first taking vpon him to be protector and gouernor both of the child and the realme , after that defaming him , and all his other brethren and sisters to be bastards , imprisoned and executed most part of his friends , and procured the younger brother , Richard Duke of Yorke and Norfolk to be fetched out of the sanctuarie at Westminster , and put them both in the towre of London , from whence they neuer departed , but were there most lamentably murdered , by the procurement of their cruell vncle . This king was deposed when he had raigned two moneths , and eleuen dayes , and was obscurely buried in the Towre of London .

RICHARD Duke of Gloucester , youngest brother to king Edward the fourth , began his vsurped raigne ouer this realme by the name of k. Richard the third , the xxij . day of Iune , an. 1483. and was crowned at Westminster the vj. day of Iuly next ensuing . He not contented with the deposing of his nephews from their right , nor thinking himselfe surely setled in the kingdome , till he had berest them of their liues , caused the great seale of England to be fetched from Iohn Russell bishop o. Lincolne , Lord Chauncellour , being at London , & brought vnto him , being on his progresse then in Warwickshire , wherewith he secretly sealed such commissions as serued to the murder of the two sweet babes . And then sent the seale backe againe to the Chauncellor , after it had bin viij . dayes in his custody . He most impudently defamed his owne mother with adultery , & likewise king Edwards children to be bastards , the easier thereby to come to his purpose . But all this would not serue , for Henry Earle of Richmondentred the realme , and in a battell by Bosworth slue him the 22. of August , 1485. when he had raigned most tyrannically two yeares , and two months , and was buried at Leicester .

HENRIE Earle of Richmond , borne in Penbroke castle in Wales , sonne of Edmund of Hadham Earle of Richmond , sonne of Owen ap Meredeth , and Queene Katherine the French kings daughter , late wife to king Henry the fift , being of the age of xxx . yeares , began his raigne ouer this realme , by the name of king Henry the vij . the xxij . day of August , anno 1485. and was crowned at Westminster the xxx . day of October next ensuing , by the hands of Thomas Bourghchier Archbishop of Canterbury . This king was wise , valiant , & hardy , for as the fame went , he slue king Richard the iij. with his owne hands . He vsed oftentimes to sit in proper person in courts of Iustice , sometimes in one court , sometimes in another , which caused true and perfect iustice to take place . He bestowed his offices not of fauour nor affection , but on such as were most apt and fit persons for the same . He gathered much riches by executing of penall lawes . He ended his life at his new manour of Richmond the xxi . day of Aprill at night , in the yeare of our Lord 1509. when he had raigned xxiij . yeares , viij . moneths , and lieth buried in his new chappell at Westminster .

HENRIE borne at Grenewich , second sonne to king Henry the vij . being of the age of xvij . yeares & vpward , began his raigne ouer this realme by the name of king Henry viij . the xxij . day of Aprill , 1509. and was crowned at Westminster the xxiiij . day of Iune next ensuing , by the hands of William Warham archbishop of Canterbury . By his first wife the Lady Katherine daughter to Ferdinand kind of Spaine , he had a daughter named Mary , that was afterwarde queene of England . By the Lady Anne Rochford Marquionesse of Penbroke , daughter to Thomas Bolein Earle of Wiltshire and Ormond , his second wife , he had Lady Elizabeth now Queene of England . And by the Lady Iane , daughter to Sir Iohn Seint Maure knight , his third wife , he had a sonne named Edward , that succeeded his father in the kingdome of England . This king erected the court of Augmentation of the reuenues of the crowne , & the court of Wards , and ordeined that the chiefe officer thereof should be called the maister of the Wards for euer . He ended his life at Westminster the xxvij . of Ianuarie , anno 1547. when he had raigned xxxvij . yeares , 9. moneths , and 5. dayes , and lieth buried at Windsore .

EDWARD the sixt , borne at Hampton Court , sonne & heire to king Henry the viij . being of the age of ix . years , began his raigne ouer this realme the xxviij . of Ianuary , 1547. and was crowned at Westminster the xx . of Februarie next following , by the hands of Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterburie . This king in his tender age so profited in all kind of vertue & good learning , that he attained to the perfect knowledge of the Greeke , Latine , and French tongs . In wisdom & good pollicie he farre extelled all others of his years , much like to haue proued another Salomon , if death had not preuented his dayes . He was much delighted in reading the sacred Scripturs , & other good authors , the better thereby to be able , in true iustice , to gouerne his people committed to his charge . Yet for all this , his tender age gaue occasion to some of his stubborne & stifnecked people to rebell . And the pride of some women was cause of great dissention amongst his Nobility , which not long after was a shortening of some of their daies . He ended his life at Grenewich the v. day of Iuly , anno 1553. in the xvi . yeare of his age , when he had raigned vj. yeares , v. moneths , and 8. dayes , and was buried at Westminster .

MARIE borne at Grenewich , elder daughter to king Henry the viij . and sister and heire to the late deceased king Edward the vi . being of the age of xxxviij . yeares , began her raigne ouer this realme the vj. of Iuly , anno 1553. and was crowned at Westminster the 1. of October next following , by the hands of Stephen Gardiner bishoppe of Winchester and Chauncellor of England : for Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury was then prisoner in the Tower . She being indebted in very great sums of money both to the societie of Fulckers and other marchant strangers , borrowed so much money of her subiects vpon priuie seales as acquited the forraine debt , thinking much better to be indebted at home , then to pay great interest abroad , procured thereby much euill will and hatred of her subiects , as neuer afterward could be remoued . After this the losse of Caleis so troubled her , as the memorie thereof would neuer out of her mind till her dying day : so that shortly after she died at her mansion house called S. Iames neare to Westminster the xvij . of Nouember , 1558. at iiij . of the clocke in the morning , hauing raigned v. yeares , v. moneths , and x. dayes , and was buried at Westminster .

ELIZABETH our gracious Queene , born at Grenewich , second daughter to king Henrie the viij . sister & heire to the late Queene Marie , being of the age of 25. yeares , and two moneths , began her most prosperous raigne ouer this realm the xvij . of Nouember , 1558. & was crowned at Westminster the xv . of Ianuarie next following , by the hands of Owen Oglethorp bishop of Carlile . She is a Princesse adorned with all good litterature , both holy and humane , a nourisher of peace both at home and abroad . Amongst all other her most rare vertues , she hath reformed religion , she hath reduced all base coines ( which were currant here before her dayes ) into perfect gold & siluer , so that there is no other mony lesse or more currant within her dominions : which is not to be seene at this day else where vnder any Prince Christian or Ethnicke . She hath builded such faire & strong ships , & furnished so mighty a nauy for the defence of her countries , as maketh all her enemies afraid to attempt any thing against the same . God of his infinit goodnes defend her Maiestie from all perils & dangers , who this 38. yeares and more , hath taken care to keepe vs in quietnesse : and grant her Nestors yeares , to her glory and our great comfort .